Let's Talk Travel Meme

Ok let’s talk travel, do you like to travel? Yes...I think traveling is fun to do.  I like having a break from the normal life every once in awhile.

Where have you been? Oh my...I have been to Australia, New Zealand, Mexico, Israel, Italy, Germany, Hawaii. To the LDS Church History Sites, California, Pennsylvania, Yellowstone.  We've got around. ☺

Next place you want to go? hmmmm...Disneyland and Hawaii

What is something you MUST take with you when you travel? My camera..since I started blogging and making books from my blogs I love taking pictures.

How do you like to travel? (mode of transportation) I prefer to get there the quickest way possible which is flying.  I'm so glad we get sky miles so that we don't usually have to pay for transportation.

With someone, or alone? I prefer traveling with others...my family and friends always make life more enjoyable.  So I prefer not to be alone in my travels.

Do you dance in your car when there are other people with you? that would depend on who.  I do when it's my kids or grands.  I will bounce with the music any time if I want to though.

If you're quiet what does it mean? That I am thinking or troubled about something.  It might also mean that I am knocked out or asleep since I am not usually quiet.

Favorite scent?  I love the smell of things baking or cooking, grass, baby powder and lotion, my hubby, chocolate, flowers, rain, gummy bears, camp fires or ditches after being burned.

Favorite store? I guess Walmart since they get more of my money than any other store.

Say you wanted coffee.. what kind is your favorite?  No Coffee for me...however I do enjoy the smell of coffee.  I prefer Hot Chocolate and like Mint Chocolate or Cherry Chocolate.

Favorite kind of pizza? I like meat pizza....I really like most pizza.

Do you get embarrassed easily? Not as much now because I don't care as much what others think.

Do you mind people asking you personal questions? Not at all.  I don't mind sharing my life with others. 

You have a tank of gas, $50, and the day off… what do you do?  put the $50 in my stash to add to it.  As far as what I'd do with my time I'm not sure.  I like going to lunch with friends, or getting a pedicure but sometimes I just enjoy staying home and  relaxing since that doesn't happen much.

Favorite tv show? I don't watch tv...so no favorites.  I use to like America's idol, or dancing with the stars but haven't watch those for years.  I would rather read a book than watch tv.

Song you turn the volume up all the way to listen to? The Happy Song or anything with a good beat.

Something you keep in your car? My purse...it's in my glove box most of the time.

 Highlight of your day? I love our family time in the mornings when we all meet by my bed and read scriptures together and say a prayer together as a family.  Before anyone leaves my room I get a hug and kiss from each member.  I love that most!

 Something you do everyday that you wish you didn’t have to do? Prepare meals....I don't enjoy cooking dinner because I don't like deciding what to have.

 Do you mind if people just show up at your house unannounced?  Not at all...any time you want to come over is fine with me.

What do you do when you disagree with someone? I'd probably tell them depending on the circumstance.  Sometimes just letting things go is better though.  I don't like to stir things up or get too involved in things that don't pertain to me.

Do you enjoy rain? I do enjoy the rain.  When it rains I get a comfy feeling and like to stay inside and read a book with a blanket.  As a child I loved being soaked by the rain.  I would probably still enjoy that but I don't like getting ready more than once a day.

Who’s your favorite person in the whole world? Each member of my family is my favorite! ♥

Sweet Natalie

Look Who's a Year Older and Wiser Too!  This girl amazes me in so many ways.  She is so calm and collected.  She's talented and a really good cook.  If we need a special dish made we ask Natalie.  She's kind.  I've never heard Natalie speak unkindly of anyone.  She's patient.  My cute son and their darling kids might push her but some how she doesn't let it get her going.  She's organized.  Her house speaks loudly of that talent.  She is completely perfect for my son and he is a better person because he married this beauty. (I think she did ok too)

I love that Natalie is in our family.  Our family is better and so blessed because she is in it.  Natalie makes me a better person as well.  I 'm so glad she is the mother of three of my very cute grands.  They are very lucky to have such a wonderful mom!  So Thankful for Natalie!

Larry and I went to the Temple together and did initiatory.  Again, it was great being in the Temple of our Lord! (3 times for me this week...woot woot)

About Me

At the end of each month I am also going to include something about me that you might not have known.

My favorite food has always been pasta.  When I was growing up and if I got to choose what we were going to have for dinner I would choose spaghetti.  As I got older I became acquainted with Fettuccine Alfredo and would order it whenever I went out if it was on the menu.  I love homemade mac and cheese and to tell the truth I even like the boxed macaroni and cheese...just not as much.  I love top ramen noodes, japanese noodles...anything with pasta.  I like all kinds of pasta and right now I really like the curly, corkscrew pasta called Cellentani!  I love the twist in it..and I think it's fun to eat. ☺

My favorite Restaurant is LaFerovia. The owners are from Naples, Italy and just cook so good.  Even my grands love LaFerovia.  I use to always order the pasta combo.  With the combo you would get a pasta in red sauce and a different pasta in white sauce.  Now I switch it up and try to add a little protein when I order but oh my...I love the pasta.

I still  cook pasta for a meal at least once a week.  It seems like Mondays are a good day for spaghetti since it's fast and easy and filling.  We have lots of pasta in our food storage...it's what we eat!

Recipes We Like

Each Month I decided to put a recipe that our family likes.  To start off I am putting my recipe for Shepard's Pie.... The reason I chose this recipe first is because it has always been something that my entire family has liked.  I can't remember ever having anyone complain and say they didn't like it.  I even had a friend call me once because her teenage son wanted my Shepard's Pie for his Birthday Dinner.  It's simple and good! (the left overs are good too)

Shepard's Pie
Brown 1 1/2-2 lbs of hamburger
in a 9 x 13 pan mix...
2 cans of tomato soup
1 can of corn (drained)
1 can of green beans (drained)
and hamburger
Make mashed potatoes.  I use instant a lot because they are fast and still taste good.  Spread the mashed potatoes on top and cover with shredded cheese.  Bake at 350 for 30 min. (covered)

Vanilla Graham Cracker Desert
Layer graham crackers on the bottom of a cake pan.  Then layer whip cream/pudding mixture and repeat.  Top with another layer of graham cracker and frost the crackers with chocolate frosting.

Cream Cheese/pudding mixture: 2 small instant vanilla pudding and 1 small cool whip.
Make Pudding using 3 cups of milk instead of 4 and fold the cool whip in it.

H*E*L*P

Thank goodness for friends!  When I need help with something I can call and friend and will get the help I need.  I am over SNAP next week and so I planned a little lesson about Love and Kindness.  I thought we could make a card to give to someone and also a funny ring I saw on the internet.  The President wanted me to use some of the paper and left overs we had for the cards.  My mind went right back to preschool as I designed my love note.  It was the worst thing I have ever created since the age of 5 and even Larry agreed....it was ridiculous.  Kathy is the queen of cards and has everything to make really cute ones.  I went to her house yesterday and decided what I wanted and then I went back today to cut them out.  I picked up more paper from our SNAP closet.  Now I have a kit for the gals to each make a really cute card. I feel much better about things now. ☺ Robin and Carla came over too and Kathy ended up helping Robin make a sign for her son to respond to a dance invite.  It was cute and we all had a great time.

a few things

Every once in awhile someone will post something on my face book wall.  They post sayings that they say reminded them of me.  It makes me happy that others think of me in such positive ways.  I always appreciate that simple act of kindness!  These are all simple reminders to continue to be happy and positive....it makes a difference and influences more than we think.

Sometimes I will take a quiz on the internet to see what color you are or who you look like or what princess etc.  I took a color quiz and for the first time ever I was told I was Yellow.  I liked the reason why...Yellow is the color of sunshine and symbolizes happiness and friendship! It can stimulate mental energy and cheerfulness and definitely represents you! You love to have fun with your loved ones and your smile can light up a room!  Good Morning Sunshine!

This actually did remind me of me...however....I think we could read every single meaning of every color and relate to it in some way or another.  But for today this was perfect and did brighten my day like sunshine does!

I hope that you are happy....yes you....the one reading this right now.  I often wonder who will read this?  I think of those that will read this when I am gone...gone to the better place.  I hope in some small way all my writings and ramblings can help my posterity.  I feel a strong love for those already gone and for those still coming.  Life is a test.  We can't give up.  It doesn't last long. The journey should be enjoyed.  I hope your life is fun and that you are enjoying it.  You are Loved!

The Temple is the Place to Be!

Kathy wanted to go to the Temple with me this week but not at 7:30 in the morning so we made plans to go again today.  We decided to go to Brigham so that Jodi could join us.  I am really glad we did.  I have wanted to go to that Temple since it was dedicated but hadn't made it.  Jodi describes it as feminine and the Ogden as masculine and I agree.  The Brigham City temple is light and delicate, and the Ogden is dark wood and big features.  Both are absolutely beautiful and it really is fun going to the different temples and to see the differences.  The feeling though from going is always the same...I always feel loved and such peace.  The Temple is such a blessing in our lives.  My friends are also such a blessing. (each and every one regardless of how much I see or spent time with them)

When we entered the women's dressing room my sweet friend Elaine Mills walked by.  Elaine lives in Samaria, ID and she has always been such a wonderful friend to me. We both lit up when we saw each other.  I was telling Larry later that night about bumping into her and he mentioned what the chances of that happening are....less than a minute difference and we wouldn't have.  Seeing Elaine brightened my day. I sure do love her!

I had to leave the session again today because I really had to go to the potty. (I say again because years ago I had a little "nightmare" and left 3 times) I felt like a little kid but knew I could not hold it.  I always go before the session and think that it's all in my head so this time when I felt the urge I ignored it...plus I didn't know where the rest room was.  Anyway as I sat there in the session I realized it was NOT just in my head but it was in my bladder!  I was beginning to feel miserable and wasn't enjoying the session.  I had a plan....when we stood to put on our Temple robes I would sneak out.  That plan worked out pretty good.  I was sitting on the back row and just went right out.  I am so glad I did....my bladder was like "super-sized". (if you didn't know it there are rest rooms by the endowment rooms)  I got back in the room and people were still standing getting dressed.  I frantically got my robes on and sat down...I was the last one standing but not by much.  I actually tied my sash and veil after I sat down. ☺ I think the older lady sitting by me was annoyed by me but I find that kind of funny since she is the only one I didn't have to climb in front of to make my exit.  She reminded me to remove my slippers and was kind of a grump about it.  I thanked her later for reminding me and she still looked grumpy and told me she couldn't hear me and so I repeated myself and then she turned her head the other way.  That kind of made me laugh....I really couldn't help myself.  I will go potty before any more sessions I attend. ☺ I did notice a smile on the poor ladies face after she went to the prayer circle and had to climb pass everyone on the back row.  People just look better when they smile. ☺

After enjoying the Celestial Room for quite awhile and gathering the names I took that Kathy and Jodi helped me do, we went to Firehouse Pizza for a treat.  We shared some garlic bread and a skookie.  Yummy!  We enjoyed each other for a little longer and then we needed to leave so I could get home to watch Parker and Macie while Mya had parent/teacher conferences.  It was a wonderful day!

I had asked Jaydan if he would please work on my lower back because it was really hurting.  He took a little time before he left and pushed on a few pressure points.  It killed at first but slowly got better.  He only worked on it for 10-15 minutes but my back was much better when he was done.  The left side was the worst and the side he worked on.  I guess it was compensating for me holding the babies which I always hold on my right side.  I am really thankful that Jaydan was able to help me out.  I need to talk him into working on it a little more. ☺