Recipes

Grape Salad
8 oz. cream cheese
8 oz. sour cream
1/2 cup sugar
1 tsp vanilla
2 lbs of grapes (red, green or both)
1/2 cup brown sugar (opt)
1 cup pecans, chopped (opt)

Mix: cream cheese, sour cream, sugar and vanilla
Add: grapes and stir together until well coated
Pour mixture in a 9 x13 pan and sprinkle with brown sugar and pecans if you want.

Cafe Rio Pork
Cook Pork Roast on low for 12 hours in a crock pot with water added half way up the meat. After 12 hours drain water and get the fat off and add:
1 cup brown sugar, 1 tsp cumin (opt), 12-15 oz bottle of Taco Sauce, and 20 oz bottle of Coke.
Continue cooking for 4 hours...Shred the meat and continue cooking for 2 more hours.

Swiped Meme

Swiped Meme

Go Here to play along!

Do you need to write down things to remember them? Yes I do and then I have to remember to look at where I right things down.

Do you keep a diary/journal? I use to but now I blog and I think that is pretty close to keeping a journal since my blog is about my feelings and the things I do.

Are you scared of thunderstorms? Actually at times I have been scared.  I enjoy them inside the house but not like my hubby.  He loves them!

Do you have any unusual fears or phobias? I don't like closed in spaces.  I was on my way to the crown of the Statue of Liberty once and had to bail because of all the people around me.  I don't really like the thought of zip lining or sky diving but have done both and found out the fear was in my head.  I have zip lined again and had to take a few big breaths at first.  I thought I would sky dive again but have changed my mind.

Whats your favorite Disney movie? growing up it was Cinderella and Snow White.  I can't say that I have a favorite now because I like them all.

Have you ever painted a house? I have only painted walls inside of a house....and I don't enjoy it.

Whats the tallest tree you've ever climbed? My dads apple tree which isn't tall at all.  I'm not much of a climber but I have a few boys that are.

Do you always wear identical socks? I do!  I know that it's okay and even cool to wear mismatched socks but I still don't.

Do you live by any motto or philosophy? Don't Worry Be Happy!  You get what you get and you don't throw a fit.  Honesty is the Best Policy and Do Unto Other as You Would Have Them Do Unto You!

Do you lick the yogurt or dessert lid? Why Yes I do!!!

Do you lick the spoon clean after making something sweet? If there isn't anyone else to lick it I do.  I love licking the spoon or bowl.

Have you ever played the bongos? I don't think I ever had....pretty sure I would have remembered.

Have you ever handled a snake? I have touched a snake but I wouldn't say that I have handled one.  I detest snakes.

Have you ever assembled furniture by yourself? I have baby furniture.  I assembled a crib and made a few shelves.

When did you last go to the beach? In March.  I went to Kauai and we went to a beach. 

When if ever did you last go to London? I have never been to London.  I think I'd like to though.

What do you do to cool down when its hot? Drink Ice Water and sit by a fan.

What's the most unusual thing you've ever eaten? I would say eel....a guy gave us some when we were having sushi one time. The thought of it is worse than the taste.

Do you have a favorite mug? not a mug but I do have a few cups I really like.

Do you know any self-defense or martial arts? I remember learning a few moves at a young women activity years ago.

Who's your favorite movie action hero? Superman

Have you ever ridden a motorcycle? Yes but I'm not sure that I have driven one.  Mallory use to take me on hers and we came to Hooper once and were plastered by nats and mosquito's.  It was gross.  I had a few dates that took me on motor cycles too.

Do you collect anything?  Yes~Stuff....I collect useless things like: rubber stamps, cards, scrap book supplies (I don't scrapbook), Clothes, purses, books, decorations, props for photo's.  My problem with collecting is I can't part with it when I no longer need it. Truthfully....I need none of it!

Is there anything you wished would come back into fashion? nope

Do you stick to conventional fashions or like to try and be original? I'm pretty conventional

Have you ever given someone a handmade present? Oh Yes....I use to make most of the gifts I gave away.  I use to enjoy Tole Painting and did a lot of it.  I loved giving the things I made to others.  I just don't enjoy crafting like I use to.  

Super Saturday

Today was one of those days that was fun and we got a lot accomplished.  I've been wanting to get the tires painted for quite some time however I wasn't eager to start them by myself.  I'm glad that it finally hit Larry that the tires needed painted and that he got right on it and went and bought the paint.  He bought an enamel,  I'm pretty sure I would have got an acrylic which I think would also work.  Larry got the kids up to help and out we all went to paint the tires.  I only painted one which took about an hour.  Jared spent two hours out there and Larry and Kimi each stayed another hour and got them done.  I wanted to go to the chiropractor since it's been a few weeks and I also needed to go to the store.  That's why I left and because I don't have it in me to push myself.  I was feeling the heat and wasn't liking it.

I really like the way the tires turned out...they make me happy when I look out the window and see them.  I know my cute grands are going to love climbing on them.  We put these tires out for our kids to climb on and we started with just black tires which meant black kids.  Larry's dad painted them one day and used some tractor paint which was green on all of them.  It was wonderful and the kids didn't come in with black all over them.  The last few years we were seeing black hands again.  The kids love climbing all over and through these tires....they really are so much fun.

We got the tires painted and had time to get ready to go to Debbie and Paul's for a cookout.  Their kids and grands are here because of Caysie's wedding and they invited us to come visit and hang out with them.  We love the Widdison's and enjoyed visiting with them and their kids.  They had quite the spread.  Bryce and Aaron enjoy cooking and made some yummy ribs and pork for sandwiches.  There was lots of fruit left over from the wedding and so we cut it up....oh my it was delicious.  I love summer and fruit and cookouts.  Debbie is the Queen of Dirty Drinks.  I have never had a drink that tasted so good.  She put ice in a cup and then had the juice of half a lime.  Then she poured in quite a bit of coconut syrup (sugar free) then she added the soda.  It was so good.  Paul had said that if you are going to error on the amount of syrup it's better to error with more...I agree!  The drink was good to the finish!  I hated to leave because I could have stayed and visited all night but I had a play to go to which is always a blast!

Kimleighel got to join us tonight because there was an extra ticket.  It was fun taking her with us and she had a great time.  Kimi loves hanging out with me and loved these ladies too. We stopped and ate at The Old Spaghetti Factory first.  I didn't order much since I had just enjoyed a yummy cookout.  Kimi had saved room and enjoyed some Fettuccine Alfredo...what I use to always order when I was younger.

Tonight our tickets weren't together.  I was sitting in front of Kimi, Cari and her daughter, Carol and Heather.  Barbie and Natalie were in another section and different rows.  Barbie was sitting in the middle of the row and there were 7 or 8 empty seats by her.  Hmmmm....why didn't they sell us those seats?  At intermission Natalie, Kimi and I joined Barbie.  The Play was funny and we had a good time.  We always have a good time!  I really like my "Play"ful friends!  I'm not sure how I got so lucky to join them but I'm glad I did.

Food 4 Thought Friday

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Food 4 Thought Friday ~ This week's questions: ♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥ 
Breakfast ~ Post a few photos from your phone that most sums up your week and explain why.

 This because every now and then among all the commotion there were some peaceful times.

It's seems like I am always on the go and moving....so much always going on.

at the end of each day I really think "there's no place like home!"

Lunch ~ What are your weekend plans? I am going to take Jared to get his picture taken for his drivers license and then he is going to drop off an application to work at Winegars.  I plan on stopping by my mom's while getting his license and visiting with her and my brother.  We were invited to our friends for a little BBQ and party for their grands while their kids are visiting tomorrow and I think we will go.  Then I get to go to the Play with Barbie and her girls. On Sunday I am planning on enjoying the lesson that someone else prepares (I'm through teaching) and then enjoy the few members of my family that are coming to dinner.  I also want to finish a book I am reading.
Dinner ~ What is something you have needed extra help with this week. I can't think of anything.  I know that I have been able to help a few of my kids that have needed extra help this week and also a friend who's daughter was married.
Midnight Snack ~ Name a song (or two) that you currently love. I love the "Happy" Song by Pharrell Williams,  Geronimo by Shepphard and Just the Way You Are by Bruno Mars. I also love "Oh Lord my God" and "Where Can I Turn for Peace".  I often find myself humming the songs I learned at Church.  
Recipe of the Week ~ (instead of your recipe for life what is it just for the week?)  Let it Go!  There are so many things we regret or wish we could just do over......Let it Go!

♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥ 

We aren't always in control

This week has been a little frustrating at times.  I seem to get "sucked" into my families emotions and concerns.  Jared misunderstood his driving teacher and missed a drive.  Kimleighel didn't leave early enough to go the wrong direction for her Cello lesson.  Others did things that I wouldn't have and there I was finding myself uptight and frustrated.  If I let my mind choose the direction of it's thoughts I noticed a tight feeling in my body that settled in my tummy.  I even had to wipe a few tears off my cheeks.  The feelings taking over my body were not good or welcomed.  I know how powerful positive thinking is and the magic of a smile and so I smiled.  I didn't just show my teeth but really let my smile take over my face.  The negative thoughts disappeared and thoughts of gratitude and blessings filled the space previously filled with negative,frustrating, hurtful thoughts.  Smiling is such a simple action but so incredibly powerful and magical.  Happiness really does come from the simple act of smiling...even if it's forced at first.

We can't control what happens around us.  We will have challenges that will test us and our feelings, and we are going to hurt and be frustrated at times but the good thing is that we have the power within us to control how we react when those things happen.  At first I let the things I didn't have control over get to me but not for long.  I used the knowledge I have to chase them away until I was in control again....until I felt happy!

I hope that I can help others learn this simple trick of being happy...... JUST SMILE!

Celebrating Tonya

I usually go to Weber High on Tonya's birthday (May 21) and catch Tonya there and give her a gift and visit with her.  However, this year her boss had her running to the other schools and had her so busy she wasn't sure she would be there when I came.  We decided that our lunch date would have to do this year.  We met at the Blue Lemon.  We chose a seat by the window so we could watch the rain and have a little more space away from the other tables.  Tonya caught me up on her kids and on Alexi's wedding and reception plans.  Tonya has so much going on right now.  She is even going bear hunting with her neighbors just to watch the bears.  I'm happy that her life is so full and that she has lots of fun things going on.  I'm so happy that we were able to meet and visit.  The gift I gave her will be appreciated and enjoyed with all her business.  I included some fun bath bombs and relaxing homemade (not by me) soap in her bucket of treats.  I think she might need to stop and relax a little with everything going on.  I was hoping that we would do a Temple Marathon together but I might just have to plan one on my own to make sure I get one in.  When I mentioned my Temple Marathon to Tonya a few months ago she was eager to join me....but her calendar just got fuller.

I'm thankful for this dear sister/friend of mine!  She's a joy and a tremendous friend.  I love her!

A few pictures

 Sadie Lou

 Zaden and his creation

 Kimi and Jordyn among Larry's stuffed animals

 Eli...my cute primary friend

 Ivy

 Zaden's Graduation

Dolphin Fans...like their daddy