They Gave Up Their Christmas

What will you give this Christmas?

This story reminded me once again of the amazing people on this earth that give so selflessly of their time and talents in the service of their fellowmen. How grateful I am to be blessed with health and strength and the ability to serve others, particularly remembering the example of the Savior and his service and sacrifice to all mankind. I would encourage everyone this Christmas season to follow his example and remember that . . . “There is no better time than now, this very Christmas season, for all of us to rededicate ourselves to the principles taught by Jesus the Christ.”
—President Thomas S. Monson

I love this talk by Dieter F Uchtdorf . . .

Can We See the Christ?

One night a grandfather was reading a story to his four-year-old granddaughter when she looked up and said, “Grandpa, look at the stars!” The older man smiled kindly and said, “We’re indoors, honey. There are no stars here.” But the child insisted, “You have stars in your room! Look!”

The grandfather looked up and, to his surprise, noticed that the ceiling was peppered with a metallic glitter. It was invisible most of the time, but when the light struck the glitter a certain way, it did indeed look like a field of stars. It took the eyes of a child to see them, but there they were. And from that moment on, when the grandfather walked into this room and looked up, he could see what he had not been able to see before.

We are entering another wonderful Christmas season filled with music and lights, parties and presents. But of all people, we as members of the church that bears the Savior’s name need to look beyond the facade of the season and see the sublime truth and beauty of this time of year.

I wonder how many in Bethlehem knew that right there, close to them, the Savior had been born? The Son of God, the long-awaited and promised Messiah—He was in their midst!
Do you remember what the angel told the shepherds? “Unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.” And they said to themselves, “Let us now go even unto Bethlehem, and see this thing which is come to pass” (Luke 2:11, 15).
Like the shepherds of old, we need to say in our hearts, “Let us see this thing which is come to pass.” We need to desire it in our hearts. Let us see the Holy One of Israel in the manger, in the temple, on the mount, and on the cross. Like the shepherds, let us glorify and praise God for these tidings of great joy!
Sometimes the most difficult things to see are those that have been right in front of us all along. Like the grandfather who failed to see the stars on the ceiling, we sometimes cannot see that which is in plain sight.

We who have heard the glorious message of the coming of the Son of God, we who have taken upon us His name and have covenanted to walk in His path as His disciples—we must not fail to open our hearts and minds and truly see Him.

The Christmas season is wonderful in many ways. It is a season of charitable acts of kindness and brotherly love. It is a season of being more reflective about our own lives and about the many blessings that are ours. It is a season of forgiving and being forgiven. It is a season to enjoy the music and lights, parties and presents. But the glitter of the season should never dim our sight and prevent us from truly seeing the Prince of Peace in His majesty. Let us all make this year’s Christmas season a time of rejoicing and celebration, a time when we acknowledge the miracle that our Almighty God sent His Only Begotten Son, Jesus Christ, to redeem the world!

Red Velvet Trifle.... isn't it pretty?

I saw this today and think it is a must have! I can't wait to make it!!! Maybe for my Croin's graduation party this Saturday?!



RED VELVET CAKE TRIFLE
www.RecipeGirl.com

CAKE:
1 cup unsalted butter, at room temperature
1 3/4 cups sugar
2 1/2 cups cake flour
1 1/4 tsp. salt
2 large eggs
1 cup buttermilk
1 tsp. vanilla extract
1 tsp. baking soda
1 1/2 tsp. vinegar
1 1/2 tsp. unsweetened cocoa powder
1 ounce red food coloring (use 2 ounces if you desire a deeper red color)

SYRUP:
1/3 cup granulated sugar
1/3 cup water
1/2 tsp. vanilla extract

THE REST:
4 ounces cream cheese, at room temperature
One (8-ounce) tub mascarpone cheese
1/3 cup granulated sugar
2 cups heavy whipping cream
sliced almonds- about 1 cup
shaved dark chocolate- about 4 ounces
mint leaves and fresh cranberries for garnish, optional

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Spray 9×13-inch pan generously with cooking spray; then dust lightly with flour.

2. Prepare cake: With an electric mixer, blend butter and sugar in a large bowl; set aside. Sift together flour and salt; set aside. Mix the eggs, buttermilk, vanilla, baking soda and vinegar in a separate bowl. Alternate adding flour mixture and buttermilk mixture to the butter mixture. Mix well after each addition. In a small bowl, mix red food coloring and cocoa powder; add to the cake batter and mix just until combined. Pour batter into prepared pan and bake for 30 to 40 minutes, or until toothpick comes out clean. You don’t really want the cake to be soft and super moist, so be sure to bake it until it tests done.

3. Prepare simple syrup: In a small saucepan, bring sugar, and water to boil over medium heat. Stir to dissolve sugar completely. Stir in vanilla. Let cool.

4. Cut the cake in half and cut one half into chunks; brush with cooled syrup. You likely won’t need more than half of the cake for the trifle. Save the rest of the cake for another purpose.

5. Prepare whipped layer: In a large bowl, beat cream cheese, mascarpone and sugar on high speed until light and fluffy. Reduce speed to medium and slowly pour in whipping cream. Continue beating until mixture resembles soft whipped cream.

6. Assemble the trifle: In the bottom of your trifle dish, arrange a single layer of red velvet cake chunks. Spoon about 1 1/2 cups of the whipped topping on top of the cake cubes. Next, sprinkle almonds and then shaved chocolate. Keep repeating layers until you run out of room in your dish. Garnish with mint leaves and fresh cranberries, if desired.

Serves: 10 to 12

TIPS:
*Quick & easy tip: Use a boxed red velvet cake mix instead of making it from scratch (bake it in a 9×12-inch pan)
*If you don’t wish to use mascarpone cheese, you can sub 6 ounces of cream cheese for the mascarpone (10 ounces cream cheese total).
*Using low fat cream cheese is completely ok.
*I used Scharffenberger Dark Chocolate. To get it ready for shaving, place a chunk of chocolate in the microwave for about 20 seconds, then shave w/ a potato peeler to create curly little shards of chocolate.
*Quick & easy tip: Use chocolate chips in place of shaved dark chocolate.
*If you don’t have a trifle bowl, use a glass bowl with tall sides instead.
*Make ahead tip: The trifle can be prepared early in the day. Refrigerate and cover with plastic wrap. Add the garnish just before serving.

This Christmas (All I Really, Really Want) - Original song by Chris Comm...

Chris is a fellow Kingman High School graduate :) I really like his upbeat music! Becca and I love to listen to his music and watch his videos.

My first game stats!!!! (By becca)

Although my team, the eagles, lost 24-4, we made more progress on passing..... But, since those girls were triple my size, eight graders, I had some trouble with them passing or seeing over their shoulders.
As my mom said, they were VERY "handsy". One girl even had to sit out because she lost the feeling in her upper lip from being hit. My mom says she had a bad bloody nose also, but I didn't notice because I was BOOKING it down the floor, from the mixed possessions to the blocking (or at least trying to,) the MANY shots trying to be made.
But, on the upsides, I was the only team member to foul an eighth grader!!!!!! She AIRBALLED the two shots, overshooting them both. I am pretty proud of myself:) I also got an assist:]
It was pretty fun, (except the injuries)and I can't wait for my game on the 7th, and this time it's a home game against Maricopa.

Very quick road trip... here come the Bargos and the Quesenberrys!

I am so excited I can hardly stand it!
We are leaving tomorrow morning for the happiest place on earth! We plan on being there from 8 am to 12 pm, we are going to squeeze every ounce of fun into one day that we can! The next day it is off to Knotts! I think their hours are 10-6 ? Why is that??? I am sure we will be dragging by then... :)
We get to see our Quesenberry family!!! Yay! I hope we can sleep tonight! I know I am feeling like a kid on the night before Santa comes!
We are driving home on turkey day... I hope that means no traffic...

I hope you all have a beautiful Thanksgiving with your loved ones!

Eli's Fine Laundering Skills

Tonight while I was folding the huge pile of laundry, I came across some of Eli's clothing...
He has decided that he is doing his own laundry since I "fry" his shirts in the dryer! Ok. Great!
Well, since he is master of his own laundry, he is master of folding too! I very nicely threw all of his clothes towards him so that he could get right on that folding!
As you can see... he is snoring! If you look really close you can see he is still able to have the death grip clutch on his phone while he is asleep.
Off to match the socks...

Pumpkin Cake/Bars

Cake/Bars:

2 c pumpkin
1 c oil
2 c sugar
4 eggs
2 t cinnamon
1 t pumpkin spice
1/2 t salt
1 t baking powder
2 t baking powder
2 c flour

Mix ingredients well. Bake at 350 in 9X13 pan for 40 minutes.

Frosting:

1 (8oz) pkg. cream cheese, softened
1 cube butter, softened
3 c powdered sugar
1 t vanilla

Mix until smooth, spread on cooled cake.



I made this cake yesterday... It is so yummy! I actually think it is better the next day! I call it pumpkin cake, some people call them pumpkin bars, either way they are fabulous! You can also use pumpkin pie mix instead of plain pumpkin...

Thanksgiving Daily

My simply amazing sister put this on her blog and I wanted to share it also... I am overcome with emotion knowing the blessings in my life. It is very hard for me to think about or write about because I start bawling and cannot finish.
I am blessed with a wonderful family that truly loves and supports me. I love and appreciate all that they do. I know that by their example I can be a better Mom, Wife, Sister, Aunt, Daughter and Friend.

What did you just say?

Huh? Did you really say it is going to be 80 degrees today?!!! Yes, the weatherman just did! I was thinking yesterday... only in Arizona could I get away with wearing flip flops, capri's, a ponytail, a long sleeved shirt, and a sweater! I am in a state of "season confusion"... maybe if I play some Christmas music and put a decoration out it will feel like the holidays are getting closer...
Quick Update: Grayson and Becca are both playing basketball on their school's team. They are loving it! They come home pretty wiped out. I thought they would have their games on the same days just at different times... nope. All of their games are on completely different days, it's going to be busy!
I might want to start thinking of some organizational tools to help me keep up w the craziness. I need a planner, remember "Franklin" planners? Everyone had them, you had to carry it with you at all times. I think cell phones have replaced them, but I am still in the stone ages when it comes to anything progressive and convenient like that... Hmmmmm What to do, I am an awful forgetter... ha :)

symphony pie

Symphony Pie

1 King Size Symphony bar (milk chocolate or toffee chip)
1/4 cup water
1 (8 oz.) tub Cool Whip
Graham Cracker Pie Crust (or any other prepared crust, I used shortbread)

Break up Symphony bar and add water in large microwave safe bowl. Heat in microwave for 45 seconds. Remove and mix with spoon so that all of the chocolate is melted. Add Cool Whip and mix very well. (I put one scoop in the chocolate first and mixed that in to cool the chocolate before I add the rest of the cool whip) Do this for several minutes making, sure that all of the chocolate is incorporated. Pour chocolate mixture into Graham Cracker Pie Crust and spread evenly. Cover and freeze for 3 hours before served. It will stay good in the freezer for weeks.

This has been a pretty busy couple of days! I love this time of year! It is starting to cool down very nicely around here... and basketball season is getting into full swing. Grayson and Rebecca are both trying out for their school's basketball team this year. Grayson has been working sooo hard, he comes home completely exhausted, does his homework, eats and heads to bed. I am so proud of him!
The girls sixth grade team opened up three spots and they asked the fifth grade to fill them. Becca came home telling me that she was going to try out and needed some "work out clothes!" I obliged by handing over a pair of Grayson's running shorts and told her to wear her converse... She packed all her gear up and just got home... she tried out with quite a few of her friends and told me that she is going to their games even if she doesn't make the team. She is such an amazing little gal!
Eli is going to school and doing very well... he has all A's! I think he is enjoying getting back into a normal routine. Next semester is around the corner! He has a lot of school ahead of him to achieve his dream of being a pharmacist... He can do it! One step at a time...

Today is voting day!!! YAY!
This means that all of the nasty political commercials will be over after today. I will not miss the telephone calls either... I received six yesterday!
Personally, I know that I would try to keep any political run in the positive... when I see or hear the negative ads it just turns me away from that specific candidate.
I don't think that is what they are after...

I got to make GAK with a Fabulous Fifth Grade Class!!!

At Becca's fall party I had the awesome experience of helping them make GAK... It was so fun!
We had three different classes. The first class was the blind leading the blind, the second was much smoother and by the last class we were pretty much pro's at GAK making!
The kids loved it and it kept them so busy, busy, busy... I am posting the recipe we used for the party. I also found another recipe that I want to try as soon as I can find a big bottle of liquid starch! It's ingredients are: elmers glue and liquid starch in equal amounts (add a couple drops of food coloring to the starch if you want some fun colors!)... mix together in a gallon ziploc bag and Viola! you are done!!! (there may be a little extra liquid that does not blend in, just pour it out) It looks like it would be fun too. Now, does anyone know where I can find a gallon of liquid starch???

G A K

Is it a solid? Is it a liquid? Just what is this slimy, stringy, rubbery stuff? This variation on slime will probably remind you of a similar substance found in many toy stores. This is the most popular version of "slime" among teachers because it's so easy to make and serves as a great visual tool for introducing students to the properties of polymers.

Materials

* Elmer’s Glue® (8 oz bottle of Elmer’s Glue-All)
* Borax (a powdered soap found in the grocery store)
* Large mixing bowl
* Plastic cup (8 oz size works well)
* Spoon
* Measuring cup
* Food coloring (the spice of life)
* Water
* Paper towel (hey, you’ve got to clean up!)
* Zipper-lock bag (don’t you want to keep it when you’re done?)
* Empty plastic soda bottle with cap
* Water


Here’s the easiest way to make a big batch Elmer’s Slime. The measurements do not have to be exact but it’s a good idea to start with the proportions below for the first batch. Just vary the quantities of each ingredient to get a new and interesting batch of goo.

This recipe is based on using a brand new 8 ounce bottle of Elmer’s Glue. Empty the entire bottle of glue into a mixing bowl. Fill the empty bottle with warm water and shake (okay, put the lid on first and then shake). Pour the glue-water mixture into the mixing bowl and use the spoon to mix well. Add the glue-water mixture to the glue in the mixing bowl. Go ahead… add a drop or two of food coloring.

Measure 1/2 cup of warm water into the plastic cup and add a teaspoon of Borax powder to the water. Stir the solution – don’t worry if all of the powder dissolves. This Borax solution is the secret linking agent that causes the Elmer’s Glue molecules to turn into slime.

While stirring the glue in the mixing bowl, slowly add a little of the Borax solution. Immediately you’ll feel the long strands of molecules starting to connect. It’s time to abandon the spoon and use your hands to do the serious mixing. Keep adding the Borax solution to the glue mixture (don’t stop mixing) until you get a perfect batch of Elmer’s slime. You might like your slime more stringy while others like firm slime. Hey, you’re the head slime mixologist – do it your way!

When you’re finished playing with your Elmer’s slime, seal it up in a zipper-lock bag for safe keeping.
How does it work?

The mixture of Elmer’s Glue with Borax and water produces a putty-like material called a polymer. In simplest terms, a polymer is a long chain of molecules. You can use the example of cooking spaghetti to better understand why this polymer behaves in the way it does. When a pile of freshly cooked spaghetti comes out of the hot water and into the bowl, the strands flow like a liquid from the pan to the bowl. This is because the spaghetti strands are slippery and slide over one another. After awhile, the water drains off of the pasta and the strands start to stick together. The spaghetti takes on a rubbery texture. Wait a little while longer for all of the water to evaporate and the pile of spaghetti turns into a solid mass -- drop it on the floor and watch it bounce.

Many natural and synthetic polymers behave in a similar manner. Polymers are made out of long strands of molecules like spaghetti. If the long molecules slide past each other easily, then the substance acts like a liquid because the molecules flow. If the molecules stick together at a few places along the strand, then the substance behaves like a rubbery solid called an elastomer. Borax is the compound that is responsible for hooking the glue’s molecules together to form the putty-like material. There are several different methods for making this putty-like material. Some recipes call for liquid starch instead of Borax soap. Either way, when you make this homemade Silly Putty you are learning about some of the properties of polymers.

Elmer's Slime is very easy to make, but it's not exactly what you'll find at the toy store. So, what's the "real" slime secret. It's an ingredient called polyvinyl alcohol (PVA). The cross-linking agent is still Borax, but the resulting slime is longer lasting, more transparent... it's the real deal.

Patrea's INCREDIBLE AMAZING MOIST CAKE!!!

When we were up in Utah a couple of weeks ago we were visiting Todd and Patrea late one evening... and when we walked in Jana and I spotted this cake on her counter! We looked at each other like "hmmmm, what's this?" so we had to get a big bite! And WOW!!! I love german chocolate cake and it's amazing homemade frosting that goes along with it, but I do believe I have found my new favorite! this cake is soooo moist and the frosting is very similar to that on a german choc cake. If you make it I promise you will not be disappointed! Thanks Patrea for the recipe!!! (I believe it is her great grandmothers recipe, so thank you too :))




Oatmeal Spice Cake

Mix together and set aside:
1 Cup quick oats
1 1/4 Cups boiling water

Cream Together:
1 Cup brown sugar
1 Cup white sugar
1 Cube butter or 1/2 cup vegetable oil
2 Eggs
1 tsp. Vanilla

Sift Together: (I don't sift it, I just mix it well in a bowl with a whisk or pastry cutter)
1 1/2 Cups Flour
1 tsp. Baking Soda
1 tsp. Cinnamon
pinch of salt

Mix dry ingredients with wet. Then mix oats into creamed mixture and beat thoroughly by hand.

Bake in a floured 9x13 pan for 35 min in a 350 degree oven.

* 1-1/2 times the recipe for a sheet cake pan. Place parchment paper in the bottom rather than flour pan. Bake at 350 degrees for 25 - 30 min.

Icing:
3/4 Cup butter
1 Cup brown sugar
1/4 Cup milk
1 Cup coconut
1/2 Cup chopped nuts (I use finely chops pecans)

Mix icing and melt. Remove from heat and add coconut and nuts. Spread on warm cake. cook under broiler one minute or until nicely browned.

* if making a sheet cake, 1-1/2 times the icing recipe or double it and its just all the yummier.


Enjoy!

I'm feeling the love just typing this recipe.

xoxo

Wendy's Artisan Egg Sandwich w Bacon... yummmmmmm

OK, I will admit my new obsession! Ha! This is the best good morning to ya sandwich!!! I have them squeeze extra hollandaise sauce and it is so extremely nummy! I just thought I would mention this to you all while I was thinking about it! Good Morning!!!

Fall Break... Utah October 2010

We had the most amazing time for fall break! We got there the night before Hailey and Olivia's baptism. It was a special day that we are so grateful to be a part of!
We got to see grandparents and great grandparents and lots of cousins and aunts and uncles!!! Aunt Jana was the BEST hostess as usual! She was in the chaos of trying to finish her basement apartment... she never stopped. We went to Cornbelly's, glass blowing and pony riding at Thanksgiving Point, Gardner Village, saw movies, ate LOTS of good food!
Aunt Patrea took Grayson and Becca horseback riding with Madison and Olivia... she says that they are "born to ride"... They are quite the equestrians.
We are such a blessed family to share the love that we have for one another...
I love my family and appreciate how they keep me grounded and excited for tomorrow...

very sorry... i need to figure out how to turn that picture upside down... off to ask Eli...

Sunday Drive

We were loafing around Sunday afternoon, when we decided to go for a drive... we just started heading south...
I remembered the ostrich ranch, I thought the kids would enjoy those huge birds! Well, they have built this fencing all around them and you can't see them at all :(
We headed for Picacho Peak... and found this great little deserted train off the side of the road.
Eli whipped out his camera and viola! He takes some great spur of the moment pics!
If it wasn't for him I wouldn't have many pictures that grace this fun blog!
I think we need to make a Sunday drive a family tradition!

My New Obsession...

I can't get enough of this movie!
Pride and Prejudice is a comedy of manners novel that criticizes the social structure between the rich and poor and the role of women in the family. News of a wealthy young man named Charles Bingley stirs up the hearts of women in the town and the girls in the Bennet family are one of them. Accompanying Charles Bingley is the wealthiest man in the area, Mr. Darcy. Mr. Darcy meets Elizabeth Bennet at Bingley's ball and other social conjunctions over the next few weeks. He soon finds himself attracted to Elizabeth, but Elizabeth is utterly disgusted by his wealth, status, and arrogance. Through a series of unfortunate events that turn her family and her sisters upside down, Mr. Darcy is the last person Elizabeth expects to marry. Nonetheless, Mr. Darcy confesses his love for her and even proposes to no luck. Elizabeth doesn't agree to his proposal until Mr. Darcy explains himself, secretly fixes her family's problems, and humbles himself before her. The stumbling blocks of this love story begins with the tension created by the lover's personalities. Elizabeth is prideful and Mr. Darcy is prejudice. Despite their attitudes toward each other, their love for each other overcomes their pride and prejudice...

Swimming Update! (By Becca)

THE FOLLOWING MESSAGE WAS TYPED BY BECCA, (sorry if there are any misspellings!): Swimming! I have gone swimming everyday in the past 3 days!It's OOBER fun! (That one's for you, Connie) I am learning how to dive; I never realized that you have to squat and all that junk. I finally can now go under water for like 6 seconds, and I don't have to hold my nose (that much). And, instead of going leg by leg underwater, I just jump in. Sometimes, the pool will sway when me and Grayson jump in.

I've even made a boat! I got a lawn chair and all the pool NOODLES (I love saying the word "noodles")and tried to place 3 going vertical and 3 going horizontal. Except, I cant lay down in it. I'll just flop over!

I'll have my mom take a picture and post it here! (Of my boat, of course)

A Palace!!!who knew?

C.S. Lewis put it well when he gave us the analogy of remodeling the human soul and a living house: " Imagine yourself as a living house. God comes in to rebuild that house. At first, perhaps, you can understand what He is doing. He is getting the drains right and stopping the leaks in the roof and so on: you knew that those jobs needed doing and so you are not surprised. But presently, He starts knocking the house about in a way that hurts abominably and does not seem to make sense. What on earth is He up to? The explanation is that He is building quite a different house from the one you thought of--throwing out a new wing here, putting on an extra floor there, running up towers, making courtyards. You thought you were going to be made into a decent little cottage: but He is building a palace."

Earring Keepers

THE FOLLOWING MESSAGE WAS TYPED BY Becca, (sorry if there are any misspellings)I just got some new dangly earrings and have been dying to make a craft to keep them in! I got two little boxes and cut the tops off them, wrapping a paper towel around each. Then I pierced the earring rods through the paper towel, and VOILA! Earring Keepers! I now keep them in my bathroom where they are safe and sound! More are yet to come, so thats why they are empty. The long one is meant for oober dangly earrings, and the little ones are for normal ones.Here thay are: