Friday Favorites-Favorite TV Show EVER

Survivor has started again for it's 27th season.  I've watched every one of them.  With 2 per year, that means 13 years.  It's the one show I watch online if I missed an episode.  The main reason I like the show is the psychology/sociology aspect and especially adding in the dynamics of each group.  The dynamic of one person can change everything.  I love watching the group dynamic.  If I could do anything as a career,  I would study family and group dynamics.  

Thursday Tips & Tricks-no dishwasher detergent?

Save this idea for a rainy day.  Especially if you've ever tried dish soap and had bubbles pouring out the bottom of the dishwasher-hypothetically speaking.

Wacky Wednesday- If at first you don't succeed...

Tuesday miTunes- "Our House" by Crosby, Stills and Nash

Not to be confused with the song of the same title by Madness of the 1980's, I love this song because I like the lyrics.  I came across it in the late 1990's when our family of 6 lived in a small 2 bedroom, 1 bath condo of 980 square feet.  It was cozy and we have great memories of when we lived there. But hearing this song made me daydream of having a little house someday.  The song mentions "staring at the fire, for hours and hours, while I listen to you play your love songs all night long..."  which always made me think of listening to my husband play the piano.  I am so grateful to have such a nice home now.  The song says "2 cats in the yard" and even though we only have one cat, it was still a part of that dream those several years ago.

Monday Messages-Advice from the moon...

Live life to the fullest.
Be someone to look up to.
Don't be phased by difficulties.
Take time to reflect.
Enjoy a little space.
Honor the cycles of nature.
Light up the night.

Sunday Blessings-sun, moon and stars

Today I am grateful for the things in the heavens that remind me of spiritual things.  First of all, I love the sun.  It reminds me of the Son of God and how He is the light and life of the world.  The moon also provides light, even when everything else is dark.  The moon is a beacon of hope and is like the nightlight for our earth.  The stars may seem far away, but away from city lights (worldly things) they are amazingly bright and seem so close.  As we focus on celestial things and go away from the worldly glitz, more of the celestial things appear before our eyes.  All things point to a loving Heavenly Father and His son Jesus Christ and their love for us.  Also, when we pass on from our mortal life, we will receive glory equal to one these 3 heavenly things.  As for me, I'm aiming for the sun.

Saturday Quotes-Communication

One of my goals for 2014 is more listening, less talking.  Another is more understanding, less judging.  This quote reminds me to listen without thinking of my response.  I think it might help to pause more in conversation.  I will also try to be more "present" when I'm with someone and this includes not texting or answering my phone (unless it is an emergency) when I am with them.  Also, looking them in the eyes because with all our technology we tend to not be used to looking directly at those we are talking to.  Some people seem uncomfortable with this, but I think people are more honest and sincere when you are both looking into each other's eyes.  Try it and see if you agree with me.  You'll be surprised.

Friday Favorites-beautiful flowers-Can't wait for Spring!

Thursday Tips & Tricks-Lego marble maze

 

This idea is from Pinterest.  Give each person the same amount and sizes of Legos to make a marble maze, then time each other.  This would be especially fun for the boys or scout group.

Wacky Wednesday-"I couldn't care less"

If you 'could care less' then you still care.  To emphasize how much you do not care, you should say, "I couldn't care less."  That way there is no mistaking that you could not care any less than you already do.  I hope that explains it.

Tuesday miTunes-Hot Dog Song

My granddaughter and I dance to this song every day.  Sometimes more than once a day.  We turned on this Youtube video and it replays the song over and over.  She gets so excited every time it starts over.  I am so amazed at how kids like repetition.  I think it's a way for them to learn to anticipate things.  They like to know what's coming.  Also, even though it's only a video, kids like familiar things.  So this song really doesn't have to be on my iTunes because it's already in my head most days.  It's pretty catchy, so listen (if you dare).

Monday Messages-parable of the popcorn

The parable of the Popcorn

1. Behold at the time of harvest the ears of corn did bring forth kernels, which dried and prepared for the popper's hand.
2. And then it was that the popper did take the kernels, all of which appeared alike unto him, and did apply the oil and the heat.
3. And it came to pass that when the heat was on, some did explode with promise and did magnify themselves an hundred fold, and some did burst forth with whiteness which did both gladden the eye and satisfy the taste of the popper. And likewise, some others did pop, but not too much.
4. But lo, there were some that did just lie there and even though the popper's heat was alike unto all, they did bask in the warmth of the oil and kept everything they had for themselves.
5. And so it came to pass that those that had given of themselves did bring joy and delight to many munchers. But those that kept of the warmth and did not burst forth were fit only to be cast out into the pail and are thought of with hardness and disgust.
6. And thus we see that in the beginning all appear alike, but when the heat is on, some come forth and give their all, while others fail to pop and become as chaff to be discarded and forgotten.
7. Which are you? 

Sunday Blessings-Colorado winter

  

I am grateful today for Colorado winters because amidst the occasional dumping and sometimes cold wind of winter, we have days that are sunny and 60 degrees.  It makes me think that Spring is just around the corner.  Today is just such a day.  The past few days have been very nice.  We'll probably get a few more winter storms, but I am grateful to see the sun so often and enjoy the nice weather today.  February is typically such a downer, except for Valentine's Day.  This year February has been pretty nice, at least so far.

Saturday Quotes-Is the Spring coming?

Happy Valentine's Day.....My favorite love story

Mine is my favorite love story because it's mine.  Our first date was a double date, but not with each other.  He was dating my best friend and I went with a friend of his.  Two days later we went for frozen yogurt.  The following day, I left for school and he bought me a balloon bouquet with a teddy bear.  The note said, "we'll miss you."  I thought it was from all my friends, but my best friend said he did it all on his own.  So thoughtful.  And not taking the credit was endearing.  A few months later, he came to where I went to school and I went to his mission reunion and he thought it would be fun to "pretend" we were engaged.  He said "we should hold hands to make it look real."  The rest is history...26 years later and I still remember my heart beating faster and hoping the night would never end.

Thursday Tips & Tricks-heart shaped muffins

Insert a marble into each muffin tin before pouring in batter.  Just remember to let it cool.  The marble will be hot.            

Such a fun, easy way to start Valentine's Day off right.

You could do cupcakes this way too.

Su

Wacky Wednesday-You are the peanut to my butter...

Tuesday miTunes-Jessica's Theme

Since it's Valentine's Day week, I thought I would share this song, which is the very first song I heard my husband play on the piano.  He plays by ear and is amazing.  It's one of the things that made me fall in love with him.  I still love to hear him play anything, but this song in particular brings me back to the fall of 1987.

Monday Messages-Expressions of Love

Good reminder this Valentine's Day week.

Sunday Blessings-memories

I have a great memory.  Sometimes I remember things that were sad, difficult or unpleasant.  But mostly I choose to remember the good things.  Those good memories can take me back to wonderful times and places.  I am grateful to have such a good memory.  Those who have it taken from them are truly at a loss.  Those who let the memories fade are those who haven't chosen to recall them often.  I am a journal keeper.  I have my main journal, my gratitude journal, my scripture journal and now this blog.  One of my purposes in writing it is to recall and preserve memories of the past and of the present, so that sometime in the future I may come back to it and reminisce.  The longer I live and the more memories I gather, the more things I can recall to help boost my mood.  I am trying to create simple memories and one way to help that is to savor the sights, sounds, smells and tastes of things.  The more senses I initiate, the better I can recall the memory later.

I think I'll make a memory today...

Saturday Quotes-random memories

Whenever I see dried oats, I remember as a very small child having my mom put some in a bowl and eating them with no hands, pretending I was a horse.

Friday Favorites- Memory of a grassy meadow

When I was 3 years old, we lived in a big white farmhouse.  (I double-checked with my mom on how old  I was).  I remember the barn stacked with hay and how I loved the smell.  I remember climbing the stacks and falling in the loose hay at the bottom.  But my favorite memory of that house is running through the tall grass in the meadow next to the house.  The grass was almost as tall as I was.  And when I laid down I could see nothing but blue sky and the grass immediately around me.  I knew I was invisible to everyone around, but I was completely comfortable.  I had no fear of being alone or of snakes, spiders or other critters that might be lurking in that tall grassy meadow.  I was content to run and fall down and then to admire the blue sky and occasional passing clouds.  I remember feeling so happy and carefree.  Ah, to be so young and innocent.

Thursday Tips & Tricks-Family Birthdays calendar

In my family it would be heavier on the right (Sept through Dec) but it's a neat idea.

Wacky Wednesday-Take a break

Tuesday miTunes-Daydream Believer

I used to love watching the TV show called "The Monkees."  They were a quirky boy band with crazy adventures and a one-hit wonder in their song "Daydream Believer."  I also remember when the main singer, Davy Jones, guest-starred on the Brady Bunch and sang to Marsha.  So cute.  And for those who want to really walk down memory lane on this one, here's the TV show's theme song.

Monday Messages-Everybody, Somebody, Anybody and Nobody

Everybody Somebody Anybody And Nobody

Once upon a time, there were four people named EVERYBODY, SOMEBODY, ANYBODY, and NOBODY.

Where there are important job to be done, EVERYBODY was sure that SOMEBODY would do it, ANYBODY could have done it, but NOBODY did it. When NOBODY did it, EVERYBODY got angry because it was SOMEBODY'S job.

EVERYBODY thought that SOMEBODY would do it, but NOBODY realised that NOBODY would do it.

So, it ended up that EVERYBODY blamed SOMEBODY when NOBODY did what ANYBODY could have done it in the first place.

Sunday Blessings-work

There is always work to be done.  There are some tasks I don't mind doing like dishes and laundry and vacuuming that other people just despise.  Then there are things that feel like too much work to me and a drudgery.  It may be strange to some people that I get a lot of satisfaction (and dare I say) joy from these chores.  But for some reason I don't enjoy cooking at all.  I do like eating (and my family expects me to cook) but otherwise, it's just something that needs to be done.  But today, I am grateful to have learned the value of work.  It makes me feel needed and I am grateful my husband and family appreciate all I do.

Saturday Quotes-Those we love