Tuesday miTunes-The Piano Guys doing Home

I love Phillips Phillips' song called Home and who doesn't like the Piano Guys.  It's a great rendition and of course the guys put their own flare into it.

Monday Messages-General Women's meeting

My favorite talk from the meeting Saturday night was President Uchtdorf.  Here are some of the parts I liked best:
"He knows everything about you.   He sees you clearly.  He sees you as you REALLY are...  Do you think outward attractiveness, your dress size or popularity make the slightest difference to the one who created the universe?"
(I would add that He also created YOU!)

He also related God's blessings to rain in a constant flow in our lives and the umbrella we put up to block the blessings is of our own doing.  The blessings are there and he is just waiting for us to remove the obstructions in our lives so we can feel the blessings that come from keeping the commandments. 

Sunday Blessings-Summer hanging in there

Sometimes by now, we are getting cool fronts and snow flurries.  I am grateful this year is extending summer temperatures.  We have still had 80 degree weather and although it is hot for some people, I know that cold temps are coming and I am trying to soak up the last bits of summer.  This week is supposed to turn cooler, so I will finally break out the fall decor and make some chicken chili on the coolest day this week.  Fall is not entirely unwelcome because there is a lot to love about fall. I would guess that most people say it's their favorite season.  Anyway, today I am grateful to bask in the last warmth of summer.

Saturday Quotes-One smile, one word, one look, one person

This reminds me of the power for good that we all have and can use for good.

Happy Birthday to me...

I always get to thinking about things on my birthday.  I am pretty fortunate (blessed, I would have to say) to have such a great family, to know who I am, to enjoy good health, to live in a nice house in a nice town, to have good friends and to know with confidence that there is life after death that will bring me home to a Father in Heaven who loves me dearly.

Thursday Tips & Tricks-Cupcake Holder-Brilliant idea!

found on imgfave.com

Wacky Wednesday-Older

Tuesday miTunes-Bring Him Home by the Piano Guys

Monday Messages-Listening

Emerson's quote makes me ponder how often I really listen.  Sometimes I do just wait for my turn to talk.  The best way I know to make sure we are really listening is to reflect back to the person what they just said-but not in a parroting or patronizing way.  Maybe in a personal absorbing kind of way.  Like we have really heard and taken it into our heart.  Also, when we look into the person's eyes when they are speaking, we are connecting better.  It's something to work on.

Sunday Blessings-Leaves changing

 
Within just a few days this tree on my regular walk is turning to a brilliant red.  Today I am reflecting on the beauty of the changing leaves.  I am grateful to know that this is all part of the cycle of the seasons.   Once they turn, they begin to fall until nothing is left on the branches.  But even that is part of the cycle because I know that Spring always comes again and brings new life and crisp, fresh beautiful green leaves.  Also in my life, there are seasons.  Sometimes change is part of the beauty and joy and sometimes change paves the way for something new and better.

Saturday Quotes-You Can Never Get Enough

  This quote really causes me to contemplate what I REALLY need to satisfy me.  It is so true that the things that truly satisfy me are eternal things, not anything worldly.

Friday Favorites-Softlips Pearl

This is my favorite finishing touch to my makeup.  The tint is very subtle and softens whatever lipstick I might put on.  Plus, it adds a nice shine and has sunscreen too. 

Thursday Tips & Tricks-moving clothes

My Daughter-in-law actually did this.  Genius.  Especially when moving short distances.  

Note to all my friends an family-NO I am not moving in the foreseeable future.

Wacky Wednesday-Paper cut (How true it is)

Tuesday miTunes-I'll Think of You

This is such a fun video.  It's also known as the Epic Patty Cake Song.  It would be so fun to do at Girls Camp.  Lots of practice and the right partners would make it amazing.

Monday Messages-Choose This Day

Henry B. Eyring says in this message that each day we can choose to follow God by saying a prayer and reading in the scriptures first thing in the morning and be directed for the day.  He also says we can sometimes become complacent in what we have and not seek divine guidance.  Or we can become overwhelmed with all the demands of us.  But if we will ask God what we CAN do and should do, we will feel His spirit and feel accomplished because we have done good things.

Sunday Blessings-Food

I was looking through my past posts and I can't believe I have never had "food" as one of the blessings I am grateful for.  It is an interesting thing that food gives us life and we need to constantly feed our bodies, but overindulgence, especially of the unhealthy foods, can lead to so many health problems.  But it is fascinating to me that food can bring me so much pleasure.  I have my favorites that just make me salivate.
More than anything, I am grateful that I have enough to sustain me.  I am grateful that I was not born in a place or circumstance where I was hungry a lot as a child.  This basic human need can make people desperate or so they cannot think of anything else.  I think of Christ feeding the 5,000 and how merciful it was to fill their stomachs before they were filled spiritually.
Another interesting thing related to this is fasting.  When we fast for a purpose, it draws us away from the physical need to things on a more spiritual level.  Fasting is difficult for me-probably because I love food so much.  But I can testify that I have received profound revelation from fasting and prayer.  I am grateful for this blessing of having food to nourish my body and the analogy of nourishing my spirit on a regular basis.  I'm still working on continuous "feasting on the scriptures."  I think I want to try to work on that more.  

Saturday Quotes-How much of life do we miss...

Friday Favorites-My new favorite Cookie recipe-you can eat the raw dough!

I love this recipe because it is safe to eat raw and I love raw cookie dough.  But it also makes really good cookies.  My daughter found this and we've been making and sharing it.

Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Cookies III

Rated: Submitted By: Janie Mai Photo By: Jenn Servings: 18

"These cookies are great. There good for parties, sleepovers, ect.. You'll love them! Enjoy!!!"

INGREDIENTS:

1 cup butter 3/4 cup packed brown sugar 1/4 cup white sugar 1 teaspoon vanilla extract 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour 1/2 teaspoon salt

1 teaspoon baking soda 1/4 cup boiling water 2 cups quick cooking oats 1/2 cup raisins (optional) 1 1/2 cups semisweet chocolate chips

DIRECTIONS:

1.	Beat butter or margarine, sugars and vanilla until light and fluffy. Add flour and salt, mix well.
2.	Dissolve baking soda in boiling water and add to mixture. Stir in rolled oats, raisins and chocolate chips.
3.	Drop by teaspoonful onto ungreased cookie sheet. Bake at 350 degrees F (175 degrees C) for 10-12 minutes. Don't over cook. (There are no eggs in this recipe, I didn't forget to type it down).

ALL RIGHTS RESERVED © 2014 Allrecipes.com

Printed from Allrecipes.com 9/10/2014

Thursday Tips & Tricks-Rainy Day Pick-me-ups

It's been rainy off and on for days and is supposed to continue.  Here are my favorite things to do on a rainy day:

Watch a movie-even one you've seen many times (like Pride and Prejudice-a classic, but I like the Keira Knightly one best)

Get out your umbrella and go for a walk-see "Hilary Weeks-Dancing in the Rain" post from Sep 13, 2013

Make some soup-my favorite is Green Chile Chicken Soup with Rice

Go to the mall or big Book Store (I love Barnes & Noble and Tattered Cover Books)

Bake something yummy-the eating it is more favorite to me than making, but sometimes it's worth the effort if it's something I love.  I found a no egg chocolate chip cookie recipe that is really good and it doesn't hurt that I can eat the raw cookie dough too.

Watch some funny YouTube videos.  My daughter watches Good Mythical Morning, which is a clean and funny video blog (vlog) that's kind of a radio show/ science kind of thing.

Watch old family videos or go through old albums.

Go cheer up someone else-this is a sure fire way to cheer yourself.  Or be with someone who loves rainy days.

Wacky Wednesday-Motherhood, Inc.

Found on crunchyfrugalista.com

Tuesday miTunes-anything Andrea Bocelli

"Sogno" was the first song I ever heard of Andrea Bocelli and is still one of my favorites.  I don't understand the Italian words, but I can feel the emotions of the song.  I love to have his music as background when I am doing other things.

Monday Messages-Using stores of Sunshine

As I mentioned yesterday, I am finding myself in need of some sunshine.  When I am experiencing difficult times, I find it helpful to go back to a journal or keepsake box or something to remind me of who I am and how I have overcome things in the past.  As I read through my old posts, it's like a boost of things that make me happy.  I wish I had it in book form though because I noticed that some things like videos and pictures aren't on there any more.  Hmmm.  I'll try to figure it out.

Sunday Blessings-In the face of trials

So today I am grateful for the companionship of my savior Jesus Christ.  For a few weeks now I have known about a coming trial and have pleaded and cried and sulked a bit about it.  But as I have really prayed for answers and comfort and peace, I have gotten answers that were not thoughts in my own head.  And just knowing that my Father in Heaven is with me is all I need to face this upcoming trial.  I know that we will get through this and things will be better on the other side of it.  It's just the getting through it part that sometimes brings me anxiety.  I am so grateful for my husband and close friends and family to talk things out with and gain strength from.  But it is my savior and Heavenly Father that I rely on most.

Saturday Quotes-When we are grateful...

Friday Favorites-Baseball games

My daughter won 2 free Rockies tickets for tonight.  So we are going to the game even though it might rain.  It's just so fun to be there, eating popcorn and rooting for our team.  Baseball is my favorite sporting event to attend.  It's pretty easy to follow and the fans are usually more subdued than some other sports.  And tonight it will be nice to not be up in the nosebleed section, which is where we usually sit.

Wacky Wednesday-Why is English so much fun?

You might have to say it a few times to get it.  But it really does make sense.  The one I used to tell my kids is, "It's ok to spell okay o.k., okay?"

Tuesday miTunes-The Mission/How Great Thou Art by The Piano Guys

This great video is filmed at Iguazu Falls.  I love waterfalls.  Plus, The Piano Guys are just amazing.  I can't wait for the new album.  It's called "Wonders."

Monday Messages-the beauty of Mathematics and God

This is just fun and fascinating.  I'm sure someone who loves math came up with this.  But it also had to be someone who loves God.  Hmmmm