Words of a Prophet

What did President Monson ask us to DO in October, 2009 Conference? Opening Remarks . . . . . . Temple Attendance: “ . . . be faithful in performing ordinances for those who are unable to do so for themselves.” Pray for Missionary work: “I would ask that your faith and prayers continue to be offered in behalf of those areas where our influence is limited and where we are not allowed to share the gospel freely at this time. Promise: “Miracles can occur as we do so.” Priesthood Session . . . . . Refrain from anger: “ May we make a conscious decision, each time such a decision must be made, to refrain from anger and leave unsaid the harsh and hurtful things we may be tempted to say.” “May we ever be exemplary in our homes and faithful in keeping all the commandments, that we may harbor no animosity toward any man but rather be peacemakers, ever remembering the Savior’s admonition, “By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another.” Sunday Morning Session . . . . Service: “Find someone who is having a hard time or is ill or lonely, and do something for him or her.” “Ask ourselves the question . . . “What have I done for someone today?” Closing Remarks . . . . . Study the conference talks and live by them: “Incorporate into our daily lives the truths found therein (in the conference issue of the Ensign).” Ponder the things you heard at this conference. Pray for the prophet and general authorities: “I would ask once again that you would remember me and all the General Authorities in your prayers.”

Two Chicken Pot Pies

“I’m active in the church because of two chicken pot pies – two store-bought chicken pot pies.” This is what our bishop’s wife said in our Saturday night session of stake conference. She told the story of how she and her husband, though members, weren’t active in the church when they were first married. They had a kind neighbor who loved them anyway. When she and her husband got the flu, this Sister Watson stopped on the way home from work and bought two chicken pot pies (we have a pie shop in town that makes delicious pies- my dad LOVED the chicken pot pies) and took them to her sick neighbors. “That was the best thing I’d ever tasted. Those two little pies started the softening in our hearts." What if Sister Watson had thought,”I don’t have time to cook. I don’t have time to make dinner. I can’t take store-bought food to someone. What will they think of me?” Instead she followed the prompting and did what she could. And it was good enough. No one is an expert “server.” We all need to just do the best we can at following the promptings, asking ourselves as President Monson admonished,”What have I done for someone today?” . . .even if it’s store-bought chicken pot pies.

Brielle's Fourth Birthday!

What a great weekend we had! Kristen, Jared, Brielle and Nathan came to celebrate Brielle's fourth birthday! The theme she chose was "Stars!" We played "star" games: hide the star, star charades, and star coloring, went to the "grape store"- Brielle's favorite place to eat (The Olive Garden) and had star cake and cupcakes. When she came home from the grape store, she found a tent set up in the family room with her presents inside! She had a wonderful birthday, and we are so blessed that they came to share it with us!Thank you!!!!

Easy Cheesy Rolls

I got this recipe from the Worldwide Ward Cookbook. These are easy and go great with spaghetti. I've altered the recipe slightly from the original. Easy Cheesy Rolls 2-3 T.butter, melted 2 Tbsp. Parmesan cheese (the kind in the green can) 1 Tbsp. dried basil and 1 T. olive oil OR Pesto sauce (I had some from Costco) 1 tsp garlic powder Grated cheese, any kind 1 pkg. Pillsbury Grands Biscuits In a bowl, combine melted butter, Parmesan cheese, dried basil or pesto, and garlic powder. Mix shredded cheeses in a separate bowl. Remove biscuits from can and separate into individual biscuits. Flatten each biscuit slightly and put some cheese in the center of each biscuit and fold the dough around the cheese to form a ball. Pinch the dough together to seal the cheese inside. Roll each ball of dough in the melted butter mixture and place on a baking sheet. if there is any left over butter mixture, spoon it on top of the rolls on the baking sheet, Bake at 375 for 10-12 minutes until rolls are golden brown. Makes 8 rolls.

Chunky Crockpot Spaghetti Sauce

Ingredients: 2 bottles or cans spaghetti sauce (your choice), 1 14-0z.can crushed tomatoes, 1 14 oz. can diced tomatoes, 1 can tomato paste, 1 large green pepper- diced, 1 onion- chopped, 1/2 lb. ground beef, 3-4 T. worcestershire sauce, 4-5 mild Italian sausages, 3-4 T. Italian Seasoning, Garlic to taste- crushed or minced, 2-4 T. sugar, 8 oz. mushrooms-sliced, 1 can olives- drained and sliced (see note below), 2 cans or jars artichoke hearts (total about 28 oz.)-drained, Parmesan cheese for topping In a saucepan, bring sausages to a boil in water. Boil for about 10 minutes. Drain and set out to cool. While cooling, start browning ground beef, onion, and worcestershire sauce in a large skillet. When cool enough to handle, chop the sausages and add to ground beef. Brown all well. Drain and put in crock pot. Add sauces, tomatoes, tomato paste, green pepper, garlic and seasonings. Stir and cook on low several hours. An hour or two before serving, add the mushrooms, artichoke hearts and olives. Serve over pasta of choice with grated parmesan cheese. Makes a lot- can freeze leftovers. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . *To slice olives, drain, then using an old knife you don't care about, put the knife right in the can and chop back and forth until olives are chopped. This is lots easier than chasing them around on a cutting board.

Tea Party

I had such a fun weekend. Pam and I traveled to Patty's on Friday morning. We got there about noon, and Patty had a lovely Russian lunch ready for us of Russian Borscht, Mom's bran muffins and Russian belinis for dessert. In the afternoon, we went to Gardner Village for sister shopping. We had dinner at Neil's- a new seafood place. Saturday morning was busy. We set tables with Grandma china, made favors and prepared food for the tea party. Everyone came at about noon, bringing delicous treats: Allison and Lilly, Kelly, Sareya, Kyra, and Aleeya, Jodie, Sadie, Katie, and Abby, Kristen and Brielle, and the three grandmas: Pam, Patty, and Kay. We took lots of pictures, made bracelets and leaf crafts, had a delicious luncheon, fun treats, and told memories of Grandma Gabe and Grandma Peterson. Pam read a poem written by Dorothy that brought tears. The little girls had a great time playing with Grandma Patty's toys, and Kelly gave a spontaneous computer/blog tutorial. Pam and I hurried back for me to attend our Saturday night stake conference session. Ken conducted and spoke and did a great job! Thank you, Patty and everyone for a fun time!!! Hey all you sisters(Joan and Cindy)/cousins/descendents of Dorothy: We're thinking of having another one in May around Memorial Day (so we can decorate Grandma and Grandpa's graves, too) so book your flights and look for your tea party recipes and plan to attend!

Happy Birthday, Brielley Lu!

Today is Brielle's fourth birthday. How we love this precious little girl who made us grandparents. She is a delightful child with creative imagination. It's hard to choose one story to tell about her, because there are so many good ones. But I think one of things that I love most about her is how much she cares about her brother, Nathan. Now don't get me wrong- she and Nathan have their "moments" and she's even been known to sit on his head, etc. They're normal siblings. But, recently when they were here visiting, Brielle helped me make a dessert treat. I gave her the beaters to lick. She took a couple of licks, then said,"Do you have another one of these?" I told her no. She said, "Could you give this to Nathan?" Now, that's a big sacrifice for a little girl! We love you, Brielley!!!!

The Chosen

The Chosen by Chaim Potok

My rating: 5 of 5 stars I just finished this moving book. I read it years ago, but am so glad I read it again. It is a moving story of faith, friendship, and fatherhood. I learned so much about Jewish religion and culture. But the greatest value of the book, I believe, is it's exploration of friendship and parenting. No matter what religion or culture we come from, we all need friends and family. View all my reviews >>

Halloween

We are the luckiest parents/grandparents in the world. For the second year in a row, Jared and Kristen came to celebrate Halloween here with us. It was so fun to be with them and see the little bumblebees excitedly buzzing around. We went out to dinner on Friday night, then watched a movie after kids were in bed. On Saturday, Kristen and I attended our ward's super Saturday and crafted our fingers off. Then we all went on a fun Halloween hike/picnic. The weather was beautiful. The evening was gorgeous and so fun to be part of the fun. Traditionally, I make a vegetable soup for Halloween dinner. The adults enjoy it, but I think it's mostly torture for the little ones. They just want to be gone! We were around the dinner table, and the trick or treaters kept coming. It was so hard to sit there eating soup! Kristen was trying to coax Nathan to eat, and he was absolutely refusing. As the standoff continued he finally pleaded, "Time out!" He wanted to be in time out more than eat that soup!!! Now, that's pretty bad! After a good laugh, he was released and dressed up and off they went!