Progress in the kitchen

So I have become more involved in trying new recipes and putting forth more effort in the kitchen as far as food preparation goes. Someone asked why am I making this change....well it's because I have stifled myself all these years thinking "is this diet friendly? Oh there are too many fattening ingredients" etc.... Which believe it or not did serve me well until the last 8 or so years. Well I'm tired of that whole business and have adopted a new eating philosophy. I eat what I want, but not as much. Take smaller servings or share an entree with Fred when we go out. So on with my story.

This is two granny smith apples sliced with sweet onion cooking in butter. Which I proceeded to add to a sharp cheddar cheese sauce that I made, pasta & sweet chicken sausage.

This is the finished product. It calls for broiling the last 3 minutes to brown the panko crumbs, but has anyone ever broiled in one of their pyrex dishes? I don't think it's safe is it? It was a very tasty dish. Fred took two servings. I had one because I knew there were going to be chocolate chip cookies to follow!

Negative people

I am going to have to work on this behavior today. I have awaken in a depressed, frustrated, do nothing state today....thanks in part to the experience I share below.

This is a venting post. Here we go. I have been very excited about our plans for change. Building a new house, retiring for Fred and then moving to sunshine. I have felt no reservation or fear about these changes. I have felt confident and have been praying that Heavenly Father will prepare a buyer for our house. So last night I went visiting teaching to someone who I know does not have the capability of filtering her comments, but the result of the evening puts a huge damper on my dwindling joy. Comments like "I am excited for you, but I don't think I have the courage to do what you are doing with the economy and housing market. Are you going to be able to sell your home? What about social security? Oh you don't know what your financial situation is? I have to know....tsk tsk" shake the head. In my defense, I know enough about our financial situation that I feel very secure and so I've just been on the ride. I know that is not the smartest and most responsible on my part, but I know Fred is on top of it and we have enough or we wouldn't be doing this. FYI if you don't already know this.....Fred thinks, analyzes, studies, worries about everything. So if he thinks we can do this, I'm not worried.

What happened to "if you don't have anything nice to say, don't say anything at all". Does it help a friend if you question their already made decisions? To cast doubt and worry on a situation that is already in motion? I don't need anyone's negative vibes about what we are doing. It's a dream for us and we have something to look forward to. Just be happy and supportive.

I miss the days of visiting teaching when I had the whole day to schedule appointments and had partners that were available to come along and people to visit that actually let you come and wanted you to come. Yes notes, emails and phone calls make it so much easier, but if people won't even allow you a 20 minutes to 1/2 an hour a month to sit down together and visit, why bother? Although, as you can see that lovely experience totally backfired on me last night.

I AM SORRY IF I HAVE EVER LET MY INSENSITIVE AND BIG MOUTH SAY SOMETHING THAT HURT YOU. I never mean to do that. I really do try to temper my comments and be a source of validation or uplift.

The Daly's next chapter

Utah is our future home. This is a mountain range that we can see as we peek through our across the street neighbors.

This is a house that is under construction in another development that is the floor plan that we choose. Our roof line will look a little different in our development.

This is Fred and I standing on our lot. It's nice and level.

These are the samples of our carpet, vinyl flooring, cabinets, paint chips - very earthy.

More for Spencer

Corinne said that Spencer wanted to see more clips of himself. Here you go Spencer. Love, Grandma

Iron Lady

Today I went to see this movie with Suzie & Lorraine. I am always amazed at Meryl Streep and the characters that she portrays. I was just thinking today that the movies I have seen her in (which I am sure are probably not many of her movies) she always plays a woman who is not very happy or is kind of extreme. As I sat there watching the movie, it made me want to go and get a book about Margaret Thatcher. I don't know anything about her (other than she was Prime Minister) or the events of her day. But then again as pointed out by a caring friend, I was busy raising children. So I appreciated that rationale. It is also amazing at what the movie industry can do to transform people into other people. Now I know what Meryl Streep will look like old. Also, it made me so grateful to be a citizen of the United States.

Snow Days

Home sweet home. Work was canceled for both of us. We got to spend Wednesday and Thursday all cozy and warm at home. This morning Fred is off to work and I'm going to head out in my car. Groceries and getting all my glasses adjusted. I'm tired of watching How I Met Your Mother.

Spencer & Grandpa Fred

Here is Spencer at home feeling just fine after barfing in the chapel earlier. Fred and I took him home because Ben was speaking in Sacrament meeting and Corinne was teaching Relief Society. As you can see, spencer was feeling just fine after all of that. I think it was the late night hour of New Years Eve.....and he was coming down with a cold and all the phelm stuff causes trouble. :)