The Reality is....

This morning I need to do a little self therapy. So be prepared for deep insight into my psyche., but first a little humor/intrigue/dishonesty/foolery.

A dear neighbor set an example that I decided to emulate.....



Before

 After

I will not elaborate.......

Now onto my self therapy. I have a fairly "strict" routine in the morning. I'm consistent at least three weekday mornings, but usually four. I don't count the weekend. This routine consists of yoga, breakfast, metmucil with liquid vitamins, chiro stretches....and also a challenge to brisk walk 10 minutes followed by weight lifting in the evening. (Not so consistent with that yet). Anyway this morning was one of those mornings that I felt if I had to do this one more time I would explode. That puts me into freeze mode. I don't do anything. Then I start to beat myself up because I can go for days and really enjoy it and feel so good about my consistent work. I hate days like today.

So....I went outside and "planted" my flowers and then trimmed to the stump our hydrangea that was out of control. Working on a little sweat here.....so I felt like I had taken care of my "exercise" portion of the day.

Went in the backyard to seat on our swing and enjoyed swinging and relaxing in the cool shade. Then as I looked around and began to think of all the work that we still have before us to get the house tidied up to sell....It's just so overwhelming. These thoughts bring me back to freeze mode and I'm hungry.

I know what you are thinking....BUT I DIDN'T COME INSIDE AND EAT. I GOT A DRINK OF WATER. It works!!!

Okay so I'm going to skip my "routine" and just enjoy the rest of the day. I'm cutting me some slack!

New recipes

I tried these two new recipes today.

Cowabunga Root Beer Cupcakes Recipe

• Prep: 10 min. Bake: 15 min. + cooling
• Yield: 24 Servings

Ingredients

• 1 package (18-1/2 ounces) butter recipe golden cake mix
• 4 teaspoons root beer concentrate, divided
• 1 carton (12 ounces) frozen whipped topping, thawed
• Vanilla ice cream

Directions

• Prepare and bake cupcakes according to package directions, adding 2 teaspoons root beer concentrate when mixing batter. Remove to wire racks to cool completely.
• In a small bowl, mix whipped topping and remaining root beer concentrate until blended; spread over cupcakes. Serve with ice cream. Yield: 24 servings.

If I make this casserole again, I will double the meat mixture and make 1/2 of the cobbler mix and try a cornbread topping instead.

 

Bubbly & Golden Mexican Beef Cobbler Recipe

• Prep: 20 min. Bake: 35 min.
• Yield: 6 Servings

Ingredients

• 1 pound ground beef
• 1 envelope taco seasoning
• 3/4 cup water
• 1 jar (16 ounces) salsa
• 1 can (8-3/4 ounces) whole kernel corn, drained
• 2 cups (8 ounces) shredded sharp cheddar cheese
• 3-1/3 cups biscuit/baking mix
• 1-1/3 cups 2% milk
• 1/8 teaspoon salt
• 1/8 teaspoon pepper

Directions

• In a large skillet, cook beef over medium heat for 6-8 minutes or until no longer pink, breaking into crumbles; drain. Stir in taco seasoning and water. Bring to a boil; cook until liquid is evaporated. Transfer to a 11-in. x 7-in. baking dish; layer with salsa, corn and cheese.
• In a large bowl, mix biscuit mix and milk just until blended; drop by tablespoonfuls over cheese (dish will be full). Sprinkle with salt and pepper.
• Bake, uncovered, at 350° for 35-45 minutes or until bubbly and topping is golden brown. Yield: 6 servings.

My Handy man

I bet my man is handier than your man!

I love to see Fred out working on his projects.

 I know I complain about how

much time he spends on his projects,

but his work is near perfection.

I would say perfect, but that might be boasting and unrighteous.

And, he looks very manly which always excites me.

 

Beluga Whale Wall Hanging

Today was my quilting day at Dodi's studio. I tried to get a head start before I went to her house. I began cutting out stuff and realized I didn't know what I was doing. Luckily she saved my tushi and fixed everything to perfection for me. Linda came over and it was so nice to visit and laugh.

 Megan and her children are visiting with Dodi this month. Megan is in heaven being able to sew to her heart's content.

 Here is the front of the quilt. I go back tomorrow to have Dodi help me finish it up. Beluga Whales for Shannon & Baby Boy Drees.

Las Vegas Baby

I just got back from spending almost a week in the Las Vegas for a Mom and Daughters Get Together.

Here is Corinne and I at Babys R Us checking out the Mommy Chairs. I want the one I'm sitting in.

 Saturday was the baby shower for Shannon. Her friends from church planned it. I didn't take many pictures, but this was the most important. I hate the way I look, but it is what it is.

 This is future Baby Boy Drees' room. I washed all the clothes, blankets etc...now Shannon just has to put it all away and make sense of it. They need a dresser and changing table. I was going to buy that for them, but decided that there was other things more fun to buy for her. The previous owners painted this room so it is ready for a new baby boy to move in.

 This is my guest suite. The adjoining bathroom has a HUGE bathtub. It was nice. I told Brian he needs to buy me a TV so I can go downstairs when I visit. I think my presence cuts down on his video game usage.

He is a wonderful host and never makes me feel like I'm in the way.

I did survive the 110 plus digits in the temperatures while there. Coping with the extreme heat is exactly what I expected. Stay in the AC house, AC car, AC shopping, AC restaurants and make as few as possible in and outs of cars & stores.

I love Primary

I don't have a picture to go with this post, but I have to publicize how I feel today about Primary. There was magic in the air for me today. First was the amazing intelligence of a six year old...the question was "how long is three minutes?" He raised his hand and said 180 seconds. Really - I didn't even know how to answer the question in the first place....this child is from a family that nurtures and stretches their children in healthy ways. I asked for a volunteer to recite an article of faith....no prompting, nor preparation...she recites an article of faith without hesitation....and it wasn't one of the standard ones....I wish I could remember which one now...We also ask the children to come forward and share experiences from their week how they choose the right. The kids come up in masses. They are beginning to stretch more in their experiences... not just cleaning their rooms. We talked about fasting & prayer today. These Primary children know about this. They are being taught in their homes. There is no pretense in Primary. No one trying to prove ourselves to anyone else. Life is what it is. We teach the basic principles and bear testimony of them each week....then all we can do is pray that the children are internalizing the Spirit that they felt and hopefully the principle we teach. I find myself sitting in the back of the room with a smile and a feeling of such gratitude and joy that I'm in Primary.

Memorial Day Weekend in St. George

We spent the weekend with Fred's family and Corinne and the little boys came too.

This is Fred's parents & sister.

Here we are with Corinne and the boys. They are dressed for church. We left right after this to head back to Shannon's before going to the airport.

 I always take the boys to McDonalds. They like the food and they enjoy the playland.

Garrett with a hamburger meal.

 Richard with his Happy meal Toy.

 Spencer "sanitizing" his hands before his Nugget meal.

 Next we went to a park where there was something for all the boys.

 Garrett & Spencer did the most climbing.

 Later that afternoon Aunt Sharlotte took us to a local park. In St. George there are a lot of splash pads. At this park along with a splash pad is this very cool water fall/stream for kids to walk through or get down and wet in like Richard is doing here. It was a beautiful location even though the wind was BLOWING!!

 Here's Garrett.

 Here is Spencer & Garrett.

 Richard in his Sunday best.

Spencer in his Sunday best.

Here is a clip of the stream/fall.

Here is Shannon and Baby Boy Drees. She is filling out very nicely!