My girls

Today I was moving photos from old albums to new albums. I came across this photo of Shannon & Corinne. This was taken March 1986. Both of my girls loved the silk edge of their blankets. They would wrap them into a point and then stick that point of the binding in their eyes and noses as you can see from this photo. Aren't they so innocent and sweet here.



I ran into a friend at Fred Meyer last night that moved away probably 15 years ago give or take. It was so fun to see her, but I instantly grew sad for that time "when life was good way back then". Why do I always think that life was better long ago....but then when I see a photo like this....it makes me sad too.

By the way, the General Conference talks just make me feel inadequate. I know God loves me despite my weaknesses and He knows what I struggle with in this mortal life. I know the Atonement of Christ will make up for the rest because I'm doing the best I can.

Oct. 4, 1922

Today would have been my Mom's 90th birthday. She passed away in July of 2010. I thought of her today as I sat down at my desk at work. I have a Mary Englebreit desk calendar and when I tore off yesterday's page....this is what was today's. I thought it was very special. I do miss my Mom. She was always cheerful and happy.



Relief Society Broadcast

Thoughts that came to me during the broadcast that I want to put into practice....my newest attempt at daily scripture study was reading the scriptures listed for each hymn. I started at the beginning of the hymnbook....but I'm going to take it up a notch (in addition to getting back to it) and sing the hymn first, then read the scripture. This will replace my morning facebook & blog time. Then if I have more time after everything else that is more important is done....exercise...getting dressed, eating breakfast and making my lunch...then I get to spend time on facebook & my blog.

Other comments that "I heard" were being spiritually there for other sisters (i.e. or family etc)....I don't always feel that I can do things. Other good friends are more doers in service...actually getting in and doing something for someone else. I'm not very good at that. But I do truly love ferociously the sisters in our ward. I have become especially fond of our young mothers. I admire them so much. They are so much better equipped to raise their children now. So much better educated, spiritually leaps and bounds ahead of where I was in my day. I want to be their personal cheerleader and in their head everyday reassuring them that they are awesome and being such competent and perfect mothers for their children.

I like this new General RS Board....no funny hairdos or accents that are distracting...isn't that awful? Anyway, I am very grateful that I went and for my date and for the moments I had to connect with so many of my wonderful friends from other wards. I do love people...I forget my worries and woes when I engage with my friends. What a blessing friends are!

A pocket full of little boys

It's hard to believe that we have grandsons this BIG!

When did this all happen?

12/17/2003 it all began.

Little Buddy is growing up

Red hair glow and looking more like a baby to play with instead of just feed, burp and change.

I forgot to blog about my birthday

I'm 55 -

The events of my actual birthday celebrations were inspired by the events of this photo.

You ask how?

 On Sunday a friend suggested we get a group together to go out to eat for my birthday. I said that sounds great and I started "inviting" people to dinner the next day. I told Fred what was going on and he said "well then I guess we aren't doing anything?".....I said "oh"..... thinking that I have been to Las Vegas twice, Ross Lake, always spending money somewhere AND we go out to dinner all the time so what's the big deal about going out to eat one more time?" Well then I felt bad....and I think he did too. SO I changed the girl's night out to Tuesday.

This is when my story gets good. I called Fred on Monday morning at work and said "It's my birthday and I get whatever I want. I want to ride the ferris wheel in Seattle today". Fred said okay and arranged to take time off work.

 Here we are approaching the waterfront.

 Ferris Wheel - $13 per adult - maybe 10 minutes in line. Five revolutions. Total time 35 minutes.

 Here's my Fred. I love him.

 We weren't sure what to expect for waiting in line etc.... so we grabbed Ivars on the waterfront. These were our dinner companions. Very Very Noisy. They can sure catch fries mid air!

 Jumbo Prawns for me!

 This is looking up at the ferris wheel. It's white and shiny!

 The gondola holds six people. We were with a young couple from UW on a date and a guy all by himself ?....

 This is a photo of the umbrellas at the restaurant below.

 Water/ferry view.

 Bremerton out there somewhere....

The end.

Sirloin and Cremini Teriyaki

Not the greatest picture because it's from the magazine.....but I made this new recipe tonight. I looked up cremini in the dictionary (1999 edition) and could not find that word....it is the second time in the last couple of weeks that a new recipe has called for a cremini mushroom. I bought fresh mushrooms the last time and this time I used canned because I forgot to buy fresh.

Anyway - this is good. Fred liked it, but he weeds out the onions. He likes the smell and taste of onions, but they do not always agree with his little tummy.

7 oz stir-fry rice noodles

2 T vegetable oil

2 lbs boneless beef sirloin, cut against the grain into 1/4 inch slices

1/4 tsp salt

2 red oinion, sliced (I only used one)

2 sweet peppers, cored, seeded and sliced (I used red peppers)

8 oz cremini mushrooms, sliced

2 cloves garlic, sliced (I used garlic from the jar)

1 T cornstarch

1 cup reduced-sodium beef broth

1/4 cup sesame teriyaki sauce

2 T rice vinegar

1. Place noodles in a bowl. Boil 8 cups water in a large nonstick skillet and pour over noodles. Soak 10 minutes and drain.

2. Heat 1 T of the oil in same skillet. Season beef with salt and saute' 2 minutes per side. Remove to a plate. Add remaining 1 T oil. Add onions, peppers, mushroom and garlic; stir-fry for 8 minutes.

3. Combine cornstarch and broth; add to skillet and simmer for 1 minute. Stir in beef, noodles, teriayki sauce and vinegar; simmer for 1 minute until heated through.