10 THINGS THAT MADE ME HAPPY

Work to be grateful the tragedies in our lives not directly related to the choices we have made. (Adapted from a thought I like by Josi Kilpack.) 

#1  I (finally) watched "UP".  (My DVD got a scratch on it the first month we bought it, so I watched it on the Disney Channel on the night of of a late, home football game.)  I really liked the beginning and especially the end.  The silly talking dog plot?  Way coulda done without.  I DO understand that I am in the minority here. 

I wanted to watch it after visiting our local "UP" HOUSE.  Yep.  The "UP" HOUSE.  A local builder built it for a home show.  Lindsay and I headed over to see it with the grand kids for a play date.  (It was not open that day, but Lindsay and David were able to go in an open day with the kids.)

It was fun to see with Logan.  (I had not seen the movie, yet.)

#2  I try to try 5-10 new recipes a week, from various sources.  I have been hand copying/writing them. 

 Leslie has started printing them for me.  (I still write some.)  Saves me lots of time :)

#3  I tried 4 new crock pot recipes for dinner this Sunday.  One was a BIG hit.  Several asked that it be put on my 30 Day Rotation.  (Of course that means that 3 are gone.  Not terrible.  Just never repeated.)

I will share the recipe next week.

#4  My nephew, Jordan, returned from a 2 year church mission to Chile.  It was great to welcome him at the airport, and then later hear him share his experiences and testimony.

#5  I was able to visit the temple with family, and a nephew, Alex, who is preparing to leave on a mission to California.  We went to the Salt Lake Temple (first time at that temple for one kidult) and had a special evening.  (Minus my sinus infection/chest cold induced asthma attack.  SO EMBARRASSING:-(

(Mom and Dad took us to Crown Burger after.  Darn New York City for making me love pastrami.)

#6  My mom got bumped from her flight (with compensation) and came to spend another night with us. 

My nephew, Christopher, who lives an hour south of us, came up to visit her and have dinner with us.  It meant a lot to my mom.  Thank you, Christopher.

#7  When we built our addition, we lost our kitchen window (and quite a bit of light).  Last summer I bought 2 "SOLAR SKYLITE"s.  David installed them for us during his vacation.  THANK YOU, DAVID.  Love the extra light. 

(If only I had bought more.  The price was great.)

#8  Hilary and I took a 2 month class on aprons with our woman's church group (Relief Society).  (Leslie is making one at home.)  It has been fun to see Hilary learn, and like, to sew.  (Wonder what she will get for Christmas?)  I could not get a good picture of my apron, but it is cute :)

#9  Winter is blowing thru for a few days, (That is not what makes me happy.) signaling the end of the harvest.  Tomatoes will all be collected tonight and carefully stored (and watched) for indoor ripening.  The basil will be  picked and put in olive oil for a few weeks to make basil infused oil.  (Thank you, Henry.)

It was a good garden and growing season.  Thank you, Honey, for all your hard work.

(The good news is that warm weather will return for Halloween weekend.)

#10  Peanut butter is going up in price.  UGH!!!  That is a real staple at our home.  (Doug takes a peanut butter and honey sandwich every day for lunch.  Has most of our marriage :)   We use a 64 oz. jar (4 lb.) every 2-3 weeks. 

I found 4 jars at my regular $6.78 price (Only 4 after visiting 3 of the regular stores.)  and was able to order 15 jars at $8.06.  (An extra $.1.28 per jar ($19.20 for the 15).)  I am happy to have 19 jars (plus 3 I already had).  I love emergency preparedness.  And planning ahead. 

As always, these are in no particular order. (I have at least another 10 for next week.)

Tomorrow I will share what I am making my grandsons for Christmas.  (A great idea that was shared with me.)

10 THINGS THAT MADE ME HAPPY

 "You can do anything you please.  It's the way it's done that makes the difference."  Saint-Gaudens

10 Things That Made Me Happy

July 2011

#1  PINTEREST - Just barely started, but I LOVE it.   (More about this next week.)

#2  Central Air (plus ceiling fans) = Never too hot :)

#3  In getting ready for "FLEA.O.LOGY", I got TONS of my garage cleaned.  (I just need to do the grandkid projects that need the 5 VERY BIG EMPTY BOXES I have saved.  Then they can be recycled :)

#4  "FLEA O LOGY" was last Saturday.  I made about 1/2 the money at this sale as the one in May, but I had fun.  Leslie went with me to help, and Hilary and Lindsay (bitsandpieces) went and sold their clippies and onsies. The weather, company and setting were pleasant.

I am working on, and looking forward to the September sale.   

I bought some fun stuff.  A seller had some feminine pieces that used flowers and lace and...  I traded for a bracelet that I really like.

I bought a fun vintage make-up travel case.  Too bad there are all the luggage rules and fees.  I would love to travel with vintage luggage.  (Except that it is heavy, awkward and inefficient.  And I would not want it ruined.) My mom used to have this set of luggage :)

#5  A while ago I found a fun shoe craft on bluebirdvintage's blog.  Cute, huh.

I bought the shoes when I found the idea, and finally finished them THIS week.

The only supplies I bought were cheap white tennies for $5.00 and black shoe laces.  I used black acrylic paint, thick and thin black permanent markers and a few small brushes and foam brushes.  An easy and fun project. 

BUT, my kidults are unimpressed.  As a child I really wanted to wear patent leather shoes to school, but I had to wear saddle shoes.  They were sturdier and more practical for girls in a large family.  sigh 

#6  My van was broken.  Again.  Now it is fixed and for under $100.00 (which included an oil change :)
Hopefully it passes inspection this week.

#7  Hilary told me about a fun game.  I found and bought it.  I have been playing it with Logan, and am really looking forward to playing this game at our big family parties.  (I will show the game on "What I Buy Wednesday" this week.)  While I was on Amazon, I also did some Christmas shopping.

#8  Our new pergola is closer to being finished.    Then back to eating outside.

#9  Book club was at my house in July.  I really book club and the friendships.  I will post what I have been reading this summer another time.

#10  I have enjoyed walking to Lindsay and David's house with Doug and Leslie.  (Not the up hill part.)  Good exercise and great company and conversations.  (Of course we do have to get a ride back home.)

10 THINGS THAT MAKE ME HAPPY!

"...the words that we read on the courthouse walls, and the words that make us free. 
and the more we remember the way we began, the closer we get to the best we can be."
from "America, America, and the dream goes on! by John Williams (one of my favourites)

#1  I have my first stamp on my passport.  AUSTRALIA!   (And I am so glad that I had a passport.  Planned and packed in 2 1/2 days.)  (Michael.  If you were current on my blog, you would know the kidults were telling the truth ;)

#2  The flight (premium economy) was o.k.  Food was very nice.  Seating was better than economy- but not as good as business. 

#3  Thank-you very much, Ashley (and Mark) for getting the ramekins for me at the Crate and Barrel outlet.  I have some ideas :)

#4  While looking for a book for the beach trip (at a thrift store), I found a never used stove top popcorn popper.  It will come in handy.  Soon.

#5  I am happy  that my trip to Australia happened the same time as Debbie had company.

#6  I happy that Doug really wanted me to come.  (It was a choice thing.  And he only wanted to come if I came :D

#7  I am happy I had so many book choices.  (I added another recommendation from Kate, and Leslie picked it up at the library for me.  It is called "A Toast to Murder"  by Michelle Scott.)  I have finished "TARA ROAD" and will write a review later.

#8  I am happy I had time to get a hair cut, and have Lindsay give me a perm.

#9  I am happy Kate had (and loaned me) electrical adapters and an Australia guide book.

#10  I am so happy to be alone with Doug.  Well, actually he is not with me during the day.  And he is not on vacation.  But we are alone.  Together.

I am happy to have internet access (and my computer) in our apt.  I brought a few recipes and pictures with me.

It's a New Year! And 10 THINGS THAT MADE ME HAPPY THIS WEEK

27 December, 2009 - 3 January, 2010

"How could I consider taking Monday off? Monday is the diving board poised over the rest of the week. You walk out on the board, review the situation, plan your stategy, bounce a few times to get the feel of things, and then make a clean dive. Without Monday, one simply bombs into the water, belly first, and hopes for the best." Jan Karon in "At Home In Mitford" (I love this thought. I keep it up in my laundry room. Isn't this a great way to start the year?)

#1 For the past 5 years I have picked a personal "theme" for the new year. It is a l o n g process. I start thinking about it in about October, and HOPE to have picked one by January. I search talks, scriptures, songs, magazines... It is a pretty big deal to me. This year I "found" my theme by November. Then, after several conversations in which I quoted another thought, I realized at church on Sunday that I had the wrong thought for the year. I am so happy with this new theme. It goes along with the goals that I had already set. Since I have changed my theme, I need a new way to display it, so I will write about it next week. (Later in the week I will put pictures of some of my past themes.)

I love new years. I love to assess where I am and where I want to be. Most practical New Year's Resolution? REMEMBER TO TAKE MY VERY STURDY HOME DEPOT BAGS INTO EVERY STORE I GO IN TO!!!!! (They do no good in the car.)

#2 Lindsay told me a fun idea that David's parents do. For Christmas each grandchild gets to reach into a bowl/jar of change and take a whole handful. (Logan got $.30 cents:) (That is not their gift.) Anyway, fun idea. We are starting that tradition this year-but for grandkids birthdays. Layne will be first in January.

#3 I am so happy I finally got to see "The Princes and The Frog". I am such a Disney fan. Grandma and Grandpa took about 25 of us on Saturday. I really, really enjoyed it. It had good characters with good work values. It is a positive movie with a good theme. And the music made me move in my seat (and annoy Leslie). Thank-you so much, Grandpa and Grandma.

Parent comment-This movie takes place in the 20s, 30s and 40s in the south. It has black magic, tarot cards, voodoo and helpers from "the other side". There are shadows that are evil. At one point they "come" for one that now belongs to them, and the scene feels much like a similar one in "Ghost". It does feel dark at times.

#4 This is the 4th year we have measured Doug's ear at the beginning of the new year. Why? We noticed a lot of older/old men with big (sorry) ears. So, we decided we would start measuring Doug's ear every year - so Grandchildren could use it for an experiment for a science fair project. And all the documentation would be done. Weird? Maybe. But fun. We started before we had grandchildren.

#5 I am happy I got to try new recipes this week. I started with a sweet potato enchilada recipe from "STUDIO 5" tv show. I used canned sweet potatoes and rotissserie chicken, so it went reallyfast. It was good, and better the next day, but I already have several good, and different enchilada recipes. So, not worth saving.
I made several new recipes for New Year's Eve, but only the cheese bread was really a hit. (One of them should have been good, so I will try it again.") Write and let us know if you tried a new sucessful recipe this holiday season.
This week in my crock pot I made a teriyaki pork loin roast. The flavour was good, but it was dry on it's own. It had reached the correct temp. over 2 hours early. So far I have not been pleased with roasts in the crockpot.

#6 I am happy, happy happy to have church start at 11:oo, instead of 9:oo. I can sleep in, AND watch the Mormon Tabernacle Choir (IF I can learn how to work our new Direct TV, and IF I am up by 9:30).

#7 I HATE putting away Christmas. I am sad it is all over. (I don't think I got enough music.) hmmm. What shall I plan for now. Oh yea! The Olympics are a month away. Rings in the window. Opening Ceremony party. Themed dinners. Olympic music and movies and biographies and inspirational stories...

Followed by-Valentine's Day. Just as I was missing Christmas projects I found the idea I will do for the Cousin Valentine Exchange at Grandpa and Grandma's house. (If you want to see my (secret) idea, go here. But don't tell the cousins.)http://www.howdoesshe.com/ Now go to the Oreo Cookie Sucker tutorial on 11 December, 2009. (SHHH)

And I already have a pretty good start on next Christmas :)

#8 I am happy we had my dog, Stevie for almost 2 years. He died 6 months ago. It was bittersweet to find his fur in our Christmas tree box. We have had our stray cat, Lightning, for 2 years now. We found (caught) her on New Year's Day. She sleeps on the end of my bed.:) We love her and Hilary's Annie Cat.

#9 I am so happy that I had Doug home for 2 weeks with me. We had a fine time together. Thank-you, honey. Too bad we have to go back to work.

#10 I heard a quote that said, "A friend is someone that when you hurt, they cry." This past year has brought hard (very hard) times for some of our family members. Illness, deaths and sorrows for siblings, children and parents, as well as friends. Many times I have cried as I have looked at the picture with my limited vision. I am so thankful for family. I am thankful for the plan of salvation. I am thankful that I may cast my cares to my Heavenly Father. I am thankful for fast Sunday. How fitting that we are able to begin this new year in humility and prayer. May this year be filled with peace and reassurance as we work to learn of and please the Lord. (Clue to my theme)


And for the blog Give-Away. The winner is #3. Zion and Missy. (Don't worry. No kidults were drawn first. Although I did put their #s in ;) Let me know if you want the Ice Candle Mold or Christmas Ornament Book. The next drawing will be the first week of February. Hilary is making 2 pairs of Valentine's Day themed Penny Blossoms. (see Big Bang Theory) I will post a picture when they are made. Be sure to sign up as a follower to be entered in the give aways. Congratulations Melissa.