Easily Amused

Another Easy Supper

2012-01-29T18:04:00.000-07:00

I'm still on this kick about easy recipes for after church. Today I made an oldie but goodie -- Stuffed Manicotti. It's so easy and delicious too. If your family likes pasta dishes such as cheese ravioli or lasagne, they will probably like this. One bowl, one pan, 20 minutes to put together, 1 hour to bake and you're in business!

Back in the 1960s a woman named Peg Bracken wrote a series of cookbooks called "The I Hate to Cook Book." She was sort of a combination between Erma Bombeck and Sandra Lee, a humorist who found easy ways to cook. I've made some changes to her recipe, which I've put in parenthesis. Either way works, it's just up to you which you want to use.

STUFFED MANICOTTI

1 16-oz container of cottage cheese (15-oz container ricotta cheese)

8 oz jack cheese, cubed or shredded (8 oz mozarella, shredded)

1 egg, beaten

1-2 Tablespoons dried Parsley flakes (optional)

1-2 teaspoons granulated garlic (optional)

1 package manicotti, uncooked

2 jars spathetti sauce

Preheat oven to 350°.

In a large bowl, combine cheeses, egg, parsley and garlic. Mix well.

Place a small amount of spaghetti sauce in the bottom of a 13" x 9" pan. Stuff uncooked manicotti with cheese mixture and place in pan. Pour remaining sauce over the stuffed manicotti. (I usually only wind up using 1-1/2 jars total).

Cover with foil. Bake 1 hour; let stand 5 minutes before serving. Yummo!

It's great with green salad and garlic bread. One package of manicotti makes 14. Enjoy!

I Love This!

2012-01-27T17:09:00.000-07:00

A Super Easy Sunday Supper!

2012-01-22T18:30:00.000-07:00

On Sundays we go to church from 11:00 until 2:00. When I get home I am ready to eat and relax, not cook, eat, and relax, so I'm always looking for easy recipes. This is one I came up with after sampling a bunch of recipes and weeding out what I didn't like. It takes about a minute to throw it together in the morning, and no time at all to finish up in the afternoon.

CROCK POT CHICKEN & DUMPLINGS

2 pounds chicken tenderloins (I've found using a whole cut-up chicken falls apart)

2 cans cream of chicken soup

2 cartons chicken broth

Salt and Pepper to taste

Cook on high. I put it in at 9:00 am and we ate at 5:00 pm. When I got home from church, I put in a small bag of vegetables. I'm partial to peas and carrots, but you can use whatever you like. Today I used mixed veggies and it was great.

Now here is where you can choose how easy you want to make it. You can get a can of biscuits and use those as your dumplings. Separate the biscuits, cut them into fourths and put them into the crock pot (with the lid on) about 1/2 hour before you eat. OR you can make Bisquick dumplings as follows:

2 cups Bisquick

2/3 cup milk

Mix well, and use your cookie scoop to scoop out dumplings and place in crock pot.

Okay, so dumplings are the prettiest looking food in the world, but they are sooo good to eat! I serve them in soup plates because they are very liquidy.

All in all, it's an easy supper and lets mom have it easy too!

Resolution Schmesolution

2011-12-30T15:14:00.001-07:00

Tomorrow night is New Year's Eve ... and the time most of us start to think about New Year's Resolutions. And, nope, not gonna do it this year. Every year I make some resolution to do something new, make a specific change, etc. and it never happens. So this year I'm not even going to think about it.

Instead, I'm going to recommit myself to doing better at what I'm already doing. Number One: I want to work harder and keeping myself in-sync with the Lord's spirit. I want to work harder at hearing what He wants me to do and then doing it. When my spirit aligns with His things go better for me so I am going to keep on working at that.

Number Two: I'm going to continue to remember to let those that I love know that I love and appreciate them. Specifically, to make sure my family doesn't feel like I don't love them with all my heart. Sometimes I get caught up in things and take them for granted. Since this summer I've been working at making sure that doesn't happen so much. Of course I slip up, but I am rededicating myself to making sure that my husband and boys know and feel that I love them.

Number Three: Keep writing and publishing the things I like to write, and also the things I like to read. If I like to read certain types of stories, then others probably do too. I also want to make sure that I support and help other writers as well. I've received so much help I want to pay it back.

Number Four: This is the harder one; to get moving more. I've set up a walking and bicycling plan for the new year that I intend to keep up. My poor old joints are telling me that the life of a writer is a good one for my brain, but hard on my body. I need to shake things up, including my booty once in awhile. I'm also going to start incorporating some meatless meals into my menu plans along with more fish. I'm actually excited to make these changes.

And that's it. I'm going to continue doing the things that I have been doing, but be more dilligent and faithful in that regard. And to move more and improve some menu ideas for myself and my family. No big, earth shattering changes in my life, just quiet, small steps that make big changes in my heart and soul. We've gone through some big challenges this year, and 2012 looks like it's going to hold a few more major upheavals. If I follow the path I'm already on, we should sail through it all intact.

Happy New Year to you all, and many blessings on your heads!

Christmas Morning

2011-12-25T11:33:00.000-07:00

Stan had to work on Christmas Eve, so we waited up until he got home a little after midnight. It was exciting to be up late and celebrate a little with him. After sleeping in a little we got up for some breakfast and presents under the tree. Stan is working Christmas Day as well so we stayed home to spend as much time with him as we could today.

It was a nice morning. So much love and peace; tons of good food and presents that had us all surprised and happy.

The boys found these baskets of goodies on our porch this morning!

Our neighbor, Betsy, never forgets the boys on Christmas.

What a grand surprise!

Christmas breakfast is a feast!

Lefse, bagels with cream cheese and smoked salmon,

sour cream coffee cake

cookies, tangerines, egg nog and hot chocolate ....

Sooooo good!

AJ, in his Santa hat, is ready to get to the presents and see what's waiting!

Stan brought home an English cracker someone from work had given him.

Kevin loved the paper crown inside and models it

with the Dr. Who shirt we gave him for Christmas!

Kevin gave Captain Cool a tie-dyed hat to go with his outfit.

It's a very groovy holiday at the Mullis house!

Merry Christmas to all our family and friends both near and far. We hope this holiday finds you blessed, loved and happy. Wish we were near you and could give you all hugs. Enjoy your day as much as we'll be enjoying ours!

Christmas Eve

2011-12-24T09:50:00.000-07:00

My Irish grandmother believed that on Christmas Eve the Christ child would walk again looking for a place to rest his head. He could come in many forms: your neighbor, a friend, someone from school or church stopping by. You never knew how He would come.

Therefore, she would insist that there be a light on to guide Him (our Christmas lights) and something to eat when he came into your home. In our case, we always had a plate of cookies at the ready, with hot cocoa, juice or milk available.

My grandmother has been gone for many years and I still carry on her old traditions. Our Christmas tree is lit, the lights on the house will turn on at dusk, and a platter of cookies awaits Him should he come to our house.

Is your home ready to receive Him tonight?

Christmas Light Night, Part 2

2011-12-21T09:15:00.001-07:00

We went out last night to finish our tour of Christmas lights in the neighborhood. So much fun! We had snow Monday night, so Tuesday night had a very magical and Christmassy feel to it as we drove around, listening to holiday music and checking out the light displays. Here are some pictures!

Yup, the last one is my own little house! Not too flashy, but it's home sweet home! I love how the boys lit up the column on the porch. Wait till you see what we do next year!

A Christmas Staple in the Mullis House!

2011-12-20T15:48:00.000-07:00

Everyone has traditions they keep for the holidays. We have traditional music, decorations, activities and, of course, traditional foods we trot out just for the occassion.

In our house we have a traditional snack mix that we just love. The recipe is from the 1970s, and is devoid of any Chex cereal like most snack mixes use. My mother made it every Christmas and I do too. So, if you want something a little different you might just like this. We sure do!

NUTS & BOLTS

Snack Mix

4 cups Cheerios

1-1/2 cups mixed nuts

1-1/2 cups croutons

1 cup pretzel sticks

1/2 cup vegetable oil

2 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce

1/2 teaspoon garlic salt (powder works just as well)

1/4 teaspoon salt (optional)

Heat oven to 275°.

In ungreased 13"x9"x2" pan, mix cereal, nuts, croutons and pretzel sticks. Blend remaining ingredients. Pour over ceral mixture; mix well.

Bake uncovered for 45 minutes, stirring occassionally.

Christmas Light Night, Part 1

2011-12-18T20:19:00.000-07:00

We had Christmas Light Night on Saturday evening, but we didn't get far. After dinner, we went to a church in town that does a "Lights of Christmas" display in their parking lot. You drive through in your car, tune your radio to a special station and you are in for a treat! While you are waiting, and yes--there's always quite a crowd there, they have the trees a lit up and they "dance" in time to the music. Then you go through and see a girl ice skating, a gingerbread house with a dancing gingerbread man, snowmen, elves, and of course Santa Claus.

After all that fun, there are living scenes from the Christmas story, including the wise men, shepherds, the scene from the inn and then the stable with Mary, Joseph and the babe. It's a lovely time.

We're going to finish up Tuesday night, so I'll post pictures of that later!

A New Car

2011-12-15T16:48:00.000-07:00

Our poor van has given up the ghost. My purple mini-van, that we bought when we moved here in 2000, was supposed to go in for a new transmission, but the owner of the shop called and said that he couldn't in "good conscience" fix the transmission for us because so much else was going wrong with it. In total, between $7,000 and $10,000 worth of repairs, which included the transmission. So, after much scrambling about and fretting, we sold the car to a junk yard. Goodbye my sweet "Mom Mobile!"

Yesterday we went out and got a new family car. New to us that is! We found a lovely 2005 Chevrolet Impala that Kevin has dubbed White Lightning! It still feels odd to be driving in it, and it's not quite as comfortable as the van was for me, but it'll be a terrific car for the boys to use to go to school, on dates, etc.

Here are a couple of pictures of the newest addition to the Mullis household!

So Long and Thanks for All the Sprinkles!

2011-12-13T20:46:00.000-07:00

I finally baked my first batch of Christmas cookies this afternoon! Yay! AJ and I made gingerbread cookies, and he snapped a few pics as we did so. One of the cookie cutters we used was an old one he found from when he was little. It was a dolphin I used to make for their lunches when they were in elementary school, and now we have gingerbread dolphins!

Our gingerbread dolphins!

Cut them out and get them ready for the oven!

Sprinkles! LOTS of sprinkles!

Now on to the next batch!

I Do, Do You?

2011-12-10T14:30:00.000-07:00

A Christmas Poem

2011-12-05T09:31:00.001-07:00

To help usher in this wonderful holiday season, I am publishing here a poem my mother wrote. I think it depicts the warm, happy feelings of Christmas so well that I wanted to share it. My hope is, that at this festive time of year, we will recall all our blessings and those memories of friends and family we hold so dear.

CHRISTMAS EVE BACK HOME

There's a feeling about Christmas

That happens every year.

Its a special sort of gladness

That steals softly through the air.

It wraps its arms about me,

Till I’m lost in its embrace,

And that gladness pulls my heartstrings

Back to a dear familiar place.

I think of all the Christmases

That I have ever known,

And I am but a child again

On Christmas Eve back home.

There's a smell of wax and polish

Throughout every room.

The window panes are gleaming

And the Christmas tree's a bloom

With colored lights and baubles.

And popcorn chains we made,

Underneath are all the presents

In wrappings bright and gay.

There's a wreath in every window

And on the door as well,

In the kitchen Mama's baking,

It makes a most delightful smell!

There's pumpkin pie and mincemeat,

And fattigmands to fry,

A Christmas cake, plum pudding,

And a turkey standing by

Ready for the stuffing

That's laced with spicy sage.

The cookie jars are bursting

With the goodies Mama made.

It's such a cozy kitchen

As darkness now descends.

The lights go on throughout the house

To guide the Christ Child in,

The cry goes out that "Daddy's home"

We meet him at the door.

He kisses Mama, then hugs us,

And shakes snow on the floor.

"There's more snow coming down,”

He says, and we all rush to see.

It's true! It's snowing! We all laugh

The house is filled with glee

For it is Christmas once again

And what a happy sight

To see the family gathered round

On this very special night.

Then Mama fixes supper,

The table's set by all.

And when the meal is ready,

We come running at her call.

But strangely, no one's hungry

For its just too hard to eat,

We've seen those pretty packages

All wrapped so gay and neat

But, soon the meal is ended,

The kitchen clean and bright.

And Bud has charge of seating

Telling each one where to sit that night.

And now our program's starting.

Kathleen will be first

She sings a song of Christmas

While Jeannette recites a verse.

The clarinet is played by Bud,

Barbara sings another song.

Then I play the piano, and

Daddy sings "O Tannenbaum"

The presents then are given out

Amid soft cries of pleasure.

There's never been a year like this

Its a Christmas we will treasure.

There's such a stack of presents

Beneath this tree of ours.

It takes a while to give them out

Sometimes it seems like hours!

There's bound to be a game for all

In fact there may be several.

We gather in the dining room

And start playing at the youngest level

So the little girls can play with us

Before they go to bed,

They hang their stockings, say their prayers,

And dream of that man in red.

Mama says the Christ Child

Is out walking on this night

To find a place to rest His Head,

And we pray that the light

From our windows will guide Him here,

Our door would open wide,

And from the cold and frosty air,

We'd usher Him inside.

Then we'd tell him how we loved Him

And how we hoped He'd stay.

But, alas, it never happened,

He never found the way

To our house in Nebraska

On those long ago cold days.

Daddy then would tell us

About the Christmas Star

Our thoughts are of the first time

The Wise Men saw it from afar

And how they rode their camels

O'er Judea's dusty plain

Until they reached the stable

Where the precious baby lay.

And this, to me, is Christmas,

The night, the star, the snow,

The Christmas tree, the music,

The songs we sang so long ago,

The preparations getting ready

For this very special Eve,

The shopping and the laughing,

And the packages we leave

Till the very final moment

To slip beneath the tree —

All these precious memories

Are Christmas Eve, back home, to me.

Mary Louise Hillyard

To Fudge or Not to Fudge

2011-12-03T15:57:00.000-07:00

I have made no secret of the fact that I am a full-blown chocolaholic. It's a serious addiction, and I am not ashamed to admit it. Now comes my dilema. Do I make fudge this Christmas?

Should be a no brainer, right? You like chocolate, fudge is chocolate, make the fudge! The problem is my loyalty tends to lie with my Grandmother Hillyard's recipe for Refridgerator Fudge. This fudge you must keep in the fridge. When it's out it gets all soft and squishy. It tastes wonderful, very creamy and luscious. However, you can't really have a small plate of fudge sitting out which, really, isn't that the point? You want it out so you can eat it.

When we were roommates, my friend Beth made some of the old-fashioned fudge and ruined the pot she was cooking it in when she burned it. I scrubbed and soaked the pot for days and finally got it cleaned, only to have her burn another batch of fudge. That time the pot went in the dumpster.

The marshmallow creme fudge is pretty easy to make and is tasty. I've made it before and it came out really well. Good enough to put on plates of Christmas cookies to give away to friends. That's right, I said I gave chocolate away to friends. That's how much I love my friends!

So, the question is to fudge or not to fudge this holiday season? I'm thinking I may just have to do it. My chin is wet with drool just thinking abou it.

Isn't it beautiful??

The Last of the Thanksgiving Leftovers!

2011-11-30T20:15:00.000-07:00

We finally used up the last bit of turkey tonight. Stan made enchilladas! He mixed the last of the turkey with sour cream, cheese and cilantro to make turkey enchilladas in green sauce, and then he made cheese enchilladas in red sauce. What a way to say goodbye to our Thanksgiving turkey!

My Son, the Artist

2011-11-29T09:55:00.000-07:00

I've published a new Christmas story, and Kevin did the cover for it! I'm so proud of him and his talents. I like the cover a lot. It's charming and whimsical, and I hope it won't be the last one he does for me. Here it is:

Here's a brief synopsis of the story:

Eight-year-old Alexander Billingsworth is having a very bad year. His best friend’s brother told him there was no Santa Claus. Now he sees the holiday as one big lie. That is, until his Grandpa gives him a very special gift that will answer his questions once and for all.

Grandpa's Gift sells for $.99 and is only available right now on Amazon http://amzn.to/rSieHI and on Smashwords http://bit.ly/roRa79 but will soon be available on Barnes & Noble, Sony, Apple, Kobo and other online e-book retailers.

I hope you take the time to check it out!

We've Been Christmastized!

2011-11-27T20:44:00.001-07:00

We finally completed our indoor decorating! We had a blast. Christmas music, popcorn and boxes and boxes of decorations I've been collecting since I was in my twenties.

Our wreath will greet you when you come to our door!

The inside of our door has a big Santa stocking and jingle bells on the knob.

One of our mangers.

This one is special to me, because it was left on our doorstep a piece at a time.

The doorbell would ring, and we'd go out and find one of the pieces

along with a poem or scripture reference to it.

We never did find out who gave it to us, which also makes it more special.

We have a big selection of snowmen.

Kevin calls it the Snowman Forest!

There's also our rabbit who changes what he holds according to the season.

He's holding a wreath now.

Our other manger, given to us by our Secret Santa, when we were in Willow Glen Ward

in San Jose, California.

The boys were very little, and it was nice because it was wooden and they could play with it.

One of our Santas.

Yes, we have a collection of those as well!

This is supposed to be a tree topper.

I don't know what this is called. Stan's Aunt Barbara gave us this our first Christmas.

You put candles in at the bottom and it makes the paddles turn.

The Christmas sampler my sister Cheryl made

the Christmas after Kevin was born.

The newest addition to our Christmas collection!

I love this cute pillow made by my friends Liz and Claire.

So now you know how we spent our Sunday afternoon. Our house is ready for the holiday now. We still need to get the outside lights and decorations up as well. Then I just need to wrap some presents and get them under the tree and get some cookies baked. Can't wait to get started!

Our Christmas Star

2011-11-26T16:45:00.001-07:00

We put up our Christmas tree today. One of the most precious things to go on our tree is our Christmas Star. I love it dearly because my boys made it. They each decorated one side of the star. AJ was 7 and Kevin was 5 when they made it, and the memory of those little boys creating this lovely tree topper lies warm in my heart.

Here is AJ's side of the star!

He was 7 when he designed this!

Kevin was only 5 when he decorated this side of the star!

This star is the most beautiful Christmas Star in the world!

Christmas Tree Day!

2011-11-25T13:28:00.000-07:00

Since Stan and I have been married, the Saturday after Thanksgiving is the day we get our tree. When we lived in California, we would drive into the Santa Cruz mountains and go to a Christmas tree farm where we would cut our own. We've tried, unsuccessfully, to recreate this experience here in Colorado, and now we just treat ourselves to breakfast and get a tree at the store.

Stan is working a 12 hour shift this Saturday, so we moved Christmas Tree Day to today. We went to Einstein's for bagels and hot chocolate, and as a special bonus, Captain Cool accompanied us!

We Make the Big Time!

2011-11-25T09:14:00.000-07:00

One of the local TV stations yesterday asked for pictures of your Thanksgiving feast before you ate it, and I sent in the photo of our table laid out just before we ate. And we made it onto the 10 o'clock news! I don't know why that excited me so much. I guess we really are "easily amused!"

Happy and Thankful!

2011-11-24T14:34:00.000-07:00

Thanksgiving 2011 has been a wonderful one for the Mullis family! We have so much to be grateful for, and our hearts are full. Family, friends, good schools, jobs and a great home. We also enjoyed one of the best turkey dinners we've ever had--and one we all had a hand in preparing.

I made homemade dinner rolls for the first time ever! And they're weren't too bad either!

I decided to spruce things up this year and we used our good china and silver. The boys helped me get it out and wash everything. The table looked so pretty!

Kevin made the green bean casserole and the gravy, Stan made the layered jello salad, AJ and I made the croutons for the stuffing and then the stuffing too. I mashed the potatoes and AJ stuffed and prepped the turkey. It was a family effort!

We had a great time talking about all the things we're grateful for and how we're looking forward to the rest of the holidays and the upcoming new year. I love my family soooo much and cannot begin to say how much they mean to me. It was a lovely day. Now to get ready for Christmas!

It's All in How You Think!

2011-11-21T10:50:00.000-07:00

Lefse!

2011-11-17T16:32:00.001-07:00

We all have special traditions we trot out for the holidays. And, like most families in the United States, our traditions come from our ancestors who immigrated to this country long before us. My background is Irish, Danish, Norwegian and English, and my traditions are a motley collection from all of these cultures. One of my favorite is the Norwegian Lefse, from which we make Lefse Busse.

I know, what is that? Lefse is a Norwegian "flatbread" made from potatoes. My nephews always called it Norwegian tortillas, and it does resemble that. Last Christmas when we were in California my mother (whose father was Norwegian) taught the boys how to make it. To make a lefse busse you put something in the lefse, roll it up and eat it. We always had this at Christmastime and we would butter the lefse, sprinkle it with brown sugar and roll it up and scarf it down. AJ also likes to fill one with meat (preferable Christmas turkey) and eat it like that.

The boys are having an international dining experience in their Japanese class tonight and their teacher asked them each to bring a food from their cultural background to share with the other students, and the boys have spent the afternoon make lefse. This is a recipe that has been handed down through a couple of generations. It's simple, and fun.

First you start with potatoes. Okay, maybe not this big!

You need 5 large potatoes ....

Peel the potatoes and rinse them clean ....

Boil them until they are tender enough to mash.

Actually, you are supposed to use a potato ricer for lefse,

but since we don't have one we did what we could!

We mashed them up!

For 5 large potatoes, we used:

1/2 cup milk

1 teaspoon of salt

3 Tablespoon of butter

You need to mash them very finely! This is one recipe you want absolutely NO lumps!

Then, you let them cool. When the potatoes are cooled off,

you add flour.

Use 1/2 cup of flour for every cup of potatoes, and mix until you have a soft dough

Flour a board and roll out your dough.

Just like pie dough!

After it's rolled out, you cook it on a griddle.

We used a cast iron griddle ....

Spray the griddle lightly with cooking spray.

Cook until light brown spots appear.

Place between cloths to keep it from getting dry.

Looks so good!

And if you've done it right, you get to enjoy the fruits of your labors!

Now, that's some good eatin'!!!

Mexican Street Tacos

2011-11-17T11:45:00.000-07:00

Kevin asked for Mexican Street Tacos for his birthday dinner yesterday. I've never made them before and searched all over for a recipe I thought I could handle. I found one that was so easy it's crazy. And, oh mama! were they good! If you like these type of tacos, you must try this.

When Stan was grilling up the tortillas he used a trick he saw them use in a taqueria in California--he dipped the tortillas in water before putting them on the griddle, which he also sprayed with cooking spray. Definitely use two tortillas per serving as they are very soft since they aren't fried, and do split.

And here's a picture of Kevin with a couple of his birthday gifts, a new blanket (one of those fleece ones) for his bed, and an Angry Bird. He also received some new reeds for his saxaphone and a new winter jacket which he was given early since it's gotten colder, and a new black dress shirt. He's a happenin' guy!

MEXICAN STREET TACOS

1 lb boneless skinless chicken (can be frozen)

1 cup msg free chicken broth

3 teaspoons taco seasoning (no Msg preferred)
1/2 teaspoon ginger
1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
1/2 teaspoon cumin
1/2 teaspoon black ground pepper
1/2 cup cilantro (not minced) [I just tied the stems with twine and used that, then had the tops for the tacos]

Toppings
2 cups minced and cleaned fresh cilantro
1 cup minced onions
1 cup pico de gallo
30 round corn tortillas or 30 white corn tortillas, 3-4-inch
2 limes, cut into slices

Directions
The Meat: Take all of the top ingredients and put in a crock pot for 1 hour on high, turn on low for 4 hours. Remove Cilantro and Tear up chicken with two forks.

Heat the tortillas in light oil using cast iron skillet. Use two tortilla stacked and put a small circle of meat in the middle. Top with Cilantro, onions, pico de gallo. Squeeze of Lime. Serve immediately while hot.

Can add some salsa choices to taste. May also add queso fresco if you choose.

Bonkers!

2011-11-16T17:23:00.000-07:00

When Kevin was a little boy, one of his favorite things was to ride on Daddy's shoulders. For some reason, he called this "bonkers." We never knew where this term came from or what it meant to him. Maybe it meant that he liked to bonk his dad on the head while he was up there. At any rate, Stan found a card to give him for his birthday that had a picture of a dad giving his little boy "bonkers." He wrote this poem to put inside, and I think it's just ....

Bonkers!

"Pick me up,"

I heard you say

"Please, Daddy, please,

Now ... right away!"

Up you would go

Up oh so high

On Daddy's shoulders

You could touch the sky

Flying high above the ground

Taking another look around

Perched up there what did you see?

Were you looking down at me?

Did you play among the clouds

Sitting there above the crowds?

Who knew life could bring such joy

When a father was bonkers for his little boy!

Stanley Mullis

Kevin Is 20!!!

2011-11-16T09:02:00.000-07:00

Okay, say it with me .... no more teenagers in the house! It's strange to think of it. We've had at least one teenager around for the past nine years, so this is a new phase for us.

Kevin turns 20 today, and I'm excited for him, but also feeling a little melancholy about my babies growing up. I have such incredibly sweet memories of my youngest, who had a personality all his own from the moment he was born. Probably before that!

He used to call carrots "docs" because Bugs Bunny ate them and said "What's up doc?" We eventually nicknamed him "Bugs" because of it. That's still his nickname!

He used to bring along a little stuffed dog named "Shotty" (he couldn't say Shorty) with him wherever he went. And he would introduce Shotty to people and play with him when I went to work at the library, or to church, the bank, grocery shopping ... you name it! Very cute.

He's very artistic, and started drawing when he was small like most boys. He loved to create art work, and my sister, a former art teacher, said his talent was beyond his years and encouraged us to support him. We bought him sets of crayons, then colored pencils and paints and so many pads of paper over the years! Took art classes as he got older and has received awards for his work.

When AJ started kindergarten, he was so jealous! So we signed him up for a toddlers cooking class and sparked another creative interest of his. He's grown from children's cookbooks to adult cookbooks and now creates his own recipes. We've all benefited from and enjoyed his creativity in this area, let me tell you!

But one of the things that defines Kevin the most is his deep love of and stalwart defense of his family. To Kevin, family is everything. He has a strong faith and is often the one reminding us of family prayer and not to give up when things seem difficult. "It'll be alright!" he says, "It always is." And he's right.

I always wanted to be a mother. After my very difficult delivery with AJ my doctor didn't want me to have any more children. I knew there was one more and I was going to have him. I am SO grateful I did! What would it be like if Kevin were not here? I can't even go there. I thank my Heavenly Father every day that He helped me and we have this precious spirit in our family. We wouldn't truly be a family without him.

Halloween 2011!

2011-10-31T20:14:00.000-06:00

We had a blast tonight! Carving pumpkins, taco soup, the boys had friends over, chocolate cupcakes .... It was soooo much fun!

An Angry Bird!

A THOUGHT FOR THE WEEKEND

2011-10-28T12:37:00.000-06:00

Our society is afflicted by a spirit of thoughtless arrogance unbecoming those who have been so magnificently blessed. How grateful we should be for the bounties we enjoy. Absence of gratitude is the mark of the narrow, uneducated mind. It bespeaks a lack of knowledge and the ignorance of self-sufficiency.

Gordon B. Hinckley
1910-2008

A Fun Kids Meal

2011-10-25T13:10:00.000-06:00

We're expecting snow tonight, and tomorrow the temps are supposed to "climb" into the mid 30s! Time to haul out the cold weather recipes!

This is one that I remember as a child, and making for my boys when they were small. Meatballs are always a hit with kids because it's food that's small like they are! These are called Porcupines because they're made with rice and it sticks out when they're cooked making them like those cute little critters they're named after!

Serve them with cooked rice or mashed potatoes to serve the sauce over and some veggies or a salad, and you'll have some happy, and well fed, kidlets!

OVEN PORCUPINES

• 1 1/2 pound lean ground beef

• 2/3 cup long-grain rice, uncooked

• 1/2 cup water

• 1/4 cup finely chopped onion

• 1 teaspoon seasoned salt

• 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder

• 1/8 teaspoon pepper

• 1 large can (15 ounces) tomato sauce

• 1 cup water

• 2 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce

Mix ground beef with rice, 1/2 cup of water, chopped onion, seasoned salt, garlic powder, and pepper. Shape porcupine ground beef mixture by tablespoon into 1 1/2-inch balls.

Place the porcupine meatballs in an ungreased 2-quart shallow baking dish. Mix the remaining ingredients and pour over the porcupine meatballs. Cover and bake at 350° F. oven for about 45 minutes. Uncover and bake porcupine meatballs 15 to 20 minutes longer.

Porcupine meatballs serve 4 to 6.

Tulips!

2011-10-24T15:21:00.000-06:00

I haven't been feeling well the past few days, and my sweet son Kevin bought me a bouquet of tulips to cheer me up. I can't remember when I've seen anything so beautiful! They make me feel cherished. And when the snow comes in tomorrow night they will be wonderful to look at as the cold and snow swirl around outside!

I Had To Post This

2011-10-24T09:30:00.000-06:00

I had to post this, if only because I am in the major minority of those who didn't like Twilight. It was the only book in the series that I read, I'll be honest, and I have not see any of the movies. I found the angst and drama of high school bad enough to live through, and it is probably a testament to Stephenie Meyers that her brought it all back for me.

"He looked at me, does he like me?"
"He's not at school today, is it becase of me??"
"Oh he talked to me! He must like me!"
"He's so cute! He couldn't like me!"

Yikes. I am not aware of a discussion of Twlight or Harry Potter being the better book, but that seems to be what Stephen King is addressing here. I just really liked his comment and had to post this here today.

In All It's Purple Lovliness!

2011-10-20T14:45:00.000-06:00

We lost a good friend today .... our toaster. Oh, he'd been going downhill for quite awhile, and it was not pretty. Smoke alarms going off .... toast burnt so black you'd think it was charcoal, and that was on the lowest setting!

Then finally it got to the point that you had to stand there and hold the button down and wait for it to toast. While it was nice to spend time together like that, I had to keep letting go to make my hot chocolate, turn the CD on to listen to while I ate, grab some napkins ... you get the picture. It was time to say goodbye.

AJ bought me a new toaster today, an early Christmas present. And it is amazing in it's beauty, because it is PURPLE!!! Those who know me know it's my favorite color. It looks perfect in my (non-purple) kitchen.

Can't wait to see what Stan says when he gets home tonight!

Isn't it cute?

And don't you love AJ's reflection in it??

Release Day for My New Book!

2011-10-19T16:21:00.001-06:00

I am happy and excited to announce the release of my newest novel, The Christmas to Remember!

The Christmas to Remember is a very personal book for me, as it is based on many of the personal experiences of my grandfather, Neal Jacobsen Hillyard. It is from his personal history that I have taken many of the events and people and based this fictional account of a young boy named Jens.

Here is a synopsis of the book:

In 1902 Aalborg, Denmark, life is hard for the Pederson family. Eight-year-old Jens has started working to help his mother and his older brothers and sister provide for their family. With angry adults around him, a bully at school out to get him, and his teacher assigning a dreaded essay, Jens has far too much to worry about.

But Christmas is fast approaching. With their meager earnings, the Pederson family begins preparations for the Christmas feast. Learning the true meaning of faith and hope as he helps with the plans, Jens has but one wish: to make this holiday the best one ever for his family. A Christmas to remember.

The gorgeous cover was designed by Rachael Sherwood, a professional photographer and a personal friend of mine. She has such a lovely eye for the beauty in the "ordinary" things of life showing how extraordinary they really are. She has created magic with her camera, not just for this cover but in her photographs of families, which are her specialty. I invite you to visit her website A Thousand Words at http://picturesareworth.blogspot.com/ to see what she can do!

Right now, The Christmas to Remember is available on Amazon (http://amzn.to/mRV0Ga) and at Smashwords (http://bit.ly/eRAVbp) and will soon be on sale at other e-book online retailers such as Barnes & Noble, Apple, Sony, Kobo, Scrollmotion and Diesel.

I hope you'll take the time to check out this very special holiday story and add it to your personal collection. And if you do, please let me know what you think!

Book Review: The Lace Makers of Glenmara

2011-10-18T11:22:00.001-06:00

"You can always start again," Kate Robinson's mother once told her, "all you need is a new thread."

This line is the recurring theme in this lovely novel The Lace Makers of Glenmara by author Heather Barbieri. Reeling from heartbreak and loss, Kate embarks on a journey she and her mother had always planned. Her mother's early death, the ending of her long-term relationship, and the failure of her life-long dream of her own clothing design send the 26-year-old to Ireland, the home of her mother's ancestors, to try to discover a way to move on from the pain she carries in her heart.

She stumbles upon the small town of Glenmara, a tiny coastal village that is struggling to survive as their young people abandon it for the bigger cities of Dublin and London. She meets a group of women who carry on the ancient tradition of making lace, having been taught by their mothers and grandmothers. Embracing Kate and taking her into their group, they teach her their craft and soon she finds a home for her talents as well as her heart.

For, not only are these women lacemakers, they are also women who carry their own burdens of loss and heartache. Bernie is looking for a purpose for her life since her husband died two years ago, Oona is trying to regain her sense of self after surviving breast cancer, Moira is dealing with an abusive husband, and Colleen's fisherman husband is missing at sea, and Aileen is watching her teen-aged daughter, and possibly her marriage, slip through her fingers. Then Kate meets Sullivan Deane, a man who has his own haunted, and tragic tale and recognizes the same in Kate.

This is such a sweet story. It is not all sweetness and light; Aileen resents Kate's presence and feels threatened by the young American who seems to have captivated the rest of the women. The parish priest sees her as a menace to his flock and is determined to drive her away from Glenmara. But through it all Kate remembers how her mother showed her the way. Nothing is so awful it cannot be recovered from. All you need is a new thread.

My best friend of 43 years, Beth, recommended this book to me, saying it reminded her of my own novel In the Company of Women. There are many similarities, specifically how women support, love and share each others burdens. The relationship between Bernie and Aileen reminded me a lot of Beth and myself. They've been friends forever, and their conversations are sprinkled with memories of their long history together.

While I completely enjoyed this book, there is a feeling toward the end that Ms. Barbieri is trying to wrap things up, and it felt a bit rushed to me. It does not detract from the story, and I would whole-heartedly recommend this book to anyone who has had a friend who has stood by her through the trials of her life. I think if you read the story of The Lace Makers of Glenmara you will find some familiar characters.

Something to Consider

2011-10-13T09:15:00.000-06:00

Sensual pleasure passes and vanishes in the twinkling of an eye, but the friendship between us, the mutual confidence, the delights of the heart, the enchantment of the soul, these things do not perish, and can never be destroyed. I shall love you until I die.
~~Voltaire

Happy 22nd Birthday AJ!

2011-10-05T14:54:00.000-06:00

Today is AJ's 22nd birthday! Yay! He has brought so much joy, laughter and love to our lives that I cannot imagine a world without him in it.

We celebrated early today because he has school today and he couldn't miss. He had a Calculus test this morning, and he has a Physics test this evening. He returned home about 1:00 this afternoon and we had his birthday dinner then. In our family you get to pick the menu yourself since it's your special day. AJ is pretty consistent. It was good!

We had Cornish game hens ...

Roasted fingerling potatoes ...

and pea and cheese salad.

Captain Cool even stopped by for a visit!

With a birthday kiss for the Man of the Hour!

When we were done with dinner we brought out the triple chocolate cake that AJ had requested!

We sang to him, which he seemed to like,

then he blew out the candles!

He liked the presents the his father, brother and I gave him: a copy of one of his favorite movies Tron: Legacy, a new pair of sunglasses, and a subscription to Astronomy magazine!

And through it all -- a very happy, and blessed, mom!

A New Kind of Birthday Cake!

2011-10-01T15:30:00.000-06:00

Yesterday was my birthday, and I had such fun celebrating! Thursday, the women I serve with in the Relief Society Presidency took me to lunch and gave me the best goodies to take home with me! I wish I'd taken pictures of these beautiful women, but I forgot to take my camera. We had Mexican food, which is one of my favorites, and we talked and laughed and had such fun. I got candles and chocolate, a good book, some body spray, a heatable wrap to use when my arthritis gets bad and a Christmas cookbook! I'll be making some awesome plates of goodies to give away this holiday!

On Friday Kevin bought me a new dryer. We had ordered one and things got messed up and it wasn't coming as we expected. (Kevin was buying that one too.) I decided to go "green" and bought a used dryer which didn't cost as much and makes me feel like I'm doing one more thing to help Mother Earth out. The boys took all four of us out to the diner for hamburgers (again ... I forgot my camera!) where they made me get up and do the twist while they sang to me. (Be happy you missed that little show!)

Friday night, instead of a birthday cake Kevin made homemade funnel cakes for my birthday. I don't know how he did it, but they were fresh and warm and oh my goodness! We topped them with strawberry jam, chocolate sauce and powdered sugar. As AJ said, these were better than ones you get at the fair or Elitch's because we could make them just the way we like

And were they good???

They sure were! Getting older was never so much fun!

Another Recipe, Another Story

2011-09-22T19:40:00.000-06:00

Tomorrow is the first day of fall and I've decided to share a summer recipe, and this one has a fun story behind it.

I like when recipes have a story to them. To me it makes them taste so much better. Your grandma made this dish every Easter, or Great Aunt Lida served that recipe every Sunday, or here's one that Uncle Greg invented one summer when he was out camping. This is a recipe you serve with fruit salad, and here's how I came to have it.

In the late 1940s my mother and her sister moved from Minneappolis, Minnesota down to Houston, Texas. They became friends with a large group of other single people in their church and had many, many adventures. When I was a girl I loved to hear all her stories. One of her friends had a close friend who was married. One night her husband took her to dinner at a well-known hotel there in Houston that was known not only for it's romantic atmosphere, but also for it's amazing menu.

That night the woman had the fruit salad with poppyseed dressing. She was so taken with the dressing she asked the waiter if she might get the recipe, which he soon brought to her. At the end of the meal when her husband was presented with the bill, an additional $100 was added to it for the recipe. They were shocked, and afterwards the woman decided that if they were going to charge her that much for the recipe she was going to get her money's worth and passed it around to all of her friends; one of which knew my mother.

I've always liked that story. That spunky woman passing around that fancy hotel's $100 recipe! And here it is for you to try. We always serve it on the side in a small gravy boat or pitcher so you may add as much or as little as you like. It's a sweet and sour type of dressing and is wonderful with a fresh fruit salad. Have fun!

Poppy Seed Dressing

1 cup sugar

1-1/2 teaspoons dry mustard

1 teaspoon salt

1-1/2 cups oil

1/2 cup vinegar

1 Tablespoon poppy seeds

Mix sugar, mustard, salt and vinegar. Add oil gradually, but steadily. Add poppy seeds last.

Forty-three Years and Counting!

2011-09-21T15:40:00.001-06:00

My BFF Beth had her birthday Monday. We've been friends for 43 years this month, so of course in all that time we've celebrated many birthdays together. Her birthday dinner of choice was always BBQ Beef Sandwiches and chocolate cake with peppermint frosting. I did get the recipe for the sandwiches, but never did get the peppermint frosting recipe. Beth tried to make it once when we were roommates and it turned out looking like she'd thrown up on the plate!

So every year I make these sandwiches for my family on her birthday. It's the only time all year I do make them, and I always ask why, cuz they're so stinkin' good! It's been kind of a crazy couple of days around here so I'm making them for dinner tonight. Mmmm! I can smell the meat cooking!

I'm sharing the recipe here. The only thing I do differently these days is, after I brown the meat, I put it and the onions in my crock pot before I cover it with the sauce so it can cook all day long. The house smells amazing and it makes the meat easy to shred, which I like. I also prefer chuck roast for the way it tastes. Give it a try!

This is a picture of Beth and I the summer we were 17.

We spent a week up at Lake Tahoe before we started college.

Don't we look young???

BBQ Beef Sandwiches

4-5 pound pot, chuck or rump roast

3 medium onions, sliced

French rolls (sliced sandwich size)

For sauce:

1/4 cup water

8 oz tomato sauce

1/4 cup lemon juice

1/2 teaspoon dry mustard

1 Tablespoon Worcestershire sauce

1 Tablespoon chili powder

1/4 cup white vinegar

1/4 cup ketchup

2 pressed garlic cloves

3/4 teaspoon salt

2 Tablespoons brown sugar

Brown meat (seasoned well) in heavy kettle. Drain off fat when done. Top with onion slices.

Combine sauce ingredients and whisk until smooth. Pour over beef and onions.

Simmer covered for approximately 2 hours for sliceable meat, 3+ hours for very tender. If it dries out add water.

Serve on heated and buttered rolls.

Oh ... YEAH!

Another Goodbye

2011-09-16T17:07:00.000-06:00

One of the hard things as your family grows up is that those who have gone before us start to leave us. My husband and I are now in our fifties, which means our parents, aunts and uncles are all in their seventies, eighties and nineties.

In the past two years my family has lost my great aunt Charlotte, my mother's brother Bud (Rollin) and my dad lost his brother Ira last summer. Sweet, loving and fun-loving people who will be missed.

My dad's oldest brother died this week. Neal Jacobsen Hillyard Jr. was such a sweet man. He lost his wife Nona years ago, and I know he's missed her every day. Knowing they are reunited again is the only bright spot in knowing he's gone. That and the knowledge that he's out of pain now, after having battled pancreatic cancer for the past couple of years.

My sister and her husband are driving my parents to Salt Lake for the funeral, for which I am grateful. I'm sad I won't be able to be there in person, but my heart is full of memories and I will be thinking about my family, all of them, as they say goodbye.

I'm so grateful for the knowledge that this is only a temporary separation and that we will all be reunited once again.

Neal Jacobsen Hillyard Jr.

August 17, 1920 - September 14, 2011

Cockeyed Cake

2011-09-02T11:22:00.000-06:00

I have been very open about my chocolate addiction. I think it started while in the womb since my mother is a known chocolaholic. Often when planning things for my family I see when and where I can fit chocolate into our plans. Labor Day is this Monday, and it seemed like the perfect time to add some of my favorite concoction to the menu: homemade fried chicken, potato salad, corn-on-the-cob, watermellon and ... TA DA! ... chocolate cake!

Since the last few times I've made cupcakes and pie and cake about half of it gets thrown out, I thought about making a smaller amount. That was when I remembered this old recipe my mother got back in the 1970s from her sister. No bowls needed, just the pan you fix it in! Easy peasy! And it's a smaller, one layer cake that you can jazz up a bit. I just make a powdered sugar, cocoa and milk frosting for it. But for extra fun, when you take it out of the oven, cover the top with mini-marshmallows and let them melt a bit on the hot cake. Make the frosting a bit thinner and pour or drizzle over the marshmallows. Gooey, decadent and oh so yummy!

COCKEYED CAKE

1-1/2 cups flour

3 Tablespoons cocoa

1 tsp soda

1/2 teaspoon salt

5 Tablespoons vegetable oil

1 Tablespoon inegar

1 teaspoon vanilla

1 cup cold water

Sift dry ingredients together into a greased 9" x 9" pan. Make three holes in the dry mixture. Into one pour the oil, another the vinegar and into the third the vanilla. Pour cold water over all.

Beat with a spoon until nearly smooth.

Bake at 350 degrees for 30 minutes. Coarse but moist! Good!

The Adventures of Captain Cool

2011-08-26T21:19:00.000-06:00

Every year when we go on vacation I look for some fun t-shirts for Stan and the boys. Superheroes, cartoon characters, whatever. This year I found a couple of tie-dyed shirts for AJ and Stan, and a particularly "groovy" one for Stan that has a peace sign on the front.

When we were at Elitch's I saw several kids walking around wearing a cape that was tie-dyed with a peace sign on it. I thought it would be perfect for Stan. When I pointed the capes out to him, he found out that they could be won at the game where you test your strength. Later when we reconnected with the boys, he took AJ over and asked him to win the cape for him. He was successful! And ... Captain Cool was born.

Captain Cool showed up at various points on our vacation and we took pictures of him. He's a pretty groovy guy. We got some interesting looks and comments, and Kevin tended to leave the area when Captain Cool showed up, but we had a lot of fun.

Captain Cool at Wall Drug in South Dakota.

He spreads peace and "cool" wherever he goes!

Captain Cool pays homage to Superman.

This is the phone booth at Wall Drug.

Captain Cool at Mt. Rushmore.

Captain Cool is nothing if not patriotic!

Captain Cool at Devil's Tower in Wyoming.

He's a bit of a devil himself!

If you see Captain Cool out and about, feel free to flash him the peace sign. He could show up in your neighborhood, or ... well who knows where he'll turn up next!

Cabela's!

2011-08-25T09:42:00.000-06:00

One of the highlights of our vacation, well ... for Stan and the boys, was a trip to Cabela's in Rapid City. It's a big, outdoorsmen type store, selling hunting, fishing, mountain climbing, etc. type of stuff.

One of the things that really tickled the three of them was a man who greeted them at the entrance whose job it was to disarm them before entering the store. Since they don't tend to walk around packing, they thought it was fun. When I heard this it disturbed me. Really? Are there that many people who go there to shop carrying weapons that they need someone at the door?? Scary.

Anyway, they took pictures. They don't have any of them in the store, but you can see where Cabela's interest lies.

Devil's Tower, Wyoming

2011-08-23T16:19:00.000-06:00

How many of us remember 1977's iconic Close Encounters of the Third Kind? Remember the scene of Richard Dreyfuss building the mountain out of mashed potatoes? We can all hum the classic notes that summon the Mother Ship, can't we?

It's one of our family's favorite movies, and since we were up in that neck of the woods on vacaation we took a side trip over to Wyoming to visit Devil's Tower were the climax of the movie takes place. There were no signs of Steven Spielberg or his cast of Richard Dreyfuss, François Truffaut, Teri Garr, Melinda Dillon, but we had a ton of fun checking out this classic piece of rock.

Devil's Tower is a National Monument, if you can believe that. Part of our National Park Service, Devil's Tower was once thought to be an extinct volcano, but they now know it's what's referred to as an igneous intrusion. I think that's scientific talk for tall rock!

The old American Indian legend is that a group of children were playing (seven sisters and their brother) when the boy suddenly turned into a bear and began to chase his sisters. The girls ran to the stump of a great tree which bade them to get onto it. As they did it began to rise into the air. The bear came to kill them, and as the stump rose up the bear clawed it, scoring it all around as it rose up. The seven sisters were borne into the sky, and became the stars of the Big Dipper.

When you look at Devil's Tower, you can see how this story came to be. We saw mountain climbers making their way up, they have Junior Ranger programs that hike around the base, and many trails to enjoy the area. And, if you are looking for signs of those aliens, just down the mountain are several places where you can find all kinds of fun items to satisfy that itch as well.

Here are some photos of our visit!

Even from the highway at a distance, it's impressive.

There are so many exciting and beautiful things to see in our country.

Glad we came here!

Kevin and AJ with Devil's Tower behind them.

It was a hot day too!

Stan and I enjoyed the chance to bring our family here.

A final look at Devil's Tower before we take off.

Mt. Rushmore National Memorial

2011-08-21T14:07:00.001-06:00

We spent some time in South Dakota for our family vacation this year. What a beautiful state. I kept saying that if not for the harsh winters there I would love to live there. Maybe a summer home?

We visited Wall Drug Store which is an adventure in itself, and also Mt. Rushmore National Memorial. What an inspiring site. Here are some of the photos we got while we were there!

A Summer Rerun

2011-08-12T18:51:00.002-06:00

The movie The Help opened this week. It is based on a book that I just loved. Little nervous about seeing the movie, but others have told me that it doesn't disappoint. In honor of the movie coming out, I thought I would repost my review of the book, first posted in April 2010. It's a summer rerun!

The Help, Kathryn Stockett’s debut novel, is one of those books where the characters stay with you long after you put the book down. The story of three ordinary, yet amazing women, in Jackson, Mississippi in the early 1960s, The Help bring to light the life of two black women working as maids at the dawn of the civil rights movement.

Aibileen and Minny have stories to tell of what life is like for them, and Skeeter, one of the privileged young white women of the time who is trying to listen to those stories and write them down into a book all the while having her eyes opened to the cost of the life she has known. Taking on this project, this book that describes what life is like for a black maid in the Deep South, the chances they take and the consequences of it, you see how much was sacrificed to move us forward.

As these three women come together an incredible story comes out; a timeless story that transcends race, age and time…that we are all the same. We are all women with a heart, a mind, dreams, fears and joys.

Their stories are scattered among the chapters, each written in their own voice. Stockett’s ability to do that is so good, you feel as if the book truly were written by three different women.

While the book is sad at times, there is a triumphant feel to it. These women show a courage and a tenacity that is inspiring. In some ways it was reminiscent of A Thousand Splendid Suns by revealing how little really is different between us as women.

A favorite line from the book sums it up best: Wasn’t that the point of the book? For women to realize, We are just two people. Not that much separates us. Not nearly as much as I’d thought.

Pick this book up. You won’t regret it.

Note: Here is a link to film critic Roger Ebert's review of the film: http://t.co/6DXdEwK

My Summer Flowers!

2011-07-19T17:05:00.000-06:00

Today was a fun afternoon! Stan took me out to lunch (Burger King--yumm!) and afterwards we went to Lowe's and he and I picked out some flowers for our deck. A few years ago for Mother's Day, Stan and the boys added onto the deck so that I could hang potted flowers and windchimes out there during the summer. I like to sit out there in the early evenings when it's cool and watch the dogs play and listen to the breeze, if there is one, make the chimes tinkle. So refreshing!

When we got home Kevin planted them for me and it looks so nice!

A couple of the purple flowers broke off and Kevin put them in a glass for me. They're so happy looking!

The Big Change

2011-07-13T14:30:00.000-06:00

Many of you know my youngest son Kevin. He's a sweet, fun young man with a good sense of humor and a loving heart. He graduated from high school in May 2010. Since then he's been working hard losing weight. I'm so proud of him! His dedication, his perserverence and doggedness on this quest has been inspiring.

He finally has reached his goal! I'm so proud of him! He has lost, since last May, a total of 106 pounds. Here are before and after pictures:

Here are a couple of photos from his senior year:

And here he is now! Doesn't he look great?

I think he looks fabulous, and he is an inspiration to me. Here's three cheers to Kevin!

The New Dog

2011-07-08T16:27:00.000-06:00

Our dog Jasper turned two years old July 1st. He's a sweet, silly dog and was in serious need of a haircut. I've been cutting his bangs over the past two years so he could see better, but this time he needed a full body job. Being part husky he gets this thick winter undercoat that keeps him comfortable in snowy times, but has lately made him miserable.

When I found out that a grooming job just to take out the undercoat would cost more than $100 and then the haircut would be another $80 or so I freaked out. Instead I went out and bought a pair of heavy duty dog clippers -- $68 -- and AJ, Kevin and I did the job ourselves.

Now I know why the groomers charge so much. It took us 2-1/2 hours!! Here are the results:

BEFORE

AFTER

He looks so different, and so much smaller! Now that he doesn't have the width added by all that hair and fur we can see that he really isn't that big of a dog after all.

It was a lot of work, but it was fun and I think he's going to be a much happier puppy dog this summer!

A THOUGHT FOR THE WEEKEND

2011-07-08T08:28:00.001-06:00

Summer is a promissory note signed in June, its long days spent and gone before you know it, and due to be repaid next January.

Hal Borland

Hurrah for the flag of the free! May it wave as our standard forever!

2011-07-04T09:22:00.001-06:00

Today is Independence Day; the 4th of July! It's the day we, as citizens of the United States of America, take to remember all the blessings we have. And we have so much to be grateful for, don't we?

When I was at BYU studying journalism, one of the required courses was Media Law. It was an interesting class, and the professor, Dr. Ralph Barney, was a retired newspaper editor. One day we came into class and he asked us a question. "What is a one word definition of freedom?"

We all shouted out our answers; noble, lofty words like liberty, justice, mercy. Then Dr. Barney turned and wrote on the board the word: Alternatives. This lesson has always stuck with me. Isn't this exactly what freedom means? That we have the choices to make, on our own, what we want in and with our lives.

We can go to a chapel, a mosque or a synagogue or even sit in a forest glen and worship as we choose, if we choose. We can decide for ourselves how we spend our lives, be it as a butcher, baker or candlestick maker. It's up to us. If the president goes on television to speak, I can listen to him or not. For that matter I can agree with him or not. It's your choice. You want to live in Florida or Kansas, go for it! It's all up to you.

But I have been thinking today of the freedom that I enjoy as a woman. So many women around the world are unable to have alternatives in their lives. The choice to get married and who to marry; to have children, how many children to have; and what to think. I don't always appreciate my life. If I want to wear shorts and a t-shirt I can, or makeup or short hair, or to read romance novels and listen to bluegrass music. Pierced ears or a tatoo or nothing at all. All those choices I have and they're mine to make.

I am so grateful to the men and women who forged the way for us. Who came to this land and survived, and died, to create a country where these freedoms, these choice, these alternatives are available for us today. As we celebrate with our BBQs or fried chicken; taking a hike or going for a swim; hanging with your family and friends, or spending it in solitary reflection -- may we all appreciate that it's up to us. Not only how we celebrate this holiday, but how we live our lives.

Happy Indenpendence Day!

A THOUGHT FOR THE WEEKEND

2011-07-01T08:47:00.002-06:00

Imagination is not only the uniquely human capacity to envision that which is not, and, therefore, the foundation of all invention and innovation. In its arguably most transformative and relevetory capacity, it is the power that enables us to empathize with humans whose experiences we have never shared.

J.K. Rowling, Harvard Commencement Address, 2008

So True!

2011-06-27T17:04:00.000-06:00

A THOUGHT FOR THE WEEKEND

2011-06-24T15:12:00.000-06:00

When we let go of fear,

only then can we gracefully move

from what was into the miracle of what can be.

Of Long Summer Days and Good Summer Books!

2011-06-21T11:36:00.000-06:00

Summer is officially here! And with summer comes the opportunity to relax in the warm sun and pull out a good book to read. Do you have any good books on your list that you're just dying to get into?

It seems everyone has a summer reading list, a beach reading selection. I love to read all year long, but confess that in the summer my tastes run much lighter. No Tolstoy or Hemmingway for me please. Give me the new Stephanie Plum book or some Kristin Hannah or Barbara Delinsky to while away the long hot days with. In other words, I don't want to think, I just want to be entertained. Romance novels call to me as do cozy mysteries.

Here's my first book of summer: A Turn in the Road by Debbie Macomber. I'm picking it up at the library later today, and I'm sure I'll be well into it before bedtime. I like her books. She has a sensitivity I respond to, and her books are about real people in real situations that feel familiar.

AJ's trying to re-read The Hobbit and the Lord of the Rings trilogy, which is difficult since he's in the middle of calculus and astronomy in summer school. But he's making headway and enjoying the ride.

A fellow writer and a friend of mine from here in Colorado Springs has a new book out I'm anxious to read. It's the first in her new series. I've read the books from Beth Groundwater's first series and they are excellent, so I feel confident recommending these to you if you're interested.

Whatever your tastes or interests are, stop by the library, or the bookstore or go online for an ebook. Read something. Read to your kids. Have fun with it. After all, it's summertime! Yay!

A THOUGHT FOR THE WEEKEND

2011-06-17T09:13:00.000-06:00

Sometimes, if you stand on the bottom rail of a bridge and lean over to watch the river slipping slowly away beneath you, you will suddenly know everything there is to be known.

Winnie the Pooh
(A.A. Milne)

Homesick

2011-06-11T09:42:00.000-06:00

Today is one of those beautiful summer mornings that make you just want to spend time playing and being with your family. It's sunny, not too warm and it's a Saturday! I know it's also the day to get stuff done around the house, but it also is a day for some fun too.

When we lived in California we sometimes would bundle the kids into the car and drive to Santa Cruz, a small beach town about 30 minutes from our house. Stan has family that live there and there were many weekends in the summers that we would travel over there for family get-togethers. It was always fun to be with the "Santa Cruz Mullis' Group" and I miss those opportunities.

But there were other times we would drive over just to hang out at the wharf. Santa Cruz is known for its Beach Boardwalk, which has amusement rides, and carnival attractions, and that's fun too. But the wharf is it's own little world.

A long walk on the wharf, checking out the seagulls and the sea lions was always fun. Maybe a walk on the beach as well, and checking out the shell shops and watching the fishermen. The Stagnaro family is a big part of Santa Cruz Wharf life offering fishing trips and chartering boats and an upscale restaurant on the wharf.

But my favorite place was owned by one of the daughters Gilda Stagnaro. A small, old-fashioned restaurant on the wharf, Gilda's Family Restaurant offered seafood in a homey atmosphere. My favorite thing to get there was clam chowder and sourdough bread. If you were lucky you got a window seat looking out at the ocean. A perfect afternoon! Gilda herself was a fixture at the restaurant, and was there every day. She died three years ago at age 83, at her restaurant.

I love living here in Colorado. The mountains are magnificent and inspiring. It's hard leaving the coast, and even after more than 11 years I still miss it. Especially on days like today.

A THOUGHT FOR THE WEEKEND

2011-06-10T09:34:00.000-06:00

A pessimist sees the difficulty in every opportunity, an optimist sees the opportunity in every difficulty.

Winston Churchill
1874-1965

Mullis BBQ

2011-06-06T09:38:00.000-06:00

Summer weather is finally here! Yay! And that means barbecue season is upon us!

When I married Stan, I married into a family of barbecue fanatics. His family does something called "The Mullis BBQ" which is usually done when we're all together or have a crowd to feed. We've learned how to scale it down for us, but it's still a feast and a half! And Stan has asked for it for Father's Day.

Basically it's BBQ steak, chicken and sausage accompanied by baked beans, salsa, garlic bread and a relish tray. It's heavenly.

A couple of years ago I made a mixed berry Pavlova for dessert which was amazing and I think I might do it again. It's a plate sized meringue topped with homemade whipped cream, and covered with mixed berries (strawberries, raspberries, blueberries) in a raspberry sauce. I seriously think you could do the Pavlova as a meal in itself.

Since Stan works on Father's Day we'll be having our Mullis BBQ the Wednesday after, but it'll still be fun! So glad the warm weather is here and we can fire up the grill. Love this time of year!

A THOUGHT FOR THE WEEKEND

2011-06-03T12:34:00.000-06:00

Oh, it is wonderful to know that our Heavenly Father loves us — even with all our flaws! His love is such that even should we give up on ourselves, He never will.

Joseph B. Wirthlin
1917-2008

Memorial Day

2011-05-30T10:27:00.000-06:00

In Flanders Fields

In Flanders fields the poppies blow

Between the crosses, row on row

That mark our place; and in the sky

The larks, still bravely singing, fly

Scarce heard amid the guns below.

We are the Dead. Short days ago

We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow,

Loved and were loved, and now we lie

In Flanders fields.

Take up our quarrel with the foe:

To you from failing hands we throw

The torch; be yours to hold it high.

If ye break faith with us who die

We shall not sleep, though poppies grow

In Flanders fields.

John McCrae (1872-1918)

A THOUGHT FOR THE WEEKEND

2011-05-27T08:24:00.002-06:00

There can be no joy without gratitude.

from Miles to Go

Richard Paul Evans

Happy Anniversary

2011-05-21T11:19:00.004-06:00

Stan and I were married 23 years ago today. It was a wonderful day. I was nervous, excited, happy, scared, and anxious all at once. The thing that helped me as I walked down the aisle was my sweet father. He was crying so hard I had to be strong for him so he'd be able to make it down to leave me with Stan and he could go be with my mother. I'm not sure exactly why he was crying. Probably glad to finally get me off his hands!

Here are some pictures of then, and now .....

May 21, 1988

Spring 2010

With Our Family

May 21, 1988

Christmas 2010

March 2009

March 2006

October 2007

We've gone through a lot of changes over the years. Three homes, two cities, and two boys taking us from just the two of us to a family of four. It's been an adventure! Looking forward to the next twenty-three years!

A THOUGHT FOR THE WEEKEND

2011-05-20T12:11:00.000-06:00

"Faith in something greater than ourselves enables us to do what we have said we'll do, to press forward when we are tired or hurt or afraid, to keep going when the challenge seems overwhelming and the course is entirely uncertain." Gordon B. Hinckley, 1910-2008

Tradition!

2011-05-18T21:23:00.000-06:00

Today we had our traditional end-of-the-school-year celebration. Every year when school finally is over we celebrate with strawberry shortcake. Stan prepped the berries and AJ put them together. He and Stan love, love, love whipped cream, as you can see.

It's a fun, and a tasty, annual treat to mark the end of a year of accomplishments. Even though AJ and Kevin are in college now I see no reason to change our ways...... do you?

Arrow

2011-05-15T21:40:00.002-06:00

Today has been a hard day. For all of us, but especially for Kevin. Last night we took his pet budgie to the emergency vet. He's been sick for about ten days and his right leg had gone lame. We thought he had a bad cold and got him some medicine. But last night around 6pm Kevin noticed a lump on him and that, even though he's been eating a lot, he was very thin.

The vet told us that Arrow had cancer. The tumor was so big it was pressing on his nerves paralyzing his leg. Even if we went to extreme measures to help him, he probably wouldn't survive long. They were very compassionate with Kevin, and after he made the difficult decision, they let him have some time with his friend and say goodbye. They also made a clay disk of Arrow's footprints and beak print with his name on it.

It's hard to believe how a little bird could work his way into our hearts like Arrow did. Because of him we got other birds. We lost Eddie last year, and got Stella this year. Arrow, Sparky and Stella have been a great little trio, but clearly Arrow was always the "alpha."

He was so attached to Kevin that he had little to do with the rest of us. He always knew when it was time for Kevin to come home from school and would start to get excited when that time came. When he would hear his footsteps on the porch he always knew if it was Kevin and would start to chirp and sing when it was him. He yelled at us when we did things he didn't like, would yell when I blew my nose cause he didn't like the sound, would let Kevin hold him on his back in his hand and would climb all over him when he was let out of the cage. When he went a couple of days without enough "Kevin Time" he would get grumpy and Stan would tell him to get Arrow out of the cage and give him some play time with his favorite human. Very sweet.

These are a couple of my favorite pictures of Arrow. We put AJ's Godzilla figure on the floor to see what Arrow would do. He marched right up to it and yelled at it.

Then he seemed to turn around and walk away with a "I don't have time for this nonsense" attitude. He was a big-hearted little guy with a giant personality. I know Kevin is going to miss him, but I miss him too. He was a real character. I am impressed with how these little creatures fight so hard to stay with their owners. He must have been miserable for a long time, but you would never have known.

I believe animals have spirits and know things. One of our favorite stories about Arrow was right after we got him it was General Conference. When the Mormon Tabernacle Choir started to sing, he sang along. He loved that choir and would often sing along when he would hear them. When President Hinckley started to speak, he pressed against the cage to see him. He heard the prophet's voice and wanted to see who it was.

It's sad to lose a friend. Four legged, feathered, furry and of course human. It's always painful, but it's nice to know we'll see them again.

Sparky and Arrow

A New Short Story

2011-05-14T13:41:00.000-06:00

I've published a new short story! The Book Club is only available at Smashwords.com and is FREE!

A group of women meet every month to discuss a book, until one summer evening when the monotony of it all inspires them to try something new ... with some interesting results.

Click here to go download it http://bit.ly/ifnpFy and get it for your e-readers, PCs or laptops. You can download the Kindle software for your PCs and laptops free of charge at Amazon.com, or you can download it as a text file or PDF if you wish to read it that way.

I hope you will take the time to read it and post a review on Smashwords if you like.

A THOUGHT FOR THE WEEKEND

2011-05-13T13:38:00.000-06:00

Enjoy life!

This is not a dress rehearsal.

Happy Birthday Fred!

2011-05-10T08:58:00.000-06:00

Today is Fred Astaire's birthday! He was born May 10, 1899 and died on June 22, 1987. I have loved him since I was a teenager. He had such style, and such a joyful way of dancing that when I was studying dance he was my inspiration.

I have put on some songs of him singing that I love. He had such a funny, sweet voice. Stan gave me an album of his a few years ago that I love to play, and wanted to share with you here.

This first picture is one that when I was in high school my sister and friend Paul had blown up into a huge poster for my bedroom. It's always been one of my favorites. If you get a chance to watch some of Fred's movies, please take the opportunity. You will have a good time.

So happy birthday Fred! I'm glad you were in the world and a part of my life. I think the world is a little sadder without you in it.

A THOUGHT FOR THE WEEKEND

2011-05-06T19:34:00.000-06:00

Every day brings a chance for you to draw in a breath, kick off your shoes, and dance.

Oprah Winfrey

Hello and Goodbye

2011-05-05T12:36:00.000-06:00

An emotional morning today.

First, I finally got to meet a friend. I've known Charlene for about four years or so, but we've never met face-to-face. She's been one of my beta readers on my novels, and we "play" and chat together on Facebook. A co-worker of my husband Stan, we've been unable to connect so far, but today we did!

We met at Gunther Toody's for breakfast, and it felt like getting together with an old friend. She is so cute and fun and easy to talk to, I know we'll be friends for a long time.

After breakfast we went to my friend Tara's. Today is a very sad day for me. Tara and her family are leaving today. They are moving to Utah. I'm happy for her; they'll be near family and friends again that I know she's missed and who have missed having her near. But I'm sad for me. Tara has been more than a friend to me. She's been a sister, and it will feel very lonely without her.

Safe journey, my sweet friend! You'll be missed......

Stan's Clouds

2011-05-04T20:06:00.000-06:00

My husband, Stanley, has a love of clouds. He's always looking at them and seeing things in them. And when the mood strikes, he either sends the boys out to photograph them or takes them himself. Today we were out taking photographs for my author sites, and he spotted some that he loves. And for fun I took a few of him as well. Here's a sample of our work!

I got a royalty payment today from my books sales, and I took Stan out to lunch. Let's just say, I'm no John Grisham! We dined at Taco Bell! Actually, it was fun.

Stan thought this cloud looked like a row of people riding a roller coaster.

If you look closely, you can see them too!

They sky was so blue today, and the clouds so very white.

Sometimes it's just fun to look up!

Very pretty, aren't they?

Some leftover snow from earlier in the week.

It's supposed to be in the 80s this weekend for Mother's Day.

See? Stan's a happy camper.

The clouds were out and making him happy today!

The Royal Wedding

2011-04-30T22:59:00.000-06:00

Okay, I admit it, I have been enraptured by the Royal Wedding of Prince William and Catherine Middleton. I love the romance of it all and all the fanfare surrounding it. It's not something that happens very often, and it was a treat. These past couple of months have been so full of bad news it was wonderful to focus on something like a happy wedding like this.

The pictures are out, and you can go see them here http://bit.ly/ltCFFa but I've posted a few of my favorites. It really and truly was a fairy tale. The beautiful girl won the prince's heart and lived happily ever after. At least I hope they do!

A THOUGHT FOR THE WEEKEND

2011-04-29T11:45:00.001-06:00

In honor of today’s Royal Wedding of Prince William and Catherine Middleton -- a long, happy and loving marriage!

Remember to build each other up, to strengthen and sustain, to keep companionship lovely and alive. Remember dignity and respect; understanding; not expecting perfection; a sense of humor and a sense of what is sacred and serious; common purposes, common convictions, and the character to stay with a bargain, to keep a covenant - in these are the making of a good and solid marriage.
Richard L. Evans

Something To Look Forward To

2011-04-28T13:13:00.000-06:00

Stan made our hotel reservations for vacation last night and it has all of us just so jazzed! We're going up to spend some time in South Dakota in August and we can hardly wait! Mount Rushmore, the Badlands, the Black Hills, Devil's Tower, Custer State Park, a wild horse park, water parks, museums, and on and on. Even though we won't be going very far away, it's far enough that it already feels like a grand adventure. I haven't been to see Mt. Rushmore since I was a kid and it should be a wonderful experience to be there with my husband and sons.

There's also something about having something like this to look forward to. The anticipation of an experience is almost as wonderful as the experience itself. We've already spent time online looking at all the things there are to do there. Places to see, places to eat, planning to get some new summer togs; it all adds up to the summertime extravaganza!

With AJ going to summer school our trip will be later than we usually would be going, but maybe it won't be as crowded as it might be. Kevin was saying I should get some classic vacation pictures, with my camera around my neck and sunscreen on my nose. Sounds too funny and irresistable to not get a picture or two like that. If I do I'll be sure to post it here. And I hope you all plan something fun for this summer too!

Warm Weather Meal

2011-04-26T08:15:00.000-06:00

Now that the warmer weather is (hopefully) on it's way, it's time to trot out the recipes that fit the season. This is a family favorite, and of our friends as well. In fact, when my best friend got married, her husband to me be asked me to make it for their reception! It's a nice meal on a warm summer day.

TACO SALAD

Meat Sauce:

1 pound ground beef

1 small onion, diced

1 small can tomato sauce

1 envelope taco seasoning

¾ cup water

Salad:

1 head iceberg lettuce, chopped

1 onion, chopped

2 cups shredded cheese

1 can black olives

2 small tomatoes, chopped

2 cups tortilla chips, crushed

Brown ground beef and onion until onion is translucent and beef is browned. Add tomato sauce, taco seasoning and water. Simmer until slightly thickened, about 10 minutes.

Place salad ingredients into a large bowl. Add meat sauce and toss. Serve along with remaining chips, or a nice loaf of French bread. It’s a meal all by itself!

A Thought for the Easter Weekend

2011-04-23T13:27:00.000-06:00

In our hour of deepest sorrow, we can receive profound peace from the words of the angel that first Easter morning, “He is not here: for he is risen.”

As one of His special witnesses on earth today, this glorious Easter Sunday, I declare that this is true, in His sacred name -- even the name of Jesus Christ, our Savior -- amen.

Thomas S. Monson, President
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints

What Are Ya Gonna Do?

2011-04-19T10:21:00.000-06:00

There's been a lot of chatter in the media lately about gas prices hitting and going over $4 a gallon. In nine states it's already over that. Here in Colorado it's creeping slowly towards it and I'm not sure what the next step is going to be as far as the family budget goes.

Not only are gas prices rising, but food prices are getting crazy. I used to be able to buy a bag a chicken breasts at Sam's Club or Costco for about $10 a bag, and it's now $23. Same thing for things like peanut butter, pasta, bread, soup, cereal ... it's all skyrocketing at a time when there's no where else to cut. Monthly bills are one area it's difficult to manage. The only place it seems cutting back is an option is at the grocery store and with discretionary spending.

Personally, I've already cut our grocery budget to $75 a week, and sometimes I can't do it for that! The boys share one car to go to school, but college campuses aren't exactly in the neighborhood and getting to school four days a week takes a lot of gas. We're now up to $90 a week with two cars and I'm afraid that isn't going to be satisfactory for much longer.

Of course, the money coming in to take care of these inflating costs is not rising. I know many people are taking pay cuts just to be able to keep their jobs. My boys go out on interviews for jobs at pet stores, fast food joints, etc. and are competing with men in their 30s and 40s who are married with children.

I don't know. The financial experts keeps saying the recession is over. I'm not sure where they're looking, but it definitely isn't in my house!

The Signs Are There!

2011-04-17T15:27:00.000-06:00

The signs are there all right, I'm getting older. Apparently not better either, just more frazzled. Sometimes the whole Benjamin Buttons idea doesn't seem so bad. I feel as if I'm falling apart lately.

Last night I ate something that absolutely didn't agree with me and I was suffering all night long. About 2:00 am Stan went and got me some medicine so that I could finally sleep, I was so miserable. It worked, but it also resulted in my sleeping in too late to make it to our 8:30 am church time.

"No problem!" I thought, I'll just go for the last two hours. All was good, or so I thought. I'd been doing laundry the day before and hadn't yet gotten to my whites, but knew I had some undergarments in my room. Wrong! What I had was instead of a pair of undergarments, I had two tops. Now, in a pinch I might be brave enough to go out minus my top, but I'm definitely not going out without a bottom on!

I forgot to get a chicken out of the freezer last night and tried to quick thaw one today. The result was I got frostbite cutting up that chicken which is now in the oven. I hope I get my act together soon. Gosh, if I'm like this now, what'll it be like when I'm in my 70s!

Hah! There's always something to look forward too, isn't there?

A THOUGHT FOR THE WEEKEND

2011-04-15T19:15:00.000-06:00

I wonder if other dogs think poodles are members of a weird religious cult.

Rita Rudner

BBQ Season is Coming!

2011-04-13T10:03:00.000-06:00

That's right! Time to start firing up the barbecues and getting into the warmer weather! I love this time of year, when it stay light later and the days are warming up. Of course, here in Colorado it can also mean storms when you least expect them, but you can always fire up the grill to have a fun time.

I'm sharing a great recipe our family loves for BBQs. This is a tasty side dish that accompanies pork and chicken really well. It replaces potatoes, rice and bread, and is a little different than most side dishes. I think if you try it you'll like it too!

CORN PUDDING

1 can whole kernel corn, undrained
1 can cream style corn
1 box Jiffy cornbread mix
2 sticks butter
2 eggs, beaten
1 c. sour cream

Melt butter. Combine with beaten eggs, corns and cornbread mix; add sour cream and blend until mixed. Pour into ungreased 13 x 9 inch dish. Bake at 375 degrees for 1 hour or until golden on top.

Can be made ahead; covered and refrigerated. Remove from refrigerator and bake as above.

A THOUGHT FOR THE WEEKEND

2011-04-08T09:16:00.001-06:00

I have not failed. I've just found 10,000 ways that won't work.

Thomas Edison
1847-1931

Monday, Monday

2011-04-04T14:43:00.000-06:00

When I was a kid I hated Mondays. Mondays meant back to school. I liked school, but I liked not going to school better, so when Sunday evening rolled around I started to get in a funk. I'm old enough that Sunday night meant The Ed Sullivan Show. Plate spinners, the Beatles, Toto Gigo, the lot. I loved that show and looked forward to it every week. But after watching good ol' Ed I had to go to bed, so then I started to hate him too.

Enough time has passed that I like Monday's now. I like the routine of Monday thru Friday. Getting up, getting things done. I'm doing a major rewrite on my next novel which is not one of my favorite things, but now that I'm sleeping properly again I'm getting back into getting some work done and it feels pretty darned good!

In spite of that, for some darned reason I still hate Sunday evenings. Maybe it's because my husband is working and it'd be nice to have Sundays as family time. But I really think it's Ed Sullivan's fault.

A THOUGHT FOR THE WEEKEND

2011-04-01T12:38:00.000-06:00

The remarkable thing is, we have a choice everyday regarding the attitude we will embrace for that day.
Charles R. Swindoll
1934 -

A THOUGHT FOR THE WEEKEND

2011-03-25T09:41:00.000-06:00

If you don't like something, change it; if you can't change it, change the way you think about it.

- Mary Engelbreit (1952 - )

Gladsome Vernal Equinox!

2011-03-19T10:45:00.001-06:00

Tomorrow is the first day of spring and it's the start of Spring Break! Yay!

Now that my boys are in college, they don't get the two weeks off that they did when they were in public school. We haven't got a lot planned for the week, but Stan is taking off an extra day so we can knock around together. We're planning on catching a couple of flicks and maybe going out to eat a couple of times and I've got pulled pork sandwiches planned for dinner on one of the days after spending the day at the Y swimming and playing.

I keep thinking I need to plan these big outings, but I've been so beat lately. Not having a working CPAP to help me get a restful sleep at night I just don't have the energy to get out and do anything, much less being able to think of something to do, that I thought maybe we'd just hang out together. After all, isn't the important thing that we're a family?

I think so. So this summer maybe we'll do a little more. In the meantime, I hope you all have a fun spring break too!

I Passed!

2011-03-15T15:55:00.001-06:00

I had my sleep study last night. This time they let me sleep with a CPAP and it went a lot better! After being trussed up like a turkey with leads stuck all over me, I took a sleeping pill and went to bed. I was there for nine hours and slept about five. It was enough for them to get a good reading on me and hopefully we can take the next step, which is for my doctor to get the report and then get the insurance company to approve a new machine. Keeping my fingers crossed!

I'm so grateful that my home teacher and my son gave me a blessing, and for the prayers that helped me last night. Believe me, I felt them.

Now I have St. Patrick's Day to look forward to. Let's celebrate!

A THOUGHT FOR THE WEEKENFD

2011-03-04T08:19:00.001-07:00

In the central place of every heart there is a recording chamber; so long as it receives messages of beauty, hope, cheer, and courage, so long are you young. When the wires are all down and your heart is covered with the snows of pessimism and the ice of cynicism, and then only, are you grown old. General Douglas MacArthur (1880-1964)

Sleep Deprivation

2011-03-03T08:43:00.000-07:00

I haven't been doing much lately in the way of my blog, or my writing, or much of anything else. For those of you who don't know, I use a CPAP to sleep with. I was diagnosed with sleep apnea 15 years ago and have slept with one of those machines ever since. It changed my life. I went from not sleeping to getting rest and energy back again.

A few weeks ago my CPAP started acting up, and finally died on me. My husband dug out my old machine from 15 years ago (and set for California's sea level altitude) and I've been using that. The problem is it no longer works well, and I am exhausted. All. The. Time.

My insurance said I had to do a sleep study before they would give me a new machine (they cost about $1500 so I cannot buy one myself). At the sleep center they said I had to take the test without a CPAP to prove I still had apnea. Since it's been so long for me on a machine I cannot sleep without it, and I never have slept without one at this altitude. I failed miserably. I am now waiting to redo the test.

In the interim I am so tired, always tired, and everything seems like a chore. I feel weepy all the time and cranky and short tempered. My arthritis, which is usually controllable to some extent, is going crazy since my body never really gets to rest fully, so now I'm figgity all the time trying to get comfortable. My doctor gave me a prescription for some sleeping pills and they are helping a little, but now my husband and sons are telling me my eyes are puffy with blue circles under them. Lovely.

The reason I'm whining about all this is to ask for your indulgence. I'm not around much, not doing much. I'm hoping this doesn't last too much longer and I'll soon be out there getting involved again. In the meantime, don't forget about me! I'm still here! And I hope you are all out there kicking it up and have fun for me.

A Irish Poem

2011-02-26T12:20:00.000-07:00

STANZAS TO ERIN

by J. J. Callanan

from The Poetry and Song of Ireland

Still green are thy mountains and bright is thy shore,

And the voice of thy fountains is heard as of yore:

The sun o'er thy valleys, dear Erin, shines on,

Though thy bard and thy lover forever is gone.

Nor shall he, an exile, thy glad scenes forget -

The friends fondly loved, ne'er again to be met -

The glens where he mused on the deeds of his nation,

And waked his young harp with wild inspiration.

Still, still, though between us may roll the broad ocean,

Will I cherish thy name with the same deep devotion;

And though minstrels more brilliant my place may supply,

None loves you more fondly, more truly than I.

A THOUGHT FOR THE WEEKEND

2011-02-25T08:33:00.000-07:00

There is more refreshment and stimulation in a nap, even of the briefest, than in all the alcohol ever distilled.

Edward Lucas
British Journalist
1962 -

A THOUGHT FOR THE WEEKEND

2011-02-18T08:51:00.000-07:00

I think a hero is an ordinary individual who finds strength to persevere and endure in spite of overwhelming obstacles.

Christopher Reeve
1952-2004

A THOUGHT FOR THE WEEKEND

2011-02-11T09:54:00.001-07:00

I want to grow old without facelifts. I want to have the courage to be loyal to the face I’ve made.

Marilyn Monroe
1926-1962

Stan's Birthday!

2011-02-06T11:26:00.002-07:00

Yesterday was Stan's birthday. We all decided to take the opportunity to sleep in and enjoy not having to be anywhere. Stan took the night off from work. We went to one of his favorite places, Taco Express, for burritos and nachos for lunch. Then Stan and the boys went to see the new Green Hornet movie. They let me beg off, and I went home and made cupcakes.

That evening for dinner we had a bunch of Stan's favorites. Shrimp cocktail, Kevin's famous garlic bread, salad, baked potatoes (with all the fixin's) and AJ even braved the snowy weather to BBQ some steaks! It felt like winter, but it sure did smell like summer!

Afterwards we had cake and ice cream (chocolate cake and bordeaux cherry ice cream) and Stan opened a huge stack of cards and our birthday present: a Belgian waffle maker!

We had a fun celebration. Although I didn't get pictures of everything we did, Here are a few:

Kevin made a Swiss chocolate cake for his dad. I frosted it. Okay, I'll admit it... I put waaay too much frosting on it. But dang! It was good!

When we were on staycation last summer and on our Christmas trip, the hotels would have Belgian waffle makers with their free breakfasts. Stan loved to make himself waffles. For his birthday we got him one of those flip around waffle makers. He made waffles for us this morning and holy moly, were they good!

There's something about family breakfasts that I just love. I don't think it's necessarily the food as much as the relaxed, lazy feeling about just hanging out together in the morning.

Jasper waits patiently behind Stan hoping for something to fall off the table!

The final product!

Looks good enough to eat, doesn't it?

Our friends the Eddingtons brought Stan a birthday card and a plate of homemade cookies!

I'm not sure how many of these he's actually going to get .....

And I made some cupcakes for him to take to work tonight to celebrate there.

All in all, it was a great celebration!

A THOUGHT FOR THE WEEKEND

2011-02-04T00:04:00.000-07:00

Nobody trips over mountains. It is the small pebble that causes you to stumble. Pass all the pebbles in your path and you will find you have crossed the mountain.

That's the Way the Cookie Crumbles!

2011-02-02T11:44:00.001-07:00

Right off the bat I'm going to say, this is a nit picky post, but I'm going to do it anyway. Yesterday was a cold day. I mean, bitingly, bone crushing COLD. The high was -4. So I made a crock pot full of bean soup and two loaves of homemade bread for dinner. It was a good day for that. So, along with my domestic brainstorm for dinner, homemade cookies sounded good.

The problem with homemade cookies, however, is that one batch makes way more than we can usually eat. I've taken to buying those "scoop and bake" tubs at the warehouse stores. They're freshly baked, and are really good. Normally I buy them at the store closest to home, but last week I bought a tub at the other store because I was there that day. A different brand, but a nationally known and good brand.

And here's the problem: these cookies crumble all over the place! They taste good, but the texture is not the same as the ones I normally buy and bake. Now maybe a crumbly cookie isn't a big deal; no one is going to have their lives irrevocably altered by a cookie that crumbles too much, but I was disappointed. And, if you are like me, thought you might want to know!

Book Review: Hotel on the Corner of Bitter and Sweet

2011-01-30T15:18:00.000-07:00

Jamie Ford’s debut novel, Hotel on the Corner of Bitter and Sweet, brings to life a collection of characters that will stay with you long after you close the book. Switching between 1986 and the war-torn years of the 1940s, this is the story of Henry Lee and the relationships in his life

As the story opens, Henry has recently lost his wife. Finding himself at loose ends he happens by a hotel from his youth where items stored by Japanese Americans who were interred during World War II have been discovered. This is the trigger that sends Henry back in time to when he was 12-years-old and fell in love with a Japanese girl who was sent away.

Searching through the items looking for a trace of the girl who once figured so prominently in his life has him reflecting on those times and the changes that happened in him and the bonds that were such a huge part of his life.

His father, who wants so much for his son to be American, and yet holds to his memories of and conflicts from his life in China; Henry’s parents who refuse to let him speak in their native tongue, yet cannot understand when he tries to speak English to them; Sheldon, the black jazz musician who understands Henry in ways his family never could and introduces him to the music scene of 1940s Seattle; Mrs. Beatty, the cafeteria worker at the white school where Henry is “scholarshipped” who empathizes with young Henry and offers him help when he needs it most; Henry’s son Marty who learns about his father’s life along with us, and begins to see his father as a person besides being his parent--all these relationships help form Henry into the man we see in 1986.

But most important is his relationship with Keiko Okabe. The only other Asian student at the school Henry is forced to attend, Keiko becomes first his ally, then his friend, then his true love. She is the motivation behind Henry’s taking his first steps into adulthood. Watching the fear and bigotry as it races through the Japanese community, forcing his friend and her family to make unreasonably difficult choices to prove their loyalty, Henry must decide where he stands.

This book touched me deeply. I wept, laughed, and found myself wishing I too could spend time with Henry. This is a heart wrenching period in history, and reading about it on such a personal level was profoundly moving. I highly recommend Hotel on the Corner of Bitter and Sweet. It is a well titled book, and I hope it is not the last we hear from Mr. Ford.

Release Day for New Book!

2011-01-28T14:02:00.004-07:00

My latest novel, In the Company of Women, has been released and is now for sale on Amazon http://amzn.to/hUG51v and Smashwords http://bit.ly/fMjeLt . The cover was designed by Tara Kelley-Cruz (tara@thunderbaby.com).

When a group of women come together in a critical year in their lives, they learn that gratitude for what life does or doesn’t bring you, and friends both old and new can carry you through no matter what is thrown at you. Gillian faces a life threatening surgery; Nancy and her husband must deal with the hardest trial of their lives together; Joyce is forced to give up her most precious dream and take up a new and more powerful one; Emma discovers she has something that can change not only her life but her community’s; and Nancy’s daughter Jane is given a chance to share a long held secret and learns, along with the others, how forgiveness’ embrace can give you a new life. They are stories all women can relate to.

Ultimately they all discover that when things do not turn out the way you want they can turn out to be what you need. These women take life head on and know as long as they have each other it is possible to triumph over it all.

In the Company of Women explores the strength of friendship, the gift of gratitude, the power of forgiveness and how a group of women can change themselves and those around them.

Please feel free to go to one of the above mentioned websites and check it out. Smashwords will allow you to download the first 20% of the book for a free preview. And let me know what you think!

A THOUGHT FOR THE WEEKEND

2011-01-28T13:09:00.000-07:00

A strong positive mental attitude will create more miracles than any wonder drug.

Patricia Neal
1926-2010

Book Cover

2011-01-24T18:24:00.000-07:00

I'm showcasing the cover for my new book which will be published later this week. Designed by the very talented Tara-Kelley Cruz, this cover is exactly what I was hoping for. I'm so pleased with it, and hope she will work with me on future projects.

Tara is a graphic artist who is very talented. If you are an author looking for an artist to design a cover for your next project, feel free to contact her at tara@thunderbaby.com and let her know you got her name from me.