Surprise Christmas

Christmas went by quickly this year, as it does every year. I know I’ve been slacking in the blogging department, but my excuses are many with the holidays and the time spent with family. I’m not sorry though, as I’ve been blessed to have been able to share this time with our loved ones. I’ve been feeling very grateful. I don’t feel like I was able to give a whole lot this year, and yet, I was given many things that I both wanted and was in need of. It was just a few days before Christmas, when I had a rather random phone conversation with my mom. I was talking about a few of the candies I was going to attempt to make, and my confusion about a double-boiler. I didn’t know what that was, or how it worked, so my mom explained it to me. I wanted to make peanut-butter cups and toffee bark, but I didn’t have a double-boiler to melt the chocolate. She then gave me the suggestion to just melt the chocolate in a glass bowl with a pan of boiling water on the stove. I told her I didn’t have any glass bowls either, just plastic ones. I guess she made a mental note of that, because I was pleasantly surprised to get a double-boiler, as well as a few glass bowls in various sizes. Lee and I have been talking about ways we could save more money on bread, flour, and other grains for food. My in-laws have a wheat grinder that we just love, and we’re always going over to their house to get more wheat flour. We were surprised to receive one of our own this year for Christmas, along with a big bag of popcorn to make corn flour. I’m excited to begin baking our own bread and making our own flour, which will be much healthier. Also, we received some cash and a couple gift cards from my parents and our grandparents to go and buy whatever we might need or want. I was able to find a pair of curtain rods and some lovely curtains at a good price. I’m in the process of getting my office in order, and it will soon be complete with everything I need to make it a nice quiet place to spend my time designing pieces of artwork for my business. I do hope everybody has been enjoying the holidays, and I wish you all a very happy New Year in 2009!

Boise State Christmas Tree

Many of you know that we decorate our tree every other year with the theme of Boise State Football in mind. I know a few of you may be wondering just how a "Boise State" tree actually looks like in our home. Well, this year, I decided to take a picture of it for all to see. Unfortunately, the lighting in the living room wasn't so great when I took this picture, so the colors don't appear as bright. The unique part about our "Boise State" tree is that we use the brightly colored neon orange lights that you would use at Halloween, along with standard blue and white Christmas lights. People seem to think that is weird, but my husband doesn't like the amber-colored lights that resemble the color orange. Oh well, at least the Halloween lights bring out the true orange color of Boise State.

All I want for Christmas

This year, during the holiday season, I’ve been curious about a couple things. During this time of year, everyone seems a bit friendlier, with a demeanor less self-involved. I always wonder why this is the time of year that people are more empathetic and generous. Do we try to justify and make amends for our seemingly arrogant, selfish behavior throughout the rest of the year? This is not to say that we are not kind, with a giving essence about us at other times, but why is Christmas so significant? Is it the reminder of a belief that we hold so dear to our hearts of the birth of our Savior and the true meaning it holds for the Christmas season? Or, could it be the fact that many people have more time off work to focus on everything else much more important, which is family and friends? If you were to ask me, I would say it is a combination of both. We often times feel so frustrated, stressed out, and irritable other times of the year, and although it may not be our intention to act the way we do, I think we are just finding ways to cope. It is nice to see all the smiling faces, and the gentle nature of which we hold this time of year. It really does make the season brighter for everyone. All I want for Christmas this year is not my two front teeth, but many of the same things that everyone wants. I would love more time to spend with my family, and more time at home to enjoy the Christmas decorations that I spent an entire day putting out. If I could have any material possessions for Christmas, it would be the fabric I’ve wanted to make curtains and all the accessories for my office. The other would be a commercial stamp maker to make rubber stamps for my business. I seem to be busier than I’ve been in long time. I’m working more than ever, since I now clean homes as a side job in addition to my part-time job at the mini storage…not to mention our meetings and trainings for Primerica. This is really opposite of what I want for the time being…more time at home with family. It will have to do though, since we’ve had to struggle in a backwards economy. I will keep my head up, and always remain positive, as those days in a brighter future will come full circle. I will remain in the moment of the most wonderful time of the year. I wish you all a very Merry Christmas.

Grateful Thoughts

I have found it difficult to keep up with the network charade of blogging, with all the events and activities that have taken much of my time. I could hold the holiday season accountable for my lack thereof, but that just wouldn’t be a respectable thing to do. After all, I do favor this time of year, as it brings me great joy. My in-laws just turned 50 this year, and we had a great time surprising them with a party involving several close friends and family. Thanksgiving was pleasant this year, with lots of food to be enjoyed several times over. I am grateful we could spend it with both sides of the family. This year was the first time we ever got up before the crack of dawn to dash to all the “early bird specials” throughout many of the department stores this year, to shop for all the special people on our list. Although there were masses of people scrambling with urgency to find all the best deals, it was a breeze for us. With the anticipation of Christmas, I was excited to begin decorating the house and putting up the Christmas tree. I had to hassle with the Christmas lights, as many of the sets we have had burned out, or only half of the sets were working. I’m happy to say that my frustration is over, the decorations are out, and the tree is proudly displaying the colors of Boise State Football. In addition to my part-time job at the mini storage, and my service to Primerica, I’m also cleaning homes as a side job to make some additional income. So, there seems to be no end to my crazy, busy life. But, I’m grateful to have a job, a roof over my head, clothes to wear, food to eat, and all the little things in life that bring me the greatest happiness.

Thanksgiving Photos

The Love of Family

It was my second trip to Salt Lake City, Utah in last two weeks, only this time, I went to visit all of my relatives on my dad’s side of the family. I traveled down there with parents, my younger sister, and her boyfriend. It reminded me of the good old days, when we used to travel as a family and the three of us girls would be cramped up in the back seat. Anyway, there were two specific events that took place while we were there for the weekend. Somehow, I neglected my camera the entire trip, even though I managed to remember to pack it with all my other belongings. So, this post will be without photos. I will do my best to paint a good picture in your minds, as you continue to read along. Upon arriving in Salt Lake, my dad had to take care of some business with a few of his clients, delivering turkeys and hams for the holiday season. We then stopped for a bite to eat at the Golden Corral. The rest of our Friday night was spent with my Aunt Laurel, Uncle Steve, their three boys, and my Grandparents. On Saturday afternoon, we headed to the church for a “Pre-Thanksgiving” dinner that consisted of Sloppy Joes, several different salads, and many desserts, all of which were enjoyed by all of the other aunts, uncles, and cousins in the family. My parents took the liberty and brought a Piñata’ filled with an assortment of candy and other various goodies for all the younger children to enjoy. The boys played a couple basketball games, and there were many laughs as we talked about memories of the past. It has been at least two years prior to this last visit that I had seen my family in Utah, and I can’t believe how much some of the cousins have changed in those two short years. My cousin Keane just returned home from his mission to Long Beach, California. It was great to see him, and even better to hear him speak in his ward on Sunday about his experiences and his testimony of the Holy Ghost and how the spirit can lift us in times of trial, and the feelings of peace it can bring to each of our lives if we are accepting of it. I’m grateful for the love of family and how it blesses my life in more ways than one.

Dream Big Outing

A couple of days ago, my husband wanted to look at one of his "dream" cars, which happens to be the Subaru STI (I know there's a fancier name for it). I would give you more details, but unfortunately, I don't know much about it...other than the fact that it has a GPS navigational system built in, and other fun gadgets to give the car more power. I think it also has about 350 horsepower. When we got to the dealership, he saw one that he just loved, which is pictured above. He wanted to take it for a test drive just for fun, to really get a good feel for it. However, the one he had his eye on was one of the floor models, so we couldn't take it out. The salesman that was helping us, took a few pictures for us, so we can look at it as often as we want to. My husband says he will own this car sometime in the near future, so we are excited about that. It will give us something to look forward to.

Too soon for the Christmas tree?

It was just a few days ago, while we were driving home when we heard the first Christmas song being played on the radio. I thought… “Isn’t it too early to be playing Christmas music?” I said to my husband… “It’s just weird, since it was only days ago that we were celebrating the scary, haunted holiday we call Halloween.” Not only that, but many of the stores we enter now have Christmas trees decorated, and the aisles are filling up fast with everything Christmas. So, I had this thought. Is it too early to be putting up our own Christmas tree? In the past few years, I’ve always started displaying the Christmas decorations shortly after Thanksgiving. After all, we are still two weeks away from that day of Thanksgiving. But with the Christmas music being played and the stores executing the ornamentation of the Christmas season, it has me very anxious to begin unpacking the Christmas boxes even earlier this year. Since we have agreed to trim the tree with everything imitating the colors of Boise State, I thought it wouldn’t be such a bad idea, since football season isn’t even over yet. I’m just not sure I want to be the first one to put up the Christmas tree. I’m curious if anybody has any thoughts or opinions. It would be nice to know if anyone else has had these same thoughts.

Business Expansion Special Event

It was another great occasion for us in the business of financial services. My husband and I had the opportunity to attend the Business Expansion Special Event in Salt Lake City, Utah over the weekend. It really was special for us, since we were recognized and promoted as District Leaders for Primerica. It was quite an uplifting feeling when we walked across the stage to receive our plaque and shake the hands of some of the top earners of the company. It made us feel good about the things we’ve already accomplished, and it was great to see our team there with us as well. We had many people taking pictures of us, but unfortunately, I don’t have any to include with this post. When I do receive those photos, I will certainly display them. The event took place at the South Towne Expo Center, and it featured Glenn Williams, who is the President of Primerica Financial Services and Mark & Sandy Yozipovic, who are Million Dollar Earners with the company. The speakers we had the privilege of hearing from really put the opportunity we have to build a business into perspective, which represented the true meaning of Team Freedom and working together as a hierarchy in what is known as “The Greatest Opportunity of Our Lifetime”. I think back on our many struggles with the business in the past, and even though we’ve had to take a few steps back in order to take a few steps forward, it has been worth it. We know that there is not another opportunity like Primerica to help us reach our goals and dreams, so with each step forward, we will savor every moment, good or bad. As we were driving home from the event, I saw a billboard on the side of the road that showed a picture of Winston Churchill with one of his quotes that read “Never, Never, Never, Give Up” Pass it on. So, I thought about that for a moment, and I began picturing myself speaking at one of the big events for Primerica, and sharing our story with the many trials we’ve persevered, and the triumphs that we have enjoyed. The statement that reads “The Greatest Opportunity of Our Lifetime” would not be such a bold statement if it were not true. I believe that with all my heart. We may not always feel like doing this business, but we do it anyway, for the sake of our family and what we want to accomplish, as well as the crusade to help the many families who are looking for the light at the end of the tunnel.

A Colorful Season

The signs of fall are all around us. The leaves are falling, the air is brisk, the temperatures are cooler, and the days are shorter. Many homes are displaying the ornamental decorations of fall, with pumpkins, fall wreaths, bales of hay, corn husks, and cute little scarecrows adorning the entryway. I seem to have noticed all of these changes more suddenly this year, as I have begun taking my routine walks early in the morning, just before the sun rises. It feels good to be in tune with the colors of this season we call autumn. I just happened to look down as I was walking this morning, and found a bright red maple leaf that had fallen from a nearby tree in our subdivision. I picked it up, and it just looked so perfect. I had to take it home and get a picture of it. It reminds me of our little Autumn Blaze Maple tree that we just planted a few months ago. I can hardly wait for it to produce a leaf as beautiful as this one.

Happy Halloween!!

Have you ever wondered about the history of the Pumpkin?
It never occured to me, nor have I ever really thought about it. While I was searching for some fun Halloween content for this post, I came across a website about the pumpkin and its history. This is what I found to be interesting about the origin of the pumpkin:

References to pumpkins date back many centuries. The name pumpkin originated from the Greek word for "large melon" which is "pepon." "Pepon" was nasalized by the French into "pompon." The English changed "pompon" to "Pumpion." Shakespeare referred to the "pumpion" in his Merry Wives of Windsor. American colonists changed "pumpion" into "pumpkin." The "pumpkin" is referred to in The Legend of Sleepy Hollow, Peter, Peter, Pumpkin Eater and Cinderella.
Native Americans dried strips of pumpkin and wove them into mats. They also roasted long strips of pumpkin on the open fire and ate them. The origin of pumpkin pie occurred when the colonists sliced off the pumpkin top, removed the seeds, and filled the insides with milk, spices and honey. The pumpkin was then baked in hot ashes.
Evidentally, this information, along with the history of the Jack-O-Lantern was documented on the History Channel, based on what I read. The website this information was compiled from can be found at: http://www.urbanext.uiuc.edu/pumpkins/history.html.
Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Cookies

Ingredients:
1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened
1 cup white sugar
1 cup light brown sugar
2 large eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 cup canned pumpkin puree
3 cups all-purpose flour
2 teaspoons baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
2 cups (12-ounce bag) milk chocolate chips, not semisweet
Nonstick cooking spray or parchment paper
Directions:
Heat the oven to 350 degrees F. Spray cookie sheets with nonstick spray or line them with parchment paper.
Using a mixer, beat the butter until smooth. Beat in the white and brown sugars, a little at a time, until the mixture is light and fluffy. Beat in the eggs 1 at a time, then mix in the vanilla and pumpkin puree. In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg, and cloves. Slowly beat the flour mixture into the batter in thirds. Stir in the chips. Scoop the cookie dough by heaping tablespoons onto the prepared cookie sheets and bake for 15 to 20 minutes, or until the cookies are browned around the edges. Remove the cookie sheets from the oven and let them rest for 2 minutes. Take the cookies off with a spatula and cool them on wire racks. Here is the link for this recipe: http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/george-duran/pumpkin-chocolate-chip-cookies-recipe/index.html
These are my favorite cookies this time of year...Yum!

Last, but not least: The Jack-O-Lantern Quiz

http://www.blogthings.com/thejackolanternquiz/

Click the link above, to find out what your Jack-O-Lantern says about you!

What My Jack-O-Lantern Says:

You are a gleeful, exuberant person. You enjoy a good party, and you even enjoy a good brawl. This Halloween, there is no question what you should be... a Pirate! The candy you should give out: Peanut Butter Cups

Dreaming for the Future

Have you ever felt like your life could be compared to a maze, with the possibility of going many different directions, but you have no idea where you’ll end up? I guess I have been feeling like that lately. Of course, I have been blessed immensely with a wonderful husband, great friends and family, and a beautiful home to call my own. However, I know there are other opportunities that await me. Patience is a virtue, I tell myself. I long for many things…children of my own, fulfillment of my goals, and a greater abundance of freedom. With the struggle to have children, we have often discussed the thought of adoption. My husband says that if we haven’t had a child before he turns the age of thirty-five, then we’ll consider it further. That’s five years from now…I don’t think he’ll be able to wait that long. That may happen sooner than we thought. I desire to achieve many things in this life, many of which include, starting a cleaning service, a rubber stamp design business, and re-decorating projects in our home. I have a vision of what my office will look like when it is complete, a vision of my dream business, and a vision of what those ideas will allocate for us in our lives. It may seem unrealistic to many of you, but I’m still in the process of dreaming. I do plan to realize those dreams in the future. If you could travel anywhere in the world, where would you go? The first place I will vacation is Tahiti. It looks like the most pristine, peaceful island I have ever seen. I will also visit Mexico, Australia, Scotland, Hawaii, Alaska, and Florida. This is what I mean by a greater abundance of freedom. I’ve learned that you cannot make your dreams a reality without hard work, perseverance, and loyalty to yourself and others. Patience is the key word here. I still have to work to develop the composure necessary to have all of the things I desire in my life, but as long as my thoughts are consistent with my belief to obtain all of these aspirations, it will happen. I’m always thinking about the future and what lies ahead for us, and I would encourage everyone to daydream from time to time. Your life is too valuable not to. By the way, if you would like to respond with some feedback on this post, please feel free. Tell me what you’ve been dreaming about lately. I would love your comments!

Lots of Cookies!

COOKIES, COOKIES, AND MORE COOKIES!

1-2-3 Cookies 7 Layer Cookies Allie Nelson's Famous Snickerdoodle Cookies Almond Crescent Shortbread Amish Sugar Cookies Andies Candies Cookies Angel Crisps Angenets Applesauce Cookies Apricot Fold-Overs Aunt Edy's Molasses Crinkles Auntie Linda's Ginger Gems Bakeless Dream Cookies Banana Drop Cookies Best Chocolate Chip Cookies in the World Biscotti Biscotti Blueberry Cookies Boiled Chocolate Oatmeal Drop Cookies Bronwnies Brown Sugar Shortbread Brownie Cookies Brownie Delight Brownies Buccaneer Snowballs Buried Cherry Cookies Butter Cookies Butter Nut Balls Butterballs Butterscotch Haystacks C.O.P. Cookies Candy Cane Cookies Candy Cookies Caramel Shortbread Cheesecake Brownies Cherry Buns Cherry Crowns Cherry Winks Chewies Chewy Noels Chinese Chews/Haystacks Chocolate Chip Cookie Bars Chocolate Chip Cookies Chocolate Chip Meltaways Chocolate Chip Peanut Butter Cookies Chocolate Christmas Trees Chocolate Cream Cheese Squares Chocolate Crinkles Chocolate Mint Snow-Top Cookies Chocolate Oatmeal Cookies (no bake) Chocolate Snowball Cookies Chocolate Streusel Bars Chocolate Sundae Cookies Chocolate Walnut Crumb Bars Choco-Scotch Crunchies Choose A Cookie Dough Recipe Christmas Crackers Christmas Crunch Bars Christmas Ginger Snaps Christmas Macaroons Christmas Mice Cookies Christmas Shaped Cookies Church Window Cookies Coconut Cookies Congo Squares Cookie in a Jar Corn Flakes Cookies Cornflake Christmas Wreaths Cowboy Cookies (oatmeal) Cream Cheese Cookies with Apricot Filling Crème De Menthe Chocolate Squares Crème Wafers Crescent Cookies Crispy Crunchies Date Nut Balls Date-nut Pinwheel Cookies Diabetic Peanut Butter Cookies Disgustingly Rich Brownies Doodles Double chocolate chip cookies Double-Chocolate Crinkles Eatmore Cookies Eggnog Cookies Elizabeth's Sugar Cookies Elves Quick Fudge Brownies Emily Dickinson's Gingerbread Cookie Recipe Emily's Best Brownies Famous Oatmeal Cookies Firemen Cookies Fluffy Shortbread Cookies Forgotten Cookies Frosted Peanut Butter Brownies Fruit Cake Cookies Fruitcake Squares Fry Pan Cookies Gems Ginger Cookies Ginger Crinkles Gingerbread Baby Gingerbread Cookies with Butter Cream Icing Gingerbread Men Gingerbread Men Ginny's Gluten Free Chocolate Chip Cookies Glory's Golden Graham Squares Glory's Sugar Cookies Gramma Chapman's chocolate coconut drops Grandma Elsie's Zimt (cinnamon) Cookies Grandma J's Butter Cookies Grandma Olson's Parkay Cookies Great Grandmothers Sugar Cookies Gum Drop Cookies Gumdrop Gems Haystack Cookies Ho-Ho Bars Holiday Cereal Snaps Holiday Chocolate Butter Cookies Holiday Raisin Walnut Bars Holly Cookies Hungarian Cookies (Little Nut Rolls) Ice Box Cookies Irresistible Peanut Butter Cookies Italian Cookies Jacob's Peppermint Snowballs Jam Bars Jessica's Famous Brownies Jessie's Chocolate Chip Cookies Jubilee Jumbles Juliet's Peanut Butter Blossoms Jumbo Chocolate Chip Cookies Kentucky Colonels Kiefle (cream cheese cookies with jam filling) Kifflings Kiss Cookies Lacy Swedish Almond Wafers Lemon Angel Bar Cookies Lemon Bars Lemon Cake Cookies Lemon Cream Cheese Cookies Lemon Squares Linzer Tarts Log Cabin Cookies Luscious Lemon Squares M&M Cookies Magic Cookie Bars Melt in Your Mouth Cutout Sugar Cookies Melting Shortbread Meme's Cream Cheese Cookies Milk Chocolate Florentine Cookies Mincemeat Cookies Mincemeat Goodies Molasses Cookies Molasses Forest Cookies Molasses Sugar Cookies Mom Mom's Crescent Cookies Mom-Mom's Ginger Cookies Mom's Nutmeg Sugar Cookies Mom's Old Fashion "Puffy" Sugar Cookies Monster Cookies Moravian Christmas Cookies Nana's Famous Soft Southern Cookies Nitey Nite Cookies No Bake Chocolate Cookies No Bake Chocolate Oatmeal Cookies No Bake Cookies No Bake Cookies No Bake Peanut Butter Cookies No-Bake Chocolate Oatmeal Cookies No-Bake Cookies Norwegian Sugar Cookies Nut Balls Oatmeal Bars Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Nut Cookies Oatmeal Coconut Crisps Oatmeal Cookies Oatmeal Scotchies Old Fashioned Sugar Cookies Ooey Gooey Caramel Chocolate Dunk Ooey Gooey Squares Orange Slice Cookies Parking Lot Cookies Peanut Blossoms Peanut Butter Bars Peanut Butter Blossoms Peanut Butter Cereal Cookies Peanut Butter Chewies Peanut Butter Chocolate Bars Peanut Butter Cookies Peanut Butter Cookies Peanut butter fingers Peanut Butter Reindeer Peanut Butter Surprises Peanut Marshmallow Cookies Pecan Puff Cookies Peppermint Snowballs Peppernuts Persimmon Cookies Persimmon Cookies Petey's Yummy Spicy Almond Thins Pfeffernuesse Pffefferneuse Cookies Pineapple Filled Cookies Pizzelles Potato Chip Cookies Potato Flake Cookies Praline Cookies Praline Strips Pterodactyl Nests Pumpkin Bars Pumpkin Bars Pumpkin Chip Cookies Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Cookies Pumpkin Cookies Queen Biscuits Quick Cookies Raised Sugar Cookies Raisin Filled Oatmeal Bars Raspberry Meringue Bars Really Peanutty Butter Cookies Reese`s Brownies Reese's Peanut Butter Bars Rich Flavor Christmas Cookies Rich Lemon Bars Ricotta Cheese Cookies Royal Almond Christmas Bars Rudolph Cinnamon Cookies Russian Tea Cookies Russian Teacakes Samantha & Kelsey's Chocolate Chip Cookies Sand Art Brownies Santa Claus Cookie Pops Santa Claus Cookies Santa's Butterscotch Melts Santa's Shorts Santa's Special Squares Scotch Cakes Scotch Shortbread Scotcharoos Scotcheroos Seven Layer Cookies Short Bread Cookies Shortbread Skor Squares Snicker Doodle Cookies Snickerdoodles Snickerdoodles Snow Balls Sour Cream Apple Squares Sour Cream Christmas Cookies Special K Cookies Spice Cookies Spicy Oatmeal Raisin Cookie Spritz Cookies Stained Glass Window Cookies Stir & Drop Sugar Cookies Sugar Cookies Sugar Cookies Sugar Cookies Swedish Pepparkakor (Pepper Cake) Cookies Swedish Sugar Cookies Sweet Marie's Swiss Treats Taralle (Italian Cookies) Tea Time Tassies Texas Brownies The Best Shortbread in The World Thumbprint Cookies Thumbprint Cookies Toffee Squares Traditional Christmas Sugar Cookies Traditional Gingerbread Men Cookies Triple-Chocolate Chip Cookies Ultimate Chocolate Chip Cookies Vanilla Waffer Balls Walnut Butter Cookies Walnut Crumb Bars White Chip Chocolate Cookies Wild Oatmeal Cookies Will's Famous Apple Jack Cookies Yummy Yummy Peanut Butter Blossoms

It looks like we'll have an unlimited supply of cookies around the holidays this year, so I hope you enjoy skimming through the many choices! I received this lengthy list of cookie recipes from an email, and thought I would pass it on to you!