What does this picture have to do with anything?  Maybe I could say it is a representation of how I'm all locked up tight.  But really, it is a picture I took while experimenting with my new camera, and oddly enough, I love it.  It is just a lock, but somehow, I think it is beautiful.

Okay, so since I am feeling too fragmented to put coherent thoughts together, I am going to give you all a very fun list of the fun that has been happening here lately..

*went on a run with my 7 and 8 yr. old's this morning.  There was some crying (by them), cheering (by me), and accomplishment  by all.  And, because I couldn't let them quit there, it was followed by pilates. 

*I taught breadmaking at my house here on Tuesday, the house was full, the bread and jam were yummy, and it was a success because I know at least 2 people made bread later this week.

*Went shopping for new countertops. We want to cut off our high bar, and make it all one big counter. $1300 for all new formica, $3600 for solid surface, $5000 for granite, or $230 for the same color laminate.  What do you think we are going to choose?  If you know me at all, you know the answer.

*Went to the temple last night, and saw 2 very fun things. 1) super short tight shorts guy (at in and out) and 2) 1 foot high hair lady.  We had a couple great laughs.

*trying to lose weight by running 4-5 miles a day, eating less, and doing more strength training.  Having very little success.

*Questioning our parenting skills.  How independent should I let my kids be?  What should I expect from them? How can I inspire a positive outlook and self esteem? The questions go on, the answers do not.

*There's a long list of "should do's" and very little motivation for it (of course, if the list didn't include cleaning out closets, and included more quilting, maybe I could conquer it).

And, now because I have this handy dandy recipe all ready typed up and ready, here is the recipe for the yummy bread.  This is 100% whole wheat, I love this bread, I grind my own wheat and use it that day.  It is super duper addicting.

100% Whole Wheat Bread

2 Tbs. Yeast
2 3/4 cup warm water
1/2 cup dry milk
2 Tbs. Lemon juice
2 Tbs. Sugar
1 Tbs. Salt
1/3 cup oil
2 1/2 Tbs. Gluten
7-7 1/2 cups wheat flour


Mix warm water, sugar and yeast. Stir well until the yeast is completely dissolved, and allow the yeast to proof. Add lemon juice, salt, and oil. Mix well.

Put 7 cups of wheat flour in separate bowl, mix dry milk and gluten until incorporated. Turn mixer to stir, and add flour mixture. Mix well. Continue to add flour 1/2 cup at a time until bread dough is just firm enough not to stick to your finger when you touch it.

Let rise 30 minutes (or double in size), knead, and let rise again. Knead again then shape into loaves, and put in bread pan. Let rise. Bake at 350 degrees for 20-25 minutes. Lightly brush the tops of loaves with 2 tablespoons melted butter or margarine when done to prevent crust from getting hard. Cool completely

Friends

Are you ever amazed to be friends with the people you are friends with?

I feel so blessed to find such amazing people wherever I move.  I grew up in good ole' SLC, and I had the best group of friends.  We went to junior high/high school together, and then a bunch of us roomed at BYU together.  The thing I love best about these friends is the understanding that is there.  You don't ever have to explain yourself, because they all know the back story.  (Why I might have my dark moments every now and then).  And, you know their back story....the stuff that affects us, even though we wish it didn't color our lives so much.  We all know about each other's families, etc...  I love it.  I miss my friends dearly, and I feel lucky that each time we get together it feels like no time has passed.

As I have moved about the country, I have been able to meet some very fantastic women.  I may not know their story from birth, but their goodness speaks for itself.  I had some pretty fabulous friends in MI, and I often wondered why I was so lucky to have these amazing women as some of my best friends.  Here in the sunny southwest, we built our home in what I could call a dream neighborhood.  Kids my kids ages, friends to bail me out when I need them too, practical jokers, etc..  I am still amazed at the caliber of people I know.  

The blog world opened up a territory for me.  I was reconnected with friends, made new ones...and I am so grateful that I can read great recipes from Min, funny blurbs from Hadleyesque and the Butler family, great how to's and tips on how to be fabulous from Katie W. Hughes (private blog) and the Schofield family, and many others that I don't get to see on a daily basis.

So raise a glass (of martinelli's, we have two left in the fridge if anyone is game), and let's toast to a world full of great friends, great memories, and time to make new ones.

Almost.

It was 4:30 p.m.  The kids had done their homework, practiced piano, played outside with bubbles (yes, it is about 70 degrees out), sorted their laundry, and cleaned their rooms.  I thought to myself....are we really going to make it until 5:15 (when dad gets home and dinner starts) without TV or the Wii? [this must be the problem, if you think about it, somehow it changes...doesn't it?]  At 4:45 p.m. Mitch (the Wii addict) asks if he can play the Wii...then, of course, the others want play too.  

One day we will make it a whole day without TV or Wii...baby steps.

Listen

There is a super funny song playing on my blog right now.  It is called Unworthy.  You fabulous women out there, you will love it.    So turn it up!

Not Yet!

Maturity.  It is something I thought I might get closer to as the days wore on.  Like it was a given, and with each passing day I might gain more of it.  I am learning (sometimes painfully), that maturity is ever eluding me.    There are a couple things that are an example of "maturity" that I am not only lacking, but that are getting harder for me.  

 1)Nervousness....I had hoped that when I was grown up I would finally not only "know" that being nervous doesn't serve me, but I would actually overcome this affliction.  However, after today's showing [playing my violin in Sacrament meeting], nervousness has progressed, and I am fully aware that I am a 5 year old.  Seriously, shouldn't I be able to stand up in front of my friends, and play a piece without shaking all over the place.  Totally lame.

 2)Comparing ...  again, something I "know" I should be different about.  I "know" I shouldn't compare myself to others, but I am still not quite mature enough to put that into action.  I see my fabulous friends and family accomplishing goals, being great parents, having great hair [you know, only the important stuff], and all that jazz...and I am still a sucker for feeling like I am a failure somehow....  I then talk myself out of my antics, and realize again maturity is so elusive.

3) Worrying...I know worrying about something doesn't make it better, it doesn't solve anything, and it just causes stress.  So, armed with that fabulous knowledge, wouldn't I be amazing and not worry about family, friends, my children, how my children will turn out, if the world is going to implode/explode, if the world is too wicked, when I might lose my parents, managing our money, and if I my big zit will ever go away?

The list is getting long, but you might be getting my point. I hoped, that as I started this wrinkling process that maturity would just come along with it.  Now, it looks like I am actually going to have to do some serious work to put the "Mature" title in my back pocket.  Or, maybe the solution is to only to do things I feel comfortable with, only be friends with average people (and of course, disown the family that outdoes me), and put on those rose colored glasses everyone keeps talking about.  I'll look at Target tomorrow.

Ramblings

I have too many random thoughts to make one good post.  So, you get a list of all the stuff I could expand on, but am kind enough to spare you the details.

*Gilmore Girls:  I have always loved this show.  I recently got one of the seasons from the library and I have been enjoying it while running.  LOVE IT!  I am laughing out loud with all the quick wit.

*Wishing I lived closer to my aunt Becky.  I have 4 quilts ready to quilt.  I should really buy my own long arm, but alas...those cost some serious $$$$.

*We're back to real life.  Up at 5:45 a.m. again....actually getting stuff accomplished.  Odd thought.

*This Jack of all trades, Master of none thing is making me busy.

*Spent last night going back and forth about the best gooey yummy food....can you tell we are on a diet again? Burger? Philly Cheese Steak? Grilled Cheese sandwich?

*I have the best hubby in the world, he helps me clean the night before cleaning day.

*I'm slightly sad my kids are growing up (am I that old, that I am now sad they are growing too fast).

*Realizing I spend too much time on the computer.

*Putting off going to the store, then I'd have to make a list, actually go, and here's the worst part....put it all away.

I think that is enough ranting. Merry January!

12th Day of Holiday

On the 12th day of Holiday, Sarah brought to you....a list of her favorite things.


I have been pondering this for awhile, because I have gained some fabulous information from others blogs about their favorite things. Let's begin (these, of course, are in no particular order).


1. The interactive music player on lds.org. I love it. As the primary chorister, I have ample opportunities to use this. I love I can change keys, and make the songs singable for some of us who don't sing in the upper octaves.2. Bronzer from Costco. Anyone who knows me knows I love Costco, and there is good reason. They have fabulous stuff, like this bronzer. Each time I wear it I feel like I look healthy and glowing.
3. Microplaner....this is used in the kitchen (not woodshop). I use mine especially for zesting lemons, oranges, limes, etc... There is no easier way to do it. LOVE IT!
4. Love my iMac. I have had many people ask what is so special about them. It is very simple to give that answer. It works. All the time. It doesn't shut down, it doesn't cause me frustration, it just always works. After having a PC, it is something to love. Of course, there are the other perks like cool programs, and fun applications, but that is just icing on the cake.
5. Love my wireless headphones. Ours are plugged into our tv and I use them on my daily run on the treadmill. These babies help me run without crying. I have watched many a movie from Netflix with them. Love them, Love them.
6. Got these babies for Christmas. I have some pretty nice knives already, but I got these out to test them, and WOW, they are sharp. They chop through carrots with ease, potatoes were nothing, and they cut through onions so well I cried. Seriously. Where did I get them? COSTCO!
7. These flexible totes are so great. I got ours...guess???? Costco. But they are so fun. They can be squished and bent, so they can actually fit in tight places. They can be used to bathe 4 - 4year olds, they can be used as hampers, etc.... I loved using ours for camping. It was great.
8. My mom gaves this to me for my birthday. This is for wool felting. It has a needle punch too. When I use this to applique wool, I punch the wool on my fabric, and it is adhered well enough for me to applique it, and then there are NO bunches. Great for big pieces.
9. We all have these, but they are still one of my favorite things. They get anything and everything out. I don't know how my parents made it through without these.
10. This is the oil warmer from Bath and Body Works. I love how well this thing works. If you like scents, this will fill your house with the scent of your choice in a few short minutes. Love it. You can make it as fragrant as you wish. I am so glad my friend showed me this little number.
11. For many years I tried to avoid buying Tide. It is expensive. However, I tried it and loved it. Then I tried one of their scented varities (because...this is weird, but I love my clothes to smell really clean) and I loved it. This is my favorite. I went running in clothes washed in this, and after I sweat all over them, I can still smell this scent.

12. Charlotte (my very favorite sister-inlaw on my family's side) showed me this mascara. I love it. No more smudges, no more long day mascara under the eye. This only comes off when you wash it with mere water. And, it doesn't come off like normal either. They call them Mascara tubes, and that is how it looks when it comes off. You gotta try this mascara at least once....it is great stuff.

If you are still reading, you must really love me. I hope you all enjoyed my 12 days of holiday....I know I did. I am sad the time is coming to an end, but I can always look forward to next year. Again....Happy New Year!

11th Day of Holiday

11th Day of Holiday

 I almost forgot!  Happy New Year.

Almost done with this.  I am glad, and sad.  Bj will go back to work on Monday, and that means real life is coming back to our family. Such is life.  Hope you all had a great party last night, and a great day today.  We had family over yesterday and today, and we are all feeling the effects of it (bulging waist lines).