Hiatus

What is without periods of rest will not endure.
- Ovid

Roman poet, 43 BC- 18 AD



An overwhelming month makes for an overwhelmed blogger. As of now, I am going on a self-imposed hiatus for the remainder of the week. Time to reconnect, and restore spent reserves. Au revoir, mes amis.

I'm so tired, I haven't slept a wink
I'm so tired, my mind is on the blink...

You'd say I'm putting you on
But it's no joke, it's doing me harm
You know I can't sleep, I can't stop my brain
You know it's three weeks, I'm going insane
You know I'd give you everything I've got
for a little peace of mind
I'd give you everything I've got for a little peace of mind
I'd give you everything I've got for a little peace of mind

Lennon/McCartney, The White Album
♥

Somebody Call Cruella De Vil...

Between Penny & Taylor

we definitely have enough hair

on the kitchen floor for a coat

or two...

Honey-Wheat Pizza Crust

There have been a couple of requests for me to share my recipe for pizza dough, and I'm just now getting around to it. It's taken me awhile because this is just one of those things that I simply throw together and never take much note of exactly what I'm doing. Also, I rarely make it the same way twice, so putting together a recipe is just a tiny bit problematic. But I persevered, and here you find the fruit of my labors. ;)

We make homemade pizza a lot at our house-- usually about once a week. Usually it's some sort of veggie pizza, although we do make the BBQ chicken variety every now and then. As long as your ingredients are great quality, you really can't go wrong with whatever you put on a pizza. I mean, what's not to like? I also vary the ingredients of the dough quite a bit. Sometimes I throw in stuff like wheat germ, rolled oats, herbs, garlic... Ooh, carmelized onions would be yummy too! I'll have to try that one next time. Also, sometimes I use lower-glycemic sweeteners like agave nectar or sucanat in place of the honey. If you don't have ground flaxseed, or just don't want to use it, that's okay too. You can use all whole wheat flour if you want, too-- we just prefer the taste that this recipe delivers. It all works, just watch the texture of the dough as it kneads and adjust quantities of flour/oil/water to make it come together. As you get comfortable with the whole process it's a lot of fun to experiment.

The biggest tool for homemade pizza success is, in our experience, the pizza stone. Unless you like your crust a bit soggy or floppy, the stone is indispensable. It is completely worth the investment. So here's to a killer pizza party this weekend!


Honey-Wheat Pizza Crust
makes 1 (14-16 inch) pizza round

3/4 cup very warm water
1/2 teaspoon sea salt
1 teaspoon honey
1-2 tablespoons olive oil
1 tablespoon yeast
1/4 cup ground flaxseed meal
about 1 cup all purpose flour
about 1 cup whole wheat flour
1-2 tablespoons cornmeal

1. Combine water, salt, honey, olive oil in a large bowl of a standing mixer, stir well. Add yeast, and allow to sit and proof for a few minutes.
2. Add flax and flour gradually to yeast mixture, using the dough hook of your mixer at the appropriate speed. (Or with a wooden spoon if you're mixing by hand) Eventually the dough should come together, forming a ball. Dough should be tacky, not sticky. Knead for 10 minutes. (I just use the standing mixer but if you want to old-school it, much power to you!)
3. Keeping the dough in large bowl, cover with a dish towel and let rise in a warm location for about 45 minutes. Sometime in here, preheat your oven (with the stone inside) to 400 degrees.
4. Punch dough down; let rest a few minutes. Roll dough out on counter to desired thickness/size. Take stone from oven, and sprinkle with cornmeal. Place dough round on stone and top with desired fixings.
5. Bake in oven for 16-20 minutes. After you take it out, let it rest on the stone (and its cooling rack) for a few minutes to let everything set just so. Cut into slices and enjoy!

Introducing Penny

Recently we made the difficult decision to find a new home for one of our beloved dogs. Solitaire is a sweet, affectionate dog... but she has some issues. After three years of incessant barking, digging, chewing, and the knocking of poor toddlers over with great enthusiasm, we decided it was time. We couldn't pass it off to puppy behavior anymore, training just wasn't helping, and our kids & neighbors deserved better. So did Solitaire, for that matter. She grew much bigger than we ever expected and really needed more room to be happy, quite honestly. And so we said goodbye. It was not easy... except maybe for Reilly. She wasn't too keen on being pummeled around by a big black dog.

But it's funny the way things work out. I have been telling Bryson for years now how much I miss having a little companion dog in the house. I grew up with Yorkies, and there is just something endearing about little dogs that melts my heart. So imagine our surprise when just such a dog literally arrived on our doorstep last week.

Bryson was getting the kids ready to get in the car for a night out, when I heard Taylor giggling and Domino barking. I came outside to find a scraggly-looking pup playing with Taylor-- half-starved and severely neglected, yet playing with wild abandon. Not wanting to just let this tiny little thing continue on its way to certain death, we decided to get her cleaned up and find her family.

Putting her in the bath, we were shocked to discover that what we thought was a light brown Shih-tzu was in actuality a pure white Maltese. It took us two baths to get all the grit from her fur, which completely covered her face and came down well past her feet. Over two dozen burrs were pulled from her fur, which was also terribly matted. After a really bad haircut (dog groomers we are not) we made another horrific discovery. On her neck, this poor little thing had a large gash-- most likely from an attack from another animal. A call to a family friend who happens to be a veterinarian eased our minds in keeping her overnight. We would continue our work in the morning.

And so we began the search. The next morning we visited animal shelters, had her scanned for microchips, poured over lost dog reports. Nothing. We got her vaccinated-- as a precaution to both her and our family-- and she had surgery to repair the wound to her neck. Twelve stitches. That's quite a bit for a five-pound animal. We followed a lead on a family in our area whom we had heard lost a similar-looking dog. It turned out to be a dead end. A lady at the local animal clinic didn't seem to be too surprised. "We've been finding lots of abandoned pets the past couple of months," she explained. "With the economic downturn, people are starting to turn their animals out of the house." How sad.

So, we have welcomed Penny-- as she is now known-- into our home and hearts.

The other day my mom asked me how we arrived at the name Penny, and to be honest-- it just sort of rolled off the tongue. Taylor and I were brainstorming names, and Penny was one that we both liked. Penelope just sounds like a name befitting a fluffy white dog, don't you think? Plus, the more I have thought about it, the more I think Penny fits.


Hee hee...
If you are an avid Lost fan, you know of what we speak. :)

Penny is a sweet little dog, despite her obviously traumatic life thus far. She is a fast learner, and easy to train. She and Domino get along splendidly. We have noticed only one interesting quirk of hers-- a fear of doors-- which we believe may be attributed to the noticeable kink in her tail. It was broken previously, and never set properly. She is content to be my little shadow, play with Taylor and Reilly, and run around in the backyard with Domino. And one thing is for certain:


We are completely in love.

What's That Smell?

It's funny, the things you pass on to your children.

As I'm sure it is with most people, I find certain smells to be extremely nostalgic and comforting. The scents of lilac & peony take me straight back to my childhood home in suburban Chicago. Get me within one-hundred yards of a chlorinated pool, and I will feel completely in my element. Basil, homemade bread, lavender, freshly cut grass, rosemary, the scent of a newly fallen rain... all heavenly. When I get stressed or anxious, one of my (many) quirks is to smell my hair. I don't know exactly when this tendency emerged, but to this day you can always tell when I'm trying to focus my troubled mind or simply relax. You'll find me with a lock of hair pressed to my face.

Now, for quite a long while I've noticed Reilly toting Sheep around with her little body of grey fluff held close to her face. I honestly never really thought much of it, until the other day when Bryson asked her what she was doing. Reilly looked at Bryson as if the answer was completely obvious. "I'm smelling my Sheep!"

Of course.
It's a security thing. Some people suck their thumbs-- we smell things.

I have to admit, it makes me smile now to watch Reilly wander around the house with Sheep these days. She may have her daddy's eyes, but she did get a few things from her mommy too... for better or worse.

"Do you want to smell my Sheep?" Reilly asked Bryson, as if this were a perfectly natural inclination.

"Oh, yes, please," replied Bryson.

Ahhhh, it is wonderful to be loved by a man that finds your little eccentricities adorable.
Everyone should be so fortunate.

Sunshine On My Shoulders

"Live in the sunshine, swim the sea, drink the wild air..."

- Ralph Waldo Emerson


Is there anything better than this?
I'm right there with you, Domino.

Of Puzzle Pieces and Palaces

There are moments when you know, without a doubt, that God has put someone right in your path-- at the time you absolutely needed it most. Today that experience came from a discussion in Relief Society.

The lesson topic was on adversity, and the shelter we can find with the Lord in the midst of our trials. What a fantastic and oh-so timely message. The Spirit was so tangible throughout the hour, as we discussed strategies for developing an eternal perspective, surrendering ourselves to the Lord's will, and trusting in His eternal plan. I couldn't even say anything, I was so overcome.

Then Debbie, standing in the back of the room, began to speak.

"I really just think that we need to be less afraid to ask for help, and to rely on one another. Sometimes we experience trials that are so overwhelming that the typical Sunday School answers just aren't enough. There are times when reading the scriptures just brings heartache, and when it seems our prayers don't get past the ceiling... In these times, we need one another. It is as if we are given a tiny piece of a much larger puzzle, and are trying to make sense of how in the world it could possibly fit in the greater scheme of things. We are left holding this little blue puzzle piece and continue over and over to try and make it fit in with the other pieces that make up a picture of a lake. We just can't understand why it doesn't fit. But when the puzzle nears completion, we pull back and suddenly realize that it isn't part of the lake at all-- it is part of the sky."

I don't think there was a dry eye in the entire class. I thought that what she said was so eloquent, so profound. I even came home and tried to look up her analogy-- it just sounded so Neal A. Maxwell-esque. But I wasn't able to find any such quotation. It did remind me, however, of some thoughts penned by one of my favorite thinkers, C. S. Lewis.

He illustrated:

Imagine yourself as a living house. God comes in to rebuild that house. At first, perhaps, you can understand what he is doing. He is getting the drains right and stopping the leaks in the roof and so on: you knew that those jobs needed doing and so you are not surprised.

But presently he starts knocking the house about in a way that hurts abominably and does not seem to make sense. What on earth is he up to? The explanation is that he is building quite a different house from the one you thought of— throwing out a new wing here, putting on an extra floor there, running up towers, making courtyards.

You thought you were going to be made into a decent little cottage: but he is building up a palace. He intends to come and live in it himself.(C.S. Lewis, Mere Christianity)
Both thoughts gave me a moment's pause for reflection today. There is such truth in them. Life can be messy. Each of us has been given a path to walk, and the way is not always easy. Sometimes it looks downright impossible! But God's plan is sure. He knows each of us better than we know ourselves, and he knows the lessons we need to experience in this life. We may not understand it. We may keep trying to pound & cram that blue puzzle piece in the wrong spot, cursing at it because it just doesn't make any sense! But God does know what He is doing. We don't have to worry on that one... of that I am certain.

I have the best friends in the world. I am so grateful during these times of heartache to be surrounded by such goodness. I am always so in awe of your strength, compassion, and testimonies. As long as we have each other, I'm sure we can get through anything that comes our way. We just need to open up those blinds to the light, take a deep breath, and keep on breathing.

So thanks, Debbie. I think we all needed to hear that today.

Counting the Blessings

Things to smile about today...
especially after an exhaustive, heart-pummeling week:

1. Wonderful, glorious sunshine!
2. A visit to Olsen's Garden Shoppe
3. My favorite daffodils in bloom
4. The return of The Purple Beanie
5. Cherry-apple cider, fresh squeaky cheese, & free cider slushes at the Big Red Barn-- SCORE! :)
6. Wrestling with Daddy on the lawn
7. A fluffy little white dog... (welcome, Penny!)
8. The emergence of the first spring tulips
9. Kicking it in my favorite old Beatles tie-dye
10. Tomato transplants growing happily in the cold frames
11. Homemade pizza on the menu
12. A quiet evening for two


Life really is good.

counting the breaths

one

and forty-five seconds
until we arrive at

two

she inhales

he exhales
relief
for the moment... not yet gone.

in this sleepless night
there is so much
left unsaid

and yet
all we can do
is continue

to count
and
breathe.

I Hate Cancer

Please, God...
Ease her pain.

exhausted options have left us only
under the strong, encroaching grip of darkness.

We reach blindly and grasp tight
Hold on
Cling together

but we cannot coax the moments to remain.

Everything.
Slipping.
Away.

Hours, minutes, even seconds
(formerly insignificant measures)
are tenderly pressed to our soul...

and we are left
trying to fill a hole in our hearts
where hope once lived.


********************

Some of you may recall my friend Jen and her ongoing battle with brain cancer. Tragically, her mental and physical health is quickly declining, and she is very likely approaching the end of her mortal journey.

In her husband Ryan's words:
"...after some very hard decisions, we as a family have concluded that it is best to no longer continue the chemo treatments. We have reached the difficult position that has forced us to realize that our options have been exhausted. The Doctor felt that continuing a different type of therapy could possibly slow the progress of the tumor, but suggested that it would be highly unlikely to reverse the lack of quality in Jen's lifestyle. He said that in his experience we would likely be only punishing Jen, and felt that we were to the point where we would at least be justified in feeling that everything that could have been done for her has been tried."

We know that this is not the end for Jen & Ryan.
We know that life goes on.
We know that Noah will be with his mommy again.
We know that the family is eternal.

But still...
The heart breaks.

To send words of comfort to Ryan & Jen, visit their blog.

Le Potager

Garden work begins in earnest now.

Over the weekend, Bryson helped me set up my cold frames... and I am so excited! I have been wanting to try four season gardening for quite some time now, and at last we have the hardware to begin the learning process. (For gardening, I have realized, can never be fully learned from books-- only by doing.)

I have always been enamored of the French kitchen gardens-- with their combination of both beauty and practicality, and have wanted one for my very own for quite some time. Over the last couple of years I have been learning everything I can about seasonal planting, extended harvesting, and heirloom plants. This is the year I hope to put thought into action.

The raised beds of my petit potager were constucted with planks of untreated pine, which I choose to preserve with a mixture of organic linseed oil and charcoal. The application can be a little messy, but I prefer it to chemicals that could leech into the soil, and consequentially the vegetables. Besides, messy can be fun, right? We chose to constuct it in a horseshoe shape, with its dimensions being 16 feet along the back, and 12 feet along the sides. All along the back we have constructed trellis supports for climbing plants such as tomatoes, cucumbers, and squash. We used to use nylon netting on the metal frames, but have abandoned it this year in favor of simple jute twine.

The little pieces that frame the garden's entrance are devoted to growing day-neutral strawberries, which keep us in the little red jewels all summer long. A four foot by four foot section in the front right corner is dedicated solely to herbs: tarragon, lavender, chives, thyme, mint, sage, parsley, cilantro, rosemary, oregano, and dill. The remainer of the garden changes with the seasons, with plants chosen for their adaptability, taste, and beauty. In a few weeks time the tender plants will be transplanted out-- the heirloom tomatoes, peppers, and eggplant.

Today I begin the process of going through all the seeds tucked away in cold storage and taking inventory. Figuring out what is still viable, and what needs to be ordered. Working on the master plan for how best to stagger plantings this year. But, most of all, just enjoying. C'est la joie de vivre!

Hero

Last night, as I was tucking Taylor in, he asked me a question.

"Mom, will you protect me?"

I looked at him and replied with all sincerity:

"Of course I will protect you, Taylor. I will do everything in my power to protect you."

He thought it over.

"Hey Mom, do you remember yesterday? When I almost fell down the stairs? And you caught my hand and stopped me before I felled?" (We're still working on grammar.)

"Yes, sweetie."

"Mom, you were a hero," he pronounced with a grin.

"A hero?" ...Me?

"Yes, Mom. You protected me. Will you always protect me? If there is a fire? Or if a monster comes out of my closet and tries to get my elephant, and Elephant goes 'pfffffffffft' and the monster still comes to get us and I bonk him on the head with a sword because monsters don't like swords... will you still protect me?"

"Taylor, you are my special boy. Of course I will protect you. I love you so much. I will always do everything I can to protect you."

"Okay, Mom," he sighed contentedly. "I just love you so much! Sweet dreams!"

"Goodnight, Taylor. I love you too."

I guess heroes come in all shapes and sizes.
Now if you'll excuse me, I need to go iron my cape.

♥

None Were With Him

Elder Holland's Conference address can be read in its entirety here. There is such power in his words.

And, to be perfectly honest, there is not much more I can even think to add.

So, on that note...
Happy Easter, everyone.

Have a lovely weekend, and may you & your loved ones be encircled in the unconditional love that Christ has for each of us.

Pan-Fried Balsamic Chicken

The secret to really yummy pan-fried chicken is to leave it alone in the pan. If you keep fussing with it and checking the coloration on the bottom it will never crisp up for you and you'll just be left with a mushy flour-oat coating on your chicken. Nobody wants that. Once you get it in the pan, resist the urge to check it. Just turn it after 4 minutes. If your pan was heated to the right temperature it should be just fine. Adding oats to the flour coating was something I just threw in on a whim... and it turned out really great. It adds to the crunch, so you don't miss that unhealthy skin so much. If your kids are particular about food (like Taylor), try serving to them without the balsamic sauce. The chicken itself is really good without it... but adding the balsamic takes it over the top.

I like serving this with orzo and steamed broccoli.

Buon appetito!


Pan-Fried Balsamic Chicken

1 tablespoon olive oil
4 skinless chicken breast portions
1/2 teaspoon sea salt
1/2 teaspoon freshly cracked black pepper
1/4 cup whole wheat flour
2 tablespoons rolled oats
1/4 cup minced red onion
1/2 cup chicken stock
1/2 cup balsamic vinegar
1 tablespoon honey
Chopped flat-leaf parsley, for garnish

1. Heat oil in a large nonstick pan over medium-high heat.
2. Sprinkle chicken with salt & pepper to taste. Combine flour & oats in a shallow dish. Dredge chicken in flour mixture; gently pat off excess.
3. Add chicken to pan; cook four minutes on each side or until golden brown. Remove chicken from pan; keep warm. Add onion, and sauté 1-2 minutes. Add stock, vinegar, & honey to pan, scraping bottom to loosen browned bits. Bring to a boil, and cook until reduced to about 1/2 cup. Serve sauce over chicken & garnish with parsley.

Serves 4

Together Forever

I nearly had a heart attack this week.

Being the strong willed three-year-old that he is, Taylor often gets in trouble for acting out at the grocery store. By the end of the shopping experience, I am typically frazzled and fighting a losing battle to keep my cool. And the old saying is oh-so true: "If Momma ain't happy, ain't nobody happy ."
Really, it just isn't pleasant for anyone involved.

So on our most recent outing, I decided that if Taylor ran off again at the store, I would try and teach him a lesson. And true to form, a few minutes after we had arrived he saw something that interested him and dashed off to look at it. With a heavy sigh, I pushed my cart to the end of the aisle. The brilliant idea was that I would keep an eye on him while keeping out of his line of sight-- the end goal being that once he realized that I was gone he would be more compelled to stay by my side in the future. But as is often the case, my brilliant idea completely backfired. Once I got to my covert location and turned to watch Taylor's next move, he was gone. Gone.

Panic.

I frantically pushed my cart through the nearby aisles, calling Taylor's name and... nothing. It was though he had just vanished into thin air. My anxiety level started to skyrocket. Turning the corner, I ran into my friend Deb. (Thanks for helping me stay calm!) Together we continued searching for Taylor until the announcement came over the store intercom: "Attention all customers, we have a missing mommy..."

Never before have I been so relieved and yet so embarrassed at the same time.

As I approached the customer service desk, Taylor cried out with excitement and ran to my arms. Tightly clutched in my embrace, I did not want to let go. Fighting back tears, I exclaimed, "Taylor! I was so scared! Please, never EVER run away from Mommy again! I was so worried you were completely lost!"

Taylor kissed me on the cheek and hugged me tighter.
"I'm sorry I got lost, Mom. I will listen to Mommy at the store now. But don't worry, Mom. We will always be together. It's part of Heavenly Father's plan."

"What?" I looked into his big blue eyes.

"Families can be together forever, Mom. We will always be together."

"That's true, Taylor," I agreed. "But Mommy wants to protect you and keep you safe. When you run away from Mommy like that I get very scared that you will get lost or hurt. Please, please, please stay by Mommy's cart from now on, okay?"

"Okay Mommy," he acquiesced. "I'm really sorry. But we will always be together."

Funny how when you start out trying to teach your children, they will inevitably teach you something right back.


I have a family here on Earth.
They are so good to me.

Crocheted Lovey

So, have you seen those baby blankets with the little stuffed animal heads attached?

I used to think they were pretty hokey looking, until Reilly received one as a baby gift from a lifelong friend of mine from Chicago. Her daughter had been given one and she instantly attached herself to it. Similarly, Reilly latched on to her "lovey" (as we call it) pretty quickly as well. Lovey, even today, is outranked only by Sheep on Reilly's best-loved toys list. In fact, sometimes Sheep stays home occasionally so that Lovey can accompany Reilly on the day's errands. Isn't that nice of Sheep?

Anyway, a little while back I decided that I needed to get my crochet hooks into another project. Knowing that my friend Dana was having a baby shower soon, I decided that her little baby girl should be blessed with her own Lovey. And so I looked for a good pattern. And looked. And looked. I even tried one that seemed sort of right, but then it ended up looking like a kite with a rabbit's head attached. Not cute. Creepy.
So I decided to just wing it, and using techniques I had learned from other projects I pieced this one together. Hokey? Maybe. But if history is any indication, hopefully baby Ellie will love it too.

On to the tutorial:

For the head, ears, & flower I used a size I crochet hook.
For the blanket, a size H hook was used.

I chose to use soft cotton yarn for my lovey, but really, any yarn will work.
Gauge isn't really important for this project, just so long as you keep stitches consistent.

Stitch Explanation:sc2tog - Insert hook into st and draw up a loop. Insert hook into next st and draw up a loop. Yarn over, draw through all loops on hook.

Head:
(This is worked in continuous rounds; do not join or turn.)
With 2 strands of yarn held tog, ch 2.
Rnd 1: Work 6 sc in 2nd ch from hook
Rnd 2: 2 sc in each sc around – 12 sc.
Rnd 3: *2 sc in next sc, sc in next sc; rep from * around – 18 sc.
Rnd 4: *2 sc in next sc, sc in next 2 sc; rep from * around – 24 sc.
Rnd 5: *2 sc in next sc, sc in next 3 sc; rep from * around – 30 sc.
Rnds 6–11: Sc in each sc around.
Rnd 12: *Sc2tog, sc in next 3 sts, rep from * around – 24 sts.
Rnd 13: *Sc2tog, sc in next 2 sts, rep from * around – 18 sts.
Rnd 14: *Sc2tog, sc in next st, rep from * around – 12 sts.
Keep repeating Rnd 14 until the head is all but closed off. Stuff head. (Be sure to really pack it in there!) Fasten off. It should resemble a large hacky sack at this point. (Remember those?) A few well-placed stitches will finish closing it up, and you're done!

Ears: (I'm sure this is obvious, but make two!)
With 2 strands of yarn held tog, ch 2.
Rnd 1: Work 4 sc in 2nd ch from hook
Rnd 2: *2 sc in next sc, sc in next sc; rep from * around – 6 sc.
Rnd 3: *2 sc in next sc, sc in next 2 sc; rep from * around – 8 sc.
Rnd 4: *2 sc in next sc, sc in next 3 sc; rep from * around – 10 sc.
Rnds 5–10: Sc in each sc around.
Rnd 11: (Sc2tog) 5 times – 5 sts.
Fasten off.

Blanket:
The blanket portion of the lovey is just one oversized granny square.

Chain 4 (just 1 strand of yarn this time) and join to form loop

Rnd 1: ch 3 (counts as first dc) 3dc, ch 2, * 4 dc, ch 2* 3 times join to first ch 3.

Rnd 2: ch 3 (counts as first dc) *dc in each dc (4 st total), in ch 2 sp for corner, 2 dc, ch 2, 2 dc* 3 times.

Rnd 3: (and all other rounds) start with 3 ch counting as first dc, dc in each dc and 2 dc 2 ch 2 dc in each corner.
For this particular project I did 20 rnds, and switched to white yarn for rnds 16-18 for a nice little border. Then back to the lavender/pink/white to finish up. Fasten off.

Flower:
Okay, I have to confess that I made the flower while I was watching 24-- so my mind may not remember all the steps perfectly. (So hard to focus when Jack is trying to save the world!) But this will get you in the general direction...
With 2 strands of yarn held tog, ch 2.
Rnd 1: Work 6 sc in 2nd ch from hook. Join with sl st to first sc.
Rnd 2: Ch 1, sc in each sc, fasten off.
For petals, switch to working with just one strand of yarn in a contrasting color.
To create petals, you will do the following in each sc of your newly created circle:
[(ch 2, 3dc, ch 2, sl st) in the same sc, sl st to the next sc]
Fasten off.To assemble, stuff ears, stitch closed. Carefully sew ears to head. Sew head to center of blanket. Try to really get it good and sturdy-- I used quite a bit of yarn and attached 2-3 rnds of the blanket to the head. Sew flower on blanket-- mine was on the white border just off center.

And there you have it!

Thanks to my former BYU roommate Elizabeth, who taught me the crocheting basics just over ten years ago. (Wow, I'm getting old...) If you don't crochet but would like to learn, there is a nice tutorial section on Lion Brand Yarn's website here. Lots of free patterns too. Fun times!

Just a Reminder...

Your future is as bright as your faith.

- Thomas S. Monson

We Thank Thee

Conference weekend is always so restorative. After having slugged it out in the trenches of life for six months, I am always grateful for the spiritual elixir that flows in abundance twice a year from the Conference Center pulpit. Afterward I am good to go for another six months... give or take. It helps sustain me through the difficult times and keeps me focused during the good times.

This year, I was pleasantly surprised to see Taylor catch on a little to some of the things that were said.

On Saturday morning, Elder Allan F. Packer gave a fantastic discourse. He recounted an experience he had during his high school football years, and how-- in the midst of the noise and chaos that takes place on the football field-- he heard his coach's voice through the tumult. By listening and following his coach's urgings, he was able to accomplish the play he was supposed to complete. He knew his coach's voice because he had been to practice and learned to trust him. Elder Packer then compared this to learning to recognize and trust in the promptings of the Holy Ghost. I personally loved this story, coming from a coaching background myself. I loved it even more when I heard Taylor speak up.

"Mom, he's talking about the Holy Ghost!"
"Yes, Taylor, he is."

"The Holy Ghost tells us things in our hearts!"

"That's right, Taylor, you are so smart! Thanks for listening to Conference with us. I am so proud of you!"

"Thanks, Mom," he grinned.

...Ah, be still my heart.

Then, after President Monson's address Sunday morning, the Tabernacle Choir performed an amazing rendition of "We Thank Thee O God for a Prophet." Wow. It stopped Taylor dead in his tracks. After the last note dissipated to silence, Taylor looked at us wide-eyed.

"That was a cool song," he exclaimed.

"It was a cool song," Grandma Brandy agreed.

I am so grateful for moments like these when the Spirit permeates our home in a truly tangible way. When powerful feelings overcome and touch the hearts of my children. Watching their testimonies take root buoys me up and strengthens me as well.

I am so grateful for living prophets, seers, and revelators on the Earth today.
I am so grateful for our Savior and His ever-present love for each of us.
I am so grateful for a loving Father in Heaven who knows & is mindful of all His children.


I am so grateful.

Conference Past

In the spirit of Conference Weekend, I thought I'd share some of my favorite thoughts from last Conference. Don't you just love President Uchtdorf? To read his address in its entirety, please click here.


...I’m sure it comes as no surprise, but the differences between men and women can often be quite striking—physically and mentally, as well as emotionally. One of the best ways I can think of to illustrate this is in the way my wife and I cook a meal.

When Harriet prepares a meal, it’s a masterpiece. Her cuisine is as wide-ranging as the world, and she frequently prepares dishes from countries we have visited. The presentation of the food is awe inspiring. In fact, it often looks so beautiful that it seems a crime to eat it. It’s as much a feast for the eyes as it is for the sense of taste.

But sure enough, no matter how perfect everything is, looks, and tastes, Harriet will apologize for something she thinks is imperfect. “I’m afraid I used a touch too much ginger,” she will say, or, “Next time, I think it would be better if I used a little more curry and one additional bay leaf.”

Let me contrast that with the way I cook. For the purpose of this talk, I asked Harriet to tell me what I cook best.

Her answer: fried eggs.

Sunny-side up.

But that isn’t all. I have a specialty dish called Knusperchen. The name may sound like a delicacy you might find at an exclusive restaurant. Let me share with you how to make it. You cut French bread into small slices and toast them twice.

That is the recipe!

So, between fried eggs, even when they are greasy, and Knusperchen, even when they are burned, when I cook, I feel pretty heroic.

Perhaps this contrast between my wife and me is a slight exaggeration, but it illustrates something that may extend beyond preparing meals.

To me it appears that our splendid sisters sometimes undervalue their abilities—they focus on what is lacking or imperfect rather than what has been accomplished and who they really are.

Perhaps you recognize this trait in someone you know really well.

The good news is that this also points to an admirable quality: the innate desire to please the Lord to the best of your ability. Unfortunately, it can also lead to frustration, exhaustion, and unhappiness...

We know that sometimes it can be difficult to keep our heads above water. In fact, in our world of change, challenges, and checklists, sometimes it can seem nearly impossible to avoid feeling overwhelmed by emotions of suffering and sorrow.

I am not suggesting that we can simply flip a switch and stop the negative feelings that distress us. This isn’t a pep talk or an attempt to encourage those sinking in quicksand to imagine instead they are relaxing on a beach. I recognize that in all of our lives there are real concerns. I know there are hearts here today that harbor deep sorrows. Others wrestle with fears that trouble the soul. For some, loneliness is their secret trial.

These things are not insignificant.

However... you [can] find a path to peace, hope, and joy—even during times of trial and distress...

My dear sisters, I have a simple faith. I believe that as you are faithful and diligent in keeping the commandments of God, as you draw closer to Him in faith, hope, and charity, things will work together for your good. I believe that as you immerse yourselves in the work of our Father—as you create beauty and as you are compassionate to others—God will encircle you in the arms of His love. Discouragement, inadequacy, and weariness will give way to a life of meaning, grace, and fulfillment.

As spirit daughters of our Heavenly Father, happiness is your heritage.

You are choice daughters of our Heavenly Father, and through the things you create and by your compassionate service, you are a great power for good. You will make the world a better place. Lift up your chin; walk tall. God loves you. We love and admire you.

Dieter F. Uchtdorf, "Happiness, Your Heritage." Oct. 08 General Relief Society Meeting

Twirly Patchwork Skirt

Well, I decided this month I was finally going to dust off the old sewing machine and learn how to use it. Sewing has been something I have always wanted to do well, but just have never taken the time to learn. Over the past couple of weeks I've taken some baby steps in the right direction... I think.

I should probably clarify things by saying that I do have a little bit of experience where sewing is concerned-- but 8th grade Home Ec was a l-o-n-g time ago, and aside from the crib bumpers I made (with a lot of help from my mom) when I was expecting Taylor, I haven't touched a sewing machine since.

For my first project, I really wanted to make something for Reilly. I also wanted a project that would allow me to get a lot of practice of basic sewing techniques, so they could gradually become second nature to me.
I found a fantastic tutorial here and decided to go for it.

Voilà!
Behold the twirly patchwork skirt!

I just did a simple fold-down casing for an elastic waist, and it turned out pretty good for my first attempt. As I gained more confidence, I decided to get a little crazy & added a little white petticoat underneath. I thought it just finished things off nicely.

Isn't it fun to learn new things?

Turns out, you can teach an old dog new tricks!

Tolstoy

"We think that when we are driven out
of the usual path,
everything is over for us;
but it is just here that the new and the good begins.
As long as there is life there is happiness.
There is much, much before us!"

- Pierre Bezukhof
Leo Tolstoy, War and Peace

Doughnut Beard

Milk mustaches are all fun and good.

But honestly,

they are nothing

compared to...


doughnut beard!!!