Iced Pumpkin Cookies

I love autumn. Love the leaves, the rain, the cool air. I love crisp apples and cider, warm drinks, cinnamon, and pumpkin. Stole this recipe from allrecipes.com. Didn't change it one bit. We all like these, even Troy, my non-sweet-eater. They're fun and seasonal and yummy, a cake-like cookie, reminiscent of a muffin top.

Iced Pumpkin Cookies:

2 1/2 c flour
1 tsp baking powder
1 tsp baking soda
2 tsp cinnamon
1/2 tsp ground nutmeg
1/2 tsp ground cloves
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 c butter, softened
1 1/2 c white sugar
1 c canned pumpkin puree
1 egg
1 tsp vanilla extract

Glaze:
2 c powdered sugar
3 Tbsp milk
1 Tbsp melted butter
1 tsp vanilla extract

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. combine flour, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon, nutmeg, ground cloves and salt; set aside.
2. In medium bowl, cream together the butter and white sugar. Add pumpkin, egg, and 1 tsp vanilla to butter mixture; beat until creamy. Mix in dry ingredients. Drop on cookie sheet by tablespoonfuls. Flatten slightly, using sugared or wet glass bottom.
3. Bake for 15-20 minutes. Allow cookies to cool, loosen from pan, then drizzle glaze with a fork.
4. To make glaze: Combine all glaze ingredients and stir to uniformity. Add more milk as desired to achieve drizzling consistency.

One review I saw suggested using cream cheese icing--just a thought, if one is so inclined.

Completion

We all want perfection in our lives, to one degree or another. This is how we were made. This is why we strive. But, being mortal, we often try to achieve that perfection in the easiest way possible. A magic pill that will peel off the pounds. A new book to read that will transform our relationships. We tell ourselves that our lives will be perfect if only.... And then we will be happy. Because this is the ultimate goal of our perfection, isn't it? It is to be supernally happy, at peace, and comfortable in our own skins.
So I think of the ways I've thought would make me complete. Another medal in another race. A new home, a perpetually clean and orderly home, like my neighbor's house down the street. Losing 7.5 pounds. A new hair color. A different hairstyle. Clothes more like so-and-so's clothes. Living somewhere else. Etc, etc. All things about ME serving ME, me looking inward, me, me, me.
This morning as I stood washing dishes in my pajamas it occurred to me thus: We all of us are striving for completion, perfection, happiness. We many of us look for it in places where it is not to be found, not permanently. The new clothes get old, the new hair color grows out, the new car becomes less shiny. Even developing a talent won't complete a person. I too often forget that completion, wholeness, perfection come only through the Savior. And He doesn't care what I look like or how much money I make. He doesn't care if I'm thin or famous. He just asks for an honest heart, for humility, and He makes up the difference for all that I lack, if I let Him. And when I let Him, I no longer care about competing or keeping up appearances. I can stop worrying about all I haven't done or don't do that is important in the eyes of the world. I can look outward instead of inward. I can develop my gifts and use them to serve others and thereby glorify Him instead of using them to fill the endless hole in my ego. And what a better tool in His hands I can be than playing my old one-note instrument over and over.
Letting Him work in me requires faith. It requires letting go of my old security blanket. It means I stop comparing myself to everyone else, stop looking at magazine covers, stop worrying about my reflection in the mirror. It means asking Him each day to let me be of some service to Him in the world, and then listening for His answers. It means letting go of my old self and becoming new in Him. It means making mistakes, saying I'm sorry, and trying again tomorrow. I have a long row to hoe--I won't finish in this lifetime--but I will never, ever walk alone.

Boob Tube

I've been giving some thought to what I would do if I had only a few weeks left to live. It is too overwhelming, however, for me to contemplate what I would do; it's easier for me to determine what I would not do. What I would not do is watch any more television. I've noticed that the people we watch on t.v. never watch t.v. They are too busy living interesting lives and having fun and being funny. Would we enjoy watching people on t.v. if they were watching television? No! We want to watch them live interesting lives and have fun and be funny. We want to view their relationships and compare them to our own. But why don't we, instead of watching other people live, just live our own lives? Take the extra time to visit a friend or family member? Take the time to write a letter or to develop a talent? Go take a walk, ride a bike, enjoy the breeze on our skins.
Now in this light, I will admit to watching movies and television. I do it occasionally--more often than I'd like to. My family does it more than I'd like. But really, more often than not I leave a viewing session feeling less than uplifted. Sometimes I leave it feeling like I've eaten a bowl of ice cream with a cockroach planted in the middle of it.
Life is a wonderful gift; when it is too late is often when we realize that it is also all too fleeting.
So tonight, instead of watching television, I'm going to enjoy the peaches and cream of giving my baby a bath, kissing his soft skin, and inhaling the smell of his velvety brown head. I'm going to listen for the slap of his hands on the tile as he crawls across the kitchen floor. I'm going to make a beautiful salad for my husband, with green lettuce and lovely red tomatoes, meats, and cheeses. I'm going to play games with my older children, listen to them, and look into their eyes and let them know I love them.
Looking at the stars, observing the sky, smelling the rain, living each moment. I think if I do these things I don't have to worry whether or not I have two weeks or twenty years left to live, because I'm living genuinely, living my own life. Striving to live each day the way I would live it if it was my last. And there's no cockroach in that ice cream.

More Comfort Food--Homemade Mac and Cheese

1 1/2 c uncooked elbow macaroni
4 Tbsp butter
3 Tbsp flour
1 1/2 c milk
1 c (4 oz)shredded cheddar
2 oz processed American cheese (abt 3 slices)
1/2 tsp salt
1/4 tsp pepper

Cook macaroni according to package directions; drain and set aside. In a medium-large saucepan, melt butter over medium heat. Stir in flour until smooth. Gradually add milk; bring to a boil. Cook and stir until mixture is smooth and thick. Reduce heat, then stir in cheeses, salt and pepper. Continue mixing until cheese is melted.
Pour over cooked macaroni and combine. Serve immediately.

Happy Father's Day--Here's to Dads!

So, about 12 years ago a social scientist named Gladstone did a study on elephants. Apparently, a pack of teenage male elephants and a female elephant were moved to an isolated park in Africa. Videos were taken which showed packs of these teenage male elephants chasing down rhinos, teasing them, pushing them down, and goring them with their tusks. A bull elephant was brought into the area by the game wardens, and the rhino killings ceased. According to Gladstone’s interpretation, "When fathers are absent, adolescent males become agitated, seem lost and out of control". He and other experts agreed that "studies done with elephants show that boys need strong, mature male influences, they need to know who is in charge, what the rules are, and who holds them accountable." (See "The Kovacs Perspective" on Searchwarp.com)
Dads' roles can never be filled by anyone else, no matter how well-meaning those others may be. Even the best mother can't replace the father of her children. A loving father makes a child's home feel safe in a way that nothing else can. His role is to "preside over, provide for,and protect his family" (Proclamation on the Family, 1995). Even a child who has mere memories of his/her father is often motivated, uplifted, encouraged by these memories.
I'm offended by television shows and advertisements, jokes and parodies, eye-rolling comments by women which belittle husbands and fathers. You can bet if the tables were turned, and women were degraded in this blatant manner, heads would roll and litigation attorneys' phones would be ringing off the hook.
Okay, so maybe I'm exaggerating, maybe not. But I love dads. Even imperfect dads, which all of them are but One. But I love dads who try. They show up, they participate, they lead their families, love their wives, guide their children. I love my dad, who went to work every day to support my mother and seven children, who made sure my mother could stay home with us. I love my brothers and brothers-in-law who are dads as I watch them be involved, hands-on Fathers.
I love my husband, who supports me emotionally, physically, financially, spiritually. He adores our kids and he shows them who is in charge, what the rules are, and how to be accountable. He works hard and supports our decision for me to be home with our children. He makes our home feel secure. He is a stalwart and a loyal friend.
Dads are a beautiful blessing; can you imagine life without them? I don't want to. So Here's to Dads everywhere--keep up the good work! You are often behind the scenes, but we need you, we love you--You Rock.

Richesons' Salmon BBQ Sauce

Warmer weather means grilled salmon if you live in the great PNW. Got this recipe from my parents; they got it from some family friends in Burlington, WA. Now we rarely eat salmon prepared any other way. One batch should be enough sauce for a 10-15 lb salmon.

1/2 c butter
2 cloves crushed garlic
1 Tbsp Worcestershire
3 Tbsp soy sauce
2 Tbsp ketchup
1 Tbsp dry mustard

Boil all ingredients together in small saucepan. Pour over salmon on the grill as it is cooking.

Lemon Tart Squares

One of Troy's and Mom's favorites.

Crust:

1 c softened butter
1/4 c powdered sugar
1/4 tsp salt
2 c flour

Blend together thoroughly; texture should be crumbly. Press into 9 x 13 x 2 cake pan (spray with Pam first).
Bake at 350 for 15 min, cool slightly.

Filling:

4 eggs, beaten
3 oz lemon juice
2 c granulated sugar
1/4 c flour
1 tsp vanilla

Combine flour and sugar. Mix eggs and lemon juice into flour and sugar mixture. Blend thoroughly. Pour into baked crust.
Bake @ 350 for 25 min. Sprinkle with powdered sugar. Allow to cool before cutting.

Mom's Sweet Recipes

Congo Squares

3/4 c butter
1 lb brown sugar

Melt together until sugar dissolves. Allow to cool and add:

3 eggs, one at a time
1 tsp. vanilla
In a separate bowl, sift together:
2 1/2 c flour
2 1/2 tsp baking soda
1 tsp salt

Add butter/sugar mixture to flour mixture. When batter is completely cool, add:

1 12oz. bag chocolate chips
chopped walnuts, if desired.

Pour into greased and floured 9 x 13 x 2 pan. Bake at 350 for 30-35 min, until golden.

Mom's Peach Pie

Crust:
1 cube butter
2 Tbsp granulated sugar
1 c flour
pinch salt

Combine dry ingredients, then cut butter in. Press into pie tin and flute edges. Bake at 350 for 15-20 min.

Filling:
1/2 c cold pineapple juice
1/4 c corn starch
pinch salt
3/4 c sugar
1 sm pkg Peach Jell-O
2 Tbsp lemon juice
4 large peaches

Add 2/3 c boiling water and cook until thick; add Jell-O and boil 1 min. Remove from heat and add lemon juice. Let set up partially in bowl, then cut peaches into mixture and pour into crust. Keep refrigerated.

Sour Cream Chocolate Cake

2 c flour
2 c sugar
1 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp salt
1 c water
1 c butter
1/4 c baking cocoa
1/2 c sour cream
2 eggs
1 c chocolate chips

Combine flour, sugar, soda and salt; set aside. In a medium saucepan, over medium heat, melt together butter, cocoa and water; bring to a low boil. Pour into flour mixture and stir to combine. Beat in sour cream and eggs. When mixture has cooled sufficiently, stir in chocolate chips. Pour into greased 9 x 13 x 2 pan and bake at 350 for 35-38 min. Cool for 5 min.

Frosting:

1/4 c butter
3 Tbsp milk
2 Tbsp baking cocoa
2 c powdered sugar
1 tsp vanilla

While cake is cooling, combine butter, milk and cocoa in saucepan; bring to a boil. Remove from heat, stir in vanilla and powdered sugar, mixing until smooth. Pour over warm cake.

Hard Things are Good Things, too

So, a few weeks ago in RS we had a lesson on gratitude. Our teacher took it a step further, asking us to find good in our trials, even gratitude for our afflictions. Upon considering my teacher's remarks, I can honestly say, looking back, that I am extremely grateful for some of the ugliest trials I have suffered through, because they have strengthened me, changed me, and helped me to know how to empathize with others who have suffered or do suffer as well. Even the trials I have brought upon myself by my own poor choices, although it would have been better to avoid them altogether, have given me a greater appreciation for the infinite blessings of the Savior's Atonement. I'm working also to look for good in trials as I am suffering them, which seems to be the most difficult for me to do.
Here is a quote from Elder Richard G. Scott's talk "The Atonement Can Secure Your Peace and Happiness":
"The Lord is intent on your personal growth and development. Your progress is accelerated when you willingly allow Him to lead you through every growth experience you encounter, whether you welcome the experience or not. Trust in the Lord. Ask to be led by the Spirit to know His will. Be willing to accept it. You will then qualify for the greatest happiness and the heights of attainment from this mortal experience."
The most important thing I've learned about the relationship between gratitude and affliction is that the more grateful I am, the less afflicted I feel, and the more afflicted I think I am, the less grateful I am able to be. The Savior is the source of all light and joy and peace; I know I am eternally indebted to Him for every breath I take, every smile I enjoy from my baby, every warm touch I am blessed to give or to receive. It is up to me to receive that Light.

Sopa Azteca

2-3 chicken breast halves
1/2 Tbsp. crushed garlic
1/2 med. onion, diced
1-29 oz. can diced tomatoes
2 c. chicken broth (use water from boiling chicken + 2 tsp. chicken bouillon powder)
1/4 tsp. salt
1/2 tsp. pepper
3/4 Tbsp. dried oregano
3/4 tsp. dried basil
1 tsp. chili powder
1/2 tsp. cumin
3 carrots, peeled and sliced
2-3 celery ribs, sliced
1-4 oz. can diced chiles
1-2 halved and sliced zucchini
1-2 halved and sliced summer squash

Directions:
Boil chicken and shred. Set aside. Saute garlic and onion together. Add tomatoes, chicken broth, and spices. Bring to a boil. Add chicken, carrots, celery and chiles; let simmer until vegetables are tender. Add zucchini and summer squash and simmer until tender. Add more chicken broth if soup is too thick.
May serve over fried corn tortilla strips or crushed Fritos. Top with shredded Cheddar cheese, sour cream, cilantro--whatever sounds good to you. This is a great soup to use up summer vegetables.

Zion National Park, April 2011

A friend of mine asked me today if Kenji ever stops moving. I told her that Taylor said once that we'd know if Kenji was dead, because he would stop moving. He even moves in his sleep. He is a mover and shaker, that one. But how can I complain? I've seen a few children with feeding tubes over the last month or so, lying listless and quiet; my heart breaks for their parents. So, even if my baby climbs me like I'm a mountain or bounces incessantly, I'll take it.
Tonight I read the talk by Elder Scott (one of Kenji Scott's namesakes) from this last General Conference (April 2011). It was called "The Eternal Blessings of Marriage". He related several touching experiences about his wife and his family, but one in particular stands out to me.
He said, "One night our little son Richard, who had a heart problem, awoke crying. The two of us heard it. Normally my wife always got up to take care of a crying baby, but this time I said, “I’ll take care of him.”
"Because of his problem, when he began to cry, his little heart would pound very rapidly. He would throw up and soil the bed clothing. That night I held him very close to try to calm his racing heart and stop his crying as I changed his clothes and put on new bedsheets. I held him until he went to sleep. I didn’t know then that just a few months later he would pass away. I will always remember holding him in my arms in the middle of that night."
I can't imagine the hole that losing a child must leave, or having no control but to watch or to struggle to comfort an ailing child, but I am grateful for Elder Scott's example of faith in the Plan of Salvation and the peace he exudes.
I am so utterly grateful for the health and growth of my children.
Three of Kenji's top front teeth broke through this weekend, with the fourth close behind. He will have sprouted six teeth in a matter of days! It is a relief to him and to me that they have finally cut through; he was miserable for a week or so there.
Taylor is maturing so well. It will only be a matter of weeks before he is taller than I am. He has a good handle on things--turning 12 and entering sixth grade has brought him many extra responsibilities, but he is adapting well. He often cares for Kenji when I need help--without being asked. He even got him to sleep this afternoon when Troy and I couldn't get him to calm down.
Gabrielle is also growing up to be such a young lady. She has a great blend of beauty and kindness. She is a great student and diligent with her work at school and at home. She is now working on a project of Japan for her school's fourth grade "Around the World" presentations. She has also created a fictional land with its own language, clothing, geography, plants, and natural resources as a project for her GATE class. It is pretty impressive. She even made up an alphabet and numbering system for her country.
Troy is still team roping. He won a little bit of money Thursday night at the Las Vegas "Helldorado Days" roping with Dell. He works hard at everything he does. He is my best friend and I am grateful for him. He is loyal to me and he loves our children deeply.
I'm mostly grateful for the way the Lord has guided and continues to guide my life. I'm glad He protects me from myself (making stupid choices) and I'm glad He doesn't give me my way when I don't need what I think I need. He has helped me to change, to be more positive and happy; I hope I can continue to have the courage to allow Him to keep working with me. I have a long way to go, I know, but it doesn't worry me anymore. I am just grateful for each new day because I get to start again.
Took the kids to Salt Lake to see Mom and Dad off on their mission and to visit with Cindy and family. Had a great weekend there. On the way home we stayed over in Cedar City and then headed up to Zion National Park for part of a day. So this is the picture I'm posting today: the kids at Zion.

Comfort Food

Troy and Taylor love this. I enjoy it as well. I think I could make it every week and they would be happy. Not low fat, but many of my recipes aren't. Just serve it with a green salad and fill up on that first. :-)

Chicken Pot Pie

4 chicken breast halves, boiled and diced
2 potatoes, peeled,diced, and cooked (leftover baked potatoes work great)
2 c. frozen vegetables--peas and carrots, corn, or a combination of all
3 ribs celery, chopped
1 sm. or 1/2 lg. onion,chopped
1/2 c. butter
1/2 c. flour
2 c. chicken broth (use 2 c. water from boiling chicken and 2 tsp. chicken bouillon)
1 c. milk (I use skim and it works great)
1 tsp. garlic salt
1/4 tsp. black pepper

In a 9" x 13" pan, combine chicken, potatoes, and vegetables. Set aside.
Melt butter in large saucepan. Add celery and onion, cook over medium heat until soft. Add flour, salt and pepper; blend well. Stir in chicken broth and milk. Whisk constantly over medium heat until sauce thickens, abt. 2-3 minutes.
Pour sauce evenly over chicken and vegetables. Run a rubber scraper around the edges of the pan to allow sauce to run down between the chicken mixture and the sides of the pan. Cover with crust.

Pie Crust (for double 9" pie or for 9" x 13" pan)

2 c. all-purpose flour
1 tsp. salt
3/4 c. shortening (chilled and cubed)
4-8 Tbsp. ice cold water or seltzer water

Blend flour and salt in mixing bowl. Cut shortening into flour mixture using pastry blender until mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Sprinkle 4 Tbsp. water or seltzer over crumbs and continue to blend. Add more water as needed, until dough holds together but is not sticky. Form dough into a ball. Cut two 15" long pieces of wax or parchment paper. Lay dough on one piece, flatten with hands, then lay second piece on top. Roll into a rectangle, approx. 10" x 14" or so and abt. 1/8" thick. Remove top layer of wax paper, carefully invert dough, and lay over the top of the pie filling. Peel bottom layer of wax paper off and discard. Flute edges of crust or tuck down the sides of the pan. Cut long slits in the top for air to escape.
Brush top of crust w/ milk, if desired. This will help the crust to brown.

Bake pie at 400 degrees for 40 minutes. Serves 6-8.

Spring Training

Had a great weekend! Troy got some tickets for a Diamondbacks Spring Training ball game for us on Saturday--Kenji's first baseball game. The weather was perfect, we had a nice room in Phoenix, travel was easy (of course, that's me talking--Troy did all the driving... ;-)) But I thoroughly enjoyed Troy and the kids and just getting away for a day or two. Best of all, baby Stitch slept for almost 8 hours in his car seat in the hotel room!!! It was the first time I've slept that many hours in a row since I can remember! So nice. I am grateful that life is good, but I am learning to be grateful for for my challenges as well, because that is how strength and character are developed. I am learning to have hope because of the atonement; if not for that it would be so easy to give up, particularly when my own progress seems so slow, or even non-existent. Again, I am grateful for second chances, grateful for the times the Lord cares enough to show me my weaknesses and to chasten me. I'm so grateful to be a wife and mother. I feel more complete now than I ever have, even though I know I have much more to do; I am where I am supposed to be. I'm so grateful for our children, and especially for Stitcher, right now, because he has been the one missing for so long. It feels so right to finally have him here with us!

Okay, not sure if I've shared this recipe with anyone before, but I like this one quite a bit, plus it is quick and easy. So here goes:

Mexican Lasagna
16 oz. sour cream
2/3 cans cream of chicken soup
2-12.5 oz. cans chicken breast
2-4 oz. cans diced green chiles
1 sm. pkg. corn tortillas
1-1 1/2 c. shredded cheddar or co-jack cheese

Mix together sour cream, chicken soup, chicken breast, and chiles. Spread a thin layer of sauce on bottom of 9 x 9 or 11 x 7 pan. Cut tortillas into quarters and layer over sauce. Alternate layers of sauce and tortillas until all are used up. Sprinkle cheese over top. Bake at 350 for about 40 minutes.

Creamy Chicken Italiano (for the crockpot)

4 boneless, skinless chicken breast halves
1 envelope dry Italian salad dressing mix
1/4 c. water
8 oz. pkg. cream cheese (can be low-fat Neufchatel)
1 10 3/4 oz. cream of chicken soup

Place chicken in crockpot. Combine salad dressing mix and water. Pour over chicken. Cover. Cook on low for 3 hours (add 1 hour for frozen chicken). Combine cream cheese and soup until well blended. Pour over chicken. Cover and cook on low for 1 hour more or until chicken juices run clear. Serve over rice.

Easy and tasty, hope you like it. Got it from a good friend here in Logandale--Dottie Adams.

Life is good here: Taylor and Gabrielle had their last basketball games on Tuesday. They both had a good season. It was great fun to watch Taylor play when he really decided to show up for the games. Poor kid is too much like his mother; he has to turn off his brain and let instinct take over in order to perform. He does a better job of it than I do, however. Both kids are defensive menaces, but not foulers, in general (right, Taylor? :-))
We live in a windy, dusty, barren, hot-in-the-summer-and-cold-in-the-winter place, where I don't think anyone would choose to live based on anything like an educated decision. Most of us who live here do it because of the feelings we have about the place and about living here. Such a community, so many wonderful friends and neighbors, so much support. I'm finally to the place that if and when we move on, it will be with fond regret. (But I won't miss the wind. Or summer.) ;-P

Today's Recipe

Got this recipe from my sweet mother while visiting her over the Christmas break. It was a sweet, calm, relaxing visit, and I enjoyed my parents thoroughly. I feasted on this bread every morning, since Mom had made plenty. I copied it down to enjoy at home, as well as to keep the memories of my visit in my mind. Of course, since it was me making the recipe, I changed it--as always--but I like it. See what you think!

Round Whole Wheat Loaves

3 c. all-purpose flour
3 c. whole wheat flour
2 pkgs. (or 4 1/2 tsp.) active dry yeast
3/4 c. warm water
1 c. warm milk
3/4 c. shortening
1/2 c. honey
2 tsp. salt
3 eggs
melted butter

1. In a large bowl, combine the flours; set aside. Ina large bowl, dissolve yeast in warm water. Add the milk, shortening, honey, salt and eggs. Beat in half of the flour mixture until smooth. Stir in enough remaining flour mixture to form a soft dough.
2. Turn onto a floured surface; knead until smooth and elastic, about 6-8 minutes. place in a greased bowl, turning once to coat. Cover and let rise in a warm place until doubled, about 1 hour.
3. Punch dough down. Turn onto a lightly floured surface; divide dough in half. Shape into round loaves. Place each loaf on a greased baking sheet. Cover and let rise until doubled, about 35 min.
4. With a sharp knife, make a deep "x" in top of each loaf. Bake @ 375 for 30-35 min. or until golden brown. Remove from pans to wire racks; brush w/ melted butter.

My variation: After punching dough down, separate into three equal parts, covering two while working with one. Roll each section into a flat circle and cut into 8 equally-sized wedges. Roll each into a crescent and put onto greased cookie sheet, pointed side down. Cover crescents and let raise 15-20 min. Bake at 375 for 15-20 minutes or until golden. Brush with melted butter.

Today we had a fifth-Sunday combined meeting wherein we discussed the relevance of the Personal Progress and Scouting programs for the youth, as well as some of the issues they face which may keep them from achieving their potentials. I was once again reminded what a blessing it is to have the Gospel, to have others who are working with me to guide my children and help them to be spiritually and physically safe. I know that my responsibility to teach and guide them at home is paramount, and must not be left to others, but I am grateful for those who serve in their callings willingly, and who may influence my children in ways that I might not. My greatest desire is that my children will grow up in peace because they have followed the voice of the Spirit throughout their lives. I know that they must develop mastery of self in order to achieve this end--if one has no self-mastery, his agency is lost. The only thing we truly have to give to our Father is our will, and if we don't develop self-mastery, we are not capable of giving that gift to Him, and we cannot progress. My goal is to find an take more opportunities to teach my children gospel principles in every day life.

Peanut Butter-Banana-Chocolate Chip Loaf

2 1/2 c. flour (I use 1/2 white, 1/2 whole wheat)
1/2 c. sugar
1/2 c. packed brown sugar
1 Tbsp. baking powder
3/4 tsp. salt
1/4 tsp. cinnamon
2 overripe bananas, mashed
1 c. milk
3/4 c. peanut butter (I like to use super-chunky)
3 Tbsp. oil
1 tsp. vanilla
1 egg
1 c. milk chocolate chips

Mix together flour, sugars, baking powder, salt, cinnamon and chocolate chips. In another bowl, combine bananas, milk, peanut butter, oil, egg, and vanilla. Add wet mixture to dry mixture, stirring until just combined. Pour batter into 2 greased and floured loaf pans. Bake at 350 degrees for 50-55 minutes. Can also make into muffins; bake at same temperature for 20-25 min. in greased or paper-lined muffin cups.

Yesterday while I was out walking with Kenji, I saw a perfect formation of geese flying overhead, reminding me again of the beauty of God's plan for us. When we are obedient to Him, staying within the parameters He has set, it is a thing of order and beauty. I love how everything true fits together. Learning new things is so exciting to me for that reason. I am jazzed to start a new online course. At the start of this week I was very out of sorts and stormy inside. It was like when I tell Gabrielle she looks "cloudy". I kept going over and over again about my college classes: whether or not it is worth it to continue in my emphasis, what other avenues there might be for me, etc. I allowed myself to get distracted again, looking at other majors at UNLV, NSC, WGU, etc. I even looked again at other emphases in the BYU program. Eventually, though, I realized that I'm just taking the bait and wasting time. I DO have time to work on my degree, and I'm not getting any younger. I may not get it done in 2 years, but I can get it done eventually. I mean, how cherry is it that I can do it all from home, and at so reasonable a cost? I'm just taking it for granted that the opportunity is there.
I ended up comparing it to my marathon training, for time and commitment. I wanted to qualify for and run Boston, so I made a plan, drew up a schedule, and stuck to it. It took me 2-plus years as well, and countless hours of running, so I can do this, too. I'm excited. I'm sorry i allow myself to get sidetracked, but grateful that the Lord is always waiting patiently to give me the answers I need when I am finally ready to receive them. One of my many goals is to listen for the voice of the Spirit more closely and heed its promptings more readily.
I'm grateful that my parents got their mission call yesterday, to the England Birmingham Mission!!! How great is that? Perfect for them, I think. My mom will come home with her accent doubly polished. The neatest thing, I think, is that they got their call on their wedding anniversary. What greater affirmation of the commitment they have had to each other for the past 42 years, all because they followed the promptings of the Spirit to be together; how many times they've followed the Savior and stayed together.
My recipe post today is for my dad, who passed his love of the combination of nuts and chocolate on to me (anyone notice how many of my recipes include chocolate?!? Yikes.)