Random Thoughts From Home

So this is what I did on Halloween! I love days that are so productive. We bought the apples at Greenbluff quite a few weeks ago and they were starting to go soft. So I decided today was the day to get it all done. I tried a new pie filling recipe that I got off one of my food storage blogs and the apple sauce and pie were from my standard recipes. I made the pie because I had extra pie filling left over and didn't want it to go to waste. We still have carrots to can but that will have to be sometime next week. The only thing missing were little ones with spoons ready to eat the sauce piping hot right out of the grinder!

Dad bought insulation from Lowe's for the attic and he spent hours getting the 15 inch rolls through the 14 1/2 inch hole. But next week he'll start laying up in the attic and hopefully we will see a declne in heating bills!

We're going to enjoy chili and cornbread for dinner. Chili just sounded perfect for a busy fall day. It's an easy recipe that I got from Marsha. I just mixed 1 qt canned tomatoes, 3-4 cans of chili and one onion. Easy, peasy! I'm trying a new cornbread recipe because I can't find Grace Z. recipe. Don't tell Dad, he loves that recipe.

We also went to the temple today. We've been able to go almost weekly and I definitely feel a stronger spirit in our home and in our marraige. It's amazing what the temple can do for you!

Apple Pie Filling:

Mix 10 cups water, 4 1/2 cups sugar, 2 tsp nutmeg, 2 T cinnamon and 1 cup cornstarch together in a large pan. When mixed turn heat to med/high and bring to boil. boil just until it gets thick and then take off heat. Immediately add 2 T lemon juice and 1 t almond. Now peel, core, and slice apples into quart jars and fill with pie mixture to within 1 inch from top of jars. Water bath for 40 minutes. Easy!

Well, it's time for dinner so I'll say I love you and hope you all have a great holiday!

Love Mom

Random Thoughts from Home

It's been a busy couple of weeks! We got to visit Courtney and her

parents this past weekend. What joy! Maran and Devin have the cutest house and they've done a wonderful job of painting and fixing it up. It's very nice. And of course I got to spend time with Becky and her friend Ali. And then there's Courtney. She is delightful and delicious and delectable. Just like your favorite dessert you just want to eat her up. She has such a happy personality and she's at that stage where everything she does is absolutely adorable. Do you get the idea I love being a grandma? Well I do! This is the frosting on the cake, the whip cream on the strawberries and the sprinkles on that cupcake! I love these amazing gifts we call grandchildren. What a great idea grandchildren are. Wished I'd thought of it.

I've been going out to Valley General to visit my mom. She's been there almost 3 weeks now and she's ready to go home. I can't blame her. She's had her gall bladder out, a stint put in to prevent unwanted draining from that surgery and then emergency surgery when the staples on the stint popped out from swellling. That's all taken place during these 3 weeks. I don't think I fully comprehended how strong a woman she truly is until these last few weeks. Now I know where I get my strong will! We're hoping she goes home this coming Monday or Tuesday. Keep her in your prayers. Love you Mom!

Seminary is going great. We just had the lesson on 2nd Nephi 9 last Wednesday and let me say that this chapter is incredible. The Atonement is such a precious gift and all He asks of us is that we live a life of obedience to His commandments. And if we do we will live happier and more joyous lives. I think we are making out like gangbusters on this deal, don't you? The Book of Mormon is a blessing in our lives and I express heartfelt gratitude for it.

I wish I had a new recipe for you but I've been so busy that all I've cooked are all the old standbys. Sorry! I am also appreciative for a husband who doesn't moan when once again he comes home to toasted cheese sandwiches. What a lucky woman I am to have met and married him.

Congrats to Jordan for passing the exam to get into the Education program at Eastern. Whoohoo! And congrats to Becky for passing the GRE and becoming eligible for the masters program. Yay And we want to say to Devin and Jordan that while working full time and going to school is not easy it will become worth it once you have that degree! Keep up the good work.

I want to let each of you know how much Dad and I love you and that each morning and evening we pray for each and every one of you. I hope you feel that each day!

Love

Mom

Random Thoughts from Home

Yes our boy hurt himself pretty bad. He had 9 top stitches and 2 under the brow. He also had himself quite the goose egg and when he awoke Saturday morning his eye wouldn't open. Thank goodness for health clinics and good insurance. Thanks, Dad!

It's been quite the freaky week. Last Wednesday both Sr. Lederer and I came up missing major parts of our seminary lesson. On the same day? Coincidence? We don't know and our missing papers have yet to show up. I also had the unpleasant occasion of someone trying to get in the front door. I'm grateful for the habit of locking the door at all times. I hope each of you do too!

Then there was the call on Friday from Zach saying that he had been injured and might need stitches. I am most grateful that that week came to a close. And then there was GENERAL CONFERENCE! What a grand event and I want to share two thoughts that came into my mind as I sat listening. First, you can want, desire, and yearn to have those you love live the life YOU think they should live when what you should want, desire, and yearn for is that YOU will live the life you should. I just felt impressed to make those changes in my life that will make me a better daughter of God and draw me closer to my Savior and Heavenly Father. Second thing is that I felt a very strong impression to make our home more like the temple. I want to read and study more about temples so that I may make our home more like them. They are such places of peace and serenity and if you can make your home like that then it becomes the sanctuary it should be. I love conference and I love going to listen with questions and having the very first talk include answers! Isn't that incredible! What a wonderful church we belong to and what amazing leaders we have. How wonderful that we have a Father in Heaven who heard my prayers and answered my questions through apostles and prophets. Wow!

Well, it's late and Brady's home from work so we can have scripture and prayer and I can go to bed. Love you all !
Mom