A FUNNY FOR SUNDAY

A FUNNY FOR FRIDAY

A FUNNY FOR WEDNESDAY

MY LITTLE MEN

Tonight, I was blessed to have my little men over. Mama and Daddy went out for Daddy’s birthday.

We ate; of course you ALWAYS have to eat when you come to Gramma’s house! Sometimes, I still can’t believe that I’m a gramma, and it has been close to five years now.

After we ate, we played. I don’t like to let them watch a lot of movies, so we sat on the floor and played blocks and read stories from the Friend (a religious magazine for little people). We brushed teeth, ran to and from the bathroom with potty-training Adrien, about six times, and sang Primary (church) songs. We were just together--the simple, old-fashioned togetherness.

Papa with eight-month-old Christian and 4-1/2 year-old Julian...



Feigning sleep...



My little dimpled two-year-old, Adrien...



Finally, I had some little wash cloths that came compressed into a small package. You put them in warm water, and they slowly expand, opening up to reveal a picture. I had these from last Christmas that I didn’t end up using, and they had the baby Jesus, Joseph, and Mary. What a fun thing this was to do.







Patiently...



Patiently...



Waiting...



Baby Christian watching...



I didn’t end up getting pictures of the end products, but they were pretty little bath cloths. The boys then washed up with the warm cloths and took them with them to use at home.

What a blessing it is to have these little men! What a perfect end to my day! I love my little people so very much. I feel their little spirits and their teachable little hearts. No wonder the Bible says that we are to be as little children. What a blessing from our Father in Heaven they are.

A FUNNY FOR TUESDAY

PHOTO GAME TAG

I was tagged by visiting Jan at Rose Haven for this photo game.

RULES: Here are the rules to this fun game:

1. Go to the the 4th folder where you keep your pictures on your computer.

2. Post the 4th picture in the folder.

3. Explain the photo.

4. Tag 4 fellow bloggers to join in the fun!

I am tagging the first four visitors to this blog. Have fun! :)

This is a picture of the first State Games that my son (left) was in. He hadn’t been doing martial arts for very long, yet won both a silver and a gold medal, including two matches where he bested those with higher ranks. Needless to say, I was proud of the boy. :) The young man standing next to him is a friend, and the man in the background is fellow martial artist and brother of El’s long-time friend.

A DAY AT HOME

I wasn’t feeling at all well this morning and so didn’t go into work—bad on the paycheck—good to stay in bed for the morning time.

I got to feeling better and was able to cook a nice and hot yet simple meal for my family. The attitudes of everyone are so much different when they can come home to the smell of dinner cooking. My son walked in from work, sniffed the air, and said, “Mmmmm…MMMMMMM!” Then when he found out that it was one of his favorite homemade soups, he was extra pleased!

While I was in the kitchen, our sink piping sprung a leak, so I called my husband to let him know in case he needed to pick up a part on his way home. I think that the smell of dinner maybe even helped his mood as he walked in, knowing that he had work ahead of him. (I am most likely just humoring myself, but nonetheless…:)

The mommy in us never leaves, you know. The female spirit indeed has wonderful innate qualities to nurture, to love, to soothe. I yearn for days gone by when I was “just” a homemaker and a housewife. Well, today, I got to play that role again. Along with cooking, a load of laundry was washed and hung. I love to hang anything possible. It not only saves on electricity, but it is more pleasing to the soul and reminds me of days when I smelled Gramma’s fresh sheets hanging on the line. I don’t have a clothesline, so the basement rod has to do. :) I also got some crafting done, my bedroom tidied up, and a dessert made—something that is never accomplished at my house. In fact, more than one person said, “What’s with all the baking?” “Well………I pondered to myself…………if I were financially able to stay home, this would be the norm, sillies…………as in days gone by…”

When dh got home, we ran out to get a part, and I grabbed my knitting bag along the way. We had a cozy drive to Lowe’s (yes, you CAN have a cozy drive to a hardware store), and I sat in the car and crocheted on Elliott’s quilt while Steve ran in to get the pipe. Those little times together are cherished so very much. Holding hands, getting a hug, seeing a family who is happy that Mom is home, that hot food is waiting for them…these are the true treasures in life.

How I yearn to be able to stay home and perform the chores of homemaking rather than working for a wage. Will it happen while I am still able to enjoy my health and my strengths and abilities to do such? Only my Heavenly Father knows, but I certainly revel in these days, when I am able to “just” be a homemaker and a housewife. :)


PUMPKIN BROWNIES



INGREDIENTS

4 eggs
1 c. oil (I use Olive Oil)
2 c. sugar
1 tsp. vanilla
2 c. pumpkin
2 c. flour
1 tsp. soda
2 tsp. cinnamon
chocolate chips as desired

Mix by creaming eggs and sugar and then adding rest of ingredients.

I mix all of my ingedients in a large measuring/pouring cup. I like to add chocolate chips at this point for an extra treat!





Pour into pan.



I forgot my chocolate chips so added them to the top of the batter.



Bake at 350 for 20 to 30 minutes.

NOTE: I generally use two small cookie sheets. If you have to use an 8 x 8, which I did tonight, bake longer and watch so the top doesn’t get over done before the inside is cooked. You may have to turn the oven down to 325. Brownies are done when toothpick inserted near center comes out nearly clean.

FROSTING

3 oz. cream cheese
½ c. butter (recipe calls for margarine, but butter is healthier, so I use it)
1 tsp. vanilla or to taste
Powdered sugar to taste

Mix all ingredients and beat. Frost brownies when cool adding additional chocolate chips if desired.




I don't know the original author of this recipe, but it is one from a cookbook that I have had for well over 20 years. It was put together by our Fourth Ward Relief Society and entitled Seasoned with Love. For those of you who are not members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, the Relief Society is a women’s organization dedicated to the welfare of all women everywhere.