The Bear Paw quilt.

Early this morning my computer said it was 7 degrees here.  I figured it was the perfect, yes, the absolutely perfect day, to stay in my flannel p.js, warm robe and finish this quilt.  Another finished U.F.O. and another pat on the back.
This is a tied quilt with a little thicker batting and soft flannel on the back.  I know it will  bring warmth and comfort to someone special.

Sunday Reflections.

The last two Sundays as I have looked back over the week, I count many people who bring special kindnesses and blessings into my life. There has been a gift of a fresh bottle of grape juice.  A warm  loaf of freshly baked bread.  There have been phone calls and visits from friends and invitations to go on special outings.  Early this morning my Home Teacher shoveled  the snow from my back porch and steps and swept the car off.  After Church I was surprised when my sweet Bishop's family delivered a delicious meal consisting of a plate with ham and potato casserole, another with jello salad and another with a fresh green salad.

This Thanksgiving was another memorable one with the family.  Liz and Christi put on an exceptionally good meal, after which  we shook off a few pounds and had some good laughs as we competed in the video game  "Just Dance".  Next we watched a T.V. show about the Utah men in World War 11.  Then off we went to the movie and enjoyed the Disney show "Tangled".  The family voted it was one of Disney's best.  Grandpa stayed home, he doesn't like movies.  When we arrived home he was watching  football with the sound off.  He thinks the announcers make dumb comments and he gets so annoyed.
Friday, grandpa and I went with Mike's family and Christi's mom and dad  on their annual family outing to get their Christmas trees. It was a beautiful day with  blue sky and glistening white snow.  We stayed near the truck while Mike and Mason climbed up the mountain to find the perfect tree.  Mason tasted the new fresh snow as he did a face plant as he came down the mountain too fast.  The trip wouldn't have been complete without getting stuck in the snow, so at one point every one's Heave Ho was needed at the back of the truck.  We had a great time.
Next on the day's agenda was a  fun "Craft fair" with Liz's family and then to see the beautifully decorated Christmas trees that would be auctioned off on Monday for different charities.  While waiting for Rylee to perform we watched a huge room full of families having fun on big rubber blow-up games. Vernal is a very family orientated town.  After Rylee and some of the cheerleaders did their routine, because I had a slight ear ache, I went home with M & C where Grandpa adjusted  my neck, and with ear drops, a warm rice pack and wrapped up in warm blankets, after a couple of hours I felt better.   Craig, Liz and family plus Ry and Mason braved the cold at the Light Parade, entertainment and festivities.
A special thanks to our Vernal family for going out of their way for us.
It was a great Thanksgiving!  A good time was had by all!

Another Project.

All quilted and ready to bind.

In a few days I'll have earned another pat on the back.

I love this quilt.

It has a sweet, soft, old fashion feeling.

Baby, Its Cold Outside!!!

The forecast this week is for two days to be in the

 single digits.

Brrrrrrr, I pulled out my Long Johns today.

Yes, they do have the button up barn door in the back.

Super Saturday Activity.

We have a special and talented group of women
that made it a fun "Super Saturday" yesterday.

There were seven different items to choose from
with some of the sisters choosing more than one.

I made this Christmas decoration.

A black metal piece is attached to a picture frame
 with a metal star on top.  The letters are black vinyl.
It is interesting how the baby is
much lighter in the picture.
(It's a little eerie.)
We enjoyed a "souper" delicious lunch
consisting of 5 soups to try,
plus different breads, veggies and yummy cookies.
Everyone had such a good time they are thinking
about having  this type of activity more often.

Using Food Storage.

Save money, eat healthy with food storage.

Many in the family have these huge bottles filled with cracked wheat for mush.

(Thank you, grandpa.)

Another good way to use the cracked wheat is-

Blender Wheat Pancakes

1 cup milk or (1/3 cup non fat dry milk and 1 cup water).

1 cup uncooked whole wheat or cracked wheat
2 Tablespoons oil
2 Tablespoons honey or sugar 

2 eggs                                         
2 teaspoons baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt

Put milk and wheat in blender.  Blend on highest speed for four minutes or less for cracked wheat.  Blend till batter is smooth.  Add oil, sweetener, eggs, baking powder and salt.  Bake on hot, greased griddle.

This makes 6 to 8 pancakes.  The leftovers are put in baggies in the fridge or freezer.   Later all I have to do is pop them in the toaster and walla, they are ready to eat with an added topping.

These are filling, rib stickin, hearty, healthy, nutritious and good for you pancakes.

A goal of mine is to learn to use my food storage. 

Dave's a WINNER!

SURPRISE!!!
I said to myself a while back, (yes I did) that whoever commented on my blog would get to pick out of the quilts I'm completing.  Dave is the "grand poo bah" winner.  Liz also commented.  No quilts for her, she makes her own, but I'll have something else for her. 
Loves ya both a whole bunch.

Thankful For -

Potatoes I bottled today.

.

It is so fast and handy to have potatoes already cooked to add to soups, to fry and top with cheese, to heat, mash and serve with gravy, and to use in casseroles.
It's a good feeling to have these
all ready to use on the shelf.

Book of Mormon Messages.

President Matthews taught us that two (there are many) of the
messages to look for in the Book of Mormon are,

 Why Were They Destroyed?

 and

 How to get rescued.

Yesterday, while reading Helaman 4:12-13

there was an interesting list and lessons to be learned.

.

The Lamanites had defeated the wicked Nephites.

Prophets preached to the Nephites and prophesied concerning their iniquities,

 and what would come of them if they did not repent of their sins. 

The list included:

• Pride of their hearts.
• Exceeding riches.
• Oppression to the poor.
• Withholding their food from the hungry.
• Withholding their clothing from the naked.
• Smiting their humble brethren upon the cheek.
• Making a mock of that which was sacred.
• Denying the spirit of prophecy and of revelation.
• Murdering.
• Plundering.
• Lying.
• Stealing.
• Committing adultery.
• Rising up in great contentions.

13.  And because of this their great wickedness, and their boastings in their own strength, they were left in their own strength;  therefore they did not prosper, but were afflicted and smitten, and driven before the Lamanites, until they had lost possession of almost all their lands.

.

(When they were righteous, humble, thankful and would acknowledge God's help and strength, they were blessed, but when they boasted and forgot where their blessings came from they were left to themselves.)
. 

 It is important that we understand how to receive the strength and guidance that is needed in our lives for ourselves and for our families.
"If ye love me, keep my commandments."     John 14:15

.

        ~~Blessings~~





Thankful For Kurt.

Fall Jobs that Needed to be Done!
Grandpa had his chainsaw sharpened and filled it
full of gas, but couldn't keep it going to get the big
 pile of branches cut into smaller sizes to fit in the truck.
Along came our hero and had that saw purring continuously,
and the job was fininshed in no time.

Cleaning out the water heater of the hard water build up
was next.  With Kurt's help it went much faster than years
before when we have done it ourselves.
Thank You Kurt.

Thankful For -

My new soft, warm and cozy "Fleece Sheets" from Costco.

No more cold legs and feet.

My 2010 Halloween

Halloween is a very creative, big deal at the County offices.
It was fun to see all the cosumes and decorating this year.
Claudette and Mini are very competitive and  it was amazing how they could turn our area into a whole different world on practically nothing but paper, boxes,  and things found around our homes. We usually took 1st place in the contest.
Since retiring three years ago, I have gone to Liz's house to celebrate their family traditions with them. The mayor's costume parade at the Rec. Center,  "Trunk or Treating" at the Church parking lot, eating at Arby's, tricking a few homes that they knew give out good treats, like Showalter's where it is scary getting  to the door, but if you can make it past the spooks and chainsaw you get a can of pop.  Then the families would meet, visit,  joke and hang out at grandma Annies and enjoy her special popcorn balls. The younger cousins would trick or treat in her neighborhood, which was great, because the houses were close together.  This year there was a change in their traditions.    It was sad and difficult.  Sweet, fun and dearly loved, grandma Annie isn't with us anymore.  She is and will be deeply missed.   
  

I'm Thankful For -

At D.U.P this morning they talked about a trapper.  He lived in Montana for a number of years then came into Utah Valley in 1941.  (Brigham Young and his company arrived in Salt Lake in 1947).     The trapper recorded in his journal about Utah Valley being filled with Sunflowers.  He watched as the Indians gathered sunflowers seeds and grasshoppers to eat to keep from starving.
I'm so thankful for gardens, orchards and big trucks that keep rolling in so we can keep our supermarket shelves filled.