Summer reading...

I recently went to a national bookstore chain to find a gift for a baby shower. On this particular trip I was all alone. That doesn't happen very often, me in a bookstore all alone. So I decided to look around and see what was new or at least new to me. I could totally get lost in the shelves of a bookstore and spend hours looking and reading, but I kept myself in check and was only there for 30-45 minutes. I walked down the center aisle when I passed by the teen summer reading section. My jaw dropped to the floor and I wondered why these books were even considered appropriate for our young people to read and think on. (Disclaimer, I have read none of these books and I am judging them by there covers and the short blurb on the back.) The general theme here is fall in love with someone not safe or not available, for a short period of time or until someone "better" comes along.

 

It seems to me that in our world today where more children are born out of wedlock and marriages are just as likely to end in divorce as to make it past seven years, where women and girls are being objectified and abused, where girls are feeling like they are less important than boys and have self image issues at earlier and earlier ages, you would think we could come up with books and stories that would be more uplifting and inspiring than this. I try to teach my daughters that if you respect yourself and others, have a true love for God and family, work on things that bring you joy and serves others you will be happy and fulfilled whether God brings a spouse to your life or not. I hope my girls will someday have the blessing of marrying and raising families but, there is so much more to life than a summer fling with your best friend's boyfriend!! It seems to me that dating is preparing our kids for divorce. I'll date you until I find someone better, smarter, prettier, funnier, smells better, stronger, has a better car, more money, will put out, whatever. Family is being undone from all sides and sometimes we don't even recognize it is being undone. I grew up knowing both sets of grandparents who had been married since the beginning of time and although they didn't hang all over each other there were little things that they did that sent the message that they loved each other more than life its self. They argued and didn't agree on everything but they never had a thought of walking away because it wasn't fun anymore. Both of my grandmother's were very strong women who had their own opinions, thoughts, likes, dislikes, desires, hopes, dreams, struggles, weaknesses and strengths. I'm positive that if they were here and I could ask them, they would say that there were things about their husbands that made them completely crazy and wish they could change. I am also confident that my grandfather's would say the same thing about their wives. However, in the next breathe they would all say that those things don't matter and they love each other more everyday.  My parents have been together for over 50 years and I think after every up and down they have lived through together they would also say that they love each other more today than when they were married and that they couldn't imagine going through all of the trails of life with anyone other than each other. We need to help our kids understand that you don't throw in the towel because it is hard or not what you thought it would be. We need to teach them how to resolve differences of opinion and how to work through disagreements. I totally understand that there are times and reasons when a marriage should end and we should rally around those who have gone through that experience and lift and support them and their kids. I also think that we as a society had better not lose the importance of the family unit or we will be in worse shape than we are already (if that is possible). The family is the central unit of society and the rise or fall of that society lies within the family. I'm eternally thankful for a husband who understands the importance of this and affords me the opportunity to stay home and raise the next generation (even on the crazy days). I am so thankful that he is such a great dad to his girls and has set the example of what a good man is and how a man treats a woman with respect and love. We can and should do better for our daughters and our sons. An easy place to start is to make sure you know what they are reading and watching. 

Happy summer reading...  

 

 

It came! It came!

guesses on the map

Anique (and the rest of us) has been waiting for what seems like forever for her mission call to come. Actually once she decided to move forward it went pretty fast. It just feels like forever. On the appointed Friday it was expected to arrive Dan was out of town and it was raining like it was monsoon season. Which was very convenient for me. The girls (Toran) usually meets the mailman by the side of the road to get the mail but on this day they didn't want anything to do with outside. So I put on my shoes and a hoodie and headed out to get the mail. Well low and behold there it was, just sitting in the mailbox. Anique at work and Dan in a different city, I seized the moment and hid it in my jacket and came in with the mail like no big deal. The girls were all a twitter and asking if it had come. I handed them the stack of mail and they went through it like they were looking for buried treasure. Very disappointed that it was not in the stack. Notice that I didn't say anything I just let them assume it wasn't there. I hid that letter in my room and said nothing. Anique texted later asking if it had come and all I said was sorry, again not actually commenting either way just letting her make her own assumptions. The only person I told was Jonna, we make such a great team of secret keepers. Saturday the girls were going to the water park with the Sandoval's and Dan was coming home that afternoon. We had hoped to have the Barnaby's and Sandoval's over when we opened it and since I had told Jonna she can and said that Saturday night was the best time for them. So I ask Anique if she  would like to open her call and she looked at me like "yeah, but it isn't here yet". I handed her the envelope and we started texting people to let them know we were opening it at 8:30pm. Everyone started making their best guesses and putting their post it on the map. We called papa and grandma and then the moment arrived, the opening of the envelope. She was so excited her hands were shaking. She read the letter with a very shaking voice and then it came the place were my daughter would be serving the Lord and teaching the gospel, Colorado Fort Collins. After all of the excitement and anticipation we finally knew and the excitement changed to we only have 60 days to get ready and go. 59....58....57....
I better get to reading the lists and planning the days. August 7th will be here much to quickly.

I love strawberry season

First batch of homemade strawberry jam. This is the only strawberry jam I will eat. I don't know exactly what they do to mass processed jam but it is the worst tasting stuff on the plant. I don't think I can do my usual turn the kitchen into a home production plant and make hundreds of pints of jam this year but I can make enough to get us through for awhile. There truly is nothing better that homemade bread with homemade butter and homemade jam.



Except maybe strawberry shortcake with real whipped cream.

My Massachusettes

                                                 Concord and the Old North Bridge.

March and April in pictures

Kali's 10th birthday breakfast

Kali having her nails done for her 10th birthday

Kali's candy cake

Kiah's felt garland

first banana split of the year, won't be the last

gingerbread scones, yummm

Toran waiting to get her ears pierced

Mezcal guac. nuf said

I sure hope this barn falls down before we move. I don't want to miss it.

Homemade hamburger buns

I have wanted to  make hamburger buns for a long, long time so I finally did. I found a recipe on FindingJoyinMyKitchen.blogspot.com and gave it a try. Well I liked them so much that I don't think I will ever buy buns again. As a matter of fact I have made them three times already and they have only gotten better. The recipe calls for white whole wheat but I have used my own stone ground whole wheat and they were still fantastic. I have not used just plain old white flour but if you do, let me know how the turn out. Enjoy!



homemade whole wheat hamburger buns tasty

100% Whole Wheat Hamburger Rolls
1 1/2 T yeast
1 C + 1 T warm water
1/3 C oil
1/4 C sugar
1 tsp. salt
3 C White Whole Wheat Flour

Begin by dissolving the yeast in the water. Let sit for 3-5 minutes until yeast is foamy.

Add in the oil, sugar and salt.

Then, add in the flour, 1 C at a time {I did this in my kitchen aid} stirring until incorporated.

Knead the dough for 3-5 minutes, until the dough is well formed and easy to work with. Add additional flour as needed to get the dough to become workable.

Divide the dough into 9-12 sections and roll into balls. {9 if you'd like larger rolls, 12 if you'd like smaller ones}.
I have found that we liked the size of them when we rolled them into 9 rolls.
Place the rolls on a lightly greased cookie sheet. Cover with a tea towel.
Set in a warm place and allow the dough to rise/rest for ~20 minutes.
I smooshed them down at the 10 minute mark to get a more flat bun look and feel. 

Then, bake at 425* for 8-10 minutes until lightly browned. DO NOT OVER BAKE.
Cool on a wire cooling rack for 5ish minutes.

I bet that if you make these you won't buy buns again either.

It must be Valentines day

and here are the crafts to prove it. The candy pops will be given to friends and the art will hang in the entry. Then it will be time to start on Easter. There is never a dull moment is there.