Visit my FabricFulfillingItsDestiny quilting blog!

Vist my quilting blog    http://FabricFulfillingItsDestiny.blogspot.com

Happy Mothers Day

To Phyllis OB, Ruth S, Nancy VP, Peggy T, Colleen M, Jane SJ, Laura B, Shauna K, and the THOUSANDS of other strong, soft, bold, gentle, and faithful women I have been blessed to know. I remember you. I am grateful for your influence. Have a sweet Mothers' Day. And to my dh for whom it is all possible.

                      

Jane and Shauna hosted a cookie exchange!

PECAN TASSIES            makes 6 doz mini tarts      20 min in 350 degree oven

Dough:     

8oz cream cheese

3 sticks marg or butter (either is delish)

mix well before adding:

3 c flour

Roll into 1 1/2" balls and press into mini tart pans.

Filling:   *you will need 2 batches, make one up & fill uncooked tart shells. bake. only when you have the 2nd batch of pressed shells ready do you make up the 2nd filling batch*

1 c brown sugar

3/4 t vanilla

1 c pecans, finely chopped (I LOVE Schermer Pecans, order online SchermerPecans.com)

2 eggs, mix well with fork

1t margarine/butter, melted

PECAN  DROPS               makes 4 doz        15 min in 325 degree oven

          (other names: Russian Tea Cakes, Mexican Wedding Cakes)

1/2 c butter

1/2 c + 2 T Crisco

1 c pecans, finely chopped

2 t vanilla

2/3 c powdered sugar

2 1/2 c flour

Roll into 1" balls.  Place on greased cookie sheet.  Once cooled, roll in 2 c powdered sugar.

Knees

Have I told you why?

Have I told you when I knew?

The very first time I saw him he was walking toward me, striding confidently up the driveway of my dear friends.  I looked at him.  I wondered, 'Who is he?'

Then I saw the worn knees of his dress slacks.  And I knew.

I knew he was a man of God.  I knew he spent time on his knees, humble before the Lord.

I knew I would love this man.

We had sons.  My prayer is they are their father's sons.

Intentional Adventures -- GeeGee Alert!

http://www.scribd.com/doc/82724683/Intentional-Adventures-Update
Click on this link to download the pdf booklet.  Set your printer to duplex and re-create the booklet.

Creating "Something Better" Moments was the theme for a recent workshop request.


Here is a link to my Pinterest board for Intentional Adventures -- GeeGee Alert!   
http://pinterest.com/iamjustonemom/intentional-adventures-geegee-alert/ 


Ideas on how to make simple events special.  Please share any suggestions, ideas, experiences.

My One Slice German Apple Pie

One Slice German Apple Pie


-- preheat oven 350*


Pie Crust (it is all about the chemistry)
2 1/2 c flour
1 c Crisco
1/2 c ice water
1t apple vinegar
dash salt

1 9" unbaked pie shell
5 c apples (combo Granny Smith and your fav)
            peel, core, evenly sliced about 7-8 per half,
            sprinkle with 2 T sugar, a bit of cornstarch, and 1/2 t cinnamon; stir to coat.

Cream Mixture                 Mix together in a separate bowl:
1 egg
1 c sugar
2 T flour
1/4 t salt
1 c sour cream
1 t vanilla

Put sliced apples int unbaked pie shell until level, do not pack tight.  Pour half the cream mixture over the top of the apples.  Put remaining apples in a mound in the center of the pie plate.  Pour remaining cream mixture over mounded apples.  With knife, gently pull apples apart so cream can drip between the apples.
Bake at 350* for 40-45 minutes.


Crumb Topping
1 c brown sugar
1 c flour
1 t cinnamon
1 c oatmeal
1/2 c butter

Press Crumb Topping onto apple pie.  Bake for another 20-25 minutes.

New blog Fabric Fulfilling Its Destiny

I am moving my fabric related life to my new blog  

http://fabricfulfillingitsdestiny.blogspot.com/

Click on the Triple Irish Chain quilt on the right and I will see you there!

Stash Busting watch it happen!

Reality check:

make more quilts!

Here is just ONE wall of my fabric stash. There are 2 more walls of lush, gorgeous, premium fabric. And in 2011 it will be cut in half!

So here is my list of January 2011 quilts in progress:

• O Baby, O Baby or is it Baby O, Baby O!
• Double the Pleasure (2)
• Orange You Glad
• O So Good
• Shay's Welcome Home

Perhaps I need to add the 'other wall' pics as the first 5 quilts are from fabrics on the 2nd wall's shelves. Trust me. I am making a dent. Weeeeeooo! I will show the progress of slashing the stash throughout the year.

If you are interested in learning to quilt: come to my "store" and let's get it going!

Interested in Slashing YOUR stash? Join me in two ongoing programs:

• Project Linus quilts. Provides quilts to children in hospitals, hospices, or in crisis via police/fire departments. It helps to make an unbearable situation bearable.
• Dress A Girl Around the World, which provides simple, modest dresses made from 1 yd of fabric structured like a pillowslip to girls/young women. You, your church group, Girl Scout troop, etc would be blessed for participating in this amazing program. All straight seams, low skill needed, great blessings for all.

Humming this hmyn by Grace Noll Crowell (1877-1969) as I stitch:

Because I have been given much, I too must give

Because of thy great bounty, Lord, each day I live

I shall divide my gifts from Thee

With every brother that I see

Who has the need of hep from me.

Because I have been sheltered, fed by Thy good care,

I cannot see another's lack and I not share

My glowing fire, my loaf of bread,

My roof's safe shelter overhead,

That he too may be comforted.

Because I have been blessed by they great love, dear Lord,

I'll share Thy love again, according to Thy word.

I shall give love to those in need;

I'll show that love by word and deed:

Thus shall my thanks be thanks indeed.

Depths of Winter and Invincible Summer

In the depths of winter I finally learned that there was, in me, an invincible summer. -- Albert Camus

Sunlight

my baby steps to stop thinking...

"As we strive to open our eyes, hearts, and arms, our step will become a little lighter, our smile will become a little brighter, and the darkness that sometimes broods over our lives will become a little whiter. Be grateful. Every day is a new canvas -- a new opportunity." - Joseph B Wirthlin

"My plea is that we stop seeking out the storms and enjoy more fully the sunlight." - Gordon B Hinckley

A bit of Wisdom I am trying to Implement in my Life

"I am more and more convinced that our happiness or our unhappiness depends far more on the way we meet the events of life than on the nature of those events themselves." -- Karl Wilhelm von Humboldt

So let it be written, so let it be done.
Put Your Shoulder to the Wheel
Because I have been Given Much I too Must Give

Dear Lizzy

love your site, talents, and your willingness to share said talents with talent starved, busy moms

Quilted Cottage Blog: Stacy Makes Life

Quilted Cottage Blog: Stacy Makes Life

Parallel Universes

How is it possible that good friends 2000 miles and 23.5 yrs apart are on the same paths? Amazing.

A little Irish Mormon humor. Ok, relax. Just laugh.

A Mormon & an Irishman

A Mormon was seated next to an Irishman on a flight.

After the plane was airborne, drink orders were taken. The Irishman asked for a whiskey, which was promptly brought and placed before him.

The flight attendant then asked the Mormon if he would like a drink. He replied in disgust, "I'd rather be savagely raped by a dozen whores than let liquor touch my lips."

The Irishman then handed his drink back to the attendant and said, "Me, too. I didn't know we had a choice."

(this great joke brought to you by Karla! thank you)

First Page, Perfect Subject

I love you Miss!

Christmas

1. When do you put up the tree? the wkend before or of Thanksgiving
2. When do you take the tree down? after the Feast of the Epiphany (celebrating when the Wisemen arrived -- the REAL 12 days of Christmas), Jan 7.
3. Favorite gift received as a child? My Uncle Mike's surprise visit, he lived in Germany
4. Favorite Christmas Album? Jon Schmidts' Christmas -serene piano solos
5. Nativity scene? oh yes, they are my favorite part of our decorations. Some I leave up all year long. I love the variety of versions and am always looking for different styles.
6. Favorite Christmas Movie? as a diehard romantic: Bells of St Mary, White Christmas, the original Bishop's Wife, A Christmas Carol (original with Alistair Sim), and a corny Little House Episode that I cry each time the girls get their own cups...
7. When do you start shopping for Christmas? all year, but I can seldom wait so I give the gift in Feb or April and then have to start over or the brothers' version of this story: I hide the gifts and cannot remember where I have put them so they 'have Christmas' in Feb, April, etc *whenever I find them*
8. Favorite Christmas song? Baby, What You Goin’ To Be, by Natalie Sleeth. Nadia, will you sing it with me?

Baby, lying in a manger, slumbering so sweetly,

Whatcha gonna be?

Baby all the world is watchin',

all the world awaits to see,

what will you be?

Baby sleeping in a stable, underneath the heavens,

whatcha gonna say?

Baby, did you bring the Good News?

Did you come to light our way?

Oh, look, see the cattle asleep, see the shepherds beside,

See the Wise Men, they bow unto you.

Are you the one who was meant to be Master?

To bring in the Kingdom too?

Alleluia Baby, Hope of all the people,

what you come here to do?

What you come to say?

Baby, can you be the Savior?

Come to save the world one day?

Baby can you be the Savior?

Come to save the world one day?

Baby lying in a manger,will you save the world one day?

9. What I want for Christmas this year? the same thing I have prayed for for years: that my children, friends, family, students, and myself would use self discipline to choose well and lead others to do likewise.

10. Merry Christmas to all. Over the miles and the years, you have made my seasons bright.

Thank you and God Bless You.

Rootbeer in the Drinking Fountains

When they realize he can't actually put rootbeer in the drinking fountains, what will they do? That balloon will burst and then there will be deep anger. When Santa Claus does not put anything under their tree they will start looking under your tree.

The first words out of his mouth last night: I won't be able to do it all right away or in the FIRST four yrs...

How can any decent person compete, in 4 yrs, agst the $2.3 billion he raised (in just 9 months)from all around the world to win the US presidency?

Realistically, who would want to be president during this economic downturn? The Dems in the Senate & House created this housing nightmare and then sat back waiting to set up its crisis in perfect timing for pre-election destruction of public trust in the economy, which always translates as anti-Rep.

Years ago I pondered running for a state Senate seat. I wanted it bad. I wanted to go to the roundhouse and change the world. We sat in our living room and told them we needed to pray about it. After they left I sat and sobbed. I was in the middle of teaching/raising our boys, I had had the promptings about Paul going to be bishop. I was so conflicted. I wanted to make a difference in the world. Paul came and sat by me, put his arm around me, and said, "You know what you have found out?" "No, what?" "You have found out the world already has its Savior, it does not need another one."

This was an epiphany moment for me. My job, each of our jobs, is not to change the whole world, but to make a positive difference in our part of the world by living as the Savior would. Be selfless. Be true to the faith. Teach others the truths needed to find balance in their lives, to find fulfillment in self responsibility. Be kind and generous in spiritual and temporal ways. Come unto Christ in word and deed. There is the solution. The Savior, not root beer.

AFTER you VOTE, make Pumpkin Cookies

Pumpkin Cookies 
(fyi, we prefer to double the recipe, using the big can of Libby's Pumpkin)

For 5 dozen:
2 C sugar
1 ½ C shortening
- Cream together above ingredients.

1 ½ C Libby pumpkin (NOT pie filling, just canned pumpkin)
3 eggs
- Add above ingredients to sugar mixture.

-In separate bowl mix the following:
4 C flour
3 tsp cinnamon
1 ½ tsp nutmeg
1 tsp salt
2 ½ tsp baking powder
2 tsp baking soda
- Combine dry ingredients with creamy mixture.

-Add chocolate chips and walnuts
12 oz. chocolate chips or more!
½ to 1 C chopped walnuts (optional)

-Drop by teaspoonfuls onto greased cookie sheet.

-Bake at 350* for 10 to 12 mins.

- Be sure to wrap tightly in plastic wrap or store in air tight container.  They will stay moist and yummy if stored well.

Note from Pumpkin Cookie fan, Robyn: ~My brother, Chris, became a professional at making these cookies. They became another family favorite and he would frequently double the recipe (using the big can of Libby pumpkin) and make 10 dozen of these cookies. Thanks Karee for introducing our family to this delicious recipe!!!

VOTE

Tell every real person, living not dead, to vote. If your neighbors, friends, and family members are still 'undecided', have them call me...

No, not Mickey Mouse, and not "Doodad Pro" who gave O $11 million $500 at a time... and not "Good Will", who gave O $9 million in $500 increments.

We need legal Americans to vote in this election. And to vote only ONCE. In Iraq they stained the voters' forefinger with ink, I like that idea. Of course, that would not work so well for the Vote Early, Vote Often Crowd of Mickey Mouse and all the voting dead.

Come on, let's insist on picture ID with the correct address on it to vote.

This voter fraud makes me wonder if this was not a factor in the primary elections...?

Reclaim America. Vote. Vote once. And then let's all volunteer to scour our county clerk's records for dead, duplicate, and fraudulent registrations. And quit giving my tax dollars to ACORN!!

COUNTRY FIRST

So let it be written, so let it be done.

The Brothers

yes, those are big dogs...

if you ever find size 16 shoes, call me

The best is yet to come --- Right Oh!

On August 26th we will celebrate 30 yrs!

Paul says,

"The Best Is Yet to Come!"

I believe him.

My BFF = best forever fam!

no WORDS needed

Three days after Daniel returned from his 2 yr mission, we had a fabulous photographer come over for a shoot.

Bri is an artist. She captured the fam in a special way.

The brothers pulled one of the sofas out to the backyard and then brought it onto the front porch for another set of photos -- what a great idea.

Six things that Guide my Life

1) Choose Well
* You do not have to marry the first man that makes your heart go flip flop, wait for the right one.
* Research everything to death so you can make informed decisions and help others do likewise.
* Life has enough challenges, do not add to them by making poor choices.
* Avoid pitfalls. Watch out for your vulnerable spots.
* Avoid temptations. Seek good things.
* Getting help to correct your life is one of the best choices you can make.

2) Remember Life is to be Enjoyed not just endured
* Gordon B. Hinckley knew it and shared it. Man is that he might have joy!
* Spread joy.
* Pay it forward.

3) Remain Teachable
* Important life lessons are seldom at opportune times or in opportune ways.
* People who think they have it all figured out, seldom do...

4) Never let the things that Matter Most be at the mercy of those things that should Matter Least
* Rededicate yourself to developing your important relationships and goals.

5) Claim your Blessings
* Liken the Scriptures unto yourself (Proverbs is full of blessings for you to claim as your own).
* Actual blessings are up to you to fulfill. Do it!

6) Ink or Pencil
* On life’s calendar some things are meant to be written in ink and some are meant to be written in pencil --
* Learn to Know the Difference. Make choices accordingly (see #1).
* Make sure the things written upon your heart are good and pure.

Childhood Moments that Matter

1. Seeing Santa Claus land on the Schmidt's roof when I was 4 yrs old. -- and Yes he did!
2. Playing baseball in the lot between our home and the Schmidts and Moravys. And ice skating on the water filled, frozen rink Dad created every winter in the same empty lot.
3. Watching and waiting for a converted hearse/trailer to arrive at Lake Margrethe signifying the arrival of a funny old grandpa and a grandma that spoke with an accent even when she said, "Oh, Joe!"
4. Knowing camping parties did not really begin until the converted BUS arrived, loaded with the O'Brien cousins and the best Aunt and Uncle a girl could ask for. And benefitting from Aunt Phyllis' S'more knowledge and techniques perfected during her years as a Girl Scout leader & mom-extraordinaire.
5. Collecting eggs at Aunt Marie's farm while they were still soft! And having warm manure squish between my toes.
6. Planting thousands of tree seedlings at the 4D. And running and running in the fields at The 40, exploring what seemed at the time to be comparable to the Amazon and seeing & hearing all the wildlife -- including the giant, nasty ant hill.
7. Receiving a great education at Sacred Heart Academy in a class with over 40 kids and one dedicated teacher.
8. Riding our single speed, banana seat bikes out to The 40 on the gravel shoulder without fancy water bottles or camelbacks, or multiple speeds, or cabled brakes and being blissfully happy and safe in the humid heat of Michigan summers.
9. Playing badminton at Grandpa Joe's Columbiaville Lake cottage with grandparents, aunts and uncles that made me believe the world was my oyster and that we were better than that 'other' Irish family, the Kennedys...:
- Debonair Uncle Tom and his magnificantly beautiful wife, Aunt Gayle
- Sister Michaelette, aka Aunt Eileen, who knew how to have fun even in full nun attire
- Uncle Mike, who used to hold me and read the newspaper to me until I fell asleep and his mysteriously foreign and beautiful wife, Aunt Doris
- Grandpa Joe who was more focused on keeping his cigar lit and playing penny poker
- Grandma Anne who was more focused, thankfully, on making perfect stuffed cabbages
- Tall and rascally Uncle Neil who was always trying to get one over on my Dad and his brothers
- Peacemaker Aunt Phyllis who I thought was the original WonderWoman
- and cousins and siblings who made everything more fun, including fishing with loooooong, bamboo poles off of Grandpa's dock.
10. Learning the marvels of reading: endless books, maps, and sheet music.

Writing in INK on Life's Calendar

Each day is filled with calendar events written in pencil, ink, and on my heart.
I prefer to have control over my life and my calendar... yes, that is an understatement. Fine. But in the last few months too many events have occurred that I do not care to record. Oh, I know I should put them on paper, on the calendar by the phone -- the record of my life. But for right now, I am just trying to reclaim focus.
Thank goodness for the balance of positive events for the negative events. Thank goodness for a husband who is strong and steady.
In February, just a 10 days before we left for our second trip to China in 10 months, my mother died. Leave it to her to die at a very inconvenient time for me. So off to the town of my childhood to organize a memorial for my siblings and her only remaining brother. What an emotion filled 5 days, jam-packed, duty filled, but actually wonderful. Seeing my brother and sisters without the negativity my mother always interjected was so refreshing. We all felt relieved, not sad. We are liberated from her hateful, destructive ways. So we celebrated! That was such a necessary step for each of us. We bonded closer through this freedom.
On the day I was flying back to repack for China, our eldest son called to say their second child was about to be born, potentially 2 months early. I quickly changed flights and flew to welcome a new life, "little" Isaac. At 9 lbs 8 oz, 23 in -- he clearly was not "early." Healthy. What a blessing to celebrate.
Three days later we are off to Beijing, HungChou, ShangHai for 12 days. A great trip with a very interesting set of friends.
We are home for 4 days when Paul announces his resignation from the Bank. This caused a media frenzy. A very difficult decision that merits a book of banking industry analysis, but will probably only get this cursory blog mention.
10 days after our return, at the end of March, our middle son, Jacob, is sealed for time and all eternity in the temple to his love, Christina. We host a dinner for 50 at our home, her family mostly. Jane and Martel, Tasha, Rachel, and Isaac were able to join us.
Tasha and the kids plan to stay for an extra 2 wks. On Gen'l Conf Sunday Matthew flies in to bless Isaac. It was a wonderful day together with Tasha's family, Matthew's friends and their families. Then 2 days later Mark calls and tells us Ruth has pnuemonia and we need to get up there asap.
What a considerable gift our time with Ruth was for us. Her final three weeks and Paul was free to dedicate his days and nights to her as she had done for him for more than 50 years. We sometimes question the timing of things in our lives with questions such as: What If; If Only; etc. He did not have those questions. He had verification that his choice to leave his banking employment when he did was part of a great plan. He was able to be with his mother. There was no conflict between work responsibilities and the mother he adored.
Ruth died in late April. Her funeral was wonderful. Paul and Jane gave insightful talks. Matthew and Jacob were able to find flights that fit their school and work schedule demands. Issues surrounding Ruth's earthly belongings persist, but all of us are grateful she is relieved of this earthly existence.
We drove home to spend only one night in our own bed before getting back in the car and driving to Christina's family's reception for them.
Tasha, Rachel, and Isaac were saints to stay in here during all of this. But then the time came for them to return to their real lives... Matthew was about to graduate at the top of his MBA program and they needed to be together to celebrate his marvelous success.
One hour after they left and the house was still and silent I had a little "come apart." So much had happened in so few days. And it wasn't over yet.
Our own reception still needed to be planned and executed. It had been put on the back burner for 2 months and in 2 wks it was going to happen. My YaYas came to the rescue: we taste tested foods, made our choices, papered columns, capitals, and bases, set up decorations, cut fruit, served food, and took down decorations. The event was wonderful thanks to them.
And for the last 2 days I have done laundry, put away reception decor, and looked at my calendar.
My neice, Lindsay, is about to fly in a new exciting direction and we are thrilled to be a part of her enthusiastic journey. My mother's brother and his wife are celebrating their 50th wedding anniversary in mid June so we hope to travel back to celebrate with them. Matthew and Tasha may move that same week as their career decision may impact their location. Daniel will be home in mid July from his 2 yr mission and will go back to Provo for school in mid August.
So why the litany of events and calendar review?
I believe I can start writing things in ink, again. I love my life. I love the people who are in it with me and those who have shaped me into the person I am today. Perhaps I should put Ruth's death and funeral date on the calendar, her influence has made my life happier and whole. She needs to be written in ink.

When help was needed, who showed up?

http://confessionsofapoliticaljunkie.blogspot.com/2007/11/how-often-do-candidates-do-stuff-like.html

Right oh! Mitt is a leader who "does" without cameras and microphones required...

Minimalizing Conservative Values

You would not believe the bigotry that is alive and well in America's media. Nothing good Romney does is worthy of their attention, his victories are dismissed and minimalized. He is marginalized on every 'news' show/channel, even on Fox.
That the left media despises Romney is my third clue that he is the candidate that they do not want up against their Mrs. Clinton or black candidate. The left is trying very hard to pull the right to the center, aka to extinguish the conservative voice of working Americans. They do it by both refusing to give credit to religious values that shape ethics in classrooms, as well as in politics. They try to eliminate the real purpose of Christmas, the truth that real success comes as a result of actual work rather than having your hand out to govt programs, by minimizing the effects of immoral behavior or acknowledging that there are even immoral behaviors.

Back to this election run:
If Obama were a white man who's only talent/experience is speaking/pandering well, he would not have made it to where he is in the Dem race.
If Mrs. Clinton were a man, her attacks and use of racial slurs would have put her out of the race.
If Romney were not a Mormon, he would be the choice for all. But then if he were not a Mormon he may not have the stable character that has served him so well in his life.
January 16, 2008 6:59 PM

The CHANGE America needs

I wish there was a Repub candidate talking about the real change America needs. The need to become independent from government programs and controls. Independence through choosing well and being self reliant.
For example: you want an education -- a worthy goal. Now work your tail off at several jobs to make ends meet, study hard, study more. Do not look to the govt to provide you an education for free. Earn it yourself.
I am sick of people who as their first reaction to a need think, "The govt should take care of me." No the govt should not. I am more sick of candidates who pander and foment lazy, stupid Americans to believe it is their right to have all the things for free that which other people work to get.
If you bought a home that is more expensive than you can really afford, do not blame the lender - you knew. Do not blame the govt for "letting the lender" lend to fools who were making greedy choices. Acknowledge your situation, declutter your home, and sell it. Buy one you can actually afford. Soon your good decision will lead to more good decisions and before you know it you will have changed from an dependent, unhappy sloth to an independent, happy productive citizen.
Soon you will realize that those who told/taught you the lies of dependency are the enemy of this country. And as you work harder to provide for yourself you will also realize the tax plan of redistribution of your earnings (your wealth) is not based on fostering productivity.
You will become an advocate for real change. Spread the word. We need to fight (again) for our independence.