Girls Night Out!

A few friends and I really splurged this week. It's seldom that any of us can leave our families long enough to spend an entire evening together. And we all really did spend more money on this one evening than it would cost us to take the whole family out to dinner . . . but what the hay! You gotta do it every once in a while!

And for what did we choose to leave our families, spend the big bucks, and have just one riotous evening out on the town?

The Rascal Flatt's Concert!

"Bob That Head" . . . yeah, you've seen the commercials on TV . . .

(you can't even listen to any radio station anywhere without hearing some of their fabulous music . . but if you're really apposed to country music, then just skip the rest of this post:)

We decided several weeks ago that we were going to go do something wild and crazy. Since we are big Rascal Flatts fans, and just LOVE music, singing and dancing in general . . . we got online just to SEE if there were any good seats still available, and there were some REALLY good seats still left . . . so we bought them!




And can I say that we had such a GOOD time! We came, we sang, we danced, we clapped, we cheered, we took pictures, and then we got locked out of the car and my wonderful hubby had to drive all the way downtown at midnight to rescue us. He is just the best!



In fact, all our hubbies are just the best for letting us go out on the town, holding down things at the home base, and not getting jealous for a little girl time together! Here's three cheers for them!




Just in case you're REALLY not familiar with their music, and you're wondering what on earth I'm talking about - you can preview all their music here. I've often tried to decide which of all their hits is my favorite - and I just can't decide. But I really enjoy all these songs -

Life is a Highway

Me & my Gang

Prayin' for Daylight

Fast Cars & Freedom

He Ain't the Leavin' Kind

And IF you are a big fan - you might want to check out these fun videos.
(or even not, it might make a fan outta you:)

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Dustin & Cami - North Carolina Bound

Wow! Did I mention Dustin and Cami are moving very soon to North Carolina. I almost forgot to mention that small detail. It's actually been on my mind so much lately but just haven't had a chance to share all the details here. With the world being so big these days, and young professionals traveling all over, I knew someday it was bound to happen. I guess you're just never quite ready for them to move so far away from home. But we really are so proud of both of them and all their accomplishments.

(Dustin with Grandma Gayle and Grandpa Fritz)

Dustin graduated recently from Utah Valley University with a degree in Business & Finance. He's been job hunting, and job hunting and job hunting . . . and now believes he's found the perfect situation created especially for him! He and Cami have always had a desire to travel and perhaps make a home in North Carolina. They like the educational opportunities there, how beautiful the wooded areas are, it's close to the beaches, and is just overall a good place to live, frequently makes Money Magazines top 100 cities in the USA to live in.

And that's where they will be going as Dustin was recently offered a position with Edward Jones doing personal financial advising. With the economy the way it is, financial advisors are expected to be in demand for many years to come as people try to get back on track with their savings and retirement funds.

(Everyone gathered around to wish them well)

Soooo . . . sadly we'll be saying farewell to Dustin in two days. He leaves for training and to find them an apartment. Cami will continue here for a few weeks working, then will join him in the Raleigh area in North Carolina.

Did you see how far away from Utah Raleigh, North Carolina is? I hear it's a great place to vacation. I guess we'll have to go test the waters (so to speak:)

View Larger Map

Love you guys! Best wishes always! Thank goodness for blogs!

I'll see you on the computer :)

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Wonderful Scripture Tool - New Favorite

Just wanted to share one of my newest discoveries and current favorite digital resource. If you are similar to me in that you find yourself frequently at the computer, there are sometimes when it is so much easier for me to do my Book of Mormon personal study when I have a reminder and the actual scripture available on my computer.

You can do your reading at work, in the car (with the help of a blackberry), even while waiting at the doctor's office, anywhere you have access to the Internet. There have been so many times that I have been able to sneak in additional chapters and verses, when I just haven't had my triple combination handy.




For all of you who have recently set new daily scripture reading goals - this may be just the tool you need to keep you on schedule -

www.readthescriptures.com

You do have to go though a simple registration process - and the best part; it's all FREE! Not only do they offer the LDS edition of all scriptures, LDS magazines, other supplemental lesson material, seminary reading, Gospel Doctrine reading - just about everything you could need for your personal study.

But wait! That's not all! They offer an audio version, you can select your own starting point, and desired schedule of study. You can take notes relating to your studies or create your own personal online journal.




You receive your personalized study schedule automatically each day by email. Once you've completed the assignment, you hit the "complete" button and the next day you receive the next assignment. If you miss a day or two, it sends you a reminder that you're getting behind.

If you enjoy it as much as I do, and as much as I think you will, stop by the comments page and be sure to add your positive comments. You can even refer a friend!

I think the multi talented Wayne and Wendy Dixon have thought of everything! You can get started today! Stop by readthescriptures.com and discover all about the Dixons and their thoughts and motivation stemming from latter day prophetic counsel to increase Book of Mormon and other personal scripture study and their desire to share and make it more convenient for each one of us as well.

Previously blogged at

Join the fun at 11th Heavens Homemaker Mondays

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Pay it Forward - Challenge

There I was, cruising along,
checking out all my favorite blog spots in cyberspace, when I came upon wonderful Jackie's SA - WEET post right after she shared the following challenge.

(Man, I am never this lucky, and I got to be first in line.)

Now it's my turn to "Pay it Forward". Who wants to play?

The first five people to leave a comment on this post will receive something made by me.
However there are some limitations:

1. I make no guarantee that you will like what I make.
2. What I create will be just for you.
3. It will be done this year. (might take a while)
4. You have not a clue what it is going to be, poetry, shoes, bags or a little invention of my own. I may bake something and mail it you . Who knows? Not you that's for sure!
5. I reserve the right to do something extremely strange. It may blow your mind!

Here the catch, if you choose to do this. You must post this on your blog and be ready to make something for five people too. This will be fun! When you receive the fabulous item I make you, you must post a picture of it on your blog.

I'll get back to you first five lucky commentors, so okay . . . who wants to be the first in line?

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Soup . . . Good for the Heart & Soul

This is really the Weight Watchers Zero Point Soup -

This soup is so easy, you can put it together in a few minutes, just chop your veggies and gather the rest of the ingredients . . . That's why I make it all the time. It goes really well with whole wheat bread or rolls, and you have a meal. With these ingredients it's obviously "heart healthy" and a bowl of hot soup is always good for the soul!


Carrots
Celery
Onions
EVOO (Extra virgin olive oil)
Chicken broth
Chicken Bullion
Garlic Powder
Salt Pepper
Italian Seasoning
Green Cabbage
Green Beans
Zucchini
Stewed Tomatoes / Diced Tomatoes - actually any kind


I've made it without the recipe for so long, I'll just tell you how I do it.

Chop one onion into a pan with a large amount (how ever much you want) of sliced carrots and celery. Add about 4T EVOO and stir on medium heat for like 5 minutes until vegetables soften. I also add about 3t. garlic powder to this mix and let it cook for a few minutes.

Then I add two cans of chicken broth, about another 2-3 cups of water, 3T of chicken bullion, and like about 5C. of chopped green cabbage, and 3t. of Italian Seasoning.

Then I put two 15oz cans of a tomato product (stewed, diced etc) into the blender and blend just for a few seconds, then add it to the soup. If my green beans are frozen, I add them now, like 2 cups. If they are canned I add them at the end.

Simmer the soup for like 30 minutes. Add salt and pepper to taste. Add two sliced zucchini and cook for about 5 more minutes. If I have time, I will saute the zucchini in EVOO first until browned, or you can just throw them in.

That's all!

I found this great link, it's a website for healthy veggie recipes and it also has a real recipe, very similar to mine -

"A Vegie Venture".

Stop by Blissfully Domestic for more Blissful Domestication:)

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Awards

Thank you Jerri at "Simply Sweet Home" for the wonderful awards -

I would like to pass on this amazing award to my friend Charise, and please visit her wonderful sight to see why SHE is so amazing.

This is the Lemonade, Sisterhood and Best friends award - and I would like to pass this one on to a wonderful friend, Susan, whose blog "But I Wasn't Laughing" - it is so exceptional you won't want to miss it.

The "One Lovely Blog" award goes to "Joy for your Journey" for a truly beautiful blog.

This "Good Chat" blog award goes to Jackie at "The Saragers". She is super fun to read and one of my favorite blogging hero's!

Also, Carolyn at "Fruit of the Carolyn" for her exceptionally fun place to visit.

And thirdly, to my new online friend, Kate at "We're Glad are You?"

This super sweet award goes to "Rees Pieces" you can't get any sweeter than that - congrats Nicole!

and finally this Adorable Blog award - I must pass along to my adorable daughter in law - who writes adorable posts about her cute family at "Crochet Cami" and "Dustin & Cami" while they are separated on opposite ends of the country.

Good work! - I enjoy everyone's posts, oh that I just had a little more time to spend lost out here in cyberspace:)

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These are a few of my favorite things . . .

Now that Valentines day is past, and I don't have to worry about ruining the "Valentine surprise" for all my little ones - now big, I want to share my hand crafted Valentines.

I love making homemade Valentines!

I think it stems back to when I was in junior high and one of my friends gave me the most beautiful hand crafted Valentine. It meant so much to me that she thought enough of me that she would go to all that trouble to make something so beautiful and hand crafted just for me. Ever since then, I have looked forward each year to making my special Valentines something homemade and handcrafted for Valentines day.

(these are actually CD covers - one of my favorite things to make for a cute gift)

Chocolate Strawberries - Yum!

Making chocolate dipped strawberries is a new tradition for us. Kelsie loves strawberries and soon she became an expert strawberry dipper. We started out very simple with just the basics, strawberries and chocolate. And soon added a second coat, two different colors, and a little decor to finish them off.

We've tried all different kinds of chocolate, Hershey bars, semi-sweet, milk chocolate - and had success with any chocolate that is good quality. They key is to be sure to keep all water out of the chocolate, not even one drop can get into the chocolate. We thin the chocolate with a little vegetable oil until it is smooth and a good dipping consistency. Be sure to melt the chocolate in a container inside a water bath so it melts slowly. We do refrigerate the dipped strawberries in between coats so the first coat is set well before applying a second coat of a different color. to do the little squiggles at the end, we put a small amount of chocolate into a zip baggie, cut a teenie bit of the corner and squeeze out. Once they are beauitul and ready to eat, continue to refrigerate.

The finished product - add a bow and a little cellophane, all ready to share!

Enjoy!

All kinds of Bliss at Blissfully Domestic

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Bloomin' Things

I love that my cyclamen that I've been nurturing along for months bloomed just in time for Valentines day. It's so hard to go all winter without the flowers from my garden, so it just makes me SMILE!


How many more weeks till Spring?

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Still . . . Head Over Heels

Valentines day
was wonderful!



How can you go wrong with a day set aside to express your love to all those you love the most? So in honor of the day - here is a tribute to the one I love the most!



(who spoils me - and I love it!)

What I Like About You -

You bring me hot cocoa with whip cream in bed every morning.
You make wicked caramel popcorn.


You let me snuggle up to you at night with freezing fingers and toes.
You squeegee down the shower!
Your side of the closet is so neat and orderly.
You love to have friends and family over to the house.
You are handsome.
You let me have TWO dogs and TWO cats.
You make fantastic omelets.
You buy me MOOSE TRACKS ice cream.
You always serve with all your heart, might, mind and strength.
I love your gorgeous blue eyes.
You are a fantastic houseboat capitan at Lake Powell.

I seldom do dishes.
You still scoop the doggie doo even though I say I'm going to do it . . .
I always find the cubbie in my car full of quarters.
You never complain about the birdseed all over the tidy backyard.
You look dashing with gray hair.
Our children have the best good example of a husband and father there could ever be.
You're concerned about being healthy.
You've really saved us so much money over the years.
(not to be confused with all the money I SAVE by buying STUFF on sale)
You bought me a MacBook Pro and yourself a Dell.
You teach gospel principals in everything you do.
You love Paris almost as much as I do.

I'm so glad you've been my VALENTINE these last 28 1/6 years.

Love you!

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Comic Distractions Here . . .

(you can see it large if you click it)

I ran into a prior (notice I didn't use the word "old" - I try to avoid that word) school mate online. We always laughted and laughed at his art work in high school. Well, he's still at it and just as talented.

I thought this one just was . . .
My life!


So I had to share.

Visit all his other comic distractions on his blogs:
Good Heavens
Beckstrom Buzz
Zarahemla Times
(Really - check out Zarahemla Times! You'll be glad you did)

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Carolyn is making cookies!

Carolyn is making cookies and you don't want to miss out.

Besides you get to read all her fun posts and updates! Her blog is one of the highlights that I never miss.

If you stop by, I'm sure you'll see what I mean. She blogs "my brain is scattered and I just can't get it together" - and you know, I can REALLY relate to that!



Besides she lives my alter ego - on a creek, near a river in Virginia with goats and ducks. Does it get any better than that!

Oh yeah - Be sure to leave a comment, and don't be afraid to name drop - mine!

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Cookies NOW & LATER

Last month I had the opportunity to visit with my parents in their home in Southern Utah. My daughter and I flew in for a long weekend and we all had such a great time. I was able to help my mom with some scrap booking and teach her how to use some of my favorite photo sights (shutterfly & snapfish). Then sadly, it was time to go home.

Before I left, I wanted to leave them with something fun they could have available as a treat when all their friends came by to visit. They have many friends living nearby that they gather with regularly.

So I whipped up a large batch of our absolute favorite cookies! Since, we all love warm cookies right out of the oven, we baked a large batch just for us to nibble on right now, then I put one zipper baggie of cookie dough into the refrigerator so them could surprise all their friends with hot cookies later, on their next visit. Then I decided to also put one baggie of cookie dough into the freezer. That way it would last for several weeks and they could pull it out when they needed it.

We had an opportunity to return recently for another visit. I heard nothing but RAVE reviews from everyone about how delicious the cookies were. So apparently it was a BIG hit!

Here's the cookie recipe that I baked:

Grandma Glenna's Ranger Cookies

2 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 cup butter flavored shortening
1 cup granulated sugar
1 cup packed light brown sugar
3 large eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla
2 cups quick-cooking rolled oats
2 cups Special K cereal
1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
1 cup butterscotch chips
1 cup sweetened flaked coconut

Preheat oven to 350°F. Mix together flour, baking soda and powder, and salt. In a large bowl, beat together shortening, sugars, eggs, and vanilla with an electric mixer until light and fluffy. Beat in flour mixture on low speed until just combined. Stir in oats, cereal, chips, and coconut.Drop rounded tablespoons of batter 2 inches apart on greased baking sheets.

Bake cookies, 1 sheet at a time, in middle of oven until golden brown, 10-12 minutes. Cool cookies on sheets 1 minute, then transfer to a rack to cool completely.




Cookies now & later . . . that's the way I like 'em. Warm cookies hot out of the oven, cookie dough in the fridge, which I also love to nibble on (disclaimer - I'm sure you're not really supposed to recommend nibbling on cookie dough . . .) and some in the freezer for later. Enjoy!

For a great time . . . stop By 11th Heaven's Homemaker Monday Carnival -

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