More Gorgeous Quotes

I read the book "Three Cups of Tea" several months ago and while it was a medium difficult read I was so intrigued by all that could be accomplished by one individual who pushed through the many challenges he faced to keep a promise that I've often thought of his influence over and over again as I encounter difficult situations.

I wanted to share some of my favorite quotes from the book:

"Educate a boy, and your educate and individual. Educate a girl, and you educate a community.

African proverb via Greg Mortensen "  

"Haji Ali taught me the most important lesson I've ever learned in my life...We Americans think you have to accomplish everything quickly. We're the country of thirty-minute power lunches and two-minute football drills. Haji Ali taught me to share three cups of tea, to slow down and make building relationships as important as building projects."

"If we try to resolve terrorism with military might and nothing else, then we will be no safer than we were before 9/11. If we truly want a legacy of peace for our children, we need to understand that this is a war that will ultimately be won with books, not with bombs."  

"Once you educate the boys, they tend to leave the villages and go search for work in the cities, but the girls stay home, become leaders in the community, and pass on what they’ve learned. If you really want to change a culture, to empower women, improve basic hygiene and health care, and fight high rates of infant mortality, the answer is to educate girls." 


Yep - love 'em ~~ love 'em ~~ love 'em!~

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Autumn Ramblings & Cinnamon Rolls

I guess it was gathering up the corn stalks and decorating the front porch that made me realize that Fall is nearly upon us here in Utah. Or maybe it was the fact that it was

48 degrees

this morning when I put on my hoody and 'slightly warmer than summer' clothing to take my usual early morning hike through the hills above my little hometown.

I'm sad to see the summer flee, but on the other hand this time of year brings much to look forward to.

Norm and I celebrate our 30th Wedding Anniversary on Sunday, Sept 26th.

(Love you Norm! And I can't wait for our many more adventures together.)

It's my 51st birthday on Tuesday (nothing like broadcasting the fact that I'm an ooooold lady to the whole world!) and I'm actually sooooo excited.

And General Conference is coming the week after next - which means cuddling in PJ's, yummy food, family games between sessions, and BBQ!

Just wanted to share this recipe for -

General Conference Cinnamon Rolls

A lady in Orem makes these for the Apostles every conference! Start the night before because the first part needs to refrigerate overnight then in the morning you make them into the rolls & put in dish to rise for about 2 hours. Baking is mere minutes.

2 pkg dry yeast
1/4 C warm water
2/3 C instant (dry) milk
1 3/4 C hot water
3/4 C melted butter or margarine
add
1/2 C sugar
2 t salt
(let mixture cool)
5 1/2 C flour (start with 2 then add the rest)
4 well beaten eggs

Layer ingredients: (I double the recipe on this part ’cause I like goop)
1/2 C melted butter
2 T cinnamon
6 T sugar

Frosting: (or sub cream cheese frosting, but this is the general conference version)
4 C powdered sugar
1/2 C soft butter
2 t vanilla & water

Put yeast in the 1/4 C warm water. Combine instant milk, the hot water and 3/4 C melted butter. Add sugar and salt; let mixture cool. Blend in 2 C flour then add yeast and eggs. Stir in rest of flour. Dough will be soft.

Cover and refrigerate overnight.

Turn 1/2 out on well floured surface (coat with flour to handle). Roll out into rectangle. Spread with the layer ingredients: first butter then sugar and finally cinnamon add raisins/nuts at this point if desired. Roll up and cut slices with clean dental floss (put floss underneath then criss-cross upwards to make a clean slice without squishing). Put in baking dish/pan.
Raise 1 1/2 – 2 hours.
Bake at 400 degrees for 10 minutes (watch that they don't burn).

Frost while warm.

I saw this leaf just a sitting on the sidewalk
couldn't pass it up.

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A New Reading List . . .

Our bookclub met this week and these are the books were reading this year.

I'm so proud of myself, I've actually finished one book already - "The Hunger Games".
If you've read it you probably know why. Once you get started you can't put it down. Now I just need to hurry finish the other two books in the series so I can get back to my bookclub books.

This year I'll be reviewing "The Good Earth".
My son Dustin recommended it ages ago and it has finally made the list. It's a 1932 Purlitzer Prize winner that is still popular today.

I'm also excited to read the book "Aspire".
The author lives in my hometown and hopefully we can come to
our bookgroup the day we review his book.
"Aspire" teaches readers to understand what words mean in their purest sense and is
a 5 star reviewed book on Amazon.

What's on your reading list?

Kristin's book-club-2011 book montage

Book Club 2011 »

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The Perfect Woman - sooo NOT . . .

I've been pondering much lately on how best to prioritize.

Always sooooo much to do and so little time - it reminds me of the song

"One of These Things is not Like the Other"

which task should be the task that doesn't fit into the schedule any longer - if only it could be as easy as selecting the pink circle amidst all the various squares!

Exercise, a semblance of housekeeping, removing weeds before they overtake the house, an occasional appearance in the kitchen, picking the beans before they reach gargantuan lengths, packing up the college child, searching for winter clothes for the "adopted little ones", the business payroll, scriptures, vacuuming dog fur, date night with hubby, phone calls to parents, humanitarian projects, watering pots, prayer, work, service, church callings . . .

I still haven't been able to come up with the best soltuion for me and what is the right answer in my life right now.

But I did run across this "perfect" poem. It made me laugh . . . hope you will too :)

(clearly blogging must maintain it's dismal position on the list . . .)

The Girl in a Whirl
by ‘Dr. Sue’
(a.k.a. Vickie Gunther)

Look at me, look at me, look at me now!
You could do what I do
If you only knew how.

I study the scriptures one hour each day;
I bake,

I garden,
I scrub,
and I pray.

I always keep all the commandments completely;
I speak to my little ones gently and sweetly.

I help in their classrooms!
I sew all they wear!
I drive them to practice!
I cut all their hair!

I memorize names of the General Authorities;
I focus on things to be done by priorities.

I keep our home organized,

clean and attractive.

I drop by with goodies

and see the less-active.

I play the piano!
I bless with my talents!
My toilets all sparkle!

My checkbooks all balance!

Each week every child gets a one-on-one date;
I attend all my meetings (on time! Never late!)

I’m taking a class on the teachings of Paul,
But that is not all! Oh, no. That is not all …

I track my bad habits ‘til each is abolished;
I floss everyday! and
My toenails are polished!

Our family home evenings are always delightful;

The lessons I give are both fun and insightful.

I do indexing faithfully, too.
It’s easy to do all the things that I do!

I rise each day early, refreshed and awake;
I know all the names of each youth in my stake!
I read to my children!
I help all my neighbors!
I bless the community, too, with my labors.

I write in my journal!

I sing in the choir!

Each day, I write "thank you's"

to those I admire.

I exercise and I cook menus gourmet;
My visiting teaching is done the first day!

(I also go do it for someone who missed hers.
It’s the least I can do for my cherished ward sisters.)

I chart resolutions and check off each goal;
I seek each “lost lamb” on my Primary roll.

I bottle our produce each summer and fall.
But that is not all! Oh, no. That is not all …

I went back to school to

update my degree.

My studying earned me a

new PhD

I split with the Sisters who

cover our ward

To spread the glad truth

that the Gospel's restored.

I go to the temple

at least once a week.

I make my girls' prom dresses -

modest, yet chic.

My sons were all Eagles when they were fourteen!
My kids get straight A’s!
And their bedrooms are clean!

I have my own business to help make some money;
I always look beautifully groomed for my honey.

I grind my own wheat

and I bake all our bread.

I plan our nutritious meals

six months ahead.

I make sure I rotate our two-years’ supply;
My shopping for Christmas is done by July!

(It's out of the way early on

for a reason.

I then can prepare for the

real Christmas season.)

These things are not hard;
It’s good if you do them;
You can if you try!
Just set goals and pursue them!

It’s easy to do all the things that I do!
If you plan and work smart, you can do them all, too!

It’s easy!” she said …

… and then,

she dropped dead.

We can all laugh about the

"perfect woman"

but how many of us secretly compare ourselves constantly to this

totally unrealistic standard?

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Eat . . Pray . . Love . .

There's no doubt that THIS

is a

BEAUTIFUL

movie!

For for me, it was the perfect girls day out.

I can make no comparisons to the book since I have not read it and don't really have the desire to read it anytime soon either. But I did enjoy the movie. The scenery is beautiful, the cast members are mostly delightful.

And while I didn't go seeking any philosophical enlightenment, I did come away with a little inspiration -

I could hardly wait to get home and create one of our family favorites for dinner tonight -

Our generational Italian spaghetti with homemade sauce. It's always a hit and reminds me of our family relationships. Ahhhh . . . even now the tomatoes and just picked garden herbs are simmering away.

And just my own two cents -

Eat

Pray

and

Love

I highly recommend, all three, not necessarily in that order.

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Been Waiting all Summer

I'm starting today.

I can't wait . . .

I'm really excited . . .

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