To everything there is a season...a time to party and a time to be partied out!

Our little princess turns 3 on Saturday, but we celebrated a little early. She had a lovely (and delicious I might add) Castle cake, made with much love and frustration by her mom!

Big Bro Max gave her a Barbie Doll! Notice all the pink. It was definitely a pink girl party!

Oh yes, with a touch of purple! Check out those clogs and shades. We love our little one.

Happy Birthday Ava!

Then it was off to the hotel for a wild night of partying on Root Beer and Gummie Lifesavers.

We plumb tuckered them out! I love my sleeping beauties!

Sweet children, sweet dreams!

Temperatures rising....

I came home from school all in the mood to make some homemade whole wheat bread. First I put 6 cups of red hard wheat in the grinder and while it was grinding I gathered all of my ingredients. Then I placed the water in the Bosch, added 3 cups of flour, turned on the mixer., and to my surprise nothing happened. I tried it in every outlet in my kitchen. I wiggled and jiggled the cord. Still nothing. It was a no show. By this time the only thing rising was my frustration level! Now I had two options. One: throw everything away or...two: do it by hand. Do it by hand??? Oh my, what was I thinking. I have never actually gotten my hands messy while making bread. But, my friend Joan ( see Women of Wise) does it all the time so why not give it a try. Whole wheat bread dough is actually quite easy to work with. I took out my frustration on kneading the dough! To my surprise it tasted the same as if done by Bosch itself! It makes great toast in the morning! Betty Bosch is going to St. George this week for a repair job, but if I am having a frustrating day perhaps I shall try white bread by hand. I think that might be a little stickier situation!

Merci, Gracias, Grazie

A big THANKS to Phillip for changing my blog to a 3 column blog! Way to go Phil! Thanks.

"What Are You So Grumpy About"

"Did you get up on the wrong side of the bed? (no) Did somebody leave the toilet seat up and you didn't notice? (no) Did your gravy touch your peas? (no)" Did you not have your daily dose of Pepsi? Yes!! That's it! You see I am trying to give up the Pepsi addiction! I have only had 2 12 ounce cans this week! I usually have one a day and occasionally two a day. I have not experienced the shakes yet! If you come to visit and I am somewhat grumpy please bear with me during this difficult time!

"You Can't Pray A Lie"

As one enters the Delta City Library you are greeted by a statue of Samuel Clemens, more commonly known as Mark Twain. After reading "The Good Earth" I decided I needed to acquaint myself with Mr. Clemens. I choose to read "The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn." I must admit this book did not hold my interest as "The Good Earth" did. In fact, when I would retire to bed to read I would quickly become fatigued and end up falling asleep! Scott informed me I was not in High School and thus did not HAVE to read it, but yes, yes I did. So I read it...even though it took 4 weeks! I took it back to the library. Checked out another book : "Beloved", only to return the following day to turn in "Beloved." Much too graphic for me. The librarian was surprised to see me. I explained my dilemma and re-checked out, for two more weeks, "The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn." I told her this book had to hold more to it than the adventures of a young boy going down the river with a runaway slave. This time as I read I tried to envision Mr. Clemens speaking. That made it much more enjoyable! Now I will share with you what I consider to be a great moral of the story. Society, in Huck's time, said slavery was a okay. To help a runaway slave was against the law. Huck seems to constantly struggle with his moral conscience, that society has helped wrongly form, versus what his heart says. Here is a quote from spark notes: "Based on the boy’s description, Huck realizes that it was the dauphin himself who captured and quickly sold Jim. Huck decides to write to Tom Sawyer to tell Miss Watson where Jim is. But Huck soon realizes that Miss Watson would sell Jim anyway. Furthermore, as soon as Huck’s part in the story got out, he would be ashamed of having helped a slave, a black man, escape. Overwhelmed by his predicament, Huck suddenly realizes that this quandary must be God’s punishment for the sin of helping Jim. Huck tries to pray for forgiveness but finds he cannot because his heart is not in it. Huck writes the letter to Miss Watson. Before he starts to pray, though, he thinks of the time he spent with Jim on the river, of Jim’s kind heart, and of their friendship. Huck trembles. After a minute, he decides, “All right then, I’ll go to hell!” and resolves to “steal Jim out of slavery.” Huck has such a kind heart! He even feels bad when the two men who caused him such grief are tarred and feathered. "That night, Huck and Tom sneak out of the house. As they walk on the road, they see a mob of townspeople running the duke and the dauphin, tarred and feathered, out of town on a rail. Huck feels bad for the two, and his ill feelings toward them melt away. “Human beings can be awful cruel to one another,” he observes, ( what a truth!) Huck concludes that a conscience is useless because it makes you feel bad no matter what you do. Tom agrees." Huck I disagree. The conscience is a great tool, but when it has been indoctrinated with false teachings of mankind then it makes life difficult. I returned the book to the library and will now begin "SIlas Marner." Marion the Librarian tells me it is milk toast so I should be just fine. Hope it does not take 6 weeks to finish!

"Love one another and you will be happy. It is as simple and as difficult as that"

We have now been in this house one year. Can you believe that! It has always felt like 'home' to me. Amazingly, after spending 30 years at 1365 North 4000 West I have not missed that house. It is a house, I brought my home with me! I definitely have not missed the yard or the 'beautiful' clay soil! I have loved living in town and have felt that this was the right choice for Scott and I at this time period in our lives. But what I have missed.......the wonderful people of Sutherland 2nd Ward! I have had a difficult time transitioning to a new ward. It has absolutely nothing to do with the people here in Delta 5th Ward. I did loathe the old church bldg. though and am very grateful for the brand new beautiful one we now enjoy. Though I am no longer within walking distance. That is the only drawback! But, back to the story that I am getting at. I was asked to speak at the Relief Society Birthday dinner. I was asked to speak on "Coming To Love One Another." Since I am employed at Delta Early Childhood Center I spend lots of time on the ABC's. I decided to entitle my talk; "The ABC's of Coming to Love One Another." I will share with you a few quotes from that talk:

A: Accept Differences "Perhaps the greatest charity comes when we are kind to each other, when we don’t judge or categorize someone else, when we simply give each other the benefit of the doubt or remain quiet. Charity is accepting someone’s differences, weaknesses, and shortcomings;" Elder Marvin J. Ashton

B: Be One Who Builds Be one who builds. Be one who nutures. Be one who has an understanding and a forgiving heart. Be one who looks for the best in people. Be one to serve by lending a hand to those who are frightened, lonely, or burdened. "Paraphased from Elder Ashton , May 92 Ensign

C: Consciously Choose Charity: Elder Ashton made this comment that I absolutely loved!‘ We often equate charity with visiting the sick, taking in casseroles to those in need, or sharing our excess with those who are less fortunate. But really, true charity is more, much, much more. True charity is not something you give away; it is something that you acquire and make a part of yourself. "Isn't he good! We are so very blessed to have the teachings of latter day Apostles to lead and guide us.

I went to the church relatively early and confined myself to a quite room to once more go over my talk. To my amazement wonderful, warm, memories of the women of Sutherland flooded my mind and the love I felt for them flooded my heart. I knew those women. I knew their struggles, trials, difficulties. I knew their weaknesses, faults, and shortcomings. The Lord had granted me an entrance to their hearts and when I entered there I recognized I was standing on holy ground. I was changed. The peek into the window of their soul took away all judgement and left in its place love and understanding. I do believe it is time to say good-bye (finally!) to Sutherland 2nd Ward and embrace Delta Fifth. It only expands the heart to include more women. It is time for expanding.

Remembering Beulah

The year was 1919 and the day was March 3rd (yes today!) when Beulah Marie Petersen was born to Nels and Edith. I do believe she was born in a home in Deseret. It was her Grandpa and Grandma Bennetts home, but Grandpa at the time was deceased. She was the 7th child and 4th daughter, though they went on to have 2 more girls and one son after her. Of course, I first met her in 1977 or was it 78? How well I remember the visit even if I can not remember the year! My friend and I took a road trip to Moroni and Delta. We had made previous arrangements so the visit was not a surprise. When we arrived in Delta it was dinnertime so we stopped at Taco Time and enjoyed a meal. Then we found Beulahs home, the present one we are living in. I was expecting a chubby farm wife (did I just describe myself!) to greet us at the door. Imagine my surprise when a slender, beautiful , classy blonde greeted us! She was wearing a fancy deep mauroon moo moo she had purchased in Hawaii. She said: "I hope you haven't eaten as I have dinner ready." Yes, we put away two meals and when she brought out the huge piece of lemon pie I thought I would die! Beulah was a good cook and a gracious hostess. Beulah and I were very different in so many ways, actually in most ways, but we always got along beautifully. Yes, she could irritate me as I am sure I could irritate her, but as a mother in law and person I loved her. I had a Bishop one time ask me how I got along so well with her (it was well known his wife did not care for his mother!) I told him I just accepted Beulah for who she was. I think acceptance instead of expectations makes life much easier! Beulah loved to golf, travel, do yard work, and read racy romance novels. She loved to wear red because that was Bud's favorite color, but I think her favorite color to wear was pink. And, oh yes, let's not forget those turquois blue jeans! She loved jewlry and she loved to wear her cross to church! She also liked knick knacks and was the proud owner of 3 curio cabinets chuck full of 'treasures.' She was a very good cook and a good housekeeper until her ending years. I wish I had a photo to post, but I do not have a scanner so this one of her bathroom will have to do. It certainly does remind me of Beulah! What a grand lady and I hope she is enjoying her day on the other side of the veil. P.S. I think the bathroom will be soon receiving a make over with our tax refund. Though I will still have the matching bedroom that goes with it!

Luck of the .....Bassetts!

"Be caller #8 and win tickets to the Nascar races in Vegas!" Be caller #8's parents and win free room & board plus entertainment in St. George! Who were the winners? Mom and Dad spending their 7th anniversary in Vegas (without their children) or Grandpa and Grandma spending the night with the grandkids? Hands down the winners were-drumroll please................... the grandparents! Seriously, what could be more entertaining.... watching a bunch of cars driving around in circles or watching 3 little ones run cirlces around Grandma and Grandpa! I am positive we had the best time. Especially when night time came and everyone, but the baby (who at 6 months is self-contained!) crawled into mom and dads bed for a very fun 'sleep?' over. Grandpa was eventually voted off the island and on to the couch. Sorry Grandpa, but all four of us would not fit!