Sundried Tomato Pesto Bacon Wrapped Meatloaf Rounds

Chris here.  I made this for dinner tonight from a Paleo diet website.  Turned out pretty stinkin' good.  Give it a try.

 

Click here for the recipe. 

The snow was so deep this year, this poor deer was stuck and couldn't get back over the hill with all the snow. We tried to help him but, you know how hard it is to get a deer to trust you.

Storms and talents

Hi Family,

Thank you so much for posting your pictures. 
First, talents. We have been reminded to appreciate the talents we have and that of our loved ones. I was reading Pauls patriarchal blessing. I got the idea that your Father in Heaven knows you better than anyone else. I hope you read yours and that you can see the talents that you have, also through living,you develop talents and use them in your callings. Vic asked me once if I was proud of my kids, all having college degrees and getting married in the Temple. I am more than proud. You are better than anything I have done. I credit it to the people you were to begin with. I am Thankful that I was allowed to have you.
Second, testimony.
I wanted to share two things that I have heard lately. I work in the Temple on Sat. mornings. It is just so sweet! I can't tell you how fun it is. Especially when I can do my part easily. Memorizing took me awhile.
A temple worker that worked on Sat. died at home. She went to the temple that morning.They found her in her garden that afternoon. Apparently she knew she was going because when they found her she had her hands together (like a prayer pose) under her cheek. She was laying on her side. Then they found her dog had died also,they figure after she died. I know this sounds simple after the death of Lucy,but Heavenly Father is in charge and decided she didn't need anymore challenges.
We went to Hal and Verla's ward for Rachel's homecoming,which was very special and touching. It was also a fast meeting. A women got up(she works in the Temple with me) and stated that in life there is Thunder and Lightening and great storms that have to endure. We can't change them. She then said she decided to "dance in the rain" and let storms come in and not to fight them. Then her husband got up and said that this week he found out he has Pancreatic Cancer. He and she are in their 70's . He stated he prayed about what treatment he should try. One night he had a dream and saw his father and his father told him to  come as soon as he could. So there will be no treatment but just an acceptance of moving on to a new life.   She is accepting too but still is starting to grieve, I can tell.
So, my testimony is that the Lord knows our storms and will still send us tender mercies at times. I know this gospel is a huge,magnificent truth. One convert in our ward said, this is what Plato and Socrates was looking for. This is the truth that the world needs to live by, and someday it will.
Have a good week and I hope the storms are small. Love Mom 

Happy New Year!

Merry Christmas to all and to all -get more sleep.

We had a lovely Christmas. I was a bit worried when I realized it would just be me and Grandpa. I wondered if we would be lonely and miserable. What I learned is that my family is always close- by phone. That helps. Then the visits by Wendy and Pete, Peg and Thad, and Vic and Molly who bring friends and kiddies that we love and adore, to visit.  It was quiet but you know, I think I am ready for quiet. I didn't have stockings and I didn't miss them. We have a few presents under the tree and really that was enough-we went shopping and bought what we wanted for ourselves earlier this month so we got what we wanted. The added presents from kids was a surprise and were seen as  tokens of love,which is what we really want. So all in all, we are ready for this life of simple and easier and don't miss some of the things I thought we would. I look forward to times of being together of course and don't mind cooking-although my girls, daughters and in-law daughters, are better cooks that I am, it's just eating and being in the same room that is fun.
I loved Thanksgiving but I didn't get to sit and talk like I would like to. Next time I will plan that in there. We were busy with kids. I do miss holding my grandchildren so don't feel that babysitting is such a bad thing for me. The older the kids get, the more interesting they will be and I don't want to miss that time to talk to them.
All in all, I love you and want you to be at peace as we start the new year. I can't fix the world (boy I would like to) but I can enjoy the blessing of "now" and I hope you can too.You all have a work to do, I know, so just know we pray for you and our grandchildren to fulfill that mission. We have girded our loins (does an apron count?) and hold our shields and move forth. WE can do this- we can use our talents to bring truth to the board -or minds- of those who come in our paths- because they were sent to you.
Love you all, Happy New Year!

Best Prank Ever

This video clip is from a Brazilian TV show (they have sick senses of humor in Brazil, I guess).  Victims are led their believing they are going for a job interview.
(Hint:  The elevator doesn't actually go anywhere.)

Let's learn this dance!!!

Ok not really but I can't seem to get the song out of my head. You will have to click on the link to see the video.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=vMoK0focAFE

Can you guess what the lyrics are?  Don't cheat!

Thank You!

I'm a little embarrassed to say how much I love nice gifts and being thought of by everyone. I love it.

Thank You, Thank You!

I did not at all expect something like this and I LOVE IT!  I shoved everything I thought I might remotely need for a Sunday with 6 kids in this great purse/ diaper bag. When our foster kids, Gazel and Noah came to church with us I wanted to be ready and it ALL fit. When the spit up came and Gazel needed something to quite her because she didn't understand 'prayer time' it was so easy to find. But enough about this cool bag... what about my cool family that was so great and giving and made my birthday a real surprise. 

*The bonus: I had a friend admire my bag the other day and when I explained that my husband surprised me with it for my birthday, she exclaimed "what husband thinks of things like that?" 

Um, Mine!

We Should Make a Music Video

This Video is "TWO" cute!

Have you seen this product before and thought "oh my, what will the come up with next" with all the enthusiasm of heart and soul?  So I am being a little sarcastic.  I have seen this product and rolled my eyes but I am now a changed woman.  BECAUSE I read the customer reviews!  Follow the link and then you read the reviews on this much needed kitchen gadget.

And then go change your underwear because you will pee your pants. 

 http://www.amazon.com/Victorio-Kitchen-Products-Banana-Slicer/dp/B001F5STWU/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1345407076&sr=8-3&keywords=banana+slicer

Our San Francisco Trip

The Painted Ladies.  Tanners had us over for dinner (Full house reference)

China Town.  I bought a purse and we had lunch.

Grace Cathedral.  I love to visit Cathedrals anywhere I go.

Front Door to Grace Cathedral.

Giants Game!  It was chilly!

Disney Museum.  $20 a person!  But it was moderately interesting.

Disney's Oscar's.  The one in the middle bottom has 7 little ones next to it.  It's the one he got for Snow White.

The Palace of Fine Arts.  Really really pretty.  I dont know what it's purpose is, just a nice place to stroll.

Blazzing Saddles is the place you rent bikes from.  $9 dollars an hour and worth it! We biked across the bridge and rode into Sausalito, had lunch and rode the ferry back.

Crossing the bridge.

Lombard street.  We didn't drive down it, just walked it.

Muir Woods and Sasquatch.  Probably.

This area was called "the cathedral". 

Golden Gate.

Alcatraz.  That's the purse I bought in China Town.

Oh and this is back from when Jenny and the kids came up to visit.  Hailey took a liking to Thad.  I still have to watch my back around her.  I think she's still mad at me for hogging Thad all to myself. 

July

This is my favorite picture of my trip to Utah in July. (This and the fishy video).  It was just such a good trip!

The kids are gone

After a visit from Joy and the kids, the kids wrote on the side walk and drive way. It was a self portrait for some and Allie drew a picture on the side of the elevated part of the drive way. Any way, in view of that and Jenny's kids visit,here is my rendition of what happened.

Stay till May.

The pictures were in place
My granchildren's art and face
I loved to see each line
On the drive- way, they were mine
I could see them when I walked
I remembered where we talked

But, alas it didn't stay
For the rain washed them away
Now I long for pictures in that place
And I long to see their face
Some future time I know
I will waite for them to show

It's the fate of getting old
The visits too soon grow cold
I guess there isn't any way
To make them stay till May.