the invisible woman

I have discovered this fun site, fresh http://freshbrewedlife.com/. Nicole Johnson is amazing, speaking to women in such a deep way. I find her inspirational and often bringing tears to my eyes as she speaks to my fears, my hopes, to my heart. I have watched the one on baggage, and stepping into the ring. This particular one on the invisible woman brings me comfort. She reminds me who it is that I am seeking to please, to honor. It seems to go so well with living with purpose, loving the moment, the process, the experience. I love my life. I love my family. I love my God and I praise him.

On purpose

The idea of purpose comes to me often. I have been simply floating along in my days. I take care of the essentials and some other things that come up but I am not accomplishing much. By afternoon I too often wonder where my day has gone. I am easily distracted from the goals I had (the computer and blogging being a big distraction for me). I was talking to Lauri and thinking about how it is good to be flexible in our schedules. It is good to available to help, serve, have fun with out children. Spontaneity is fun. I don't have to give these things up for purpose. I can be a stay at home mom, be available, and still live with purpose. I can have goals and not get mad when in the middle of a project I need to change a stinky diaper, or stop a fight, or get a snack. It has occurred to me that the difference between being tossed to and fro on any wave that comes along and living with purpose is that I make a conscious choice. I make a plan. I live with purpose and I can include in that purpose being available to my family. I do need to make goals, lists, limit time on the computer, and make the time to do those things that I feel most passionate about, those things that are truly most needful. I am seeking to put first things first and therefore be a better steward of the many blessings with which I have been entrusted.

So I do want to plan my day with purpose. I want to begin each day looking at my calender, considering long term goals, obligations, my roles as wife, mother, daughter, sister, and friend and make a plan. I don't have to live in a state of confusion, wondering what should I do next, or simply running crisis management. I want to set aside a reasonable amount of time for filling my own cup and continuing my own education and learning. I believe I can come to the end of the day and be able to say, "it was a good day". I can even say it when all that may be done on my list is being there for a sick child, getting dinner to a new mother, or running a last minute item for my husband.

Potty training

This beautiful gadget is my best friend today. This morning as my little one was getting dressed she spied the underwear and insisted on wearing it. She is aware of pottying. She is capable of changing her own clothes (which she does several times a day) and loves getting on the potty, wiping, flushing, and washing her hands. The one thing that never happens while on the potty is going potty. So by 10:30 am we were out of clean underwear, we were cleaning the carpet and by lunch time big brother had had an accident on the couch during a nap so . . . I am so grateful for a carpet/upholstery cleaner and the ability to use it. Less often would be okay but now we are back in diapers and will wait another month or more as the underwear will be disappearing for a while.

Maybe we will focus on teaching her to wash her face.

FHE

Another costume preview. We haven't figured out her costume yet but she loves letting the boys dress her up.

Monday before Halloween finds us again carving pumpkins. It is a love-hate kind of activity. The kids sure enjoy it. With the older girls gone we didn't get nearly as artistic but had a great time. We like to save the pumpkin seeds.

We saved the seed for a favorite pumpkin seed treat.

Sweet and Spicy Pumpkin Seeds

1 cup seeds

5 T sugar

1/4 t. salt

1/4 t. cumin

1/4 t. cinnamon

1/4 t. ginger

pinch cyenne

1 1/2 T. peanut oil

Bake seeds on a parchment lined cookie sheet for 1 hour at 250 degrees

In med bowl combine 3 T Sugar, salt, cumin, cinnamon, ginger, and cayenne. Heat oil in skillet over high heat. Add pumpkin seeds and 2 T sugar, cook until sugar melts and seeds begin to carmelize, 45-60 seconds. Transfer to bowl with spices and stir. Let cool. Stores for one week in airtight container.

Obviously with our pumpkins we get to double the recipe several times. Good thing.

A happy harvest

We have been so blessed. It has been a good harvest at our house this year. Our garden finally produced something worthwhile--tomatoes, beets, zucchini, banana squash, zucchini, green beans, corn, tomatillos, yellow zucchini, honey from our own bees, and new chicks. Our chickens are not laying yet but they look healthy, happy, and big enough that it should start happening soon. (Sally, your chicken is laying now.)

We bottled peach-raspberry jam, plum jam, apricot jam, jalepeno pepper jelly, chicken, tomato soup, salsa, pizza sauce . . .

applesauce, peaches, and our honey. Then we took advantage of trips to the big city to get wheat and oats. The best hot cocoa comes from our own LDS cannery.

Next came the case lot sale and more bargains and opportunities to stock up. I do canned tomatoes, different kinds of beans, pineapple, tuna, chicken and beef broth, some canned soups (although I try to avoid using the canned soups. I'll share my version of cream of chicken sometime), and pasta, sugars, flour, baking powder, salt, and a few cans of complete meals like stew or chili.

It gives such a great sense of security and peace to have enough food to feel like we will eat well with whatever may be happening to our crazy world around us. Because I am hoping for the best possible outcome to current concerns, I like to think that my food storage is simply for the convenience and peace of mind that comes from not having to run to the store as often, having basic ingredients that can be used to create many great meals and treats. I love having my shelves full. It fills my heart (and stomach) in a sweet way.

Fall has also brought out the costume box. The wee ones are having great fun making up costumes and making messes throughout the house. This is my mighty Hunter, Zorro,

and someone else that I am not so sure what to call. Any suggestions?

Yeah, Pete

Today Peter went to state cross country meet in Sugar House with the Manti Team. He did great. Got his personal best yet and sounded happy on the phone.

bright ideas

This was my best picture of the orchestra. I just couldn't make it work. Dane was in the back and we couldn't see him but we could usually find the light bulb just above the heads.

Dane is taking orchestra, shop, and PE at the middle school this year. He is really enjoying his classes but mostly his friends. For the orchestra's first concert this year they did a Halloween theme and wore costumes. He came with a bright idea. (yes, the light bulb floating above his head is his costume.)

Today Dane taught Isaac to play chess. Since I still can't remeber the positions or moves of each of the pieces, I am just amazed. For me the most rewarding thing about it was Dane's incredible patience in teaching. He taught creatively and with enthusiasm that often brought laughter from Isaac. I guess I should sign up for lessons. I guess Dane's costume is true to his way of doing things, he always has a bright idea and a fun way to do things.

Frugal fun

In case you hadn't notice and didn't hear in conference--We are in difficult times. I personally have been noticing and doing what I can to cut costs. I thought I would share some of the things I am doing from time to time. In an effort to lower our natural gas bill, we have not yet turned the heat on. We have been blessed with a warm Fall and so that has been easy so far. We have started having a fire in the kitchen first thing in the morning where we read scriptures and have breakfast. Breakfast? Yes, that has changed also. I have been happily surprised how much I save not buying cold cereal but making breakfast from my food storage. The adjustment period was short and we have a lot of good, hot breakfasts. We are also working to get a wood burning stove in the basement and of course, my hard working men of the family have been busy harvesting wood to burn. They are up the mountain again today to get more fire wood.
There is another way I am fighting the gas prices. I have discovered the joy of hang drying my laundry. During the heat of the summer it did go much faster but it does still work. I end up hanging a lot of it in my bedroom on a folding laundry rack from Walmart. It is taking longer to dry inside but I just make sure I do a load (or two on sunny days) every day and I manage to keep up. I do give in to drying towels in the dryer. They are so much softer but I may try hang drying them and then just throwing them in the dryer for a few minutes before folding to soften them up.
I have enjoyed finding others who are also cutting cost on line. Here are some links that I have found http://theprudenthomemaker.com and http://www.frugalabundance.com . They may not be your style but the spark some ideas that may help in your kitchen to save money.

conference weekend

We loved conference. We all camped out at Elise and John's, filling their home and feeling the spirit. We are in difficult times but we have the recipe for success, peace, and joy. Elder Holland said that the Lord will fight our battles, our children's battles and our children's children's battles--be faithful, angels are all about us. May we have unity, return to virtue, accept change, pray meaningfully, strength marriage and family, and always remember the Lord prepares a way.
We enjoyed a Sunday walk on the riverwalk--wow, it was beautiful.

Simeon found a geo cache and we left a note from him.

All my kids in one spot, in one picture--another modern miracle!

We even played Pooh sticks. Nobody outgrows this game.

Soaking up conference messages.
Our priesthood holders were able to attend their meeting in the Conference center. With the long drive we packed the cooler with lasagna and they said it worked fine, although it would have been nice to have plates. Hey, I gave them forks and paper towels and they came home clean so it all worked out.
There were plenty of burrs along the way which resulted in one big, continuous burr fight.
And the sweet, innocents simply enjoying rosehips. Thanks to the VanO's for their hospitality and great home. We love and miss you and Natalie and are so grateful for family.

bring it in

I have some favorite blogs and sites that I really enjoy the creative efforts that are shared. They inspire me to want to do more and be better, to create beauty here for my family.

These are my efforts at being creative and bring the beauties of nature inside to be enjoyed. I really enjoyed President Uchtdorf's take about all of us being creative. I want to create beauty in my home, whether it be leaves brought in or laughter or good food or a safe place to share feelings or make mistakes. I would like to hope it might bring order also but we will just keep making progress one baby step at a time. I am really looking forward to General Conference and the messages of hope and guidance that may be shared.