Vanilla Roasted Berries

I'm posting this so I can find the recipe. It looks delicious and I love berries-a win/win! This is from a very pretty blog called "Poppytalk".

Vanilla Roasted Berries
(adapted from Ina Garten)

1 pint blackberries
1 pint strawberries
3 tablespoons vanilla sugar (or more if you like things sweet)
1 teaspoon balsamic vinegar
1/2 teaspoon black pepper
1/4 teaspoon kosher salt

Preheat oven to 350F. Place berries evenly on a parchment paper-covered cookie sheet. Sprinkle with vanilla sugar, salt and pepper and balsamic vinegar. Roast in the oven for 20 minutes. Cool slightly until the juices thicken, about 5 minutes. Serve warm over ice cream, yogurt or whatever your heart desires.

mothers

I saw this New Yorker cover on another blog and had to share it with you. I think it is both beautiful and sad as it illustrates the different ways women might feel about motherhood. To my mother, and all those that mother: Thank you! What a beautiful gift women have been given from God; the desire to love, teach, and nurture anyone in need. Sometimes, though, the importance of this gift is being drowned out by the lure of the worldly. The saddest part is that sometimes women are the ones calling out against motherhood the loudest. As sisters, we should be helping and encouraging each other to be our individual best. We need to appreciate the contribution that each of us makes to our world, be it the playroom, or classroom, or boardroom, or courtroom, or backyard. As to why we should never forget why we have the urge to "mother" those around us I found these words beautiful-

"Don't be lured away from the plan of God to the ways of the world where motherhood is belittled, femininity is decried, and the divinely established role of a wife and mother is mocked. Let the world go its way. You follow the plan of the Lord for the greatest measure of true, eternal achievement, and the fullness of happiness." - Richard G. Scott

Mother Theresa wisely spoke that "If you judge people you have no time to love them". Thomas S. Monson said "Life is perfect for none of us. Instead of being judgmental and critical of each other, may we have the pure love of Christ for our fellow travelers in this journey through life". Isn't that what true mothering is?

Blueberries!

I couldn't believe my eyes-there were ripe blueberries on my blueberry bush. Call me crazy for being excited, but fruit usually doesn't grow that easily for me. So here are the first 12 berries of the season, and they are happy to see you!

(You caught me. I ate 3 on my way to find the camera.)

New goals for a new year!

This year I have decided to try out new things. Nothing too dare-devilish, more on the just nice side! So far I have taken a class on sauces for meat at the Laguna Culinary Arts School-super fun, made a cloth shopping bag-you will want one, and as of last Thursday: I'm not going to the store for anything except milk and fresh fruit/veggies for one week. The tricky part with this goal is that prior to my big decision, I neglected to check out our bread supply, which consisted of 2 heels. So on Friday I was busy making whole wheat bread and hiding it so it would be used for sandwiches, not snacking. The excitement also increased when Evan invited 4 of his friends over for Sunday dinner. The great news is that my refrigerator is looking less stuffed (by a ton) and now I will be able to use my imagination in creating dinners and lunches for the next 4 day. I know I can do it- that is partly why I chose this challenge. We buy too much stuff and there it sits. It is kind of a spring cleaning/muscle stretching for the cook- ie me:) This goal also includes not purchasing things for everyday use, like crafts, cleaning, seminary, and so on...! The neat thing that I have already discovered is how much more I appreciate gifts that are given to me! A sweet couple brought over a Valentine cone with candy inside. What a windfall! I hadn't bought candy for the holiday prior to my decision-how fun it was to be the recipients of some. It has only been 4 days and I'm already seeing the benefits.

Everyone- have a wonderful week!

My Aquabats!

How could I not post this photo!? Evan is front left and Colin is on the right. Behind right is Dane and Travis in above Col and Ev. They were Aquabats for Halloween. Thanks to Aunt Susie for the hoodies!

The journey continues...

Yesterday Evan received his driver's license. I am still in a bit of shock. How could this happen so quickly. It seem as if it were just a short time ago that I held him, so recently from heaven, through that Christmas eve night. His head covered with bruising, his eyelids dark purple and his eye a deep blood red; the aftermath of a difficult delivery. Yet there he slept, the most beautiful and perfect soul. Our family's Christmas gift, safely from God's arms to ours. Now it is our turn to let him go, to grow up and learn those things that must be learned alone. But not quite alone, because I will always be there reminding him to be careful.

What a Thanksgiving Week!

Things were jumping around the house this Thanksgiving week! Thanks to GGUSD furlow days, we had the whole week to play and enjoy the season. My parents were down and Mike and Chelsie and Rusty joined in from Chico. And, we were able to get together with extended family to celebrate a few birthdays. For some fun, we created orange-clove pomanders. As you can see it was dangerous work by the way Evan is protecting his eyes.

Plenty of projects kept us busy. Mom, Chelsie and I made 14 more felt covered soaps. We tried out some new recipes- my favorite was the flourless chocolate cake, good grief, it was really yummy. And I discovered that if you put a little creme fraisch (sp) or sour cream into your whipped cream and powdered sugar at the start, it will be nice and thick, and stay that way. Mike brined the turkey, which was fantastic.

Early on Thanksgiving morning, David, Mike and I drove down to Dana Point to participate in the Turkey Trot! The proceeds go to the Second Harvest Food Bank of Orange County. It couldn't have been a prettier morning. The sky was crystal clear and the sun was out. We, and 10,000 others were out enjoying the festivities. Quite a few people dressed up, so we got to see a lot of turkeys and chefs running around. Dave and Mike ran the 10k. My 5k didn't start until they were done, so graciously, they joined me for a nice stretch out walk.

No, it didn't take us 1 hour 5 minutes to walk! That is just how long it had been since the race started:] Jeepers, I'm not that slow!

Then we hiked back to our car, which might have been farther that the original 5k, and headed home to get things cooking for the feast. Everyone helped and everything was delicious. I have so much to be thankful for! Family, friends, the knowledge of the Plan of Happiness, and so many little things that make my live lovely.

Even clean up from the feast was a breeze!