"Oh no, what's this?"

asked Natalie when she saw one of these tiles under the pan of cupcakes.

"Aren't they cool, I found them at Honks and they were just a dollar." said I.

"Mom, how many did you buy?" asked Natalie.

"Well, maybe 11 or 12. I don't know, I just bought all that there were."

"Oh, Mom." said Natalie


(But just think of all the uses I can find for them.
I used 5 today when I set the
cupcake tins on the counter to cool.
I could use them for plates on a tiered plate holder
or give one as a gift with cupcakes on them.
The possibilities are endless.
That's why I had to buy all of them)

Discoveries on a Walk

We went on a walk this morning, and I discovered several things. I guess discovered isn't the right word, but rather saw for myself several things.

Gary has talked about walking the switchbacks behind Timpview High School, but in all these years I've never been on them. It was very pretty to reach the top and look at the view. We passed a new playground area that has been built back from the road. I'll have to remember that next time the grand kids are here.

On our way back we stopped at Gary's Aunt Betty's house. She is amazing. She told us that she was just called as Relief Society President, and she is 81 years old! She in no way acts or looks that age. She has always been adamant about the importance of taking care of yourself. Not by extreme food choices or restrictions, but rather by exercise and keeping yourself active physically and mentally. For years I've seen her walking around town. She would often drive to a different part of town to park, and then walk and discover interesting things in that area. She's always attended plays and cultural events and volunteers down at the homeless shelter. She firmly believes that how you think in your mind affects how you feel in your body. She is a good example of living that philosophy.

While I agree that having a positive outlook definitely makes a difference in the quality of our lives, I know many positive thinking people who still have serious health problems. But, as with all aspects of life, looking for the good and positive makes all the difference in the way we handle those problems. I have such admiration for those who handle pain, disability, and trials with grace and with determination to focus on the good in their lives. I hope I can do the same.

Chocolate Chip Cookies

There are several different chocolate chip cookies I like to make (and eat). I have one with oatmeal and one made with butter and coconut. But, anytime I want just a basic chocolate chip cookie, it seems I always turn to this recipe. I actually like it equally as well with m&ms.

I got this recipe from a girl I met in my BYU ward while I was in college. We had a conversation about cooking and from that arranged a date to meet at her apartment and exchange our favorite recipes. That was the only time I ever spent with her, and I don't even remember her name. I hope I shared something with her that she has used through the years like I have used this recipe.

Chocolate Chip or M&M Cookies

2/3 cups shortening
1/2 cup sugar
1/2 cup brown sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 egg
1 1/2 cups flour
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 cup chocolate chips

Mix shortening, sugar, vanilla, and egg. Add flour, soda, and salt. Stir in chocolate chips. Drop on ungreased cookie sheet. Bake 8 to 10 minutes at 350 to 375 degrees (depending on your oven)

Restlessness

I'm feeling oddly restless. There are so many projects I want to complete, which is precisely the problem. I don't know where to start. So I'm trying to find things to distract me from what I could and should be doing. I decided to go sit in the porch swing. This is what I'm looking at right now. It's windy, so the wind chimes are making beautiful music, and on top of that, I hear the Timpview band playing in the background. You know it has to be loud for me to hear it.



Now Gary just came home from a youth activity of doing baptisms for the dead at the temple.


He asked me if I wanted to go to the bank with him. Of course I do. Then I can further delay anything that needs doing. And maybe he'll also suggest that since we're out we may as well go get some dinner. See, I'm no dummy.

Rose Bush from Mom and Dad's

I love this rose bush.

It is an old fashioned variety that has very loose full blooms. One reason I love it is because it was transplanted from Mom and Dad's house.

A few days after Mom's funeral, my family left for Missouri for Misty and Dan's wedding reception back there. My sister's husband, Greg, asked if I wanted him to transplant one of their rose bushes into our yard while we were gone. He was afraid it would be too late for transplanting by the time we got home. It was so thoughtful of him to even think of it.

So, when we got home the next week, this rose bush was planted here by the front porch. Every summer when it blooms I think of Mom and Dad.

Mom always said that some of the rose bushes in their yard came from my grandparent's house, and that some of those actually came across the plains with our pioneer ancestors.

I don't know if this is one of those roses,
but I would like to think it is.

A Flash Back Moment

Sorry about the blurry picture, I'm having camera problems.

The other day I was cutting these little belt loops off a blouse when I had one of those deja vu or flashback-moments.

I was back in Mrs. Roberts 5th grade class at Wasatch Elementary. I was out on the playground, and after chasing and catching a boy, had just scored another "gant" strap for my collection.

In 1964 "Gant" brand shirts were the cool thing. Or at least we thought they were. When one of the boys we liked got a new Gant shirt, it was our goal to be the first to pull his "gant strap" off. Here is a picture of a gant strap.
Can you imagine a mother's consternation when she would send her son to school with a new shirt and he would come home with the little strap on the back ripped off? Probably with a hole in it. How did he explain it?

I wish I had asked Gary's mom if she remembered that happening, since his was one of the straps I pulled off. (In 5th grade he was "3rd on my list" of boys I liked)

It was quite the status symbol to collect as many straps as we could. What my friends and I did with the straps was use them for hair ties on our Troll Dolls. Something like this.

All those memories,
just because I cut off some little belt loops.

And, I'm by no means suggesting
this activity to anyone
(particularly not my grandchildren).

Aren't Friends Wonderful?

They make you feel like royalty. Thanks, Dianne