Paradigm (PAR - a - Dime)

Shift.

I've heard that phrase for many years. 

To me it has meant to look at things in a different way. 

That you change your perspective. 

I guess it was first used as a word to
define purely scientific methods.  

When I looked up the common (not scientific)
definition it is : 

"To change from one way of thinking to another. It's a revolution, a transformation, a sort of metamorphosis. It just does not happen, but rather it is driven by agents of change."

Anyway, I had a paradigm shift as I sat and looked at my craft room yesterday.  When I have a big project to work on, I tend to spread out on a kitchen table or set up a table in the family room.  (This has been evidenced by my many different projects that I locate in many different rooms in my house)    

So, as I sat looking at my craft room, I thought to myself. 

"I know why I don't like to sew on the sewing table. 

It is crammed in a corner with very little work space. 

It is not inviting to me." 

Then I said to myself,

"I know why I don't like to use the Cricut machine

on the drafting table in the craft room.

It's because it is always covered with too many

containers of pens and other stuff." 

I know, I seem to be talking to myself a lot lately.

But, that is when I had the paradigm shift.

I asked myself,

"Why do I have to use the sewing table for sewing? 

Just because I bought that sewing table at a garage sale

many years ago for 25 dollars,

I don't have to use it for a sewing table." 

That thought started a whole reorganization of my craft room. 

Now my drafting table is completely clear and available to use for my sewing machine or my Cricut machine at any time.  I have converted my sewing table to an organization shelf. 

Wow. 

I have been sewing the car seat cover

and nursing cover for Misty's baby,

and enjoying every minute of my large sewing space. 

I guess that's what happens when you "think."

2nd time around

for Ashton's pumpkin cookies.

Three weeks ago I rushed one morning to make

Pumpkin Chip Cookies (Ashton's favorite),

package them, and send them off so

they would get there for Ashton's birthday on January 26.

I sent them, along with a check and a few

other little goodies.

Every day I waited to hear that the package had arrived.

It still hasn't.

I got a case number, but the post office has no

clue where the package went.

One man said it may have gotten "chewed up"

in the baggage handling machine.

Very Frustrating.

So here are the new cookies

I've just finished baking.

I think I'll send them UPS this time

and track the route.

I got this Pumpkin Cookie recipe from a Church Primary Manual many years ago.  I think the lesson was on the blessings of the earth and how we are able to eat what grows from the earth.  I've tried other recipes since then, but I've never liked it as well as this one.   Of course, I had to add chocolate chips to it.

Pumpkin Chip Cookies

(This is proportioned to use a large can of pumpkin)

1 1/2 cups butter
3 cups brown sugar
3/4 cup sugar
6 eggs
3 cups cooked or canned mashed pumpkin
6 cups flour
2 tablespoons cinnamon
1 1/2 teaspoons salt
1 1/2 teaspoons cloves
1 1/2 teaspoons nutmeg
1 1/2 teaspoons ginger
1 tablespoon baking soda
1 1/2 teaspoons lemon extract

Cream together butter, sugar, eggs, and pumpkin. Add dry ingredients. Blend in extract and nuts. Add chocolate chips.  Drop by spoonful on a greased cookie sheet. Bake at 400 for 10 to 12 minutes.

I'm feeling

a little overindulged.

I had at least one (and usually more) of everything on this table.

But we had such a good time sharing the day with

Jared and Sarah and their very cute and very polite boys.

With Stephanie and Bryce and little Andie,

who received a beautiful blessing today,

And of course with Tom and Lynn who

bought most of the food for the affair.

We don't get to see any of them often,

so I love having them hang out here when they are around.

PS:  This is Annette writing. 

Not Tom, who had a short lived "Coup d'état" of my blog.

We're

having a good laugh regarding the previous entry.  No, I haven't totally lost it or moved out of state. 

Tom got a text message from his daughter telling him to quit impersonating me on my blog.  We were somewhat confused about the whole thing until we came home and read it.   He was using my computer, but how he posted on my blog instead of his is somewhat of a mystery.  He swears he logged in as his name.   No doubt it was the computer's fault, certainly not human error.  Of course this was done by my brother who, while talking with his son on the phone about computer issues, typed "right click" when he was told to right click.   For some unknown reason that didn't work.  Kind of like for some unknown reason he posted on his blog but it showed up on mine.    Oh well, he treated us to an amazing dinner at Ruby River, so I guess I'll allow him to take over my blog for a day.  But, he'll certainly never live this one down.

Having fun in Utah

It is Saturday night and we are just headed out to eat dinner with Gary and Annette. They are always so thoughtful in giving us room and board we thought it would nice to take them out for dinner.

We got in late last night (around 11pm or so).  Today we spent the early morning with Annette and late morning to just a bit ago with Jared and family and Steph and family.  We ate lunch at "Stan's" on 9th East which has a history for me since that was called the "Article Circle" in my youth and I use to eat and get drinks there some 55 years ago.  They still serve really good food. After that we came back to Annette's and watch BYU get roasted by UNLV in basketball.  BYU was ranked 12th in the nation but this will drop them way down.

It has been fun being with the grandkids and kids.  They all seem happy.  Jared is still in a quandry about his home as it is just one thing after another that delays their getting into it. Andie is soooo cute. The boys are really well behaved and fun. They are eating dinner with Jean this evening.

Tomorrow is the blessing and then after that the football game and I think the kids are coming up here to watch that, or at least some of it.  We are having food and candy etc.  It should be fun. I really enjoy being with them. I miss them.  What would life be like without loved ones??

This is

why I haven't had time to blog the last few days.  

I've finally been getting the downstairs bedroom decorated

and ready for guests.

(We're excited to have Tom and Lynn this weekend)

And, it's time to show

 "the deep,"

since this is as good as it gets.

Really!

As bad as it is,
with baskets and cords hanging from the ceiling,

that's as good as it gets.

Whew, I feel better coming clean
about this "deep" dark secret.

I just got

off the phone with my brother, Gary, and his wife, Lynn.

We were talking about their 50th wedding anniversary

which is coming up this summer.

Then Gary referred me to a website

to read an article where they interviewed Lynn.

It is beautiful and captures the essence of her and Gary's spirits,

It also gives a better understanding of what my

nephew, Chuck,

and niece, Christine, went through in their lives.

They are all heroes to me.

Here is the article

Beyond This Mortal Coil --Interview with Lynn Anderson

Chuck at Cory's Wedding

Me and Chuck

Christine and Natalie

Christine and Dad (and Misty)

Christine's last birthday