It was a full day

of feeling the missionary spirit.  We went to two sacrament meetings, one where we heard our friend's son, Shaun Johansen, give is mission report.  Then to our ward where we heard from one departing missionary and one returning missionary.  

It is always inspiring to hear the growth that has occurred in the two years away from home. Pretty amazing, really, how young 19 year old (now 18 year old) youth go out into the world, away from their families, extending themselves beyond their comfort zones, serving people from all walks of life.   It truly is a testament to the fact that we love those we serve.  I've never heard a missionary who doesn't express great love for the people whose lives they were a part of.  They come home with firm testimonies of God's love for them and for all of His children.    

Having never sent off a missionary, I can only imagine the joys, fears, and emotions involved.  I'll be able to experience a portion of that with our grandchildren who go.  It takes a lot of faith and courage for all involved, and I'm sure I'll really start to feel it even more when it hits close to home.  

Digging yourself

into a hole.

This morning Gary asked if I had any honey-dos for him.  I said I did need to plant a couple of things and that he could dig the holes.  He said he was good and digging himself into holes.

That got us into a discussion of how we "dig ourselves into a hole" in different aspects of our lives -- Physical, Spiritual, Relationship, Career.    It is an interesting phrase.  It is one of those idioms that you don't take literally but has the general meaning that you are getting yourself in to trouble.   It is a step below "digging your own grave."    You hear the sayings, "You better stop, you're just digging a deeper hole."   "You're digging a hole you won't be able to get out of."

I feel like I'm "digging myself into a hole" with the way I use my time (on frivolous or unimportant things). In the way I eat and don't exercise.   But the more you do self-defeating actions or make poor choices, the deeper the hole gets and the harder it is to quit (or climb out).

Will Rogers has a quote that says:  "If you find yourself in a hole, stop digging."

 If it were only that easy!

It is hot today (100 degrees),

and the heat makes me grumpy and irritable.  I guess it is good I don't live in St George where it was 116 today. I just don't tolerate heat well at all.  How did people survive before air conditioning?

It was nice, though, when we went to dinner with Gary and Lynn and went to the movie "White House Down."   The movie was entertaining, but probably a little too realistic to people who experienced 9/11 firsthand.  And it was a little too unrealistic for the main characters to have lived through it all.

Oh, it is hot and I am irritable.   Don't mind me.








 

Hello 4th of July

Rotating Shelf

(Bunny Hollow version) going down.

  

I'm a little stressed

about this.

A while back Loralee asked me to come up with a couple of parties I would like to host and she would design the products for it.  This is the first one!  She is going to send a whole ensemble of products to go with it and is arranging to have a photographer come.

Yikes!  After having been involved in several photo shoots/events, I know it is quite the process.   First to set up so it is picture perfect and, second, to have good models.

Well, since my grandchildren/models are picture perfect, at least that part is taken care of!   As far as the other, I'm spending an inordinate amount of time envisioning how I will set up the buffet table and banners and everything else.

Definitely a new, fun, and somewhat intimidating experience for me.

Misty obviously

caught the significance of the photo yesterday (since we had the little misadventure a couple of years ago while collecting rocks in Missouri!)   The other important part that we got home with was the case of mustard packets that the Idiarts gave Gary for Father's day.  I think those should last Gary for about a month.

The idea to collect a few rocks on the way home came as I noticed the rocks in Tiffany's yard.  It was also a nostalgic, thought, too.   As a little girl, on our many road trips to California to visit Gary and Lynn, Dad was always stopping and picking up rocks along the roadways.  He used them decoratively in the yard and eventually built a rock fireplace in his wood shop.  This is the only picture I have of it (behind where I was showing my baby gifts and pregnancy with Misty).  

  Mom and Dad made the wood shop into a bedroom for us while we stayed there that summer.

Got home with the

Important stuff

Photos from the River

It's my new hairdo.

We just finished a fun

day with making s'mores in the fire pit.  We went on a boat excursion on the Rogue river.  

Pictures tomorrow.

Yesterday Gary commented

on how Annie is always moving, swinging her arms, or running instead of walking.  He deduced that maybe if he were more like Annie he might lose weight.  We were cracking up laughing as he tried to follow and  mimic her movements as we walked into Target.

But then Annie started feeling sick and today has spent most of the day just napping and lying down.  Maybe she is trying to mimic Grandpa now?

We hope she is feeling better tomorrow, but in the meantime I'm happy to stay home and snuggle with her.

Lots of yummy

food in Ashland and Jacksonville

We had lots of fun

yesterday morning doing a home version of "Chopped."  I had never watched it, but basically the contestants are given ingredients that they have to use in an appetizer, main dish, and dessert.  Gary and Tiffany were the judges and the kids and I were contestants.   We had to use pretzels in the appetizer, a tortilla in the main dish, and marshmallows in the dessert.

It was lots of fun and it was amazing how creative everyone was .  I didn't win 1st prize in any of the courses, but I believe I probably won the prize for being the first contestant to wear a MuMu and who looks like she just got out of bed in the morning (which was the case).

We had a rousing

pageant presentation of King Lamoni and Ammon for Family Home Evening tonight.

(Notice the Arm)

Father's Day with the Idiarts.

It couldn't have been a

more perfect day for Annie and her family.

\

and for us.

After the baptism she had an awesome water party.

I need to get "doubles" of those pictures  from Tiffany.

And, after that we went and got her ears pierced.

Which I need to get "doubles" of, too.

And in case you think I'm not seeing clearly: 

Back in the day before digital pictures, 

after every picture someone would take, we would say 

"Make doubles or triples of that picture so I can have one."  

We're

here . . .

Can you tell we are loving it?  

We're on our way . . .

We can't wait to see you.

Annie wants these

cupcakes for her Splish Splash Party.

I made the cupcakes (not the frosting) beforehand, but thought I better use a recipe that would hold up a little better than my chocolate one that I love.  The problem with my favorite recipe is that it is so moist that it doesn't hold its shape too well.  So I tried this one that has been tested by 50+ bakers and said to be the Ultimate Chocolate cupcake.

It does hold its shape really well but is not as moist.  

I think next time I will use darker chocolate.

Chocolate Cupcake Recipe – The Ultimate Chocolate Cupcake Test Baked by 50 Bakers and Counting

Yield: 16 cupcakes

Ingredients

• 1/4 cup (2 ounces) unsalted butter, room temperature
• 1 cup (7 ounces) sugar
• 2 ounces of your favorite chocolate (You can use any plain chocolate that you like except white chocolate or candy melts. The chocolate doesn't have to be one typically earmarked for baking - any chocolate bar that isn't flavored and doesn't contain mix-ins like nuts, Rice Krispies, nougat, etc. will work.)
• 2 large eggs, room temperature
• 2 large egg yolks, room temperature
• 1/2 cup + 1 tablespoon (4 1/2 fluid ounces) vegetable or canola oil, measured in a liquid measuring cup
• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
• 1/3 cup (2 3/4 ounce) full-fat sour cream
• 1 cup (5 ounces) all-purpose flour
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/2 cup (2 ounces) cocoa powder (natural or dutched will both work with this recipe)
• 1/2 cup (4 fluid ounces) room temperature water, measured in a liquid measuring cup

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 350 F.
2. In a medium-sized mixing bowl or the bowl of a stand mixer, mix butter and sugar until fully combined. The end result should look like wet sand.
3. Melt the chocolate in the microwave or in a double boiler.
4. Once the melted chocolate is cool enough to touch, add it to the butter/sugar mixture and mix until just combined.
5. Mix in eggs and egg yolks one at a time until just combined.
6. Mix in oil, vanilla, and sour cream until just combined.
7. Sift together flour, salt, baking soda, and cocoa powder into a separate medium-sized bowl. Use a fork or a whisk to ensure that the ingredients are mixed well after sifting.
8. Add dry ingredients to wet ingredients in three additions, mixing until just combined after each addition.
9. Mix in water until just combined.
10. Fill cupcake liners 2/3 full and put in the oven.
11. Check for doneness at 18 minutes - a toothpick inserted into the center of a cupcake should come out clean. If they are not done, check again every three minutes until they are done.
12. Immediately remove cupcakes from the cupcake tin and place on a cooling rack or on the counter to cool to room temperature. Although they are really good when they are hot, be sure to wait until they are room temperature to give your evaluation.

Notes

Read more at http://www.cupcakeproject.com/2013/06/chocolate-cupcake-recipe-the-ultimate-chocolate-cupcake-test-baked-by-50-bakers-and-counting.html#vxUI0erzzyKTrigm.99