I scanned in some pictures of Gary and his Dad.

From what I've heard, Gary's dad liked to stop at each historical marker that he ever encountered.  I actually only met him a couple of times, as he died in 1969 when we were in Jr. High.   

We were talking with our home teacher, whose Dad was in World War 2.  We were commenting that both of our fathers were exempt from being in World War 2 because of their occupations.  

Gary's dad worked for Wasatch Chemical, which provided fertilizer to all the orchards in the area.  My dad worked for Geneva Steel, which was very important to the war effort.  

It is assumed that Gary's dad got lung cancer because of his being in constant contact with the pesticides that are now outlawed.   

I kind of

just crashed today.   Too much adrenaline going for too long, I guess.

March

madness.   My own version of it.

Glass plates and bowls made into pedestal serving dishes by using glass lamp shades for the pedestals.

Glue the plates to the stems with 527 Glue.  (My favorite all-around glue)

Use them as you wish.



Put them in the dishwasher and the hot water releases the glue.  Now you have separate dishes that take a lot less storage space.

Pedestals (or lamp shades) were $2 each at thrift store.

Large glass bowls (or candle holders) $2.95 at Tai Pan.  

Oblong glass plates free from a neighbor.

 Glass plates from my cupboards and DI.

I PROMISE this is my last wedding preparation blog for awhile.  

 

Well,

We did a trial run of the wedding tonight.  It was the General Women's meeting and the Primary was in charge of the decorations.   NOW I just need to stop.

STOP. 

STOP.

BUT IT IS SO MUCH FUN GOING TO THRIFT STORES AND SPRAY PAINTING EVERYTHING THAT SCREAMS AT ME. 

It is so nice to see Lynn at the Stake events.  We had a little photo op station.

After

reading Angie's comment about the picture from breakfast yesterday,  I looked at it with new eyes.   She said she couldn't believe how much Gary looks like Grandpa Anderson.   I agree.

Here is the last picture I have of Dad.  It was on taken on Misty's 18th birthday (Aug 22) of 1993.  Dad died a month later, on September 24.  He was 79.

That seems like a lifetime ago.   Sometimes I forget that none of our grandchildren ever met Mom and Dad.  Grandma Ashton was alive when Jackson, Lydia and Eliza were born, but are too young to remember her.

I want to do better about keeping their memories alive for our grandchildren.

I'm so

Grateful for my siblings. We met for an early lunch today.  Charlene came down on her lunch hour and Richard drove down to spend time with Gary. 

It is so hard to see Gary and Richard struggling with health issues.  But it is sweet to see how they are so concerned for each other. 

We had the busboy take the picture. I would guess he may be a little mentally challenged,  judging by his mannerisms.   I mention that because it was also sweet when I saw Gary hand him a $10 tip. 

There is a great deal of generosity. 

We miss you, Tom. 

I lied.

I've told several people that I am not going to Deseret Industries again.    But I did today.

It all started when I had to drive Gary to pick up a rental car for a conference tomorrow.  We thought the rental car place was in Orem, so we stopped to have our almost weekly meal at Chili's (with free queso and chips.)

Then we found out the car rental was actually in south Provo, which made it so I had to go to Sam's Club, since I was down that way.  I was glad I did, because I found some great ribbon in teal and coral.

Anyway, to make a short story long,  I happened to come home via 500 west, which means I was very close to DI, which means I had to stop.  I found some more great finds that I can paint teal and coral.

I guess I won't make any more promises that I can't keep.

 

Candy buffet.

I think I've finally

come up with a good compromise with my chocolate cream cheese cupcakes.  I've always loved the taste, but have never loved how they usually sunk in the middle.  For my own benefit, I am writing exactly what I used to make them work and also display well.

First  of all, I bought higher wrappers at a restaurant supply store.

This helped them to rise more evenly and not create a muffin top.

(6"  2 1/4 high x 1 7/8 high)

I filled them 2/3 full (in the actual muffin tin, not 2/3 up in the wrapper).  Then I put about a tablespoon of the filling in each one.  It is smart to start with smaller amounts of the filling, because you can always add more But, it is hard to take filling out of the cupcake batter if you run out before all the cupcakes have filling.

As I was 6x the recipe, Gary came into the kitchen and I asked him to please leave, as he was making me nervous.   He claimed it was the other way around, but gladly left.

Then the one other change I made was to add 1/4 more cup flour than I have been using before.

Here is adapted recipe:

Chocolate Cream Cheese Cupcakes  Yield:  34 cupcakes

~~ -- FILLING -- ~~

8 ounce cream cheese
3/4 cup sugar
1 egg
1 cup semisweet chocolate chips

~~ -- BATTER -- ~~

2 cups Sugar 

2 cups Flour
3/4 cup Hershey's cocoa
2 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon Baking powder
1 teaspoon Salt
2 Eggs
1 cup Buttermilk or sour milk
1 cup Boiling water
1/2 `cup Vegetable oil
1 teaspoon Vanilla

1.  For filling, in a small bowl, beat cream cheese and sugar until smooth. Beat in eggs until combined. Fold in chocolate chips; set aside.  2. For Cake stir together sugar, flour, cocoa, baking soda, baking powder, and salt.  Add eggs, buttermilk, boiling water, oil and vanilla. Beat on medium speed of mixer 2 minutes (batter will be thin).  Pour batter in prepared tins (approximately 1/2 full) 3.  Drop 1 Tablespoon of filling into each cupcake.  4.  Bake at 350 for 17 to 19 minutes.   Let cool before frosting.  5.  When cool, frost with chocolate frosting.                                             

~~ -- Chocolate Frosting –

1 cup Butter ; (2 sticks)
5 tablespoon Hershey's Cocoa
5 cups Powdered sugar
1 teaspoon Vanilla
1/2 cup Milk ; (can use evaporated)

It's nice to have friends.

Natalie is showing them how to make duck tape flowers.

What to do with

this.



$2 (very heavy) drawer from DI.  Was brown with silver dividers.

Goblets 50 cents each

Spray paint $2.

I love it, but haven't decided how to use it.

Did you know anything can be spray painted? (especially your carport).  

Just one of my many insanity projects.

I go in spurts

following Pinterest.   When I do log in and look at what people are posting, I am drawn mostly to the recipes.   Here is one I want to try.

 http://sallysbakingaddiction.com/2013/02/24/soft-baked-peanut-butter-chocolate-swirl-cookies/

Soft-Baked Peanut Butter Chocolate Swirl Cookies

Yield: 2 dozen cookies

Now you don't have to choose between chocolate cookies or peanut butter cookies!

Ingredients:

CHOCOLATE COOKIE DOUGH

• 1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, softened to room temperature
• 1/2 cup granulated sugar
• 1/2 cup packed light brown sugar (or dark brown)
• 1 large egg
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 cup all-purpose flour  (careful not to overmeasure)
• 1/2 cup + 2 Tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 2 Tablespoons milk (almond, cow's, soy, or half-and-half)
• 1 cup dark chocolate chips (or semi-sweet or milk chocolate)

PEANUT BUTTER COOKIE DOUGH

• 1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, softened to room temperature
• 1/2 cup packed light brown sugar (or dark brown)
• 1/4 cup sugar
• 1 large egg
• 3/4 cup creamy peanut butter
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
• 1 and 1/4 cups all-purpose flour  (careful not to overmeasure)
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1 cup dark chocolate chips (or semi-sweet or milk chocolate)

Directions:

*Make the chocolate dough:* Cream the butter and sugars together with a hand or stand mixer on medium speed until light and fluffy. Scrape down the sides and bottom as needed. Beat in the egg and vanilla until combined, scraping down the sides as needed. In a separate bowl, combine the flour, cocoa powder, baking soda, and salt. Slowly mix it into the wet ingredrients. The dough will be very thick. With a spoon or rubber spatula, mix in the milk and then fold in the chocolate chips.

*Make the peanut butter dough:* Cream the butter and sugars together with a hand or stand mixer on medium speed until light and fluffy. Scrape down the sides and bottom as needed. Mix in the peanut butter, egg, and vanilla (in that order). Scrape down the sides as needed. Slowly mix in the baking soda, flour, and salt. Do not overmix. Fold in the chocolate chips.

Chill both doughs for at least 1-2 hours. 2 hours is preferred.

Preheat oven to 350F degrees. Line cookie sheet with silicone baking mat or parchment paper. Measure 2 Tablespoons of peanut butter cookie dough. Roll into a ball. Take 2 Tablespoons of chocolate cookie dough. Roll into a ball. Smoosh the two balls together and roll them into 1 large ball. Repeat for each cookie. The chocolate cookie dough will get onto your hands, so wash/wipe them after you roll each cookie. It is important the chocolate cookie dough is chilled or else it will be even more messy.

Bake the cookies for 11-12 minutes, not exceeding 13 minutes. The cookies will look very soft, puffy, and almost undone. Allow the cookies to cool on the cookie sheet and they will continue to "bake" and set up. Sometimes I press a few more chocolate chips into the top of the cookies when they are still warm, for looks. As the cookies cool, they will firm up. Cookies remain fresh (and soft) for up to 10 days in an airtight container.

© Sally’s Baking Addiction. All images & content are copyright protected. Please do not use my images without prior permission. If you want to republish this recipe, please re-write the recipe in your own words, or link back to this post for the recipe.

A great evening

with good friends.  There were actually 14 of us there, but these were the last hold outs until the restaurant closed.  

Gary feels that he should be more than an honorary member of this "Amies Toujours" group of high school friends.  Now he feels it even more because Joni sent a favor home for him.

Last night,

as we had our Primary meeting, everyone worked together making flowers.   Since we are using them for the wedding and the RS General meeting, they pitched in.  I really enjoy these women and learn much from them.

Very

Beautiful and delicious. I'll get the recipe from my friend.

I'm pretty

sure I've bought all of the teal paint in in Utah Valley.  

Apparently there

were a few "twirlers" in the choir, but I didn't see them from where I was sitting. Gary was very happy to hear that there were at least a few children who think like him.

What I saw and heard were beautiful children singing with all their hearts.   I snapped these pictures at the rehearsal.

Here is a funny story that I've been smiling about all day.

Right before it started, we and the children were in another room having a snack. Gary arrived in the chapel, and was sitting on the front row waiting for me.  He started talking to Mark, the pianist, who had been at all the rehearsals. Mark has not seen Gary for a long time, and he asked what he was up to.  Gary responded that he was just sitting there waiting for his wife, who was helping with the choir. Mark then realized I was Gary's wife and said "Oh, your wife is the gopher."

Gary told me what he said, and it made me laugh.  Then he said he hoped that didn't make me feel badly.  I assured him that I was more than happy to be known as the "gopher," especially when it had anything to do with music.

Just for fun I looked up the definition of a gopher in The Urban Dictionary.
:
"A low-ranking employee who is made to do the bidding of their superiors. So-called because they are often running around doing various small tasks."

Well, I don't relate at all to being low ranking employee or presidency member. In fact, I feel very loved and appreciated for what I contribute.  That is the beauty of it.  When we serve, we all take different roles at different times, depending on the needs and the gifts and abilities we have.

In the case of the choir, I was more than comfortable with "running around and doing various small tasks," when that is the way I can best help.

On the other hand, our next big assignment is to do the decorations and food for the Woman's meeting at the end of March.   I'm much more comfortable taking a leading role in that.  In fact, I'm already planning to have a "trial run" of  some of the decorations for Natalie and Trent's wedding.   Now that sounds fun.

As one of the songs they sang today goes:

We are cov’nant children with a gift to give.

We will teach the gospel by the way we live.

With each word and action, we will testify:

We believe, and we serve Jesus Christ.

 

We have been practicing

for 5 weeks for a Primary children's choir for Stake Conference on Sunday.  When I say "we" it is meant very loosely as far as I am concerned.  My worst nightmare would be that all the other presidency members were sick and I would be left to direct them.   My part has been making name tags and helping to organize.  My other assignment was to put together these little notebooks and pencils so the children can "quietly" draw or write during the 2 hour meeting.  Some of them will be on camera for the whole time period, which may be a little challenging.  

Gary's first response as I was putting them together was, "Are you kidding me?"  They'll have them twirling around like this:

I think he may be right.   Or maybe he is the only person who would think of that.

Just the same,  I'll probably just lay the pencils next to the notebooks, and not put them through the wire spiral binding (just so they don't get any ideas).

I am so glad that Stephanie

texted to see if we could watch the 5 little girls at Provo Beach while they did the surfing tonight.  Jen is in town for the week, and I really wanted to see her.

They are all so cute.

Can you tell

what I've been up to?

Probably not.  Because this is so easy that I can't believe I haven't known about it before.  My friend told me about some vases her friend had tinted.

These are simply glass vases that I picked up at Deseret Industries (most expensive one was $2).  Then you pour paint in them and rotate until all of the inside is coated.

I don't know how they would hold up with water, but since they are for paper flowers there will be no problems.

I'm really having way too much fun.   And also being a little OCD.   Deseret Industries and Savers are becoming my very favorite stores.

There has been

an amazing story in the local news.   A sad, but also miraculous, one.

A 25 year old mother was driving with her 18 month old daughter on Saturday night and crashed into the river in Spanish Fork.  Someone from a home heard a crash noise, but when he looked he could not see anything.  No one knew about it until the next day when a fisherman saw the car submerged in the river.  He called 911 when he saw a body in the car.

When the paramedics arrived and were trying to reach the car, all 4 of them heard a woman's voice saying "help me."   One of them even responded and said that that they were doing everything they could to get to her.  What they found, when they were able to get into the car, was the 18 month old girl upside down, still in her car seat, and barely alive.  The mother had obviously died on impact.  
They know that the child had been upside down in the wrecked car for 14 hours.  Several of the paramedics that rescued her had to be treated for hypothermia, so it was not a warm night.    She was airlifted to the hospital in critical condition, but is now doing very well.

Here is a clip from the newspaper article:

Four police officers at the scene all said they heard an unmistakable voice coming from the car, saying “Help me.” They pushed the upside down car onto its side and discovered Groesbeck deceased inside and Lily unconscious.

Officer Tyler Beddoes said the voice "was a positive boost for every one of us because I think it pushed us to go harder a little longer."

The baby’s eyes fluttered open briefly, one officer recalled, giving the group hope they would be able to save her. They rushed her into an ambulance and performed CPR while she was transported to the hospital in critical condition.

Three of the officers and four firefighters who were in the river were later hospitalized Saturday for hypothermia. Johnson said they were “showing signs of delusion and being disoriented” but responded well to treatment and were released that afternoon.

There are a couple of miracles here.  The first is that she survived for 14 hours before she was found.  And the second was that all of the paramedics heard the voice saying "help me," though there was no one in the car that could have said it.   I love hearing faith promoting stories like this, because it reminds me that we are never alone.  That there are others, not of this realm, who are watching and caring.

This little book

Is my wedding color bible.   It goes with me everywhere. 

It doesn't look

appetizing at all.  But Gary loves milk toast when I make homemade bread.

Here is the recipe.  Slice bread into thick slices.  Toast in toaster.  Add butter to toast.  Warm some milk.  Pour milk over the toast.  Sprinkle with salt and pepper.

He always offers to pay me (or the girls) a dollar if we take a bite.  To my knowledge, no one has ever taken him up on it.

I should never be

held accountable for anything I type after 11 pm.  That probably applies to most of my blog posts.

Somehow I get the dates or days or even years wrong.   Last night I sent out an e-shower invite and "save the date" to the family for Natalie and Trent's shower and wedding.  I put the wrong date for the wedding in the subject line.

I then sent a correction email and declared that "I should never trust myself sending an email after 11 pm.   My sister, Charlene, wrote and said, "Try 4:30 a.m.  That may be better. ):"   I'm sure that was probably the time she was up and reading it.   

She is one of the most disciplined people I know.   She has always been early to bed and early to rise and is disciplined with what she eats how she exercises.    Quite frankly, I jealous of all that.  But since she is my sister, and I love her, I am happily jealous of it.  I just wish a little of her Discipline could rub off on me.   

One might think,

in looking at this picture,  that I have started baking in the family room.

I do have baking soda  sprinkled on the carpet, but this time it is there for a purpose.  

The family room has smelled like smoke for about a month or so.  I cleaned out the grate, but that didn't help, and in fact it made t worse.   Then last week, Trent figured out that the strongest smell was coming from the rug.  

In searching how to get the smoke smell out, several sites said to sprinkle baking soda on it and let it sit.  I've done that 3 times now, and it has helped somewhat. 

Next plan of action will be fabreeze.   

Remember that

special delivery I mentioned when I was making the quilt?  Well, we decided it needed a very personal and direct delivery.  It is made from T-shirts of Jackson's high school sports career.

It was amazing visiting Jackson and his companion, Elder Perkis, from Leeds, England.   After getting them watches and sunglasses, they looked ready to conquer the district as "Men in Grey."

I asked them what a typical day looks like, and they showed us a page in their day planner.    They had four appointments today after we visited them.

Our conversations ranged from them hearing their experiences to Gary giving them financial advise on putting away money early -- the rule of 72.   Elder Perkis wrote that down in his planner.

His apartment.

Us with them at lunch.

Taking a selfie in the mirror at Target.

It felt so good to hug him.