I really don't have time to be writing on my blog - I'm getting ready to fly off to Utah for a few days - but I just had to. I was reading the March Ensign - I know, it's almost April, but I was a month behind - and this quote just struck me. So, I had to share.
"If you are helpless, He is not. If you are lost, He is not. If you don't know what to do next, He knows. It would take a miracle, you say? Well, if it takes a miracle, why not?"
-President Boyd K. Packer
Have a wonderful day and remember that He is there for you as well as for me.
Wednesday, March 31, 2010
Saturday, March 20, 2010
Memories of Grandma
Brent's Grandma died on Friday and I'm sad to say that I don't have a picture of her to share with you. That makes me really sad. I keep vowing to be better at taking pictures of people but then I just come home with a bunch of flowers again. Ok, this time for sure.
Brent's Grandma had been sick for a long time. Her mind was gone but her body was hanging on. So, in a way, it is a blessing, but I'm still feeling a little sad today. I decided that I would write down some memories I have of Grandma. That will make me smile and hopefully they'll make you smile.
The first thing I think of when I think of Grandma is flowers. Probably because we share that love, but I would bet other people would think that too. They lived on the foothills in Bountiful where you shouldn't be able to grow magnolias or rhododendrons, but she did. I often thought it was because no one had told her she couldn't. Or, if they had, she just didn't believe them. The biggest problem she had with those rhodies was that the deer would eat the buds. So she used to tie some hair from their dog around each bud to keep them away.
I also remember one time being at their house and she pulled out every single flower magazine she had, which was a considerable amount, and let me look through them because I would appreciate them.
When Brent and I got engaged, she sat me down and said, "Now, I want to know everything there is to know about you." I was just so touched by that.
One time when I was working at Fred Meyer, I had to be in Bountiful for a week to help open a store and she fed me lunch and told me I had to come back every day as long as I was there and really, even if I wasn't.
I'm sure I'm forgetting something, but that's what comes to mind from my memories. And now for some that Brent's shared over the years that I've appreciated.
One time Brent was driving with them cross county - I think it was to Yosemite - and she woke him up from a dead sleep to feed him slushy milk (that she had frozen) and a spear of cucumber with meat wrapped around it. He was so disgruntled, but she was just worried that he was hungry.
She was never really one to be told no. When they lived in - ummm - California - I think - she wanted to take out a wall. I think it was between the kitchen and dining room, but I'm not sure. Anyway, Grandpa kept telling her no. So when he went on a backpacking trip, she knocked down that wall so he would have to fix it when he came home. (One of the reasons he kept saying no was that it was a load bearing wall so when he came home, the ceiling was bowing.) I have seriously considered doing similar things, but I always chicken out.
At times like this, I am so glad that I have the Gospel in my life. I know that I will see her again and that always makes death a little bit easier.
Brent's Grandma had been sick for a long time. Her mind was gone but her body was hanging on. So, in a way, it is a blessing, but I'm still feeling a little sad today. I decided that I would write down some memories I have of Grandma. That will make me smile and hopefully they'll make you smile.
The first thing I think of when I think of Grandma is flowers. Probably because we share that love, but I would bet other people would think that too. They lived on the foothills in Bountiful where you shouldn't be able to grow magnolias or rhododendrons, but she did. I often thought it was because no one had told her she couldn't. Or, if they had, she just didn't believe them. The biggest problem she had with those rhodies was that the deer would eat the buds. So she used to tie some hair from their dog around each bud to keep them away.
I also remember one time being at their house and she pulled out every single flower magazine she had, which was a considerable amount, and let me look through them because I would appreciate them.
When Brent and I got engaged, she sat me down and said, "Now, I want to know everything there is to know about you." I was just so touched by that.
One time when I was working at Fred Meyer, I had to be in Bountiful for a week to help open a store and she fed me lunch and told me I had to come back every day as long as I was there and really, even if I wasn't.
I'm sure I'm forgetting something, but that's what comes to mind from my memories. And now for some that Brent's shared over the years that I've appreciated.
One time Brent was driving with them cross county - I think it was to Yosemite - and she woke him up from a dead sleep to feed him slushy milk (that she had frozen) and a spear of cucumber with meat wrapped around it. He was so disgruntled, but she was just worried that he was hungry.
She was never really one to be told no. When they lived in - ummm - California - I think - she wanted to take out a wall. I think it was between the kitchen and dining room, but I'm not sure. Anyway, Grandpa kept telling her no. So when he went on a backpacking trip, she knocked down that wall so he would have to fix it when he came home. (One of the reasons he kept saying no was that it was a load bearing wall so when he came home, the ceiling was bowing.) I have seriously considered doing similar things, but I always chicken out.
At times like this, I am so glad that I have the Gospel in my life. I know that I will see her again and that always makes death a little bit easier.
Thursday, March 18, 2010
What Has Daisy Gotten Into Now?
We have a saying around here...What's Daisy gotten into today? Being that I thought we were getting a grown cat - when in fact she's still just a kitten - I wasn't quite ready for the craziness that would insue.
Lately, however, this is all that Daisy has gotten into:
But, these last couple of days she's starting to feel more like herself, which is both good and bad since now she wants to jump on everything she can find and just be a kitten. How are you suppose to keep a cat from jumping? I haven't figured that out yet.
So here are a few of her favorite places to get into. Kittens...they're kind of crazy, but funny!
Well, at least she's cute!
Lately, however, this is all that Daisy has gotten into:
But, these last couple of days she's starting to feel more like herself, which is both good and bad since now she wants to jump on everything she can find and just be a kitten. How are you suppose to keep a cat from jumping? I haven't figured that out yet.
So here are a few of her favorite places to get into. Kittens...they're kind of crazy, but funny!
Well, at least she's cute!
Monday, March 15, 2010
It's a Monday
I don't have much to say today.
Brent was going to have to work on Saturday and at the last minute didn't. That was nice.
March Madness officially began this weekend. Fun for me.
Daisy figured out how to get her stitches out. Great.
I hate the time change!!!
And it's a Monday. Sort of ho-hum-y around here.
Brent was going to have to work on Saturday and at the last minute didn't. That was nice.
March Madness officially began this weekend. Fun for me.
Daisy figured out how to get her stitches out. Great.
I hate the time change!!!
And it's a Monday. Sort of ho-hum-y around here.
Thursday, March 11, 2010
Look What I Did!
I've been selling cards for awhile now, but I've never had a website. I just couldn't figure out how to do it. Then, it came to me, a blog! I already know how to blog! So I started a blog for Made by the Sea. If you would like to look at it, go to http://madebytheseawa.blogspot.com/. Check back often because I'll be adding pictures for awhile. I really do take a lot of pictures. Mostly of plants. Hmm...
Hopefully you'll enjoy them as much as I do!
Hopefully you'll enjoy them as much as I do!
Monday, March 08, 2010
Maybe a Zipper Next Time?
I shouldn't even joke about it, but I have to do something, right? The other question is, how many posts can I do about a cat that I promised myself I wouldn't do posts about? At least one more I guess. (I won't be offended if you skip this one. It's turning into a long post about my cat, but apparently I have to get it out, so...)
So, last Tuesday dawned a great day. Daisy was acting like she felt pretty good and I was feeling pretty good too since the tv repair man was suppose to be here to finally fix our tv. When we brought Daisy home from the vet, they lent us this huge dog-type kennel so she could be in there when she wasn't with me. When the tv repair guy got here, I put her in the kennel and went about my business.
About an hour into her being in the kennel, and the guy fixing our tv, I hear her start to meow. She knows I'm home, she knows there's someone downstairs and it's just bugging her. Then she meows really loudly, which isn't like her. I went in to check on her. After a second I realized she'd pulled the pin out of her leg. Yep, that horrible contraption that was outside her leg was now held on with only one pin, not two. I immediately called the vet and they said I had to bring her in, "Well, duh," I thought. "I just wanted to make sure you knew that we were coming." Anyway, then it dawned on me that there was a stranger in our basement. What was I going to do? After a couple of phone calls, I got a hold of Uncle Gary who immediately dropped what he was doing to come over and sit with the tv guy so I could take Daisy in. That was so sweet of him, I can hardly explain it. As soon as Brent can eat sweets again and doesn't whine each time I talk about baking cookies, Uncle Gary's getting a bunch!
So, I get to the vet's and I wait and wait. By this time, I think Daisy had gone into a little shock because she was just sitting there. They finally took me back, with somewhat accusing questions. (Did she jump off something? No! Did you let her get too hyper? No!) But then the vet came in and was so nice. He said that he didn't think there was anyway she could have done this, but she did. He also said it wasn't my fault, I was doing what I was suppose to, so he made me feel better. But, they had to keep her to see what damage she had caused. He promised to call me later to tell me what they found.
I am so thankful about a couple of things with this: 1) The vet was going out of town this week, which I knew, but he was still there when this happened. There are other vets there, but he's the one who did the surgery. 2) It happened during the day and not at night. I couldn't even have imagined what I would have done...
So, after a few hours of waiting, he called me and said that when she pulled out the pin (probably catching it on the screen of the kennel), she pulled out a couple of screws that were holding the plate onto her leg. He said that he didn't know what he was going to do, so he would think about it that night and call me in the morning.
The next day he said that he was going to go back in - maybe they should put in a zipper! I mean, this is the third time in a week - and take off the plate which wasn't working and put in some pins. He didn't put the pins in before because of the nature of the break, but this was now our best option.
On Thursday evening, I got home a groggy, grumpy and frustrated kitty with a broken leg, again. Poor thing. But she looks so much better:
She still can't walk on all 4 legs, nor can she bend that leg because her muscles are so tight, but the fact that she doesn't have that stupid external device makes me feel so much better. They said not to expect her to put her foot down for a week or two, so I think she's doing pretty good. I just hope this is the one that fixes it and they really don't have to put in a zipper!
Even though Daisy has been taking up most of my thoughts and time this last week and a half, I did want to show you that I have done some other things.
I taught in Relief Society yesterday. I think it went well. I love to teach and I don't get a lot of chance to do it in this calling, so that made me happy.
Also, I've done two bulletin boards this year and wanted to show you how cool I am...just kidding. Really, it's a lot my Cricut! But I am cool.
This one was for February. We had a birthday party for all the RS sisters. It was a fun night with ideas and cake!
This one is for this month. Our No Book Club is just basically a girl's night out. I hope it works out.
Brent's thumb is healing quite well. He can go longer and longer without a band aide on, which is nice. The nail is thinking about falling off too, so that will be pretty when that happens. Good thing girls like scars - or at least that's what he tells me.
Anyway, that's what's going on in our neck of the woods.
So, last Tuesday dawned a great day. Daisy was acting like she felt pretty good and I was feeling pretty good too since the tv repair man was suppose to be here to finally fix our tv. When we brought Daisy home from the vet, they lent us this huge dog-type kennel so she could be in there when she wasn't with me. When the tv repair guy got here, I put her in the kennel and went about my business.
About an hour into her being in the kennel, and the guy fixing our tv, I hear her start to meow. She knows I'm home, she knows there's someone downstairs and it's just bugging her. Then she meows really loudly, which isn't like her. I went in to check on her. After a second I realized she'd pulled the pin out of her leg. Yep, that horrible contraption that was outside her leg was now held on with only one pin, not two. I immediately called the vet and they said I had to bring her in, "Well, duh," I thought. "I just wanted to make sure you knew that we were coming." Anyway, then it dawned on me that there was a stranger in our basement. What was I going to do? After a couple of phone calls, I got a hold of Uncle Gary who immediately dropped what he was doing to come over and sit with the tv guy so I could take Daisy in. That was so sweet of him, I can hardly explain it. As soon as Brent can eat sweets again and doesn't whine each time I talk about baking cookies, Uncle Gary's getting a bunch!
So, I get to the vet's and I wait and wait. By this time, I think Daisy had gone into a little shock because she was just sitting there. They finally took me back, with somewhat accusing questions. (Did she jump off something? No! Did you let her get too hyper? No!) But then the vet came in and was so nice. He said that he didn't think there was anyway she could have done this, but she did. He also said it wasn't my fault, I was doing what I was suppose to, so he made me feel better. But, they had to keep her to see what damage she had caused. He promised to call me later to tell me what they found.
I am so thankful about a couple of things with this: 1) The vet was going out of town this week, which I knew, but he was still there when this happened. There are other vets there, but he's the one who did the surgery. 2) It happened during the day and not at night. I couldn't even have imagined what I would have done...
So, after a few hours of waiting, he called me and said that when she pulled out the pin (probably catching it on the screen of the kennel), she pulled out a couple of screws that were holding the plate onto her leg. He said that he didn't know what he was going to do, so he would think about it that night and call me in the morning.
The next day he said that he was going to go back in - maybe they should put in a zipper! I mean, this is the third time in a week - and take off the plate which wasn't working and put in some pins. He didn't put the pins in before because of the nature of the break, but this was now our best option.
On Thursday evening, I got home a groggy, grumpy and frustrated kitty with a broken leg, again. Poor thing. But she looks so much better:
She still can't walk on all 4 legs, nor can she bend that leg because her muscles are so tight, but the fact that she doesn't have that stupid external device makes me feel so much better. They said not to expect her to put her foot down for a week or two, so I think she's doing pretty good. I just hope this is the one that fixes it and they really don't have to put in a zipper!Even though Daisy has been taking up most of my thoughts and time this last week and a half, I did want to show you that I have done some other things.
I taught in Relief Society yesterday. I think it went well. I love to teach and I don't get a lot of chance to do it in this calling, so that made me happy.
Also, I've done two bulletin boards this year and wanted to show you how cool I am...just kidding. Really, it's a lot my Cricut! But I am cool.
This one was for February. We had a birthday party for all the RS sisters. It was a fun night with ideas and cake!
This one is for this month. Our No Book Club is just basically a girl's night out. I hope it works out.
Brent's thumb is healing quite well. He can go longer and longer without a band aide on, which is nice. The nail is thinking about falling off too, so that will be pretty when that happens. Good thing girls like scars - or at least that's what he tells me.
Anyway, that's what's going on in our neck of the woods.
Tuesday, March 02, 2010
Brent's Birthday - Part 2
Man, I'm just blog happy today. I guess I have to get caught up or something... or I'm bored waiting for the tv repair guy to get here. I don't know which.
Anyway, the second part of Brent's birthday was on Sunday. Court was nice enough to let us invade her house with a few friends so we could celebrate.
Oh, and a side note. Brent's friend John has given up sweets for lent for the past couple of years. Brent teased him, and bugged him by bringing in yummy treats, so much that John finally said, "I don't see you doing it." So, now because of Brent's big old mouth, he has given up sweet for lent as well. There are intricate details as to what they can or can't eat, but basically, they can't eat anything dessert-ish. However, one of the rules is that they could take their birthday's off. So Brent did get to eat the yummy pie for his birthday, but he got pistachios and fresh bread (still very good) for the second half of his birthday while the rest of us got yummy chocolate cake.
Anyway, the second part of Brent's birthday was on Sunday. Court was nice enough to let us invade her house with a few friends so we could celebrate.
Oh, and a side note. Brent's friend John has given up sweets for lent for the past couple of years. Brent teased him, and bugged him by bringing in yummy treats, so much that John finally said, "I don't see you doing it." So, now because of Brent's big old mouth, he has given up sweet for lent as well. There are intricate details as to what they can or can't eat, but basically, they can't eat anything dessert-ish. However, one of the rules is that they could take their birthday's off. So Brent did get to eat the yummy pie for his birthday, but he got pistachios and fresh bread (still very good) for the second half of his birthday while the rest of us got yummy chocolate cake.
Can you believe it? Brent's actually smiling cute in a picture? I guess I should not always be the one taking the pictures.
I feel I need to explain the 7 on the card. Brent told John and Laura's kids that he was turning 7 years old on his birthday, so they made him a 7-year-old card.
Kyle allowed Brent's birthday present to be wrapped in this great bag as long as he didn't take the bag with him, so we had to document it.
Happy Birthday dear Brent...
Happy Birthday to you!
Franken-Daisy
You may be asking yourselves, "What was so horrible about Brent's birthday?" It wasn't that it was his birthday. It was that, well, I got a little traumatized. Let me explain.
When we adopted Daisy, my cat, from the Humane Society, they told me she had come in with a broken leg, but it was all healed and she would be fine. Great, I thought! Then I took her to the vet and they did an x-ray and this is what it showed:
This is her back leg. Now, while I find x-rays quite fascinating, you may not be able to see what's going on. So in this next picture, I've drawn where the bone should go:
Yeah, no where near where it goes. Basically her leg broke completely - the thought of her walking around with a floppy leg makes me cringe - then it tried to "heal" itself, but ended up healing at a 45 degree angle to itself.
When we adopted Daisy, my cat, from the Humane Society, they told me she had come in with a broken leg, but it was all healed and she would be fine. Great, I thought! Then I took her to the vet and they did an x-ray and this is what it showed:
This is her back leg. Now, while I find x-rays quite fascinating, you may not be able to see what's going on. So in this next picture, I've drawn where the bone should go:
Yeah, no where near where it goes. Basically her leg broke completely - the thought of her walking around with a floppy leg makes me cringe - then it tried to "heal" itself, but ended up healing at a 45 degree angle to itself.I have two things to say about this...1) Aren't bodies amazing? I mean, the fact that a bone can break completely, then basically fix itself is amazing. I often wonder how people can look at how the world works and not think that there is a God.
And 2) How could any veterinary professional look at this leg and think it was ok? I mean, her leg was about 1/2 inch shorter than the other one.
So, our vet gave us two choices.....1) leave it and more than likely she would develop horrible arthritis and have to have it amputated. Or 2) fix it now.
We decided to fix it now. So they went in, rebroke her leg and put a plate in. I thought I would get home a groggy, but mostly ok cat. Then she layed on it and pulled one of the screws out so I got this home, on Brent's birthday no less:
Yep, Franken-Daisy. Whenever she's not with me, she has to be in a kennel because they don't want her catching the post on anything. Then she chewed out two stitches, so now she has to wear the "cone of shame" (al la Up) whenever she's in the kennel. Awesome.
When I got her home, she was so excited that she made her leg start to bleed. This was just too much for me and I sort of freaked out. Luckily, I have the most amazing, calm and collected friend in the world who dropped everything, put her two boys in the car and came over to help me figure this whole thing out. (I'm talking about Courtney.) I'm embarrassed to say that she found a basketcase. But, with her help and a little time, I'm figuring this whole thing out.
Remember when I wanted to be a vet? Some of you may not remember that, but I do. I knew that I would never be able to put down an animal that wasn't sick, but I never thought that I would react like this if my animal was sick. My patriarchal blessing says that one of my gifts from my Heavenly Father is a "tender soul." I still don't 100% think that's a gift, but I'm learning to live with the gooey-ness factor that is me. I just feel so badly that she hurts and I can't do anything about it. I also feel badly that I inflicted this hurt on her.
I'm embarrassed by how upset I was, and still am at times, about this little cat. But, that's who I am, take me or leave me. I do think I could have been a good vet, if a little too compassionate.
Anyway, I want to publicly thank a couple of people. Thank you so much, Brent, for being so in control. He makes it so much easier for me to be calm. Please don't cancel your birthday. There has to be a good one sometime.
Thanks, Court, for being there for me when I needed you. I don't think I could have handled those first few hours without you.
Thanks, Ryan, for coming down on Brent's birthday and dealing with my crazy self. I can't wait until Daisy is better and Reyes can really play with her.
And thanks to you, Dear Reader, for always putting up with my craziness.
Update: I realized that I didn't say how long she had a broken leg - probably about 2 months or so, but they don't know for sure because she was a stray, and how long she'll have to have the pin - hopefully 4 weeks, but maybe 6.
Old Fashioned Peach Cream Pie
So I was thinking to myself, "Duh, I could just put the recipe for that peach pie on my blog, then anyone who wanted it could get it." I'm not always the quickest with the uptake.
Anyway, the only thing I would change would be to put a TON more peaches in. It says 2 cups. I'd do at least 3 and if you could fit it, 4.
Old Fashioned Peach Cream Pie
Prep Time: 15 mins
Cook Time: 52 Minutes, Ready in: 1 hour 22 minutes
Servings: 8
3/4 cup white sugar
2 T all-purpose flour
1/4 tsp salt
1 cup sour cream
1 egg, lightly beaten
1/2 tsp vanilla extract
2 cups sliced peaches (see note above)
1 unbaked pie crust
1/3 cup all-purpose flour
1/3 cup white sugar
1 tsp ground cinnamon
1/4 cup butter, softened
1) Preheat oven to 400 degrees F.
2) Whisk together the 3/4 cup sugar, 2 T flour, and salt. Beat in the sour cream, egg, and vanilla. Stir in the sliced peaches. Pour the mixture into the pie crust.
3) Bake in the preheated oven for 12 minutes. Reduce the oven temperature to 350 degrees F and continue baking until the filling is set, about 30 minutes. (It took my pie about 40 minutes) Remove from oven.
4) Raise oven temperature to 400 degrees F.
5) Whisk together the 1/3 cup flour, 1/3 cup sugar, and cinnamon in a small bowl. Mix in the butter with a fork until mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Sprinkle the crumb topping evenly over the pie.
6) Return the pie to the preheated oven and bake until topping is golden, about 10 minutes. Let pie cool slightly before serving.
Happy Baking!
Anyway, the only thing I would change would be to put a TON more peaches in. It says 2 cups. I'd do at least 3 and if you could fit it, 4.
Old Fashioned Peach Cream Pie
Prep Time: 15 mins
Cook Time: 52 Minutes, Ready in: 1 hour 22 minutes
Servings: 8
3/4 cup white sugar
2 T all-purpose flour
1/4 tsp salt
1 cup sour cream
1 egg, lightly beaten
1/2 tsp vanilla extract
2 cups sliced peaches (see note above)
1 unbaked pie crust
1/3 cup all-purpose flour
1/3 cup white sugar
1 tsp ground cinnamon
1/4 cup butter, softened
1) Preheat oven to 400 degrees F.
2) Whisk together the 3/4 cup sugar, 2 T flour, and salt. Beat in the sour cream, egg, and vanilla. Stir in the sliced peaches. Pour the mixture into the pie crust.
3) Bake in the preheated oven for 12 minutes. Reduce the oven temperature to 350 degrees F and continue baking until the filling is set, about 30 minutes. (It took my pie about 40 minutes) Remove from oven.
4) Raise oven temperature to 400 degrees F.
5) Whisk together the 1/3 cup flour, 1/3 cup sugar, and cinnamon in a small bowl. Mix in the butter with a fork until mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Sprinkle the crumb topping evenly over the pie.
6) Return the pie to the preheated oven and bake until topping is golden, about 10 minutes. Let pie cool slightly before serving.
Happy Baking!
Monday, March 01, 2010
Happy Birthday Brent - Part 1
Last Thursday, my dear husband turned - would he want me to say? - 36! I know, I can hardly believe it either.
That was then... (Oh, and an interesting side note - that chair is downstairs right now!)
That was then... (Oh, and an interesting side note - that chair is downstairs right now!)
And this is now..Still so cute!
So, we had a little party actually on his birthday even though it was Thursday and he's been getting home kind of late because he has a big mouth and can't eat sweets until Easter (ask him, not me). I had had a HORRIBLE day (that story will come later), so I couldn't handle too many people. Ryan and Reyes came down to celebrate with us. I could have handled 1-1/2 more people (Marcela and Camila), but they couldn't come.
For some reason, this one just makes me say, "Fer cute!"
Here's Brent's super yummy pie. I found a recipe on the internet for Old Fashioned Peach Cream Pie and decided to try it out. It was SOOOOOOO good. Seriously. If you'd like the recipe, let me know.
Here are the boys watching a Brian Regan skit thing (You know Kevin, yeah you know Kevin) and laughing!
So, Brent goes to open a package he got, but he needs a utility knife, so he goes and gets one and starts opening the package.
Then I realize that this is THE knife. Yes, the utility knife that nearly cut his thumb off only a week and a half ago. When I said this outloud, Brent said, "Yep and it still even has blood on it!" Then Ryan had to take a picture.
Suddenly outnumbered, the female of the species runs for cover. Stupid boys!
Here's my feeling about this stupid utility knife. I look at it somewhat like the crocodile from Peter Pan tales. The crocodile got a taste of Captain Hooks blood, and followed him forever more to get the rest. I think the utility knife is a little bit like this...now all we have to do is attach a clock to it so we can hear it coming.
Anyway, it was a pretty quiet birthday, but he got some good stuff and got to eat some good pie, so I think it was pretty good, all told. We did have a Part 2 that I forgot my camera for, so I'll post about it when I get the pictures.
HAPPY BIRTHDAY, BRENT!
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