I WON'T FORGET MY SHOES!

I had months to prepare.  Along time ago I had a dream. The dream started out so light and carefree. I was with Craig. We were holding hands, walking through the most beautiful, soft grass. It was a meadow. It took very little effort to walk for miles on the soft ground. Then suddenly the cool soft ground came to an end.  As far as you could see the ground was dry, gravely dirt. Suddenly I realized I couldn't go any further. Craig pulled me, but sadly I was forced to stop, I wasn't able to continue. I showed Craig why. I was barefoot, I had forgotten my shoes. I WASNT PREPARED.

I am not sure why we were walking so far or what the destination was but I did know it was somewhere special, good and there would be a reward waiting for us. Craig urged me to keep going but I couldn't. We agreed that he would go ahead and l would go back and get my shoes.

Then I woke up.

I had this dream at least  30 years ago. I've never forgotten it. It had a real, clear message for me -

BE PREPARED

I think all of us, especially me, should use caution and always be prepared for what life may throw at us. When I've remembered this clear message things have, for the most part, turned out in a positive way. I believe that my dream was a gift and has helped me through some difficult challenges.

Months ago Rebecca invited me to participate in a 5K with her.  I am not a runner but I love to walk. I knew this would be a challenge and I accepted. I was committed to eating right and to "get into shape". As the months ticked on I found really good excuses to skip the gym. I actually counted the months and then weeks always thinking I still had time to get it together.  It amazes me how fast time goes by for some things and slow for others. Training for this 5K went by fast. I literally hadn't gone to the gym for months. 

On the day of the race I was a bit nervous. I knew I wasn't prepared. I was asked if I was excited and the only answer that came to mind was, "not nervous, only anxious for it to be over".  The setting was beautiful, Mona, Utah, in the lavender fields. The weather was perfect. I was feeling blessed to be able to walk and jog (a little), in such a beautiful place. I was also grateful to be there with my incredible daughter and her family. Most of all I felt blessed to have Craig waiting for me at the finish line. I will do better to prepare in the future and -

I won't ever forget my shoes.

Finally, the Spirit of Christmas and more......

We had the opportunity to attend the Christmas Devotional at the Conference Center in Salt Lake a couple of weekends ago. It was just what I needed to get me into the holiday mood. The sweet spirit there helped me put my feelings in order and remember what the season is all about, Jesus Christ. This year, for no obvious reason, it has just been a stuggle to get excited about the holidays. We also had fun visiting with Becca and Devon. Their apartment is so cute.

The lights at Temple Square were gorgeous! We took alot of pictures! There was just enough fog to make things cold and beautiful.

Before the devotional I made the most amazing Butternut Squash and Corn Soup and..........

'Corn Stuff' I know the name doesn't sound very impressive, but trust me this is so tasty!

Don't be fooled by the picture below, it is seriously to die for! Recipes below:

Corn Stuff (a cross between cornbread and corn pudding)

1 - Cup Sour Cream

1 - 7 ounce box of Jiffy Corn Muffin mix

2 - Eggs

3 Tablespoons Sugar

1/2 Margarine or Butter

1 Can of Creamed Corn

8 inch square pan

Preheat oven to 375 and melt margarine or butter in pan. Mix all other ingredients and pour over melted margarine or butter, which will then surround the mixture. Bake for
approximately 40-45 minutes, until the top cracks and the side are golden brown.

Butternut Squash and Corn Soup

(from Taste of Home)

12 - Bacon Strips, diced

1 - Med. Onion, chopped

1 - Celery Rib, chopped

1 - Tablesppons All-Purpose Flour

1 - Can (14-1/2 ounces) Chicken Broth

6 - Cups Mashed Butternut Squash

2 - Cans (8-3/4 ounces each) Creamed Corn

2 - Cups Half and Half

1-1/2 - teaspoon salt

1/2 - teaspoon pepper

In a large saucepan, cook baconover medium heat until crisp, remove to paper towel and drain fat reserving 2 tablespoons drippings. In the drippings, saute onion and celery until tender. Stir in flour until blended, stir in both and bring to a boil, cook for 2 minutes or until slightly thickened.

Reduce heat to medium. Stir in the squash, corn, cream, salt, pepper and bacon. Cook and stir until heated through. Makes 8 servings or 2 1/2 quarts.

Where does time go?

Missing from this photo are two beautiful daughter in-laws, one handsome son in-law and four gorgeous grandchildren.

I didn't mean to ignore my blog, it just happened. So much to write about. Life takes so many turns. Some good, some not so good. Challenges face all of us. I feel blessed to have such wonderful family and friends. We don't always agree with each other but the common anchor we share is love. We'll make it through what ever comes our way and at the end we'll still be holding on to each other.

Our special visitors! Fun, Fun!

The second week of March was extra awesome. We had special visitors, their names are Jaimie, Tanner and Hanna. Jaimie drove to St George from Magna to attend her sisters wedding. It was a bonus for us because we got to take the kids off her hands. We popped popcorn, fed the ducks, went to the spinny park, went to McDonalds, blew bubbles, drew pretty pictures with sidewalk chalk, went shopping, watched movies, made cookies and bought ice cream cones. Wow that is alot to cram into a few days but it was so fun. Tanner and Hanna are so well behaved and polite. Scott and Jaimie are such wonderful parents, I'm so proud.

Tanner had a blast spinning Devon around and around, faster and faster!

Hanna was making us dinner from rocks and bubbles. Yum, doesn't it sound delicious? She was so serious about it. This girl is so dang smart and adorable.

This little girl had absolutely no fear when it came to the BIG slide, grandma however was scared to death seeing her look over the edge to wave a big hello. "Hurry and come down Hanna," NOW! Aww, I'm no fun at all. She even laid face first and slid down on her tummy.

A little chillaxing time for Tanner. He found the perfect spot to rest and relax, smarty pants.

Just get a load of that amazing boy tackle that rope bridge.

Just one more adorable picture of Hanna. Can't get enough of them can you? I know I can't.

We have an antique piano that's been stored in our garage. Tanner had fun playing some tunes on it. He wasn't too excited to realize he had an audience.

This is the only picture I took that had Jaimie in it. I love it, the cute connection between Hanna and her Mommy is precious. Tyler's in the background doing some last minute checking before he took Craig's truck on a weekend trip to Salt Lake

Some serious chalk art

Nikki will love that I posted this picture

This little girl will melt your heart, seriously!

Treasures
Some think that pearls and diamonds
Are treasures to obtain
Some think that cars and money
Will give us joy again
But those of us who know the joy
Of Grandchildren at our side
Will know that all else pales
When we reach that lovely ride
That takes us on to wrinkles
And streaks of grey upon our head
We wouldn't have a million
We'd take hugs instead
Enjoy the waning days
That bring us so much joy
And clutch unto your bosom
That precious girl or boy.