Smell

Yesterday a lady walked by me and I was hit with the scent of her perfume. It took me back. Back to junior high. Back to getting ready for dances. Back to my sisters bedroom. I got lost in the memories for a while. Today I found an old bottle of tanning lotion. I bought this tanning lotion when I was 19. My friend and I went tanning just because we were 19 and both working and had the extra money to do it. I could of become addicted. It was lovely. The smell of coconut and the warm lights. So relaxing (although I'm not sure what I needed to "relax" from???). There are an assortment of smells from my past, all reminding me of moments and events or just that time period in my life. As I sat smelling the bottle of tanning lotion I wondered what smell I would remember from this part in my life. I don't wear perfume anymore, my lotion has no scent in it, my husband doesn't wear cologne anymore, I have no smell. I find myself looking back less or losing some of my memories and that familiar smell just lets me remember. I don't want to forget this part of my life. It's a good part BUT I'm afraid the smells that will bring me back are smelly laundry, diapers, bathroom cleaner, dog, and the vast array of other common household aromas.....

I am on a mission to find a smell. A good smell. A smell that I can sniff in 15 years that will remind me of hugs and adventures and dinner and cuddles and fun.

And on the 7th day....

It's Sunday.

I really enjoy starting at the obvious... seriously. It kinda makes it feel like the world has sense and order.

It is Sunday.

A day of rest...

Sort of.

I took two children and a pregnant body to church by myself.

It happens frequently, since Dusty works 4 on and 4 off.

It's not usually a big deal UNLESS

it snows OR

is icy OR

I'm really exhausted OR

I don't feel so great OR

I am having an ugly day and it takes me double the time to get ready OR

well.... this could keep going... but I'll stop BECAUSE

today it wan't that big of a deal.

It was pretty nice out, the kids were good, I was okay, and well somehow we all woke up when the alarm went off. We were all fed and happy. So a great start I'd say.

Church was church.

The talks were talks.

Nothing too out of the ordianary.

All is well in the world (well except for Hati) (oh and I'm sure other places but you get my point... my world was sane)

WAS is the key word in that.

I went to teach the valiant 8 and 9 year olds (girls).

WOWZERS.

I think they may have all had sugar through sacrament meeting. It was insane.

Good thing this lesson speads over 3 weeks!

I got into the truck after church was out and Ellie and Lucy and I just sat there.

Silence.

Oh the peace.

and then we ate the bag of cookies I brought.

It was delicious.

I got home, unloaded children, let the dog out, and made lunch.

We ate then all went to bed.

Oh Sundays.

The week just wouldn't be the same without them.

Lucky

It was five o'clock so I got up and walked downstairs. I opened up my freezer pulled out some hamburger (btw thanks mom and dad for all the beef) and some beans (thanks to my MIL) and took them upstairs. I put my hamburger in the microwave to defrost. I got all my other ingredients outa the fridge and started to prepare dinner. After the ground beef was thawed I mixed it all up and turned on my oven. I got the tinfoil out of the drawer and put it on the pan. I rolled my meatballs, put them on the pan, and then washed my hands. I am now here. It dawned on me while sitting here in my chair all the things I just took for granted. Oh like 150 years ago the simple process of making supper would of been much more elaborate. Something as simple as ground beef would of been much more complicated. With freezers and microwaves and ovens and running HOT water and fridges our lives are so so easy. I am grateful for all the time these gadgets give me with my kids and husband.

Sigh

These are muffins from Pioneer Woman's cookbook. They are worth the price of the cookbook. I put the kids to bed and then would pop one of these bad boys into the microwave for 10 seconds and then I would find my spot (you know that spot that's just yours) and eat it slowly, savoring every single calorie.

Welcome

Dusty was giving me a hard time about my "craft area" the other day. Granted I totally understand why, considering it has consumed the entire basement! Oops. Who knew I'd get so much stuff?!? It's time to get rid of it. I am no longer allowed to buy anything else until some of it gets used.

This project really really made me want a cricut.... so much for not adding to the all-consuming craft "room".

Tonight

I would like to freeze time...

Lucy's feet came plunking down the stairs, she peeked around the door, smiled, and crawled up into the crook of my legs. She wiggled down, snuggling with her blankey and sheep. In just a few moments I could feel her soft rythmic breathing, the breathing of a child deep in slumber. I looked at her, at her eyelashes resting softly on her cheeks, her lips pursed out, and her flushed cheeks.

I don't want to lose these moments.

I don't want to wake up one day, only to realize that this time has passed, and that I will no longer see those big eyes peeking at me. Watching me. Wanting to be with me.

I want to freeze time.

Would you Rather?

For 5 years we have been in the midst of renos. Not all at the same house but it seems continual and never ending. The masterbath is next on the "list". It's a small bath and currently it has a large vanity and a toilet. There is room to put in a shower but it will require some (a lot) of plumbing. I don't know if it's sheer laziness but a walk-in closet is sounding much more appealing.... I've been debating this for months.
Walk-in closet OR private bath, walk-in or bath.... the debate could go on forever.

 It's crunch time.

I have to make a decision.

So since I am confused I am asking for your opinion....

Private master bath OR walk-in closet??

beauty and the bite

Have you ever had a bite of perfect cake?

I have.

I was 13.

I was in Salt Lake City.

It was chocolate and dense and moist.

It was the most amazing thing I had ever eaten

(that may have been because that's all I had eaten through 4 flight delays).

(but that's besides the point)

This is the BEST chocolate cake recipe I have.

It is a beauty.

Chocolate cake

2 cups sugar

1/2 cup shortening

1/2 cup butter

2 eggs

1 cup buttermilk

2 tsp vanilla

1/2 cup cocoa

2-1/2 cups flour

2 tsp baking soda

1 cup hot water

 pinch of salt

Cream butter and sugar. Add eggs, beat well. Then, add buttermilk. vanilla, and the cocoa. Beat well. Dissolve baking soda and salt in water. Add flour alternately with the hot water to the batter.

Bake at 350 degrees in 10" angel food cake pan. Takes about 50 - 60 minutes.

Or

You can bake in 3 round pans. It takes about 25 minutes.

BUT

I strongly recommend the angel food pan.

It almost brings a tear to my eye.

Dusty's favorite cake is black forest.

Me? Not so Much.

So instead we get chocolate cake, cream, and cherry sauce.

Homemade cherry sauce is pretty dang delicious.

Especially with fresh cherries.

BUT we didn't have any.

I just used sour pitted cherries.

Cherry Filling

1/2 cup light corn syrup

2 1/2 tablespoons corn starch

1/4 cup granulated sugar

1 (16 ounce) pitted red Cherries, undrained

1 teaspoon almond extract

Directions

Drain cherries, saving liquid.(You want about 1 cup if you have more than it'll be more of a sauce than a filling... if you have less just add some water) Set aside. Combine corn syrup, sugar, and cornstarch in a small sauce pan. Stir well. Add reserved cherry liquid. Cook over medium heat, stirring constantly, until smooth and thickened. Stir in drained cherries and almond extract.

The Annual List

About a year ago I posted 25 things I wanted to improve or make better in my life. I attempted all of them some I continued and some, I concluded, were over-rated. Overall, I think I was successful in doing what I had ultimately wanted to do. Anywho, this year I WON'T be writting "26" things. (it's just too many). I will, however, say that this year I hope to accomplish sanity. It's lofty, I know, but I may as well reach for the stars...

just so you know

My favorite part of a newspaper is the Obits. Yep it's true. I have been reading the obits everyday for the last 8 years. Odd fact I knew you wouldn't be able to live without!