The Perfect Spring Cookie!

Just in time for budding and blooming . . .

Jam Blossoms!

There is nothing better in life than a simple pleasure and this little Jam Blossom is definitely all that and more.
This recipe is probably not going to appeal to the chocolate lovers, but hey, I guess you could omit the jam and just stick a big old chocolate kiss on top. If however you love shortbread and want a cookie that's colorful, then you are going to love this little goody.

Use a variety of jams and preserves; you'll want to crack out all your favorites for a beautiful show of spring colors on the plate. (Val, this is where I'm going to need more of your perfect plum jam! PS people that recipe is coming soon and you won't want to miss it!)

Preheat your oven to 375 degrees.
Lightly grease your baking sheet or line it with parchment.

Place the following in a bowl for mixing:
1/2 cup confectioners sugar
1/2 cup room temp. butter
1/4 tsp salt (fine if you have it)
1 tsp Vanilla
1/4 tsp. Almond extract

Beat this until it's fine and smooth

add 1 cup flour

This is a really stiff dough, but continue beating it until it's nice and smooth again.

Now take a 1" tsp cookie scoop and scoop out your nice round dough balls onto your prepared baking sheet. Leave about an inch and a half between each ball.

Now get your cute cookie press out (or the bottom of a glass bottle works well too.) Years ago I acquired some really cute cookie dough stampers. I have Winnie the Pooh and a few other cute stamps and I haven't used them in years, that is until I found this charming recipe. The grandkids are going to love making these.

Now press the round balls down gently with your stamp or your glass jar, leaving the cookie about 1/4 inch thick.

Bake the cookies 10 min. until edges are just starting to brown.

Dollop with a generous teaspoon of your favorite jam and preserves.

PS If you don't have a cute stamp, you can take the cookies hot out of the oven, take something with a smaller circumference, (a lid of some type) and make a little indentation in the center of the cookie for where you want to place your jam.

Happy Spring!
(Can I make Jam Blossoms when I'm in training? Why not?)

Wisdom At It's Finest

"If you are still in the process of raising children, be aware that the tiny fingerprints that show up on almost every newly cleaned surface, the toys scattered about the house, the piles and piles of laundry to be tackled will disappear all too soon and that you will ---to your surprise ---miss them profoundly." 

President Thomas S. Monson ~

(Everyone once in a while I visit someone else's blog besides my own. And when I do, I most often times find great inspiration for the day. Often, I look back with great longing on one of the very best times in my life ---when my kids were little. It's true, I miss it profoundly! Thanks Amy :) Great Quote!)

To True

Brandon Poll posted this on his Facebook! 

Wow, keep him sedated is right! 

How long before we vote again?

Training Week Number Two - Life is Symbolic!

LIFE IS ALWAYS SYMBOLIC! Sometimes we don't see what's been there all along.

It was nearly one year ago. We had gathered to work in the yard. You know, family home evening, every one taking time out from their busy lives to spend a night sprucing up my mother's yard. We do it every spring. It's a ritual.
It was early in the evening when I walked around the side of the old red brick home. I looked up and there it was, a giant heart embedded and grown right there in the trunk of the old tree. How had I missed it growing there, I had never seen it before. I've grown up with this tree, walked past it a million times. A heart that size doesn't grow in a tree over night. (More symbolism.) It had to have been there for years, yet, it seemed to have appeared out of nowhere.
As I look back on this time in my life, it was filled with inner struggle, a time in my life when spiritual growth was necessary, a time in my life when I needed to stretch myself in every direction. God provides us with what we need to experience in order to become.  While I don't talk about the whole of the experience, in depth with anyone, I refer back to it daily and draw from it' s power. Nothing in my life has ever driven me closer to the spiritual, and nothing in my life has ever filled me with more gratitude. This heart you see in this tree was no accident. It was put there just for me.
What does all of this have to do with the second week of training? I learned the most amazing thing the other day. I was talking with a great dedicated runner, the owner of Striders.  He's a good friend of another running friend of mine. He said something to me that brought on a gentle afflatus. I love the power of spiritual awareness as it lights inside of me when I least expect it. It's funny how when he said it, a whole bunch of dots immediately connected in my brain.
"You break the body down," he said. "You break it down hard, then you give it a rest and let it build itself back up, then you repeat the process all over again. It's the repetitious pattern, each time the body is stressed and broken, it rebounds, it adapts, and becomes stronger. Muscles actually grow during rest, not during training. If you don't give muscle adequate time to recover, you'll actually interfere with the muscle building process."
As I travel through life I see symbolic similarities in everything. I finished talking with Jon (Mr. Strider) and as I walked away I thought about how life breaks us down with certain experiences. Then if we're lucky, God gives us a rest. It is in the resting we hopefully gain wisdom, then the process starts all over again; breaking down, resting, rebounding, adapting, and growing stronger.
Monday I ran with Deserey. Oh, to be young again (if wishes were fishes)! It took everything I had to keep up with her. I was proud of myself however, because I did in fact barely keep up with her. The last 50 yards she sprinted on home. There was no sprint left in me after trying to keep her pace. My legs burned, my right foot with it's old injury felt numb and tender, my hamstrings felt tight and brittle with little shards of pain shooting through them. I was well spent; every ounce of me. I thought about the breaking down, I felt it after that run. I feel it in life as well.
That night when I crawled into bed it felt good. I just laid there, with my head on my pillow taking full notice of the resting period and the sanctity of it. I envisioned all my muscles growing, the physical, the mental, and most importantly, the spiritual.
Booker T. Washington said, "I have learned that success is to be measured not so much by the position that one has reached in life as by the obstacles which he has overcome while trying to succeed."
It is true . . . success is just past failure.
Week number two is nearing the end. I love the challenge! I'm starting to love the breaking down, the resting, the rebuilding, the strengthening. I am learning more than just how to run!!!

Today . . .STRETCH and STRENGTHEN!
 

UPS Benefits!

The other day I heard the doorbell. When I opened up the door there stood the UPS man. He's a regular at my house, always showing up with one thing or another. I don't know who shops on the internet more, me or Goose.
It's always a pleasant experience when the big brown truck stops out in front of my house. Sometimes I'll even walk out and meet him if I'm anticipating something good coming from his truck. He had a grin on his face when I opened the door and he handed me the box. He pointed to the the red writing and smiled.
"Hi Mom", he queried?
I started laughing. Oh it tickled me to see those two little words written in red. It could only mean one thing! Mr. UPS was taken with my apparent cheerful glee over it all. Then I asked him if he knew what that special little note, hand written just for me, meant. He shook is head obviously unaware of how it had gotten there.
I looked at him and asked him if he knew who loaded his truck.
"Nope", he said "But whoever he is, he sure does a good job."
"It's my son, silly!"  I chuckled as I said it.
"And if you are lucky enough to have my son loading your truck, then you're deliveries just got easier!"
He complimented Seth again on his abilities to organize his load and walked away nodding his head.
After admiring the note forever, envisioning Seth with his red marker writing on it a at 3 o'clock in the morning, (that's what time your UPS trucks are loaded,) I opened the box. I can't even remember what was inside it, but I wanted to save the brown package forever. I'm so sentimental!
I took a picture instead and then filled the box with nerd jelly beans and sent it to Corinne! Well, it was only right that the box ought to be sent on to someone who would truly appreciate it. Since her and Seth are cousins and grew up being best friends, I figured she'd get a kick out of it too.
A UPS job that starts when the rest of the world sleeps works good for Seth and his schedule with school, Ahhhhhh, but it works even better for me . . . the mom, cause now besides getting great packages, I also get cute notes!  I Love you Seth, Keep those little messages coming! They sure brighten up my day!

What To Drink After Your 1/2 Marathon?

It seems silly that I'm thinking about what to drink after I cross the finish line of my 1/2 marathon. Maybe because I'm really worried and wondering if I can cross the finish line at all!  I've decided training for a 1/2 marathon is like waiting to see the doctor when you already know his prognosis, "You're going to die!" Ok, so I'm being dramatic --- but thinking about finishing 13.1 miles is sort of like thinking about death. Well, isn't it? Go ahead and try to tell me for the first entire week of training the words, "Am I going to die?" haven't been running through your head!  Hahahaha, physical torture and mental torture,  to think I signed up for it.

So now I have this problem, every time I  meet up with a runner, I stand and interrogate them for hours on end.  I keep praying one of them will tell me some universal secret that can save my life and I won't die doing this!

Last night I got a great tip and since me and Megan pinky swore, I must share it.

My friend who has been a runner since she was old enough to run, was tutored under a pro in college. Not only was her coach a highly trained professional runner with several medals to prove it, she also happened to be a nutritionist.

I was shocked when my friend told me that the very best thing you can drink immediately 'AFTER' you cross the finish line in any long distance race, is (drum roll please) chocolate milk, Woot Woot!

The reason chocolate milk is a good post-run drink is because it has carbs and protein in it, rather than the typical sports drink which just has carbs (sugar).  Never drink it before or during your run, but after it's the best thing to replenish your energy and it has protein to help repair muscle tissue.  It's great! It's a liquid so it also helps to quench your thirst slightly, and the bit of salt in it will also help to balance fluid levels in the body.  Make sure you drink more than one cup though, one cup is not enough, how's that for good news!

Wow, finally I have something to look forward to after I die!  Brrrrrr hahahahahha

Check out this "Cool Runnings" Article on "The new sports drink"!

Happy Running! Happy Training!

Need A Cake?

Need a cake to dress up a special occasion?

My darling little niece Megan has such a flare for creativity. I think she's a clone of Martha Stewart! She can decorate anything and everything, she has such a talent for making things beautiful.

While her talent extends above and beyond any one defined area, her love resides in the making of cakes, and it shows every time she creates one. The little cake dresses pictured above were one of my favorites. She made these cute colorful dresses for a bridal shower, aren't they adorable! One for the bride and five for the bridesmaids. Almost to cute to cut, I think.

When it comes to finding someone who can design and make a cake for any occasion, it didn't take long for word to spread and now she's open for business. Need a cake? Check out, "Calling All Cakes," and you won't need a cake anymore. If you can dream it up, Megan can make it. Easter is coming, better hurry!
PS, My birthday is the 4th of July Megan, I'll take one flag cake!

Des & The Jr. Prom

Here she is in her pretty blue dress.
Even Winston was totally taken with her!

I don't ever remember getting to wear a dress this cute!
You look adorable Des!

It was Deserey's Jr. Prom last Saturday.
McKinnley Corey decided to withdraw his life's savings and ask Des to go.
The Prom is no cheap thing, so I guess it's a good thing it only comes around once in your life.

Mac (McKinnley) is not only a neighbor but he and Des have been friends since kindergarten.
Des said it was so fun to go with someone she's been friends with forever.

Mac, Des, Aubree, and Cody

Des and Aubree are Jr. Class Officers.
They've worked so hard decorating for the big night at Tony Divino's Toyota.

The class officers asked me if I'd make the invitation for the big night.
I felt like I was 17 all over again!

Glade and I got to chaperone this dance.
I got to see it all from start to finish - Woot Woot!

When McKinnley showed up,
he hadn't really thought about the fact he was taking out "Fuji's" daughter . . .
When he saw my equipment he calmly asked,
"How many pictures are you going to take Faye?"
He was a good sport!

I told him, "Mac, you're mother is going to love me!"

After all, when you're the mother of the boy, you never get to see anything. It's a total rip off!

(Don't worry Jean, I framed it all with a snap, snap, snap!)

After a bazillion pictures the kids were ecstatic to get out the door!

"Put that camera away, Madre!"

Is what she was trying to tell me!

The wind was blowing hard, so they ran as fast as they could --- either that or they just wanted to get away from "Woman With A Camera".

Hold on tight Des!

Mac was a total gentleman!

He even made sure her PUFFY pretty dress didn't get stuck in the door!

Way to go Mac!

Such great kids, and what a fun night! 

Thanks again Mac for asking Des to go to the prom! 

You're beautiful Desi, inside and out!

Two Of The Greatest Qualities In Life

PATIENCE

AND

WISDOM!


Gavin sent this to me. I loved it. Pure inspiration! 
Thanks Gav!

Chia Seeds & Pinole

I am a great fan of Chia seeds. It's gotten so that I never drink water without them. Several runners have stated, for long training runs where speed is not an issue, chia seeds mixed with water cannot be beat! The seeds are very small and hydrophyllic-meaning they retain water, so you stay hydrated. I have noticed since I use these seeds daily it improves my stamina greatly and also prevents weight gain. 


The other night I discovered another find in the energy department. I haven't tried this recipe yet but I'm going to today. For those of you who are brave enough, check this out, It's called, "Pinole". Here's what I found:


"Pinole: Eat Like a Tarahumara Runner!
The Tarahumara Indian's approach to eating on the run is very intriguing. These runners use pinole (a form of corn meal) as a primary energy source when distance running. Interestingly American Indians and 18th and 19th century Mountain Men (all known to rapidly cover long distances on foot) also often subsisted on pinole supplemented with pemmican or jerky. For a couple months Bruce R. Copeland experimented with pinole as his carbohydrate energy source on longer runs. For him, pinole seemed to work every bit as well as—maybe better than—gel.Pinole is easy to prepare. Preheat an oven to 400 degrees F. In a mixing bowl, blend 2 cups corn meal, 1/3 cup honey, 0.5 teaspoon lite salt, and 0.25 teaspoon table salt. Spread the mixture uniformly on a cookie sheet (with sides) and bake for about 15 - 20 minutes until medium golden. About every 5 minutes, you will need to use a spatula to mix (breaking up any big lumps that remain) and spread the pinole on the cookie sheet. This keeps it from getting too browned, and the corn meal mixes more easily with the honey as it gets hot. When the pinole is medium golden, remove the cookie sheet from the oven and let cool. Store thepinole in a closed container at room temperature.

Corn meal contains about 160 calories per ounce by weight. So in energy terms, pinole is pretty much a direct replacement for gel on a volume basis. I find that gel flasks are a convenient way to carry pinole. Simply unscrew the flask top, and pour about an ounce volume of pinole into your mouth. Pinole tastes like a slightly sweet, crunchy version of popcorn. Chew and swallow most of it; then chase with 6 - 8 ounces of water. It takes somewhat longer to digest cornmeal than maltodextran or simple sugars, which are used in many gels. In this respect pinole is more comparable to gels based on brown rice syrup. If you're one of those runners who wait until your blood sugar starts to dive before consuming a gel, pinole probably won't work very well for you.

The Indians mix some cinnamon with their pinole. I don't particularly like cinnamon, but it does help modulate blood sugar. Regular corn meal works fine for piñole, but if you can find blue corn or one of the other maize meals, go for it! "


Let me know if you try this.

Begin Today

These pictures might not seem like much to anyone who sees them. To me however they mean a great deal. I took the above picture at 5:00 am. The picture below was taken shortly after. This heart rock is actually the size of a chair, and yes I sat here every morning at the end of my long run along the beach in Maui, Hawaii.

Last May we took a trip to this tropical island. It was a time in my life when I was struggling with some very hard personal things. Growth and learning come to each of us differently and I didn't realize that sometimes the Lord drives us into hard places of learning so that we can become what he needs us to become.

Something broke loose in me at this time in my life as I learned things I had never learned in ways I never thought I could learn them.

The picture of the heart rock is a long story of God's hand being extended directly towards me and with it, how much He loves me. Every morning on my trip, at five a.m. I sat here in these two places, I prayed here in these two places, and I prepared here, to live my life differently.

Since last May, I have been working hard to make myself, spiritually, physically, and mentally stronger in keeping with the wisdom that came to me at this time in my life. Today the spiritual side of this journey touches me in a way I can't describe.

These two pictures motivate me like no other! I thought they were appropriate, since today I begin a goal I set nearly a year ago.

For anyone who might read this, maybe the stray blog lurker who wanders by, you've got to know, if you fail to see the spiritual in this life, you are foolish and ignorant.

I mean that with every ounce of my heart, not in a mean way, but in a way that makes me feel sorry for any one that has not fully arrived at the greatest truth ever found ---THE TRUTH THAT LIFE IS SPIRITUAL ---it doesn't matter if you recognize it or not, your lack of recognition doesn't change the fact ---it just changes what you encompass and enjoy!

The very BEST of life LIES in the SPIRITUAL, and if you do not fully discern this, you are missing the entire reason for living!

Life is an amazing spiritual gift to us, and to travel through it without this deepened understanding is a great travesty!

Today the official training for my 1/2 marathon begins and this goal for me is totally spiritual! It is a push to call the physical under the will of the spiritual! Strengthening the body requires the spirit to govern. Spirit and body united is a total strengthening of the soul!

The body is nothing without the spirit to guide it, and while most think I'm strengthening my my body for a race, in reality it is my spirit that is getting the intense work out! My goals in this life have changed and it is the vision of seeing life with greater spirituality, governing the spirit, that is what motivates me today.

I'm happy others have joined in the quest. I love the people that have joined with me in the struggle to better self! All of us are struggling to improve ourselves --- are we not? So together today we lock arms and begin a goal that requires us to stretch ourselves inside and out! I can't wait!

Now for some of you maybe this 13.1 mile trek might be just a small thing. Let me make myself clear, IT IS NO SMALL THING TO ME! Everyday I worry whether I can finish. Everyday I worry if it's too big and too much for me, and everyday I work toward a goal that is supremely difficult for me. Over coming self ---is always difficult!

Yesterday, in preparation for training,  I was on my bike for the first time this spring. My legs burned the whole entire time. It was all my spirit could do to push my limbs in keeping a pace I felt was strengthening them.

It was late in the evening, just as the sun hung low in the west. I rode down through blossom, a place I haven't been to in years. Next time I'm going with my camera, there are some great shots of life I want to capture!

I had my itunes playing, and as my wheels carried me further and further away from home, I spent a long time contemplating life in-between trying to breath. Assessing life, what it means, and how I can improve it are great thoughts to ponder while your heart is pumping hard. You can do a lot of thinking on a bike and as the road wound it's way down through grass ladened pastures leaving wood and brick dwellings further and further behind, my mind got a good work out along with my body.

When I finished the ten miles, my legs were quivering from the strain, but my head was invigorated from the workout. The ride, was intensely rewarding and I've learned that straining brings wisdom to every muscle including the heart and the brain. I have a long way to go to improve my stamina and did I tell you, I love exercising!

Cheers to our official day of beginning! "Every accomplishment starts with the decision to try."

I'm so excited as we prepare to master a goal that will surely bring us a satisfying reward!  By the way, just so you can all prepare early ---next year I'm doing the Bonneville Cycling Club's "Little Red Riding Hood"! Isn't life great. I'll be on a bike, so maybe "Man with a drill " can join in. Oh wait, it's for women only.  Ok girls, any takers? Megan you could design our costumes!


Today STRETCH AND STRENGTHEN!

Awe, The Green Luck Of The Irish

HAPPY ST. PADDY'S DAY!

Years ago my grandma Blanch gave me an Oxalis Regnelli, a.k.a. a Lucky Shamrock Plant. For so many years I can't count, I have tried to keep this little green flowering leafy lucky plant alive.
I’ve always considered my thumb green--well, at least chartreuse--but for some reason the luck for these supposedly easy to grow plants runs low when winter strikes. Too much water? Not enough sun? I’d like to keep this sweet little thing thriving and after winter's hangover my poor little clover leaf love looks like she's tryin' to leave life behind!
Years ago I learned the Shamrock plant grows from an orange bulb like root system. Many times I've dug these little bulbs up and replanted them. Well, I just learned today since Shamrocks indeed grow from a bulb, they enjoy a period of dormancy every year. DUH, I should have known this! During the winter months I just need to trim back the plants brown leaves, give the plant very little water, and place it in a cool place so it can go dormant for a month or two. I'm so happy to learn my plant is not dying and I don't need to keep digging up the bulbs!
I learned in the spring, I should begin watering my shamrock plant and give it a dose of organic fertilizer to bring it back to life.
Wow, I'm so happy, this little plant has great meaning to me. I remember it sitting on the window sill of my grandmothers house, so I'm happy today to know how to better care for it, because I need all the Irish luck I can get.
Get yourself a Lucky Shamrock this season.  It's a beautiful plant. The leaves close up at night  and re-open to the sun in the morning. Along with it's beautiful ways of opening and closing, it grows the prettiest dainty white flower all summer long. They are such a dainty pretty plant, and lucky too maybe if your Irish.  I love this plant and I'm lucky it's survived this long and I'm so happy to finally find out how to care for it!
Have a happy lucky leprechaun day and don't forget to wear GREEN!

Be Prepared To Be Grossed Out - This Is Not For The Faint Of Heart!

Ask me what I did today. Ask me what I've been doing for three weeks straight now. I feel quite frazzled, but having fought such an invincible battle, at least I'm starting to feel like maybe victory looms in my future --- we'll see.

I suppose you've noticed the above picture by now. Take a good look at it because if you ever see one of these little things flying around your house, just pack up and move out. All I can say is this PEST gives new meaning to the common phrase "YOU BUG ME!"

Des has given me a new name. I'm now refereed to as the Orkin woman. It's true and I earned this title and every letter in it by the sweat of my brow, because for weeks now I've been on a killing rampage.
Several times a day I do a run down check on my cupboards. I move and check everything, then kill anything and everything that moves. I could do this procedure in my sleep now! It's habit. If I walk into my kitchen I immediately start checking everything. I'm obsessed!

This is where I'm going to talk about worms, so if you can't handle it, and you need to stop reading, I'll understand.

It all started several weeks ago when I went to put the dishes away. I had washed a few and I was letting them air dry in the drainer in my sink. As I reached to put away the first bowl, I noticed a disgusting little worm crawling on it. It looked like a weevil worm, all yellow with brown knobbies. Immediately I went nuts wondering where this festering elongated tiny puss filled creature came from. Just looking at it made my stomach jerk and quiver.

( I hope you're not reading this before lunch!)

I immediately squished his innards out and scrubbed my hands forever. I wondered how it got there. I hoped it had traveled in from some strange pathetic source but finally in dismay, I was able to rid my mind of it.

A couple of weeks later, I got up on a nice Monday morning and prepared to make bread. I got up in my cupboard and noticed someone had spilt olive oil on the shelf. I thought the cupboard looked a mess so following with my "A thing done when thought of needs no more attention" philosophy, I decided to deep clean then and there. (Well, I am the daughter of "White Tornado Woman.") Wow, am I ever glad a higher power inspired me on the spot. I no more started pulling things of the shelf when I suddenly realized "OH MY (insert your favorite word here), I'VE GOT A MAJOR PROBLEM!

This is where you'll need to sit down and grab hold of something to steady yourself!

On the shelf was a rancid bag of walnuts. It had gotten shoved to the back --- a place where no man goes.  In the bag, a clan of nice puffy little juicy worms all enjoying lunch and each other's company. I think they were having a Native Indian Meal Moth dance festival!

You can run and throw up now if you need to. I did when I saw my cupboard had literally come to life!
About this time Seth came in. The odds were in our favor now. No living species can stand the sheer force of not one but two of "White Tornado's" direct blood descendants! I knew when I saw Seth stroll in Patton and his army had just showed up!

We soon found the wretched little creatures had invaded not one, but three cupboards. Seth and I put on our rubber gloves, cracked out the clorox and abruptly made every thing in sight sterile. This required me to throw EVERYTHING OUT! I've never thrown so much food away in my life. We were taking no chances. Finally at the end of the day I felt good and Seth decided he could safely leave me.

Now, just so that this doesn't turn into a book, I'm not going to tell you about the continual outbreak of moths every single week. It was BUGGING ME SO BAD! Now outraged, I decided to get on the computer and become "Moth" savvy!

Here some facts you should know.

One moth can lay 100-400 eggs over 1-18 day period. Anything in your pantry that is not in a sealed tight container is suspect. The moths are nocturnal. They fly at night (obviously when I am sleeping) emitting a scent that attracts the male.

Finding webbing in a stored food product is a sign that you have an infestation.

Foods they love: Flour, oatmeal, breads, crackers, NUTS, grain. Etc.

You may also find small, pale caterpillars. Look a little more closely and you may see a fine gritty material; this is frass, the scientific term for insect poop!

The only way to control Indian meal moths is to locate infested materials and throw them out!

The final step is to clean the cupboards thoroughly before putting food back. Vacuum cracks and crevices and wash the shelves. Indian meal moths need remarkable little food to survive so you should also clean behind appliances and anywhere else crumbs and other bits of food may be hiding.

Keep all food in sealed containers. Clean up spills promptly!!! Cereal that is eaten in a week or less is not a problem. Make sure however, no loose cereal spills out and down the sides of the box, and roll up the bag when not in use. Throw the box out when empty. And by all means keep your NUTS in a tupperware stored in the freezer!!! (That sounded bad didn't it?) Well I'm sorry, this post is not for the faint of heart!

Now get on the internet and buy lots of pheromone traps. These traps attract the male's and let you know when you are moth free. The trap stops the nasty little flying bugs from having sex in your pantry or on your favorite cashmere cardigan sweater hanging in your closet, heaven forbid! You have to place two traps every three months! YOU HAVE TO BE DILIGENT!!! Also you have to go  a full three months without catching a single moth before you can sleep at night and consider yourself sane again!

This morning I got up and found three more moths.  Knowing I had gotten any food source they could be living on, I was a little perplexed as to where they were hatching from. Then I noticed it --- the tiny black holes on the inside of my cupboards.  These holes are designed so you can move your shelves around. I decided to get a toothpick and have a little look-see.

I wish I could describe for you the sound of cocooned webbing busting loose, or the sight of bludgeoned worms skewered on a stick coming out of several holes. It's taken all day for my skin to stop crawling. I just know I'm going to have nightmares tonight.

I carefully cleaned out every single hole, nook and cranny. Then I filled them with toothpaste, that way if I ever need the hole the toothpaste will be easy to remove, yet it prevents anything from taking up house in the hole. I think I've conquered the little buggers, but just in case, looks like I'm going to be ordering some pheromone traps. No moth is sharing my living space!

Did I say somewhere in this lengthy article that I have never experienced anything so un-nerving in my entire life! Later I also found nests under the edges of my spice lids. I know, I'm sick too! I'd reach for a spice unscrew the lid and find a cocoon! When I found the first one I nearly fainted and passed out! I don't want to add up all the money I threw out in spices!

I think that was the point I realized I indeed needed traps. I ordered enough triangle boxes to last me for two years. I'm not taking any chances!

And to think I could have avoided all of this by just putting the stupid nuts in a tupperware! Uuugh!

Lesson learned the hard way!!!

Now here's a Post Note: It took me nearly a complete year to rid myself of these awful irritating insects! Do not make the mistake of thinking you can get rid of these pests without traps! YOU CANT! You have been warned! Good luck! You're going to need it!

Post Note #2 It has now been over a year. I am on my last set of traps and I do believe I am finally rid of these pests. Here is a last bit of advice: Do not take these little flying winged devils lightly. They will become your next plague if you do! You must be vigilant in placing the traps every three months! I DO MEAN VIGILANT!!! I can't stress that enough! You will never get a grip on them if you are not faithful in your placements of traps. You can throw out the old, but they will move into the new the second you do if you don't get rid of them.

Here is a link for online purchasing of the traps I used. http://www.amazon.com/Springstar-BioCare-Flour-Pantry-S203/dp/B000NCYPXI/ref=sr_1_7?ie=UTF8&qid=1291148661&sr=8-7

Do I Need A Heart Monitor?

I think I'm going to invest in a heart monitor. I've been reading lots of material on why it's good to have one. I'm curious if anyone else is is a fan? Check out this link "Rate not Pace!" and tell me what you think.

• When heart rate stays the same or decreases and your pace is staying the same or increasing, you are getting fitter. Raise your heart rate by 3-5 beats per minute, and evaluate pace. You will be faster.
• On environmentally challenging days with high winds, rain or extreme heat, stick to heart rate as your guide. Limit an increase in heart rate to 5-8 beats per minute from your selected training heart rate. You will complete the event safely and stay mentally motivated. Pace is a small part of your true performance.
• The longer the distance, the more conservative the heart rate. Select a steady-state heart rate, maintain this heart rate and observe your pace. Depending on the distance for completion, if the heart rate begins to increase and the pace begins to slow, decrease the heart rate. Your pace may slow but you will complete the event. If your heart rate begins to decrease and the pace stays the same, increase the heart rate in the last stage, pace will increase, and you will probably pass a few of those who passed you in the early stages of the event.
• Observe, record and evaluate heart rate and pace often. Look for the trends in the data.
• Bang! The race gun blasts and you automatically know “I can run this race at a heart rate of 155 beats per minute (155 is an example — you must select you own heart rate) for 6.4 miles! My heart rate monitor is my guide. I have trained using heart rate and I know exactly the heart rate zone I will use in this race. My heart rate monitor will help me stay mentally focused. I am confident that I will succeed. My pace will be a reflection of my best training.”

Scones with Cherry and Lemon

I don't know who Melanie is, because she didn't leave her last name on this divine recipe but if I knew who she was I'd hug her. 

The other night Mr. "G" and I had to chaperone for Des's prom. We had to show up early to help decorate too and after our decorating duty was done we decided before all those unruly teenagers showed up in their fancy duds, we needed energy. 

We drove down to Jamba Juice and I got my usual Mango-a-go-go, with added energy of course. It was delish, but just before we turned to leave I decided to grab a sour cherry scone. Oh wow, big mistake! I should have never introduced my self to that divine simple pastry. It was heavenly. 

That's what sparked my interest when I spotted this little hummer of a recipe. Don't make it, then you will never know what you have been missing out on all this time! I warned ya!

Scones with Cherry and Lemon

2 c. all purpose flour

¼ c. granulated white sugar

1 tsp baking powder

¼ tsp baking soda

¼ tsp salt

½ c. unsalted butter, cold and cut into pieces

½ c. dried cherries

Zest of 2 lemons

2/3 c. buttermilk

Egg mixture for brushing tops of scones:

1 large egg, lightly beaten

1 Tb milk

Turbinado surgar, or white granulated sugar, for sprinkling the tops of the scones OR drizzle with glaze after baking.

GLAZE

Juice of one lemon and 1/2 - 1 cup of powdered sugar.  Depending on how much juice you get from the lemon.  You want it runny.

Preheat oven to 400° and place rack in middle of oven.  Line a cookie sheet with parchment paper.

In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda and salt.  Cut the butter into small pieces and blend into flour mixture with a pastry blender or two knives.  The mixture should look like coarse crumbs.  Stir in the dried cherries and the lemon zest.  Add the buttermilk to the flour mixture and stir just until the dough comes together.  Do not over mix the dough.

Transfer to a lightly floured surface and knead dough gently four or five times and then pat the dough into a circle that is about 7 inches round and about 1 ½ inches thick.  Cut this circle in half, and then cut each half into 3-6 pie-shaped wedges.  Place the scones on the baking sheet.  Make an egg wash of one well-beaten egg mixed with 1 tablespoon of milk and brush the tops of the scones with this mixture.  Sprinkle with raw sugar (if desired).

Bake for about 20-25 minutes or until golden brown and a toothpick inserted in the middle comes out clean.  Transfer to a wire rack to cool.

Makes 6-12 scones.

How To Peel A Potato

If you can tolerate watching this annoying video, it's well worth it!
 

What's on the book shelf?

WHAT MAKES A MARRIAGE GOOD?

Check out this book, "i love you more" formerly "When bad things happen to good marriages". 
By Dr's, Les and Leslie Parrott

The Parrott's say,"A good marriage is built by two people's capacity to adjust to bad things." Here are some excerpts from the book:

"Ask most people this question and you'll undoubtedly hear something about love. But ask anyone who has given serious thought, dedicated themselves to study and research of the topic, and you'll hear a different answer. Better yet, ask this question to couples who have a good marriage in spite of the bad things they've encountered and you'll hear the answer that matters most. That's what the authors above did, and it became the reason for writing their book.

Here's what they said: "A good marriage is built by two people's capacity to adjust to bad things. In survey after survey, when we asked couples to crystallize their thoughts on what makes a marriage successful, that was their answer. And when we pushed them to flush out that answer, we learned the secrets these smart couples hold.

A good marriage is made up of...
Two people who take ownership for the good as well as the bad.
They are a responsible couple. 
Two people believing good wins over bad.
They are a hopeful couple. 
Two people walking in each other's shoes.
They are an empathic couple.
Two people healing the hurts they don't deserve.
They are a forgiving couple. 
Two people living the love they promise.
They are a committed couple.

From all that we can gather, these five qualities are the armament used to protect good couples from the destruction of bad things: ownership, hope, forgiveness, empathy, and commitment."

Also here is a great link for their wesite "Click"
And here is a detailed article for further reading. "Click"

Ralph Waldo Emmerson (ummm my fav.) said;

Passion,
though a bad regulator,
is a powerful spring.

Too Much GOP Hypocrisy?

Recently I had the opportunity to read Steve Olsen's guest commentary entitled "Too much GOP hypocrisy", featured in the Standard Examiner Feb. 20, 2010. 


I have to say that this article really rattled me. I don't know why, but it elevated my blood pressure, something fierce. After I got done reading it, I was sizzling like hot bacon in a frying pan! It's 'Wheeler' comin' out in me!

 

I want to start off by saying that Steve Olsen is a good man, a friend, a distant neighbor, and an individual I respect. I don't want anyone to get the wrong idea here, but given the article was public and printed, I have some serious opinions on it, and I'm going to share them; I want to be clear - it's not personal, it's political! 

To say I was greatly disappointed in this article is an understatement!  It hit me hard-core, right in the center of my gut, and I'm going to tell you why--- I'm passionate about a few serious things in this life; 

1- MY FAITH! 

2- MY FAMILY!!

And last but not least ---- 

3- MY COUNTRY!!!

I LOVE this land I live in and I think she's under a serious ATTACK right now, not from some distant evil foreign land, but from the very people who govern her --- (or should I say ---don't govern her, because they are so absorbed in "Who to blame" and "Am I going to get my own way" they don't have time to actually run our country!) 

It seems to me there is trouble in the hen house. The hens are so busy pecking at each other they don't have time to notice the fox - this pecking is called partisan bashing! Believe it or not I actually listened to a commentary on the radio the other day that talked about how our country is not being governed in a way that brings about imperative results, but instead, is being governed with the debasing poisonous mindset of making sure one party or another doesn't get it's own way. Did our elected officials pass the 1st grade? How pathetic is that? So I have to say, right now, I am so sick, tired, and fed up with partisan bashing, I could puke! IT IS GETTING US NOWHERE!!!



Steve's article was all about the hypocrisy of the Republican party. Which leads me to my opening thought; I am always amused when a hypocrite writes about hypocrisy. I say that with boldness because today I too am a hypocrite writing about hypocrisy! Hypocrisy lies within us ALL, in some form or another. Hypocrisy is a 'way of being' easily seen in others but rarely visible in ourselves, or in this case in the political party we belong to. 



For instance, is it hypocritical to belong to a religion that denounces abortion, but then turn around and support a political party that embraces killing an unborn fetus? Is it? I'm just asking. To me, that seems like hypocrisy. 



I was amazed at the hypocrisy Steve sees in the Grand Old Party, yet his writings never mentioned any of the debasing hypocrisy that thrives and flourishes in rich vibrant abundance within his own democratic loyalties! Trust me, I am as sick of the Republicans right now as I am of the Democrats! In my opinion NEITHER party is pulling it's weight, in fact, it's the biggest disappointment I see right now!



One thing is certain, it doesn't matter if you profess to be a Republican, and you are a pour pathetic leader, or if you are a pour pathetic leader who proudly proclaims loyalty to that of being a Democrat ---fact is, you are still--- A POUR PATHETIC LEADER!!!



I could care less if my elected officials are of one party or another if they are directing my city, state and beloved country in a positive direction that builds, protects, and defends the land I love! I would gladly vote into office a honest conservative hard working Democrat over a dishonest lazy liberal Republican any day if I could find one! I don't care what party Obama professes his loyalties to, what I do care about is things like, why he's been in office for less than a year and has already spent three trillion dollars we didn't have to spend in the first place. 

And thank you Utah for three decades of great men and women who have governed this fine state in such a way that we have far less problems than most other states! Steve, spoke of Governor Herbert's severe hypocrisy for bemoaning the horrible sate of air quality on the Wasatch Front and attributed that to three decades of one-party Republican rule. 


Well, the fact is we live in an amazing state that has far less problems than most other states. I think it's safe to say there have been some great Democrats that have served in office during the last three decades. If however, Steve wants to give all the credit to the Republicans for our state being without major problems, and being rated as one of the greatest places to live, I guess that's his porogative. 



One thing is for certain, hypocrisy thrives in both parties, but underneath it all, THE GREATS WILL ALWAYS BE KNOWN, it doesn't matter what party they belong to. When they leave office, their legacy is left to testify of their worth and contribution! The greats are always known!



Too bad we can't produce more of that kind of leadership on either side right now, I'm sick of reading articles that merely point the finger at one side or the other, anyone can do that. Why doesn't someone write an article on how two parties could come together to govern a country instead of being fixated on their own self serving, money making interests, that's something I'd like to see, that's something I'd like to pick up and read for a change!



I guess that's what really upset me, I felt Steve's article did nothing to promote something our country needs so desperately right now, UNITY--- unity within our government, UNITY within “We The American People!” Too bad each party can't look within and take ownership, then problems might have a greater chance of actually getting solved!

It is down right scary and intensely frustrating to see the direction our country is being turned in, and I'm sorry but I don't think either party is rising to the nobility and stamina this country needs right now! Someone write about how to get that back! That's what I want to read!

I hope Steve will forgive me. I was just so disappointed and so frustrated after reading his article. Given this man's knowledge, character, and tremendous ability to write and print an article for good, I expected far more than just another wordy finger pointing Republican bashing. 


Ok, I'll calm down!
(Letter to the Editor: Written 2/22/10)