Menu

Monday - grilled hotdogs & hamburgers, grapes, baked potato, chips, lemonade

Tuesday - Swedish meatballs with rice, Italian layered salad, corn

Wednesday- Rich Seafood Casserole, Rice Pilaf, salad, sesame broccoli

Thursday- Fish tacos (the three youngest don't love these like we do - so they may have a frozen burrito)

Friday - pizza, veggie tray, fruit smoothie

Saturday - ?maybe dinner with special Texas guests and rest of family? or
Chicken Marsala, rice, garlic rolls, veggie

Sunday -
Breakfast: Farmers Breakfast, toast, orange julius

After Church: Spaghetti with white clam sauce/ mizithra cheese, french bread, Seven layered salad, blueberry swirl cheesecake

Monday - Grilled Chicken with Ginger peach glaze, brown rice, peas, lemon frosty

Tuesday - Tacos, Black bean salad

Wednesday Rosemary Lemon Pork chops, baked potato, veggie

Thursday - Creamy Chicken Enchiladas, cornbread, chips, salsa

Friday- pizza, veggies, fruit shake

Many of these recipes came from Jody Richael's blog (her sisters and mom have a recipe blog)
http://www.5jsand1mom.blogspot.com/ . Thanks Jody for all the great recipes - you inspire me to be more organized!

Great weekend

I am modeling a butlers apron that I made! You can't see the cute ribbon ties or really the little ribbon flowers on the front. I made this as an example to show the young women. Last Wednesday they each made their own apron - in bright spring colors: pink, green, or blue with fun, cute ribbon ties and flowers. These were made for the special occasion of serving dinner to Elder David A. Bednar (of the quorum of the 12 apostles) Saturday evening. The young women of our ward were asked to prepare and serve him dinner along with eleven dinner guests. It was quite an honor to serve him. I was able to shake his hand - I mentioned Larry & LaDawn and he said he just visited with them last week. It was a very brief encounter but still amazing. He truly is a man of God. I felt of his testimony and true conversion to our Heavenly Father and His son, Jesus Christ. We were spiritually fed Saturday evening - what a special and rare treat.

We love you!

Mom and Keith surprised us with an impromptu visit during General Conference weekend. We had lots of fun! The kids especially love these visits! I have some great ideas for grandparents - if you are reading this!
read stories onto a digital recorder and email us the stories
sent postcards to the grandkids
have a special grandma/pa hour (day) with grandkids
teach them how to do something with you - bake bread, garden, etc.

They love you so much - and so do Paul and me.

Belle is still loved!

Paul and I went on a date Friday night and came home to find these three sleeping in the same bed- Vivian, Belle, and Corbin! Belle loves having her little legs on Corbin. Paul and I just keep watching them sleep - first Belle was much closer and had her legs draping over his body. Last night she slep with them again- Belle was snuggled even closer. This is definitely not a nightly ritual - this is an earned priviledge. Corbin was very helpful in babysitting!

Corbin's First Piano Recital

Corbin has been taking piano lessons from Terry Figgins, a member of our ward. She is very musically talented and a great teacher for Corbin because she is a lot of fun and she at the same time she can be firm with him. Corbin has excelled in his first year of lessons - I know it won't be long before he surpasses me. After performing this evening, he told us that we wanted a better piano - a grand piano! Sure I would love one, also! Corbin performed the songs: English Dance and Minuet. He practiced these songs over and over - both the teacher and myself were glad to finally put them to rest. He performed his songs with no music - he didn't even bring his books to fall back on. Corbin is very determined about playing his best. He came home wanting to play Fur Elise - not the easy version but the original. He performed part of that song for a talent show in his music class.

Thanks for coming Marne and Braden to support Corbin!

Guess what I got myself into now!

Okay you won't believe what I got myself into now! Tonight our subdivision had it's very first meeting to decide when the HOA would be turned over to the homeowners. There are new homes still being built here along with many empty lots - so this the very beginning. Well after discussion of many issues - it was decided that it was time to transfer the association to the homeowners. I kept quiet the whole time - even though I do have my own strong opinions on several matters. It ends up that I am the new president of the Salisbury Court HOA! Paul was at home with the kids - so this was a shock to him, too. I am soon to be very busy learning the ropes - we have several matters at hand, including if we want to approve a swimming pool or another amenity to be built by the builder (they have agreed to fund the project up to a certain amount). On my way home, I also wondered "what just happened?" I think it will be a lot of work but I think it can be very rewarding also. I hope that we can help this neighborhood rise to its potential.

If you have any suggestions or feedback, please feel free to share! Please share!

Recipe Blog

My sisters, sisters-in law and I have made a recipe blog. It can be found at http://www.letsgatherinthekitchen.blogspot.com/ . I haven't really made any new recipes lately - tonight was an indoor picnic because of the bad weather (Subway sandwiches, cheetos, fruit salad, and homemade lemonade). I need to get back to Menu Monday's! I am inspired by my friend, Jody. She makes a two week menu that looks fabulous...I think I will just sneak over to her house!

Food Storage and Exercise

Last night I was talking to Paul about exercise. I had a good running program going in the fall until I got sick then it ended - of course, I kept up the exercising (just no running). I was getting burned out on it. I like to do a variety of machines (elliptical, bike, the wave, treadmill) and don't forget the weights. I have been diligently lifting - now I am concerned my legs are getting too big! I know I can cut out some sweets and treats and that would help. So I'm going to back the weight back down on my legs and add in some more running. Today I ran 3 miles at one time! That is good for me, especially because I don't enjoy it! I do LOVE my Group Power class at the YMCA - if you ever want to try it, come with me (I have a couple free class passes).

Yesterday after a hard gym workout, I came home to move many cases of cereal (from the big sale) into my home. I think I moved 25-30 cases- I found a home for all of them in the top of my closet and the girls closet. I also found a home for 16 more #10 cans and 12 cases (24 cans per case) of beans and canned tomatoes. Food storage can be a work out! I am continuing to find room - it's like putting a puzzle together. I find satisfaction in creating new space. Paul and I have been cleaning/organizing our garage! Many of you will be surprised when you see it next.

Feel His Love for You

This morning when I checked my email I found a forwarded message from a friend (I usually don't like forwards) but this one touched my soul. Take a few minutes and watch this beautiful slide presentation - I know it will inspire you to live today to its fullest because you are loved.
Click on the link below:
http://mabrystudios.typepad.com/mark_mabry_photography/2008/03/index.html

On the black screen, click on the arrow and the presentation will begin.
How did it make you feel?

Have a great day, Tiff

72 Hour kits

I have had some time to myself today so I decided to work on the final steps on my 72 hour kits - yes, everything had to wait (i.e. the laundry, my bedroom, the messy office, etc). It has taken so much work to gather up all the stuff and organize it, maybe it has been easier for you. This is something for me to celebrate and feel good about!

I made a chart with the food for each meal: breakfast, lunch, dinner. (I tried copying my chart - but it wouldn't work - I can email you one if you want). I just made it custom for our family. Then I stuffed all the food in a gallon storage ziplock bag and added a couple extra juices boxes and a can of trail mix, & plastic utensils.

Then in another ziplock bag I packed: shampoo/conditioner, sunscreen, lipstuff, candle, matches, emergency blanket, tissue, rain poncho, flashlight, batteries, handwarmers, nylon rope, pocketknife, lightstick, bandana (everyone has same color -so our family matches), first aid kit, toothbrush/paste/floss, soap, file comb, sewing kit, hair elastics, deororant, pen/notebook, hand sanitizer, money, and water.

I also have a couple Book of Mormons, a hymn book, hatchet, extra rope, sterno can, wind up radio thing, wind up flashlights, OTC medicine, etc.

I just packed the kids some clothes. I'm still thinking of a few loose ends that I might want in there, also.