Beach Blunders

Look at this pic. Isn't it a beauty?

Now take another look.

This is what almost killed me. What is it? It’s a Portuguese-man-of-war that I almost stepped on while taking a picture of a blue heron in flight. Want to see that pic?

It didn’t turn out so well because my sweet, wonderful, heroic husband grabbed me and pulled me back as I was about to step on one of these amazing creatures. There are so many facts about them I wouldn’t even know where to begin. Maybe that on average their tentacles reach at least 30 feet when bobbing in the ocean, that when their tentacles have been frozen for 2 months and taken out they still have the same potency of poison that can kill in them. The list goes on. I’m just glad that I didn’t get to experience their venom. What a great, watchful husband I have!

Calling All Good Recipes

I'm ready for some new variety and am looking for recipes whether for breakfast, lunch, snacks or dinner. Any input would be great! Here's one that I love. (This one's for you, Nicole.)

Applesauce Bread:
1/2 stick butter or margarine 1 tsp cinnamon
1/4 cup solid shortening 1 tsp allspice
1 cup (minus 3 Tbs) sugar 1 tsp nutmeg
1 large egg 1/4 tsp cloves
1 cup applesauce 1 tsp salt
1/2 cup chopped walnuts or pecans (optional) 1 tsp baking soda
1 3/4 cup sifted flour

Cream together butter, shortening and sugar. Add egg and beat thoroughly. Beat in applesauce. Sift together dry ingredients and add to applesauce mixture. Bake at 350 for 1 hour in a greased pan. Yum, yum! This was a family recipe from my dear roommate Shauna. Thanks!

Bathed in Bluebonnets

We went out to Chapel Hill to see the beautiful bluebonnets last weekend and besides being assailed by fire ants, blowing a tire and limping on an almost flat spare, we had a wonderful time. The drive was gorgeous and the flowers, well who wouldn’t appreciate such beauty. I am in awe of what an amazingly vibrant, colorful world we live in and I am so thankful for that.

My free spirited little girl

Little lady in big bluebonnets

My handsome boys

Tender moments

With Grandmama

Our family

My Texas man with our little girl

And these cute little cowboy pictures are from the bluebonnet patch in town. Nature is so near. Isn't that great!

Love!

Ear infections, sinus pain-oh bother!

Well, I feel like I've been out of the loop for the last few weeks from this crazy thing called sinusitis which really equated to a double ear infection in one ear, a single in the other, a sinus infection and oh the pain in my jaw. And thus, I have a question. I have been on 2 different antibiotics to try to kill this. However, it's not gone. The pain in my jaw is a dull persistent ache, mainly in my lower jaw. And my ears, well they hurt on again off again. So does anyone have any ideas on how to get better when antibiotics didn't work? And how to help the jaw pain? Thanks!

The Greatest Race There Ever Was…..or at least for now

We did it! We ran the Houston Rodeo Run 10K this past weekend and we did AWESOME! The fact that we each made it across the starting line and then a short while later (short being a relative term) across the finish line really says something and I think everyone who had a time goal beat that as well. My goal was to run it in 70-80 minutes and my finishing time was 76:58 so I was happy. And my sweet family came down to watch us cross the finish line and enjoy the day in the city. I’ll tell you what even though I’m still a little sore it was well worth it; the ride up and the chats, the months of preparation, the knowledge that a goal was accomplished, the hopes of new races and better times. I hope everyone can experience the fulfillment of their goals and dreams. And ladies, I’m proud of us! Blue Bell here we come!

Oh yes, and if you ever need encouragement in a run little smiley face stickers on the hands work like a charm :)

A Date with the Mud

So my little ones and I decided to plant a garden, from seeds. It’s been a great learning experience in love, patience and planting triple what is needed in hopes that something may survive. One morning last week while Sis and I were clearing out the garden after a few days of amazing rain I looked over and saw this sweet memory.

Don’t you remember the first time you really played in the mud? I mean got deep down dirty, head to foot, loving the feel of the squishy, slimy mud?

I remember making mud pies. Not so yummy but oh so fun to make.

And here is our little garden before it made it into the ground. We’re halfway planted now. We just need to get some more dirt. It’s actually been a great teaching tool in prayer and in where food really comes from. And little kids definitely make it twice as exciting!

A New Prophet, A New Day

Our dearly beloved prophet, President Gordon B. Hinckley passed away last week and a new one, President Thomas S. Monson was announced today. New is probably not the correct word since he has served the Lord and in my Church for the last half century but he now holds a new mantle, one that I greatly respect and admire because it means that he is leading a life that the Lord trusts. At a press conference today amidst complex question after question he was asked how he felt when the responsibility of being prophet fell upon him. He immediately answered, "Well, that's easy. I got down on my knees, thanked the Lord for my life and my family and asked that He go before me and that his angels bear me up on either side(paraphrased)." What a great man and what faith! May I have the faith that this man holds in his Savior and Lord, even Jesus Christ. And may I commit my life to the service of my Lord is my prayer.