Recipe Review

I tried two brand new recipes this week. As much as I love watching Food Network and have a secret desire to be The Next Food Network Star, I really don't cook anything other than the same rotation of recipes that I know my family likes. It does get rather boring - especially in the summer. So I found a couple of new food blogs with some great ideas. I decided that my children are old enough to try something new without having a meltdown and that Brent and I deserve some variety in between the tried and true standbys.


Recipe #1: Pineapple Meatballs served over rice
The review:

Myself - Not being a real meatball fan, I surprised myself by choosing this one, but the pineapple sauce had me interested. It was yummy and I would make this again.

Brent - He really enjoyed it. Thought the flavor of the sauce was yummy, especially over the rice and liked the seasoning in the meatballs. He asked that this be put into the rotation.

Davis - He liked this a lot. Although he picked the pineapple pieces out, he liked the flavor as well. He ate this heated up the next day for lunch and said it was best the first time around. Good to know. He said to please make it again.

Maddison - She cried. And claims she gagged. She cried again.

Cooper - He started out claiming he loved it. He was even cheering. After one bite, he smothered it in ketchup. But he finished it.

Recipe #2: Honey Lime Enchiladas
The review:

Myself - Soooo good! Definitely a keeper for me. I'm not a huge red sauce enchilada person so this one is my new go to enchilada recipe!

Brent - Loved it. Would definitely like to eat this again.

Davis - He gobbled it up as well. Although he said it was a bit spicy but not too bad.

Maddison - She enjoyed it. Said "wow! it's got a kick to it." Said she was happy to not be gagging this time and would definitely eat it again.

Cooper - it took us 20 minutes to convince him to try a bite. He finally did. He wouldn't swallow and refused to eat the 4 bites that were on his plate. Ketchup wouldn't work this time. After two nights of exploring his palate, he got a PB&Honey for his efforts. I know - I'm such a sucker.

So overall I have two new recipes that will appear again on the Brown family menu lineup. Most will be happy and well fed. I do understand that my daughter might refuse to come to the table on meatball night and that Cooper might live on PB&H for the rest of his life.
I'm actually fine with that.

Tagged

I have been tagged by my friend, Jo-Anne, so here it goes:


1.I was asked to name 5 things that I do for myself:
a. pray
b. read
c. indulge in Ben & Jerry's New York Super Fudge Chunk once in awhile
d. took my daily (sometimes more than that) Cherry Coke Zero out of my routine.
e. put myself in "time out" on occasion

2.Name 5 kind things I do for friends, my children or partner:
a. put myself in "time out" on occasion
b. pray
c. snuggle time for children and partner
d. offer hugs, a listening ear, a smile
e. make school lunches for my children and include a happy note on a napkin

3.Name 5 kind things I've done for a strangers:
a. held open a door
b. let a car merge in, even when I was in a hurry
c. helped with service projects
d. gave a compliment to a young mother
e. let people cut in line

4.Name 5 hobbies I enjoy:
I don't think I have hobbies, just interests.
a. book club
b. collecting new recipes - notice I didn't say trying new recipes.
c. writing
d. an enjoyable project - I have many unfinished projects
e. collecting scrapbook paper - not that I make use of any of it but I can't resist a cute piece of paper.

So there you have it!
Now hold your breath while I tag 5 others. . .
1. Kami
2. Jodie
3. Marla
4. Rhonda

A Celebration

This week marks our 8th year anniversary of our move to the land of the blazing sun and unforgiving heat. Davis was only18 months old when we pulled into the driveway on Cullumber Street. Is is possible that I have come to love this cactus filled place? I never thought my heart would let a piece of this desert find a cozy corner within its walls. In fact, I'll never forget the fit I pitched the evening Brent got the phone call that this was our choice. I was standing in the kitchen, listening in on Brent's conversation. Could this really be happening? Are they really asking us to move with the company or he'd have to find another job? I heard Phoenix, Arizona. Where?? The stinkin' desert?? Isn't that a bazillion miles from here?? No way! I'm NOT going! I was pounding my fist on the counter and stomping my feet for emphasis. Really I was - Brent will verify the horrific scene. He then said to his boss, "Before I give you my decision, can my wife and I take a trip out there and at least see what it's like. She is having a serious meltdown right now and I can't ask her to do this without checking things out."
We were heading to Phoenix that weekend.
Things I learned in that 48 hours:
a. to avoid scalding the bottoms of your feet, leave your shoes on when jumping from the car to grab a "house for sale" flyer.
b. I would be the only woman with children. After all, there were NO kids outside playing.
c. nobody owns a lawnmower because ROCKS take the place of GRASS.
d. cactus are prickly and depressing
e. Arizona would never make me happy

After lots of prayer, fasting and a trip to the temple that held our answer, we were back in Arizona searching for a house. Another 48 hours to make a decision. A college friend of Brent's insisted we take a look out in the East Valley. We did. We were lined up to look at twenty homes. The second one we looked at we knew would be ours. Five offers were put on the house. Ours was the accepted offer.
What I learned in this 48 hours:
a. our Heavenly Father is acutely aware of each of us
b. answers to prayers are sometimes scary
and most comforting of all was that Heavenly Father helped me to see something I didn't notice before. . .


c. the desert
blooms!!







My testimony is that whatever

desert you may be walking

through. . .

and no matter now prickly

the cactus seem to be,

you will find peace

and beauty. . .

where you least

expect it.

Your desert will bloom ~

it's God's plan.

I'm so grateful to celebrate 8 years in Gilbert. I'm grateful my heart yielded to this ridiculous scene. I'm grateful for every hand of service, every hug of tenderness, every breath of kindness. You are the blossoms Heavenly Father has placed on my path. I've gathered each and every one of you up and placed you in a gorgeous crystal vase and you sit right in the middle of my heart.

Maddison Joy

**for background music click on "She's a Butterfly" on my playlist. It is my song for Maddison. If you have daughter, I hope you love it as much as I do!!

The baby's due date was
the 4th of July!!
I was so excited to think that
my baby would have fireworks
to celebrate a birthday every year.
Instead, almost three weeks early,
she made her appearance.
A little girl!!
I secretly had hoped we would
have a girl first.

And every year since,
we celebrate her again.

age 2

age 3 1/2

age 8

age 10 1/2

Officially a teenager! Happy 13th Maddison Joy!

I come to better understand my purpose and my season

as a mother of a young family as each of

my children reach milestones in their lives.

I must pray continually, love unconditionally,

serve them faithfully, ask for forgiveness daily,

forgive readily, rebuke softly, offer praise immediately,

seek inspiration regularly, hug and kiss repeatedly,

teach patiently, and savor each moment gratefully.

Maddison is a JOY!

Her love, kindness, and obedience - mixed with

the very energetic drama of a female teenager -

are part of what makes our house a home

and our lives totally complete.

My first teenager. What a wonderful milestone!

But with all the happiness it brings, I must admit

with a deep sigh of motherly sadness,

I am aware that every milestone is a stepping stone.

Each taking her another step farther away from me.

Don't go too far too fast Sis. I love you "17"!!

The time has come

Just when I was going to post about a special occasion in our home, I was chatting with some friends about a strange thing and then that very same night I watched the news and a specific story came on. I didn't have to think about it any longer.

My "treasure" chest is going private. If you would still like to take a peek inside, please send your email address to andiedandie@cox.net. I'll be sending out invites soon. : )

Snips and snails, and puppy dog tails

Collette and I made this quilt months ago.

I just found it on my computer and wanted

to post it. It was so fun to make!

Collette is the brains to a project like this,
I just cut and iron.

We made it for our friend who had a

little boy after three beautiful girls.

We wanted to pick out fabric that was ALL BOY!!

To save a life

Cooper came running in the house,

"Mom, Mom! There is a bird in the pool!"

Oh great. I instantly remembered the last

time we had a dead bird in the pool - I ended

up with a skimmer basket's metal rod through

my shin. Cooper would not let up,

"Come see! Come see!"

Sure enough. A little bird sat our our sweeper hose

and was submerged up to its shoulders. Wait - do birds

have shoulders?? Anyway, I could tell this little thing

was in distress. It was shivering and even with

all of Cooper's commotion, it wouldn't budge.

How long had it been there??

Its feathers were soaked and so flying away

was not an option for the little fellow.

I'm not a fan of bird germs for sure but I'm certainly not

going to watch this little creature suffer on my watch.

I carry too much guilt as it is.

I sent in a life line. Just climb on little bird.

Nothing doing.

After I kept nudging it to climb aboard, it fell back

into the water and starting flapping around

the pool but getting no where.

His feathers were too wet to save him.

I finally got the net out and scooped him out of the

water. I thought of doing that in the beginning but

I was afraid I might hurt him or his feet would get

stuck in the net. Anyway - finally he is rescued from

what could of been his graveyard.

We tried to get him to climb into the tree but he was

too tired and still too wet to move. We set the net on

the ground and finally, after a few hours, he flew away.

I feel like I did a good deed today.

Photo credit goes to Maddison, who feels she deserves acknowledgement for the awesome job she did of capturing the event.

The Hymns of our lives

A friend sent this to me. I thought it rang true.

"As Latter-day Saint women, we are practically obsessed with anxiously engaging ourselves in good causes. Maybe it's subliminal. . .
Glancing through the hymnal last Sunday I noted that as sisters in Zion, we who are called to serve are all enlisted to go marching, marching forward because the world has need of willing men to all press on scattering sunshine. We wonder if we have done any good in the world today because we have been given much and want to do what is right, keep the commandments, press forward with the Saints, choose the right, and put our shoulders to the wheel going where He wants us to go. However, as the morning breaks high on the mountain top, truth reflects upon our senses, and while we still believe that sweet is the work, we also realize that we have work enough to do ere the sun goes down. And thus we ask Thee ere we part, where can we turn for peace?"

Be still my heart

My three boys
who totally have
my whole heart. . .
















Even at the
most absurd
moments.

A couple reasons to smile

Reason #1:
Cooper came to me begging for something to eat not long after eating lunch.
I said, "Cooper, you don't need anything right now. You just had something and you can wait until dinner."
He said, "No mom. I'm hungry for a certain something. You see, I'm hungry for something circle-ish".
I knew exactly what he wanted. There was a box of Krispy Kremes sitting on counter.
CIRCLE-ISH. . . now that is smile worthy!

Reason #2:
Brent was telling me that Davis has 43 arrow points.
Maddison said, "Why does he have so many?"
Davis said without missing a beat, "Because I'm a ROCKIN' scout!"
I totally agree.

If all else fails

Wednesday night:
9:45 p.m. - go to bed with a pounding headache
11:17 p.m. - wake up, head still hurting, can't fall back to sleep
11:18 p.m. to 4:48 a.m. this morning - lay in bed and think about my YW's activity. Start creating trivia questions for my version of CASH CAB and dividing my questions into dollar values. Make a mental note to ask Marshall to help me come up with the double or nothing video bonus question.
- ask myself how much longer I'm going to put off getting new carpet in my home. Ask myself why there is no such thing as a money tree. Without it, I talk myself out of doing the high end carpet throughout the house. Try to come up with other alternatives. Make a mental note to call the carpet guy and ask him for some other ideas.
- think about getting started on redoing the backyard. Huge job. Fix the stucco, paint, take down the pool fence, put in pavers, put in a fireplace, find a way to bring the pool and new patio together as one new cohesive area. Make a mental note to go to the HGTV website and find a design show that could do it for me - on a budget of course.
- get out of bed and watch HGTV from 12:30 to 2:00
- back in bed and think of ways to rearrange the pictures on my wall leading to the kitchen. Oh yeah, I could use the long, skinny shelves that I took down in my bedroom. Make a mental note to check on my supply of black paint and start keeping Michael's ads for a 40% discount on three new frames. I'm actually giddy about this one.
- check the clock to see if six hours have past so I can take more drugs. Not yet.
- think about driving to Utah for the 4th of July. Begin dreading the drive already. Start planning what we will do on each day. First will be a visit to my mom.
- Oh yeah, Girls Camp. Start planning how I am going to loose 10 pounds in a month. Make a mental note to pull out that Turbo Jam and Pilate's DVD. Maybe my kids will do it with me. Kick myself repeatedly for ordering a size "L" camp shirt - why didn't I get an XL??? Large - my eye! Remember to check Craig's List for a screaming deal on a treadmill.
- listen to my sweetheart's soft snoring
- look at the clock, it's 4:48 a.m.
- I command myself to turn off my brain and I begin my "if all else fails" routine of relaxing my body starting at my toes and working my way up. If I do it correctly, I never get past my kneecaps.

It worked. But you probably don't want to talk to me today.

Reflection

This is so L-O- N -G!! It's for the sake of record keeping. You can skip it or go grab yourself a snack and settle in.

Our stake youth went and returned from a Pioneer Trek this past weekend. Having had this experience for myself twice already, I was so excited as the youth prepared to go. I was really looking forward to hearing their testimonies upon their return. But what all this did for me was give me a gift. This was the gift of reflection and a renewing of my testimony. I am recording my gift here because it has been powerful for me and my feelings have been so tender. I've been brought to tears many times over the course of the week ~ even sitting with a couple of dear friends at a little restaurant in Chandler.

I remember precisely when I came to have my own understanding of what it meant to be a daughter of God, that He knew me, loved me and would always be beside me. I was a Beehive and at Girls Camp. The leaders prepared an experience for us where we worked as a team (no talking allowed) to get through some obstacles. We then joined hands, still no talking, and were blindfolded and led to an area where we were separated from one another and told that this was time for us to think and ponder. Our blindfolds were to remain in place. I remember being so scared. I just stood there being afraid, so I sat down right where I was. I put my hands in my lap and bowed my head. The silence seemed to suffocate me. I began to pray and ask for comfort. Soon the sounds of nature broke through and became a soothing serenade. I really began to listen and listen closely. I heard something in the distance. It was someone singing. It wasn't long and other voices were joining the song. The singing was constant but seemed to stay at a distance. The words of "I Am a Child of God" and "Teach Me to Walk in the Light" were like a breeze through the meadow. I felt peaceful. I could hear the singing getting a little louder, closer to me little by little. Then right beside me I could hear a leader singing. She sang for a moment and then slowly moved away as I could hear the footsteps retreat and the music fading. This happened a couple more times ~ the soothing voice was right beside me and then it would fade away. Suddenly I was confused and afraid again. What am I supposed to do?? Do I just sit here?? I put my head in my hands and I began to cry, uncontrollably really. I wanted help desperately! I wanted someone to save me! I began to pray and plead with my Heavenly Father ~ Help me! Help me! Soon the singing was coming nearer. This time I recognized the voice. It was one of my own leaders. I loved her so much and I knew she loved me. She stood beside me and sang. Her voice was soft and yet it was filled with power. Still crying, I reached for her. I could not touch her. I reached again. Still no touch but she was right there singing. A still small voice whispered to my heart "Stand and follow her". I stood up and reached again. Soon I was walking toward her voice, reaching for her. My steps were unsteady through the meadow but I knew she wouldn't let me fall. I followed her voice, blindfolded and crying to a place where finally she took my hands and sat me next to someone. I joined hands with young women on either side of me and all of us were singing together. The Spirit filled the meadow and I KNEW I was in the right place. I had listened and obeyed and the Spirit filled my heart to overflowing. I thought I was going to burst. As a 12 year old girl I knew I had had a personal experience with my Heavenly Father. Not knowing why or where I was going but because I KNEW my Heavenly Father loved me, I learned that sometimes you just have to trust and stand up and follow.

That event then led me to my unforgettable experience on the trek. I was a Mia Maid. That was an unbelievable 26 years ago. It was organized a bit differently then. We went for five days and it covered a weekend so we had our Sunday meetings on the trail. Hearing the sacrament prayers and partaking of the sacrament on a mountain top was truly a holy experience. I knew I was being helped by angels during the Women's Pull. I spent my Solo time (a six hour time period away from everyone with nothing but you, your journal, your scriptures and the Lord) feeling like I was having as close to an Enos experience as I ever would. There were many other moments where I felt the Lord's warm embrace. It is hard to find the words to express how personal it felt. Like it was all planned for me. It was like Heavenly Father was saying to me "Andrea, this is your time! This is your time to come unto me! It's your time to know that this is my work. That you are mine and I want you back home again. You will need an unshakable testimony of this truth throughout your life so I'm giving you these gifts now. This is your time!" My love and gratitude for the pioneers grew immensely. That was a given for anyone that participated. But for me, the firm knowledge I gained of my divine worth and His love and constant watch over me was nothing short of my own personal miracle. And yes, my Heavenly Father has been right - I have called upon these moments and memories to pull me through the journey of life.

I'm grateful beyond words for the gift of reflection. I have been blessed to once again have the burning fire of testimony fill my heart and soul.

1980 and 13 years old

My first and only trip to Disneyland in my childhood.

We even went to the beach during the same trip.

I'm sure my parents were thinking "Let's do this

California thing and get it over with!"

Now you can't keep me away from that happy place.

And a favorite of mine. My family right before my older

brother Jim, left for his mission to Paris, France.

I remember clearly when Jim got the string art kit and watched

him create that ship. It was a masterpiece in my mind!

If you enlarge this picture and look at my little brother Dave,

who does he remind you of??

Ah yes ~ The 80's were AWESOME!!

Anytime, Anywhere

Baseball. . .

We take it anyway we can get it and in the pool is a blast!

Here comes the pitch. . .











And it's a line drive right back at the pitcher!









And here is Davis' mind at work. I came home from my YW's activity the other night and found this spread across the table. Click to enlarge the picture and get the details of just how a baseball is made. I'm telling ya - look out Discovery Channel!