WOWW

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"Compassion is the ultimate attitude of wealth: an anti-poverty attitude, a war on want. It contains all sorts of heroic, juicy, positive, visionary, expansive qualities. And it implies larger scale thinking, a freer and more expansive way of relating to oneself and the world. It is the attitude that one has been born fundamentally rich rather than that one must become rich."

~Chogyam Trungpa~

Teresa at The Chocolate Chip Waffle originally posted this quote here.  She also wrote a very beautiful essay expounding on the quote here.  She is an amazing, inspirational writer.

What's Cooking?

Here is a family favorite.  It is rare that I cook something that everyone enjoys.  I tried using cooking wine, but the recipe came out too salty.  Since I'm not a drinker and don't have wine on hand, I bought a little bottle of white wine at the store.  I think it was a 10 ounce bottle.

Angel Chicken

1 1/2 pounds chicken breast
1/4 cut butter
1 envelope Italian Salad dressing mix
10 ounces condensed golden mushroom soup
1/2 cup dry white wine
4 ounces cream cheese with chive/onion
hot cooked angel hair pasta

Place chicken in a 3 1/2 - 4 quart slow cooker.

In a medium saucepan, melt the butter.  Stir in the dry Italian salad dressing mix.  Next add soup, white wine and cream cheese until combined.  Pour over chicken.

Cover and cook on low-heat setting for 4 to 5 hours.  I remove the chicken and shred it, then return it to the sauce in the crock pot.  Serve over hot cooked pasta.

Serves 6 (or more)

***Post Edit*** Ladybug informed me that she doesn't like it anymore.  Dang! It's yummy!

That's What She Said...

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Watching THE OFFICE is like a religion in our family.  Even my 11 year old laughs at the humor.  We are all Dwights, Michaels and Jims pulling practical jokes and laughing at each other.  I even helped my son put his seminary teacher's stapler in jello.  Unfortunately, the biggest joke we have picked up from the show is "That's what she said..."  I could be talking about how large a pastry is and I hear from somewhere in the house, "That's what she said..."  "This math problem is too hard..."  "That's what she said..."  While these jokes are sexual in nature, my 11 year old can dish them out along with her brothers.  Thankfully, she has no clue...I'm so glad I didn't grow up with big brothers to pollute my sweet innocent mind. 

I have been reflecting on the name of my blog, ALL ABOUT ME, I have decided I am in need of a change.  Like rearranging the furniture in a room for a facelift, so must I rearrange my blog.  My blog shall hereto henceforth be known as THAT'S WHAT SHE SAID.

And now you know why...

We Believe...

We claim the privilege of worshiping Almighty God according to the dictates of our own conscience, and allow all men the same privilege, let them worship how, where, or what they may.

We are a respectful religion and people.  We believe in the First Amendment of Freedom of Religion.  I have never sat through a worship service where we spend our time preaching against another religion.  That's just not done.  We spend our time speaking of the Savior and how we can become more like Him.  It's sad that some churches feel it necessary to have sermons and conferences demonizing the LDS church.  It is very prevalent in the area I live, and you can even read the jabs on the churches billboards.  If they only knew that we love them and respect them for all the goodness that they do.  It would be nice if it could be reciprocated.

Now, we are a missionary church.  You've probably seen our young men of 19-21 years old riding around on their bikes in suits.  I lovingly refer to them as the pedaling Mormons.  These young men and young woman are not out to force religion on anyone.  Remember we believe in letting others worship "How where or what they may".  But, we are out there to share something that we feel is precious to us and worth sharing.  If they show up at your door, you can respectfully listen to their message or respectfully turn them away.  That is your choice.  Please remember to be respectful and kind.  My oldest will be putting aside college, giving up his time and money to become a "pedaling Mormon" in just a year and a half.  It is a huge self sacrifice to put your self aside and dedicate two years to the Lord and serving in the community of your own will.  Remember they are someone's sons or daughters and brothers or sisters.

OUCH!

Today I am having surgery;  Mouth surgery on my gums.  I mean, who does that?  Not my idea of spending my weekend...in pain eating soft baby like foods and incessantly drooling.  I'm sure about now, I'll be all doped up on pain killers and or Valium so I will apologize in advance for any weird comments I may make on your blogs.  I, therefore, claim no responsibility.    

WOWW

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Breathless, we flung us on a windy hill, Laughed in the sun,

and kissed the lovely grass.

~Rupert Brooke~

A Day in the Country

If I won the lottery, this is where I would live.  We have some good friends who have property in Idaho City.  This is where I would have my big porch and listen to the elk bugle at night.  This is where I would 4 wheel down the dirt road to ride their horses.  Or, maybe I would just get my own.  This is where I would breathe in clean mountain air and swat at the thousands of annoying flies.

Ladybug was a natural.  If only she was tall enough to reach the stirrups.

It's officially fall.  Check out the boots.  I'm putting them to practical use.

WOWW

"Once I loved you...Always I'll care for you.  Sometimes I miss you...Never will I forget you."

Published in my 1987 High School Yearbook

Author Unknown

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Great Video

I recently posted about how much I hate Saggers.  This great video says it all...I'm still laughing.  Let's all join in the campaign and stop saggers.  (You'll have to mute my music player in order to hear it.)

The perfect Chocolate Chip Cookie

I am always in the market for a really good chocolate chip cookie recipe. To the less experienced, you might think that all chocolate chip cookies are the same. This is, in my opinion the perfect cookie. It is crisp on the outside, yet chewey in the middle. AND, because I am such a nice person, I am going to share my find with you. This recipe is not lo-cal like some of my previous recipes shared. Enjoy every last nibble of fatty goodness...

2 cups all-purpose flour

1/2 tsp baking soda 1/2 tsp salt

3/4 cup butter, melted

1 cup packed brown sugar

1/2 cup white sugar

1 TBL vanilla extract

1 egg

1 egg yolk

2 cups semisweet chocolate chips

1. Preheat oven to 325 F or 165 C. Grease cookie sheets or line with parchment paper.

2. Sift together the flour, baking soda and salt; set aside. In a mediu,m bowl, cream together the melted butter, brown sutar and white sugar until well blended. 3. Beat in the vanilla, egg and egg yolk until light and creamy. mix in the sifted ingredients until just blended.

4. Stir in the cholcolate chips by hand using a wooden spoon. Drop cookie dough one or two tablespoon sized onto the prepared cookie sheets.

5. Bake for 12 minutes or until the edges are lightly toasted. Cool on baking sheets for a few minutes before transferring to wire racks to cool completely.

YUM!

We Believe...

I haven't written one of these in a while.  My sole purpose for writing these installments was to put to rest any misconceptions about my faith.  We all have choices.  You can choose to read or not, that's the beauty of having agency.  I am not trying to force religion on anyone.  This is part of who I am...

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"We believe all that God has revealed, all that He does now reveal, and we believe that He will yet reveal many great and important things pertaining to the Kingdom of God."

Many people believe that revelation ended with the Prophets of old, that God does not speak to us anymore.  We, as members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, believe that revelation has not ended.  How many of us receive personal revelation for ourselves and our families?  Feelings and thoughts, moments of clarity when we are faced with tough choices.  I attribute that to the divine guidance of a loving Heavenly Father.  We have a modern day Prophet who receives revelation for us, things that keep us healthy, happy and focused on God and the Savior.  I am grateful for that in my life.  This is a tough world, tough times and I can use all the help I can get.

What were you doing?

Doesn't it seem like just yesterday? Those horrible events of 9/11 that unfolded right before our eyes...My alarm had just gone off at 6:30 am to go for a run. I laid in bed for a few minutes listening to the radio when the news broke that an airplane had accidentally flown into the Trade Center. Initially that was what was reported. I ran to the living room to watch t.v. and see it for myself. For the rest of the day I was riveted in sick horror. My dad was working in Washington D.C. in an office building across from the Pentagon. When the plane hit there, he found himself across the street trying to help but not knowing exactly what to do in the chaos that followed. We tried to get a hold of him by phone and e-mail. The circuits were down. We were afraid for him. Eventually we got through. He detailed the gaping hole in the pentagon, the mass pillar of smoke and the max exodus of people from the city as he watch from his office window. He watched the national guard rolling down the streets in their Humvees trying to bring security at an insecure time. We were more than Democrats or Republicans. We were more than people of race and color. Religions did not divide. We were merely Americans who, hand in hand, for once stood united in some of the darkest days of our history.

It is a day that we will never forget...How about you? What were you doing on that infamous day?

God bless America!

Another Anniversary

I am lucky enough to have two anniversaries. My poor husband! He has to remember 2! We were sealed in the Washington, DC Temple 14 years ago. For those of you who are not of my faith, it means we were remarried in what we believe is a forever marriage, not just till death do us part. I just can't seem to shake this guy. Believe me, I've tried.

Anyway, it was a really neat experience because we were lucky enough to have our two year old Miguel and three year old TJ with us. The were so cute! Mom and Dad came from Colorado and my Grandma flew out from California. We were also blessed to have so many friends there from Lexington Park. I wish I took more pictures....

Happy Anniversary, AGAIN, KT

Aren't you glad you married me TWICE??!!

Bejeweled

"Hi, my name is Lisa, and I am an addict."

Then you say, "Hi, Lisa..."

I am officially addicted to Bejeweled. I play it on Facebook against some of my facebook friends. I never knew how addicted I was until someone topped me with a higher score. When this happens, I then obsess until I can regain my first place status. Do you think they have a program at the Betty Ford Clinic for this unique of an illness? Do you think there is any hope for a soul such as mine? I see the little jewels in my sleep and here the ching, ching and explosions like sweet music to my ears. Wait, I hear it calling to me now......

BE SMART, DON'T START!!

Just because...

Isn't it sad that family is often the meanest to each other, the less tolerant and most disrespectful? We often have more tolerance for acquaintances, friends and strangers than we do our own family.

Just because... you've grown a beard and we miss your dimples doesn't mean you are a bum.

Just because... you've grown a ponytail and you are teased about it doesn't mean disrespect. (Didn't know your weird skin disease meant you couldn't cut your hair.)

Just because.. a complaint was made about owning two homes and needing to sell the other doesn't mean it was a brag. It was an "Oh crap!" Complaint.

Just because... it was mentioned caring for a grandmother/mother in hospice over the last year does not mean insensitivity to the loss of a cousin/niece. We do not know it all nor was that was ever professed. Perhaps you believe that people other than yourself should be seen and not heard.

Just because... you are rich and rub shoulders with famous people does not make you right, it just makes you arrogant.

Just because... you have bragged about your $5,000 cameras, homes on the water in Florida, yachts, cruises, trips to Europe, helping your son with his business, buying your granddaughter a house and all the good you do for your Gardener and maid, has never made us jealous. Good for you that you can do that for others and yourself. But, isn't sad that you have to feel good about yourself by tooting your own horn?

Just because... you lost a case with the government for tax fraud or whatever that was, does not mean we will allow you to pilfer whatever money a 90 year old woman with dementia has in her bank account, even if she says it is okay.

Just because...This isn't my fight, but I still want to vent, I am putting this on my blog. Because you are someone who would never lower himself to reading the blog of a niece whom you have never had an interest.

And, one day, when your meds are corrected, and you are able to see clearly what you have done, you will lament being a sad, lonely old man.

One more thing....I will kick your old man ass if you come after my mother again.

Ahhh, now doesn't that feel better? YES!

My Porch

This is my porch that I wrote about in a previous post. It is here that I go to seek my moments of solace...

WOWW

"Dreams are the touchstones of our character. "

~Henry David Thoreau

Senior Moments

The other day, while I was mentally preparing to send my oldest baby off for his Senior year, he turned around and smiled at me. And, this is what I saw...