It wouldn't be spring in Utah

...with out a couple of snow storms.  Mom and Mar are heading my way as we speak.  I am so excited to see them and spend some time with them.  Even if it is in the snow! 

I feel so sorry for these cute little tulips.  Hopefully they withstand and bounce back enough for all us to enjoy them before they are finished blooming.

My how time flies

I can't believe it has been a whole week since I have posted. And yet....I totally can believe it has been almost a whole week. My head has been completely in another game.

I totally stressed my stamp a stack - trying to get everything cut and ready to go. I couldn't believe it...I was totally ready by the time everyone showed up to play with paper and stamps. I had a fair turnout. It helps pay for the Stampin UP convention in July. I love to go and hang out with my friends and learn new stuff and play with new toys. Thanks to all that participated.

I was officially sustained today as the Bryan Ward Primary President. I have some awesome counselors. I sure had a tough time making those choices, but it was totally confirmed to me today I made the right choices. Everyone is rarin to go. To top that off Ralph and I had to speak today in Sacrament meeting. Ralph did such a great job as always. Mine...it needed some work. Of course it doesn't help if you wait until Saturday night to write it. I got the bishop to promise me I wouldn't have to speak again for a couple of years, but I have this feeling that I will be speaking again soon as a primary presidency. Great! Just what I love to do.

Since Ralph hasn't been home during the day, we have been taking Riley to the local dog park. He is not an incredibly social dog, but he is getting better. Especially if the other doggy smells good. He has to make his rounds marking a few things and then likes to check out all the other dogs. Today he met one that needed to express his dominance to Riley. I was ok with it - he needs a good thump, but the other owner was so good about keeping her dog out of trouble. Most dog owners are good people. Everyone wants to meet your dog and once you go a few times you aren't called by name but as "Riley's parents" You are known by who your dog is. Kind of funny. We saw some beautiful dogs today. I think my favorite was a big black great dane named Titus. So friendly.
I finally made it to my hair dresser this last week. It feels so good to get rid of my stray grays and get the curls shaped. I met my hair dresser when I first moved to Salt Lake. I have tried many others in between and haven't been able to find anybody better. She is great with color and knows how to handle curly hair and give a classic cut.  The only problem is if I don't schedule right away for my next appointment I have to calle 4 to 6 weeks in advance to get an appointment without having to take work off.
It sure has been rainy this last week, but the garden looks so good.  We really need the spring rains.  The beets and peas have started to poke their little heads from the soil.  The current bushes are loaded with blossoms, the fruit trees as well.  I am looking forward to the fresh produce.

Well - time to be on my way - I want to spend the last few hours of my Sunday with Ralph and Riley

Ta Ta for now

A day in the sun without being in the dirt!

Yes, that is true.  Ralph and I were able to get our gardening chores done on Friday so that we could take some time to play on Saturday.  The day could not have been more perfect - except for waking up at 7:30 to the marathon runners and their fan clubs cheering them on.  I did stay in bed and doze until 8:00ish. 
We did have a few household chores to get done, but that was ok.  The highlight of the day was driving up to the U of U and watching their spring football scrimmage.  Red against White.  We saw many friends there and were entertained by all who were around us.  We enjoyed being together and watching the talent that the Utes have been able to recruit onto their team.  I can hardly wait for football season to start.  If only we could have garden tomatoes and footaball all year.  We came home and decided to stay in for the evening and order in Pizza.  I ran to the store for fizzy drinks and a few things for Sunday dinner.  We were hungry and it totally hit the spot.  I will have to say one of my all time favorite pizza's is made by Domino's.  Their Philly steak and cheese is so delish!  I always love a good pepperoni with olives and mushrooms too.
My allergies are going crazy.  My eyes itch and my nose won't stop running/tickling.  I finally broke down and picked up some antihistamine tablets.  I am hoping they kick in here pretty soon or it is going to be a long night.  Someone told me to try some local honey.  The premise behind this is that the "local" bees use all the "local" pollens to make their honey.  As you eat the honey, your body builds up a resistence to the local pollens therefore reducing your allergic reactions to them.  Know anybody with bees around here?

Today was the first time Riley has been alone for more than 5 hours.  I think he handled it ok.  We took him to the dog park tonight and he loved running around and checking everything out - Mostly a cute little terrier.  It also meant I didn't have to traipse around the neighborhood until he and I were tired out.  He will have a week of this schedule and then I am not sure what will take place next week. 

I am still in the process of trying to determine counselors.  This shouldn't be so hard, but I want it to be right and I keep second guessing my choices.  For most of my life - my choices are made by what feels right and relying on the fact that the Holy Ghost would tell me if I was wrong.  Things have workout out so far.  This time I want a confirmation from Him that my choices are correct.  I deserve that, I have been promised that.  I just wish the HG would just pound me over the head with who my counselors and secretary should be.  There is part of me that thinks if I ignore it, it will go away. Yah, I know that is not how it works.

Well I am going to go work on the cards for my stamp a stack this weekend.  I just need  - 5 more people to sign up.  Anyone out there want to come?  16 Cute birthday cards for $20.  If you bring a friend you get $5 off your class fee.  See, now you can't pass it up!

Ta Ta for now

A recipe an earthquake and some rambling

What a crazy day.  I ended up spending my morning finalizing the archiving project of old records at work.  239 boxes.  That doesn't include the boxes we packed and readied for the movers to bring over to our new storage room.  I am tired out and a bit behind on my work.

For some strange reason I can't keep focus on anything this week.  My mind has been a sparkler.  From primary organization decisions, to stamping projects, to work issues, to keeping things up at home.  Reason, tells me to take it one step at a time, which I have been able to do much better today.  I hate not having a handle on things.  I guess that means I have control issues.  Yah, I know, I am a bit bossy and like to be in control of what is going on.  I get that from my Dad.  It is genetic.

After I came home from work - and settling down watching the news, the whole house started to shake.  I saw walls a furniture moving.  I yelled to Ralph and I thought we were having an earthquake.  He didn't feel anything, but with in 2 to 3 minutes the news stations started reporting that I wasn't the only one thinking this.  It was confirmed that there was a 5.0 earthquake in/by Randolph UT.  Not real huge - no damage anywhere, but enough to know it happened.

I was surfing my favorite cooking blogs today and came upon a reference on two different blog sites to a recipe from Rachel Ray's $10 spot.  Pizza puffs - They looked so good I knew I wanted to try them.  We didn't have any pepperoni, but we did have some ham lunch meat and some pinapple tidbits.  We alterred the ingredients and had them for dinner and the verdict is.... a winner!  Ralph made our own dipping sauce with our bottled garden tomatoes.  You definitely can't go wrong there.  I don't know that they were incredibly filling, but they sure tasted good.  I imagine they would be good with sausage or a garlic chicken, or really what ever you wanted to add to them.  They would be a great afternoon snack for kids or for maybe a Sunday evening snack, if you had an early dinner.  I was going to get a picture of them to post, but we ate them too fast.  I therefore "borrowed" a picture from the Noble Pig blog site.

 

Pepperoni Pizza Puffs
Ingredients
* 3/4 cup flour
* 3/4 teaspoon baking powder
* 3/4 cup whole milk
* 1 egg, lightly beaten
* 4 ounces mozzarella cheese, shredded (about 1 cup)
* 4 ounces pepperoni, cut into small cubes (about 1 cup)
* 1/2 cup store-bought pizza sauce
* 2 tablespoons finely chopped fresh basil
* 1 red bell pepper, sliced

1. Preheat the oven to 375°. Grease a 24-cup mini-muffin pan. In a large bowl, whisk together the flour and baking powder; whisk in the milk and egg. Stir in the mozzarella and pepperoni; let stand for 10 minutes.

2. Stir the batter and divide among the mini-muffin cups. Bake until puffed and golden, 20 to 25 minutes.

3. Meanwhile, microwave the pizza sauce until warmed through, then stir in 1 tablespoon basil. Sprinkle the puffs with the remaining 1 tablespoon basil. Serve the puffs and red pepper slices with the pizza sauce for dipping.

Hope you have a great evening
Ta Ta for now

What a crazy weekend

Guess what - our heater is finally fixed.  We needed a new ignitor (? seems like you should say ignition, but I don't think that is right)  It is finally warm and I dont' need socks, sweats, Riley and a blanket to keep warm tonight.

While I wait for 3 more points to rack up on a silly mafia wars game I play on facebook, I thought I would update you from the weekend.  It makes me tired just to think about it.

Ralph planned our Friday evening.  I love it when he does that.  We had chicken, bacon and avocado sandwhiches on sourdough bread.  Very tasty!  We watched Hancock.  Turned out to be funny and a little crude.  I would classify this movie as a great "summer" flick. 

We awoke early Saturday morning to go and clean the church.  We only had to clean one set of bathrooms - gross, but it moved quickly.  We had a half hour before the service projcect started, so we helped set up tables and chairs for lunch to be serverd after the activity.  We stuck around and did our part to help clean up the neighborhood.  We cased several of the alley ways in our area for garbage and Riley got to come with us.  Ralph ended up with a nice gash on his leg from a broken Captain Morgan bottle we carried around in our garbage bag.  It wasn't pretty.  We finished our assigment and instead of waiting around for lunch which was at least a half hour away we went up to Ralph's Mom's to work in the garden.

We finished pruning the trees.  Prepped the two old apple trees for removal and cleaned up all the pruning remains so that David could run them through his chipper.  We planted beets, carrots, and 3 varieties of peas.  We came home bushed - Riley was exhausted from playing with Gus and Willy.  We did a little bit of grocery shopping and came home with ingredients to make jam.  Whew.  Three batches later I was ready for bed.  We made, strawberry, strawberry rhubarb, and strawberry/blackberry.  We were completely tired out.

The next morning - Sunday - we were at the bishops office bright and early.  To make the long story short - I was asked to serve as the Primary president and Ralph was asked by the stake to serve as an assistant to the high priest group leader.  It was a pretty overwhelming day.  We had dinner with Richard and his clan as well as Ralph's sister and her family and his Mom.  I love those kids!

I was glad to come home, and not ready for another week.  But alas - I haven't figured out how to control the minutes and seconds of the day so here I am, running with the flow.

Headed for bed
Ta Ta for now

I am all over the board

This week I have gone from being so giddy I can hardly stand it to being so mad at the world, nothing would brighten my day.  We have gone from waking up to several inches of snow on Monday to spring weather this weekend. I will get the logistics out and be done with it. (no this is not hormonal and yes I have taken my vitamins)
Why I am giddy

• It is spring
• Stampin UP is redoing it's color palette which translates into new stuff
• Easy week @ work because of General conference
• Stampin UP convention registration is next week
• Preparing for a stamp a stack in two weeks
• I am getting a church calling on Sunday
• I get a hair cut this month (yeah!!!!)
• Ralph starts work for the state this week - part time

Why I am grumpy

• Ralph has been grumpy
• I have to help clean the church in the morning  - no sleeping in
• I have to work in the garden tomorrow
• I didn't get things done at work that I wanted to this week - despite the light load
• I don't want to stay at home tonight - but my pocket book is keeping me home.
• I need a car that is legal (don't ask)
• I am getting a church calling on Sunday
• My house is still cold - furnace guy can't come until Monday - good thing the weather is warming up.

I could probably go on and on, but I won't.  It doesn't really help the issue.

Happy birthday to my SIL today - for those interested...here is the card I made her.  Stamps: Elegant Notes, Ink: Stazon Black, Cardstock:  Basic Black, Whisper White, Bordering Blue, Bravo Burdundy, Accessories:  Black grosgrain ribbon, paper snips. 

Ralph came up with the sentiment.  He is so creative that way.  We actually came up with several ideas, but most of them were not appropriate.  We agreed on this one.  We love her and wish her the best day.  

Well - that has been my week in a nutshell.  Not too much else that is even remotely exciting.  Have a great Friday evening and enjoy your spring weekend.

Ta Ta for now

I am freezing

As of Saturday the "blower" on the furnace has not been working.  Ralph said that on Friday night the power flickered and it hasn't worked since.    The landlord said he would call his furnace guy. Hopefully he won't take to long to get to us. Our in-house temp is around 58 degrees. It is snowing - we are supposed to get quite a bit more before the storm passes, It is cold!  Thank goodness we have a couple of space heaters that we used in our other home to keep warm.  It is time to climb under the covers with a warm Riley and Ralph and not get out until morning. 

I have been unpacking more of my stamp stuff tonight.  I am going through them and deciding which ones I can part with.  Amazingly enough that pile is larger than I thought.  Hopefully I can sell a few before I give  the rest of them away to my SIL.

This should be a pretty quiet week at work.  With Conference being last weekend, most wards don't process tithing for the week.  We take that week to archive previous years work and attempt to catch up on our research and all the extra odd jobs.  Yeah...more packing of boxes.  I can hardly wait.

I got my walk in today before the storm hit. I am hoping the storm breaks up by the time I need to go out again. It sure felt good to get those muscles moving today after having a week off.

I lost the bracket challenge at work. Oh well - I did finish it the top 5 and I think that isn't too bad out of 15 people. I was actually hoping to see Butler win tonight. They sure came close to it. Too bad the refs couldn't have made a few more calls the bulldogs way. Great game - as it should be.

Well, I think I am going to see if Riley will go potty while it is precipitating.  Then we can climb into bed.

Brr!