Inspiring quotes + bath update

I was looking for some church pictures to make a game for Miss Rosebud for LDS General Conference. As I thumbed through old Ensigns and New Eras it dawned on me how many resources are provided for me to use in my home that I fail to take advantage of.  There are free posters, quotes, scripture cards, etc that come to me every month.  So, I decided I had found a moment to add meaning to a spot in our home. 

I dug through a year's worth of magazines and found great art.  Some I will display.  Others I will use for lessons to teach my kids. 

I found a bin of frames from our old house and found one that matched the bathroom mirror.

No cost for this.  Just 10 minutes of my time.  

Flowing? In a Bathroom?  Metaphors abound.   

A few weeks ago I updated our shower curtain and towels.  When I saw how well this quote coordinated with it I was sure this was the one to include on this wall seen by my family often.
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I think when we see/read something often enough it can become part of us. I'm glad I found a moment to display these inspirational words.

There's still a few more things to do in here, but for now it's awesome.

Join me all month long while I find moments every day.  

Moments to connect, moments to improve, moments to live.

In case you missed it:
Day 1 - introducing 31 days

31 Days - Finding moments

The Nester has put together a massive freewrite experience for bloggers everywhere.  I'm taking part.   It's called 31 Days (write31days.com).  This is an online October writing challenge where bloggers pick a topic and - just like it sounds - write about it every day.

I'm finding moments this month.



Finding moments to do what I've been putting off.

Finding moments to connect with those I love.

Finding moments to live in the present, enjoying the person right by my side.

Finding moments to plan and prepare, thus bringing peace of mind.

Finding moments to pause and look right into the eyes of my kids, and give them my undivided attention.

Finding moments to return to some hobbies I love and have missed.

...you get the idea.

This is Day 1.  Won't you join me?  All month I'll be sharing my journey.

Day 2 - Inspiring quotes + bath update
Day 3 - Purple Pride
Day 4 - Listen; He'll speak
Day 5 - Powerful words
Day 6 - Zucchini bread
Day 7 - End table vignette
Day 8 - Letting go
Day 9 - Repurpose
Day 10 - Lead me, guide me

Day 11 - Thoughts thru trials
Day 12 - Easy silhouettes

Spot the spot

Hurry!

Can you spot the area where kids make pb& j?  

Of course it's the kids' mess, as I only use Jif.  But for real.  It looks like this every. single. day. 

It's our normal.

Grape jam

I made the most beautiful grape jam this week.  I followed a different recipe than last year, and I think this is a real winner.

The recipe I followed was at Chef in You found here: Grape Jam 

During mid September I send my kids out every few days to bring me a big bowl of grapes.  When I have 2 hours and The Office on Netflix, I make up a batch of jam.

Next, rinse, stem, and peel the grapes. It's not as bad as it sounds. Concord grapes are slipskin, meaning with a little squeeze they come right out of their jackets.  But save the skins - you'll need them.

Bring the skinned grapes to a boil in a deep pan, and cook over medium heat for about 10-15 min till they break down and the seeds start to separate from the pulp. Strain out the seeds and return the juice and pulp to the pan. Bring up to med-high heat.

Add the skins in to the boiling grapes. I have done the skins in two ways.  I have left them intact and I have pulsed them in the food processor first.  I prefer pulsing them first but you can do it either way.

Cook for about 5 min and then add 3 cups of sugar. Cook and stir constantly till the jam thickens.  It takes me about 20 min to get to the right stage. I use the spoon test and fridge test. From the Chef in You site, here's how to test for doneness:

One Week, Two Temples

"I should not like to contemplate an existence, especially one that is going to 

continue forever, if I could not enjoy that existence with those whom I love. 

And so we build temples in the name of the Lord."

—Hugh B. Brown

As members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, temples are our crowning jewel.  We are very blessed to live where we do. I have 5 temples within one hour of my home.  Isn't that extraordinary?!

The newly renovated Ogden Temple is open for tours right now.  We have gone twice as a family and we've enjoyed the spectacular beauty of this sacred place.  Once it is dedicated for use by LDS members, only those in good standing with the Church (aged 12 and older) can attend.  Till then, all are welcome!  

Free reservations HERE

My kids were in awe of the pretty rooms inside.

And the water feature outside.

My future missionaries

Oh how I love this group.  These kids are my biggest joy and some days are my greatest heartache.  But nearly everything I do in my life is directly or indirectly for them.  My energies, my prayers, my thoughts, my money, my time. I want them to develop into just the kind of person their Heavenly Father knows they can become.  With my sweet husband by my side, we will do our very best to help them along.

President Boyd K. Packer stated, 

“The ultimate purpose of all we teach is to 

unite parents and children in faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, 

that they are happy at home, sealed in an eternal marriage, 

linked to their generations, and assured of exaltation in the 

presence of our Heavenly Father.” 

Yesterday our family had an errand to run in Logan, UT.  I told the boys to dress up so they could attend the temple while we were there.  As the girls are too young, I would hang out with them on the temple grounds while the boys did their temple service.

I had driven past it before but had never been on the grounds.  How beautiful!

Love my precious girls

(5 yr old Rosebud took this one)

 I've never seen hydrangeas successfully grown in Utah!

 I loved the look of the limestone exterior

And the window arches

Princess took this pic of the valley below.

Just. So.  PRETTY.

President Howard W. Hunter stated, 

“In the ordinances of the temple, 

the foundations of the eternal family are sealed in place.” 

I am thankful for temples!