Inspiring quotes + end table vignette

I found another quote to use from my stash ripped from church magazines.

This one is a great reminder and just happens to have a lovely golden fall color, so it's perfect with the baby pumpkins.

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
Day 2 - Inspiring quotes + bath update
Day 3 - Purple Pride
Day 4 - Listen; He'll speak
Day 5 - Powerful words
Day 6 - Zucchini bread

Handstands

This girl rocks.  She is a prefectionist, which, sadly, she gets from me.  But it's really awesome to see her try and try and try to get better at things. The other day I was trying to blog and edit pics and she called "Mom, watch!" so many times that I just stopped working all together and gave her my full attention. I should have found the moment sooner.  She's a joy to watch.

And pleased as punch when she finally reaches her goals.  

Try, try again, fall, get up, try again, and again.

I can learn so much from my little Rosebud.

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
Day 2 - Inspiring quotes + bath update
Day 3 - Purple Pride
Day 4 - Listen; He'll speak
Day 5 - Powerful words
Day 6 - Zucchini bread

Zucchini bread

I'm working on using the last of the garden produce this week. 

 Shredded zucchini is filled with possibilities, no?  I love zucc season.

I want to share my favorite bread recipe to use it up.  See, if I find a moment to plan a snack for when the kids get home, the "witching hour" of 3-5 pm goes much more smoothly.  Moments of pre-thought bring me sanity.

Zucchini Bread (originally printed in Simply Delicious Magazine, July/Aug 2006

3 cups flour (I use 1 c whole wheat and 2 c white)
2 cups sugar
3 tsp cinnamon
1 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp baking pwdr
2 eggs
1 cup oil
3 tsp vanilla
2 cups grated zucchini
choc chips or raisins if desired (I don't add them)

Combine dry ingredients in large mixing bowl.  In a small bowl whisk together the eggs, oil, vanilla.  Add to dry ingredients and stir just till combined.  Add zucchini and mix gently.  If it seems to dry to mix, wait for several minutes till some of the moisture is drawn out of the zucchini.
Bake in 2 regular or 4 mini loaf pans  at 325 degrees for 50-60 min. Cool before removing from pans.  Share with hungry people. 

I've tried several recipes for this and I like this best.  It has a denser crumb and I like the texture that results from adding the sugar with the dry ingredients instead of with the oil.

It's well received around here.  Maybe at your house too.

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
Day 2 - Inspiring quotes + bath update
Day 3 - Purple Pride

Powerful words

Finding moments to let words sink into my heart.  Particularly these.

Jeffrey R Holland.

Lynn G. Robbins.

D Todd Christofferson.

Watch with me HERE

Listen; He'll speak

I'm finding moments this weekend to hear a living prophet of God speak to me.  I invite you to listen too.

Purple pride

This kid has had a great season so far.  What a joy it has been to attend the games!  

To sit in the high school bleachers and watch my son.  I love him, and I love football. 

Suiting up after a 100+ of hours of practice is one of life's great rewards, and he is loving being able to play.

Imagine what I felt like yesterday when the announcer said his name over the loudspeaker for the first time.  He's a 2nd string Defensive Tackle. 3rd string Offensive Guard. But he had a great game and was recognized for making a key offensive block.  I was so proud of him!

I found a moment to be grateful, once again, for the chance I have to parent him. 

On and off the field he is a great example of hard work and responsibility paying off. 

All game I waited to ask how it felt for him to hear his name announced.  I was desperately trying to find a moment to share in his glory. Want to know what's awesome?  

He didn't hear it at all.  He gave me a humbly surprised smile when I told him.  

I love him. 

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

Day 2 - inspiring quotes + bath update

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.
.

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: