Loving Friends

The other night I was with a number of dear friends for a birthday party. The birthday girl had a lovely idea of having each of us share something (bring for show and tell or just the tell part) that has helped us to feel loved.

There were many lovely things spoken about. How one feels when complimented by a loved one; or when someone brings home gifts that are thoughtful. Some spoke of how their spirituality helps them feel loved, by reading the scriptures or feeling the Holy Ghost, or even by recognizing the 'tender mercies' of the Lord. All these things are beautiful and have helped me to feel love. One friend even mentioned her 'happy skirt' and how it makes her feel good when she wears it.

What I shared was a scrapbook I made (nothing like the scrapbooking they do now...literally a scrapbook that I stuck things in) MANY years ago. I filled it with cards, letters, notes, etc from people who said nice things to and about me. Someone was at my place of work once and wrote a note on the desk calendar...just to say hi...I have kept that for over 20 years. It was a show of love.

In thinking about what I would share with my friends, I came to realize there is a difference between knowing you are loved to 'feeling' you are loved.

I have always known I was/am loved. But that doesn't mean I always FELT loved. I have had times of loneliness that makes me ache. I've had times of hurt where I have wished for the end to come. I think many of us have felt like that, if only for a short a time. If you haven't....well lucky you.

Early in my married life when I was away from all that I had loved, all my family and friends, I was the loneliest I've ever been. A dish of loneliness and newlywed 'bliss'(?) and all the difficulty that can come from discovering the faults in each other. So I was not 'feeling' loved. I would often sit and look through my scrapbook to remind me that I was loved and I could actually 'feel' it too. I would cry...sometimes sob like a baby. It's so good to feel loved.

I got to a point that I didn't need to look at the book as often and when someone would say anything unkind to me I was able to say "It doesn't matter what you say. You can't make me feel bad! I'm a good person and people love me!" Ok it wasn't quite like that but in essence that's what I was saying.

It's easy enough to be loved and not 'feel' loved when our lives are filled with trials and unkindness. We may even have times where friends are few and far between or we are just too busy to enjoy them. I think we need to have something that we can bring to memory that reminds us of the feeling that comes with knowing you are loved. Whether it's a 'happy skirt', a post it note, a scrapbook of cards and notes or some other way.

Here's some songs and a story with a great message. I love them.

Max Lucado writes beautiful stories with wonderful messages. This one is called "You are special"

Book being read.

Cute little play by kids.

ASL version.

Michael McLean has some beautiful songs that are uplifting and inspiring. Just a couple of my favourites are:

You're not alone. (sorry...I could only find them on a facebook page/application. So if you don't have facebook I'm sorry)

If only you believe in yourself.

This song is by Hilary Weeks. She seems to capture just what a woman is feeling...the loneliness, the pull to be Wonder Mum or Super Girl, she gets it and she writes about it in her music.

He'll carry you.

And this one is another one by Michael McLean. I just found it. I hadn't heard it before. It's beautiful. It speaks of the struggles we have that aren't always seen by others and how we need to pull together.

Safe Harbors.

I would hope that during those times we are in need of a 'safe harbor' and need to feel loved, that we remember that we ARE loved.

Joys of parenting...

The house is lovely and quiet right now. It's not even 6am. It's my favourite time of the day. Sure I have a splitting headache but hopefully the medication will kick in anytime now.

Last night didn't go as planned. FHE was going to be one that I knew I wouldn't hear groans and complaints about. I just KNEW it. Everyone was going to be happy, participate AND enjoy it.

We have been asked to sing a couple of songs for a friend's work party this coming Saturday. We are NOT great singers (well maybe I speak for myself....I can NOT hit a correct note to save my life) but we did have fun singing at a couple of church activities. What we sang made people laugh and that was our aim.

So anyway...for FHE we were going to practice the songs. Cheers were heard all 'round. They were happy and I was once again 'RIGHT'....which by the way, I usually am.

So we practiced our song through once. PERFECT family harmony (not so much the singing but the getting along). We sang the song through again and yet again. FINE. Everything was going smoothly. "Ok...one more time!" I got greedy.

We were facing towards a window and I could see one son, a recent teenager, acting foolish behind me. I informed him that he needed to stop what he was doing. He came to stand by me and we started our 'one last time' again.

That's when it began! He was standing between me and the other teenage male in the home. That was my first mistake. Their arms touched at one point and the "Don't touch my body!!!" drama began. Only it's worse as they get older and bigger. And it's at that point that the practicing of that song ended. One stormed off to his room and the other just refused to put any effort into anything else we might do.

We decided that my husband and I would practice our song, have a treat and call it DONE!

As we sang our song and did the actions our children were laughing (except for the one up in his room) and my husband cracked up too. This is a good sign.

Maybe after this performance the hole in the bucket will FINALLY be fixed.

Banana Muffins

Ohhh my goodness. Making muffins could not be any easier than using this recipe. It said it was a banana cake recipe but I much prefer muffins. You could make it into a cake if you wanted to.

2 bananas mashed
1 cup Self Raising Flour
1 cup Sugar
1 cup dessicated coconut (flaked is fine)
1 cup milk
1 cup choc chips (optional)

Mix it all together. Pour mixture into well sprayed muffin tin (or use paddy papers). Cook in 180 degree Celsius oven (350 degree Fahrenheit) until cooked through.

You can tell if they are cooked by inserting a toothpick in the middle and having it come out clean.

NOTE: Before placing in the oven you can sprinkle with sugar.

Testimony Meeting

Today (pay no attention to the date. I live in Australia and the blog site must live in USA) being the day we 'enjoy' Testimony meeting, I thought I'd share a song that is a particular favourite of mine. It's sung to the tune of "My Favourite Things" from the Sound of Music.

A FEW OF THE TESTIMONIES
Parody of "My Favorite Things" from Rodgers and Hammerstein's The Sound of Music
Lyrics by M. Spaff Sumsion

PERFORMED BY ROBERT LUND
From the new edition of the CD Workin' the Glory

Brother Johansen says God fixed his prostate
Sister Hill wails that her son's gone apostate
Missy Brown details her trip to Belize
These are a few of the testimonies

Brother Stone calls his ex-wife to repentance
Sister Dean can't form a blubber-free sentence
Ammon Smith's grateful the Jazz beat the Kings
These are a few of the Fast Meeting things

There's unchaste movies at Wal-Mart in Layton
Hillary Clinton's a minion of Satan
God loves you just a bit less if you're gay
These are some nuggets I've picked up today

When this low-key
Karaoke
Shows how odd we are
I simply remember I'm not Warren Jeffs
And then I don't feel bizarre

Madison cries that her mom flushed her turtle
Then she announces her daddy's infertile
Tyler loves Jesus and recess and peas
These are a few of the testimonies

Elder Jones gripes that less-actives frustrate 'im
Nine CTR's thank the same things verbatim
Brother McPhie knows Rush Limbaugh is true
And The Da Vinci Code may well be too

Sister Cabell says the United Nations
Must be the beast from the book Revelations
Folks squirm through dubious doctrine and then
Everyone drowsily mumbles "Amen"

When euphor-ya
Starts to bore ya
Here's the thing that's sweet:
Each talk brings us nearer Hymn 152
And then we go home to eat!

Chocolate Chip Cookies

The following recipe is a family favourite. The recipe makes a large batch...the amount actually depends on the size of the cookies you make.

I use a small ice cream scoop (close to the size of a melon baller). I spray the inside with cooking spray so the dough doesn't stick (I have to re-spray from time to time). Using the scoop keeps the cookies uniform shape and makes them very pretty. I have been known to put the 'balls' of dough on a cookie sheet (covered with baking paper) then into the freezer. When the dough is frozen I then transfer it to a zip lock freezer bag and then back into the freezer. Now I can pull out however many cookies I want to make at a time and have some on hand for next time. Of course my kids loved to just eat the cookie dough straight from the freezer so they didn't last very long there either.

The cookies spread so leave about 1 1/2 inches between them. If you have any questions go ahead and ask in the comment box.

Chocolate Chip Cookies

Cream together:

1 1/2 cups sugar
2 cups brown sugar
1 lb margarine (500g)
3 eggs
1 1/2 TBL vanilla

Add:

6 cups Plain flour
1 1/2 tsp baking SODA (bi-carb soda)
1 1/2 tsp salt

Mix well. Then add packet of choc chips...white or brown. White goes well with chopped macadamia nuts.

(At this point I cover the dough and place it in the fridge for a few hours just to firm it up a bit. It's easier to work with when it's not 'gooey'.)

Cook at 180 degrees Celsius (350 degrees F) for 10 mins.

Homemade Tim Tams

Ohhhh we all know that Tim Tams are a girl's best friend. Those who have not yet discovered this fact....I'm so sorry....but hold off any thoughts of hopelessness. Read on there is a surprise. We all love truffles. I came across a recipe that combines BOTH!!! I kid you not!!!

So here's the recipe for Tim Tam Truffles:

One packet of Tim Tams (good so far right)
One packet of cream cheese (low fat if you want but WHY??? you're using a packet of Tim Tams!!!!!!!!!)
Melting chocolate
Skewers (optional)

You'll want to crush the Tim Tams so they are very fine. Look for the texture of bread crumbs...or finer (using a food processor would be great or even your blender). No you're going to add in the cream cheese and mix really well. Wrap it in plastic wrap...put it in a zip lock back....cover with foil...any of these will work, and chill. Chill for a couple of hours (BE PATIENT!!)

Take the mix out from the fridge and roll into about wallnut size. (That size so you don't just shove the entire thing in your mouth in one go.....try and look like you can control yourself at least.) Put it on the tip of the skewer and dip it in melted chocolate. Ohhhh I forgot to say MELT THE CHOCOLATE) You can sprinkle some coconut over it if you want....drizzle melted white chocolate....or instead of dipping it in chocolate you can just roll it in cocoa.

Now for the SURPRISE!!!!!!!!

I have searched the internet. Looked in every nook and cranny and FOUND a recipe for a Tim Tam bikkie. I have not tried it yet....but you can bet I will. I just couldn't wait to post it is all. I'm not exactly sure how I feel about it but reckon it could work in a pinch. The recipe is exactly how I found it. Should I make some changes to it after I make it I will come back and let you know. If you make them before me and found something else works, PLEASE come back and let us know. To my American friends; I hope you can understand the recipe. I've tried to link up some ingredients to sites that explain them. If you're still confused, let me know.

Here's a conversion site: Online conversion

Here's a translation:

biscuits = Cookies
bikkies = cookies
copha = don't even bother...you have nothing like it. Crisco or lard comes close but Ewwww Ohhh hang on....parafin might work. Don't you sometimes use that to melt with chocolate? Correct me if I'm wrong.

Here's a site that can help with more fun Aussie words: Also known as Strine

Homemade tim tams

250g pack Jersey caramels
20g butter
1 tablespoon cream
1 and 1/2 packs (375g) Morning Coffee biscuits
450g dark chocolate melts (or use real chocolate for a better flavour)
40g copha

Line two oven trays with foil.

Combine the caramels, butter and cream in a small pan. Stir over a low heat until caramels have melted and mixture is smooth. cool slightly until mix begins to thicken.

Sandwich two biscuits together with 1 teaspoon of caramel mixture. Repeat with remaining biscuits. Let the biscuits rest for 15 minutes or until the caramel firms.

Combine the chocolate and copha in a small bowl and stand the bowl over a pan of simmering water. Stir until melted and smooth.

Use two forks to dip the biscuits in the chocolate mixture, shake off the excss and place on the prepared trays to set.

ENJOY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

The Santa Letters

I was scheduled to go to the hospital for a 'procedure'. I would be sitting by myself for a few hours and did not want to read 3 year old magazines while waiting. I knew exactly what I was going to take with me. The day before, my copy of 'The Santa Letters' had arrived. PERFECT...I'll take that.

I must have looked a treat sitting in the corner with all the faces that this book made me pull. Faces of surprise, relief, compassion, sorrow, joy.

The story is about Emma and how after her husband died in a car accident during the Christmas season a year before. She has been struggling to keep her head above water in the currents of life, as she works and takes care of her four children.

Emma is not looking forward to another Christmas. The memories and the lack of finances culminate to the dread of this Christmas. Six year old McKenna is excited about Christmas because she believes, due to a dream she had, they will experience a miracle.

Then the letters started coming. The letters helped to remind the family of what Christmas was really about and to look beyond their sorrow.

As I read this experience of the Jensen family, I began to think of how I could have the same things happen within my own family. I think of the times 'Santa' came through for us a few Christmases and the faces of my Children. This book was not only a good read, it was also a good inspiration. It has inspired me to make this Christmas a more thoughtful and Christlike time. "The Santa Letters" by Stacy Gooch-Anderson is this Christmas season's 'must read'.

To learn more about this book, the author, or get your own Santa Letter inspiration, go to thesantaletters.org.

Pizza

When I make pizza I cheat and use slices of bread. I simply butter one side and put it on the baking tray buttered side down. Then I spread with tomato paste and add the toppings as per normal. Last Saturday I thought I would give a new recipe for pizza dough a go. It worked like a charm. It was EASY, which is always important to me, and quick....which is another plus.

Here's the recipe I used:

Pizza Dough

SUBMITTED BY: Gudny Bjorg Kjaerbo

"This one is a quick recipe that merely involves mixing a few basic ingredients and patting the dough into the pan. No need to wait for the dough to rise with this approach."

---

PREP TIME	10 Min
COOK TIME	25 Min
READY IN	35 Min
Original recipe yield 1 pizza

INGREDIENTS

• 3 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 package active dry yeast (2 1/2 tsp)
  
• 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 tablespoon white sugar
• 1 cup warm water (110 degrees F/45 degrees C)

DIRECTIONS

1. Combine flour, salt, sugar, and yeast in a large bowl. Mix in oil and warm water. Spread out on a large pizza pan. Top as desired.
2. Bake at 375 degrees C (190 degrees C) for 20 to 25 minutes.

The following day I even made breadsticks with the same recipe. In between conference sessions I made them so that we could enjoy them while watching the next session. This is now a favourite recipe that will be used over and over again.

Catching up on things.......

My goodness...what a difference a month makes. There has been a lot going on in my life and my home. Too much to even put my head around let alone write about. Here are some of my favourite sayings that should give some indication of how I'm doing.

People say "this too shall pass" and I say...so does a KIDNEY STONE and that's about as much fun.

I've come to realize that the light at the end of the tunnel is a TRAIN!!!!

Life isn't passing me by it's trying to RUN ME OVER!!!

I try to take it one day at a time, but sometimes several days attack me at once.

Feel free to use these quotes in your own life when things are piling up.

This past Sunday I was able to sit and watch General Conference with my family. Ohhhh what wonderful messages. There seemed to be a message of hope, hang in there, and you're not alone, throughout the talks. Messages we could all use I'm sure but just so you know, those talks were for ME. I think someone sent a memo to the brethren and asked them to please address all their talks to Wendy Cohen.

President Dieter F. Uchtdorf: The Infinite Power of Hope

Elder Joseph B. Wirthlin: Come What May and Love It

Elder Jeffrey R. Holland : The Ministry of Angels

President Thomas S. Monson : Finding Joy in the Journey

I think for the next few weeks I will listen to these talks again to remind me of the messages within. Deep breath in and on with the day!

Hatchlings

What on earth is 'Hatchlings'? Well...it's a mindless hobby of mine. I joined facebook awhile ago and discovered hatchlings there. It's an Egg hunt. The eggs are so purty and they hatch into all kinds of cute animals. I hunt for eggs to feed the animals that have already hatched (ok...so now it sounds really stupid when I put it in black and white...I already told you it was 'mindless) and because I want to find the new eggs to see how pretty they are and what they hatch into. This is the reason for the 'basket' on my blog.

It reminds me of when my daughter was about 7 and she wanted a Tomagotchi. I was not buying her such a waste of money, item. I did however, find one at D.I. for about .25cents. ( I miss D.I. so much) She tried to take it to school the next day and I stopped her. She asked me if I would feed it and clean up after it while she was gone. I certainly would not! She then looked at her 'pet' and said "It's OK. You can stay with 'grandma' today and she will take care of you."

What was I supposed to do after THAT??? Of course I fed it and cleaned up after it everytime the silly thing made a noise.

So here I am with my own 'pets'. But it's different because mine have such PRETTY eggs.