Happy Veteran's Day

I just want to send out a special thank you to all the veterans and their families.  I'm so grateful for your sacrifice.  The school my kids go to is so awesome.  Their Salute to Veterans program is one of the key events of the year.  They made special signs to put on the back of each veteran's chair.  As I watched this large group of young people singing the national anthem, joining together in the pledge of allegiance and singing God Bless America my eyes filled with tears.  I  join them in stating, "Thank you veterans and may God Bless America"!

Scattering Sunshine

In the church I belong to there is a large women's organization called the Relief Society.  There are about six million member throughout the world.  Our motto is "Charity Never Faileth".  One of the women in our group is asked to be the "Compassionate Service Leader".  Her job is to find out the needs of members of the church (and others) and to organize service to help them.  I got a call  yesterday asking me to take in a dinner for five to woman who recently had a hysterectomy.  No problem.  Not only is it a joy to be able to help someone else- I know that the wonderful women in this group are there to help me when I need it!  Gotta love that!

For their dessert I made my husband's favorite (and mine) apple crisp.  This recipe can be found in the Mormon Family Cookbook published in 1982.  Hubby's aunt co-authored the book.  I've made a few minor adaptations.

Best Ever Apple Crisp

Apples, peeled and sliced (1 quart- I like more)
2 T.  lemon juice
1 c. butter
1 1/2 c.  white flour
2 t. cinnamon
2/3 c. white flour
1 c. brown sugar
pinch of salt
1/2 t. nutmeg (optional)

Preheat oven to 400.  Pile apples in a 9x13 cake pan- gently press down.  If apples are sweet sprinkle with lemon juice- I like to use a variety of types of apples for an extra rich flavor.  Using a pastry cutter mix together the remaining ingredients until they are well blended and crumbly.  Bake until the apples are tender and the topping brown and crisp about 30-40 min.  Serve warm- may add ice cream or whipped cream for extra calories--- I mean, extra yumminess!

Scratch and sniff your computer screen- can you smell this- so awesome!!!

Do You Know Someone Who Has Suffered a Tragedy and Needs Comfort

This short video was recommended to me by several people before I finally took the time to watch it- AMAZING.  This man lost half of his family as a result of teenager drunk driving- his story is inspirational-  I hope it helps someone.                                                                             

                                                                                                

Helping Haiti

It makes my heart overflow to see all of the people around the world that have stepped up and reached out to help the people of Haiti.  I've chosen to help out in a very tiny way with this group that is doing  tremendous service.  If you have time, read story number six about an amazing woman, Liz Howell, whose husband was killed in the 9/11 attack on the pentagon.  She has dedicated her life to helping others.

This same organization is helping people around the world.  Visit this site and don't miss the video link on the right about providing wheelchairs to those that have been confined to their beds for years- please stay tuned until you hear the song sung by the Mormon Tabernacle Choir (that is when the story really starts)- you'll need a tissue- and you'll have a feeling of gratitude for your families health for a LONG time. 

For America

I've lived in Australia for several months and my parents lived in England. From our experience talking to the actual citizens of these nations the overwhelming conclusion we came to is that national health care is NOT A GOOD THING.

When a nation turns to the government to provide health care taxes skyrocket and the quality of health care goes down the toilet!

Isn't it great the we live in the United States of America?! I can believe what I want and you can believe what you want. We can agree to disagree. Comments will not be allowed for this post.

Here is a great website that will give you access to your government officials. All you do is click on US Senate, scroll down to your state, click on your senators email and write him or her a letter. To save time I suggest you write one email sharing your feelings, copy it, and then paste it into emails to each person representing you in Washington. You can write to the President, vice president, and your rep in the US house of representatives.

Please pray for our country.

An Ordinary Day

I just finished reading "Mrs. Miniver". The book is written as England is entering World War II. The Englishmen are evacuating children to the country, standing in line to pick up their gas masks, and attending first aid classes. Mrs Miniver said one of the lessons to be learned "was an appreciation of the value of dullness."

I've been thinking about that.

So, today I am thankful for routine humdrum days. An ordinary day like yesterday. A day when I watched the old film "The Duchess of Idaho" with the kids. When I mowed the lawn and helped chase a rabbit out of the garden. When I scrubbed the bathroom clean. A day when the greatest drama was an overcooked apple crisp. Sigh. Life is good.

Let Freedom Ring

The following is a bit of a rant and not overly positive. Feel free to skip it if you're not in the mood.

With the celebrating of the fourth I've been pondering on the state of this nation. So much of what I see brings me sadness. This is supposed to be a country of freedom and yet the current national government has taken away so many freedoms- and put in place so many outrageous programs. I've lived in a country with socialized medicine- it's awful! I don't care what the media tells you- when the government steps in quality of care and quality of life go downhill fast! You can't ask the government to take over a personal responsibility without giving up your freedom.

I happen to be a descendant of John Hancock- the one that signed his name in large letters on the Declaration of Independence so that the king of England could read his name without his spectacles on. So, maybe the love of this nation and freedom runs in my blood. I feel a need to take a stand. To say what is in my heart. To pray for this nation. To make a difference. I'm not sure how to do that yet. But I feel the need. (This is not to say that many immigrants don't also love and care for this country- because they can and do; often because they know exactly how it is to live without them).

This is my blog- so, my politics. You can share your opinion on your blog- and I am grateful for that freedom. Just remembered that if you are going to express your political opinion someone, a father, brother, or sister died to give you that freedom. You have no business using the freedoms that are still left in this country unless you are willing to fight and die to keep it free for the next generation- just as millions did for you.

Pray for America.