Don't Be A Hater

I know that some of my family and some of you will roll your eyes at this. Too bad.

(image from Oprah.com)

I am an Oprah fan. I actually haven't watched much in the last couple of years - just an episode here and there. But I have watched my share over her 25 year season. And I think she has done so much good. Sure I disagree with her and she can be so obnoxious at times but I have learned a lot and loved lots about her show. When I have had time, she has been a good 4 o'clock friend. I have learned lots of interesting things, loved her favorite things, used a gratitude journal, been motivated to serve, used a netty pot, been totally inspired by stories of survival, tried to spend wisely (or at least thought about it), wished that Nate Berkus could save my house, cried and laughed. So I am kind of sad to see it come to an end.

I watched her surprise tribute farewell show. It was pretty cool. Yes she is a little cheesy but when you hear the list of accomplishments - dang it is awesome. They spotlighted the scholarship fund she set up for Morehouse College and all of the good that has done - 415 scholarships.

And THEN...Kristin Chenoweth (aka Glenda from Wicked) came out and sang one of my all time favorite songs - For Good. You have to watch it. Oh my gosh. She is awesome. The song is awesome. Try not to cry.

I've heard it said

That people come into our lives for a reason

Bringing something we must learn

And we are led

To those who help us most to grow

If we let them

And we help them in return

Well, I don't know if I believe that's true

But I know I'm who I am today

Because I knew you...

I have been changed for good...

I am so grateful for the good people in life that have changed me for good. Even a little bit of Oprah.

Get Your Vintage Poster TODAY!

I have talked about this little company and my super talented niece-in-law before (see here). Well she is doing something awesome and super generous. Check it out. And order yours TODAY (duh - you should order her stuff anyway but today you ONLY pay shipping)! You will love it.

U2!

What a show! I kept thinking all day that I should sell my tickets. So glad that I didn't. It was really incredible. I can't even figure out how to describe the stage. It is gigantic and incredible.

The U2 band and crew have clearly figured out how to put on an unforgettable show.

Rhubarb Hand Pies

Even if you think you don't like rhubarb or you have never had it. Make these today. Or pick another filling.

I had never had or made a hand pie until today. And I am in love.

And I have lots of rhubarb. You are all welcome to it.

I found the recipe here

My picture is first. The other picture - from the recipe blog So Good and Tasty is so much better. I really need to take some photography classes. And her crust looks a little flakier than mine.

See if I knew how to take good pictures of food I would show you what I made for dinner tonight. I absolutely loved it. I said it was my most favorite spaghetti and meatballs ever but the kids did not completely agree (but they ate it all because they knew there were hand pies).

Spaghetti Sauce (adapted from Our Best Bites) - Fire roasted tomatoes, swiss chard, zucchini and spices.
Turkey Italian Meatballs (adapted from Our Best Bites)
Homemade French Bread
Grilled Corn on the Cob

Downside to dinner -it took me the whole stinking afternoon to cook it. And I didn't get to sit and read my book like I wanted.

All the yummy veggies from our Bountiful Baskets this week. We got SO MUCH swiss chard. So we will be having swiss chard smoothies instead of kale this week.

My favorite thing

at the moment.... I might say that it is the Margo cookie from Ruby Snap. Thanks Jul. I am seriously hooked.

But since I am trying to make some serious attempts at healthier eating (like very limited treats, fish, and kale smoothies), I don't get to enjoy the Margo as often as I would really like.


Nap time has always been one of my favorite things. And Quinn is one of my favorite people.

But lately, my MOST favorite thing is - Quinn with her microphone singing her little heart out. She kills us with the things she says and the cute songs she sings. She even takes her microphone to bed with her, which is a bad thing when she doesn't feel tired but so cute when she finally gives in.

A Family Tradition -Bunny Buns

I am sorry that I am late on this post. You really needed it by Saturday. But go ahead and make some today. Or come snag one from me because seriously they are tempting me.

The original recipe for Bunny Buns was posted in the Friend magazine in 1980. My mom made them that year and we have never gone an Easter without them.

Bunny Buns

1 package active dry yeast

1/4 cup warm water

1 cup milk, warmed not quite to boiling

1/3 cup sugar

1/2 cup shortening

1 teaspoon salt

2 eggs, beaten

1/4 cup orange juice

2 tablespoons grated orange peel

5 1/2 cups flour, sifted

Glaze: 2 cups powdered sugar, 1/4 cup hot water, 1 teaspoon butter

1. 1. 
   Wash hands with soap and water.
2. 2. 
   Sprinkle yeast in the warm water and set aside.
3. 3. 
   In another bowl, blend milk, sugar, shortening, and salt. Cool until lukewarm, then add eggs, water with yeast, orange juice, and orange peel.
4. 4. 
   Stir in flour a few cups at a time to make a soft dough. Let stand for 10 minutes.
5. 5. 
   Knead dough 5–10 minutes on a lightly floured surface until dough is smooth and elastic. Place it in a lightly greased bowl, turning once to grease surface. Cover bowl with a clean towel and put it in a warm place. Let dough rise for 2 hours, or until double in size. Punch dough down and let stand for 10 minutes.
6. 6. 
   On a lightly floured surface, roll dough into a rectangle 1/2 inch thick. Cut dough into strips 1/2 inch wide and 14 inches long. Roll between hands into rounded snake shapes. Cut one strip into pieces 1/2 inch long, and roll into balls.
7. 7. 
   Place one long piece of dough on a greased cookie sheet. Place one end of the strip over the other to make a loop; bring the end that is underneath up and cross it over the other end. Place a ball of dough on top of the bottom loop.
8. 8. 
   Cover bunnies and let rise in a warm place for 45–60 minutes, until nearly double in size. Bake at 375ºF (190ºC) for 12–15 minutes.
9. 9. 
   For the glaze, stir powdered sugar, water, and butter together. Frost bunnies with the glaze while they are still warm.

 So sad that our family picture is not in our Easter attire. Not that we actually wore anything special but we definitely looked better.

Egan and Jane planned an awesome Easter Egg hunt full of games and challenges. It was very exciting.

PS - If you are ever a Bishop - don't ask a whole family to speak on Easter Sunday. Serious Stress. But truly it kept us focused on the meaning of Easter and the kids were super speakers!

Surviving Well

Survival - that is the word in my head lately. I wonder why? No actually, WE are surviving quite well. You can't believe how well Kenyon is getting around. Still slow and deliberate but hundreds times better than before surgery. I hope to post evidence soon. :)


But I have been listening and reading stories that seem to keep pointing me towards this survival topic.


Like the fireside I attended on Wednesday with the Jacksons, there are endless stories of other people who face unbelievable trials, sadness, pain, obstacles, you name it. Some how they make it.


Molly Jackson suggested in her talk that we read The Survivor's Club by Ben Sherwood. He shares stories from around the world about surviving impossible odds and asking the questions - what does it take to surive and what kind of survivor are you? I am looking forward to reading it.

Usually I don'g blog too much about the books I read because I do that more on Goodreads. But I can't resist today. The book I am listening to is Unbroken by Laura Hillenbrand Oh my word. Get this book today. This true survival story is incredible.

And what about this story? Between A Rock And A Hard Place. You know the story - this guy gets his arm stuck under a massive boulder for 5 days and finally cuts it off and hikes out to a rescue team. But read it and you will be amazed at what it takes to survive. I don't know if I have it. But what I was reminded of from Molly Jackson is that you don't know how strong you are until you are faced with the situation.


One of my favorite books about survival is Man's Search For Meaning by Viktor Frankl, a surivor of the Nazi concentration camps. One line has always stuck with me "...everything can be taken from a man but one thing:  the last of the human freedoms -- to choose one's attitude in any given set of circumstances, to choose one's own way." And this one from Frankl - “Forces beyond your control can take away everything you possess except one thing, your freedom to control how you will respond to the situation. You cannot control what happens to you in life, but you can control what you will feel and do in response to what happens to you.” 


Lots to think about. And of course I was reminded of it again in this General Conference talk by Elder Oaks. It is about desire - but that is ultimately what made all these individuals survive - their desire. He said, "Let us remember that desires dictate our priorities, priorities shape our choices, and choices determine our actions. In addition, it is our actions and our desires that cause us to become something, whether a true friend, a gifted teacher, or one who has qualified for eternal life."