Oh Give Me A Home Where The Buffalo Roam . . .

We just returned from a whirlwind road trip to the Tetons, Yellowstone and Glacier National Parks. Our unofficial goal was to see as much country and wildlife as possible
in a five day span. When we pulled in to our garage
in our trusty blue Highlander,
we were twenty miles short of 2,000 miles!

This post highlights my love affair with some of
the buffalo we met along the way.

What are people thinking?!?
* If you must approach a buffalo, please coordinate your wardrobes.

Mr. W., could you pull a little closer? Pleaseeeeeeee!

Who knew . . .
a Fancy Nancy Buffalo!!!
Fabulous! (* Please note wardrobe coordination)

(Legal disclaimer - DO NOT attempt this move with a non-Fancy Nancy Buffalo. The outcome may not be so fabulous!)

In honor of Flag Day & the 4th of July . . .

I fell in love with this quilt! I love the look of a flag unfurled. It has a planned/scrappy look to it and consists of just two blocks.












I've finished all of the blocks and I'm in the process of sewing the rows together.
Stay tuned for more updates . . .

Rice Krispie Treats

The flock

Just wanted to share my version of Rice Krispie Treats. They turn out perfect every time (it's a little bit hard to mess up Rice Krispie Treats :) I love their consistency to use with moulds. You can also use metal cookie cutters to create shapes or just pour the batch in to a 9X13 cake pan sprayed with Pam.

We can't have Easter without our Rice Krispie Nests filled with jelly bean eggs and topped with Peeps. I use muffin tins sprayed with Pam to shape the nests. Be sure to press down in the middle of the nest to make room for the eggs. This is a sure way to meet your daily requirement of unnatural food colors and additives!

Fancy Nancy's Rice Krispie Treats

In a large pan over low heat melt:

1 cube of butter (you can use margarine but it changes the taste)
1 large (16 oz) package of marshmallows (I like the small ones because they melt faster)
Food coloring (if you want to fancy them up!)

Stir occasionally as butter and marshmallows melt so they don't scorch.

When the butter and marshmallows are completely melted add:

10 cups brand name Rice Krispies or 12 cups generic Rice Krispies

(I don't know what makes the difference between brand and generic
but it takes more generic to achieve the same result)

Mix thoroughly until the Rice Krispies are evenly coated with the butter/marshmallow mix. Pour in to a 9X13 pan or shape using moulds. Be sure to spray your pan/moulds with Pam before you put your Rice Krispie Treats in them. Let cool and eat!

Happy cooking!

Remembering

I attended the funeral for my cousin's daughter, Kristan Lusvardi. Her life was short - just 19 years - but the message today was one of hope, faith, the sealing powers of the temple, comfort found only in the eternal perspective the gospel gives us, eternal families and love - most of all love.

As the dedication of the grave concluded, the heavens opened their gates and the rain poured down. A symbol of tears shed over this untimely death but also a reminder of the cleansing power of the Atonement and baptism. That One before us has suffered for us so that we, in our desperate hours, can pray for strength and help in carrying a burden already familiar to Him. Our names are truly graven upon His hand through the Atonement, crucifixion and resurrection. He has chosen to preserve this witness on His palms as a reminder to us of the price He has already paid for our sins, our grief, our loneliness and our pain.

I stand all amazed at the love Jesus offers me.

Coming in July . . .

The babies' bump in May


The adventure has only just begun . . .


Busy sewing . . . can't wait to meet Brad and Jensen!

All flowers remind me of you . . .

You planted love,
cultivated testimony,
weeded out contention,
watered with tears,
warmed with laughter and
strengthened with work
so that we each could
enjoy the harvest
of a home filled with
love, security and the gospel.

I have been blessed every day of my life
by my angel mother.

Mothers

Four generations

"The noblest calling in the world is that of mother.
True motherhood is the most beautiful of all arts,
the greatest of all professions.
She who can paint a masterpiece or
who can write a book that will influence millions
deserves the plaudits and admiration of mankind;
but she who rears successfully a family of healthy,
beautiful sons and daughters whose immortal souls
will be exerting an influence
throughout the ages
long after paintings shall have faded,
and books and statues shall have been destroyed,
deserves the highest honor that man can give."

~ David O. McKay

Thank you Mom!