The Essence of a Queen

In April I went to the American Mothers Inc.'s National Convention. We had a wonderful time, feeling pampered and spoiled. But I am planing on telling you about that in another blog. Right now I want to tell you about my grandmother. My grandmother is a beautiful woman. Not because she wears extra fine clothes or even has an extraordinary face. She has a deep beauty that comes from within and shows on her countenance. When we went to the convention we had an interesting experience involving Grandma. 

On our second night together, they had a dinner honoring the artists that had won the contests offered by the American Mothers association. We had a little concert featuring the musicians and had displays showing the work of the painters and photographers. One of the painters sat at our table for dinner. She was very excited to be there. Throughout the evening, she kept looking over at Grandma. Soon she said to her, "May I take your picture so that I can paint you? Every once in a while I am inspired by a face. It doesn't happen very often, but you do that for me. I would love to paint your portrait." Grandma was stunned, but reluctantly agreed. They went over to the window to get some proper light and the artist took her picture. 

We continued with dinner and thought the whole thing was over, or so Grandma hoped. Not five minutes latter, a woman cam over to talk to someone at our table. While she was there she turned to Grandma and expressed to her how beautiful she was. Throughout the night we had several people come to her and let her know just how beautiful she was and how much she looked like a queen. It got so bad, Grandma almost left out of embarrassment.

You may think it ends there, but it doesn't. After that first night, during almost every meal someone approached Grandma to express their awe at her beauty. At one point my mother was talking to a group of the National board members alone. They asked her if she had any family with her. When she mentioned that her mother was with her, they said, "Is your mother 'that woman'? We saw her get her picture taken and were wondering who that beautiful woman was." She was like Cinderella at the ball. She enters the room and everyone starts to whisper, "who is she? She must be a queen!" Mom and I had a great time with the joke, although grandma didn't always appreciate it. That just shows you how wonderfully humble she is. 

I just have to tell you that I think my grandmother is amazing. She always thinks of everything and everyone. She has aged with grace and beauty and even though she might not think so, she is a queen to all who meet her. You inspire us all Grandma. Thank you!

Easter

I know it is late, but I am finally going to post the pictures from Easter. We had a great Easter this year. We always try to gift them the things that they need for church. Miranda and Hayden got new outfits. Joey got new Sunday shoes and a tie clip. Charissa go new Sunday shoes and a new scripture bag (her old one fell apart). We also decided this year to skip the candy and fill their baskets (bowls) with fruit instead. they loved it just as much as candy and got to eat it right away instead of waiting until after breakfast and Mom's okay. 

Even with all this fun stuff, I am grateful that the kid's favorite part of Easter is always the resurrection eggs. Several years ago, we bought a package of plastic eggs that contain little objects that symbolize the different parts of the Saviors last days on Earth. We leave them out for the Easter bunny to hide (along with our dyed eggs) and when we find them all, we tell the story. They love reviewing it every year. 

One of my favorite parts of Easter this year was our primary sharing time. We had the room set up like a court room. Jeff was dressed as a judge. He welcomed everyone and explained what a judge is and what a witness is. Then he told the children that we were going to have some special witnesses come and testify of Jesus Christ. It would be up to the children to judge for themselves whether or not what they say is true. Then we had Mary Magdalene, Peter, Doubting Thomas, Joseph Smith, and Nephi the disciple (from 3rd Nephi) come and share their testimonies. The kids really got into it and it was almost as if those people had actually arranged to make it into our primary to share their stories. It was great.

Lunch with Brandon Mull!

I am behind on my blog postings and, quite frankly, don't have time to catch up with the end of the semester looming over me. I want you all to know what we are up to, however, so I am going to try to use what little time I have here and there to catch up. I apologize that some posts I will make over the next little while are older and no longer excitingly fresh. I will try to be better. To try and offset this effect, I will post something exciting that happened today to Miranda. Brandon Mull, the author of the book series Fablehaven came to our elementary school today to do an assembly. Mull is Miranda's favorite author and she has been on cloud nine since she found out he was coming. In honor of Brandon Mull, the school invited the students (3rd - 6th grade) to make posters welcoming him. Anyone who submitted a poster would be entered into a drawing for a chance to eat lunch with Mull when he came. Miranda worked very hard on a poster and was chosen. Today was the day! She came home from school with the biggest smile on her face I have ever seen. She said, "I think this is the best day of my life." I think she meant it too. She got a special lunch that the school provided for her and a few other students that were chosen. She got to sit with Brandon Mull in a private lunch room and carried on a private conversation with him. She even took our copy of the most recent Fablehaven book with her and He signed it, along with her poster, and her journal. This is a big dream for her that has come true. I am very excited for her. Now all we have to do is get Jeff to finally meet Terry Brooks!

Rice Krispie Easter Baskets

3 Tablespoons butter or margarine
1 package (about 10 ounces) marshmallows
6 cups Rice Krispies Cereal
Green food coloring
Jelly beans (can also use Peeps or robins eggs)

1. In large saucepan melt butter over low heat. Add marshmallows and stir until completely melted. Add a couple drops of food coloring to desired color. Remove from heat.
2. Add Rice Krispies cereal. Stir until well coated.
3. Using buttered spatula or wax paper evenly press mixture into muffin pan coated with cooking spray making sure the mixture comes up to edges and dips in the middle. Cool. Remove from muffin pan and place a few jelly beans in each basket. Best if served the same day.

Garden Vegetable Omelet Ring

4 ounces cream cheese, softened
1/4 cup milk
1 tablespoon all-purpose flour
8 eggs, divided
1 teaspoon Dill
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/4 pound fresh asparagus spears, cut into 1-inch pieces (3/4 cup)
1/2 cup diced red bell pepper
1/3 cup chopped onion
1 Tablespoon butter or margarine
1/2 cup (2 ounces) shredded cheddar cheese
2 packages refrigerated crescent rolls

1) Preheat oven to 375∘F. In bowl, whisk cream cheese and milk; add flour and whisk until smooth. separate 1 egg; reserve egg white. Add the yolk, remaining 7 eggs, dill mix, salt and black pepper to cream cheese mixture; whisk until smooth. Add asparagus, bell pepper and onion to bowl; mix well.
2) Melt butter in 12 in. skillet over medium heat. Add egg mixture; cook, stirring occasionally, 4-6 minutes until eggs are set but still moist. Remove pan from heat.
3) Unroll crescent rolls; separate into 16 triangles. Arrange triangles, slightly overlapping, ina circle on round pan (pizza stones work great) with wide ends 4 inches from edge of pan. (Points will extend off the edge of the pan.) Roll wide ends of dough toward center to create a 5-inch opening. Scoop filling evenly over dough in a continuous circle; sprinkle with cheese.
4) Bring points of triangles up over filling and tuck under dough at center to form a ring. (Filling will show.) Brush with remaining lightly beaten egg white. Bake 25-30 minutes or until golden brown.