Which would you choose?

A tempting slice of St. Etienne cake?


or a juicy bowl of fruit and berries?


Yep, I chose the St. Etienne cake. Actually, I had a bowl of fruit too. Don't get me wrong, I love fruit, but it doesn't satisfy my sweet tooth the same way french pastry, thick custard, luscious whip cream, and mini chocolate eclairs do. And this is why I'm chubby- ugh!
I should just remember the scripture from Isaiah 55:2, "Eat ye that which is good, and let your soul delight itself in fatness." Is that how you interpret this scripture?

Another Anniversary

Last week marked Leonard's and my wedding anniversary, and this week marks a year of owning our first home, although we still have a few months to mark one year of us living in it- tee hee. Anyway, here's an open house tour of the projects we've been working on. The list is neverending though!


Everything looks so clean after it rains.

The main floor consists of the living room, dining room, kitchen, dinette, family room, and powder room (laundry room not pictured).







The upstairs consists of the master bedroom & ensuite, the 3 kids' rooms, and the kids' bathroom.







The basement is our PLAY room (and has 2 storage rooms as well). I love it, except for the fact it's in the basement- tee hee. I NEED sunlight, so this would serve me better if it was a second floor lounge, oh well we can't have everything we want, right?

Our backyard is in dire need of some playground equipment, but we are so glad to have a backyard again!

Seriously, there's still a ZILLION projects to finish, but we love our little home sweet home!

More Books

This was last month's book club selection. It's a modern-day Ruth & Naomi story. It made me wish I knew my mother-in-law better (she's in heaven), but also confirmed that I do not want to be a widow ever!


This is this month's book club selection, but I can't read it until I finish...


This is interesting about 3 women- Muslim, Christian, and Jewish exploring the similarities and differences of their religions. It's made me explore my own faith and religion. Can't wait to finish it!

I haven't read his other book yet (Len did), but I want to someday, and I want to read this one too.

I'm caught up on the Fablehaven series and now anxiously waiting to read the conclusion in book 5!

What to do with a Strawberry?

Strawberries are delish all by their lonesome, but when you buy a bunch on sale it's fun to try some new recipes.


Cookie Pizza
CRUST
Preheat oven to 375*F.
Beat 1 cup sugar, 1 cup butter, 1 tsp vanilla, and 1 egg in a large bowl until smooth. Gradually stir in 2 1/4 cups flour.
Press dough onto round pizza pan so it's 1/4 inch thick.
Bake 10-12 minutes, or until edge are just golden brown.
Cool before adding toppings.
SAUCE
Mix 1 cup milk with 4-serving size pistachio pudding.
Add 1 cup cool whip.
Spread over cooled crust.
CHEESE
Sprinkle pizza with shredded coconut.
TOPPINGS
Besides sliced strawberries, peaches, pineapples, bananas, kiwis, and raspberries are great to put all over the pizza.
ENJOY!


Palachinkas (aka Crepes)
Mix 2 cups flour, 3 eggs, 2 tbsp sugar, 1/2 tsp salt, 1 cup water, and 2 cups milk (gradually).
Pour thin layer of batter over entire surface of round frying pan.
Cook on each side until done.
Top with strawberries & whip cream, butter & maple syrup, lemon juice & sugar, or Nutella.
Enjoy!


Berried Delight
MIX
1 1/2 cups graham cracker crumbs (from about 20 squares), 1/4 cup sugar, and 1/2 cup butter.
Press firmly onto bottom of 9x13-inch pan.
Refrigerate 15 minutes.
BEAT
1 (8 oz) package of cream cheese, 1/4 cup sugar, and 2 tbsp milk in large bowl.
Gently stir in 1/2 of an 8 oz tub of cool whip.
Spread over crust.
TOP
With strawberry halves or other berries.
POUR
3 1/2 cups cold milk into large bowl. Add 2 (4-serving size) packages of lemon pudding. Beat 2 minutes, then pour over strawberries.
REFRIGERATE
4 hours or until set. Just before serving, spread remaining cool whip over pudding.
ENJOY!

Love the Library!

Tonight is book club and we'll be discussing this book, "When Broken Glass Floats." It's a terribly sad memoir of a girl who grew up in Cambodia during the Khmer Rouge. How did I get so lucky to have lived such a peaceful life?


This book, "Marked" was last month's book club selection, but unfortunately it had one really bad scene and lots of bad language. I wish authors could leave that junk out, because the actual story of a girl going to a "Vampyre Finishing School" was kind of interesting. It's the first book in the House of Night Series which there will soon be 7 of.


I requested this book "The Lost Symbol" several months ago and was like person 1,636 requesting it from the library- no joke! I thought I'd have to wait a couple of years to read it, but now it's in my home anxiously waiting for me to read it.

I suffer from anxiety, depression, obsessiveness, anger, and occassional impulsiveness. I hope I can "Change My Brain and Change My Life."

This book is not from the library, I bought it because it was written by an old friend of mine from high school. I want to give a shout out to Mr. Dean Badillo- CONGRATS! I look forward to reading "Molly and Wally Molecule" to my kids.

I also finally got Fablehaven 4 from the library and can't wait to read it either. I love good books!

Party Planner

After I broke my toe, I watched a lot of David Tutera's show. It must of rubbed off on me, because I was a bit extravagant in decorating Noe and Kaleb's parties (at least compared with my previous standard).


I actually painted this castle for New Beginnings in YW, but I am into recycling- tee hee. I also got a dozen pink, purple, and light pink balloons to tie on each chair and to put on our front porch.


I made another 80 tissue paper flowers, then strung them up into a garland.


The table all ready to open presents and eat cake!

I used pink on top of white table cloths, with these cute pastel plates and napkins.

The piece de resistance, a pink castle cake- voila!

Len drew this pirate ship for me, and I did my best painting it. (I think it turned out pretty cute, actually.) The dozen balloons were blue, red, and light blue this time.

I made pirate flags into a birthday banner.

The table all ready for presents and cake again.

I used red on white table cloths, blue plates, and blue striped napkins.

I'll journey with this ship, right down to my tummy! I made a total of 8 pirate cupcakes for each of the guests too.

*Both of these parties had games & prizes (musical chairs, pass the parcel, and pin the nose on the clown), but the main activity was a scavenger hunt. My husband made up 8 darling clues for each group to find their treasure with. Everyone had fun, so I think they were both a success! Now, will I do all this again next year? Kaleb and Noe are worth it, but NO! We're going to rotate each year with a party and an outing with a friend, and even with the parties we're going to rotate with separate ones and parties together- phew!

Love to Paint

I painted a second picture to hang in our play room. The room is slowly coming together. I can't wait for it to be done, but it's a fun journey to get to "done."

Fabulous Friday

For our Stake Youth Fabulous Friday I made 80 tissue paper flowers and painted 24 hearts. It's amazing how cute a little bit of paper and paint can make things.

New Beginnings

For our New Beginnings in Young Women's, the Beehive class took charge, and I was asked to do the decorations. We had a "Once upon a Time" theme, and I solicited the help from a talented artist I know named Leonard Reil.


This is the 7 foot tall, 5 foot wide poster Len drew for us. It took him 4 nights. He was going to paint it too, but I went ahead and did it for him one day (it only took me 7 hours!) We will recycle it though for Noe's birthday party.


I also made these tissue paper flowers. The first batch of 20 took me 2 hours, but I got faster with the second batch and finished them in an hour and a half. I'll be recycling these and making more for our Stake Fabulous Friday, later this month.


Our beautiful Princesses- Carolynn, Katie, Jenn, Sierra, Tori, Anngela, Tasha, & Julia with our Bishop. Dayna and Christina came later, but unfortunately I couldn't get another group shot. These girls are great!


The program consisted of a darling skit put on by the Beehives, an introduction to our new Personal Progress program by the Beehive Counselor, a few words from me on this year's theme, a few words from the Bishop, and then dessert! Each girl received their new Personal Progress books and a board to hang in their room with this year's theme from Joshua 1:9, "Be Strong and of a Good Courage." I think this theme was chosen just for me. I feel so weak and afraid and get anxiety all the time these days. I'm trying my best to be strong though!

"Value"able Bracelet

For one of our Young Women's Activities in January, I brought my slew of beads from Taiwan for the girls to make bracelets. I made this one for myself with all the value colors. Here's what the colors stand for:
White- Faith
Blue- Divine Nature
Red- Individual Worth
Green- Knowledge
Orange- Choice & Accountability
Yellow- Good Works
Purple- Integrity
Gold- Virtue
My body may be aging, but I'm still a Young Woman at heart.