~LOOK FOR THE LIGHT~

There was an article written on a Commander William Robert Anderson, the man who first took a submarine under the North Pole from the waters of the Pacific to the waters of the Atlantic. It was an untried and dangerous mission. In his wallet he carried a tattered card with these words: "I believe I am always divinely guided, I believe I will always take the right road, I believe God will always make a way where there is no way."

I believe this to be true...as we were helping our kids move recently, we were traveling down the freeway it had been stormy all along...but pillars of light were breaking through. It was so beautiful, a reminder, as all nature is, that he is always there for us...always!

This world does seem kind of dreary and worrisome at times but I think we need to stop seeking out the storms and enjoy more fully the sunlight. I guess I am saying that as we go through life it's ok to be a Pollyanna..to "accentuate the positive." I think we need to look deeper for the good, that we still our voices when they want to insult or be lined with sarcasm, that we more generously compliment virtue and effort.

As I sat in the truck waiting for my husband to fill it up with gas, I saw this tall light post...perfectly balanced by 4 Seagulls. They seemed to be all looking to each other...for support? For friendship? Help? Who knows...but they were together in their efforts.

~Believe in yourself. Believe in your capacity to do great and good things. Believe that no mountain is so high that you cannot climb it. Believe that no storm is so great that you cannot weather it. You are not destined to be a scrub. You are a child of God, of infinite capacity.

Believe that you can do it-whatever it is that you set your heart on. Opportunities will unfold and open before you. The skies will clear where they have been dark with worry.

This is one of my favorite scriptures...
Behold, this is the promise of the Lord to you, O my servants.
Wherefore, be of good cheer, and do not fear, for I the Lord am with you, and will stand by you; and ye shall bear record of me, even Jesus Christ, that I am the son of the living God, that I was, that I am, and that I am to come.
D & C 68:5-6

I KNOW that he is with us and will stand by us...he will go before our face, and be on our right hand, and on our left, encircling us about with his tender care. Oh, look for his light with all your heart...it is always there.

Sending out to all my sisters in blog-land...all my love! Have a wonderful Sunday.

" IN GOOD HANDS "

Taking the oath of office...Isaac will be one of the best!

Their little 2 year old Caleb was so excited about Daddy being a policeman, he clapped and clapped....

AND clapped some more....

Isaac was chosen to speak at the graduation and he gave an excellent talk...concluding with remarks of how much he loved his wife and family and that they were number one in his life.

Five of Isaac's commanding officers drove 4 hours to be at his graduation and show their support for him...it was very impressive!

Our daughter Tiffany and Isaac with their sweet children, Caleb and Ella. Tiff could have come to live with us while Isaac went through police academy but she wanted to be with him. Good thing too because the baby came 5 min. after they got into the hospital. If she'd been with us, he'd have missed the birth.

Caleb LOVES his Daddy, they are best bud's! Isaac is a husband and father who is full of kindness and love.

Some of us who were there to support and be very proud of what Isaac had accomplished.

Last week we attended our son in laws graduation from the police academy. We were so proud of Isaac...he was awarded two very important awards and also was chosen to speak at his graduation. Isaac has wanted to do this for so long, he followed his passion and came off with flying colors. We helped them get moved back to the city he'll be working for...it was a busy weekend, but so rewarding.

This is a very wonderful young man and we are so grateful that he married our daughter. They met at college...he was walking past her and her friends at a dance...stopped and went back and introduced himself to her and it progressed from there. He also comes from a big family, wonderful people that we love...it is fun to share with them, all of Isaac and Tiffany's joy and happiness, as well as the sweet little grand children.

If all men could be like this, there would be no divorce...he is a wonderful, helpful husband. He will be a really great policeman.... We love you Isaac...God bless!

OUR HALLOWEEN PARTY FUN....

As the Halloween party got started...it was looking pretty spookie around grandma and grandpa's house!

"What is a vampire's favorite holiday?" ......."Fangs-giving!"/ and many more jokes for grandma to guess!!! It was so much fun to have a party for our grands..they loved every bit of it, so it was all worth it! Later, while cuddling with one of them, I felt so at peace. This is what it's all about...FAMILY....I want to be with them for all time and all eternity.

The ole' spider has been hanging around just long enough to spin his web for YOU, deerie!

" Cream Cheese Pumpkin Muffins "

Mix and set aside: 1 (8oz.) cream cheese, softened....1 egg....1 T. sugar....1 tsp. lemon rind...set aside.
Beat 2 eggs slightly....2 C. sugar....1 can pumpkin...1/2 C. oil...stir into dry ingredients below...

2 1/2 C. flour....3 tsps. pumpkin pie spice....1 tsp. baking soda....1/2 tsp. salt... add 1/2 C. pecans and 1/2 c. choc. chips.

divide 1/2 the batter...put 1/2 into muffin tins...make a little indention, add a tsp. of the filling...cover this with the other 1/2 of the batter. I even crushed soft ginger cookies and sprinkled this on top~
Bake at 350* for 20 minutes. makes 24... delicious muffins

These skeletons always turn out so cute and they are so good...all for the grand kids delight! Just pull back the paper off the cupcake, insert half a marshmallow and frost! Jr. Mints for eyes, chocolate chip for the nose and sliced almonds for teeth.

This big old spider cake is nummy too...the inside of his belly is full of green jello jigglers, so when you cut into it, that all comes falling out! The kids loved this! Cook the cake in 2 rounds...cut a small circle out of one round for the head. Fill the empty circle with jello jigglers made a bit earlier, lay the second round on top of this and frost. ( I forgot and had to make due with a 9x13 cake, but it worked too)

Hope this won't gross you out...the grands loved it! The cat even looked at it twice! It's a "Cat Litter cake" and it's really good. Brownies, frosting, cookie crumbs, softened tootsie rolls...just fun for Halloween!

~Take home treats for the grands~ And they made Marshmallow Mummies to take home too. (Just 3 marshmallows stuck together with toothpicks and wrapped in strips of fruit leather and jellied eyes)

This chili is so good every time...I could live on it!

I gathered up all these little spooks...they are so cute!

We had lots of fun as we gathered the other night for our Halloween party, I took a picture of all of us and the spread on the bar, but then I was deleting a picture on my camera and it jumped to that one and deleted it..and it was the only one I had taken too! Oh well, hope you get the idea of it anyway. I made lots of goodies and a big pot of that good chili I posted about a little while back, others brought salads..we had way too much to eat but all the goodies made the grand children happy, so it was worth it!

It's getting ready to snow here and we are at 7000ft. so we will get some..seems like every year just in time for Halloween it snows..guess it is that time of year. Stay warm and cozy and enjoy it all anyway!


"Listen...the wind is rising and the air is wild with leaves,
We have had our Summer evenings... now for October eve's!
~~~~~~

AS I HAVE LOVED YOU....

For this beautiful Sabbath day...a thought from our Savior, Jesus Christ.

" As I have loved you...Love one another...

This new commandment...Love one another.

By this shall men know...Ye are my disciples.

If ye have love one to another.

The President and Prophet of our church, Thomas S. Monson recently had a birthday...many wishes and gifts were coming to him but he said what he really wanted for his birthday was, for all of us to do something kind for someone else...that is what he wanted more than anything.

People responded in a million ways..one group of Primary children and their teachers got a big glass jar and every Sunday as the children came to Primary, they would put a little "warm fuzzie" in this tall glass jar to represent something good or kind they had done for someone else. Before long..it was full...and the love gained and the lessons learned will last a life time. They gave the jar to Pres. Monson and he said he was moved to tears of joy and that it was the best birthday gift ever!

This would be a good idea for all of us...and our children.

~AS I HAVE LOVED YOU...LOVE ONE ANOTHER~

ONE MORE BOOK and RECIPE idea for you~

~PUMPKIN BARS~

Combine: 4 eggs...1 2/3 C. sugar...1 C. veg. oil...1 (25 0z. ) can pumpkin....Mix til light & fluffy.
Add: 2 C. flour...2 tsp. baking powder...2 tsp. cinnamon...1 tsp. salt...1 tsp. baking soda...
Mix these dry ingds. into first mixture, at low speed, until batter is smooth. Spread into a greased 9x13 pan....Bake at 350* for 30 minutes..cool completely.

FOR THE ICING:
8 oz. Cream cheese, softened...1/2 C. Butter, softened...2 C. Powdered Sugar...1 tsp. Vanilla
Mix together and frost...Decorate if you'd like, these are SO...YUMMY!

I gave my 2 year old grandson this little book over the weekend...we sat several times to read it together. He loved it and as we looked at all the details on every page, and he knew all the letters too!

It has really cute illustrations, which is very important to me when I buy a book, lots of detail.

Baking up a storm for Halloween...which is what I too am doing!

Lots of very cute pictures...and in the end, the witches turn out to be the little kids dressed up for Halloween...coming home with sacks full of goodies, falling into bed happy and content.

It even has a recipe for Pumpkin Soup...in a pumpkin! That would be fun for children to help Mom make~

This is my "scary" Halloween cat..Sage. I told her to give me her most scary look but she had to stretch first, and then....she fell back asleep. Sorry about that!

I hope you'll enjoy the Pumpkin Bar recipe...it is really good! And if you have little ones, the book is so fun to read and look at all the things on the pages...I read this little book at least four times to my little 2 yr. old grandson, looking at all the things on the page and he really loved it.

Halloween is almost here, me and the grands are getting SO excited! "ah-ah-ah-ah"...that was my witches laugh...if you couldn't tell! Have fun dear friends, with you and yours!

~"A LAST HOORAY FOR FALL"~(and a nummy)

" Cider Mill "
I love this painting..just the friendship of it all..the darling chubbie faced little girls munching apples. Reminds me of a place I loved as a little girl...an old apple tree where I had a special place to sit high up in it's branches, for hours reading my book and eating it's apples...I even had a salt shaker up there to salt the apples with. I'd sometimes pretend I couldn't hear my Mom when she called..."Julie"..."Julie"

Such a beautiful day to go walking...the morning sun warming the leaves and the back of old horses~

~I loved how these" friends" stand guard together... so bold and majestic~

I just love these big old cows along my walking route this morning..they remind me of the black pigs with the wide stripe of white around their bellies.

The sunset was SO beautiful last night...I had to go out on the porch and watch it's golden majesty...it brought tears to my eyes..it was unbelievable!

Even living here... I still love it when a cattle drive goes right by my house

~Any Day Crock Pot Chicken~

6 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
2 (10 0z.) cans cream of chicken soup
1 envelope dry onion soup mix
1 Cup sour cream (or) 1 pkg.-8 oz. cream cheese
1 10 oz. can chopped tomatoes, drained a bit
a sprinkling of ground nutmeg
(optional) a can of plain artichoke hearts

Place chicken in greased slow cooker. Mix remaining ingds. (except tomatoes, art. hearts and sour cream)
Cover and cook on high 4 hrs. (or) on low 6-8 hrs.
One hour before serving, stir in tomatoes, artichoke hearts and sour cream.
~Serve over cooked thin pasta...sprinkle with Parmesan cheese, garnish with parsley, basil~
~~~~~~~~~~~~

I don't know about you, but along with some Halloween candy...I've been eating a ton of apples, they taste SO good to me! I try to keep them on my counter all the time and sometimes they sit there collecting spoil...not now. I think there is a season for everything and we should eat the foods of that season, to me they taste especially good then.

This is my last "hooray" for Fall, the temps. are getting down there and winter is a comin! I walk 3 miles everyday with my dogs, yesterday was so very beautiful! I love a bit of a breeze blowing in my face, and the crisp air of fall does the job. I intend to walk outside every day that I possibly can through out the winter..nothing more fun than to put an extra layer on and get out there in a bit of snow and full sun. At 7000 ft. we have nearly constant sun so the snow does not get very deep here.

Next week I'm having a Halloween party for my grand children, they( and me) are getting pretty excited about it! I have seen so many great ideas here, I have to thank you for sharing them, I'll let you know how it turns out! Get out there and enjoy the last of Fall Y'all..it's waving goodbye! :D

For this beautiful Sunday, I just wanted to say how very wonderful each and every daughter of God is. Women down through the ages have blessed individuals as well as generations. I'm so thankful for Eve for one... the mother of all living. Women hold a special place in our Heavenly fathers plan for the eternal happiness of his children. I hope all of you wonderful women out there never underestimate your power to influence those around you for good, especially your precious children.
It is so important for us to stand strong for all that is good..it must begin in our own homes.
There is a saying that big gates move on small hinges. Our example in seemingly small things will make a big difference in in the lives of young people. the way we dress, the way we talk, if we pray,the way you live everyday will make the difference. Even the TV show we choose to watch, our music and how we use the internet.
Our potential for good is so great and our gifts so diverse, we find ourselves in many roles simultaneously, some working..some homemaking...some trying so hard to do both, all trying their best to raise their children to turn out wonderful.
You are the real builders of nations wherever you live, because strong homes of love and peace will bring security to any nation.
Don't feel guilty or dwell on thoughts of failure..don't compare yourself with others. Just do the best you can, and the Lord will provide the rest. Have faith and confidence in him, and you will see miracles happen in your life. You have so much good in you, wherever you have been planted on this beautiful but troubled earth of ours, you can be the one to "succor the weak, lift up the hands which hang down, and strengthen the feeble knees."
The Lord loves you..he knows you..he hears and answers your prayers wherever on this world you may be. He wants and will help you succeed in this life and in eternity.

"What greater gift dost thou bestow,
What greater goodness can we know
Than Christ-like friends, whose gentle ways
Strengthen our faith, enrich our days.
(Karen L. Davidson)
As we all busily blog, I hope we are not afraid to just be ourselves. Not copy this blog or that blog, I think that is what is SO wonderful..each giving from our own hearts and everyone gaining because of it. We each have so much to give...I have so loved meeting so many wonderful women all over this world. I feel like, you truly are my sisters, and one day as we sit down in Heaven together....We will know and love each other. You have brought tears to my eyes, made me laugh out loud, made me just love you. Thank you for sharing yourself with me, continue to be "who you are"...for thats who I want to know and glean from. You make me a better me..thank you.
The errand of angels is given to women;
And this is a gift that as sisters we claim:
To do whatsoever is gentle and human,
To cheer and to bless in humanity's name.
(Emily H. Woodmansee)
I just love everyone of you and thank you for your sweet and kind friendship given to me. Have a wonderful week...be who you are, that is enough...Love Julie :D

Three Delicious P's....(Porch Lights~Peanut Butter Popcorn~Pumpkin Pancakes)

Our front porch is glowing at night now...you can see it from miles away! Hope you're feeling the glow clear to your house!

" Pumpkin Pancakes "

In a bowl mix: 2 C. Flour..4 tsp. Baking Soda..1 tsp. Salt..2 T. Sugar
Mix: 2 C. Milk..1 T. Butter, melted..1 C. Pumpkin..2 Eggs
Fold both of these mixtures together,
Cook your pancakes
Serve with Maple Syrup..or..
I like Whipped Cream with a sprinkling of nuts on top and a little cinnimon and sugar

Oh these are Heavenly..and so good this time of year..Enjoy!

" Peanut Butter Popcorn "

Pop about 10 Cups of popcorn and set it aside in a big bowl.
In a kettle put;
2 C. white sugar..1 C. Honey..1 C. white corn syrup
Bring to a boil..boil 3 minutes.
Add: 2 C. Peanut Butter..2 tsp. of vanilla
Stir it together
Add: 2 C. any kind of nuts
Pour over popped popcorn, mix it in.
Spread out on a big tray that is lined with wax paper, let it cool.
( I say let it cool but it is SO nummy, you can't help but start to eat it!)
This doesn't stick to your teeth like carmel corn does...It's a family favorite for sure, we've made it almost every Sunday night..enjoy!
~~~~~~~

I hope this time of year is getting" deep down into your heart", it is mine. I'm enjoying and loving everything about it! Yesterday I took of to go for my 3 mile walk that I do everyday, remembered that I had forgotten something..so I went back into the house and got it..came back out and then realized that I had locked myself out of the house! The extra key was gone too because of visiting kids, so I was really locked out and my husband was not due home for 6 more hours! At first I was really mad at myself, the wind was blowing really hard and it was a cloudy day...(luckily I had my cell phone in my pocket which I usually don't) so I called my husband and he was able to head home, but he was about 2 1/2 hours away.

So I decided to go on and do the walk, that took about 40 min. got back and thought now what? So I went out and got into out trailer house and read the scriptures that hubbie always has there, called a daughter and chatted a bit, tried to nap the rest of the time away but mostly lay there thinking, luckily I had put dinner in the crock pot before leaving the house so I knew that would be ready. It was quite peaceful time really and I thought maybe it's good to slow down and ponder.. take on a bit of perspective during my day. I think I get into the habit of checking off my "to do list" and maybe it's alright to just settle and think. I know as a child I did that a lot and those were wonderful, peaceful, reflective, day-dreaming days..and they were good for me then..guess they are good for me still. Try it...just don't lock yourself out of the house to do it, there are easier ways!

Hope you 'll like the recipes...let me know if you did...have a great season of joy dear sisters! Love you all..Julie :D

~ART..and THE WAY IT MAKES ME FEEL~

This picture looks just like our little 2 year old grandson Caleb. One day as he and his parents were walking through a Desert Book Store, Caleb saw this picture. He stopped..stared at it for a fill minute, his mommie knelt down by him and said; "Do you like that picture?" He said; "Jesus and Cacub..walking!" He really thought it was him, it looks just like him and he has a red polo shirt and pants just like this.
Aren't children just so sweet...if we could only be more like them!

"I am a child of God, and he has sent me here, has given me an earthly home with parents kind and dear.
I am a child of God, and so my needs are great; help me to understand his words before it grow too late.
I am a child of God. rich blessings are in store; if I but learn to do his will, I'll live with him once more.
Lead me, guide me, walk beside me, help me find the way. teach me all that i must do to live with him someday. (Naomi Randall)

This reminds me of my brothers fishing all the day long, before they had to grow up and help with milking the cows and farming the crops. We now have a golden just like this..our 6th one over the years of raisung our family.

~I love New Yorkies~
This little girl reminds me of the barefoot days of youth when nothing mattered except the here and now, when the cares of the world were years away, and joy came from the simplest of things.

~Cream and Sugar~
Bringing back warm memories of tea parties with friends, the tinkling of the cups and silver spoons with yummy cakes on a splendid afternoon.

~Don't Forget to Pray~
Thank the Lord for all our blessings, ask him for the help you need, and the comfort and strength you need. Ask him to help you choose the right...and because he loves you, He'll listen to what you say, because prayers are heard and answered. So, before you climb into bed, don't forget to pray!

~Denim and Lace~
This reminds me of a couple of my daughters...rough and tough little tomboy's who grew up to be beautiful woman with a softer side now shinning through bright and sweet.

A baby is God's way of saying... That the world should go on.

~Daddy's Little Girl~
It's not too far off when another will take her from my arm,
Giving her a different name, and so I ask, "Please keep her safe from harm."
Someday she'll be a woman, with her very own future to unfurl,
But in my heart, I'll hold her close; forever Daddy's little girl.

~Dress Rehearsal~
"Every soul resonates with a music uniquely their own"

~Confidant~
It's so nice to have a friend who listens to every word you say, who keeps your trusted secrets never to reveal. A friend like this is such a treasure especially when they are real!

~Delicate Balance~
Many of my childhood memories are of our homes front porch. Carefree Summer days..putting plays on and singing to the top of our lungs..to the pine trees. The porch a symbol of the security of home and family, where wisdom passed from one generation to the next.

~One Man's Trash is Another Man's Treasure~
Where adults think leaves are a bother...children think leaves are pure fun! A mountain of leaves large enough and soft enough to catch them as they jump from the tree.

~Melodies Remembered~
How I remember my Dad gathering us all around the old up-right piano..he could play anything by ear and had such a beautiful bass voice. He taught us to sing and I love singing even now.

~Side by Side~

Bathed and fed and ready for bed, with giggles and whispers to confide.
Flannel-wrapped and satin -trimmed, to keep them nice and cozy,
With shiny hair so clean and fresh, their skin glows soft and rosy.
Sharing a favorite book. until both become sleepy-eyed,
Near or apart, within each heart, best friends forever, side by side.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

~Precious In His Sight~
Under his watchful eye, a tiny sprout becomes a flower... a cocoon a butterfly..a babe in the manger the Prince of Peace.These miracles bring wonderment to our hearts, reminding us of an eternal truth~that all things are precious in his sight.

~Heavenly Hands~
"Please keep us safe in such hostile lands," Then came the warm touch of Heavenly Hands.
All that we go through and all that we need. Surely Heaven is with us, if we'll only give heed.

~He Is Risen~
I know that Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ are REAL.
On that first Easter morning, the Risen Lord Himself reassured a sad and questioning Mary Magdalene that He is real and that, yes, He lives!

~O Jerusalem~

How often would I have gathered you together, even as a hen gathereth her chickens under her wings..Matt. 23:37 In him is always hope and comfort, "Lo, I am with you alway" Matt. 28:20

He watches still from yet a higher vantage point, ready to extend his protective wing to all who seek after him.

~Be Not Afraid~
Like children who have lost their way we sometimes wander...stumbling along our way..we cry for help, is there anyone who can hear us? He is there to lead us home..he knows the way, his feet are sure, and in him we find safe passage.

"Lost No More "

My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me.(John 10:27)

If we seek him and follow in his path, we will find him and there enjoy contentment and safety.

Little children seem to have an inborn goodness; a simple faith, a natural desire to be taught and to walk in his light.
"Teach me to walk in the light of his love..Teach me to pray to my father above..
Teach me to know of the things that are right..teach me, teach me to walk in the light."

Greg said that to paint the Savoir is at the very least intimidating, because we each have our own image in our minds of what he looked like. Greg's intent is, to help us remember him.

~He is the way..the truth and the light~

I hope you have enjoyed these few moments of beauty and thought. I hope you felt uplifted and comforted. I hope these beautiful pieces of art remind you of where we all can find strength and comfort, and that it will help to reaffirm what is really important in our lives. These paintings are done by an artist by the name of Greg Olsen...he resides in Idaho. I love his work and have some of it in my home . Some of the thoughts in this post are mine and the poetry is his as well as the beautiful art work. You can find his work at a Desert book Store..he is on facebook and has a blog. You can find him on my blog list. This is just some of his work, he does everything, a very talented man, and wonderful father.

We are all so "Precious in His Sight"... every one of us. I'm so thankful for Heavenly Father and for Jesus Christ, my sweet elder brother, my personal Savoir and my Redeemer. This is what I believe... They take care of me...leading me and guiding me, walking beside me, showing me, and helping me find the way. I always want to be right with them, I want to be like them, do as they would do. I
I KNOW they are REAL.... they created this beautiful earth for me and I love it and enjoy it everyday. I want to be with them again.. one sweet day.