March Madness

I have to admit, I am not following March Madness very closely this year...at least, not since Lehigh and Norfolk State ruined my brackets. Bah humbug!

So instead, I will sit and watch The Making of Jimmer, a DVD about the life of Jimmer Fredette. A first-round draft pick in 2011, Jimmer became a household name among BYU basketball fans during his career there. A Sports Illustrated writer once said of Jimmer, "Facing the opposition's best defender (or, more often, defenders), he pulls up going right or going left. He shoots off the dribble, off the wrong foot, off balance, off the glass. He finishes in traffic with a dozen deft moves, including a scoop shot, originating from his waist, that he can make with either hand."


Whew! Just reading that gives me Jimmer Mania all over again!!

Snowtober

Many of my friends and family in the northeast were recently affected by a crazy October snow storm. Hundreds of thousands of people remain without power - in very cold weather. Downed tree limbs have made travel difficult, if not impossible, for some. It could still be days before things get back to normal. I pray for their safety, and am thankful to be experiencing what remains of a beautiful fall.

However, these kinds of storms always give me pause. If we had been hit with a foot of snow, loss of power, and the inability to travel, would we be ready? Are our 72-hour kits stocked and ready to go? Do we have back-up sources of power and/or heat? Do we have supplies in case of an emergency? I would like to think so.

Every year, one of my favorite summer/fall activities is canning. Peaches, pears, applesauce, jams, jellies, vegetables, tomatoes, salsa...anything I can get my hands on!! I use one of these water bath canners for most items. For the applesauce and tomato sauce, I also have this strainer. These gadgets are priceless in my book, as they allow me to put up food for my family that would be there in time of need...and that we can enjoy all year long even when there is no emergency. I also buy bulk wheat and use this grinder to make my own flour. You know, just in case.

Are you ready for an emergency? Read what our leaders have said about food storage and emergency preparedness. You just never know when you're going to need it!

A Dream is a Wish Your Heart Makes

Watching Emma dress up as a princess lately, I've really had a hankering to take the kiddies to Disneyland. I know, I know...it's not nearly as "magical" when you're an adult who understands how much everything costs and has to deal with the whining and crying and has to carry at least one child for an entire day.

BUT

I remember how I felt the first time I entered the Magic Kingdom. I felt just like a princess! And I want Emma to have that same feeling. I want to watch her wide-eyed stare as she hugs Minnie Mouse. I want to watch her smile as we ride on It's a Small World. I want to buy her a ginormous lollipop that will take her weeks to eat. I want to have her name sewn into a pair of mouse ears that she can keep forever. I want her to experience the magic.

And to get in the mood, I have been listening to a new CD by Jenny Oaks Baker. She has remade some of the most beloved Disney classics into a collection you can fall in love with all over again.

Now if you don't mind, I think I will go put on a tiara and get ready for the royal ball.

Best. Dinner. Ever.

Dinnertime is usually a battle around here. Emma won't eat anything unless it has been coated in sugar or dipped in chocolate. Brigham spends most of the meal throwing things at the dog. And some days, I just don't have the energy to whip up something fancy.

But this recipe, my friends, has changed everything.

Let me introduce you to my new BFF - Baked Creamy Chicken Taquitos. They are little crunchy torpedoes of heaven on a plate. And they are easy-peasy. Emma ate TWO (and no, I did not add sugar or chocolate), Brigham happily munched, and Peter requested that this be given high priority on our menu planner.

Victory!!

In case you've been hiding under a rock, this recipe comes from the Our Best Bites cookbook. It was written by two witty, talented ladies - Sara Wells and Kate Jones. And it is a MUST-HAVE for every cook. No, seriously. If you don't have this, you are missing out. And with the holidays coming up, you will probably want to have this in your arsenal...

Jump, Jive, and Wail

So everyone here saw Vocal Point on the season premiere of The Sing-Off, right? Well, just in case you had a really good excuse for missing it (and by really good, I mean spontaneous-combustion-of-your-kitchen-sink good), here it is once again for your viewing and listening pleasure.

I have to say, my favorite part was when they changed the lyrics to "looking for a ginger-ale." Priceless.

These boys are talented, to say the least. And while almost annoyingly upbeat and enthusiastic, their songs are catchy and addictive. Trust me, Back in Blue is playing almost non-stop in my car these days (well, at least on the days it's not Nonstop). Check them out...and then cheer them on!

By the way, happy Conference! I hope you all enjoy the uplifting and inspiring messages during today's sessions.

Forget-Me-Nots

You Are Not Forgotten

As a child, when I would look at the little forget-me-nots, I sometimes felt a little like that flower—small and very insignificant. I wondered if I would be forgotten by my family or by my Heavenly Father.

Years later, I can look back on that young boy with tenderness and compassion. And I do know now I was never forgotten.

And I know something else. As an Apostle of our Master, Jesus Christ, I proclaim with all the certainty and conviction of my heart and soul—neither are you!

You are not forgotten.

Sisters, wherever you are, whatever the circumstances may be, you are not forgotten. No matter how dark your days may seem, no matter how insignificant you may feel, no matter how overshadowed you think you may be, your Heavenly Father has not forgotten you. In fact, He loves you, with an infinite love.

—President Dieter F. Uchtdorf

The General Relief Society Meeting last night was wonderful - filled with inspiring words from inspired leaders (if you missed it, go here for a few wonderful highlights). My personal favorite talk was the one above by President Uchtdorf. It is so easy to feel small, invisible, and unimportant. But he reminded us that we are all beautiful and precious to our Heavenly Father. We will all face trials and hardships - sickness, financial struggles, deaths, bad hair days - but our Father in Heaven knows us and remembers us. What a wonderful reminder!

To read more words of love and encouragement by President Uchtdorf, pick up a copy of his book The Remarkable Soul of a Woman. As women, we possess the power of creation and the ability to serve with compassion. President Uchtdorf teaches us how to develop these gifts and find joy in our roles as women.

Just a reminder: General Conference is next weekend!! What are you doing to prepare?