Perfect Peach Cobbler

For years I have been searching for the perfect peach cobbler recipe.  There have been so many failures......though the children don't mind eating those a bit.  Finally I have found the perfect recipe! No more searching and trying out new ones.  This is it for me.  So here it is.....

Peach Cobbler

Melt 1 stick of butter in a 9X13 pan in the preheated 350 degree oven. When melted add 1 lg can of peaches with thier syrup and put back in oven for it to heat. While it is getting hot mix:
1 cup sugar
1 cup flour
2 tsp. baking powder
1/2 tsp salt
1 cup milk
2 tsp. rum flavoring

Remove pan from oven and pour batter over top of peaches in a zig zag manner. Bake for 30-35 minutes or until golden brown on top.

You can make this recipe with any canned fruit.  If you like more fruit with your cobbler like we do, add the fruit of 1 more can only drain it first.  Tonight we mixed peaches and pineapple tidbits--YUM!!

Dear Knitting,

I joined a new online knitting group this week on http://www.ravelry.com/. It is a mystery knitting group. 

They gave me the type of yarn, needle size, gage and yardage and now I need to do a gage swatch to make sure it is the right size.  This is very important as I do not have any idea what I am making, only that it will take 220 yards of sport weight yarn. All of the projects for this group take 220 yards or less of yarn, so this fits in nicely with my portable knitting needs and will fit nicely in my purse.  Each week we are given clues to tell us what to knit--then we knit to that point and wait for the next clue.   I am using this as a stash buster solution to help work down some of my stash yarn.  I have to tell you, this is all very exciting to me, like living a mystery novel--I can't wait for the next clue!   Fun!!!!!

Always Remember......Memorial Day 2012

I have always lived in a country that has known basic freedoms--it is one of the greatest blessings of being an American.  From the time I was small I learned that these freedoms were not free, but bought and paid for by the men and women of the armed forces.  In my family many have served our country with honor and distinction--my grandfathers, Dad, uncles, aunt, brother-in-law and now my son-in-law.  This has bred in me a deep gratitude for the sacrifice of not only those who have served and are now serving, but for those who were left at home--grandmothers, Mom, aunts, my sister and my daughter.  They too sacrifice for our country, like many other men and women in our country, giving up time with their husbands, offering up a multitude of prayers for the safety of all those who wear the colors of our country and serve in the different military branches protecting our basic freedoms and rights in this country. 

On Memorial Day, many all over the country remember those who have served or who are now serving our country.  On this day these brave modern day heroes are honored and prayed for.  However I don't think that is enough.  How much is your freedom to worship or speak worth?  Just one day, maybe two each year?  What if our soldiers only fought just one or two days each year?  Just how long do you think we would have the freedoms we celebrate, and sometimes take for granted if those who protected us only worked as often as we remembered them. 

I believe that we should think of, remember and pray for these brave men and women each and every day!  I for one am extremely grateful for the sacrifice of our troops and their families.  They are paying the price for my freedom!  May our Heavenly Father bless you every minute of every day!  Remember!  Never forget!

Knitting--What else??

I love knitting--big surprise. I love the feel of the different yarns and theads as they move through my fingers.  I love the way I can take 2 sticks and some string and make useful objects for my family and friends to use in thier everyday life. I don't usually make big things, like afghans, and sweaters--mostly little common things like dish cloths, hats, scarves, and mittens--things that are useful and practical. I used to think it was because I wasn't a very good knitter...yet some of the patterns I have used and/or made up are quite complex and I teach many people to knit, as well as helping them fix their knitting problems, so I know I am an accomplished knitter. It gives me joy!


I was once asked a long time ago--If I were stranded on an island with only 1 skein of yarn, would I knit something I could use, or would I keep on frogging it (ripping it out) so I could keep on knitting? I thought this was a rather limited question--my answere? I would knit something useful, then start kniting the vines, grasses, and whatever lese I could find.

I was thinking of this when I finished the knitted knitting bag for projects that go in my purse. (Rachel hand dyed the lining to match and then put the lining in as well as using a lusette to make the cording)

Most of my knitting is done "on the go" or while waiting--waiting for class, doctors, children and football games (waiting for the band to play.) Since this is when I can knit the most, by its very nature the things I knit must be small, so as to fit in my purse. So my question is--do I knit small things because I knit on the go, or do I knit them because I am practical and want to make useful things?

What now........and then AMAZING!

This morning I did an overview of my Legal and Ethics in Heathcare classwork, took the final online and pushed submit.  All of a sudden, I was finished and didn't know what to do with myself.  For this entire school year, there has always been some sort of homework or text reading to do, and I must admit that I have been rather obsessed about the entire process as the classes have been more difficult and required a bit more of my brain than last year.  So it was 9:30 a.m. and my brain was in a haze of uncertainty, confused as to what I should do next.  I am taking the summer off to be with my children--who are amazingly supportive of my being in school--since they are now teens and will be leaving the nest much sooner than I would like to think.  This hazy, weird, disjointed feeling stayed with me all through the day, until it was time.....

For many weeks now, Jessica, Josh, and Daniel have been practicing almost every week for the Cultural Celebration for the dedication of our new Kansas City Temple.   They have danced until they couldn't even stay upright, and sang until their voices were practically gone....working hard to be able to perform for our beloved Prophet, Thomas S. Monson, who came to dedicate the temple tomorrow. 

Nothing could have prepared me for the amazing performance of 3000+ youth--singing, dancing all the while telling the history of our area.  So many emotions--laughing, crying, cheering joyfully as I watched the story unfold.  They sang about their differences, they danced and honored those who serve in the armed forces in this area, while in between there were small glimpses as many were interviewed on the screen.  One young man said that he would think it was the coolest thing in the world if President Monson would just wiggle his ears (and at the end, a prophet of God did just that because this young man asked.) 

I cried as those from the Joplin area told through song and dance of the devestation of the tornado last year and then of the hope that came from those who have and are now still helping them to rebuild.  Tears ran down my face during that part, and then again when 10,000+ people gave a standing ovation for over 5 minutes as the missionaries serving in the 2 missions covered in this temple district marched down the middle of the young women and young men that sang of preparing themselves while in their youth to serve the Lord. 

What started out as a day of feeling lost, ended with feeling blessed to be a part of this great event.  Of seeing my youngest 3 children, who all sacrificed sleep, homework, reduced hours at work, sore muscles and more put it all out there, doing their best for a prophet of God. 

Yet even now as I think of it, I know that in just 9 short hours, I will feel the spirit of our Heavenly Father even stronger as I watch our Prophet, dedicate our new temple.  A temple that is only 50 minutes from my home--so close.  What an amazing blessing!! I will always remember this 36 hours as a time I felt lost and the Spirit of God found me, gently reminding me that He is there for me always.

It is a new thing

Having just finished the 2nd week of this new semester, I thought I would put down some thoughts.

Still not a real fan of coding, however it is getting easier and I am getting better at it.

The Legal and Ethic of Healthcare is an interesting class, I think I am going to enjoy it this semester.

Geography--learning about places is really cool, remembering country names and thier spelling, and being able to put them on a blank map, not so cool.

Astronomy is my favorite class this semester.  How cool is it that I get to learn through something called an astroportal--just the name is fun for my scifi-loving mind.  Learning about the stars--too fun.

This semester I decided to knock off a couple of GenEds.  It has put me in with people I don't know (since I first went back to school, I have been going along in a program with pretty much the same people) and has been a bit unsettling, however it has been a fantastic opportunity to meet new people (a bit scary too).  This past Friday, when I was getting in the elevator first thing in the morning, two maintenance men got in, turning asked who was having a crummy day.  I stated that it was going to be a great day as it was Friday.  I then started to sing our family's Friday song--not the one that is popular, but the one we have been singing for almost 20 years.  They loved it and so I taught it to them.  Funny thing was that when I was in another building much later in the day, I passed by another maintenance man, and over his walkie talkie, I heard someone singing the Friday song to him.  It made me smile.

Merry Christmas World!

Today we honor the birth of our Savior, Jesus Christ.  By following Him, we can return  live with Him and our Heavenly Father once again.  This is indeed a great thing to celebrate.  Thank you Jesus for your great sacrifice. 

By following the teachings of Jesus Christ we can know joy while here on Earth.  Merry Christmas World!!