LAST WEEK

Sherri at pettiskirtsandmudpies honored me with this award and I'm to pass it on after I tell you 7 interesting things about myself:

1. I've been skydiving twice.
2. I ride a motorcycle.
3. I scuba dive.
4. I was born in Hawaii.
5. I have a celebrity crush on Ewan McGregor
6. I enjoy taking classes and learning new things
7. I love to travel!

and now I get to pass this along to 15 blogs:

Ardith's Quest
And She Lived Happily...
Gumbo Ya Ya
M stands for...
Ivon
Mark & Katie
The Main Despains
Masquerade
Life With Derek
The Side Kick
The Kelly Family
Musings of a Modern Mormon Mom
5 Youngers
Between you, me and the lamppost
Family Fun

Rules for this Award: Thank the person who kindly passes this to you, and link your award back to them. List 7 things about yourself. Pass it on to 15 Beautiful Bloggers!

IT'S A GREAT DAY TO

to celebrate two birthdays..... Grandpa Joan is loving, caring, a fantastic grandpa and wonderful father, interesting and one of the kindest men you will ever meet.

Maddie is funny, SWEET, has a contagious laugh, kind, talented and so fun to be around.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!

THE BOOK OF LOVE

I'm liking this print from Katrin Schwulst - I think it's so sweet.
Too bad the bloke isn't bald....

LOVE DARE - DAY 30

Love brings unity.

The challenge for day 30 is to isolate one area of division in your marriage and look on today as a fresh opportunity to pray about it. Ask the Lord to reveal anything in your own heart that is threatening oneness with your spouse. Pray that He would do the same for them. And if appropriate, discuss this matter openly, seeking God for unity.

HELLO NURSE!

Have you tried Oroweat Multi-Grain Sandwich thins?
If you haven't, go get some today. They are delicious!!!

LOVE DARE - DAY 29

Love's motivation.

Those who are fine with mediocre marriages can leave their love to chance and hope for the best. But if you are committed to giving your spouse the best love you possibly can, you need to shoot for love's highest motivation.

Before you see your spouse again today, pray for them by name and for their needs. Whether it comes easy for you or not, say "I love you", then express love to them in some tangible way. Thank God in prayer for giving you the privilege of loving this one special person, unconditionally, the way He loves both of you.

I WAS A LITTLE INTIMIDATED

to enter Gallaghers to purchase a pair of running shoes since I'm not a "runner" - YET.
I didn't know if they would chuckle at me admitting I'm doing the couch to 5K but boy was I wrong, they are AMAZING at that store and I loved the whole experience from shoes to sports bra and being assured I will not lose my toe nails....
The shoes I've been wearing while walking have been hurting my right heel but now my feet are cushiony and oh so happy.
My first 5K will be in Utah on June 12 with my cousin Sherri, dad and sister and then I'll be doing Race for the Cure in September with my cousin Kim.
I'm excited!
The moral of the post is, if you need a pair of shoes, and you're local, go to Gallaghers - you'll be so glad you did!!

IT'S DAY FOUR

on the 6 week fitness challenge and I've found a snack that satisfies my cravings.....Pistachios! 1/4 cup for 170 calories and 6 grams of protein.
What is your favorite snack?

WHAT AN AMAZING NIGHT!

Did you see Lindsey Vonn and Shaun White?

I'M IN LOVE

with this manor bench....Love the tall back and wide planks....

LOVE DARE - DAY 28

Love makes sacrifices.

The words "how can I help you" need to stay fresh on your lips.

The challenge for day 28 is to think of one of the greatest needs in your spouse's life right now. Is there a need you could lift from their shoulders today by a daring act of sacrifice on your part? Whether the need is big or small, purpose to do what you can to meet the need.

I WANT A STEAM

cleaner....
Does anyone have a Haan?

I HAVE FOUR GREAT REASONS

to return to England, and one of these days I will.
When I do, I'd love to go diving in Cornwall with basking sharks.....
and then take my clothes and towels to stay here.....

via marvelous kiddo, shark photo via here

I THINK AN

indoor lemon tree would be lovely in my kitchen.....

LOVE DARE - DAY 27

Love encourages.

Choose to live by encouragement rather than by expectations.

The challenge for day 27 is to eliminate the poison of unrealistic expectations in your home. Think of one area where your spouse has told you you're expecting too much and tell them you're sorry for being so hard on them about it. Promise them you'll seek to understand, and assure them of your unconditional love.

LOVE DARE - DAY 26

Love is responsible.

Love doesn't make excuses. Love keeps working to make a difference.

The challenge for day 26 is to take time to pray through your areas of wrongdoing. Ask God for forgiveness then humble yourself enough to admit them to your spouse. Do it sincerely and truthfully. Ask your spouse for forgiveness as well. No matter how they respond, make sure you cover your responsibility in love. Even if they respond with criticism, accept it by receiving it as counsel.

PERCY JACKSON AND THE OLYMPIANS:

The Lightning Thief is SO good! For Family Night we took the boys (minus our wee 2 year old) to the theater and we all give it two thumbs up!
Now we want to read the books...

LOVE DARE - DAY 25

Love forgives.

Forgiveness doesn't absolve anyone of blame. It just clears you of having to worry about how to punish them. It's not about winning and losing anymore. It's about freedom. It's about letting go.

The challenge for day 25 is whatever you haven't forgiven in your mate, forgive it today. Let it go. Just as we ask Jesus to forgive us each day, we must ask him to help us forgive others each day as well. Unforgiveness has been keeping you in a prison too long. Say from your heart, "I choose to forgive."

14 DAYS OF LOVE - DAY 14

Our Valentine's celebration ended with a big family Sunday dinner.
We had a Chinese food potluck to celebrate Chinese New Year (with some oh, so killer delicious egg rolls Larry made) and hugs and kisses Valentine cupcakes to end the meal.
It was super loud in our humble abode but fun to be with family and to see Derek and Erica (they came home for the weekend) before they leave in the morning to go back to school....

We are absolutely stuffed and on sugar overload from our 14 day celebration and ready to start the 6 week fitness challenge that starts in the morning.

Hope your weekend was just as wonderful....

LOVE IS LIKE OXYGEN, LOVE

is a many splendored thing. Love lifts us up where we belong. All we need is love... Happy Valentine's Day....

LOVE DARE - DAY 24

Love vs lust.

Lust is in opposition to love. Lust always breeds more lust. Lust makes you dissatisfied with your spouse. It breeds anger, numbs hearts and destroys marriages. It is a misguided thirst for satisfaction.

The challenge for day 24 is to end it now. Identify every object of lust in your life and remove it. Single out every lie you've swallowed in pursuing forbidden pleasure and reject it. Lust cannot be allowed to live in a back bedroom. It must be killed and destroyed - today - and replaced with the sure promises of God and a heart filled with His perfect love.

14 DAYS OF LOVE - DAY 13

is a movie night after the boys go to bed - Breakfast at Tiffany's.....

HAVE YOU BEEN WATCHING

the Olympics?
We heart Apolo Ohno!!!

LOVE DARE - DAY 23

Love always protects.

Marriage has enemies out there. They come in different forms and use different strategies, but nonetheless they will conspire to destroy your relationship unless you ward them off. Harmful influences, unhealthy relationships, shame, addictions, etc...

The challenge for day 23 is to remove anything that is hindering your relationship, any addiction or influence that's stealing your affections and turning you heart away from your spouse.

LARRY AND I HAVEN'T

been bowling for ages!

It was super fun even though I just might be a really bad bowler.....

14 DAYS OF LOVE - DAY 12

A family 'CRUSH' party!

We had our little shindig catered (hee, hee), got sloshed on Crush....

And shared LOVE-ly things about one another.

I heart my family!!

FOR SKYWATCH FRIDAY

If you would like to participate in SkyWatch Friday, post a photo you have taken, click here and follow the easy instructions.

I'VE GOT OUR SUMMER ROAD TRIPS

on the brain and love these candy bags I know my man clan will love....
Click here for the tutorial from Made.
I've never sewn a zipper but this project looks easy!
Dana has genius ideas...

HAVE YOU SEEN

this google map envelope you can make?
So clever....

via unplggd

Click here for the envelope template....

LOVE DARE - DAY 22

Love is faithful.

Love is a choice, not a feeling. It is an initiated action, not a knee-jerk reaction. The challenge for day 22 is to choose to be committed to love even if your spouse has lost most of their interest in receiving it. Say to them today in words similar to these, "I love you. Period. I choose to love you even if you don't love me in return."

I THINK I SMILED THE

the whole two hours....
It's going to be a great season!!!
Are you watching this too?.....

14 DAYS OF LOVE - DAY 11

A homemade, warm, fresh from the oven, nutella pastry.... Nutella Pastry

2 1/2 cups flour
1 tsp salt
1 tsp sugar
2 sticks unsalted butter, cut into small pieces
1/3 cup plus 2 TBSP ice water
nutella
sugar, for sprinkling

Combine dry ingredients. Add butter and using fingers and fork combine until mixture looks like coarse crumbs. Drizzle ice water over mixture and combine until it begins to hold together.

Put dough on plastic wrap and cover well. Flatten into a disk and refrigerate at least an hour.

When ready, divide dough in half. Roll out to about 1/8 inch and cut into hearts. Place on cookie sheet and lightly brush edges with egg wash (1 egg yolk and 1 TBSP milk). Put 1 TBSP nutella on each heart and cover with another heart. Press around edges with fork or finger to seal.

Brush the tops with egg wash, sprinkle with sugar. Bake 400 degrees for 20 minutes.

I had a helper with this project and this is what he thought of the project and of course licking the nutella spoon.....

CARAMEL DUMPLINGS

I grew up with
this as a family
favorite.

We loved eating it
on cold winter days,

This recipe is handed
down from my Grandma Young.  I've made a few easy changes to make it vegan.

1/2 cup sugar, caramelized

To caramelize, pour in a large pot and stir constantly until it melts.

2 cups water
1/2 tsp salt
2 TBSP Earth Balance
1 cup sugar

Add hot water to caramelized sugar. It will solidify, so loosen from bottom of pan. Add salt, butter and sugar. Cover with a tight fitting lid and simmer while you prepare the dumplings.

2 TBSP softened Earth Balance (do NOT melt)
1/2 cup sugar
1 1/2 cup flour
1/2 tsp baking powder
1/2 cup coconut milk
1/2 tsp vanilla

Cream butter and sugar. Add baking powder and vanilla. Alternate adding flour and milk until well combined.
Add dumplings by large teaspoons to caramel mixture. Cover and simmer for 20 minutes.

Serve with coconut whipped cream or non dairy ice cream.

LOVE DARE - DAY 21

Love is satisfied in God.

The challenge for day 21 is to be intentional about making time to pray today and read your scriptures. As you do, immerse yourself in the love and promises God has for you. This will add to your growth as you walk with Him.

YAYA'S WAS AT MY HOUSE

tonight and it was kept simple with everyone bringing an appetizer and I brought the dessert - a family recipe....

We missed Brenda and Kathy and hopefully we'll all be together in March!

The night ended with full bellies, a huge smile on my face and cheeks sore from laughing.

My Yaya sisters ROCK...

14 DAYS OF LOVE - DAY 10

We watched A Charlie Brown Valentine....

I LOVE THE SMELL OF LEMONS, EATING

lemons,the color of lemons....
I got giddy when I saw these lemon candles....

via say yes to hoboken via mus

Want to make your own? Martha will show you how.
I'm in love with this DIY project!!

MY AWESOME COUSIN SHERRI

is putting together a 6 week fitness challenge starting Monday the 15th.
Want to do it with us?....

photo here

It will be an 'on your honor' point system that is reported on Mondays.
Total of 5 possible points a day, one point each for:

No sugar
3 servings of raw fruit or vegetables
30 minutes of continual exercise
No eating after 7pm
Drinking 8 - 8oz glasses of water

If you want to join in on Monday, click here to let Sherri know.
The more the merrier to make the next 6 weeks FUN!

LOVE DARE - DAY 20

Love is Jesus Christ.

Challenge for day 20 is to dare to take God at His word. Dare to trust Jesus Christ for salvation. Dare to pray, "...I'm a sinner. But you have shown Your love for me by dying to forgive my sins, and You have proven Your power to save me from death by Your resurrection. Lord, change my heart..."

You can see all your spouse's flaws and imperfections and still choose to love.

14 DAYS OF LOVE - DAY 9

We had originally wanted to have a family movie night tonight, but after the boys' wrestling match and dinner it was getting late, so the kids decided on a family American Idol night....
We just love spending time together!

FOR RUBY TUESDAY...

springtime tulips.... I took this photo last year at the Woodburn Tulip Festival.

If you would like to participate in Ruby Tuesday, post a picture you have taken with red, a little or a lot, it's up to you and then click here and follow the easy instructions.