Not sure why, but lately this Dilly Dip has been one of my favorites. Give it a try and let me know what you think. This is perfect for chips or to dip raw veggies. This will be a great New Year's food.
Dilly Dip
1 part mayo (about 3/4 c)
1 part sour cream or plain yogurt (about 3/4 c)
1 tablespoon of dried dill weed
about 1 tsp of dried onion flakes or you can use fresh
a shake or 2 of Mrs. Dash garlic and herb seasoning (or one you have on hand)
a shake or 2 of celery salt
You can alter the amounts to your liking. I don't ever measure, just throw stuff in.
Mix it all together and chill. This is best when mixed ahead of time to let the flavors soak in, but can be done right before serving as well.
YUM!
Monday, December 30, 2013
Sunday, December 15, 2013
It's a sand storm....In Ferron?
A few weeks ago Kevin was set apart as the ward mission leader. As we were leaving the bishop's office the 1st counselor said, "Oh, and we would like your family to talk in sacrament meeting on the 15th about missionary work." I just gave a talk in June so this opportunity didn't sound even fun to me. Like I said, I've been in a bit of a spiritual slump lately. I'm thinking this is the exact reason these opportunities keep coming. Heavenly Father certainly must have a sense of humor. We all talked and made it through and got a lot of compliments. I hope that they did feel the Spirit. I did. I had Kevin help Heston with his talk. He just told what a missionary should look like and had Heston point to his short hair, his white shirt and his tie and at the end he said "I want to be a missionary some day." I wrote a talk for Stetson about things he can do to prepare to be a missionary like reading scriptures, praying, inviting friends to church and learning to work hard, etc." Austin read a couple stories, one was about 3 boys on a basketball team who were an example to their coach and he got baptized because of their example. The other story was I'll find you my friend. Austin even felt the spirit today and started the tears. So when I was next in line my whole talk was through tears. It is rather embarrassing, but I think I got my point across. I talked about the ways we can be member missionaries without a full time call to serve. I was able to tell about one of my dad's baptism's in Germany, Rick Bradford. He was baptized by my dad after having received dozens of missionary lessons. He and my dad clicked. After he came back to the US he made bad choices and fell away from the church. His children were not active in church as a result of his falling away, even though Shirly, his wife, was active. His bad decisions led to an early death, but recently his ex-wife had an experience where she was told by someone that Rick was ready for his temple work to be done and that their son Brett should get it ready. Brett went to the bishop to get access to Family Search online. Not long ago Brett called my dad and said he was getting ready to go to the temple in July and asked my dad to go with him.
I also told about my parents going to Arizona and meeting Heidi Shaw in a clothing store. She offered them coffee and cookies and when they said they were LDS and didn't drink coffee my dad felt he should bear his testimony of Joseph Smith and the Book of Mormon. He asked if she'd like to know more and she did. She had moved from Omaha to Arizona as she felt she should but didn't know why. She took missionary discussions and my dad went back to AZ and baptized her and mom talked at her baptism.
Kevin also gave a good talk about Samuel Smith being the first missionary and how the missionary force has grown since then. He also read the story called The Measure of a Man which was about a guy flying from Florida to Utah and how he saw one missionary who was heading to MTC all polished and in new clothes. Then he saw across the isle a tired missionary who had worked hard and had a suit that had a few holes that had been hand stitched, his shoes were worn out from the miles of walking and his hands had scrapes and scars from knocking doors and how that missionary's service and countenance resembled that of our Savior.
Now, you are wondering what I mean in the title...a sand storm. Let me explain. Thursday night we went to Annabella to the city council Christmas party honoring Kevin's dad as the outgoing mayor after 12 years. He had asked Austin to play a couple songs on his guitar. For some reason that night Austin was really nervous. I think because Kevin had asked him to say a few words about how Grandpa had supported him with him learning guitar, but he was unable to because he was so emotional. He was almost in tears through the 2 songs and did cry when he finished. On our way home that night he said, "I wasn't crying, I had sand in my eyes." So today when I was talking he leaned over to Kevin and said, "Mom has sand in her eyes." Kevin during his talk told about this sand storm and how we all have lots of sand in our eyes. It was kind of funny.
So, on a good note, we made it through the talks and hopefully I'm good to go for quite a while. I always do learn something when I speak, which is the reason and I love the Spirit I felt today which is just what I needed.
I also told about my parents going to Arizona and meeting Heidi Shaw in a clothing store. She offered them coffee and cookies and when they said they were LDS and didn't drink coffee my dad felt he should bear his testimony of Joseph Smith and the Book of Mormon. He asked if she'd like to know more and she did. She had moved from Omaha to Arizona as she felt she should but didn't know why. She took missionary discussions and my dad went back to AZ and baptized her and mom talked at her baptism.
Kevin also gave a good talk about Samuel Smith being the first missionary and how the missionary force has grown since then. He also read the story called The Measure of a Man which was about a guy flying from Florida to Utah and how he saw one missionary who was heading to MTC all polished and in new clothes. Then he saw across the isle a tired missionary who had worked hard and had a suit that had a few holes that had been hand stitched, his shoes were worn out from the miles of walking and his hands had scrapes and scars from knocking doors and how that missionary's service and countenance resembled that of our Savior.
Now, you are wondering what I mean in the title...a sand storm. Let me explain. Thursday night we went to Annabella to the city council Christmas party honoring Kevin's dad as the outgoing mayor after 12 years. He had asked Austin to play a couple songs on his guitar. For some reason that night Austin was really nervous. I think because Kevin had asked him to say a few words about how Grandpa had supported him with him learning guitar, but he was unable to because he was so emotional. He was almost in tears through the 2 songs and did cry when he finished. On our way home that night he said, "I wasn't crying, I had sand in my eyes." So today when I was talking he leaned over to Kevin and said, "Mom has sand in her eyes." Kevin during his talk told about this sand storm and how we all have lots of sand in our eyes. It was kind of funny.
So, on a good note, we made it through the talks and hopefully I'm good to go for quite a while. I always do learn something when I speak, which is the reason and I love the Spirit I felt today which is just what I needed.
Monday, December 9, 2013
A little disturbed and a lot of comfort
So my last post was about mice right? In this last week I have now found or seen 4 mice. I'm so grossed out. I think last night's experience tops all. I was up to my eyebrows (almost literally) in dishes after baking cookies yesterday. I started unloading the dishwasher and got a stack of plates, looked down and noticed a dead mouse in the bottom of my dishwasher. I am still shuddering at the sight. Kevin and Austin were doing some visits for church and Stetson and Heston were in the bathtub. I yelled at Stetson to put a towel on and come in the kitchen. Then being the nice son he is, he got a grocery sack on his hand and grabbed the mouse out for me. I think this is really why I was blessed with 3 boys. They get rid of any and all critters that invade our home.
I have poison and sticky traps set up, but if anyone has any good anti-mouse ideas (besides an indoor cat), I'd love to hear them. We have a cat that is wild who lives outside. We feed her so she will stick around and she just had 2 babies, but apparently she isn't cutting it.
I had to teach a Relief Society lesson in church yesterday. Like I explained before, I am in a bit of a spiritual slump. I read and prepared the lesson and prayed really hard to have the spirit with me and that the ladies I was teaching would feel the spirit because I just wasn't feeling it. Sunday morning Kevin has early meetings and Austin had to go with the Young Men to scrape snow. I was getting myself ready and trying to wake the sleeping zombies (aka Stetson and Heston).
Now, let me give you a little history. Heston is the baby and has become quite the momma's boy. However, he would go to nursery and play with toys and for the first half of this year loved going to Primary. He has a wonderful teacher who he adores. He even points her out of the crowd. Then came time for the Primary program and there was a 180. He wouldn't stay to practice. He threw fits about going to Primary and even church. No amount of bribery was getting him. I have to think my friend was right when she said the spirits coming to us now have to be more stubborn to be able to deal with the adversary. I can surely see the stubborn, so I keep hoping and praying that is the reason. Anyway, each week is a struggle to get him to go to primary. For the last 3 or 4 weeks I have left Heston in the primary class crying and screaming and shut the door behind me. He apparently sweetens up and gets over it because she has never come and got me and he is always smiling and happy to have his cute handouts and coloring sheets after church is over.
Kevin being the great ward mission leader he is, sees a new guy in church and goes to sit by him, leaving me with 3 boys. After 15 minutes the notebooks and few toys I let Heston bring are not satisfactory any more. Stetson is begging for a treat. This was partly my fault. I let them bring fruit by the foot rather than fruit snacks. Didn't think how distracting it would be until I got there and he asked for it. I'm sure nobody would have cared if they were eating it, but I stuck to my guns. We had quite the fit throwing and tantrums from both younger kids over no snacks and no playing of the Kindle. So, you can tell what kind of a mood I was in after sacrament meeting.
However, this story does have a good ending. I had 2 or 3 people tell me how cute my kids are and that they'd like to steal them because they are so entertaining (wish they would have during sacrament meeting). Kevin gave Sunday School and Elder's quorum lessons and I gave the Relief Society lesson. It turned out pretty well I thought. Heavenly Father does answer prayers. I had good participation and the Spirit was there in abundance. I was reminded once again about my testimony of Joseph Smith. Now we get to prepare to talk in Sacrament meeting on Sunday as a family. Sigh.
I have poison and sticky traps set up, but if anyone has any good anti-mouse ideas (besides an indoor cat), I'd love to hear them. We have a cat that is wild who lives outside. We feed her so she will stick around and she just had 2 babies, but apparently she isn't cutting it.
I had to teach a Relief Society lesson in church yesterday. Like I explained before, I am in a bit of a spiritual slump. I read and prepared the lesson and prayed really hard to have the spirit with me and that the ladies I was teaching would feel the spirit because I just wasn't feeling it. Sunday morning Kevin has early meetings and Austin had to go with the Young Men to scrape snow. I was getting myself ready and trying to wake the sleeping zombies (aka Stetson and Heston).
Now, let me give you a little history. Heston is the baby and has become quite the momma's boy. However, he would go to nursery and play with toys and for the first half of this year loved going to Primary. He has a wonderful teacher who he adores. He even points her out of the crowd. Then came time for the Primary program and there was a 180. He wouldn't stay to practice. He threw fits about going to Primary and even church. No amount of bribery was getting him. I have to think my friend was right when she said the spirits coming to us now have to be more stubborn to be able to deal with the adversary. I can surely see the stubborn, so I keep hoping and praying that is the reason. Anyway, each week is a struggle to get him to go to primary. For the last 3 or 4 weeks I have left Heston in the primary class crying and screaming and shut the door behind me. He apparently sweetens up and gets over it because she has never come and got me and he is always smiling and happy to have his cute handouts and coloring sheets after church is over.
Kevin being the great ward mission leader he is, sees a new guy in church and goes to sit by him, leaving me with 3 boys. After 15 minutes the notebooks and few toys I let Heston bring are not satisfactory any more. Stetson is begging for a treat. This was partly my fault. I let them bring fruit by the foot rather than fruit snacks. Didn't think how distracting it would be until I got there and he asked for it. I'm sure nobody would have cared if they were eating it, but I stuck to my guns. We had quite the fit throwing and tantrums from both younger kids over no snacks and no playing of the Kindle. So, you can tell what kind of a mood I was in after sacrament meeting.
However, this story does have a good ending. I had 2 or 3 people tell me how cute my kids are and that they'd like to steal them because they are so entertaining (wish they would have during sacrament meeting). Kevin gave Sunday School and Elder's quorum lessons and I gave the Relief Society lesson. It turned out pretty well I thought. Heavenly Father does answer prayers. I had good participation and the Spirit was there in abundance. I was reminded once again about my testimony of Joseph Smith. Now we get to prepare to talk in Sacrament meeting on Sunday as a family. Sigh.
Tuesday, December 3, 2013
The only creature stirring was a mouse in my house
It's currently 10:15 p.m. and my eyes are getting heavier by the minute. H is still going strong talking a million words a minute. As I sit here in my Lazy-Boy watching Hallmark movies and working on my digital scrapbook, out of the corner of my eye I see a blur of fur, yep, a mouse. It ran into the corner and I could hear it making noise. Then minutes later I see it up on the fireplace mantle with a Kleenex the size of its body. I told H to hold still and watch. He gets up on the chair and we watch. She sticks her nose out and back in making sure the coast is clear. She comes out and tries to take the Kleenex up through one of the rocks in the fireplace (one of the cracks I have stuffed with steel wool). The Kleenex is too big and she stops and rolls it into a smaller ball and takes it right up the hole. H goes on and on about seeing the mouse and how he wishes A and S were awake to kill it and then he goes to wake Kevin to tell him. He goes quiet for a brief minute and then comes up to me and says, "Mom, I know why the mouse took a tissue. It's baby needed to go potty." I giggled. Of course, she had to wipe a baby...or make a nest for 13 more. Let's hope she also finds the poison bar I have hidden for her lunch.
Sunday, December 1, 2013
Testimony
I have to admit that lately I feel like I'm in a spiritual rut. Let's just say that I could go a little further in my efforts even when it comes to prayer, scriptures and having a desire to even go to church. I have been reading scriptures in the mornings, but not really studying. Today as I sent Kevin out the door to his early morning PEC meeting I said come back and get us or we might just not go to church. I was only half teasing. So, church today was just what I needed.
We have been trying to teach the kids about fasting. In the early Spring when Austin was ordained a deacon we told him he was old enough now that he should fast. Kevin taught him all about starting and ending with a prayer and how to pray for something. He prayed for rain and that very day when we got out of church it was raining. Perfect teaching moments that day.
The last few months since Stetson got baptized he kind of took hold on the fasting thing himself. We have a cute family in our ward who I admire a lot. They are our friends and their kids have always bore testimonies. You can tell they were taught at home and prepared. They have been examples to my kids. Austin did bear his testimony this summer which really surprised me. He is so shy (that is the one trait he got from me). Anyway, last month Stetson leaned over in fast and testimony meeting and said he wanted to go up. I was very hesitant and said we need to talk about it at home again but told him a few things he could possibly say. Then he started talking to Kevin. Next thing I knew he was headed up to bear his testimony. He was very sincere when he said "I want to bear my testimony. I know President Monson is a good guy. I know he is a good guy. I love my family." and he ended it. Obviously he felt the spirit some. This morning he didn't even talk to us. I could tell he was getting antsy though. He stood up and sat down a few times watching people. Then he went for it. Again, I was nervous (not the reaction I should have). He again said he knew President Monson was a good guy but also said, "I know what Troy said is true, we shouldn't fight with Satan." Troy had mentioned how Bishop had told his family that you shouldn't get in a boxing match with Satan because if you get in the ring he will beat you down until he wins. So Stetson was reiterating what Troy had said. I was glad to know that at some point he was paying attention. I guess these are one of the "paybacks" that Bishop Bennett had talked about.
In Relief Society Stephanie Roper gave an awesome lesson about testimony. She talked about a girl, Laney, she taught in 6th grade who later moved away. Two years ago this girl died at the age of 20 while hiking with her boyfriend. A short time before her death she had written her testimony in her journal and it was shared with the hundreds that came to her viewing and also the 1100 who came to her funeral. What a way to share a testimony. I try to live how I believe, but when it comes to Facebook or sharing with inactive or nonmembers...not my strong point. I shouldn't care if I'm not the most articulate person or if I cry my eyes out in Sacrament meeting sharing it. What is important is that I follow the promptings of the spirit and share it.
Here is what her testimony said.
"The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints is true. That's all there is to it. It is true. No doubt about it. Pray. Read your scriptures. GO TO CHURCH. It may seem like the Primary thing to say, but aren't we supposed to be like unto a child? For real! If it is right, do it. If it isn't right, don't. It's as simple as that. Take advantage of the fact that your Heavenly Father is ETERNALLY there for you. Pray to him in all times. GO TO THE TEMPLE!!! Always, always, strive to be worthy to enter the temple! Keep that your goal!! SHARE THE GOSPEL! Share it with everyone you know! Don't go to heaven and have your friend, neighbor, co-worker or anyone say 'You knew the truth all along, why didn't you tell me about it?' SHARE THE GOSPEL. Go on a mission. They are for EVERYONE!!! Go. I promise you wont' regret it. Taking the gospel to people around the world is no sacrifice! It is a privilege. Treat it as such. Read the Book of Mormon, over and over and over again. Never stop reading it. Gain a testimony and share it often! You never know who you could help. DO NOT SETTLE!! You are a son or daughter of God. Not of just anyone, of GOD!! Humbly and without pride, act that way. You deserve more than the beset and don't let anyone tell you differently. LEARN FROM MY MISTAKES! Don't ever make the same ones I did. CTR, always. Love EVERYONE! Even that 'weird' kid next door. Because everyone is weird. We all are! High school only matters in one respect, class. Go. Don't skip. Work, hard and be a valedictorian. I wish I would've! High school is nowhere near the best time of your life. Not even close. It's definitely necessary. But life after is so much better. Forgive others. Forgive yourself. And treat everyone with respect; NO MATTER WHAT!
CTR
Signing off,
Laney Lynn Peacock
2011
20 years old
Happy as can be :)"
Amazing. I can just say Amen. I'm going to try harder. The part I liked best was about sharing the gospel, not letting your neighbor or friend get to Heaven and wonder why you didn't share the truth if you had it all along.
Lots to think about and put into action.
We have been trying to teach the kids about fasting. In the early Spring when Austin was ordained a deacon we told him he was old enough now that he should fast. Kevin taught him all about starting and ending with a prayer and how to pray for something. He prayed for rain and that very day when we got out of church it was raining. Perfect teaching moments that day.
The last few months since Stetson got baptized he kind of took hold on the fasting thing himself. We have a cute family in our ward who I admire a lot. They are our friends and their kids have always bore testimonies. You can tell they were taught at home and prepared. They have been examples to my kids. Austin did bear his testimony this summer which really surprised me. He is so shy (that is the one trait he got from me). Anyway, last month Stetson leaned over in fast and testimony meeting and said he wanted to go up. I was very hesitant and said we need to talk about it at home again but told him a few things he could possibly say. Then he started talking to Kevin. Next thing I knew he was headed up to bear his testimony. He was very sincere when he said "I want to bear my testimony. I know President Monson is a good guy. I know he is a good guy. I love my family." and he ended it. Obviously he felt the spirit some. This morning he didn't even talk to us. I could tell he was getting antsy though. He stood up and sat down a few times watching people. Then he went for it. Again, I was nervous (not the reaction I should have). He again said he knew President Monson was a good guy but also said, "I know what Troy said is true, we shouldn't fight with Satan." Troy had mentioned how Bishop had told his family that you shouldn't get in a boxing match with Satan because if you get in the ring he will beat you down until he wins. So Stetson was reiterating what Troy had said. I was glad to know that at some point he was paying attention. I guess these are one of the "paybacks" that Bishop Bennett had talked about.
In Relief Society Stephanie Roper gave an awesome lesson about testimony. She talked about a girl, Laney, she taught in 6th grade who later moved away. Two years ago this girl died at the age of 20 while hiking with her boyfriend. A short time before her death she had written her testimony in her journal and it was shared with the hundreds that came to her viewing and also the 1100 who came to her funeral. What a way to share a testimony. I try to live how I believe, but when it comes to Facebook or sharing with inactive or nonmembers...not my strong point. I shouldn't care if I'm not the most articulate person or if I cry my eyes out in Sacrament meeting sharing it. What is important is that I follow the promptings of the spirit and share it.
Here is what her testimony said.
"The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints is true. That's all there is to it. It is true. No doubt about it. Pray. Read your scriptures. GO TO CHURCH. It may seem like the Primary thing to say, but aren't we supposed to be like unto a child? For real! If it is right, do it. If it isn't right, don't. It's as simple as that. Take advantage of the fact that your Heavenly Father is ETERNALLY there for you. Pray to him in all times. GO TO THE TEMPLE!!! Always, always, strive to be worthy to enter the temple! Keep that your goal!! SHARE THE GOSPEL! Share it with everyone you know! Don't go to heaven and have your friend, neighbor, co-worker or anyone say 'You knew the truth all along, why didn't you tell me about it?' SHARE THE GOSPEL. Go on a mission. They are for EVERYONE!!! Go. I promise you wont' regret it. Taking the gospel to people around the world is no sacrifice! It is a privilege. Treat it as such. Read the Book of Mormon, over and over and over again. Never stop reading it. Gain a testimony and share it often! You never know who you could help. DO NOT SETTLE!! You are a son or daughter of God. Not of just anyone, of GOD!! Humbly and without pride, act that way. You deserve more than the beset and don't let anyone tell you differently. LEARN FROM MY MISTAKES! Don't ever make the same ones I did. CTR, always. Love EVERYONE! Even that 'weird' kid next door. Because everyone is weird. We all are! High school only matters in one respect, class. Go. Don't skip. Work, hard and be a valedictorian. I wish I would've! High school is nowhere near the best time of your life. Not even close. It's definitely necessary. But life after is so much better. Forgive others. Forgive yourself. And treat everyone with respect; NO MATTER WHAT!
CTR
Signing off,
Laney Lynn Peacock
2011
20 years old
Happy as can be :)"
Amazing. I can just say Amen. I'm going to try harder. The part I liked best was about sharing the gospel, not letting your neighbor or friend get to Heaven and wonder why you didn't share the truth if you had it all along.
Lots to think about and put into action.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)