Out with the Old

I love everything about Christmas,

 the food, the decorations, the family time, the charitable attitudes, the focus on Christ..... 

but I also LOVE reclaiming my home from the chaos and the clutter and the mess

This year especially, it feels good to be out with the old and in with the new.... 

With our new adventure just days away, 

it feels like so many parts of our life are getting a fresh start.

The past 14 months have been a crazy time for us since Wayne lost his job.

But we have been so blessed 

with many small miracles along this journey.

I think the biggest miracle of all has been

that I am keenly aware that I have a Father in Heaven

who is absolutely aware of me 

and of my needs and my secret desires.

I can't begin to name the small tender mercies that I have experienced 

the past 14 months that have proven this to me over and over again.

A quick recap of our year.....

T gave us a new grandson  in January.

E got married in March to an amazing man.

If we believed in arranged marriages, 

I doubt I could have picked someone so perfect for her!!

(... and she got some pretty spectacular in-laws as part of the package!)

Wayne started training to become a State Farm agent in April

...and graduated from that training in November...

So proud of him for all his hard work!!!

I got to quit my job at the pool & spa company in August

and got all my licensing to be able to work with him in our new business.

S started her Senior year of high school in September

(can't believe that come next fall... only my baby will still be in school)

In November,I got to take a week long road trip to Bear Lake 

to see my momma and spend some time with friends that I haven't seen for a while.

(Thanks for crashing your wheeler mom, 

so I would have an excuse to come spend some time with you!!!)

In December we started construction on the new office and that is almost wrapped up.

Most of the office is set up and ready to rock and roll

come January 2nd.

I have some awesome friends

 that have played an important part of my journey this past year 

and I know for a fact that God has a plan for our lives 

and that if we can humble ourselves to the point of turning our lives

over to HIM...

that He has great things in store for us...

 He has directed us to be in the right place at the right time

to reap some amazing blessings 

and to reconnect with friends that surely we knew in the pre-existence!

I sometimes have to pinch myself to believe that 

life is so good to us.

So here's to bigger and better things in the coming year!

May you all be blessed and comforted

and may we all remember what's truly important in our lives!

On the First Day of Christmas....

A few years ago I was in charge of the Christmas program at church....

and they wanted the program to be humorous...

They came to the right person...LOL!

I tried to get out of it since my son was getting married the week before Christmas 

and I had FIVE parties I had to attend in addition to the bridal shower 

AND the wedding 

AND the reception...

(It's a good thing I was the mother of the groom and NOT the mother of the bride!!)

So my overwhelmed mind came up with this.... 

mostly out of necessity to keep track of all I had to do to get through the month!!!

If you are an LDS mom, you will relate!!!

On the first day of Christmas, my calendar reminded me:

Don’t forget visiting teaching.

One the second day of Christmas my calendar reminded me:

To feed the missionaries

And don’t forget your visiting teaching

On the third day of Christmas, my calendar reminded me:

3 quilts to tie

To feed the missionaries

And don’t forget your visiting teaching

On the fourth day of Christmas, my calendar reminded me:

4 Jello Salads

3 quilts to tie

To feed the missionaries

And don’t forget your visiting teaching

On the fifth day of Christmas my calendar reminded me:

5 casseroles      

4 jello salads

3 quilts to tie

To feed the missionaries

And don’t forget your visiting teaching

On the sixth day of Christmas my calendar reminded me:

6 crafts to finish

5 casseroles

4 jello salads

3 quilts to tie

To feed the missionaries

And don’t forget your visiting teaching

On the seventh day of Christmas during sacrament meeting:

7 kids were crying

6 crafts to finish

5 casseroles

4 jello salads

3 quilts to tie

To feed the missionaries

And don’t forget your visiting teaching

On the eighth day of Christmas, my calendar reminded me:

8 lights are tangled

7 kids are crying

6 crafts to finish

5 casseroles

4 jello salads

3 quilts to tie

To feed the missionaries

And don’t forget your visiting teaching

 On the ninth day of Christmas, my calendar reminded me:

9 pies are baking

8 lights all tangled

7 kids are crying

6 crafts to finish

5 casseroles

4 jello salads

3 quilts to tie

To feed the missionaries

And don’t forget your visiting teaching

On the tenth day of Christmas, my husband needs to help:

One of Ten families moving

9 pies are baking

8 lights all tangled

7 kids are crying

6 crafts to finish

5 casseroles

4 jello salads

3 quilts to tie

To feed the missionaries

And don’t forget your visiting teaching

On the eleventh day of Christmas, my calendar reminded me:

11 gifts to wrap

10 families moving

9 pies are baking

8 lights are tangled

7 kids are crying

6 crafts to finish

5 casseroles

4 jello salads

3 quilts to tie

To feed the missionaries

And don’t forget your visiting teaching

On the twelvth day of Christmas my calendar reminded me:

12 dozen cookies     

11 gifts to wrap      

10 families moving      

      9 pies are baking              

8 lights are tangled     

7 kids are crying        

                       6 crafts to finish                                

                        5 casseroles                                 

              4 jello salads                     

                   3 quilts to tie                         

To feed the missionaries            

Oh ya…and don’t forget the wedding!     

Homemade Creamed Fudge

AFTER I made the fudge this year, I realized that I should have taken pictures of each stage so you can see what it does and what it looks like....

For now, you will just have to figure that out by trial and error....
This takes some time and you can't rush the steps, especially the creaming part.
If you have questions, you can message me or leave a comment and I will do my best to answer them.

I have to actually give credit for this recipe to Mike Howell.... 

He taught me to make it many years ago and it has become part of our Christmas traditions ever since.
 Most years, I end up making it more than once because it disappears so quickly...

A word of warning though... once your family has experienced it,
 you will be FOREVER stuck making it this way.
You won't be able to go back to the marshmallow fudge or other

 "cook and pour into a pyrex pan" recipes!!!

I tried making a new recipe this year using candy bars and sweetened condensed milk.... 

I ended up with a mutiny over it....

BASIC CREAMED FUDGE

4 cups sugar

2 Tbsp white Karo

1cup cream or evaporated milk (cream is preferred)

¼ cup water

6 Tbsp butter (not margarine)

6 Tbsp cocoa

1 tsp vanilla

1 cup chopped nuts

Combine first six ingredients in a heavy bottomed 3 quart pan. Heat over medium heat, stirring constantly with a wooden paddle, until all ingredients are well blended. Continue stirring until it comes to a full boil. Wash down sides of the pan with hot water on a small pastry brush. Continue boiling until it reaches 240® on the candy thermometer, stirring occasionally. Remove from heat and place the pan in a sink of ice water. Leave it alone until it is fully cooled (about room temperature). Place the pan briefly in a sink of hot water to loosen the candy from the pan. Then carefully remove the candy to a heavy duty mixer. (Kitchen-Aid or Bosch) **CAUTION** This process works the mixer hard and a mixer that is not a very heavy duty type may not do the job or may burn up.

Allow it to mix at low speed until it starts to cream – it will lighten and change consistency. (As an alternate to creaming in a mixer, if you have a marble slab, you can pour the hot candy directly from the stove to the prepared moist slab. Allow it to cool and then cream it by hand with a wooden or heavy paddle). Then, add the flavoring and nuts if desired. Remove the candy from the mixing bowl and place on clear plastic wrap. Wrap up the candy and knead it until it is well blended and the shape you want. After it is shaped make sure it is completely wrapped in the plastic. Allow it to cool overnight. All of the heat does not leave the batch until it is allowed to rest. That is what makes it really creamy. It will then keep at room temperature in the plastic wrap – probably longer than you can keep it around.

Alternate versions:

For white fudge, omit the cocoa. Otherwise follow the recipe. This is good alone or as the center for dipped chocolates using different flavors instead of vanilla – mint for mint crèmes, maple for maple crèmes, orange, etc. I usually mix the flavors and leave the candy in a kneaded mound, wrapped in plastic, overnight and then shape the balls and freeze them for dipping the next day or later.

For Penuche, substitute one or two cups of brown sugar for the same amount of white sugar and omit the cocoa. Otherwise follow the above recipe. It is good alone or at the center of pecan logs.

***HINTS***

The white fudge and penuche tend to be a little softer and keep well in the refrigerator, beginning the day after it has cooled naturally. If you find you have overcooked or undercooked the fudge and it is the wrong consistency or doesn’t cream right, or heaven forbid it sugars, just add some water and re-cook it and start over with the cooling and creaming process – provided you haven’t added nuts. In your final batch, experiment with additions, marshmallows & nuts for rocky road, raisins in chocolate, cashews are delicious in white fudge, pecans in penuche, etc.

Thankful

I am going to attempt to do the month of thanks this year...

Here goes!

Day 1

I am thankful that i don't have a job so that i could come visit my momma without having to ask permission from a boss (and yes, I did ask Mr. Gunn first)

Day 2 &3

Since i am a couple of days behind, today, I am also thankful for a cozy fire to snuggle up next to and most importantly for those who continue praying for people like my brother who are still without power back east!

Day 4

Today i'm thankful for family.... a brother that lets me spend the night with only a few hours notice, a brother that sends me thought provoking emails at just the right time, a brother that takes care of my momma when i cant be here, and for their amazing wives who have become my sisters.... and for a second dad (not many girls get to have two amazing daddys!) ?..and for two more brothers that showed up in my life....And of course for my momma .... I just cant put into words how i feel about her!

Day 5

Today i am thankful for all the people who have worked hard to restore power

 to the people that were affected by hurricane Sandy.

Day 6

Today I am thankful to live in a free country, where we have the privililege to vote for our lesders and shape our own future. Please use that freedom wisely!!! And ESPECIALLY today....may God bless America!

Day 7

Ahhhh.... there's NO place like home!!!! Today I am thankful for an amazing hubs (Wayne Gunn)who understood my need to take a week long road trip with only five minutes notice. Watching TV last night as, I was angry and afraid, I realized how much I love him and have come to depend on him.... Thanks for taking such good care of me babe!

Day 8

Today, I woke up with a sore throat (which convinces me that I really AM getting sick and the scratch that I felt yesterday was not just from pretending to be Adele for 8 hours yesterday in the car).... so today I am thankful that I can stay home in my pajamas and sip warm beverages 

and do my online training and GET PAID for that!
Day 9
Today I am thankful that I have been taught to pray and for the peace and comfort that brings to my life!
Day 10
Today I'm thankful for medication and how it helps me feel like a "normal" person!
Day 11

Today I am thankful for a dad who served this country in the Army and taught me to be patriotic and also for all of the men and women who continue to serve our country and protect my freedoms!

Day 12

As I have been trying to exercise patience today and NOT bang my head against the desk while trying to do training modules, I have a new found appreciation for everything that Wayne has been doing past several months! Today I am thankful for the "opportunity" to learn new things.

Day 12 Thankful part 2: Thank you Greg Deputy for going to rescue the kids that were stranded on the side of the road in the rain, in the dark, and then for driving "Leapin' Lena" to safer ground!

Day 13

Today I am thankful that my work network WASN'T working. It gave me the opportunity to go VT without feeling guilty for not staying home doing training modules instead!

Day 14

Today I am thankful for friends and for the wonderful examples I have of unconditional love and forgiveness (especially when I do stupid things... which happens... a LOT). When I grow up, I want to be as amazing as you!

Day 15

Today I am grateful for a son who is cheerfully willing to serve others in need. B, you are a great example to those around you and I am SO lucky to be your momma!

Day 16

Today I'm thankful for a daughter who is missing home and family. It tells me that she understands what's REALLY important in life... and E I want you to know that I look up to YOU... you are an amazing example of someone who loves unconditionally and forgives freely! Can't wait to see you next week!

Day 17

Today I am thankful for a daughter that is a great friend... I love the heartfelt chats we have and the fun conversations when she can't tell me a story unless I can see her tell it because she needs to add animation...♥ you S!
Day 18
Today I am thankful for the opportunity to teach Sunday School. I have such a wonderful amazing class and they inspire me with their knowledge every week. I so much enjoy being taught the Gospel by 16 year old kids! I am pretty sure that I have this opportunity, not for what I have to give, but more for what I have to gain!
Day 19
Today I am thankful for an amazing son and his ever more amazing wife and for the joy they bring to our family. Having them come over on Sunday afternoons for dinner is a highlight of my week!
Day 20

It has been just over a year since Wayne lost his job and I have thought a lot about that today.
I never would have dreamed where a year would take us.
So today, I am thankful for ALL of the tender mercies that our family has experienced over the past year.
So many people stepped up to bring us things at just the right moment....
fresh produce, thoughtful cards, kind words of encouragement, hugs,
many people stepped up to share their talents and resources to help us
 provide our daughter a wonderful wedding reception....
We have been so blessed to have a new opportunity to provide for our family
and there have been so many doors open to make that happen.
Wayne losing his job turned out to be such a blessing to our family in so many ways.
At the end of 2011, I was so happy to say goodbye to that year
 and look forward to 2012, with high hopes.
2012 has NOT disappointed.
As I look back over the past year and all the events..
big AND small...
that have transpired, I can't help but be grateful....
In fact, I am shamelessly filled with joy tonight
as I sit here typing this and all my family, including
a daughter-in-law and a son-in-law,
are all around me laughing and enjoying each other's company.
Life is indeed good!

Day 21
Today, I am thankful that all my chicks are going to be in the nest tonight... ALL NIGHT! Slumber party at my house :)
Day 22
Today I am just thankful... shamelessly-filled-with-joy thankful... for everything I have been blessed with and for all the awesome people that I get to share my journey with!
Day 23
Today I am thankful for Thanksgiving leftovers!!!1 Especially since I spent the day shopping and Twilight matinee with my girlies! Good day :) (note to self: black Friday matinee.... AWESOME idea!)
Day 24
Today I'm thankful for hot chocolate and the sun burning through the fog!
(That means no buckets of rain, so Wayne can hang the lights!)
Day 25
Today I'm thankful for warm blankets, a fireplace, a comfy couch and a heating pad.... I hate being sick
Day 26
Today I am thankful for Kleenex!
Day 27
Today I am thankful for the miracle of T and her family coming back into our lives!!! I am hear to tell you that sometimes prayers take over 20 years to be answered, just don't ever give up!!!!
Day 28
Today I am thankful for my doggy who loves unconditionally no matter how much I tease him and when I don't feel well, is always a little extra snuggly!
Day 29
Today I am thankful for Christmas music and for the feelings of love and hope and charity that it brings into our lives!
Day 30
Today I am thankful for the community in which I live and for the people who make up my little corner of the world... church members, neighbors, friends, and new acquaintances that I continue to make along the way.