Six Word Fridays: Merry

From My House... to Your House

merry

ICY

...freezing cold icicles hanging from the roof. We didn't have rain gutters in the 1960's to catch the water from the snow as it melted off the roof. Winter icicles draped from the roof line of our house, in varying lengths, giving the appearance of a delicate crystal hem-line of a Princess skirt. I didn't need the movie Frozen to fuel my imagination!

Just like a drip from a faucet, every day when the sun came out, I'd watch an icicle grow, drip by drip, from a speck of water into a beautiful icicle. Sometimes it took days and sometimes weeks for an icicle to reach its full potential. The north side of the house always grew the largest icicles. Some were so long and big around that it became impossible to knock them down. They would grow until they met the large pile of snow mound next to the house making it nearly impossible to break through. 

On warm winter afternoons, I'd often find myself out and about scouring the roof line for the best icicle to knock down for an afternoon treat. They were like long popsicles, just without the flavoring.

One day I had a childhood friend over to play. We were going around the house knocking down icicles, with large sticks, from the roof. We came to the north side and started to run our sticks along the roof line, when a bunch came crashing down, and like daggers pierced the head of my friend. Her head started to bleed profusely and it scared me. I thought my friend would surely have to go to the hospital for stitches. We rushed her into the house and mom placed washcloths on her head to stop the bleeding. After doctoring her up, she felt better and we took her home. I always felt bad about that incident, but that didn't deter me from winter's play in the snow and ice.

ICY...

horse hair chins. Out in the pasture, the horses often pawed through the ice in the water trough before we got to the daily chore of breaking the ice. We had some very cold mornings, well below freezing, and the water would often freeze instantly on the hairs of our horses chin. Freezing cold!!!

ICY...

skating rinks. And freezing rosy pink noses! Dressed up in winter coats, hats, and mittens, we have always been game for a late afternoon skate on an icy outdoor skating rink. 

It was extremely cold in 1990. I was living in Logan, five kiddos in tow, going to school. There was plenty of opportunity for outdoor snow play. Our first Christmas away from home and family presented an opportunity to spend a lot of time together... just me and the kids. I bought some ice skates for the girls for Christmas and we spent most every day of Christmas break on the outdoor skating rink at the park around the corner and up a few blocks from our house. The old green shack sitting on the edge of the rink provided a place to sit down by a cozy wood burning stove, warm our fingers and toes, and drink hot chocolate. In the early evenings, the snow sculptures surrounding the rink were lit up by colored lights and twinkling stars. These were good memories.

Years later, the tradition of skating on an outdoor rink continues at family Christmas gatherings at the Homestead Inn in Midway. Below, a couple of granddaughters hold hands, take a few steps, and tumble to the ice... just to get up and try again, and again, and again. This has become one of our favorite family traditions. Even if it's icy and cold!   

ICY...

waterfalls. There's a waterfall in Price Canyon that changes with the seasons. Winter is one of my favorite's. The water freezes as it descends from the top of the fall. With each winter day's temperature dropping... a single drip of water turns into hundreds and thousands and tens of thousands of drips, gradually forming into large icicles that span the width and length of the falls. On my trips home, I look forward to rounding the corner where the fall is located. The minerals in the water often turn the icicles into hues of pinks, greens, and blues. And with cold, icy blue skies above, it's such a lovely sight!

It's been an unusually warm late fall. We're anxiously waiting for snow, which is long overdue. So... Old Man Winter.... bring on the ICYness of the season! We're ready!

Writing prompt #6: Write a blog post inspired by the word: icy

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Six Word Fridays: reason

There's a Reason to the Season

Welcome Family. Welcome Friends. Welcome Winter!

Make treats. Give treats. Eat treats.

Grandchildren counting the days to Christmas.

Remembering the birth of our Savior....

The real reason for the season.

reason

Saturday Morning Pancakes!

Pancakes, or Hotcakes, whatever you want to call them... are a tradition at our house on Saturday mornings. Not just any pancake. But mom's pancakes! For as long as I can remember, mom made pancakes for breakfast every Saturday morning. I do too!

Mom made pancakes from Bisquick. After she whipped her batter of Bisquick, eggs, and milk, she poured in the bacon grease. I know... it might sound a little weird and fattening, but I'm convinced that it was the key to really good tasting pancakes. You know the kind that keeps you coming back for more. Mom's pancakes were small and the perfect thickness. Light, fluffy, and very delicious. I wish to think mine are just about as good, after years and years of making them. 

To complement our pancakes, we had eggs cooked to our liking. Fried eggs... over easy, over hard. And scrambled. And that's how I like mine.

Toppings included powdered sugar, homemade jams, and maple syrup. 

Our pancake breakfast also included bacon or sausage and Orange Juice or Tang.

What's Tang? An orange powder that you mixed into a glass of cold water to give you an orange taste. That is what we mostly drank growing up in the 60's and 70's. 

My favorite thing to spread on hot pancakes is butter. Hot buttery pancakes with powdered sugar sprinkled on top tastes so good to me. And I love blueberries! I often add them to my batter like I did today. Maple syrup is a staple in my pantry and I've got have at least one pancake with syrup on it.

Saturday mornings and pancakes conjure up some of my favorite memories. Visits to mom and dad's house for a weekend trip. Sitting at the breakfast table, located in the large bay window overlooking the valley, eating pancakes and visiting with my two favorite people. On a clear morning you could see the county's landmark, Pinacle Peak (a hill, or mound, with a rock stack spiraling hundreds of feet into the air). 

I loved the comforts of home. Of mom and dad and our visits down memory lane. The smell of bacon wafting delightfully through the house and hot buttery pancakes stacked on my plate.

My parents are gone, but I am thankful for the memories of Saturday mornings and hot pancakes for breakfast. The tradition continues and when the kids come to visit they know they will get hot pancakes for breakfast on Saturday morning, too. And hopefully some good old-fashioned memories to go with them. 

There is nothing better than hot pancakes on a Saturday morning!

Writing prompt #3: Saturday morning at your house

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The Errand of Angels

Just as heavenly Angels joyfully proclaimed the birth of our Savior, we can be earthly Angels and do the same. President Thomas S. Monson counseled us in October’s General Conference to “walk as Jesus walked”  by “emulating His actions and following His example.”  

Some examples of following Jesus' example is to give the gift of testimony of His divine birth and mission, give service, love, kindness, forgiveness, and gratitude. Not only during the Christmas season, but all through the year. 

Our family has chosen to take upon us the “errand of Angels” and do kind deeds to family members and those around us that need a helping hand, a cheerful smile, and note of encouragement, a visit, a generous offering. 

Will you?

Last week my youngest daughter's family and the hubby and I went to dinner at Pizza Pie Cafe. Afterwards, we did a RAK (Random Act of Kindness) and taped quarters to the bouncy ball and candy vending machines located near the entrance. It made quite the impact on our 6, 4 and 2 year old grandchildren. We'll be doing service all through the month and beyond. Hope you come, too!

#ShareTheGift

The First Gift of Christmas

So touching and beautiful! This short and inspiring video will bring the true spirit of Christmas into your homes and lives. Click HERE to view.

Christmas Devotional

The Christmas Devotional will be broadcast tonight, December 7, 2014 at 6:00 p.m. (MST). With today's technology there are a number of ways to view the event. 

To access tonight's anticipated event, go to lds.org. --- then click on First Presidency's Christmas Devotional to link-up to various media sites for easy viewing. 

I look forward to the timely messages and beautiful music by the Tabernacle Choir every year. So inspiring! And, it helps me get into the true spirit and meaning of Christmas. Hope it does the same for you, my friends!

Merry Christmas!

Six Word Fridays: season

'Tis the Season to be jolly!

Catching the spirit of the season.

Decorating trees. Lighting candles. Reading stories.

Making treats. Exchanging treats. Eating treats.

Santa's and Nutcrackers. Stockings and Advent.

Giving service. Random Acts of Kindness. 

What I love most of all...

placing the baby Jesus in each 

Nativity around the house. It's a 

reminder to all those who visit...

 the real reason for celebrating

the Christmas season. Christ! Our Lord.


season

SILENCE

It's 6:30 a.m. and I hear SILENCE.

Like the sound of the first fallen snow.

The early morning quiet is music to my ears. It is my time to think, read, and ponder. My mind is as clear as a bell. I jot down appointments and activities in my awesome Mothers who Know planner. I write in my journal. The silence and quiet of the early morning is the most productive time for me to write, think, and read.

Then... comes the chime of the grandfather clock on the 3/4 past hour. The familiar tune reminds me of home. It is security. It is constant.

I turn on the computer and hear the quiet and constant hum of it while lightly tapping away on the keyboard. I listen for more sounds to start the day. Like running water and morning greetings from the wood pecker. 

I love the sound of early morning hours!

Writing prompt #4: Listen... Write about what you hear, right now.

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Six Words Fridays: rain

I love the gentle pitter patter 

sound of rain drops as it 

falls from the heavens. So refreshing!

rain

Turtle Pumpkin Pie

Every Thanksgiving evening, after dinner has settled, we eat pie. Lots of pie! Banana Cream, Lemon Meringue, Chocolate, Coconut Cream, Apple, Cherry, and our traditional Sugar Pie. And our fairly recent new comber... Turtle Pumpkin Pie.

I've never been a Pumpkin Pie fan until I made Turtle Pumpkin Pie. And now it's become my absolute favorite! It's light and fluffy with just the right amount of pumpkin and spice. It's tantalizing to the taste buds. It's divinely delicious. And, it's as easy as pie to make! 

Turtle Pumpkin Pie

Ingredients:

1/4 cup plus 2 Tbsp. caramel ice cream topping, divided

1 Graham Cracker pie crust

1/2 cup plus 2 Tbsp. pecan pieces, divided

1 cup cold milk

2 pkg (3.4 oz. ea.) vanilla instant pudding

1 cup canned pumpkin

1 tsp. cinnamon

1/2 tsp. ground nutmeg

1 tub (8 oz.) whipped topping, thawed, divided

Directions:

1. Pour 1/4 cup caramel topping into crust; sprinkle with 1/2 cup nuts.

2. Beat milk, dry pudding mixes, pumpkin and spices with whisk 2 minutes. Stir in 1 1/2 cups whipped topping. Spread into crust.

3. Refrigerate 1 hour. Top with remaining whipped topping, caramel topping and nuts just before serving.

Go to Sugar Pie for tradition, memories, and recipe.

Happy Thanksgiving!

What are you making for Thanksgiving?

Writing prompt #2: Share a Thanksgiving recipe you will be cooking up this month.

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Sugar Pie

The year 2011, most of the kids came up for Thanksgiving. We had a scrumptious and plentiful dinner, which included all our favorites and traditional dishes. Like turkey and dressing, mashed potatoes and gravy, brown glazed carrots, stuffing and cranberry sauce, homemade rolls, apples and yams, cheese stuffed celery and olives, and bread and butter pickles. 

And then we made pie... lots of pie! Chocolate, Banana Cream, Pumpkin Turtle, Cherry, Apple (with fancy lattice strips), and mom's Sugar Pie! What a  special treat! 

Who can not remember those fond memories of home as kids when we anxiously awaited for mom's Sugar Pie. I remember mom rolling out the left over pie crust, with help from us kids. Then we would sprinkle cinnamon and sugar over top and slide the pie pan in the oven. I remember peering through the glass window of the range, watching and waiting... waiting and watching. I could hardly wait for Sugar Pie to come out of the oven. As soon as it was cooled enough, we each got to break a piece off to eat. Sugar Pie was such a treat because we got to eat it even before Thanksgiving dinner began.

Mom's Sugar Pie will be on the menu again this year!

How about you? What are you fixing for Thanksgiving this year?

Happy Birthday mother! I love and miss you so much.

Domestic Violence Myths

Ap·a·thy - lack of interest or concern. 

Apathy is as destructive as ignoring the harmful, life-changing and ill effects of domestic violence. It is a personal and public health issue effecting individuals, families, communities, and country. I am sad that it happened in our family. I am sad that I no longer have my daughter, Shaniel, to share life with. I am sad that domestic violence is now part of my life, my family's life.

I promise to share what I have learned through this tragedy to help prevent it from happening to someone else. I promise to do my part to help educate and bring awareness to this sickness that is creeping into our homes and sweeping the country. I promise to help those who feel alone and isolated in their situations. I promise to share a message of hope and deliverance.

A week before Shaniel was killed, she called me. She was crying. She needed a hug. She felt so alone. Oh.. how I wanted to reach my arms through the phone and give her a hug. I panicked that I could not race down the street and sweep her up in my arms and sooth her aching and broken heart. I cried with her. I listened to her sobs. I told her I loved her. Oh, how I loved her. She was ready to leave her husband. He never let her. Maybe we could not have changed the tide of her tragic death, but we could have been more aware of the signs, more educated, and had a list of ready resources available to help during this critical time of decision.

Please, read the article on Domestic Violence Myths. I posted it on ShanielsStory.Blogspot.com. (link in page bar above) Or you can link to the article below.

http://www.oregonlive.com/…/heartsick_elias-case_judge_tak.….

NO MORE APATHY!

In loving memory

Shaniel Kaye Oliver Donaldson

1980-2013

Six Word Friday's: Smooth as Glass

Reflection pools are some of my favorite 

places to sit. Especially when they

are as "smooth as glass." Time 

disappears as I drift off into 

the reflection. I see Mirror images
of things. I see another reflection.

A reflection of me. Thoughts emerge
about my life... where I've been, 
where I'm at, where I'm going.

Peace, tranquility, and gratitude fill my 

mind as I reflect upon blessings.
Blessings of Family. Health. Shelter. Food. 
Faith. Love. My heart is thankful!

glass

Thankful Notes

Writing thankful notes for Thanksgiving has become a treasured tradition at our house.

Before the kids arrive, I place slips of paper and pens out for them to write down things they are thankful for or blessings that have come into their lives that they want to share with the family.

Later in the evening, after Thanksgiving dinner has settled, we all gather around the kitchen table, eat pie, and share our thankful notes with each other. The youngest grandchild to the oldest adult participates. All twenty eight of us! This tradition has brought our family closer together. It provides the perfect setting for each of us to reflect on the past year and the opportunity to count our blessings! 

In each family member's thankful note, FAMILY is always the first thing on the list. Love and appreciation for one another are common themes running through the notes. 

Is it any wonder that Thanksgiving is a time for family gatherings and giving thanks for our bounteous blessings and harvest! Creating memories and traditions binds families together across all generations. 

Writing prompt #5: Write a post in just 12 lines.

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Quotography: November

The first day of November brought cold temperatures, howling wind, and pounding rain. It was a good day to snuggle up in a blanket, read a good book, and drink hot chocolate! 

Our beautiful, warm Autumn days have come to an end.

Six Word Fridays: Trick

Trick-or-Treat, smell my feet

Give me something good to eat!

trick

The Fruit Room

I was afraid of some things in my childhood home. Like the dingy, dark, musty basement. The door to the basement was in the center of our home. I liked it shut. It scared me when it was open. I imagined all kinds of things. Creaks and other sounds that conjured up the wildest, frightening imaginations. The wooden steps, without a railing to hold on to, seemed long and dangerous. 

I was afraid every time my mother sent me down to the Fruit Room to fetch a bottle of peaches or pears. I remember getting to the bottom step and running as fast as my legs could take me... through the main room, past the old coal furnace (and that's another very scary thing!) through the dilapidated kitchen, down the short hallway, past the bathroom to the fruit room, which was at the very corner of the basement. I don't think there was a window in that room, because it was very dark. It seems like I had to go to the center of the blackened room and pull a string on the light in order to turn it on. That seemed to be the case in the entire basement which made it more challenging to see. Your eyes would have to adjust to the dark before you could see even enough to feel your way to the light string. With bottles of fruit in hand, I'd run back through the basement the same as I came. I couldn't get back to the safety of the upstairs fast enough. I was too scared to even look behind me. I dreaded the chore of having to go to the basement. I can feel panic coming over me as even as I write. 

Fruit rooms, or storage rooms, are in basements. A very scary place for me. I have never liked basements until four years ago when we built our new home. It is a walk-out basement, full of light. Double french doors lead to a patio, making it even more light and friendly. The basement is completely finished with a family room, game room, theater room, kitchen, bathroom, mud room, and guest bedroom. Our storage/fruit room is located underneath the front porch area. It is fairly small, but large enough for what we need. The entire room is encompassed in cement. We had the finishers build shelves so it feels finished. There is a light switch in the furnace room for the storage room, so getting light is not a problem either. I don't mind going to the basement anymore, although I don't usually go down there unless the kids are up to play, or we have guests, or we go to the theater room to watch a movie. You won't find me down there alone!

Some things will never change. Even though I don't mind the basement in our new home, I won't be down there alone. Basements will always scare me a little. 

Writing prompt # 1: Something that scared you when you were young...are you still afraid?

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A Pinterest Win

I found a recipe for Broccoli Cheddar Soup on Pinterest. I followed the directions, * making a few minor changes to reduce the fat content, and loved it! This soup recipe will definitely be a permanent part of my "meals to fix". It was easy to make and yummy to the tummy! Just right for a cool Fall day.

Broccoli Cheddar Soup

1/2 c. butter *I changed amount to 1 T.

1/2 c. each of chopped vegetables of your choice (potatoes, celery, green peppers, carrots, broccoli).

1/2 c. finely chopped onion

2 c. water

1 T. granulated chicken bouillon or 2 chicken bouillon cubes

_________________________________________________________

1/2 c. butter

3/4 c. flour

4. c. milk *I used skim milk

2. c. sharp cheddar cheese

1. Heat butter in pan over medium heat. Add vegetables and cook until tender, stirring occasionally. *To reduce fat, melt 1 T. butter in pan and cook onion until golden brown. For all other vegetables, boil or steam just until done. I chose broccoli, celery, and carrots.

2. Add steamed vegetables to browned onion. Add water and bouillon; bring to a boil and simmer 10 minutes.

3. Meanwhile, heat 1/2 c. butter in a 2 quart pan. Stir in flour and cook until bubbly. Remove from heat.

4. With a wire wish gradually stir in milk until well blended. Cook over medium heat, stirring often until thickened. Do not boil

5. Stir in cheese until fully blended. Stir cheese mixture into vegetables and heat. Top with grated cheese, if desired. Serve immediately.

Serves 8-10

Making a couple minor changes, this recipe was a win! To my dismay most recipes found on Pinterest look amazing but fail to meet my expectations. I was very pleased with the outcome of this recipe. I will be making this soup occasionally in the chilly days ahead.

Writing prompt #1: Create something inspired by Pinterest, was it a win or a fail?

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Six Word Fridays: leaves

Yellow leaves fall softly down -- whirling,

twirling round and round, making a

carpet on the ground. Raking leaves...

into a pile, makes a bed

for jumping in. Yellow leaves on

the ground, crunching softly under foot.

leaves

Haunted House

In the late 1960's -

Every Halloween my brothers and sisters and I would dress up using props around the house, throw a pillow case over our shoulders, and go trick-or-treating. We walked to neighboring homes before piling into the station wagon for mom to take us to the main drag where the houses were closer together. She dropped us off periodically and we would run to and from each house until there was a long break in houses. There was a lot of activity on the main road with monsters, ghosts, goblins, witches, zombies, hobo's, and pirates. Car brake lights lit up the dark street and made it easier to see the little creatures darting back and forth across the street. The trees lining the street were large and seemed to reach high to the black sky. I imagined a witch, on her broomstick, flying across the sky in front of the full yellow moon. Halloween was be-witching and mystical! Leaves swirled around us as we ran from house to house. I remember the distinct smell of musty leaves and ripening apples in the air, the feel of a cold chill, frightening jack-o-lanterns lit up on every doorstep, and the sound of dry leaves crunching beneath my feet. Walking through ankle deep dry leaves was the best part of trick-or-treating! Collecting candy was a close second!

There were two very memorable houses midway up main street on the east side of the road. Big, towering, monstrous trees loomed in the foreground, casting a dark shadow across the lawn of Ms. Rowley's house. She was my fifth grade teacher. Candles flickered cheerily in various sizes of orange jack-o-lanterns all lined up on the large front porch's cement railing. We knocked on the door, and yelled in unison, "trick-or-treat, smell my feet, give me something good to eat!" The door opened up to a well lit and inviting and yummy smelling living room. Like apples and cider. Miss Rowley wore bright red lipstick and had a cheery smile on her face. I really liked her. And I always dreamed of living in her home!

Just to the north of the Rowley home was a house that sat back slightly in a field. The Topolovec home. It was an unusually large home for our town. The outside was a dingy grayish white with architecture that reminded me of Herman Munster's home on The Adam's Family. The house was Victorian style and it looked creepy. It was the only house in Spring Glen that looked like that. I always felt apprehensive about trick-or-treating there, although I did with the moral support of my siblings. A youngster can imagine all sorts of "things that go bump in the night!" with such a long walk to the front door of that house. I thought it as the haunted house of Spring Glen. 

Fast forward 20 years later to the late 1980's -

The Topolovec home was going to be torn down! And before the scheduled date, they turned it into a haunted house for Halloween. I always knew it was the Haunted House of Spring Glen!

I was separated from my husband and had moved back to Spring Glen - my hometown. A friend and I were up to having the daylights spooked out of us so we made a date to go to the Haunted House. The line to get in was long and as we inched closer to the front door all I could think of is how creepy the house had always appeared to me. My anticipation and anxiety grew with each step. This was the first real Haunted House I had ever been to. And it did not disappoint!

I think I winced, screamed, and jumped at everything I saw, felt and heard. I grabbed on to my friend and never let her go. Sticky cobwebs, slimy eyeballs and brains, vampires rising from their coffins, zombies with pale faces, mists of fog, chains clanging, saws grinding, howls and hoots, and eeiry music gave a ghastly feel to the atmosphere already draped in darkness. As we went from room to room another frightening creature slithered out of the shadows, sending us clamoring for safety. Only to be greeted by the dark side again!

It probably took 20 minutes or so to go through, from start to finish. It was the best and scariest Haunted House I have ever been through. Nothing to date has compared! My hometown - population less than 1000, knew how to totally creep you out! I will never forget the Topolovec House. The Haunted House of Spring Glen!

What creeps you out?

Writing prompt #2: Write about something that creeps you out?

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Six Word Fridays: late blooming

Dad's Christmas cactus usually blooms in 

December. I arrived back home from 

Europe in mid January... and you

can imagine how surprised I was

that my Christmas cactus was late

in blooming! It had waited until

I got back home to burst

out in the most beautiful vivid

pink blooms I had ever seen!

Must have been dad behind the

scenes... welcoming his daughter safely home!

I had a glimpse into heaven 

that day, feeling all dad's love

as he keeps watch over me!

late