The Cooking Sorceress

De-Constructed Chili Salad

2010-08-18T13:24:00.001-07:00

I am trying so hard to eat more healthy. I know that eating a ton of salads is key. I thought of turning many of my favorite dishes into salads. The first of my attempts is chili. Even though chili isn't all that fatting or high in carbs it's just not the same without the condiments. Like sour cream, cheese and let's not forget the chips! I decided to take apart my chili and turn it into a salad. I knew that the dressing would be key. In an effort to stay away from added fat I thought of using a vinaigrette. But it had to be the perfect vinaigrette. I had one in mind and researched it on the internet and voila, I found it. If any of you have ever eaten at Chiptole's(there's one in Sandy) it has an amazing vinaigrette for their salad. I just had to make it. It's simple, and delicious and it was the star of my salad. I could drizzle that dressing over anything! Burritos, tacos, salad, you name it it'll make anything better!

Here's the Salad:

All the fixins!

Protien of Choice:
Ground Turkey. So much better for you!!

The Fresh Ingredients:
Cilantro, radishes, green onion and avacado

The raw veggies I chose to use
Bell pepper, onion, corn.
No black beans are not a veggie, but an important part to chili non the less.

The veggies after being sauted.

The Viniagrette Recipe:

Chipotle Honey Vinaigrette Recipe

1/2 cup red wine vinegar
1/3 cup honey
2 t Grey Poupon Dijon mustard
1 1/4 t ground chipotle powder
1 t lime juice
3/4 t black pepper
3/4 t salt
1/2 t paprika
1/4 t garlic powder
1/4 t onion powder
1/4 t dried oregano
1/2 cup extra virgin olive oil

1. Combine all ingredients, except oil in blender and blend on low speed
for ten seconds.

2. SLOWLY drizzle olive oil into blender on low speed.

3. Chill for at least an hour.

Yield: 1.5 Cups

I chose to use red and green leaf lettuce. I just dumped, stired and shoveled !!! It was seriously AMAZING!!

A MUST try!!

Creamy Chicken Enchiladas

2010-05-22T20:32:00.000-07:00

I came up with this recipe this last week when I signed up to take dinner to a family in the ward. It is a knock out too. My kids loved it, I loved it. I only hope the family I made it for loved it too. We normally don't eat leftovers, but Beckham managed to finish them all off. Yup, they were that good!!

3 chicken breast cut into 1 inch cubes
2 ears of corn, with the corn cut off the cob
1 onion diced small
1 package cream cheese, cubed and at room temp.
1 can diced green chilies
1 tsp salt
1tsp pepper
4tsps chili powder
10 flour tortillas
1 can green chili enchilada sauce
1/2 cup shredded cheddar cheese

1. Preheat a large skillet over medium-high heat
2. add 1 tablespoon oil
3. In batches, add the chicken and cook until brown at edges
(you will need to add more oil for each batch)
4. Remove all chicken from skillet and set aside
5. Add onions and saute for about 3-4 minutes, just until they become soft
6. Add the fresh corn and saute for another 3-4 minutes
7. Sprinkle onions and corn with salt, pepper and chili powder
8. Add chicken back to pan
9. Add cream cheese and can of chilies, stir until cream cheese has complete melted and everything is combined
10. Grease a 9x13 baking dish
11. to each flour tortilla add about 2 big scoops of the chicken mixture, roll and place in dish
12. Cover all rolled tortillas with green enchilada sauce, top with 1/2 cup shredded cheddar cheese
13.Bake at 350 for 30-45 minutes until cheese is bubbly and golden!

This really is an excellent dish!

Spinach and Black Bean Enchiladas

2010-05-12T19:24:00.000-07:00

This recipe came out of necessity. I'm trying to use what I have and make it taste good. I looked online at a few recipes and came up with this one. In my bountiful basket booty there was a bundle of spinach. It wasn't looking too hot and I knew I needed to use it up quickly. In addition to that I bought several packages of baby spinach on sale at Reams. I love love love mexican food and thought it a good idea to mask the flavor of spinach in some saucy goodness. Well, it worked. And it worked beautifully. As we were going to bed last night Brent told me, "Those enchiladas were really good." They must have been for him to tell me as we were going to bed.

3lbs spinach sauted and chopped
1 can black beans drained and rinsed
1 can red mild enchilada sauce
1 onion diced
2 cloves garlic finely minced
2 tablespoons butter
2 tablespoons canola or olive oil
1 tablespoon chili powder
2 tsp paprika
1 tsp salt
1 tsp pepper
1/4 cup flour
1 cup stock(any kind you have; chicken, veggie I used beef cause it's what I had)
1 1/2 cups cheddar cheese
12-15 corn tortillas cut into 1 inch squares

1. Heat butter and oil in a large pan, add onions and garlic. Saute until softened
2. Add spices and cook for 3-4 minutes to toast
3. sprinkle onions with flour and saute for another 3-4 minutes to cook off flour taste
4. Add stock and stir until thickened
5. Once thickened add chopped spinach and black beans
6. In a medium bowl place diced tortillas and enchilada sauce, mix well
7. In a well greased 9x13 baking dish dump half the tortillas and spread evenly along bottom
8. Dump the entire Spinach mixture and then sprinkle with 1 cup cheese
9. Spread remaining tortillas on top of spinach mixture and sprinkle with 1/2 cup cheese
10. Bake in a 350 oven for 30-45 minutes until top is golden brown!

Due to time restraints I didn't roll each tortilla. You could for a prettier presentation. But me being the busy mother of 6 children love the casserole approach. All my kids ate it except for Beckham and Grace. They just ate the tortillas.

I will be making this dish again. Hannah requested that I keep this one.

The Perfect Boiled Egg

2010-04-02T14:19:00.000-07:00

1. Place eggs in one layer in desire pan.
2. Cover the eggs with cold water until the water just covers them.
3. Place eggs on stove and turn to high
4. Bring water and eggs to a boil.
5. Cover the eggs and WITHOUT removing the pot, turn off your burner
6. Set timer for 15 minutes
7. Remove from heat, drain the eggs and run them under cold water.
8. I place them on a towl to continue to dry and cool.

This is a NO FAIL way to get that perfect boiled egg to dye just in time for Easter!!

How to get rid of a whole head of Cauliflower!! And make it taste good too!!

2010-03-29T19:49:00.000-07:00

This evening I made a delicious Pasta sauce made out of a whole head of cauliflower and it was truly delicious!! And yes, it is simple to make. I accompanied the past with a salad made with a poppy seed vinaigrette. It's the good old stand by that every one has. This time to my salad I added strawberries, orange segments, pecans and bacon!! It was super good. I didn't want to let the juice from the oranges go to waste so I added it to the vinaigrette. Yummy!!

The cauliflower pasta sauce was also a winner with the kids. I had no complaints. That's always a plus plus plus. Healthy, delicious and kid friendly!!

Here's the recipe. I got it from Rachel Ray.

Try it and let me know what you think!!

Making a Recipe your own: Morning Muffins

2010-03-27T15:04:00.000-07:00

While cleaning the other day I noticed a recipe on the back of my flour bag. It was for muffins. Every Saturday since January I make muffins for a quick breakfast on Sunday morning. It works great for my family. I've been experimenting with a lot of recipes. This recipe sounded particularly good. When I went to go and make them I realized I didn't have all the ingredients. So I substituted a few things and they turned out GREAT!!! This just goes to show that you can still make a recipe without all the ingredients and it instantly becomes your own.

Original List of Ingredients// My substitutes:

2 eggs
3/4 cup vegetable oil // 1 cup butter
1/4 cup milk
2 teaspoons vanilla
2 cups flour
1 cup brown sugar
2 teaspoons baking soda // 1 tsp baking soda + 1 tsp baking powder
2 teaspoons cinnamon
1/2 teaspoons salt
1 1/2 cups shredded carrots
1 cup shredded and peeled apple // 2 over ripe bananas
1/2 cup coconut
1/2 cup raisins // omitted
3/4 cup sliced almonds// omitted and added zest of 1 orange!

Hello!!! These turned out fabulously delicious.

1. In a mixer beat butter, add brown sugar and banana and beat till mixed well
2. Add vanilla, carrots, baking soda, baking powder, salt, cinnamon, zest and coconut. Beat till combined.
3. Add flour, mix till just combined. Finish mixing with a spatula.
4. Bake in a 350 oven for 20 minutes.

So good, So good!!

Honey Whole Wheat Bread

2010-02-25T16:40:00.000-08:00

I had another request today to put this on my blog. So here it is. It makes 5-6 loaves. Your suppose to use a Bosch but you don't have to.

Pre-heat oven to 170

1. Place 9 cups of whole wheat flour, 3 tablespoons of yeast and 3/4 cup wheat gluten in the Bosch. Mix for 1 minute to combine.

2. Add 6 cups Hot water and mix for another minute. Cover and let dough sit for 10 minutes or until it rises to near the top.

3. Add: 1/2 cup Olive Oil, 1 cup Honey, 3 tablespoons dough Enhancer, 2 tablespoons salt.

4. Turn on mixer and add 3-6 more cups of flour until the dough pulls away from the sides and is not super sticky. I usually add only 3 more cups of flour. I've found that the bread turns out much better if the dough is a little more sticky.

5. Turn out onto oiled countertop. Yes, I said oiled. Much less mess. Knead a few times. I like to score my dough to make 6 loaves. Take each section and knead into a tight ball and add to a well greased loaf pan.

6. I place 3 loaf pans on a rack set on the lowest level in the oven, and then 3 more on a rack placed in the middle. Let the bread rise and cook in 170 oven for 25 minutes.

7. Without touching the pans increase temperature to 325. Cook for 15 minutes.

8. Switch loaves from bottom to top and vice-versa and cook for another 10 minutes.

9. And voila, you have 6 loaves of bread and it took you less then 2 hours.

If you have any questions, just ask.

Hope you enjoy it, my family loves it!! It makes the best peanut butter and jelly sandwiches!!

What to do with that Jicama!

2010-02-15T06:56:00.000-08:00

As I was thinking about what to make with my jicama, the idea of a fruit coleslaw popped into that nogin of mine. I really liked how it turned out. My kids didn't like addition of the craisans or pecans. But I thought they were lovely additions.

Jicama Fruit Coleslaw

1/2 Jicama, peeled and julienned(cut into small french fry sticks)
1 apple peeled and julienned
1 pear peeled and julienned
1/4 cup craisans
1/4 cup pecans
1 small container of low-fat vanilla yogurt
1 tablespoon honey
zest of 1/2 orange
juice of half orange

1. Toss the fruit together in a medium bowl.
2. In a small bowl mix together the yogurt through orange juice
3. Toss the yogurt mixture into the fruit.
4. Add the craisans and pecans just before serving.

This is delicious and a great way to use that jicama!!!

Birthday Pavlova

2010-02-09T05:52:00.000-08:00

This is what stiff peaks look like!
Pretty cool!!

The whipped eggwhites spread out on my pan.
It's really easy!

After baking in the oven.
You must cool the pavlova in the oven like the recipe says.
Or else you'll end up with huge cracks!!

The end result!
Beautiful and Delicious!

For my Birthday I wanted to do something that was light and somewhat healthy. I'm trying so hard to reach my weight loss goal that I wouldn't even let my birthday get in the way of my success. I decided to go with Pavlova. It's basically a huge mirange. Instead of using heavy whipping cream I used light coolwhip and kicked it up a few notched by adding orange zest!! Yum!! In addition to the strawberries there is a layer of toasted coconut underneath. I love coconut and had to treat myself to it. I got the recipe from Food Network.

White Bean Chicken Chili

2010-02-03T17:33:00.000-08:00

The chicken and beans

The other ingredient.

The veggies diced up.

What it looks like half way through cooking.

The finished product!!

I pre-cooked my white beans and chicken together in the crock-pot the day before. I took 2 cups of white beans placed them in a medium saucepan, covered them with about 2 inches of water, brought them to a boil and let them cook for about 1 hour. That jump starts the beans if you forget to soak them overnight like I do all the time. After the pre-cook I placed the beans in the crock-pot and then my chicken breast on top. To that I added one onion quartered, salt and pepper. I cooked them for about 6 hours on high. After letting them cool a bit I placed the whole crock-pot in the the fridge.

My family gobbled this chili up. It was so good. Along with the chili I served grilled pieces of artisan bread, and an orange/pear salad.

White Bean Chicken Chili

1 Red Bell Pepper finally diced
1 onion finally diced
1 aneheim chili finally diced
1 jalapeno pepper finally diced
2 Tablespoons chili powder
1 tsp cumin
1 tsp garlic powder
2 cups water
4 cups white beans
4 chicken breast

1. In a large dutch oven saute all the veggies until just tender.

2. Add the seasons and cook with veggies a few minutes to toast and enhance their flavor

3. Add the beans and chicken

4.Add the water. If you did cook your chicken and beans in the crockpot just use the juices from that.

5. Let simmer about 30 minutes to combine all flavors.

Serve with shredded cheddar cheese and some sour cream and enjoy!!! It's so GoOoOod!!!

Lasgana Stuffed Bell Peppers

2010-02-01T17:41:00.000-08:00

All the ingredients

Pre-mix

After being mixed

Cutting the tips of the bell pepper

Scooping out the seeds and veins

Stuffed and ready to bake

The end result.
I have to say the toasted cheese is my favorite part.

The last few weeks I've joined a food co-op. It's been GREAT!!! I get so many fresh fruits and veggies. Last week we received a boat load of small red bell peppers. I decided to stuff them with lasagna filling. In an effort to introduce more veggies into my children's diet I made them all eat these. For the most part they were received with good marks. Beckham ate ALL of his. I asked him if he liked it. His response," it was gross but I still ate it all." It couldn't have been that disgusting for him to eat it all.

Lasagna filling

2 cups cottage cheese
1/2 cup mozzarella cheese
1/4 cup Parmesan cheese
2 eggs
1 tsp salt
1/2 tsp pepper
1 tsp dried basil
1/2 tsp granulated garlic(or garlic powder)

1.Mix all ingredients until well combined. You can you use this filling for lasagna or manicotti too.
2. Cut the very tips off of the red bell pepper. Scoop out the seeds and veins.
3. Fill each pepper to the top. Sprinkle with more mozzarella cheese
4. Bake in a 350 oven for 45 - 60 minutes.

Healthy Bite: Homemade Cheese and Macaroni

2010-01-30T17:38:00.001-08:00

My Healthy version of Homemade Cheese and Mac.

The brand of veggie "bouillon"
It's excellent

Every Saturday I gather my family together at 4pm to do cleaning for Sunday prep. While the kids are doing their various chores I fix dinner. Homemade cheese and macaroni is quickly becoming our traditional Saturday dinner. In an attempt to make our diet more healthy I've been figuring tricks to make certain recipes more figure friendly. For this recipe instead of using a whole 1/2 cup of butter I use 1/4 cup of butter and a 1/4 cup of olive oil. Instead of using all milk I substitute 1/2 with veggie stock. I wasn't quite sure what my family was going to react to the new recipe. I didn't tell them what I did differently and just served it as is. You can definitely taste the veggie stock, but adds a lot of flavor. To my relief it was a huge hit!! I will be making this way from now on. Only on special occasions will I do the full fat version. Plus I spread the sauce over two pounds of pasta instead of one which reduces the amount of calories as well.

Special Cheese Sauce

1/4 cup butter
1/4 cup olive oil
1/2 cup flour
1 cup veggie stock
1 cup 1% Milk
1/2 cup shredded cheddar cheese
1 tsp salt
1 tsp pepper
1/2 tsp powdered mustard
1/4 tsp paprika

1. Melt butter and olive oil in a sauce pan
2. Add flour and cook for about 3 minutes to cook off flour taste
3. Add veggie stock and milk all at once and whisk till thickened. This can take up to 8 minutes. You might also find that you need to add more milk. You don't want it super thick.
4. Remove from heat and add the cheese.
5. After the cheese has melted add the spices. Pour over pasta

This sauce is also good over broccoli or cauliflower.

PIZZA BUNS

2010-01-29T10:36:00.001-08:00

Top your pizza how you like.
Here I omitted the sauce, added cheese pepperoni and olive.
Roll up just like you would cinnamon rolls.

Cut the roll with a serrated knife about an inch thick.
Place each roll on well greased cookie sheet.

Bake in a 400 degree oven for 20-25 minutes.
Enjoy with pizza sauce. My family loves ranch dressing.

Every single Friday I make pizza for my family. Sometimes we watch movies, and sometimes we don't. Now that the kids are getting older they like to have lateovers with their friends. Without fail, I will make pizza. My family doesn't like to think outside of the box when it comes to their beloved pizza. They like pepperoni and cheese and sometimes olives. Me, I like to mix it up a lot and end up eating my "gourmet" pizza by myself. Although Jaren loves to try my new creations most of the time. My sister suggested I make these pizza scrolls. I re-named them Pizza Buns due to the fact that they look so much like cinnamon rolls, or sticky buns.

I know, a lot of you would like my pizza dough recipe so here it is. You have to realize that I NEVER measure this recipe out. It's in my head. I learned it from my Mother who went on her mission to Italy. It took me several years to perfect it and it turns out every single time. You just need to make sure that your yeast and flour are fresh.

1. 2 cups medium hot water. It can't be too hot or you'll kill the yeast. Warm enough to where you can still hold your finger under the faucet. To that add 2 Tablespoons active dry yeast and 2 tablespoons sugar. Give it a couple turns with a spoon and let the yeast work it's magic. It should begin to grow and bubble up.

2. Meanwhile; In a large bowl dump 3 cups flour. You can do all white flour or you can do half wheat. Add 2-3 tsp salt. Mix together with a fork to make sure the salt is well incorporated with the flour.

3. Dump all at once the yeast into the flour. Here's where you go by texture and feel of the dough. Mix the yeast into the flour with a large spoon. If it seems dry, add a little more warm water. If it seem too wet add a little bit more flour. Dump out onto a well floured surface and knead till it's well combined and smooth. You might have to keep adding flour as you go until the dough no longer stick to your hands.

4. You can let the dough rise till it's doubled in size or you can proceed to make your pizza. Either way it works well.

Half Way There

2009-03-30T18:49:00.000-07:00

Yesterday I hit a huge milestone. I have lost a total of 20lbs. This is a huge deal for me. I feel strong. I feel like this is something that I'm actually going to be able to over come, my weight. Another great thing about today is that I am no longer obese, I'm just over weight. I am so excited.

Today is a gift because I am no longer obese.

Fresh Paint

2009-03-20T14:50:00.000-07:00

I decided that while Brent was gone to Goblin Valley with the scouts that I would paint my kitchen. It was a dark brown, which was painted by my husband several years ago. I wasn't excited about the color, but got it any way. So I did something about today. I painted over that depressing, repressing, cave like brown with a beautiful creamy yellow. I love it. It completely opens up the space and is so much more cheery.

Today is a gift because of fresh paint. And because the paint is yellow.

Sore muscles

2009-03-18T19:55:00.001-07:00

My muscles have been sore for almost a week now. Yes, this is a good thing. In fact it's a GREAT thing. Sore muscles mean that I am working harder every day to get the body that I want. Sore muscles mean that I am changing my body from fat to fit and trim. Sore muscles make me more aware of the strength that my body is capable of. Makes me more aware of muscles that I've forgotten about, or neglected for a while.

Today is a gift because of sore muscles.

Blessed Sunshine

2009-03-17T14:04:00.000-07:00

I have been waiting for several months now to feel the sun on my face. I mean, really feel the sun on my face. This afternoon while sipping water and reading a magazine I had to move into the shade because the sun got to warm for my face. Wow, it's always so surprising when it happens, but also a blessing when it does. That sun means there wont be snow for another 8 months. The Lord truly does love us because he gave us the seasons. The seasons are like highs and lows in your life. The good times would never feel so good if we didn't have to experience the bad. The sun on my face in spring wouldn't be so sweet if I didn't have to suffer through the harsh winter months.

Today is a gift because of the sun.

Free Days

2009-03-16T08:33:00.000-07:00

Yesterday was Sunday. Sundays are my free day in which I get to eat what ever the heck I want. Some days are good, and some days are bad. Yesterday I went to bed with the biggest tummy ache I have had in a super long time. I literally thought I was going to throw up. I abandoned my husband and baby downstairs and ran for my room. I quickly got ready for bed and crawled under my new, clean sheets. Ahhh, my free day is over. I no longer feel sick. The only feelings that I have now are resolve to have a GREAT week.

Today is a gift because it is no longer my free day. It's a new day full of hopeful new beginnings.

Clean Grout

2009-03-15T16:55:00.000-07:00

Yesterday I worked for 4 hours scrubbing the grout between the tiles in my kitchen. It was back-breaking work. Although my back was sore this morning, it was such a treat to wake up to such a clean floor. I still need to mop it and shine it up a little. Hard work is so rewarding.

Today is a gift because of clean grout.

Early Mornings

2009-03-14T07:25:00.001-07:00

I love the energy that I have in the early morning hours. I have the drive to clean, the drive to exercise, and the drive to be positive. Nothing beats the early morning hours of peace and quiet. You can think and plan out your day with no interuptions.

Today is a gift because of my early riser, Grace. Thanks to her I got a head start on the Saturday cleaning.

Quiet Time

2009-01-06T15:02:00.001-08:00

Christmas break was particularly hard for me. It was just one thing after another that I just wasn't prepared for. Why I didn't remember quiet time sooner is beyond me. But it was the serenity that I needed in a house full of chaos. Grace was able to get a descent nap, I found some peace and quiet and time to gather my thoughts back into my brain. It was great for the kids too. They had time to cool down and chill out.
I am so thankful for quiet time and the serenity it brings. I need to remember to conduct quiet time during the summer.

Freedom of Speach

2008-11-06T16:12:00.000-08:00

The last few days I have been very grateful for the opportunity that I've had to share my opinion about a very historic time in our history. I am grateful for blogs and that it reaches out to so many people and helps them to find and share their voice. I am grateful that I am not thrown into jail or beaten for voicing my opinion.

I am grateful to those men and women who fought so hard to make this country what it is today. Our agency isn't free. We fight for it every day of our lives. Sometimes I think we take things for granted when we've had it so long in our lives. I hope that I will never abuse this privilage.

Caring Teachers

2008-11-05T12:57:00.000-08:00

One day last week I decided not to make my girls' brush their hair. It was the tail end of my self pity days and I just wasn't motivated to make them look presentable. Well, that just happened to be the day of picture re-takes. We must have been in California for the first ones. When I found out, due to several calls from different children, I was mortified.

Later that day I found out that Isabel's teacher graciously combed Isabel's hair. How sweet is that? I am so grateful for caring teachers who really do take the time with their students. So thanks Mrs. Jurkatis, you are great.

Amy Huhtala

2008-11-04T17:18:00.000-08:00

I have been seeing a lot of this woman lately and I am so thankful for that. What did I ever do when she was working full time? I don't know.

Throughout my life I have encountered people who serve me in the most Christ like ways. Amy is one of those people. When my back was out and I literally couldn't walk, she was there for me. While I was at my Mom's she secretly came to the house and cleaned. Sweeping under my coaches, mopping my kitchen and bathroom floors, and made me dinner, twice. It doesn't stop there. She picked me up in her van, drove me to my physical therapy session, watched my kids. The next day she shuttled me to her house so she could again take care of me, my baby and Beckham. She is amazing.

Amy is a great listener, cheerleader, and confidant. She has a light that shines brightly to others, and they can feel it. I am so overwhelmed by her friendship. I am glad that we found each other. I wouldn't be the woman I am today if it weren't for her.

Thank you Amy for helping me find my voice.

Modern Medicine and Practices

2008-10-15T08:32:00.000-07:00

I know the pioneers survived without it and their lives were a tad bit rough. After experiencing the worst back blow out EVER, I have never been more thankful for modern medicine and practices. Muscle relaxers helped to calm my spasming back. I have never been to a Physical Therapist before. HELLO, where have I been for the past 15 years. Going to physical therapy has done wonders for my back. The first time I left that building I could actually walk straight and not like a crooked nose. I just have to get over the fact that complete strangers are exposed to my soft and supple love handles. Things reserved only for my husband.

Fall Colors

2008-09-28T18:54:00.000-07:00

There are many things in life that I love. On the top of my list is the changing colors of the trees on the mountains. I am so thankful for them. They remind me that change is good, change is beautiful. I love how the colors usher in a new season filled with the chill of excitement. The changing colors also remind me that I have a loving Heavenly Father who created this amazing Earth.

Prayer

2008-09-26T18:38:00.000-07:00

Yes, I am thankful for prayer. And up until recently I couldn't honestly say that I have been truely grateful for prayer. I'm sure I have been, I just didn't recognize the power it had in my life until recently.
If you read my other blog you know by now that my family and I took a trip to Disneyland last week. We had a GREAT time. The week proceeding our departure was one of the worst I have experienced. A trip to Disneyland for 7 people doesn't come cheap. I didn't count Grace since she didn't cost anything. The ENTIRE week before we left Isabel, Annika and Beckham were sick. They all complained of a stomach ache, sore throat accompanied by a fever. I became sick with worry. I was on my knees morning and night praying for them to get better before we left. I realize that this might be a very selfish prayer. But it was so important to me. And my prayer was answered. Not one of my kids were sick the entire time.
I guess I always knew that my prayers were answered. But it makes a world of difference when you see them come to fruition.
This is not the only prayer of mine that has been answered recently. There are others that continue to strengthen my testimony of the power of prayer which continues to strengthen my faith.

Good Neighbors

2008-09-15T18:16:00.000-07:00

Thank goodness for Good Neighbors. They always come through in a bind. They look past my short comings and my slowly dissolving brain. They help me through a spastic day. They help keep me sane.

I am grateful to them for their help, their kind words, their phone calls out of the blue just to see how I'm doing. I know the Lord sent friends and neighbors to be his helpers. To extend his reach just that much farther.

Dishwashers

2008-09-10T08:28:00.000-07:00

And I'm not talking about kids. Dishwashers have to be one of the greatest inventions of our time. They make cleaning the kitchen a BREEZE!!!! I don't have to worry about washing silverware, which growing up, I loathed and still loath. I can shove as many forks, knifes, spoons into the dishwasher as humanly possible, it's GREAT!!! I don't have to worry about my hands getting wrinkling, or getting burned when I forgot to leave the water running at a scalding temperature. It's nice to be able to start the dishes and walk away to do something else and come back to it when I'm good and ready to put them away.

I love technology, I am grateful for Dishwashers.

My Ears

2008-09-05T08:20:00.000-07:00

I am so thankful for my ears that I can hear. There are so many wonderful sounds that I enjoy in my life. A quiet house, thunder and lightening, the uneven pattern of rain falling on my roof, the wind wanting to tear down my house, babies laughter, children's laughter, bird's chirpping, drawing a bath, any Coldplay song, My husaband and children telling me they love me, compliments, onions and veggies hitting a hot pan.

Sounds intensify my life.

My knees

2008-09-04T06:57:00.000-07:00

I am grateful for my knees and their ability to bend. Bending is what helps me kneel next to my bed and say my prayers. I begin to feel my knees when I have been there for a while, confirming to me that I am having a meaningful one sided conversation with my Heavenly Father.

Despite the fact that I inherited the "Edward's" knees, I don't mind showing them off with a skirt.

I am grateful that my knees bend easily going up and down stairs. Since I have a lot of stairs in my home, knees are very useful.

My heart

2008-09-03T21:16:00.000-07:00

I am so grateful for my heart. It's beating reminds me that I AM a live and here to EXPERIENCE this life. I love how it beats harder after running, walking or my new fav., swimming. I love how it pushes the blood to my whole body making my skin tingle and feel that much more a live.

I love how my heart aches for my children. Wanting them to feel safe, happy and loved.

I love how it feels when the spirit testifies of truth. The warmth and comfort that brings to me.

I love how my heart still beats for my husband. How it's grown more and more in love with him.

My belly

2008-09-01T19:50:00.001-07:00

Yes, I am thankful for my beautiful belly. No matter how bulbous it is at the moment. It expands and contracts with how my life is currently going. I appreciate every stretch mark that details the 6 miracles I painfully bore. Each stretch mark is a reminder to me of those accomplishments, and that is a beautiful thing. My belly button reminds me of my own mother and the sacrifices that she went through to bring me into this world, to raise me and for the sacrifices that she still to this day makes for ME.

My Feet

2008-08-30T07:24:00.000-07:00

I am thankful for my feet. They carry me from destination to destination. Sometimes they are pretty with the help of a pedicure. Sometimes they get worn down and dry and really show the abuse that my feet take. Even though they ache at night, they remind me that I had a good day. I worked hard and now they get to take a rest. I am grateful that my feet can bare my weight and take me on walks, hikes, up stairs, down stairs, and kick in the water. Two of my favorite things in this world involve feet. Walking in cool tender grass and feeling sand between my toes at the beach. I love my feet.

My Arms

2008-08-29T06:25:00.000-07:00

I am grateful for my arms. They allow me to hug my children. To hold them and show them love and affection. My arms allow me to cradle my baby, to rock and sooth her when no on else can. What comfort that brings to me. I hope that I will use my arms to hug my children more often. To give them the confidence that they have a loving and caring home to return to. When they walk through the door they have a Mom that will welcome them home with loving open arms. Those hugs hopefully help to melt away some of the burdens of their world.

It's all GOOD

2008-08-28T10:22:00.000-07:00

Life is good. All parts of it. The trials, the struggles, the challenges, the good times, the great times, and the times when nothing much happens. I started this blog so that I could remind myself of the things that I am grateful for EVERY day. Something good and great comes in every day living and I am bound and determined to find it. The Lord wants all of His children to be happy and I'm pretty sure he sends us reminders every day.