MOMS LOG?

I'm feeling a little Trekkie this afternoon and thought of starting out with "Mom's log - Maroney date 7312011.  Morgan read in the paper today that J.J. Abrams is doing another Star Trek film with Chris Pine to be released Summer 2012.  Star Trek with Chris Pine is a Morgan favorite!  Star Trek in general is a Randy favorite.  Although I must admit that Mom's log- Maroney date 7312011 isn't near as cool sounding as CAPTAINS LOG STAR DATE,  etc.

Okay I'm also in a bit of a strange mood, but I thought that my girls away from home would be excited about the news.   

This week I had the crazy idea to send Alison some Hugs from Home.  She wrote about it on her blog.  Grant, Cami, Randy and I each made lovingly stretched out arms and mailed them to Alison.  I took a picture of Randy writing his personal note as proof that he did his own writing.  I was shocked at his perfect penmanship!  Kind of put mine to shame. 

Our fruit harvest this year is "slim pickin's"!  We love homemade jams, so this year I have been purchasing fruit as it goes on sale at the grocery store.  I have made Cherry, Plum. and Vanilla- cardamom Plum.  The vanilla-cardamom Plum was a new recipe that I wanted to try.  Probably will not make it again.  It tastes okay, but the spices hide the wonderful flavor of plum.  I will probably use most of it in thumbprint cookies and danish pastries.  I also have also made grape jelly and frozen grapes.  Our grapevines are doing well.  Tomatoes are starting to ripen.  I canned six pints this week and will can again tomorrow evening. 

 Tomatoes and Plum Jams

THE CHALLENGE

Randy has a car project in the carport that he is doing on the side.  I was quizzing him about it yesterday.  I asked how much longer it would take to finish the  project.  Would it be done by Thanksgiving?  It would be nice to set the Ping-Pong table up for the holidays.  To my surprise he said, "Oh, it won't take that long, probably only another couple months/"  Hurray!  was my thought.

 



Then I walked into the pantry and saw my project.  Pecans that have been sitting on the floor WAITING to be shelled.   I thought to myself, could I get them shelled by the time Randy finishes the Blazer?  I LOVE a personal challenge!  Plus, it would be great to have the nuts for holiday baking!!!!  So, can I get the nuts shelled by the time Randy finishes the Blazer?    I'll keep you posted.  Help from others will be accepted :)

Matthew 25:40

My Primary lesson last week was The Parable of the Sheep and the Goats.  I love teaching Primary!  I learn so much from these lessons.  I was first called to teach in Primary when I was 13.  Back then Primary was on a weekday afternoon.  My first calling was as an assistant teacher, however the teacher I was assisting quit attending part way through the year (at least this is my memory) and I became the regular teacher by default.  The only lesson that I remember teaching was "Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me." (Matthew 25:40)  I remember memorizing the scripture, although I didn't remember that it was part of a parable called the sheep and the goats.  I remember that we made little blue construction paper baskets with colored paper flowers glued to it.  This was to remind us to do something kind for someone.

In the parable the sheep reach out in kindness and service to the hungry, the thirsty, the stranger, the naked, the sick and those in prison.  The Savior calls them "the righteous" and tells them "Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me".  The goats do not reach out in kindness and service to others and are cursed.  I realized when studying these scripture passages (Matthew 25:31-46) that the Savior called the sheep righteous.  He did not however give a label or name to the goats, he merely said that they were cursed.  I appreciated his example of not name calling.  Perhaps I am misunderstanding what is being said, but it was a lesson that I needed to be reminded of.  So don't bother correcting me. :) 

As I ponder this parable to things come to memory that I would like to share.  First is an old email circulated story titled Dart Test.

"A young lady named Sally, relates an experience she had in a seminary class, given by her teacher, Dr. Smith.  She says that Dr. Smith was known for his elaborate object lessons.

One particular day, Sally walked into the seminary and knew they were in for a fun day.  On the wall was a big target and on a nearby table were many darts.  Dr. Smith told the students to draw a picture of someone that they disliked or someone who had made them angry, and he would allow them to throw darts at the person's picture.

Sally's friend drew a picture of a girl who had stolen her boyfriend.  Another friend drew a picture of his little brother.  Sally drew a picture of a former friend, putting a great deal of detail into her drawing, even drawing pimples on the face.  Sally was pleased with the overall effect she had achieved.

The class lined up and began throwing darts.  Some of the students threw their darts with such force that their targets were ripping apart.  Sally looked forward to her turn, and was filled with disappointment when Dr. Smith, because of time limits, asked the students to return to their seats.

As Sally sat thinking about how angry she was because she didn't have a chance to throw any darts at her target.  Dr. Smith began removing the target from the wall.

Underneath the target was a picture of Jesus. A hush fell over the room as each student viewed the mangled picture of Jesus;  holes and jagged marks covered His face and His eyes were pierced.

Dr Smith said only these words..."In as much as ye have done it unto the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto Me."

No other words were necessary;  the tear filled eyes of the students focused only on the picture of Christ."

I have always questioned the truth of email/internet stories, but I often think of the lesson this on teaches.

The other thing that comes to my mind is a conference talk from Elder Jeffrey R. Holland, May 2007 titled The Tongue of Angels.  This talk was given during a time when I was struggling with the words that were coming out of my mouth.  I have read and pondered this talk many times since it was given.  I am still working at controlling my tongue.  Elder Holland cautions us about the words we say to others and also the words and thoughts we say about ourselves.  I highly recommend this article.  His comments serve as a reminder of the impact my words have on others.  He concludes his remarks by saying, "May we all rejoice in the thought that when we say edifying, encouraging things unto the least of these, our brethren and sister and little ones, we say it unto God."

How grateful I am for my calling and the opportunity it gives my to learn and improve.

The week in review

It's surprising how quickly a week passes.  Summer vacation is almost over.  I started back to work this week.  I will miss the leisurely pace of summer.  Last week Randy picked all the fruit off of our plum tree.  We did not get a very big harvest and the birds were taking more than their fair share.  I decided to cut the bird bites off and make a Plum Kuchen recipe that I found on myrecipes. com.  It was delicious. 

(I tried to post the link but was not successful :(  

 

 Cami and Grant came to visit one morning last week and enjoyed the fruits of Papa's labors.  They love snacking in the garden.

 The garden is starting to produce on a daily basis.  I love the taste of home grown fruits and veggies.  The flavors are like I remember eating as a child.  One morning last week a served hash browns (store bought potatoes), sauted swiss chard, canteloupe, sliced tomatoes, pesto and toasted homemade french bread for brunch.  I was a delicious feast! 

(We eat brunch most days since Randy started the night shift.)  

 Randy had to go to an Endodontist for a root canel on one of his molars.  I was surprised when he returned with a long stem Rose.  The dentist office gave roses to their Monday morning patients.

 I thought it a bit strange.

 We got an early morning call from Mark on Friday.  Rachel was in labor.  I went to their home and stayed with Grant and Cami until they awoke, then brought them to our house for the day.

 Grant enjoys eating Papa's pancakes when he visits.

 Water games in the backyard after breakfast.

Morgan and Kara.

 Kara Beth Maroney arrived at 8:50ish on Friday July 22, 2011. 

Papa and Kara.

To Aunt Alison

I am SO BLUE  without you!

Cami working on an art project to send to Aunt Alison.

 She wiggles ALOT!

Sleepover

Last night we were blessed to have Grant and Cami spend the night.  They love their Aunt Shelby and enjoy snuggle and story time. 

 Grant requested Grandpa pancakes for breakfast this morning before he went to sleep last night.  His first words this morning were "Is it time for pancakes?" 

 Grant is our Number 1 Sous Chef!!  He loves working in the kitchen.  (In the garden, on a car, etc....)

Pancakes on the porch.

The blog that never was :(

I am better at taking pictures than posting blogs.  This is Part One of random pictures that I never took time to post.

We had a wonderful Thanksgiving.  Mom, Bob and Bethany visited for the weekend. 

         Bethany enjoyed visiting with Grandma Winsor while preparing the food.


   Visiting around the fire pit and enjoying hot apple cider.

                                                          Christmas family time.

     Morgan loves the smell of fresh baked gingerbread and creating a house with her friend Kristen.

                                                     Grant and Grandma join the fun.

                                                         Tastes as good as it looks!

                       Alison, Bethany and Morgan take a few practice shots after family pictures.

                       Grandpa and Grant take a break from cooking and enjoy a little outside time.

                                           Bethany could not resist playing with her food. 

If its true that the "Family the plays together stays together" is true than we are on the right path.

I believe that President Monson says The Family the PRAYS together.  We do that too, I just don't have a picture. 

Saturday morning????

Our lives have changed so much this year.  Randy has a new job and seems to enjoy it.  At the previous job he worked many LONG hours.  His new job is 40 hours a week.  I enjoy having him home more often.  In mid June he switched to an evening work schedule.  He does not leave for work until close to 3 pm.  This morning felt like a Saturday.  We all sleep in a little longer.  (I made blackout type curtains for our bedroom.)  We eat a leisurely breakfast and then work around the house.  It definitely feels like Saturday morning most days of the week.

Randy watering the grapevines.

Liberty

"For the nation and kingdom that will not serve thee shall perish; - Isaiah 60:12

"And it came to pass that he rent his coat; and he took a piece thereof, and wrote upon it-In memory of our God, our religion, and freedom, and our peace, our wives, and our children- and he fastened it upon the end of a pole."
And he fastened on his headplate, and his breastplate, and his shields, and girded on his armor about his loins; and he took the pole, which had on the end thereof his rent coat, (and he called it the title of liberty) and he bowed himself to the earth, and he prayed mightily unto his God for the blessings of liberty to rest upon his brethren, so long as there should a band of Christians remain to possess the land" -Alma 46:12-13

"Oh, thus be it ever, when free men shall stand
Between their loved homes and the war's desolation!
Blest with victory and peace, may the heavens rescued land
Praise the Power that hath made and preserved us a nation!
Then conquer we must, when our cause it is just,
And this be our motto: 'In God is our trust!'
And the star-spangled banner in triumph shall wave
O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave!"
-Francis Scott Key

"Behold, this is a choice land, and whatsoever nation shall possess it shall be free from bondage, and from captivity, and from all other nations under heaven, if they will but serve the God of the land, who is Jesus Christ" -Ether 2:12

How blessed I am to live in the United States of America.  I am grateful to those who have given so much that I might live in this free nation.