Yummy Food!

When I married my tall, handsome, and very thin husband I resolved to get some meat on those bones. I also knew the way to a man heart is through his stomach. Taking these two things into account I took up a love for cooking. That skin and bones of 180 lbs. has turned into a healthy 230 lbs.
I thought I would share our favorite things I make. It was hard to choose what to put in. I have all of the things I make in a word document. If you would like it, let me know (if I don't have your personal e-mail let me know that too)! Please share your recipes as well, I always like to try new things.

Don:

Orange Julius

1 c. frozen orange juice concentrate
1 ½ c. water
1 ½ c. milk
18 ice cubes
1 ½ tsp. vanilla
(His mom adds apricot nectr, which he loves!!!)

Shrimp Chowder
Tricia Wade

1 lb. clean shrimp
2 cans cream of potato soup
1 small can whole kernel corn
4 oz. cream cheese
2 or 3 green onions
½ pod garlic, pressed or minced
1 ½ c. milk
Dash of red pepper
1 stick butter
Saute chopped onions and garlic in butter. In large pot, mix milk soup and corn, crumble in cream cheese, wait for cream cheese to melt, and then add onion, garlic, and red pepper. Stir constantly, bring to a simmer, then add shrimp and cook for additional three minutes. Serve over rice and with French bread.
Notes: Drain corn a little bit. Just cut cream cheese in cubes to keep hands clean. We don’t use onions, fresh garlic, or red pepper. Put some black pepper and dried garlic. Just melt butter, add dry garlic then mix the rest in with that; saves cleaning a pot.

Fairy Rolls
Amy Beecher

1 cup butter or margarine
2 cups hot water
2 Tbsp. yeast
2 eggs
¾ cup sugar
1 tsp. salt
6-7 cups flour
1 tsp. baking powder
Dissolve yeast in hot water; sprinkle a tablespoon of sugar on top.
Blend eggs, sugar, salt, softened butter & baking powder in bowl.
Mix dissolved yeast into mixture
Add flour 2 cups at a time.
Put dough in a greased bowl upside down.
Let rise until double in size.
Roll dough out on floured surface. Use a pizza cutter to cut into triangles. Roll from the wide end of the triangle and then place on a greased baking sheet. Let rise again until double in size.
Bake @ 375 for 12-15 minutes. Makes about 3 ½ dozen rolls

Homemade Oreos

2 Devil Food Cake mixes
1 ½ c. shortening
4 eggs
Mix together – roll into 1 inch balls & place on cookie greased cookie sheet. Bat at 350 for 10 minutes. Frost one cookie and put two together.

Pam:

Shrimp Butter
Nancy Barlow

¾ Stick BUTTER-softened
8 oz. cream cheese-softened
½ small onion-minced
4 tsp. mayonnaise
Dash of salt, pepper, garlic powder
2 small cans shrimp-drained
Juice of ½ lemon
Blend all ingredients with electric mixer, Refrigerate before serving. Serve with Ritz or Town House crackers.

Crock Pot Roast and Potatoes

1 ½ -2 lb. roast
5-6 medium potatoes cut in quarters ( I like mashed potatoes instead!)
½ lb. bag baby carrots
1 can cream of mushroom soup
1 tsp. Lipton onion soup mix
Salt and pepper
Pour cream of mushroom soup into crock pot. Add can of water if you need extra gravy. Stir in soup mix. Place uncooked meant in crock pot. Cut potatoes into bite size chucks and place potatoes and carrots in the pot. Cover generously with salt and pepper. Cook on low heat for 8-10 hours.

Lemon Jell-O Cake

1 pkg. super moist lemon cake mix
1 small pkg. lemon jell-o
¼ c. flour
Mix all together and add
4 eggs
¾ c. water
Beat for 2 min @ high speed & add
2/3 c. vegetable oil
Beat 1 min. - Bake in greased pan @ 350 for 40 min. - When cake is done poke holes all over – spoon frosting over hot cake
Frosting:
2 cups powdered sugar
The juice of 2 lemons

Jaron:

Hamburger Casserole

Nancy Barlow

1 cup elbow macaroni – cooked
1 small onion – chopped and browned with meat
1 lb. hamburger – browned
1 can tomato soup
1 can chili
Grated cheese
Mix all ingredients together – Simmer in skillet for 15 min. – sprinkle with grated cheese.

Bryson:

His favorite right now is carrots & squash!!! No green stuff.

Mothers

This past week I have been pondering motherhood on many different levels. I have been thinking about my mother, the examples of mothers, how I feel about being a mother, & what I need to do to be the best one I can.
Let me start with my mother. I am so grateful to have been "born of goodly parents." My mom is so great! She always is there when I need her. She is a true friend. I am reading "Married for Better, Not Worse" by Gary & Joy Lundberg. Don't worry anyone, my marriage is just fine. I really like reading self improvement books. So, in this book it talks about what a true friend is. A true friends is (1) someone who accepts me as I am, (2) someone I can talk to, (3) someone I can have fun with, (4) someone who really cares about me, and (5) someone I can trust. I am proud to say that my mom is a true friend. I know that if I need her I can turn to her, and I always have known that. I really think the friendship that we have with our children is something lasting and valuable. She has also taught me well. She knows about the gospel and its teachings and I hunger for truth and understanding. What a great combination.
Mother's have so much power to influence their children. We see so many scripture stories of the power of the women, we read in current history of the same influence. I really like the quote "the hand that rocks the cradle, is the hand that rules the world" ~William Ross Wallace, and think that it is true.
I once struggled with my role as a mother. Meeting all these intelligent people as RA, I was somewhat ashamed of what I was doing with my life. I felt so insignificant when they would ask what I was doing right now. Amy Beecher wrote on her blog how she loved this book "I Am a Mother." Her entry really struck me and I soon owned the book and read it. I now can proudly say that I AM A MOTHER! What a divine roll and calling.
The last one is the one I really have been thinking about the most. What do I need to do to be a good mother. I strongly feel that my example is the one thing that speaks loudest to my children. What I say they should do means nothing to them, if I don't do it myself. Sure I make mistakes, but I need to fess up to them and not try and cover them up. I need to build that relationship that I have with my mother, be a true friend to my kids. I really struggle with being extremely critical of others and what they are doing. The book that I am reading also had an insight to this, it is referring to your mate, but it works with kids too. "Usually, when people are critical of themselves they are critical of others, including their mate [children]. Accepting your mate [children] for who he or she is can best happen when you accept yourself for who you are." Sure kids need to be taught and guided, but I don't always need to be making them do things my way. I need to love myself before I can share that love.
In my calling in primary I have really been drawn to a talk by Sister Lant where she talks about the three things that make a successful primary. They are (1) the children need to feel the love of their leaders & love of their Savior, (2) they need to learn the gospel and gain their own testimony and (3) children need to feel the spirit. Not until this past week while deep in a conversation did I realize, this is what I need to do as a mother. My children need to know I love them, they need to know the Savior loves them, they need to recognize the spirit, learn now to use the spirit, I need to teach them all I can, and let them gain their own testimony so that when they are faced with life and it's challenges they will know which way to go.
Mother's are wonderful and I am so grateful for the many examples I have in my life.

S.M.I.L.E.

During this time of year when everyone is graduating my mind has been lead to an experience I once had with my brother Brad. After many long years in school he was finally graduating from dental school. I was still living at home with my parents, as way my little brother Tyson. The four of us went out to Iowa to his graduation.
As we were driving to his graduation we were telling him what an accomplishment this was, how wonderful he was for sticking with it. I can still hear him say in a quiet voice "It isn't the greatest accomplishment I have ever made." We looked at him a little puzzled and he said, "I was married in the temple."
This simple statement has stuck with me through the years. Sometimes I get frustrated with my earthly accomplishment (or those of other, aka Don's); but that is just what they are, earthly accomplishments. Nothing on earth can replace that of eternal importance.
Brad has been one of my greatest examples. The change that he made while on his mission was a testimony to me of the power of the atonement and how if we let the Lord into our hearts he will change us.
This story is another example I always think of.
I also think of the times I have spent with his family. He is an example of putting your wife first, then your family. He teaches his children so well. I always look to him and think, it is possible. You can have a family, a career, and still raise a righteous generation. Older brothers are great! I also give a lot of credit to his amazing wife Kaylnne. I also realize that no one is perfect and their family still has its struggles, but that doesn't mean his example is any less real.
While reflecting on his example I think how he reminds me to S.M.I.L.E.

2 Nephi 9:39 " . . . to be spiritually minded is life eternal."

Watch Me Grow

7 months

6 months

5 months

4 months

3 months

2 months

1 month

Birth

Best Buddies

As all mothers do, I worried a lot about how Jaron would handle the new addition to the family. I heard so many horror stories . . . I don't need to expound on that. I tried my hardest to prepare him for what was coming. But nothing really can do that. He was only 19 1/2 months how much could I really explain.

My fears were put to rest when Bryson was born. Jaron LOVED him. He was so excited to show us his noes, ears, eyes, mouth, and anything else he could identify. He was even really soft with him too.

This love has only grown. When Bryson wakes up, Jaron is always first to run to him. Now that Bryson is starting to laugh, move around, and be a little more of a playmate Jaron is in heaven. He is always making him laugh. Sure there are the moments when he is frustrated Bryson can't play more, or needs some attention of his own. But the fear I once had is gone, they are best buddies (for now).

Just a few pictures of the boys together.


They both are finding bath time a lot more fun, now they can play together.








We visited Red Butte Gardens on Arbor Day. It is kind of funny that Jaron really is too small to be holding his "little brother."

Yets?

I have been getting the question from some of you, "Pam & the yets?" So let me explain. Don served his mission in Cambodia where he was a giant compared to a lot of the people there. Yet means "giant" in Khmer (the language they speak). The reason Pam is separate is because "I am short," or at least Don thinks so. I may not be short but I definitly am not a giant.

Read more about Cambodia