Sick and Grouchy

Yes, this is my 3rd day down with a bad sinus infection.  I will finally see a Dr. today, and I am hoping will feel much better after that appointment.  It's been a long time since I have been this miserable and I just don't have time to be this sick.  Sleep has been sporadic at best - hard to sleep when you can't breathe - and to add insult to injury the construction crew across the street has decided to start pounding nails at 6 am.  I am not a happy camper.  Okay, enough complaining.  

Coconut Pecan Frosting

For all of us who love “the frosting with germans in it” I am posting this recipe.  Mostly because I had a hard time finding my written copy of it, and I don't want to lose it completely.  Lacy called me most recently for the ingredients, and I hope it turned out well for her.  Here goes:

Coconut Pecan Frosting

1  cup evaporated milk 

1  cup sugar

3  beaten egg yolks

1/2 cup butter (1 stick)

1 t. vanilla

1 1/3 cup flaked coconut

1 cup chopped pecans

Optional:  1 T. cornstarch (to thicken a little faster)

In a heavy saucepan combine first five ingredients.  Stir constantly over medium heat until mixture bubbles and is thickened.  Add coconut and pecans and remove from heat.  Allow to cool a little before frosting cake.

Variation (I found on the internet):  substitute 1 14 oz. can sweetened condensed milk (eagle brand) for the evaporated milk and the sugar.

I usually double this recipe when I do a cake.  This insures I have way enough for my 2 cake mix cakes and there always has to be a little left for licking the pan.

Awake again…

Here it is, 1:00 a.m. and I am up. TV is just too boring, so I am at the computer doing some design work, and of course blogging. I happened to read Chelsey's post about coming back to Arizona, and I am so excited they will be here soon. I really appreciated her comment about being close to her cousins growing up. When I was growing up I had a friend named Marilyn. Her family was very close.  It seemed they always had so much fun with cousins, went to reunions and she was actually friends with her cousins.  Although my mom's family wasn't really close, I have many fond memories of cousins; we lived next door to my uncle Max's family more than once, we vacationed at the family cabin in the summers etc.  I resolved when quite young I would try really hard to have a close extended family when we grew up and had kids. I enjoy my nieces and nephews very much and now that they are older, age differences don't matter as much as they used to. I am hoping as my kids and their cousins continue to build their lives, they will take the time to get to know one another better and continue to be friends. I know we are a big bunch of people when we all get together, but how wonderful is that!  If the whole point of returning home to our Father in Heaven as families is what we're working to attain, it would be nice to really know and appreciate each other even more. I love my brother Bob and his wife Sydney, Tracy and Kevin and all their kids. It's hard work sometimes to keep relationships strong. But I wouldn't trade my family for anyone else's. I love it when these new cousins play, fight over toys, and learn about each other.  

These are pics of some of the cousins (and friends) playing together from the BBQ last Sunday. That get together really felt comfortable. It was gratifying to see and be part of the many conversations, funny stories and referring that is part of being together. I so love the chaos of happy noise and people enjoying the company of one another. I can't think of anything more important to give a child than the gift of a close family.  

See what happens when I stay up this late?  I get all sloppy.  I love you all.

The Mowers and the Goodwins, Happy Day!

Born on the same day, married on the same day.  You've come a long way babies!  Husbands, kids, homes to care for, church callings, PTA's, class volunteer, soccer games, miles to run.  Life is good.  Happy Anniversary to both of you, and hang in there for many more.  I wish I had scanned some pictures to put in, but I have no scanner right now, so I will do some later.  I love all of you.

(Most of) The Harmon Women

A “Beauty-full” Weekend!

I can only imagine how Jade must feel after her “hair-raising” weekend.  We are all happy with our cuts, color, do's, products, clippers and buzzes. Jade gave up almost her entire weekend to all of us that were in need of beauty improvements. A Huge THANK-YOU to her, and her husband Jeff for letting us take advantage of her time and talent.  Also to R.B. and Stacie for watching the kids while we tried to pack 20 lbs. of stuff into a 10 lb. day.  Whew! It was a really fun 3 days to do hair, shop, go to Ali's bridal shower, and of course talk way too late in the night and all the other stuff we did. I rarely get a picture of me with the girls, and even though we are missing Stacie, I am putting on our pic that was taken at Ali's shower.   

It's All Good…

We have reached mid-April and all seems to be going well.  There have been the usual day to day fires to put out and the really big concerns are still really big concerns, but no ulcers, nervous break downs or catatonic stupors have set in yet.  I haven't been wielding my camera much lately, so I will repent and take lots of pictures of something this week.  I am sitting at my computer on a Friday night after putting the Jarvis children to bed.  Richard is at the D-Back game and it is quiet in the house. I am reflecting on how blessed I feel.  I'm glad to be living now, in this land, in this city, in this family.  I look around me every day and wonder what I did to deserve such a great life.  Everyone has problems.  That's just part of our experience here.  I am just glad I have my problems and not someone else's. I believe we do truly get what we can handle, even though sometimes we think we will be broken.  I get to plan for a family dinner on Sunday, get my hair cut and colored tonight by my talented daughter, sleep in a comfortable bed in my house and do a thousand things every day lots of other people can only dream of.  Madison will play soccer in the morning, Ali will have her bridal shower/brunch, Tawna will run in her first marathon, I will paint walls at Papa's, design a wedding invitation for a friend, and be a part of all the other things going on with the rest of the kids and grandkids. I hope and pray I will remember to stop and take note of the happiness of it all.  That I will remember to give thanks for it all.  That when the Jarvis boys awake, I will be a good sport about the early hour on Saturday.  That I will find humor in the pile of laundry I neglected for about a month now.  And that Richard still loves me enough to forgive me for the bags of product I came home with from the beauty supply store.  It seems I need a lot more product to break even these days.  I think some of them are edible, so if I can't afford groceries, we could eat them. Yes, all in all mid-April is okay.  I'll just brace myself for the next couple of weeks and hope I can say the same at the end of the month.  

Back to Class…

Ah yes, the smell of bread throughout the house.  There is nothing like it.  I am registered at Shar's Kitchen for two classes coming up in May.  The first will be Rustic Breads on Wednesday, May 14th @ 7 pm.  I can hardly wait to learn new ways to make bread.  If you go on Shar's website :  sharskitchen.com and read the description of this class, you will find a little blurb about the fact the bread made from whole grains you process in your own home act differently in your body.  I will quote the description here:  

“We have put together this class using our Montana Hard White Wheat.  We will feature California Walnut Bread, Nutritious Multi Grain Seed Bread, Ham & Cheese Roll-ups, and Sesame Long Rolls.  We will be using a pizza stone to ensure the heavy crust for which Rustic Breads are noted.  Remember, fresh ground whole-grain bread do not react in your system as a carbohydrate.  Also come see the Bosch and it's many attachments demonstrated and experience first-hand just what this machine can do.”

I would love for someone to come with me to class.  It is really fun, it's free and you will learn so much.  Oh-you get to sample everything they make.  If you want to attend, just go on the website and register.  

The other class is Country Pies, Sweet and Savory.  Wednesday, May 28th @ 7 pm.  Sweet pies as well as chicken pot pie will be demonstrated - and I can't wait.  I've made them and I would like to learn how to do it better.  Check out the op for free stuff that night.  I've attended one class featuring Emile Henry and they really do give away some awesome stuff.  Somebody come with me and we'll have a good time while we learn new stuff.  

These classes are also offered on a weekday morning and on a Saturday morning.  If you want to go, but can't on Wed. night, let me know and I will change times.

My Mom

Just a few words about Mom.  It has been a year since she left us.  She left behind such a void.  She was integrated in every part of our lives.  Her talent, determination, long suffering and all that was her is so hard to live without.  I even miss her onery (?) side.  She also left an incredible example for us.  She took such pleasure in her family.  Loved us, loved to cook for us, raised us to believe we could do anything.   I am immeasurably thankful for the wonderful mother she is.  I hope she knows how much I love her.  How I look forward to seeing her again someday.  I want my children to know how much I love them and how much I appreciate them.  

I have a plaque that hangs in my family room.  It reads:  “Family – forever, for always, no matter what.”  

We are.

Our most recent BBQ…

Tradition…

April. Lots of special dates this month. We already celebrated Chelsey, Faith and Madison's, birthdays, and will be celebrating Nathan & Tawna, and Kevin & Taya's wedding anniversaries on the 23rd. A huge and wonderful celebration for niece Ali coming up on the 26th - Wedding Bells in the Arizona Temple. So excited for her and her Jeremy, and the four princely boys in their fairy tale. One year ago on the 12th, our Nana passed away. This year of special occasions and traditions has been really hard without her. Not a day goes by that she is not thought of, missed, and yes - even talked to. Richard and I have been asked to speak in our new ward and have the last conference talks to choose from for our topics. I am choosing the talk on Traditions for my subject. So much of what we do each day, the way we celebrate, how we grieve, who we are, is in large part due to the traditions we were raised with or have implemented ourselves. A very special one that comes to mind for me right now is the traditional family BBQ that Nana began many years ago. Every saturday night her home was open to any and all family members that wanted to come over to BBQ. It was a bring your own meat party and she would always have side dishes and most of the time dessert for all of us. Sometimes someone else would offer to bring a side dish, or a bag of chips with dip. She and Papa also had a little refrigerator they kept stocked with soda pop and that was a huge hit with everyone. As grandchildren came their favorite part was the chip & dip and the soda pop. How odd. There were many times everyone couldn’t be there, but there was always someone there. She and Papa were very careful to never attach guilt if you couldn’t be there. Whoever could come was welcome and if you couldn’t, well, see you next time. It really wasn’t about the food - although food is a big part of our lives. It was about providing an opportunity for all of us to see each other and stay close to each other. Even the high school kids would come most of the time and if they brought a friend that was okay too. As her grandchildren got older and went off to college and got married they remembered the BBQ’s. The ones far away missed them, the ones that were close came. Everyone has to eat, right? This wonderful tradition continued for about 12 years. Nana just couldn’t keep up with all of it forever. I don’t know why we didn’t do it then, but now I hope to pick up the reins and try to provide that window of opportunity for our family to see each other and stay close in the future. I hope my brother and sister’s families will continue to want to share their lives with us. I can’t think of anything more important than making time for each other. Thanks Nana and Papa for starting us out on what we hope is a legacy we can treasure for generations.

Another big “7”…

Happy Birthday Madison Elizabeth!
I love that Madison and Faith were born so close together. Two very special girls within a few days of each other. Seven years old - what an amazing age. And Madison is an amazing girl.

We love that you:
1- Love your short hair.
2- Are a great soccer player.
3- Can choose your outfits and accessories so well.
4- Love to do your best at school and on your homework.
5- Are so good at arts & crafts projects.
6- Can help so well with Lauren and Kinley.
7- Love to give rides in your little sand car.
8- Enjoy trying new food.
9- Love to help in the kitchen, and with chores.
10- Have such a beautiful smile.

We hope you have a good day and that you know how much we love you.

The Plates and the Pics are finally finished

It is really amazing how long it takes to get pics of everyone with their plates, all done and fired and ready to eat on. Whew! Now we are down to the enjoying them for a long, long time part. I like this part a lot.

Granny made a Jib Jab!

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Happy Birthday Faith

I can't believe you are 7 years old.  I remember when you were such a teeny baby.  You are such a beauty.

I love that you…

• Have your Mommy's curly hair - it is so beautiful on you.
  
• Love to play with dolls, (I did too, for so many years). Now I get to sew for them.
  
• Have such a wonderful imagination.
  
• Read books and let them take you to far away places and have adventures.
  
• Love to go the dunes and ride your quad.
  
• Are such a talented artist and draw awesome pictures.
  
• Were so determined to master monkey bars - keep working on your goals always.
  
• Were born in April so you can have diamonds for your birthstone.
  
• Love your brother Chance so much and are such a good big sister for him.
  
• Are such a special part of our family.  You are loved so much by all of us.
  

I hope you had fun at your party today.  I am making a special dinner for you and Madison tomorrow.  And now you can eat on your beautiful plate.

We love you Faith.

Granny and Grumpy

Heaven is in the air

You can smell it all around you.  Just walk outside and catch the sweet heady smell of orange blossoms.  I want to sleep outside.  It's amazing how the smell of something can bring up memories long put away.  I remember dates I went on with Richard in high school and how sweet the air smelled.  Going to the easter pageant and enjoying the soft spring night.  I can still remember closing on our house in Redlands in March.  One night as we were moving in there I wanted to kneel down and kiss the driveway because it smelled like my home in Mesa.  Redlands is orange grove country too and I enjoyed living there because it was more like Mesa.  My Grandpa Schnepf planted oranges trees in Mesa, long, long ago.  It was somewhere around Alma School Road and maybe Main or University I think. My mom lived “in the groves” when she was a child and remembered the wash house he built my gramma so she had a place for her wringer washer and clotheslines. People thought he was crazy, but the trees grew and along with other crazy men made Mesa home to many orange groves.  Not so many now, but there are still enough to perfume the air and provide citrus at Christmas and through Feb. and Mar.  I love this time of year.

Chocolate Icing

I found this pic - she looks like me except a lot younger, oh and I don't have blue eyes, or dimples.  I guess the only real similarity is the spoon with icing on it.