FHE

For FHE on Monday night I wanted to talk about love and kindness in our home. I think all things considered our family is pretty good, but there is always that continually striving for peace, love and harmony. I spent most of Monday trying to think of a way to teach the importance of family and how we need to treat each other with kindness. Then I remembered a story from my childhood.

One winter my grandma and grandpa Blumel let us toboggan off their roof. They had an addition on the side of their house that had a lower roof – perfect for sledding off of. We would climb up the ladder and slide down and drop a few feet to the ground; the drop was high enough that we had to make sure we were feet first or we could have gotten hurt. I still remember how much fun this was.

I remember one time on my way down I got turned around so that I was sliding back first. I started to panic as I thought about what would happen if I couldn’t get myself turned around. I tired to get my body positioned feet first, but no luck. I hit the edge of roof and braced myself for the impact and prepared myself for a broken arm or leg, I felt myself sailing through the air and then I felt Shane catch me.

I told the boys my story, related it to our family and went on to talk about how important our family is; how we need to treat one another and look out for one another. It was gratifying to tell the story and have their full attention and then have them participate as we set goals as a family.


This is our family’s favourite FHE game. Nolan and Jarom love to be in charge of the game and usually this is the one they decide to play. We set up all the pictures of the first presidency and the apostles and then the kids set their bowling pins on top. Whoever’s pin you knock down first you have to say his name. If you’re right you are rewarded with a small treat, candy, mini marshmallows, chocolate chips, whatever we have on hand. This actually works really well, Nolan know almost all the apostles and Jarom know lots of the names – just doesn’t always get the right name with the right pictures.

I remembered

Ok, this one is a tad on the lame side and I know many of you will just be shaking your head wondering what sort of state my house is in – could be worse, bit could always be better.

I have anyways hated the smell of bleach and the weird funky feeling that plagues me long after my work is done, so for many years I have not used bleach. I had something I had to buy bleach for and then for some reason starting bleaching everything and anything I could get my hands on. The curtains in my kitchen are gleaming white, my white towels are finally rid of the blue paint smears, but my favourite of all is my sink. I had no idea the transformation that bleach can do to a sink. I filled the sink with hot water, dumped in a bunch of beach and my sink now shines like never before. I love it.

Some of my Favorite Things

Last week I had 4 favorite things to share, but right now I can only think of 3, I'll post the 4th once I remember it.


I tried Dove Cream oil – Jasmine and vanilla scent at my mom house last month and loved it. Normally I would not have tried such a product.

Ever since my pregnancy with Nolan and a very long car ride home with Patrice and her clothes aromatic with vanilla scented fabric softener, vanilla scent has made me feel like puking. However, this body wash is soft and creamy on my skin and the scent makes me feel so happy as I can smell it long after my shower is over.




On the recommendation of many people I watch the movie August Rush this week. I was a little worried after hearing so many great things about this movie that it would fail to live up to all the hype – as has been my experience in the past, but August Rush delivered in a big way. I loved this movie and would highly recommend it to anyone.


I love Salad and the find of a new great recipe make me totally excited - I made this one last Sunday and all those who consumed it agreed it was one of the best ever.

Strawberry-Spinach Salad

1 lb asparagus spears
1/3 cup bottled poppy seed salad dressing
1 tsp finely shredded orange peel
1 tbsp orange juice
8 cups fresh baby spinach or assorted greens
2 cups sliced fresh strawberries and/or blueberries
3/4 cup to 1 lb cooked turky, cut into 1/2 inch cubes
1/4 cup pecan halves, toasted

1. Snap off and discard woody bases from asparagus. If desired, scrape off scales. Cut into 1-inch pieces. Cook asparagus, covered, in a small amount of boiling lightly salted water for 3 to 5 minutes or until crisp-tender. Drain asparagus. Rinse with cold water. Let stand in cold water until cool; drain.

2. Meanwhile, for dressing, in a small bowl stir together poppy seed dressing, orange peel, and orange juice; set aside.

3. In a salad bowl combine asparagus, spinach, berries, and turkey. Place on salad plates. Top with pecans. Serve with dressing.

* When I made the salad I omitted the turkey and blueberries. But if you left the turkey in it would make a really good main dish.

Update

Here is a point form run down of all the exciting goings on for the last couple of months.

· After years and years of living with a fridge that barely worked and a stove that apparently didn’t work at all, not to mention the rust color – which for some odd and unexplainable reason I really liked, we (or I guess I should say I, because Spencer wanted to do it years ago) finally broke down and bought a new fridge and stove. I have very much enjoyed both a working fridge and a stove. It’s been a whole new experience and I’ve had to learn how to cook again, now that my stove cooks with more than one temperature.

· Jarom and Nolan finished their swimming lessons. Both are given the opportunity to repeat their level. Which is good because Jarom is as far as he can go until he turns 6 so even if he had passed he would still get to do the class again this spring.

Nolan is in level 5 which meant he spent the whole class in the deep end swimming laps. Nolan has always had a fear of deep water and spent the first 4 classes terrified he was going to drown. I was so proud of him for conquering his fear as he kept getting into the pool each week!

· Jarom was enrolled in Gymnastics for the first time this year. He loved it and was a natural. He does a great cartwheel, handstand and skin the cat. It’s been really fun to watch as he progressed through the weeks – he starts his second session next week.

· Nolan finished up his 2nd season of basketball. He is a great little player and looking forward to attending b-ball camp this summer.

· I took a quick trip back to Alberta for a week-end in February. My parent’s basement flooded, as most of you know, and after a tearful phone call from my mom, I wanted to be with them. It was lots of fun, I got to have lunch with my sister, dad and mom, get a pedicure with my mom, and spend time gabbing with my sisters.

· It seems like I had lots more to share, but nothing else comes to mind. I’ll update if I think of something else later.