Happy Valentines Day

Happy Valentines Day to all

IS IT JUST ME? OR IS IT CRAZY OUT THERE?

Have you noticed that things aren’t as civil as they once were? Or that rudeness is no longer an exception but a lifestyle? Sure you have. All you need to do is set foot outside your door to see that bad manners are taking over everywhere. People are yakking on cell phones in restaurants, even at church. Folks in carpools wear enough cologne to make our eyes bleed. Complete strangers think it’s OK to rub a pregnant lady’s belly. Passengers abuse flight attendants, family outings to the ball park are ruined by rowdy drunks . . . a congressman heckled the President of the United States. 

So goes the comments from Whoopi Goldberg's new book about manners.  Joel gave me the book for Christmas, it looked like a great short read.  She leaves nothing to the imagination.  She tells it like it is.

Just because I attend the same meeting house as you, and we shop at the same stores, and hang with the same people does not mean that my opinions matches yours.  Actually I am entitled to my own opinion, which is my opinion and no one elses.  Don't assume that I think like you.  I may not agree with you, but  I think you have a right to your own opinion.  There are some people who think that I do not deserve to have an opinion unless it is the opinion of the "majority".    After reading this book, I now think I can have my own opinion whether someone likes it or not.    Just because you worship the ground Glenn Beck walks on, don't try and make me love him too.  It will not happen.  And guess what?  He is not the voice for the LDS Church.

PROVO TABERNACLE BURNS TO THE GROUND

Joel drove me down to see what was going on with the Provo Tabernacle that was reported to be on fire.  These are a few of the pictures that I took of this sad scene.  What a sad, sad day for everyone.  I grew up in Provo and this building is part of my life.  I went to numerous Stake Conference meetings in this building, along with Seminary Graduation.  Joel's dad Joseph sang with the Ralph Woodward Chorale, and every year at Christmas time the group sang "The Messiah" in the Tabernacle.  People were taking pictures, standing there just staring, or openly sobbing.    I sincerely hope this can be put back together again, but only time will tell.  A fencing company is there getting ready to put up a fence. 

Words cannot express how I feel right now.

Christmas Recipes to Share

Oreo Truffles
Ingredients
1 18-oz. Pkg. Chocolate sandwich cookies with white filling, finely crushed
1 8-oz. Pkg. Cream cheese, softened
1 lb. White baking chocolate, melted
Directions
1. In large bowl combine crushed cookies and cream cheese. Beat with mixer on low speed until well blended. Form 1-inch balls by hand. Dip balls in white chocolate; place on baking sheet covered with waxed paper. Refrigerate 1 hour or until firm. To store, cover and refrigerate. Makes 50 truffles.

 

Pin Wheel Cookies

• 1 cup butter, softened
• 1 package (3 ounces) cream cheese, softened
• 1 cup sugar
• 1 egg
• 1 tablespoon grated orange peel
• 1 teaspoon Spice Island® Pure Vanilla Extract
• 3-1/2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 
  FILLING:
• 1 cup (6 ounces) semisweet chocolate chips
• 1 package (3 ounces) cream cheese, softened
• 1/2 cup confectioners' sugar
• 1/4 cup orange juice

Directions

• In a large bowl, cream the butter, cream cheese and sugar until light and fluffy. Beat in the egg, orange peel and vanilla. Combine flour and salt; gradually add to the creamed mixture and mix well. Cover and chill for 4 hours or until firm.
• Meanwhile, combine all filling ingredients in a small saucepan. Cook and stir over low heat until smooth; set aside to cool.
• On a floured surface, divide dough in half; roll each half into a 12-in. x 10-in. rectangle. Spread with filling. Carefully roll up into a tight jelly roll and wrap in waxed paper. Chill overnight.
• Unwrap and cut into 1/4-in. slices. Place 2 in. apart on ungreased baking sheets. Bake at 375° for 8-10 minutes or until lightly browned. Remove to wire racks to cool. Yield: about 8 dozen

Update

My camera is broken, so there are no new pictures to post.
Need to save my money to get a new Canon camera.
My dog jake is now longer with us, we had to put him down on Labor Day weekend.
He was with us for 14 years.
It rained on the faux Halloween (saturday)
Joel brought home a homeless cat to take the place of jake.
The new cat's name is Simba, he looks like a little tiger.
Simba was hungry when we got him, and he has not stopped eating since.
Dancing the the Stars this season is a yawn......................
Ashleigh and Randy welcomed a new baby boy named Lincoln.
I have six grandkids now.
Grandson Parker shot his first deer--a four point buck.

GOD BLESS AMERICA

I so love America. I am so glad we are free. I love to see the American flag, and I fly it whenever I can. I appreciate the men and women who have given their lives for our freedom. My uncle Franklin Caras gave his life in Viet Nam. Joel's dad fought during WWII in the pacific. He never talked about it. Joel served his country during the Viet Nam war, as a medic. Joel's brother Phil took a bullet in the chest for our safety., He is a Orem City Police officer. My neighbor Dan is a fireman, who puts his life on the line whenever he fights a fire. My nephew Rory and his wife Katie are police officers as well. I pray for everyone's safety every day. My ancestors came to this wonderful country for their freedom. My great great grandfather Daly came from Ireland. HIs wife came from Ireland was well. My great great grandfather Victor Brandmeyer and his wife Genivieve came from France. My great great grandmother Mette Mortensen walked across the plains with the Willie Handcart Company. Her family wanted religious freedom. Where would we all be if someone before us had not risked their lives for our freedom????? Again I love America!!!!!!!

My Great Great Grandfather

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Reynolds_v._United_States

My Great Great Grandfather was George Reynolds. I have been going through family pictures, and I found this one interesting. George was a polygamist with three wives, and these are this twelve sons. Note the little one in the front in a dress! Grandpa Reynolds was a General Authority under Brigham Young, and he was his personal secretary. He was the test case for the government charging him with the offense of practicing polygamy for religious reasons. It was known as Reynolds v. United States. Actually the Mormon Church asked him to be the one to charged in the case. The case was decided in favor of the government, and George was sent to federal prison in Omaha, Nebraska. Apparently he did not learn his lesson, as he took on another wife upon his release and return to Utah .

The Two Olivia's

When daughter Jenny was pregnant with her third child, which she did not know what it was going to be, she said she wanted to name it a "ancestor" name. The name that came to mind, was OLIVIA if her baby was a girl. Anna Olevia Rasmussen was a extremely beautiful ancestor, that I had long admired her beauty. She was the daughter of Christian and Mette Rasmussen, my great, great grandparents. So when her little girl was born, she named her Olivia. Olivia was also born on the same day that Sadaam Hussein was found in that spider hole. Recently, on our trip to St. George for spring break, we stopped at the Parowan cemetary. We visited the Rasmussen graves, and when looking at Anna Olevia's grave, we noticed one thing: Both Olivia's were born on the same day, December 14th. It was meant to be that she was named Olivia!

Mother's Day

Since this weekend is Mother's Day, I thought I would post my picture of my mom and dad when I was about three years old. My parents were Don and Shirley Daley Rasmussen, and they were divorced when I was about five years old. Both of them have passed away. I remember after they were divorced, my dad would always get a card for my brother and I too give to my mom on Mother's Day. I thought that was very thoughtful of him, since we were too young to get a card. I love you both and miss you on this special day.

That was then--this is now!

Last weekend, our whole family went to St. George, Utah for the grandkids spring break. Some of us stayed in town, and others stayed at Green Valley resort. We had a great time swimming, biking and eating. The weather was wonderful. SO glad to see the sun again. Many years ago we were there when the girl's were younger. Their grandpa Joe Murphy took this picture with my old Minolta SR202 camera. The old picture was so good, decided to try and do it again!!!! This time dad Joel Murphy and others, took the picture!!!!

Olivia and Jayda

There is never a dull moment when these two get together! They were playing around the other night with coats and hats, and they looked like the trenchcoat Mafia......

The Missionary--Mitch Murphy

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Joel , Phil, Brice and Steven

Mitch and Sharon
The never ending food
Missionary Mom Miriam, who put this all together
Natalie and others

Joel's brother Phil, and his wife Mariam had a open house after church on February 21st for the farewell for their missionary son Mitch Murphy. He was called to serve in the Monterrey, Mexico Mission. Mitch is such a special nephew and cousin to all. He is kind and thoughtful and has a great sense of humor. After church we went to his house for visiting and food. There was sooooo much food there and so many people, that one could hardly get around to get to the food, and one could hardly visit--there were so many well wishers. I brought homemade tamales, that my friend's mother made. I delivered them to the kitchen and could not get out, so I helped serve the mountains of food. I have never seen so much anywhere in my life---not even on a cruise!

President's Day Weekend, Valentines, and Joel's Birthday

The Family had a great weekend get-a-way. All of us went to Midway, Utah and stayed overnight for the weekend to celebrate the holiday, Valentines, and Joel's birthday. The first night Ashleigh and Randy brought Pizza. The next morning for Valentine's the men (Eric and Randy) fixed a wonderful breakfast of red scrambled eggs and bacon. After breakfast the grand kids opened their valentine gifts. We gave them pajama's. Poor Chloee was sick with a fever and other not so fun things and spent most of her time in bed. We watched the Olympics, Michael Jackson's movie "This is It" and the kids went swimming at the Homestead. That night Jenny and Eric went to Park City for dinner. We stayed up late and watched ""The Curious Case of Benjamin Button" Parker never made it off the couch. The next day we watched tv and the kids went ice skating in Heber. On Sunday night was had a birthday dinner for Joel, I made my famous spaghetti. The next day we got ready to leave. Before the weekend was over we had chocolate dipped strawberries to end the weekend. It was great and Joel turned 61.

Rush and Pat

You know me and my politics, and my opinions........................but
Pat Robertson is a complete ass and
Rush Limbaugh is a bigot

http://www.nilesstar.com/2010/01/15/editorial-limbaugh-robertson-comments-inconceivable/


unbelievable

Pig out at the Asian Buffet

Saturday night was Ray Wimmer's birthday. We all went out to dinner to celebrate. My twelve year old grandson Parker had a great time. Here are the rounds of food he ate:
1. plate of fries, chicken nuggets, pizza
2. plate of assorted Chinese food
3. bowl of chocolate ice cream
4. plate of won tons
5. plate of crab legs with drawn butter
6. plate of more won tons with sweet and sour sauce, covered.
7. full plate of assorted jello's
8. two more slices of pizza

I could hardly believe what I saw. He turns twelve this Thursday........ what a kid.

Chief Stanley Brown

Today was the funeral for the former Provo City Fire Chief Stanely Brown. He was such a great part of my life. I have known his family since I was a teenager. His daughter Kate was one of my best friends. We were in the same LDS ward, and her mother Lois was our Mutual teacher. I spend a lot of time at their home hanging out, listening to records and calling boys. There was always a party at the Brown's home. It was the gathering place for Kate's friends, and also for her brother Ed.

Sadly, Kate was killed in a car accident in Provo Canyon in 1971. She was a passenger in a car driven by her boyfriend Pat. Life was never the same without her. Her parents took her death hard, and she was always in their hearts. I think of her often and I still miss her after all these years. When I hear a certain song from the 60's, it reminds me of our great times together. The "Chief" is with her now, along with his son Sam. Farewell for a while, but we will see you again................

Farewell to a "Chief"

Vintage Christmas

I just love old things. These are some of the old ornaments that I put on my tree this year. These are from my Grandparents, Jack and Lyla Daley's collection from the 1950's. It reminds me of my childhood. It is always sad when the tree has to come down.....