New blogging with food, etc

Seriously!  Who really cares about blogs anymore?  I hardly ever look at them, but I am going to start posting stuff from Pinterest and Facebook, so I don't loose it!  Crafts, food, card ideas, etc.....  What do you think?  I am in!   Here is a recipe from The Pioneer Woman for LAND OF LAKES.

BOWTIE SKILLET PASTA WITH TOMATOES AND BASIL

· 1/4 cup Land O Lakes^® Butter with Canola Oil

· 1 clove garlic

· 1 cup halved red grape tomatoes

· 1 cup halved yellow grape tomatoes

· 8 large basil leaves, chiffonade or finely chopped

· 3 ounces Parmesan cheese

· ½ teaspoon salt

· ½ teaspoon black pepper

· More basil and Parmesan, for garnish

Directions

In a large saucepan, cook the pasta according to package directions. Drain and set aside.

Return the saucepan to the stove over medium heat. Add the Land O Lakes^® Butter with Canola Oil and allow it to melt. Add the garlic to the pan and let it cook for 1 minute to infuse flavor.

Add the cooked pasta, tomatoes, basil, salt, and pepper to the pan. Toss to combine. Use a vegetable peeler to shave the Parmesan into the pan. Give it a final toss, then serve immediately with extra Parmesan shavings and basil leaves on top.  

Life in Utah

I ran across this picture today and I just had to post it!  This was taken a few months ago in the parking lot of Cal Ranch.  This poor goat was crying and was tied up in the back of this truck while he owner was shopping.  Poor thing.

Downton Abbey

Season Three of Downton Abbey ended a week ago,and people are  still talking about the finale.  Daughter Ashleigh was upset and not happy, and I am still thinking about it all.  It was hard to watch the heartbreaking episodes, especially the last.  Now we have to wait and wait for Season Four.  I decided to re-watch Season One and Two, because I have forgotten a few things from Season One.

The most interesting thing about the series is that my own English ancestors from England are the CRAWLEY'S.   Does that mean that I am going to inherit something from Downton Abbey?

Why I am (gasp) Democrat

I know that I am the small minority in Utah County who will admit that they are a Democrat.  This is why I am:

My grandfather (who helped raise me after my parent divorced when I was five years old) was a bridge builder and worked for American Bridge.  He was working on the Oakland Bay Bridge and he fell from the top deck to the bottom deck and landed on his arms and knees.  He survived with many broken bones.  He took a medical retirement from American Bridge  and went to work at Geneva Steel.  My father also worked at Geneva Steel.  Men who worked hard labor joined unions.  Usually if you were a laborer and joined a union, you were a Democrat.  All of my family members were Democrats.

My grandfather Jake Daley was also a Catholic.  So I have a Catholic heritage as well.  He did not go to school past the 8th grade and lived in Chicago.  His family was dirt poor.  He made something of his life.  He gave me a comfortable life while I was growing up and living in his house.  He worshiped the same God that I worshiped.    After doing his genealogy and learning about his family, I realized that he had a horrible life growing up.  I am not going to go into the details, but the details are not good.  He was a humble man who never talked about his trials or his family.   

Years ago the majority of the Mormons were Democrat.  Many have joined other parties since then.  But I still hold the working man values of the Democratic Party.  Hard work is everything. 

Infighting and bickering party against party is damaging to the American dream.  There is too much fighting going on now.  I get all kinds of unkind remarks made to me because of my political leaning.  For those who do not like it, get over it.  I am allowed my voice and my American opinion.    And please do not be surprised that you no longer see me at the local church.............You all have worn me out.

People of Walmart!!!!!

My daughter Jenny and her friend Natalie were shopping at the American Fork Walmart and they actually saw this!  Shopping in her robe. 

New Card Group web site

I belong to a fabulous card group that has been going for quite a while.  We exchange cards every two months and here is the link for the new blog:

http://www.plgrovecards.blogspot.com/

This is the card that I submitted this month,

Call it the Thursday night massacre for the Patrick Henry devotees.

I am sitting here at work with nothing to do.  No one has called in asking questions or seeking help on the phone.  I have not been sworn at for a while, so life is pretty good here at work.  I have been reading the Salt Lake Tribune, and trying to stay awake.  I was on my way to Californis when the GOP caucus's were held.  I would have like to have attended, just to see the goings-on.  I have had to read what really went on behind the scenes.  Paul Rolly of the Trib is good at reporting what the fallout has been.  Look like the tea baggers took a bath.    That shows how really uninformed they are.  I just found out that my son in law is a Democrat.  That was a long kept secret, but short lived.  My daughter said he switched parties and joined the GOP to vote for Mitt.  He could vote for Mitt even if he is a Democrat.  No one knows who you vote for, not even the angels in Heaven.  Wow, I am glad for that one!!!!!!!!  Well, I have gotten off the beaten track here.  Anyway, as Paul Rolly explained, the blue haired people took back the GOP and got rid of the tea baggers.  The LDS Church encouraged everyone to attend their caucus's. So basically in a nut shell the righteous right  got the "boot".  Holly RIchardson, Jared Law, Joel Wright, Gayle Ruzika.   Also gone is right-wing blogger and author Connor Boyack, who left his position as social media director in the Mike Lee campaign two years ago because — get this — Lee was too liberal for him.  How can anyway be further "right" than Mike Lee.  How is Stephen Sandstrom and Carl Wimmer going to fare when it comes to the elections?    Here is a list of some of the logic that I hear:

Obama is responsible for the high gas prices.
Obama is another Hitler.
The LDS Church has nothing to do with the politics of this state.
Governor Herbert runs the State of Utah, not Gayle Ruzika.

If you would like to read the Trib's article, here is the link:  http://www.sltrib.com/sltrib/opinion/53773144-82/party-tea-delegates-caucuses.html.csp

Dave's Visit

Dave (Joel's brother from California) came to town for a visit.  His daughter Audrey had a new baby boy named Nox, who was born premature and he came to help with the grandkids.  We meet at the Orem Park for a dinner and get together.    We are always so glad to see him whenever!!!!!!

Jenny, Dave, Stacey, and Ashleigh

Jayda, Sailor, Phil

Halee, Phil ,Dave

JENNY AND THE DIRTY DASH

Last Saturday our daughter Jenny and her neighborhood friends ran The Dirty Dash at Soldier Hollow.  What an event to watch.  Participants were dressed in all kind of crazy outfits for the occasion.  What a great spectator sport for all to watch.  Granddaughters Chloee and Olivia did the mud part just for fun.  Here is some of the fun:

REMEMBERING 9/11

This Sunday Natalie, Joel, Jayda and I went to the Sandy City Healing Fields to view the flags and the new statue. The magnitude of the thousands of flags representing the dead is overwhelming to say the very least. The Wimmers came up later and we got to see them touring the flags. Here are some pictures and memories of that day of remembrance.

What I have been doing.....................

I know, I have not blogged for a long time.  I WAS a phone agent for Provo Craft and their infomercial.  That job was hell and it finally got to me and everyone on our team.  The customers were terrible, mean and we were sworn at everyday and the the things that were said to us was unbelievable.  Many times some of us were in tears, etc.  PC got rid of their infomercials, so our team was dissolved.  THANK GOODNESS.  I was on the the verge of quitting, it was so unbearable.  Things are looking up and I am on another team, APPLE computers.  I process rebates for Back to School and other rebates that they offer.  I sit at a desk and listen to music, eat and eat some more.  LIfe is great.  I can get up in the morning and can actually face the day and work.

If you ever thought that women that craft don't have potty mouths, you can think again.  They do and they can be foul.  I don't want to hear the word "infomercial" again.

Another Crazy day at work

Ok, here is another strange phone call at work.  This lady was calling about a  product that was shipped to her that she wanted to return.  Well, she can't do that because she has had the machine for over a year now.  She has not been charged on her credit card but she has a negative report on her credit.  The conversation went like this:  I am (so and so) and I can a born again Christian and I have the Holy Ghost  I am a minister and I am blessed there are families that have good people and there are families that have bad people and my family has good  people  and I pray to the Lord that none of my family would do something to someone else that has been done to me I called and ordered this machine and I told the ordering girl not to send the order through unless I called her back and I called back and found out that the ordering girl pushed my order through and now I have this problem but you see the machine was delivered when I was not home and I did not see it for months and then one day when I was outside with the neighbors we found this box in the bushes and that box had my name on it and it was the machine that I had told the ordering girl not to order and now I want to remind you that I am true and I do not lie and the water tank broke in my apartment and the water went everywhere and right now I am living with my wonderful sister who took me in and the other people in the building do not have anywhere to go and they are hurting and the fireman said that the water heater was too heavy for the floor and that it had too much water and he could see how this whole thing happened and also I have a broken foot right now and I want to be in my home but it is flooded and this ordering girl gave me her word that she would not turn this order in and now I am in this flood mess and I have had problems before because I was in the earthquake in Los Angeles in 1993 and that was terrifying and the Lord will straighten this out because I should not have to pay for something that I do not want  and  this  should be a mercy bill because the ordering girl did not keep her word but the Lord  will deal with her and the people in her company will take the heat for that one and I am one of a kind and I will not cover for her and I have two storage sheds and  I need more for all the stuff that was damaged in the flood and I am insured with Allstate and that ordering people should know that I don't keep stuff that is not mine and this machine is not mine because I have not paid for it and  the Lord deals in rhythm and he will deal with this problem  ( I still have not said a word because I can't --she is still talking away and  the phone call has been going on for 15 minutes now) and by the way:  "Are you Christian?" and I said "Yes, I am a Mormon girl in Utah" and she said  "Oh you are not a Christian though and you should know that and you don't celebrate Lent but I will see you when the Lord comes again and I will see you in the Rapture......................  I guess she was tired because she told me to have a blessed day and hung up.  Just like that.  Never did get her name.  Never did figure out what she really was calling for.

LENT

Lent is a forty-day period before Easter. It begins on Ash Wednesday. We skip Sundays when we count the forty days, because Sundays commemorate the Resurrection. Lent begins on 9 March 2011 and ends on 23 April 2011, which is the day before Easter.  Lent is a season of soul-searching and repentance. It is a season for reflection and taking stock.  Because Sunday is the day of the Resurrection, we skip over Sundays when we calculate the length of Lent. Therefore, in the Western Church, Lent always begins on Ash Wednesday, the seventh Wednesday before Easter. 

Lent in 2011 will start on Wednesday, the 9th of March and will continue for 46 days until Saturday, the 23rd of April.  It starts the day after Marti Gras.

I have a Mormon friend who observes Lent.  She gives up something she really, really loves, or has a nasty craving for.  Chocolate, sugar, swearing, whatever.

We were talking about observing Lent at work.  I think I might observe it this year, and give up something that I really, really love, that is bad for me:

 

No cheating, no sneaking, just give it and be truthful about it.  Tell me what you think.

GETTING SERIOUS PART 2

Ya know, sometimes I really can't spell or pronounce people's name when they call in for customer support.  For some reason, they think I should be able to spell their names right off the top of  my head.  Here are some examples of  some of the names I should be able to spell and pronounce correctly:

Nyshonn
Juvonya
Jonetia
Lashon
Chaquita--like the banana???????????  Really.
Kiwana
Tamkea
Towanda

But this is the best one ever:

Minnie Tittsworth.

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!!!!!!!