Hotel Jardine (A Classy Place)

 

We moved to Denver now almost four years ago.  Seems impossible to believe but it is true.  Especially in the beginning and well, until now, it was hard to leave Kansas City and all of our family and friends.

The Lord knew I was lonely and so along this journey, there have been over one-hundred (yes I said 100) different people who have come to stay with us……How awesome is that?

This is one of our favorite little visitors, well he is actually a man now, but will always be one of my boys.  Camron Smith is on his way back to BYU and so we get to have him stay to and from the greatest university.  He just brings a light to our home, thank you Camron.

I absolutely love to cook for this boy, he loves to eat and my cooking seems to agree with him.  This morning he got biscuits, gravy, bacon, scrambled eggs with cheese, fresh peaches with cream, and orange juice.  So until next time Camron, have a great semester.  Go COUGARS!

“Little Reward”

In about 610 A.D. a very creative Alpine Monk decided to make use of the pieces of dough left over from baking bread. The Monk formed them into thin strips folded into a looped twist to represent the folded arms of children in prayer.

This scrumptious treat was given to the children as they learned their prayers. They began calling the treat "Pretiola", which is Latin for "little reward". Soon it was known the world over as a pretzel.

The secret of making great pretzels is not only in the baking but also in the shaping. We, like pretzels, are made from the best ingredients, by the best hands available, the hands of our Father in Heaven.

Have you ever seen a broken pretzel, or one that's lost its shape? We too, can lose our shape when we don't pray always to keep our spirituality intact. Even in the midst of our greatest trials, we must remember, as did Job, to call on the Lord. The simple shape of the pretzel, arms folded in prayer, reminds us to pray each day. Our "Pretiola" or "little rewards" are the blessings we receive.

Every time you see a pretzel, remember prayer. Check to see if your arms are often folded in prayer and have not lost their shape!

Recipes:

Cheesy Soft Pretzels by Annette Wrigley

1 1/2 c. flour
1/2 c. shredded cheese
2 tsp. baking powder
1 tsp. sugar

2 Tbsp. cold butter
2/3 c. milk
1 egg, beaten
Coarse salt

In a bowl, combine flour, cheese, baking powder, sugar, and salt. Cut in butter until crumbly. Stir in milk - just to moisten. Knead 1 minute. Divide in half. Roll each portion into a 12X8 inch rectangle. Cut in strips and twist into pretzel shape. Pinch ends together. Place on a greased pan. Brush with beaten egg and sprinkle with coarse salt. Bake at 400° for 12 to 15 minutes. Serve immediately. Makes 1 1/2 dozen.

Homemade Pretzels by Paige Holden

1 Tbsp. dry yeast
3/4 c. warm water
1 Tbsp. sugar
1/2 tsp. salt

2 c. flour
1 egg, beaten
Coarse salt
Wax paper

Mix yeast in warm water. Add sugar and salt. Add flour and mix. Put dough on wax paper and knead until soft. Cut off pieces and shape as you like (too thick = doughy, too thin = brittle). Place them on a cookie sheet. Brush with beaten egg and sprinkle coarse salt. Bake at 425° for 12 to 15 minutes.

A Day in the Life of Nonna and Poppa

Jaimie had to go to a doctors appointment today, so Nonna and Poppa got to watch Creed……Yahoo! We had a great time and hope that he did also. Jaimie is right on course, and the midwife thinks she won’t make it until the 26th of September which is her due date. Tylee could be born on Jacqui’s birthday, Jag’s birthday, or Jonathan’s birthday. Man we will leave decorations out all month.

Downstairs in the playroom. He is going to be good with a little sister. Lots of kisses in store for Tylee…..

Becoming proficient with money….

Poppa is his buddy.

So cute, he was fascinated with the washer today. Maybe an engineer in the future?

Helping Poppa clean the truck. “No

Creed, no reverse!!!”

“Time for lunch Poppa, we have had a busy day. Until next time……”

Thanks To Jacqui…

Thanks to Jacqui, my house is looking finer by the minute.  “But Mom, you don’t really want to put those things up. I will feel so bad, when I move and they have to come with me!”  Don’t worry honey, I’ll adjust, meanwhile I love my dining room…..

Gentle Thoughts for Today

Does anyone realize that I have learned to cut and paste? I love it!!!!! So this is an e-mail from Mother and I laughed today. Thus I am going to share. I have not learned yet to flip the bird, (Mike however my pointer finger is going a hundred miles an hour!) but I am feeling better.

Birds of a feather flock together and crap on your car.

When I'm feeling down, I like to whistle.
It makes the neighbor's dog run to the end of his chain and gag himself.

The older you get, the tougher it is to lose weight, because
by then your body and your fat have gotten to be really good friends.

The easiest way to find something lost around the house
is to buy a replacement.

He who hesitates is probably right.

Did you ever notice: The Roman Numerals for forty (40) are ' XL.'

The sole purpose of a child's middle name is
so he can tell when he's really in trouble.

There's always a lot to be thankful for if you take time to look for it. For example I am sitting here thinking how nice it is that wrinkles don't hurt.

Did you ever notice: When you put the two words
'The' and 'IRS' together it spells 'Theirs.'

Aging: Eventually you will reach a point when you stop lying
about your age and start bragging about it.

The older we get, the fewer things seem worth waiting in line for.

Some people try to turn back their odometers.
Not me, I want people to know 'why' I look this way.
I've traveled a long way and some of the roads weren't paved.

When you are dissatisfied and would like
to go back to youth, think of Algebra.

You know you are getting old when everything either dries up or leaks.

One of the many things no one tells you about aging is
that it is such a nice change from being young.

Ah, being young is beautiful, but being old is comfortable.

First you forget names, then you forget faces.
Then you forget to pull up your zipper.
It's worse when you forget to pull it down.

Long ago when men cursed and beat the ground with sticks,
it was called witchcraft. Today, it's called golf.

Lord, Keep your arm around my shoulder and your hand around my mouth. AMEN

I SEE THEM…The White Hats That IS

So my last post was a little sad, I was in the slump. Fridays we work in the temple for 10 hours and I saw a lot of white hats:) White hats everywhere, people who are absolutely wonderful and working just because they love the Savior. So today I will be happy again and try to keep out of the slumps.

I never was a good roller coaster rider. I don’t have the stomach for it! Life is like riding on a roller coaster at times. I love the wind in my face, but the drops do me in.

President Holland Does It Again……

‘Brothers and sisters, one of the great consolations of this Easter season is that because Jesus walked such a long, lonely path utterly alone, we do not have to do so. His solitary journey brought great company for our little version of that path—the merciful care of our Father in Heaven, the unfailing companionship of this Beloved Son, the consummate gift of the Holy Ghost, angels in heaven, family members on both sides of the veil, prophets and apostles, teachers, leaders, friends. All of these and more have been given as companions for our mortal journey because of the Atonement of Jesus Christ and the Restoration of His gospel. Trumpeted from the summit of Calvary is the truth that we will never be left alone nor unaided, even if sometimes we may feel that we are. Truly the Redeemer of us all said, “I will not leave you comfortless. [My Father and] I will come to you [and abide with you].”

About ten years ago, we were also going through a trial that I considered almost insurmountable. I could hardly find comfort at that time. Others were receiving persecution because of our family and it was overwhelming. I searched and searched for comfort and finally found what I was yearning for by reading a talk given by President Jeffrey R. Holland. It was entitled, “ Cast Not Away Therefore Thy Confidence.” It was so elemental to my being enlightened. Because of it, I wrote to him and told him how important his thoughts had become to the way I was trying to handle life. I actually got a note back from him and he said, “Remember the white hats always win in the end, always.”

So as we are here in another seemingly life altering trial, I once again have turned to his counsel and inspiration to see me through.

I pray I may not lose my confidence, but I sure am getting tired. All I see are black hats………………..