My Little Girl

I cannot believe how much joy my children bring to my heart! Today my little princess, Avery, was singing, "God Gave Us Families" all day long. She was trying to sing this to me in Sacrament meeting while we were singing another hymn. I just couldn't keep from giggling listening to her sing in my ear trying to keep in tune while the organ played on. She sure is a sparkling sunshine in these dull winter months!

Don't Quit...Keep Playing

My friend sent me an email tonight with this story.  I do not know who
wrote it but it really touched my heart.  I have been doing family history
lately and boy, has it been frustrating.  Oftentimes I feel thwarted at
every turn and just when I think I have gotten somewhere, another wall.
Somehow God truly will make my feeble attempts into sweet, unforgettable
moments.  I hope this touches you in some aspect of your life as well.

When the house lights dimmed and the concert was about to begin, a
mother returned to her seat and discovered that her child was missing.
Suddenly, the curtains parted and spotlights focused on the impressive
Steinway on stage. To her horror, the mother saw her little boy sitting
at the keyboard, innocently picking out 'Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star.'

At that moment, the great piano master made his entrance, quickly
moved to the piano, and whispered in the boy's ear, "Don't quit . . Keep
playing." Then, leaning over, Paderewski reached down with his left hand
and began filling in a bass part. Soon his right arm reached around to the other
side of the child, and he added a running obbligato.   Together, the old master
and the young novice transformed what could have been a frightening situation
into a wonderfully creative experience. The audience was so mesmerized
that they couldn't recall what else the great master played-only the classic,
 ' Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star.'

Perhaps that's the way it is with God. What we can accomplish on our own is
hardly noteworthy. We try our best, but the results aren't always graceful
flowing music.  However, with the hand of the Master, our life's work can
truly be beautiful.  The next time you set out to accomplish great feats, listen
carefully.  You may hear the voice of the Master, whispering in your ear,
"Don't quit . . . Keep playing."

May you feel His arms around you and know that His hands are there, helping
you turn your feeble attempts into true masterpieces. Remember, God doesn't
seem to call the equipped, rather, He equips the 'called.' Life is more accurately
measured by the lives you touch than by the things you acquire.

And  Remember, 'Don't quit .... Keep playing.'

Toilet Wars?

Saturday mornings are cleaning days at our house. Each of the kids have several chores to do. The boys, Zack and Owen, are in charge of cleaning their bathroom. This morning Jay and I came out to them arguing whose turn it was to GET to clean the toilet. We wondered if our ears had deceived us, but nope, each wanted to clean the toilet and was willing to fight for it.

The war was resolved peacefully and Zack won the honor. Hmmm...maybe there is a reason for it being called a porcelain throne after all.

Ebilskivers

Last year my friend, Holly, made this danish dish for our Young Women and it was incredibly delicious! Jeremy gave me an Ebilskiver pan for Christmas and we made them tonight. Wow, they were so good that we thought you may not want to go on another minute not having this recipe! Trust me, life will be better. =)

(Holly's family writes it as "Aebleskivers" although the pan read "Ebilskivers.")

Ebilskiver Recipe
3 cups milk
1 package of yeast (or 2 1/4 tsp of yeast)
4 cups flour
5 eggs (separated)
Heaping TB sugar
1/2 cup melted butter

Warm milk until nearly hot. Add yeast and mix until dissolved. Mix in flour, egg yolks, and sugar. Mix well and then add the melted butter. Mix well, cover, and let rise for 30 minutes. Beat egg whites until stiff peaks form. Fold into batter.

Heat ebilskiver pan over medium heat. Butter each hole before scooping batter in (I use the Pampered Chef large cookie scoop.) Use wooden skewers or plastic chopsticks to turn each ebilskiver into itself frequently as to brown all around. You may fill each puff with chocolate chips, jam, etc. before first turn. (I like them best unfilled.)

You may want to keep them hot in a warm oven until ready to serve. Fill separate bowls with homemade raspberry jam, melted butter, and powdered sugar for ebilskiver dipping. You will be in heaven!

If you are looking for a pan, you may find them at Williams Sonoma. Enjoy!

Christmas Day

We had the best Christmas ever! We really cut back on gifts this year and really tried to focus on the reason for the season: Our Savior. It was wonderful in every way and it will be one that we remember forever...at least I will. I can't remember a Christmas-time that I have enjoyed more!

From our family to yours, Merry Christmas and a very happy 2009!