Catching up...

I have gotten so far behind in writing... I have soooo much to share. So I have decided to spend the evening catching you all up! Aren't you excited? First I have to begin with Easter! Oh boy... Easter!

Don't bug me I am meditating...

SO... my daughter in law got me into yoga- awesome. I have only been about 5 times but definitely plan on getting hooked! The books I have been reading lately have been about women finding themselves spiritually and physically. Turns out that has been my goal this year too. Also awesome! These ladies in these books talk about meditating, finding your quiet self, being utterly still... OK. I SO want to be quiet and still... finding my quiet self that would be awesome too! So my understanding of meditation is you find a quiet place to BE (for at least 20 minutes), then you try to clear your mind of all the garbage. To do this you must chant a mantra... I don't know any mantras, I don't I feel comfortable "borrowing" one from some yogi guru that I don't even know or believe in. So, I thought I will just make something up when I get to that point.

This is how my meditation went today-
I find my quiet spot on my bedroom floor, I sit down and cross my legs yoga style and start to breath... ONE.. I am counting the breaths I take in and out... TWO... my hips are freaking killing me...THREE... 20 minutes huh? I wonder how long it has been...FOUR... I wonder if it counts if you lay down instead of sitting like this...FIVE... man, my feet are totally black (from my flip flops)...SIX...then my mantra kicks in... I AM HERE... I AM HERE... I AM HERE... you know what "I" am not that bad of gal! It was kinda cool spendin' some time with ME! Then the phone rang... BUGGER!

CONCLUSION-I think I was just starting to get the hang of the whole exercise when I was called away-for me meditation is a way of preparing my mind to take things of the spirit in. I think of meditation as a prelude to personal prayer and scripture study. I think as women we don't take the time to be still, I believe it is important to feel our Heavenly Fathers love pour over us and then maybe we can better love ourselves and in turn better love those around us.

I am still trying to find my best self and learning to live in the moment. Not worrying about what the future might bring and definitely not dwelling in the past. Not worrying about what other people think I should be doing or how I think I should look by other peoples standards. I am who I am. I like what I like. I have spent too many years forgetting to live, life is starting to creep its way back into me and it feels good, sometimes scary and overwhelming, but amazingly good!

The busy life...

Life is interesting these days. Doug is campaiging for re-election for Tooele County Surveyor. He has been in 2 terms and he would like to work one more term for the people of Tooele County. Aside from public appearances, speeches, political meetings, newpaper articles and the general campaign "stuff", I was determined to get my garden planted.
As a rule of thumb, I like to have my garden in by Mothers Day weekend. That came and went! Then I thought, ya know some people don't plant until Memorial Day.... also came and went! Just when I was resigned NOT to plant a garden this year, it all came together. Our super nice neighbor brought his tractor over and tilled it all up for us, as our till threw a gear and is out of commisssion. Grandpa Johnson came over and we worked and worked and worked. By the end of the week we had 6 rows of tomatoes, 2 rows onions, peppers and cucumbers, 2 melon rows, 6 rows of corn, 2 rows winter squash, two rows, carrots, beets, swiss chard, and more cucumbers, and finally 10 rows of spuds!! All in by the 5th of June!! I have never planted so late in the season, so we will see what happens!

Hand prints on my heart...

When I had my first baby, I remember my Mother saying to me, "Did you ever think you could love someone so much?". I thought how could this be? How is it possible to love this baby so much and what will I do when I have another, there is no way I could love two as much as I love this one.
As it happened, as each child came, I was surprised to find that the capacity for love is never ending, in fact often times its overflowing.
Now my kids are growing, and I find myself in a new place. I wondered when I found out our first grand baby was coming- where will I find the love to give this baby? At that moment I felt a tug on my heart and I knew that she was mine to love. She picked me, she picked our family, and my heart overflows.
On Mothers Day I was given a gift, a new grand baby in December. Again I felt that tug with in my chest, like the whisper of a tiny little hand that has brushed by my heart on its way to settle beneath it's mothers. This baby is already loved...for its hand print is left on my heart.

Goat Food...

I was home on a rainy day and the mood struck me to get some baking done. The kids (the people kind) had been bugging me to make granola. Usually they eat it up so fast that I shy away from making it, not that it is a lot of work but it just takes time, but hey I was in a good mood so I started the project and ended up making five gallons of granola- I found out you can freeze it as it has oil in it and doesn't have a super long shelf life. Jordon (21) knew I was making it and was so excited to partake. He came over after work with his family and went straight for the granola jar. Ellie(2) asked him what he was eating, he told her cereal. She promptly climbed up into his lap and wanted to share. She looked in the bowl and then at her dad and says,"Umm, Dad? Thats goat food." It was sooo funny. I was sharing my story with my Sister in law and she asked me if she would still eat it? Of course, she would eat regular goat food!! We love our "Bug"!

Goat Food

9 1/2 cups regular oats
1 1/2 cups sliced almonds
1 cup coconut
1/2 cup brown sugar
1 tsp cinnamon
1 tsp salt
Mix together in a large bowl.

1/2 cup oil
1/2 cup honey-heat honey and oil until blened and add 1 tsp. vanilla or almond extract.

Mix liquid with oat mixture until well distributed. Spread onto two cookie sheets, bake at 300' for 40 minutes, stirring every 10 minutes. Remove from oven and let cool. Pour granola into bowl and add 1 cup raisins, 1 cup dried cranberries, 1 cup dried cherries. Mix well and store in an airtight container. Stores well on counter for 1 week or freezer up to 6 months.

The sweet smell of SPRING...

I am soooo excited to be back outside!!! Winters are so long for me. The last two weekends I have been pruning our fruit trees, Jakes fruit trees, and longingly looking at any who's haven't been done yet and admiring the ones that have. I know I am crazy, but I love it! I love the smell of the earth after winter has settled on it and spring has thawed it all out. I love seeing the shape of the tree come to life and imagine how it will look when the blossoms burst and the leaves fill in the gaps! I think this crazy behavior has rubbed off on my kids cuz this morning Chance says," Hey Mama, did you know the cherry trees at the orchard and the plum trees in the creek have blossomed?", could I be more proud? I think not!!
I am almost giddy thinking about getting the garden ready this weekend. I hope the weather cooperates, if not-no worries, we need the moisture and who says the garden has to be on time every year? I have already purchased the pea seeds, corn and potato. I keep my garden gloves in my car just in case the mood strikes me, I can be ready at a moments notice.
I love being outside, I love hiking up the canyon, I love having my hands in the dirt, I love the smell of morning! I love picking the weeds out of our new grass growing, I love sitting on my porch listening to the sprinklers or rain while reading a good book. Those are the best moments that winter has kept from me. I love SPRING...

Just Breathe...

So I was recently reading an article on Women in their 40's, relating to weight loss. One interesting point it mentioned was that for the majority of women in their 40's, this is the most stressful time in there lives. I attribute this to having teenagers, but for whatever reason, us ladies don't breathe!
Apparently, when feeling stressed we take shallow breaths rather than breathing deeper like we did in our youth. It also mentioned that we should allow ourselves at least 1 hour a day and a 1/2 a day a WEEK!! This was suggested to help reduce our stress level.
SOooo... I have been focusing on my breathing when I am working out and any ole time I give it a thought, I try to take in some extra long breaths, walking outside and opening windows around you were also suggested. As far as the Mommy time outs go... they haven't happened yet, but I do have fun thinking about what I would do.
1. I could spend the entire time in my sewing room.
2. Reading. Yes for an entire 1/2 day!
3. Go on a hike with a book and a lunch.
4. Spend some time at the Temple.. just thinkin about stuff.
I think my list could go on and on....
I found the article really quite interesting and just thought I would share- so until next time... just Breathe!