Be thou an example

I love our Young Women's theme for next year found in 1 Timothy 4:12. With all that is going on in the world right now, it is more important than ever for us to be an example to those who are watching us. I also love this code of conduct given to us by President Monson: You have a heritage; honor it. You will meet temptation; withstand it. You know the truth; live it. You have a testimony; share it.

We May Not Have it All Together...

You can Make it Too!

Here you go Kim...

Salisbury Steak
1 lb. ground beef or ground turkey
1 10 oz. can cream of mushroom soup
1 egg
1 tsp. steak seasonings
1 tbsp. oil
2 tbsp. butter
1 10 oz. can sliced mushrooms
2 cups beef broth
1 packet brown gravy mix

In a large bowl, manually moosh together the meat, 1/4 of the can of cream of mushroom soup, egg, bread crumbs, and steak seasoning. Form into 4 oval patties. In a large skillet heat oil and 1 tbsp of the butter. Brown the patties on both sides. Once browned remove to a plate. Put 2nd tbsp of butter in skillet and saute the mushrooms for 7 minutes. Add beef stock and whisk in brown gravy mix until smooth. Stir in the last of the cream of mushroom soup. Put patties back into skillet and spoon a bit of the mixture over the meat. Reduce heat and let simmer 20 to 2 minutes. Serve over mashed potatoes or rice.

From "Uncle Jay" aka "Gandolf" in the California, Ventura Mission.

*I made the patties and then just combined all the other ingredients and let it cook in my slow cooker for a few hours. It turned out great, and the kids loved it served over mashed potatoes.

Salisbury Steak anyone?

There is a guy in Elder Barney's mission area that loves to cook for all of the missionaries, and his name is Uncle Jay. He emailed me and asked for a recipe for a favorite cake of Elder B. and he also sent me the recipe for the main dish he made for them, which was salisbury steak. We thought it sounded good, so last Sunday we made it for dinner. Devin wanted to help, so this is him squishing the ground turkey, eggs and other ingredients together.

The mixing is all done, now it's time to throw it in a pan!

Dinner time! The salisbury steak was really good, even picky Devin liked it!

Jaron likes it too! Yum! Thanks for the recipe Uncle Jay!!

Tag, you're it!

Nikki tagged me! Rules: Post the 4th picture from your 4th file with a brief description. Here goes! This past June Jaron and I took a trip to New York City with his high school drama club. We saw 8 Broadway shows in 7 days! (Technically, 7 Broadway and 1 off-Broadway) It was SO much fun!! I didn't think I would like it as much as I did. We had a blast, and I would love to go back someday with our whole family, we would rock that town! My favorite parts about the trip were: Seeing Legally Blonde: The Musical (even though I fell down the stairs and sprained my ankle trying to run outside to get autographs!), touring NBC Studios, seeing Regis Philbin in person, and eating cupcakes at an awesome bakery! I tag: Kari, Ruth, and Kim.

The Long Walk Home

We received a letter from Elder Barney's Mission President that told us his release date is December 31st. Not quite home in time for Christmas, but Happy New Year! We are so excited to have him come home, but the fun will be short lived. He has decided to go back to school at SUU on January 5th, so we will only have a few days with him and he will be gone again. At first I was fighting this, how could he leave me after only 5 days? But I soon began to realize that it is his life to live, and he is not my little boy anymore. I also realize that he doesn't want his mission to end, and when it does, a new chapter in his life will begin. I never served a mission, so I don't know what that is like. But I know he is nervous about returning to "normal life", and I want to help him all I can. My heart is breaking as I think about him coming home only to leave again, but I guess that is what being a mother is all about--letting your children grow up and leave you. I just hope I can be a steady foundation for them to grow from.

Life is Beautiful

Fall is my absolute favorite time of the year. I love the beauty of the changing colors of the trees, the cool, crisp air, and the promise of a few more warm nights. I am blessed to be surrounded by people that I love, and who love me in spite of my faults. So today I am grateful for my beautiful life. I will savor each moment of it, and try to never take it for granted. Today is a gift -- that is why we call it "The Present." :)