Digital Scrapbooking

The last few years I have tried to make scrapbooks for my family. I have one for our family and one for each child. The past year or so it has become overwhelming and a task I did not want to take on. I knew there was something like digital scrapbooking but it wasn't until very recently that I looked into it. Now that I have a computer that can handle all the photos, downloading and web surfing I decided to give it a try. It helped that my computer came with the latest Photoshop Elements program.

With the help of my friend, Alison, I was lead to a website that guided me through my first tutorial. Tonight while my hubby was sitting on the couch watching the Duke/UNC basketball game I worked through this tutorial and made my first digital scrapbook page. I know it's not much but it's a start. I'm so excited. I hope I can keep up with the scrapbooking now that I have a novel way to do it.

A Tribute

Last week three couples from my home town were on vacation in California. They were together in the same vehicle when a semi truck ran a stop sign and crashed into them. Three of the six were killed (story). One couple was my dad's niece and her husband and another woman, April, was a dear friend who influenced my life greatly. It is a tragedy for the whole town. All three will be missed. April was my drill team advisor in high school. I received word this week that someone was collecting tributes from all of April's former B-Steps (that's what our team was called.) Here is my contribution and also a picture of our team. Unfortunately April is not in the picture.

(That's me front row, third from the left)

Few people hold as dear a place in my heart as April Yardley. She is a legend in the history of Beaver High School’s drill team. It was my privilege to be part of that history. Her last year as the B-step advisor was my first year on the team and one that I look back on with the fondest memories.
It was never my intention to become a B-step. I had very little dance experience, less than most of my friends who tried out, but I was coerced into trying out regardless. In spite of the lack of experience I made the team. April always made me feel like I belonged there and that I could be as good as anyone else. Little did I know that the experience would be the highlight of my high school years. I made friends and had experiences that I otherwise would not have.
Like I said, April is a legend and she also had a reputation. I was a little nervous about how practices would go and the pressure I would feel. However, in no time at all I learned to love, respect and admire April. I often think of my time on the Drill Team and my thoughts always include April.
Not all my memories of April are from my one year working with her on the Drill Team. April believed in me and encouraged me to do other things. Because of her I tried out for Miss Drill Team Utah and Miss Beaver County. I then went on to participate in the Miss Utah State Fair and Miss Utah pageants.
To me April was more than just a drill team advisor, she was a mentor, an example and a friend. I am so glad I had a brief moment in time with her. She was a wonderful person.

Visiting Teaching

I love how visiting teaching has changed with technology. I don't have to make any phone calls anymore! I contact my companion and our sisters by e-mail then report to the supervisor by the same means.

My current route is very easy. My companion and our three sisters are all well-established, active members. We are all similar in age and/or situation. My companion and I like to do things a little differently. Instead of going to each individual's home we take turns hosting a lunch or brunch in our own homes. It's been fun trying new recipes and using recipes I don't get to use very often.

I usually make an egg dish, some kind of coffee cake or breakfast bread and something with fruit. Yesterday I prepared a breakfast burrito bar. I loaded up my Tupperware veggie tray with three different kinds of meat--sausage, bacon and ham, cheese, sautéed mushrooms, sautéed onions and green peppers, salsa and sour cream. The scrambled eggs and tortillas were served on the side. I had a fruit platter and a blueberry coffee cake which was a new recipe but very good.

We always have a very good time and the kids get to play together so that means the adults get a moment to chat.

Quilt Retreat Pics

Here's the proof. We really did work hard on our beach trip.

My kids

Ahh Nuts!

When Kennedy turned one I started giving her peanut butter because I though PB & Js were a staple for kids. Soon after, she developed what I thought was a peanut allergy. When I told the doctor about the rashes I found she told me to wait 6 or so months before trying peanut butter again and explained that some children grow out of these early-onset allergies. However, six months later she still seemed allergic. I have never taken her to get officially tested but have just assumed she was allergic and have avoided making some of my favorite goodies that included peanut butter.
Last week when I went to the beach for my quilting retreat I made a big batch of my favorite peanut butter chocolate chip cookies (recipe courtesy of my lovely sister, Alison). Incidentally, I left a few behind for Chris's lunches, stored in the freezer in snack-size Ziploc baggies. You can guess where this is going. . . .Mom out of town, unlabeled cookies, Dad's first time ever being left in charge for more than just a few hours. Kennedy had downed about half the cookie before she told Chris, "Daddy, I think there is peanut butter in these cookies!" Chris panicked but, being the doctor he is, kept a close eye on her. Nothing happened. We thought our troubles of the peanut allergy were over.
This weekend I made one of my favorite desserts that I haven't made in a very long time: Peanut Butter Pie. I thought this would be a good way to ease Kennedy into the life of peanut butter. After all, I didn't want her to be afraid of peanut butter just because we had been telling her for her entire life that she had to avoid peanuts and peanut butter. I was right, she ate her whole piece of pie then asked for more.
About an hour after dessert I started getting the kids ready for bed. Kennedy came to me complaining that she itched everywhere. . . .even in her bum. Poor thing was miserable. She had rashes all over. I quickly ran downstairs and grabbed the Benedril and asked for "the doctor" to come check her out. We agreed that this was probably due to the peanut butter and decided that there would be no more peanut butter for Kennedy.
You would think this would be enough to traumatize a four-year-old but she seems to take it all in stride. This morning she told us, "No more peanut butter for me until I'm an adult!"

Mini Ham Puffs

A few months ago I had a Pampered Chef show and this is what we served. I have made them a few times since for various reasons. They are very good.

Mini Ham Puffs

1 pkg (2.5 oz) processed ham or smoked turkey, finely chopped
2 Tbs finely chopped onion
1/2 cup (2 oz) shredded Swiss or cheddar cheese
1 egg
1 Tbs snipped fresh parsley
1 1/2 tsp Dijon mustard
1/8 tsp ground black pepper
1 pkg refrigerated crescent rolls

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Lightly spray mini muffin pat with vegetable oil. Finely chop ham and onion. Place in mixing bowl. Add cheese, egg, parsley, mustard and black pepper; mix well.
Unroll crescent dough and press into one large rectangle. Cut dough into 24 squares using a pizza cutter. Press one square of dough into each muffin cup.
Fill each muffin cup with a scant tablespoon of ham mixture. Bake 12-14 minutes or until puffs are light golden brown. Remove from pan; serve immediately.
Yield: 24 appetizers.