The Best Christmas concert I have ever been to

http://youtu.be/kUh8OP5FTvw

Lisa

We have had the wonderful opportunity of having an exchange student in our home from Germany. I have to admit I was nervous at first being the parent of an only child can have its rewards at times. I am now sad to say I don't want Lisa to go home. She has brought such joy into our home, we will feel sad and empty when she leaves. I have truly fallen in love with her. She is an amazing young woman with many great talents. I think Makaila has missed out not having a sibling.

Lisa will leave an emptiness is our hearts when she leaves, but we will never forget her time with us and laughs she has given us.

I came across a poem that reminded me of her and thought it would give you a little into what she is like:

Learn to like what doesn't cost much

Learn to like reading, coversation, music

Learn to like plain food, plain service, plain cooking

Learn to like fields, trees, brooks, hiking, rowing, , climbing hills.

Learn to like people even though some of them are different... different from you.

Learn to like to work and enjoy the satisfaction of doing your job as well as it can be done.

Learn to like the song of the birds, the companionship of dogs.

Learn to like gardening, puttering around the house and fixing things.

Learn to like the sunshine and sunset, the beating of the rain on windows and the gentle fall of snow on a winter day.

Learn to keep your wants simple and refuse to be controlled by the likes and dislikes of others.

For Dad

We have a Winner

We finally have a winner of the cookbook giveaway (drum roll please)

The lucky winner is:

ANDREA
,
I am so excited for her to receive this cookbook and start enjoying all the wonderful recipes inside.

Congratulation to Andrea, I will contact you via e-mail and let you know you won, I will then get your book out to you as soon as possible.

Congratulations Again.

Cookbook Giveaway

I am giving away a cookbook on my blog. I have a wonderful book filled with tried and true recipes. The book is filled with 200 recipes and room to grow and put some of your own favorites. The book is hand bound and looks amazing.



The only catch to win this cookbook is:



1. Follow my blog



2. Tell my why you need a cookbook in my comments section



If I reach 100 followers I will throw in a $15 itunes gift card. I love to listen to music while I cook, as those of you who follow my http://stomachtotheheart.blogspot.com/ know.



Any one who has already signed up for the giveaway will already be qualified for this one.

This giveway will close December 15th 2010!

Good luck and may the best or worst cook win.

Meet Me on Monday

This is a fun way for all of you to get to know me a little bit better, I am hoping to start doing this every Monday, just for a little fun.

Questions.
1~ Would you rather sleep with a night light on?
No, I prefer pitch black, and usually like a night mask on.


2~What do you like to drink with dinner?
Water, I can never get enough water.

3~ How often do you play the lottery?

Never

4~ How often do you travel to the grocery store?

At least twice a month, unless we run out of something important, (like chocolate)

5~ Would you rather travel 500 years back in time or 500 years into the future?

I have always had a fascination with everything old, I would love to go back in time.

Fall

My favorite flower is the daisy. I love every type of daisy there is, Gerber, Shasta, African, Spanish, Prairie the Lazy Daisy I could go on. I think the only thing about fall that I miss is that lack of the gorgeous daisy flower.

I love going for drives through the mountains to see the beautiful colors and to see the majesty of the mountains in their full color. We are going to be going through Rocky Mountain National Park for the last time this fall this week and I am so grateful for the beautiful colors I am surrounded by. I look forward to summer and my beautiful daisies, but am grateful for the seasons.

Homecoming Part deux

Makailas before picture. I should note she had just previously cut 10 inches off of her hair for "locks of love", so we were a little nervous as what to do with the shorter hair .

We ended up adding some big ringlets and I thought it ended up so cute. She was worried she had 80's hair, I told her I could give her some hairs hair is she wanted some.

We then headed over to a good friend of mine who does make up and she helped her with that part of the evening. Makaila normally does not wear makeup so she was feeling a little nervous about that.

Her dress was a cute sweater dress with a green tank underneath. She had on a owl necklace and earrings. She had some cute green shoes to match the tank. She wouldn't let me post a picture of the whole makeup and hair she was feeling a little self conscious I think (not use to wearing that much makeup) but I thought she looked gorgeous. She went with two of her girlfriends and had a pretty good time. I think it will be a while before we get her to another dance, but that's okay with mom.

Makaila and her friends, you can't see her real well up close but trust me she looks amazing. They had a fun dinner at Chili's and then mom ruined all the fun when she said they had to home at 11:30. The joys of a strict mom.

Pete Yorn and Scarlett Johansson - "Relator" music video

I fell in love with this song the first time I heard it. There is something about Scarlett singing that pulls me in. Her voice is smokey and rich and I love this song more each time I hear it. I am currently reading the series of "Twilight" books. I know I am way behind the norm. I have read the first book and skimmed through the second. I then went to my computer and looked up what each book was about so I didn't have to read the other books. I decided that was cheating and have started over. I am currently in the middle of "Eclipse" and am finding it rather enjoyable. I have already seen the movie so most of it is familiar to me, they did leave a lot out of the book.

Why did I mention all of that about the book the song reminds me of the movie.

FRIDAY

From An Island Life:
In Hawaii, Aloha Friday is the day that we take it easy and look forward to the weekend. So I thought that on Fridays I would take it easy on posting, too. Therefore, I’ll ask a simple question for you to answer. Nothing that requires a lengthy response.
If you’d like to participate, visit An Island Life answer the question and then post your own question on your blog and leave your link below. Don’t forget to visit the other participants! It’s a great way to make new bloggy friends!


I ADORE music!
If you could listen to only one song, one more time what would it be?
mine~

"At Last" by Etta James

What would your be? I am looking forward to some great new songs for my IPod.

Don't text and Drive

I decided to join Oprah's "No Phone Zone." I have seen so many heart breaking stories on the news about accidents that could have been avoided if the driver would have just not been talking on their phone or texting. I tell my daughter she will not be talking on her phone when she gets her licence, so why should I be allowed to also. I have been in the car with people who are texting when driving and it makes me very nervous, and can understand why accidents can happen. I have to admit that several years ago I was in a near fatal car accident, I took my eyes off of the road a moment to put a CD in and rolled my car three times, the only reason I am here to tell you about it is my seat belt. Talking on a phone, texting taking your eyes off the road a minute can mean your life.

I am choosing to do this to save my life and the lives of others.

Giveway

As most of you know that follow my blog I love cooking. I have two blogs and am going to host a giveway. I will be giving away a cookbook filled with recipes collected over the years by family and friends and put together by myself with much love. The book is copyrighted and I don't mind if you share the recipes but please don't copy them.

Here are the rules:

~1 You must become a follower of my blog, either shig and tin or Stomach to the Heart, when on or the other blog reaches 25 followers, a winner will be announced. If either blog reaches 50 followers an added bonus will be added to the prize (believe me it will be worth it)

~2 Like my friend on Facebook

~3 Follow me on Twitter

~4 Let your friends know so everyone can get into the fun, and help get the numbers up. I promise a great cookbook and you will love it, i will customize colors to your liking. Hope everyone will join in the fun, enter as many times as you want.

~5 leave a comment about what you did, with your email address and blog, I would love to follow you back.

Hope everyone is having a great fall....good luck and have fun.

Tin

HOMECOMING

My baby girl is going to Homecoming. The place where they dress up fancy and do their hair all cute and wear cute jewelry and have fun shoes on and dance with BOYS! I am feeling some chest pains, I am hoping it is from the chicken I ate earlier and will go away with a few Rolaids. I will have to post some pictures when she is all gussied up and looking cute.

It will turn out okay, I am sure all mothers go through this when their first child goes on their first dance. She has just grown up way too fast.

Versativle Blogger

Thank you so much Holly for this. I read your rules and I am going to follow through and see what happens.

I want you to all know I didn't make up the rules and it's okay if you don't follow them.

1. Share 7 things about myself.


1.~ I have a great dislike for Jello gelatin, I won't even buy it.

2.~ Every once in a while I love to read really good romance, they help me forget my everyday troubles.

3.~ I an running a 5k blue show run for prostate cancer in honor for my dad the end of September, and I am scared to death.

4.~ I have seen every episode of Walker, Texas Ranger.

5.~ I read, and read, and read, and read

6.~ I have been to 27 of the 50 states and am planning on visiting all 50 before I die.

7.~ I am going to start selling Mary Kay, and I don't want a pink Cadillac. I just think it sounds fun and a lot of people think Mormons are a cult, a lot of people think the same thing about Mary Kay.

8.~ I know we didn't need to add 8 but I love your blog, I think it is very inspiring. Keep up the good work!

4
i

Makaila

Why is it they go from 5 to 15 so stinkin' fast? It seems like just yesterday it was lemonade stands and kindergarten. Now it's EFY, EFY dances, and drivers licence. I remember helping her bear her testimony, and give talks in primary. She does it all on her own now. She is taller than me is more ways than she realizes. I love you Makaila, you have many who have gone before you who want you too succeed and do well, and many who are rooting for the same thing on earth. Don't forget how much your grandpa loves you and watches out for you every single day. He is your guardian angel.
I am grateful I don't have to go to high school now. You are amazing!

DAD- Until we meet again

I remember the exact moment and where I sitting the moment when I was told my dad had prostate cancer. I can remember what went through my head. I panicked but wasn't worried, I have known many people who have gone through this and survived. I knew my dad would beat this. I was told in the home I spent most of my growing up years. I remember looking at dad and asked him how he felt about things, he told me he felt good and that things would work out okay.

On June 24Th 2010 almost two years to the day, I was told my dad had passed away peacefully at home. It is so hard to put into words how you feel about losing the only man you have loved your entire life. My dad was my rock, I would call him with life altering challenges and he would help me realize they weren't so big after all. He had a calming demeanor about him.

As I think back over the last two years we where able to spend with my dad I think of the lessons we learned as a family. I would call him at least twice a week to see how he was doing, he would always turn to conversation onto me, and ask, how are you doing, are you doing well in your church calling, how is Makaila, is Shane enjoying work, are you having family prayer and family home evening, are you reading your scriptures? In the end my dad taught me, he never complained, he only asked what am I suppose to learn from this, I know that on June 24th he learned everything he needed to learn, as he was able to return to his Heavenly Father.

I think maybe his family learned from him, unconditional love, a stronger power of the atonement, and the strength that families are together forever.

I cannot imagine a life without my dad in it. I am grateful for the gospel of Jesus Christ and the Plan of Salvation. I miss him, and look forward to the day we can all be together as an eternal family.

I watched my father endure, and it helped my testimony grow, at his funeral a quote was read by Neal A. Maxwell " With gospel perspective, we can know that when we endure to the very end, we are actually enduring to the very beginning. Thus, rather than viewing this virtue as delivering us expiring in exhaustion to a finish line, we are brought intact and victorious to a starting line!

I look forward to the great reunion, I can have with those I have loved and lost, but for some reason I look forward to hugging and seeing my dad again the most.

I love you, Tin

Memories of Gladness

When I think back over the years of my dad every memory I have is a good memory. I may not, at the time, loved the drives, or as dad would say; "Let's go drive the loop" but as I think back I can recall the yellow station wagon and all of us climbing in. I remember all the boys sitting backwards in the back and dad finally saying; "NO ONE can touch anyone", I can even think of the music that was playing and have installed some of it on my IPod. I always liked the trips to Swan Valley for square ice-cream cones. The Sunday drives to visit the great grandparents and grandparents, and because of that I was able to have a close relationship with them. I remember burning the weeds at Grandma Moss's house. Running to Ririe to feed the horses and always stopping at the Maverick for a treat. I loved walking home from school and stopping in to see dad at work with my friends and knowing that he would always be willing to take the time to visit. I remember when he was working on an especially difficult case he would always turn to the scriptures. I always admired him for that, they were always open on his desk, and he always told me you can find the answers to any question in life if you ask the Lord and turn to the scriptures.

I have always been able to go to my dad when I had a problem, he never judged or looked down on me. He always made me feel comfortable when I had a problem, I knew I could immediately go to him, I knew he wouldn't make it better but that I could count on his counsel. I have always known I could talk to my dad about anything, and I have found comfort and peace in that.

When I was young I remember that I loved to have my dad rock my every night before bed and I loved to sing with him, my dad has an incredible voice, every night before bed we would sing, "The Fox"

The fox went out on a hungry flight,

He begged the moon to afford him a light,

for he had many miles to travel that night,

before he reached his den-o.

Down in the hen yard the old fox crept.

He grabbed the gray goose around the neck,

and the black duck cried out

quack, quack, quack,

and her legs hang dangling down-o.

Ol' Miss Slipper Slopper jumped out of bed.

Out of the window she popped her head.

She cried Jon, Jon, the gray goose is gone,

and the fox is off to his den-o.

Jon ran up to the top of the hill,

he blew a blast both loud and shrill.

Well I never heard a better tune in all my life,

but I gotta get back to my den-o.

Back there at the foxes den,

the dear little foxes 8, 9, 10.

They never ate a better goose in all my life,

and the little ones picked the bones-o.

I Love my dad. My dad didn't tell me how to live, he lived and let me watch him do it. I wish him a truly happy Father's Day and I will love him forever. I am so eternally grateful for forever families and that I have my dad as part of my forever family. I have a testimony that Christ lives and loves us, that those experiences we go through in this life our for our own good and will give us experience. Dad, I love you, Tin

Grandma

My Grandma Johnson passed away on May 14th 2010, she was born on September 19, 1919 or 9/19/1919. I adored my grandma. While my parents were teaching me how to say mama and dada she was teaching me how to say sh**! She was almost 91 when she passed away. She wasn't your usual grandma. I know grandma's are suppose to be fun, but she went beyond that, she was amazing. I remember her talking about living in San Francisco when she was in her twenty's with her friend Thora and going to a Burlesque show she didn't know where she was until all these sailor's started coming in and soon they realized they were the only ladies in there, soon the music started and a lady stared dancing on stage, soon a man came up to them and told them to go home as fast as they could and never come back. She didn't get married until she was older because she wanted an education. She was a grade shool teacher. One of her favorite songs has since been "I Left My Heart In San Francisco"
She loved party's and we have often talked about how you never went to grandma and grandpa's house without having a party. Pepsi was always involved. One year for her birthday I called the Pepsi company and asked if the Pepsi truck could deliver some Pepsi to her house. They said yes and you should have seen the look on her face when that truck came rolling down her driveway. She was a walking party and made friends everywhere she went.

My mom and her younger brother Robert, grandma and grandpa had three children LaRae, Robert and Howard....

The grandsons, grandma loved her mission to Jackson, Mississippi and currently has one grandson on a mission in Chicago, Illinois...........

4 of her grandchildren, I would like to say these are her favorite because I am in the picture

her grandson Craig, her son Robert and her Bishop, Danny Ferguson. It was an amazing funeral

Her grandchild Kathy and great grandchild Miss Nellie, my sister and niece

Her grandson Lo and her great grandsons Drew and Josh. My brother-in-law and nephews

Grandma's bread, the interesting thing about this is grandma made the rolls and bread for her own funeral this is just the type of person she was. They found the program all made out when they went into her house just after her passing. She had everything planned, paid for and said do not serve ham and had to money to serve different food. She wanted Pepsi served at her dinner and had cinnamon rolls made for all the grand kids.

I already miss the sound of her voice, the way she smells the way she sounds when she laughs. I do now she is in a better place, she is with her family, she can see, run, watch over me until I am with her again. This is what forever families are for. I am so grateful for a lifetime with her.

While in Idaho I watched a movie with my family called "The Student Prince" a song on their keeps coming back to me called "Golden Days"

Golden days, in the sunshine of a happy youth

Golden days, fulls of gaiety and full of truth

In our hearts we remember them all else above

Golden days, days of youth and love

How we laughed with the joy that only love can bring

Looking back through memory's eyes

We will know life has nothing sweeter than its springtime

Golden days, when we're young

Golden days

I honestly thought she would always be around. She was the ray of sunshine on a cloudy day, she will me missed.

She did it Her Way...

The Beehive is Back

While feeling energetic one morning I decided to vacuum my living room. Little did I know the fiasco that was headed my way. I started to vacuum near a large window by a cherry tree we have and noticed a rather unusually large amount of bee's flying around the tree. I thought nothing of it and kept cleaning. On my second sweep by I noticed a black mass in the tree and on closer inspection noticed a beehive in the tree. I was a little concerned, #1 we have a black lab in the back yard, and #2 Shiggers is allergic to bee's. (For those of you new to this blog, I call my husband Shiggers).

I made a few phone calls and got a hold of this cute little man who offered to come and get rid of the bee's for me for free. He is a bee keeper. The mass you see of bee's in the pictures is entirely bee's. There is no hive in there. I was under the impression they were building something in there. He used a long hose and sucked them up inside. He was darling, his name was Jess. He offered to let me carry the bee's to his truck, but I kindly turned him down, and told him I would carry the vacuum instead. I feel pleased that my cherry bee's are now making honey instead of living in my backyard. They were making me very nervous.

I was having a very hard time teaching piano that day. My students were more interested in the bee's than they were in their lessons. But you can't really blame them. It's not everyday you get to see a beehive, it is hard to tell from the pictures but it was about the size of a basketball and was very loud.