BONANZA

The past week I have been hit with one migraine headache after another and no matter what I do I can't get rid of it once and for all.  So I have spent quite a bit of time this week on the couch trying to get some relief.  Well, while I was flipping through the channels I reconnected with my first true love HOSS CARTWRIGHT!  

You see growing up if the Widman children were really good during church on Sunday we could go home and watch Bonanza.  I should probably define "really good" - if my dad who was the Bishop did not have to come down off the stand or my mom who was the pianist didn't have to stop during a song to discipline us, we had been really good.  Needless to say we did not see many episodes.  With that being said, one of my favorite childhood memories is coming home, popping some popcorn, getting the blankets all ready in front of the TV, and watching this great show.   In my eyes Hoss could do no wrong, I would dream of him galloping up on the horse, taking his hat off, smiling at me with those big dimples, sweeping me off my feet and taking me back to the Ponderosa.  It was a fun walk down memory to watch three episodes of my true love in action.  It didn't get rid of my headache - but for a few short hours I had a smile on my face.

Baking

Today I thought it would be fun to make some Valentine sugar cookies and share them with some of my friends.  I quickly learned there are somethings I should just leave to the professionals and baking is definitely one of them.  Here is how the day unfolded.


8:00 am - start making cookie dough only to discovery I did not have any baking powder or baking soda.  Quick trip to the grocery store.  Returned home and finished making the dough.  In no time at all I had the dough in the refrigerator chilling.


2:00 pm - start baking cookies, I had watched a couple of cookies shows and was anxious to try some cute ideas in baking.  One of the ideas was to cut out a heart shape and then a smaller heart shape in the center of first heart.  Then put a Lifesaver Creme Savor in the cutout - the idea is that it would melt and look really cute. 


Things were going great until I dropped the first cookie sheet of these cute cookies on the floor - so they went in the trash.  After that little fiasco I got into a groove and hearts were flying out of the oven.


4:00 pm - while cookies were cooling decided to make the frosting.  Opened up the canister were I keep my powdered sugar and it was empty.  Second quick trip to the grocery store!  


6:00 pm - while decorating the cookies and really getting in the festive Valentine Day spirit, I thought how fun it would be to also make some cute cupcakes.  Mixed up the batter and was ready to bake these scrumptious little things only to find out I no longer had a cupcake baking pan.  Third quick trip to the grocery store!  


Now I am no artist - in fact most days I cannot draw a straight line with a ruler, as I looked at my 'decorated works of art' I found myself thinking 'a three year old would do a better job!'  Then I realized that the people who would receive these tasty treats would know they were made with love and would overlook my lack of  decorating skills.  


All in all it was a fun afternoon, the cookies and cupcakes are somewhat edible but bakeries across the nation have nothing to worry about - I will not be putting them out of business.  In fact, next year I think I will buy everyone a box of chocolates!

DETERMINATION

Determination is defined as "the quality of being determined to do or achieve something."  As you can see by these pictures my cute niece Lexi was determined to get the last of her milk out of the goblet without the use of the straw and while mom wasn't watching!  As she would tell you 'I big girl now.'

I love this little girl - she like all my other nieces and nephews have Aunt Abby wrapped right around her little finger.  I love Lexi for a lot of reasons - but let me just say once she sets her mind to do something  she won't stop until it is done.  Lexi is the best hugger - and I  mean the big bear hug type of hugs.  Over the Christmas holidays we truly bonded - it was so fun and became a true case of  "me and my shadow" and this proud aunt loved every second of it.

I have learned a great deal from this little two year old.  She has taught me not to take like so seriously, take time each day to tell people you love them, smile more, have the determination to accomplish whatever you set your mind to,  and how to give as well as receive the best hug ever!

One of my goals for 2012 - to be determined whatever it is Lexi style!

Anniversary

Anniversaries are those days that mark something of great importance to remember.  It may be a wedding, or a special event, a not so special event, or the passing of someone you hold dear.  Today marks a very special anniversary for me -  24 years ago today I was diagnosed with ovarian cancer and entered St. Vincent's Hospital in Portland, OR to have surgery.  How well I remember the feelings of that day - you see there was no guarantee what the outcome would be or how wide spread the cancer might have been. Well, after nine hours in surgery, the surgical team felt they they got it all.  I was blessed to have the best doctors, nurses, aides, and support team ever.  The support of my family was remarkable - and could not have done it without them.  Why my life was spared and other dear friends over the years have not been so lucky with the big "C" I do not know or even try to understand.  I do know that everyday over the past 24 years, I have thanked my Heavenly Father for sparing my life just a little longer.  Each day I truly strive to "enjoy the journey".  So Happy Anniversary to me!

Come What May and Love It!

Come What May and Love It -

This is a quote from Elder Wirthlin from his last talk at general conference before he passed away.  He talked about the importance of accepting whatever challenge the Lord gives us, give it our very best effort and last but not least loving it.  This week that has been a challenge, it seemed like every time I turned around something else was happening in my life.  Monday it was dental surgery, Tuesday it was a migraine, and then Wednesday and Thursday it was the stomach flu.  By the time Friday got here I was almost afraid to open my eyes.  Anyway, as I was laying on the couch feeling sorry for myself it hit me that during the week I tried to do all these challenges on my own.  I had not prayed all week, read my scriptures or tried anything but feel sorry for myself.  Talk about a real reality check.  Anyway, once I humbled myself and ask my Heavenly Father for His help, the burdens of the week became much much lighter they didn't go away, but they were so much easier to carry.  So today I can boldly say, come what may and love it is indeed a very true statement - well as long as you have the Lord in your corner.  

A New Year - A New Goal

It is hard to believe that another year is upon us and with that comes the desire to set new goals and accomplish great things. I have decided to gently ease into the goal setting process this year. My first goal is to do a much better job at blogging. I know, none of you knew I even had a blog - well now you do.

I want this to be a blog of not only my life and travels - but also random thoughts, quotes, sayings, humorous stories, etc., that I come across. So hear goes - the first thought of 2012:

"We are not on this earth to see through each other - but to see each other through."
---Gloria Vanderbilt

As I look back on 2011, I am so thankful and grateful for those who have walked beside me and have truly seen me through so many challenges. In many respects it has been a very tough year - but it has also been a very rewarding year - one of growth on so many different levels. I am so blessed.