Believe......

The start to a better world
or a better life...
or a better future...
Is our belief that it is possible.
BELIEVE.
Believe you are here for a reason.
There's a lot in this world
we can't see
with our eyes.
But if you look with your heart
you'll see amazing possibilities
everywhere and all around you...
BELIEVE
Believe we can build a better world.
Despite all our problems, worries and wars...

...there is still so much
caring, goodness, and kindness
in each of us.
And together we can light the world.
BELIEVE
Believe that together we are better.
The story of the human spirit
is the story of people
who believed in themselves,
and in one another.
BELIEVE
Believe the best is yet to be.
Believe there is a light at the end of the tunnel.
Believe you might be
that light for someone else.
BELIEVE.

Compendium Books

Inspiration

Each and everyone of us has some talent, some ability. Remember you are special and so are your gifts.


What we are is God's gift to us.
What we become is our gift to God.
~ ~Eleanor Powell

Something to remember....to live by.

When you get discouraged and things seem to be going wrong.

Remember:

Don’t you quit.
You keep walking.
You keep trying.
There is help and happiness ahead—a lot of it—____years of it now, and still counting.
You keep your chin up.
It will be all right in the end.

Trust God and believe in good things to come.
source: LDS Church Leader

Remember!!

Super Easy Apple Dumplings

Here is a really easy and delicious way to make Apple Dumplings.

2 Granny Smith Apples
2 cans crescent rolls
2 sticks butter
1½ cup sugar
1 tsp vanilla
cinnamon
1 small can Mountain Dew (or 1/2 of a regular size can)

Peel & Core apples. Cut apples into 8 slices each. Roll each apple slice in a crescent roll. Place in a 9x13 buttered pan. Melt butter, then add sugar and barely stir. Add vanilla, stir and pour over apples. Pour Mt. Dew around the edges of the pan. Sprinkle with cinnamon and bake at 350 degrees for 40 mins. Serve with ice cream and spoon some of the sweet sauces from the pan over the top.

ENJOY!!!

My Dear Children...

MY DEAR CHILDREN
You are the poem
I dreamed of writing
the masterpiece
I longed to paint.
You are the shining star
I reached for In my
ever hopeful quest
for life fulfilled.
You are my children.
Now with all things
I am blessed.

~Author Unknown~

A Challenge.........

On Stacy Jullian's Blog she has challenged everyone to think about your TOP to dos. What are they?

What things, accomplished everyday keep you centered and focused? Even when the life serves up interruption after interruption with a side of distraction; What are the must dos that keep you breathing and balanced?


No matter what else I don't get done. I'm OK when ...

ONE. I Hug and Kiss my husband and children!

TWO. I get some Fresh Air!

THREE. Remember to not give up!

FOUR. Believe.

FIVE. I try to remember that someday Life will get better!

What are yours?

Win a New Camera!

Want to win a new camera?? I do!

Go to: http://www.merakohblog.com/2009/08/10/vote-and-win-a-sony-cybershot-top-five-photo-contest-finalists-are-unveiled/. All you have to do is vote for your favorite photo and you will be entered in a drawing for a free camera!!!

Good Luck!

Film Canister Rockets

Here is a fun little science experiment/activity!

FILM CANISTER ROCKETS

Material:
35 mm plastic film canisters. (Fuji brand works best.)
Alka Seltzer tabs
Water
Fill the canister about 1/3 full with water.
Add a quarter of an Alka Seltzer tab.
Quickly place the lid on the canister, make sure it's on tight and place - lid side down - on a flat surface. Stand back and watch. About 5-10 seconds later the pressure of the released carbon dioxide will blast the lid off and shoot the canister about a dozen feet high.
Great outdoor project!!
You can experiment with more or less water to see what works best!

Have fun!

Fresh Blueberry Pie!!!!

My favorite Blueberry pie and it is so easy to make!

FRESH BLUEBERRY PIE

1-¼ cup water
1-½ cup sugar
3 Tbsp cornstarch
4 cups blueberries
1 Tbsp butter
1 Tbsp lemon juice

Crush 2 cups blueberries and combine in saucepan with water, sugar and cornstarch. Bring to boil. Cook on medium heat until thick and clear. Remove from heat. Stir in butter and lemon juice. Cool slightly and add rest of berries. Place in baked pie shell. Cool until set. Serve with whipped topping or ice cream if desired.

Enjoy!

Korker Ribbons

Here is an easy way to make those cute curly ribbons!



You will need the following:
Ribbon - preferably 3/8 " length (grosgrain works best)
Clothes Pins
A wooden dowel ( or a wooden spoon works fine) 1/4' thickness

Directions

Secure one end of ribbon to wooden dowel with clothes pin.
Then begin to wrap your ribbon tightly around your handle and keep going until you get to the end. You want it close together but NOT TOUCHING and you may find you need to keep adusting it to get your ribbon closer (this will give you more curl)

To set your ribbon:.
Preheat your oven to 200f ( you may need to experiment with this depending on your oven).
While your oven is preheating soak your ribbon - Immerse in a sink of water until all the ribbon is saturated....then gently shake off the excess water and lay in the oven on a baking sheet until dry.
Watch carefully for ribbon to dry. (very easy to burn)
Remove from the oven when dry and allow to completly cool (the longer you leave it the better)
Remove your pins, and again gently slip off the handle....your ribbon is done and ready to cut to use in your korker projects.

Enjoy!!

Blueberries

Are you looking for something to do with your Blueberries? Here is a refreshing treat on a hot day!

Blueberry Lemonade

1/3 cup fresh lemon juice
2 cups water
2 cups fresh blueberries
1/2 sugar

Put all ingredients in blender, processing until smooth. Pour mixture through a wire-mesh strainer placed over a pitcher. Discard pulp and serve over ice. Enjoy outside on your deck!

Enjoy!!!

Inspiration....

The Good Life
1. See the good.
2. Believe the good can be a reality.
3. People who live the good life – serve.
4. Keep trying.
5. Find the champion inside

Lemon Meringue Pie

This is a refreshing pie on a hot day.

LEMON MERINGUE PIE

1 baked pie shell
1-2/3 cup sugar
6 Tbsp cornstarch
½ cup REALEMON Lemon Juice from Concentrate
4 eggs, separated
1½ cups boiling water
2 Tbsp Margarine
¼ tsp cream of tartar


Preheat oven to 350 degrees. In heavy saucepan, combine 1-1/3 cups sugar and cornstarch; add REALEMON. Gradually add water, stirring constantly. Over medium heat, cook and stir until mixture boils and thickens, about 8 - 10 minutes. Remove from heat. Add margarine; stir until melted. Pour into pie shell.

In small mixer bowl, beat egg whites with cream of tarter until soft peaks form; gradually add remaining 1/3 cup sugar, beating until stiff but not dry. Spread on top of pie, sealing carefully to edge of shell.

Bake 12 - 15 minutes or until golden brown. Cool. Chill before serving.

Enjoy!!

Oriental Salad

This is a quick and easy salad to take along to summer parties or picnics.

ORIENTAL SALAD

½ cup apple cider vinegar
1 cup vegetable oil
2 Tbsp soy sauce
1 cup sugar
½ tsp pepper

Ramen noodles
Mozzarella Cheese
Salad greens


Mix all ingredients well.
Sauté broken ramen noodles in butter. Cool.
Toss noodles and cheese with salad greens (romaine is great). Serve dressing on side.

Enjoy!

Chicken Lasagna

Here is another great recipe that works well for freezing too.

Chicken Lasagna
Saute: 1 small onion in 3 Tbsp of margarine
Add: 1 can Cr. of Chicken soup
1 can Cr. of Broccoli soup
5 oz. Velveeta (cubed)
1/2 c. milk
Cook until all blended
Add 3 cups cooked chicken, cut up
Cook lasagna noodles

Layer in lightly greased 9x13 pan:
cooked lasagna noodles
hot chicken mixture
2 cups frozen broccoli (slightly thawed)
2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
repeat layers

Top with 1/2 cup grated parmesan cheese on top.
Bake at 350 for 45 min.

Enjoy!!

Sidewalk Fun!

A fun summer activity for the kids is to make your own Sidewalk Paint.

What you need:
Foam paint brushes (the cheap kind)
Liquid Food Coloring
Water
Cornstarch
Muffin tins or small plastic containers

Mix water and cornstarch until thin (the consistency of buttermilk).
Play with it until you get the right consistency. You don't wait it too thick and you don't want it water thin either.
Add food coloring.

Go outside and paint! Have fun!

FRUIT, FRUIT, FRUIT

With all the yummy fresh fruit this time of year, I just love this dip.

FRESH FRUIT DIP

2 - 8 oz Cool Whip
1 -8 oz pkg Cream Cheese
1 - 7 oz jar Marshmallow Crème

Blend well, serve with fresh fruit.


Enjoy!!

Refreshing Easy to make Salsa

This is a great easy summer salsa. It is so fresh and delicious. I am not a big fan of cucumbers - but this is wonderful!

Cucumber Salsa

4 cucumbers - peeled and diced
4 roma tomatoes - diced
1 medium red onion - peeled and diced
1/2 cup rice vinegar
1 packet dry ranch dressing
salt and pepper to taste

Mix all together and enjoy!!

New Recipe

Wow! It has been awhile!

Here is a yummy, easy to make recipe. This freezes really well too, so it's easy to make ahead!

Tuxedo pasta

1 pkg boneless skinless chicken breasts
Italian dressing
4 oz can mushrooms (optional)
1 cup shredded mozzarela cheese
1 Tbsp Parsley
1 1b box bowtie pasta
2 - 15oz jars Bertolli Alfredo sauce
1/8 cup Parmesan cheese

Marinate chicken in dressing overnight. Boil pasta per box. Grill chicken and cut into pieces. Mix pasta, chicken, mushrooms, alfredo sauce and mozzerella cheese. Put into a 9x13 pan. Top with Parmesan cheese and parsley. Bake covered at 350 degrees for 45 min- 1 hour.

Enjoy!