Wednesday, March 28, 2012
Quote of the Week
I found this quote today, which is one of those quotes that really spoke to my soul:
Elder Maxwell points out that "patience is a willingness, in a sense, to watch the unfolding purposes of God with a sense of wonder and awe--rather than pacing up and down within the cell of our circumstance" (Ensign, Oc. 1980, 28-29).
So much of the time I am the one pacing up and down the halls of life, rather than enjoying the glorious wonder of God's work, and his hand in my life. :)
Monday, March 26, 2012
My worst nightmare...
I have a few fears that many might find to be irrational, one of which is ambiguous meat products. Any meat that needs to be described without the specific reference to a certain animal arouses suspicion. i.e. hot dogs, meat loaf and meat balls. I'm also wary of meat that is ground up, because who knows what could be ground into it...This fear doesn't just stop at meat products, it also spreads over into the casserole category. I don't really care for casseroles where all the ingredients can't be identified, or that include tuna, or Chinese noodles, or tater-tots. Most of these fears/strong aversions come from disturbing childhood experiences involving having to eat while already sick, or eating resulting in prolonged sicknesses. I won't go into detail here...
Today while browsing Pinterest I discovered this recipe for what appears to be the pinnacle of all my fears. Not only is it "meatloaf" but it is meatloaf disguised as something wonderful and good, a cupcake. The suggestion with this recipe is to use it to trick kids into eating meatloaf. I can not imagine a more traumatizing experience than biting into what looks like a lovely carrot cake cupcake with pretty cream cheese frosting only to find it is a jumble of who knows what topped with mashed potatoes and ketchup. Heaven help the children whose mothers think this is a good idea.
*disclaimer, I really do like Aunt Maggie's meatloaf. She's the only one. Also, her tuna casserole. Again, she's the only one. Sorry mom....
If you do want the recipe for these "cupcakes", here it is.
Tuesday, March 13, 2012
Things I like about being home
I'm sorry for the rude excuse for a poem last week mom. Please forgive my adolescent rebellion. I missed out in high school, so I figured I'd get it in now before its too late. ;) But here is my repentance post.
[Warning: this post is sentimental. One man's heart warmer is another man's cheese.]
Things I like most about being home (in no particular order):
1. The excited greetings when I first walk in the door, followed by enthusiastic hugs.
2. The hugs all the time.
3. The philosophical, educational, political, humorous, religious discussions I have with my parents.
4. Sleeping in my own bed, well Becca's old bed, with the electric blanket on and plenty of leg room.
5. Wearing all of Emma's clothes, and not bringing any of my own.
6. The break from all things social, besides family gatherings.
7. Playing connect 4 with Benny.
8. Visiting my grandparents.
9. The endless supply of soda and limes.
10. The fully stocked kitchen--including Kitchen Aid w/attachments and fully stocked spice cabinet.
11. The home cooked meals.
12. Pillow talk with Emma.
13. Being woken up each morning for scriptures and prayers via phone call to the basement. (I don't like getting up super early mind you, I just like being apart of the family--even if I sleep through it some days.)
14. The piano.
15. The Idaho night sky.
16. Playing games as a family. Especially Ligretto.
17. Chaperoning for Benny's parties.
18. Threatening to accompany Emma on all her dates/social outings.
19. Veg-out time to watch TV, and turn my brain off.
20. Helping my mom cook/learning her tricks of the kitchen.
21. Deep literature chats with Dad. Also, whatever advice I can squeeze out of my parents.
Even though I haven't lived in Idaho since the age of 7.5, and haven't stayed at my family for longer than a 2 week period, its still home because of the cool Carlisles that live there and the love that I feel whenever I return. Going back is like pushing a reset button--being with my family reminds me of the person that I am, and the person that they know I can be. Sometimes at school it is easy to forget, and easier to go with peoples' perceptions of you rather than work to let people get to know what really makes you tick. Being with my family also helps me put life into its proper perspective, reminding me that the most important things in life aren't the homework assignments due or the boys that haven't called back. With family those things disappear (or at least move to the back of the line).
Moral of this (not really) story: I love my family. I wish I had words that could adequately express my gratitude for all the blessings they are responsible for in my life.
Moral of this weekend's trip home: To be successful in life takes courage. Courage means picking yourself up after falling on your face. It isn't a question of if you will fall, but a matter of when you fall. But the important thing is whether or not you let the fall slow you down. Emma taught us this by example. She competed this weekend in a scholarship competition (aka pageant). During her dress rehearsal the day of the actual competition she was doing her double back handspring loop-da-loop thing and she did in fact face plant it. She had some lovely scratches and a black eye that later emerged, but was covered up nicely with makeup. But Emma didn't let this event stop her from trying her best that night. She did a lovely job all evening, and when it was time to do her fancy trick she nailed it! I wouldn't ever have the courage to do what she did, not even for $100. Thanks Emma Lee, for an example of how to be brave, even when you've been hurt. :)
[Warning: this post is sentimental. One man's heart warmer is another man's cheese.]
Things I like most about being home (in no particular order):
1. The excited greetings when I first walk in the door, followed by enthusiastic hugs.
2. The hugs all the time.
3. The philosophical, educational, political, humorous, religious discussions I have with my parents.
4. Sleeping in my own bed, well Becca's old bed, with the electric blanket on and plenty of leg room.
5. Wearing all of Emma's clothes, and not bringing any of my own.
6. The break from all things social, besides family gatherings.
7. Playing connect 4 with Benny.
8. Visiting my grandparents.
9. The endless supply of soda and limes.
10. The fully stocked kitchen--including Kitchen Aid w/attachments and fully stocked spice cabinet.
11. The home cooked meals.
12. Pillow talk with Emma.
13. Being woken up each morning for scriptures and prayers via phone call to the basement. (I don't like getting up super early mind you, I just like being apart of the family--even if I sleep through it some days.)
14. The piano.
15. The Idaho night sky.
16. Playing games as a family. Especially Ligretto.
17. Chaperoning for Benny's parties.
18. Threatening to accompany Emma on all her dates/social outings.
19. Veg-out time to watch TV, and turn my brain off.
20. Helping my mom cook/learning her tricks of the kitchen.
21. Deep literature chats with Dad. Also, whatever advice I can squeeze out of my parents.
Even though I haven't lived in Idaho since the age of 7.5, and haven't stayed at my family for longer than a 2 week period, its still home because of the cool Carlisles that live there and the love that I feel whenever I return. Going back is like pushing a reset button--being with my family reminds me of the person that I am, and the person that they know I can be. Sometimes at school it is easy to forget, and easier to go with peoples' perceptions of you rather than work to let people get to know what really makes you tick. Being with my family also helps me put life into its proper perspective, reminding me that the most important things in life aren't the homework assignments due or the boys that haven't called back. With family those things disappear (or at least move to the back of the line).
Moral of this (not really) story: I love my family. I wish I had words that could adequately express my gratitude for all the blessings they are responsible for in my life.
Moral of this weekend's trip home: To be successful in life takes courage. Courage means picking yourself up after falling on your face. It isn't a question of if you will fall, but a matter of when you fall. But the important thing is whether or not you let the fall slow you down. Emma taught us this by example. She competed this weekend in a scholarship competition (aka pageant). During her dress rehearsal the day of the actual competition she was doing her double back handspring loop-da-loop thing and she did in fact face plant it. She had some lovely scratches and a black eye that later emerged, but was covered up nicely with makeup. But Emma didn't let this event stop her from trying her best that night. She did a lovely job all evening, and when it was time to do her fancy trick she nailed it! I wouldn't ever have the courage to do what she did, not even for $100. Thanks Emma Lee, for an example of how to be brave, even when you've been hurt. :)
Friday, March 9, 2012
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