May 2007
Tired and Tipless
May 31, 2007
 
part of the bread for today's lesson
I have no gift or teaching tip today, ‘cause I’m tired! We’ve been studying the lives of the latter-day prophets and occasionally I will take in one of the prophets’ favorite foods for the kids to sample. One food that many of the latter-day prophets enjoyed was bread and milk. Bread and milk is something I like, too. The recipe? Tear fresh homemade bread into bite sized pieces in a bowl and pour milk and honey on top of it. (Some of the prophets liked to add sliced green onions, cheese crumbles, or chopped apples or grapes, but I stick with honey.)
This morning I had to get up extra early to get 33 mini-loaves and 8 regular sized loaves of bread made before 7:00. I asked each of my students to try the bread and milk with part of their loaves/slices. And? Most of them really, really liked it. Some even ate their whole mini-loaf that way. Since none of our kids enjoy it, I was kind of surprised that most of my students did—maybe it was because it was the middle of the morning and they were starved for any food, or maybe it was because they didn’t want to hurt my feelings. Regardless, they ate it and smiled. I didn’t come home with one crumb, one drop of milk or one drizzle of honey—not one, but I am ready for a nap. I don’t know how bakers and dairymen do those early, early morning hours.
*I do have a couple of cute graduation gift ideas that I’ll post next week.
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Jane - you are the chick! That bread looks fabulous. Will you get up early and come bake at my house tomorrow? -Heather
Do you teach seminary? That's my best guess. I don't ever remember a seminary teacher baking bread for me, that's amazing! Incredible timing for this post, because I baked bread this week for the first time in like 6 months. I took it to my sisters that I visit teach, and I was pretty darn proud of myself to be done before 10am. I don't want to think about how early I would have had to have risen from bed to be done by 7am! Wow! I'm sure you are asleep by now as I type this message. Sweet dreams. Barb
My mouth is salivating over bread and milk; although, I also like the variety of fresh bread, cheese and pickle sandwiches.....but.....the ultimate is fresh baked bread toast with hot milk and butter.....mmmmm. I should have been a prophet! Lynn
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May 30, 2007
Pixie Week is an old tradition in our family.
Pixie Week ˈpik-sē ˈwēk All participants’ names are put in a bowl and drawn. Participants do secretive, kind acts for the person whose name they drew for a week (or however many days determined). At the end, participants buy a small token ($1 store item) for the name they drew and come together for a pixie party revealing who was whose pixie.
My sisters, Chris and Rachel, and their eight children will soon be visiting us. Pixie Week is a most anticipated event when they come—cousins draw cousins’ names and sneak about doing kind deeds for each other. Calder (then eight) drew Cali (then 22) last time and had a mock camping experience set up for her for one of her surprises. He piled wood under the willow tree in a teepee form, made her a wienie roasting stick and put a chair near the pretend fire. Cali sat around roasting pretend hotdogs and marshmallows for quite some time. There is nary a flower left in the yard after pixie week, but there are some beautiful bouquets and head pieces and leis made.
Pixie Week is a fun way to encourage families to do kind things for each other or a fun way for cousins to interact. It works for us.
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May 29, 2007
This week’s self-portrait Tuesday is all about our purses and what’s inside. I love this purse.
It was a birthday gift from Ty, our youngest son. He was in Italy on assignment and one day while he and some fellow cadets were out shopping said, “I want to buy my mom an Italian leather purse” and then, holding his hands about 18 inches apart said, “The straps need to be about this long so it can fit over her shoulder or she can hold it in her hand.” Then holding his hands about ten inches wide said, “And the bag needs to be about this big.” He finished with, “And conservative. It needs to be conservative.” Ty said they looked at several purses until they found one that fit his measurements. The purse is perfect for me and I asked him how he knew so specifically what I’d like. He said, “Because I KNOW you.” This from the son that opens every door for me (gets quite miffed if I forget to let him), wakes up every morning and says, “What can I do to help?” and drops back to walk with me and say, “Howyadoin’ Mom?” This from the son who would do anything for me, but carry my purse. He refuses to even hold it while I take off a jacket saying, "Men don't carry purses."
No matter how much money my purse could hold, the value of it will always be in the love that went into giving it to me.
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Jane - Your son is the sweetest - what a guy! Once again, I can only aspire to raise at least one of mine as well as you have. You are a real inspiration. -Heather
First thing: that is a gorgeous purse!
Second thing: you've got a great story to go with it!
Barb
this post is so sweet, and is further proof to me that spt challenges are so MUCH MORE once we get into them. i hope i am raising my son to be as wonderful as yours! Lelly
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Memorial Day
May 28, 2007
My sincere appreciation to each and every man and woman who has given his and her life for me and my family's safety and freedom--now and in the past. My deepest thanks to their families who sacrificed so much as well. I wish I could say it more eloquently. I wish I could say it with the depth I feel it.
Thank you seems too small for what was given, but I do mean it. __________________________________________________________________________________________
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Hope you had a great Memorial Day. I have loved your last 3 posts!! All three very good!!Love, Melanie
Happy belated Anniversary Jane! I loved the description you gave of your marriage. Very admirable. My husband often jokes--this is a blogging moment too-I can relate to the sarcasm. I hope you guys had a great day! Loved your memorial day post. Beautiful words. Jenny :)
Jane & Calvin,
Happy Anniversary!!! Happy Anniversary!!!
Happy Anniversary!!! Happy Anniversary!!!
I'm really singing this to you.. so you probably
aren't getting the full affect... *lol* Darla
I like that you have twice a year to remember and reflect on the price of freedom. Here we just have Veteran's Day, or as we call it in Canada: Remembrance Day. Your newsletter story this week made me think of Matthew 10:29. I was so touched by the story of the mother bird, and it made the sacrifices those in the armed forces make for us all the more personal. Love, Barb
Happy Silver Anniversary! I love metaphors, and I can just see a beautiful silvery spider web - it's a great symbol for the delicacy and strength of marriage. Love, Barb
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Happy 25th Anniversary
May 28, 2007
Calvin often says, “Put THAT in your blog” after he says something profound (or dim-witted), mimicking the man on the movie Dances with Wolves that tells Kevin Costner to “Put THAT in your book” whenever he does something crude or disgusting. This morning I asked Calvin to tell me five things he loves about our marriage so I could “put THAT in my blog”. Here is the list we compiled:
1. Our marriage provides us with rich companionship. We are great friends and don’t like to be apart.
2. Our marriage created a wonderful family. Our children are an integral part of our relationship and we both enjoy being with them, helping them, teaching them and learning from them.
3. We have lots of common interests (we’re homebodies, our kids, our core value system and beliefs, gardening, history, working outside together, love for country, cooking, traveling, etc.). But, we also have separate interests (he likes to make longbows and blackpowder guns and raise quail, I like to work on NJP and scrapbook and putter) that we encourage each other to pursue.
4. Our marriage is resilient. It reminds me of a spider web, it’s incredibly delicate and fragile and yet remarkably strong and durable at the same time. One thing we love about our marriage is that it has survived the hits.
5. Our marriage is still growing and changing. It’s not the same marriage we started out with, nor even the same marriage of five years ago. We like that it grows and changes as we mature.
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Happy Anniversary! Mom and Dad, you are the most bestest parents anyone could I have. I love you both and appreciate all you do for us. --Abe
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Humble Pie
May 27, 2007
Humble Pie was on the menu this weekend:
- Bifocals are on my horizon. I have kidded myself for three years that my eyes would correct themselves. Alas, progressive lenses are on now on order. The good news is the bifocals are light and rimless. After the exam, the doctor gave me sun-blinders to wear behind my glasses for a few hours. Ark. I could not keep from running over people with my cart in Wal-Mart and I looked so incredibly unfashionable with my blinders, long skirt, oversized sweater that drooped at the neck and shoulders, nylons on a hot summer day and my sturdy walking shoes. My attire did not match the Springfest activities of the afternoon (see Susan’s blog) and though I’m seldom fashion conscious, I was on Friday while watching the activities. Later, when I was home and in comfortable clothes, I thought, “Shame on me.” I can see and I have the resources to buy new glasses and yet I was worried about how I looked for the better part of the afternoon.
- I hate selling things for fund raisers. It embarrasses me to ask people to donate their money to my cause. A couple of years ago Calvin, Ty, our neighbor, Brent, and I had to push a grocery cart full of Krispie Kreme Donuts up and down the parade route at Springfest for a fund raiser of some sort. It was painful for me and so I have a special admiration for people who will fundraise. At the post office on Friday there was a woman selling crepe paper poppies for the veterans. She had an ice cream bucket with a hole cut in the lid draped over her arm for donations. I was humbled that someone would do a job for someone else which is so agonizing for me and I wore my crepe paper poppy proudly the rest of the afternoon. (It actually improved my garb…see above.)
- Calvin had to speak at a Boy Scouts of America Eagle Court of Honor yesterday. At one point of every Eagle Court of Honor, everyone who is an Eagle Scout joins “the Eagles Nest.” There were only two men in the congregation that were not Eagle Scouts. Every other man in the room was in the nest. I thought of the work and effort of those two men. They give tirelessly and endlessly to the Boy Scouts of America program. They donate their resources, time and energy to the scouting program helping hundreds of boys attain the rank they never achieved themselves. Those men go to hundreds of Eagle Courts to cheer and applaud from the audience, not the nest. It was very humbling to see their tireless and unacknowledged efforts knowing they’ll continue from their seat in the crowd to give and serve.
- At that same Court of Honor, the recipient cried. Tears and tears ran down this eighteen year old face as the honor was given to him. He gave Calvin a great big bear hug while he cried. It was sweet.
- Last night we played water baseball with several young people. Calvin and I got there a little bit late and I had just stepped on the field when a nice pop fly came to my spot. I called “Got it” and stepped underneath it. The plastic ball hit my bare hands and popped right back out, smacking me in the face and dribbling away. Uh hum.
This quote often goes through my head: “God will have a humble people. Either we can choose to be humble or we can be compelled to be humble.” –Ezra Taft Benson
When I was a teenager, I was our church organist. I wasn’t good, but you don’t have to be good if talent is thin enough. Talent was thin; I was the only person who could play the organ. That job kept me very, very humble because in all those years I never played a song faultlessly. At one point, my counting was off so badly that the chorister stopped the entire congregation mid-song and had us start over. That was compelled humility. This week was a good reminder of being humble. The best example came from my friend, Janet.
Janet has days to live; her kidneys have failed. She had a transplant several years ago and needs another; however, breast cancer has developed and she has also begun to experience congestive heart failure and so she is no longer a transplant candidate.
I wanted to tell Janet one last time what her example and optimism have meant to me through the years, so I stopped to see her for a few minutes. We had a lovely visit. The next day I received a thank you letter in the mail. I was stunned, Janet’s minutes are few on this earth and she spent some of them writing me a thank you. What a humble act. What a gracious act. It was humbling indeed.
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Bag Toppers
May 24, 2007
At noon, I was waiting at a stoplight and saw a bird on the bumper of the pick-up in front of me. He wasn’t very confident in his wings; he’d flutter two or three times and then hunker down. He did the flutter-hunker two or three times while the light was still red. When the light turned green and the pickup took off, the bird lost his balance and just about fell from the bumper, but he staggered close to the pick-up bed and kept from being blown away. The bird was still there when the pick-up hit fifteen miles an hour and turned to the freeway while I came on home. I wondered if he could keep his grip at 70. It is one of those mysteries I’ll never know.
The gift tip today is Bag Toppers. They aren’t new, most of you have probably been doing them for a long time, but I used the idea today because it’s so handy and quick and easy to use.
This gift is for a neighbor who has given us some of his field bean seed for our garden. He’s done this several times and I haven’t known how to thank him appropriately. I mentioned once that I needed to send a thank you because the seed grows such good beans and his wife said, “Don’t bother, he already knows.”
I said, “But I really appreciate it and they’re the best green beans.”
She said, “He already knows that and if you didn’t think so he’d argue with you ‘til you did! I promise, he knows you appreciate it, don’t bother.”
I have still felt kind of silly receiving seed from him for nothing but a verbal thank you. However, to pay him would have been an insult because the seed probably costs him less than 25 cents, but to bake him something wouldn't work either because his wife is a fantastic cook. I mentioned the dilemma to his son, one of my students, the other day and he said, “Fireballs. He loves Atomic Fireballs.”
Yesterday I picked up a pound of atomic fireballs and added a s-i-m-p-l-e bag topper—a piece of paper with “thank you” stamped on it. I stapled it to the top of the bag and added a red jute bow. Simple. Easy. Affordable.
I usually use cellophane bags that are found in the party section (next to the crepe paper) at Wal-Mart; however, baggies work fine, too. Simply make a tag and decorate it and then fold it over the top of the bag of goodies and staple it in place. Tra-la, you have a gift. I like bag toppers because no matter how small or insignificant the contents, it looks like a gift. Likewise, to open a dollar’s worth of fireballs wrapped in a box would have been a big disappointment, but a bag topper embellishes the contents without building your hopes too much.
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Jane - there are so many times when it truly is the thought that counts - but you want to make sure that your "thought" is well-presented. This is the perfect way to do that! I do many small, Dollar-Store thank-you gifts, and then end up spending another $5 to make my Dollar Store find look like something presentable. I will be using this method in the future! Thank you ;-) -Heather
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May 23, 2007
Keeping an I Spy game in my church bag works for me.
An “I Spy” packet is a little hand activity that keeps children quietly occupied. They are easy to make and fun to play. The instructions for how to make them are here.
I didn’t learn how to make these until our children were too old for them, but I still carry one in my bag for moms who sit by me who may need help keeping their children quiet or to calm little children that sit with our family.
I’ve also filled I Spy packets with items that relate to a lesson that I’m teaching (parable items for example) for a learning activity. For more information on that, click here.
I Spy games work for me!
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I spy a good idea. Why should moms of small children have all the fun? Barb
(You're right, Barb. I've seen more than one dad take them from the child and play with it! jp)
that is an awesome idea.. i am definately going to have to make one.. thanks
Love, Liz Maltais
This is one of the best ideas for kids I have ever heard. I am definitely going to make some of these and always keep one in the diaper bag or my purse. It will keep them entertained for a long time. Thanks, Dawn
Hi Jane! Your I Spy packets are a great idea! I will have to try that out when Ry gets a little older. She loves rice and I fear she may be more fixated on her love of it than the prizes hidden. Thanks!-Mandy
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May 22, 2007
Make new friends, but keep the old; one is silver and the other gold.
I remember singing “Make new friends, but keep the old; one is silver and the other gold” at girls’ camp. Round after round we crooned and in my teenage mind that song was so wise; I love friends and still think it's good advice.
Here’s my self-portrait of some old and new friends. (Oh how I wish I had gorilla arms each Tuesday, alas I was given the underbelly-of-a-frog neck instead.)
Laura Ingalls, The Fitzgeralds (from The Great Brain series) and Mrs. Piggle-Wiggle are very dear old friends. I grew up wishing we lived in the same century and daydreamed of playing with or being cured by them. They were the friend for every season, the perfect afternoon companion. “Books are the quietest and most constant of friends; they are the most accessible and wisest of counselors, and the most patient of teachers.” Charles W. Eliot)
My new friends would have to be John and Abigail Adams, met just this winter. I’m slowly reading about their lives and anxiously await visiting the places they made history. “A book is a garden, an orchard, a storehouse, a party, a company by the way, a counselor, a multitude of counselors.” (Henry Ward Beecher)
In short, books have been great friends—old and new.
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oh, my! i had forgotten about The Great Brain!! your photo of that book brought back a flood of memories for me. what an unexpected spt moment today. thank you! Lelly
I haven't seen those books since I was small. I remember the Great Brain. And we have the entire collection of Little House books. I really need to get those out for my daughter. My husband is a fan of those history books and has enjoys several of the President history books. Great post once again Jane! Jenny
Hi Jane,
I just wanted to let you know how much I enjoyed your self-portrait today! I have loved reading ever since I was very young myself and have even read all three of the books you are holding up (and most of the rest of each series). One thing I'm trying to teach to my children too is how important and wonderful reading is in our lives and today's SPT was a great reminder of how a good book is just like a good friend. I just love your blog. Have a great week! Leslie
Loved your new and old friends. Books are wonderful buddies that can entice and trap you right into them. Great spt. Cynthia
Books are old friends for me, also, but I neglect my family when I'm really into a book, so I have to really choose when I start a new book. I don't know how you held all those books and snapped a picture at the same time! Barb
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Simply Sunday
May 20, 2007
Here are some children playing with a pool table that they made for Abe
I love Sundays and have ever since I was a little girl. Here are ten things I love about Sunday:
- It is a day of worship and in a very physical world it is a relief to focus on the spiritual for one day.
- It is a day of rest; God mandated rest—what a blessing.
- Missionary pictures and e-mails on Sunday night.
- Popcorn, the Sunday night food of choice.
- Visits from friends and family.
- Sunday dinner and dessert.
- It is a family day.
- Sleeping in.
- The music.
- Home.
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Oh, Jane - what a good post! Reminds me of "What I Love About Sunday" by Craig Morgan. It's all the things you mentioned, and more! Thanks for a great post! -Heather
Neat post, Jane – like a shape poem. I love Sundays, too. Heavenly Father really knows what we need. Barb
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Distraught and Distracted
May 18, 2007
I have been distraught and distracted; therefore “the luck of the draw” posting is today.
Distraught because of this
Calvin with the snake
Distracted because of this
portion of groceries
I mentioned that Cali and I saw a snake when we were out walking on Monday. I should have knocked on wood. Wednesday when we came home from town, Cali had just gone through the side door in the garage and I was a following a few steps behind her when we saw this snake curled up in the garage. Cali had stepped right over him. Contrary to what Calvin and Cali say, I did not throw my books and papers in the air when I saw him. The wind came along (most likely generated by my scream) and whisked the stuff right out of my hands. Calvin was as thrilled with our find as I was distressed. He caught him and wondered aloud where to release him. From afar I suggested far, far away. He and Cali quite enjoyed the snake and he told snake stories to Cali while I tried to ignore the whole situation. I’ve had the phantom feeling of something coiling around my leg ever since we saw him. Ande was gone and missed the excitement.
Yesterday I took Cali to the airport so she could visit Ty. Afterwards I went big grocery shopping. The prices are so much cheaper there (in airport city) that I try to take advantage of them whenever I can. I saved 20 cents a gallon on gas (by the way, ours is normally $3.39 how much is yours?), three dollars per jar on peanut butter, 40 cents per can of Crisco and over a $1 on a container of vegetable oil. I do love a good grocery bargain.
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I have never looked at graduation that way, and I'll never see graduation the same way again (after reading this week's newsletter). So true: dropped to the bottom of the food chain. I really enjoy your insights and your writing. Love, Barb
One of the things I love about you Jane, is that you KNOW how much you are saving. I can not remember that. I just know that I am. Love, Susan
1. What is a Jump Drive? 2. How long do I have to be at the bottom of the food chain? CWB
Jane, I love when you said shopping in airport town. Too funny, here in ML we have to think like that. We are limited in our sales shopping and I'm always looking for a good deal! And a phantom snake, that creeps me out just reading about it! I hope none of his friends show up! Mel
plate, fork, glass, cookie, rhino, action figure, pencil and book, necklace and 2 stones.
I pictured myself eating the cookie with the plate, fork and cup - with the rhino and action figure on each shoulder as I read them the book, turning the pages with the pencil, while wearing the necklace and the 2 stones as earings...ha! This is the only way I can remember most things - by association and stories. :)
btw - that was fun- helped me feel like I can still remember things! Cyndi Bird
ok, after reading your email, I discovered that I didn't quite "get it" after all!
I thought the dime was a smaller stone, and the "bobble head" was an action figure! Ha! I had a great laugh though... thanks! Cyndi Bird
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May 16, 2007
Here’s a slick and easy 3 step way to make a plain frosted cake look nice.
1. Frost the cake.
2. Make diagonal lines in one direction with a knife edge.
3. Make diagonal lines across the original lines.
This certainly works for me!
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Great idea! Very pretty and I bet tasty too!
That is a great idea. I'm not too skilled in the cake decorating department, but I think I could do this! Barbara H. @ Stray Thoughts
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Self Portrait Tuesday--Mothers’ Day
May 15, 2007
The thing I’m most grateful to my mother for is she signed me up for service. With seven daughters, people frequently called our home asking, “Jenny, do you have anyone that could . . .(x, y, or z) for me?” and mom would offer our help. One time my aunt called because my cousin couldn’t find a date for the prom and he’d asked 15 girls. My mom said, “Jane will go.” Other times someone would call for a babysitter and she would say, “Jane will do it.” Still other times someone needed their house cleaned or the elderly needed extra care and she would offer my services. She did this with all of my sisters and my little brother as well. It never occurred to me to be upset she didn’t ask if we wanted to help, we were just expected and taught that is what you do. I am grateful she taught me to sign up and serve where there is a need.
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Teaching service to children is one of the hardest things to do, and on top of it, having them like it, or at least be good about it, a near impossible feat! What a great mom you had! And she raised a passel of great kids too! Susan
Well, now I know why you’re so neighborly! Love, Barb
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Life in My World
May 14, 2007
Ark! The first snake of the season and it was big. Calvin is fond of snakes, I am not. Cali favors Calvin and chased the snake through the June grass. I hollered that she didn’t have good enough insurance to cover a snake bite. She assured me she was on enough amoxicillin to cover an infection. He was one of those barking bull snakes that lets you know he’s mad you came in his territory—never mind you pay the taxes.
Calvin sprayed weeds Saturday. We go through about $180 worth of spray a year . . . that’s serious spraying. While Calvin sprayed I planted more of the garden. I planted cucumbers, watermelon, cantaloupe, peppers, beets, lettuce, peas (I’m late, but I planted them in a shady spot hoping to compensate), zucchini and crook neck, broccoli, flowers and more flowers. I also planted dill, cilantro, basil and more lavender in the herb bed. I’ve still got to plant a few more hot peppers, tomatoes and green beans and transplant strawberries to a poor producing flower bed as ground cover. Cali planted the two big flower pots by the garage.
Saturday was also overcast and perfect picture taking weather, so I took a few graduation pictures of the girls. Here’re a couple of my favorites:
Ande
Cali
I had a terrific Mother’s Day; I always do. I just plain like celebrating the oldest occupation in history—be it with dandelions or geraniums. Calvin and the kids are always so thoughtful and I appreciate it. On Saturday the girls gave me an early Mother’s Day gift; they d-e-t-a-i-l-e-d the car! They scrubbed the carpets, washed the dash and got the fry sauce stain off the door. I’m ready to go . . . somewhere . . . anywhere.
In our congregation, we have no paid clergy, so members are the speakers at church. I spoke Sunday on the topic of honoring mothers. I used four examples from the life of Christ honoring his mother, Mary, as the basis of my talk. I used the four examples
- When Mary lost him in Jerusalem at the Feast of the Passover and how Christ responded when she found him.
- The scripture in Luke 2:52 where it says how Christ grew and developed through his childhood and young adulthood.
- The time when Mary needed more wine at the wedding and Christ made it for her.
- When Mary was at the cross at Christ’s death and he asked John to care for her.
After each of the examples of Christ, I used personal examples of favorite times the kids honored me in those ways. It was fun to remember different things they had done—crackers, chocolate chips and notes Ande left on my pillow, shoes Ty bought me so my feet wouldn’t hurt, watching Cali develop talents that bless other people, and the time Abe sent me an MRE (meal ready to eat) from the field so that I could appreciate his world.
I always have to remember at this time of the year to not get ahead of myself. There’re a lot of good and fun things to enjoy, but I find myself wishing the school year was finished—even though I really enjoy my classes and it’s a fun time to be teaching. Every morning I have to remind myself to enjoy today and not wish it away for the summer.
And that is life in my world.
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I so appreciate your perspective of Mother's Day and how Christ honored his mother. I'm going to file that one away for future use myself-- shall I give you credit or just plagarize? No use plagarizing.....everyone would know I couldn't come up with that on my own. Why tell a lie if it's not believeable? And that's why my kids will never be able to "eulogize" me on Mother's Day....I have to think through far too many ethical situations; it would be a short talk. Thanks for your perspective.-- Lynn
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Newsletter Snippet—Mothers
May 11, 2007
There’s something to be said for living your life through your children. I know. I know. I suppose we’ve all clucked our tongues as we’ve condescendingly looked down our noses at other parents and thought in condemning tones, “She’s living her life through her daughter” or “He’s living his life through his son.” And though I still deplore parents acting like children or parents pushing their children to fulfill their own dreams, last night I got to “live life through Cali.”
Yesterday Cali graduated from nursing school. It was not only her second university graduation in two years, but also her second bachelor’s degree (her first B.S. was in biology) and I have been able to enjoy both of those experiences through her. I haven’t graduated from college, but I have thoroughly enjoyed listening to Cali teach me things she’s learned, meet the professors who have taught her and see her use her newly gained skills. I’ve been vicariously enjoying Cali’s experiences and am thrilled to be able to do so.
Cali was chosen to speak at her department graduation and used Be Brave, Be Honest and Be Encouraging as her topic.
And it seems it is that way with each of our children. Though I have never served a mission, I have enjoyed missionary experiences through Abe. Though I have never drawn a beautiful picture, I have enjoyed the process as Ande paints them. Though I have never run a marathon, I have enjoyed hearing about Ty’s experience. Calvin and I have both lived life much more richly when we’ve lived it through our family.
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Thank you Jane for reminding me that Mother's Day isn't a bad day. I Loved the newsletter. Love, Deb
- Jane, I often use your newsletters for my Sunday lesson. I was sweating this week, but now I know what I'm going to do. I will pull topics out of a jar . . . What was a name of a pet of your mother's when she was a girl? Your mother's favorite color? Etc. The girls will all give an example of these and see if they know the answers. One assignment will be to go home and see if they were right. And to WRITE this down before forgetting. Then the next activity will be a jar or a plate like you (showed in the newsletter). I will show some things like this. I'll then have them write down the things they could put in a jar. Their mother's day gift is to sit down and go through the jar with their mother and tell them what they love about her as represented by the object. "A Why I Love You" conversation jar!!!!!!!!! Alrighty then. Sunday is planned. THANKS. M
OK now I used to have the best memory ever. Now that I have had five kids though, it is shot. I hear that you lose brain cells with each kid you give birth to. So lets see if they are all completely shot or not. These are the things I remember (from the picture in the newsletter) cookie, rock, necklace, book, quarter, glass. I think that is all I can remember. Oh dear they are all pretty much shot. Guess there will be no more kids for us. I won't be able to remember anything. Take care Jane. Love Lisa
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Gift Tip
May 10, 2007
Yesterday was Cali’s birthday and I gave her the gift of time for that is her primary love language. We went to the museum, the used book store, a new place for lunch and for a walk around the Japanese gardens. Cali does not like surprises for “a surprise is never as big as I think it’s going to be,” so yesterday was a perfect gift with no surprises.
When Cali was turning eight years old (and the age children are baptized into our church) Calvin’s parents planned to give her her first set of scriptures—a fairly common tradition. I told Cali before her birthday that she would receive a special surprise from Grandpa and Grandma Payne that year. Can you imagine her disappointment when she opened a box with scriptures inside when she was expecting them to give her an Olympic-sized swimming pool for our backyard?
However, sixteen years later her scriptures have truly become “special” to her as she has written thoughts and impressions in the margins, cross-referenced scriptures to each other and glued favorite quotes in them. But, the cover to her scriptures was so worn and tattered that the spines were no longer attached to the covers. Several months ago we offered to recover them for her birthday and she was thrilled to get a “new set” with all of her old markings.
For supper Cali chose as the family meal: grilled steaks, mashed sweet potatoes, regular mashed potatoes, broccoli, cauliflower, carrots, asparagus and Dairy Queen ice cream cake. The only surprises of her day were the iTunes gift card that Ande gave her and the flowers Calvin brought her and . . . the recovering of her scriptures exceeded even her expectations. A perfect surprise birthday!
Gift tips: give the gift of a love language
recover or restore a gift they love
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Please send your comments to jp@neighborjanepayne.com Thanks!
Happy Birthday Cali! I would love my old scriptures recovered, I would have never even thought of that. I ended up getting new ones and now I'm bonded to two pair. Although I like the old ones best. Your day together sounds perfect! DQ cakes are my favorite too! =) Melanie
What a sweet birthday to give her. I think that is my daughters love language as well. –Elizabeth
Jane - I never realized how much Cali and I have in common! Our birthdays are 1 day apart - Happy Birthday Cali!! I HATE surprises - I'm such a planner. I never know how to react. And, same with Cali, if I know there is a surprise coming, I fret about it so much, that there is barely any joy left once it comes - whether it met my expectations or not! I would choose almost her very same birthday dinner - I'd just add some seafood to the mix! What a special gal you have - more than I ever realized, her being so much like me and all!!!! –Heather
Jayne, when I read your blog, I often wish I were a part of your family! Most of mine (mom, dad, sister, aunts, uncles & grandparents) are gone, so I truly envy what you guys have. Happy Belated Birthday to Cali! It sounded absolutely perfect. Love, Susan Walker
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WFMW
May 9, 2007
Nature is so attractive this time of the year and it’s easy to bring some of that beauty indoors in a vase. Vases don’t need to be expensive and can include everyday containers like a canning jar, a milk bottle, a long-necked cruet, a mug, a jug, a crock, a soup can or a basket. Even a clear bowl with a floating flower looks so dainty.
Fresh or dried flowers, branches, plants and leaves give warmth, freshness and life to a room and spring is a perfect and inexpensive time to add that vitality. A large fern in the bathroom, a vase of budding or colorful branches on the mantle, a milk-bottle full of bachelor buttons on top of the refrigerator, a basket of leaves in the entryway, a floating rose on the sofa table, a crock of lilacs on the counter, a tomato soup can with marigolds or daisies in the kitchen windowsill—all are simple containers that make attractive arrangements with little expense and effort. It works for me.
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Please send your comments to jp@neighborjanepayne.com Thanks!
Neighbor Jane - I love it when you do Works For Me Wednesday! Because you always do it early, and when I do my morning break blog check, you are already there with something fascinating for me to read! Good tip about the flowers - in the winter months, I am sometimes seen scouring the Wal-Mart 1/2 price fresh-flower bucket, just to get some life into our house ;-) -Heather
I have had a crazy week, so I am just now catching up on my favorite blogs. I enjoyed this tip! I wanted to share one of my own. I love to decorate with limes and lemons during the winter. I place some in a basket or bowl and they brighten a room! Missy
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SPT
May 8, 2007
Cinco de Mayo
A few years ago I put together a “You might be a Chadwick if . . .” book for my siblings. I wrote everyone asking for entries. One in-law submitted, “You might be a Chadwick if you put ketchup on a crepe and call it a taco.” Another wrote, “You know you’re a Chadwick if you eat catsup on your taco instead of salsa.”
Both are true Chadwick-isms; I had never had authentic Mexican food until I was in college. I had never even tried salsa or guacamole let alone fajitas or carne asada until I met Calvin. Although we ate tacos growing up, my mother made the shells. We thought they were wonderful, but as each new in-law joined the family it was easy to see those shells required an acquired taste.
Calvin never hesitates to tell of the time I first made my mother’s infamous taco shell recipe. We were newly married and I mentioned I was fixing tacos for supper but needed to make the shells first. He grew up in Mesa, Arizona and taco shells meant fresh tortillas—corn and flour. Calvin thought he’d married the best little mamacita when he heard I was making shells. Surprise, surprise when I put the pancake looking (truth be told, pancake tasting) shells on the table with plain ground beef (no seasonings), some grated mild cheddar cheese, a little bit of lettuce and a bottle of ketchup—obviously pleased with myself for being so handy in the kitchen. Calvin couldn’t cover his disappointment; you just don’t mess with his Mexican food and not get a comment or look.
So my Cinco-de-Mayo post shows my trained bilingual-tasting tongue that can eat ketchup or salsa, plain or spicy meat in tacos and taco salad.
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Please send your comments to jp@neighborjanepayne.com Thanks!
ketchup?!? on a taco? oh, my, that requires taste bud refinement i don't possess! what a great story to share. Lelly
Lelly, you are oh so right...it takes...er...refinement...especially because I don't care for ketchup in general (except on these homemade taco shells or taco salad) jp
Tell Calvin to quit taking himself and his south-of-the-border taste so seriously. I LOVE those pancake taco shells SMOTHERED IN KETCHUP. It's the grease that gets me, pure and simple.
I used a spin on your "You know you're a Chadwick if...." and made my soon-to-be-born granddaughter a book titled "The Top Ten Jaynes Family Rules".......but alas, I left out the taco pancake shell rule.....guess I'll have to write another one. Lynn
In response to your SPT blog - Matt and I had the same situation when we first got married. Verna owned a dessert/bakery for a lot of years, so Matt was spoiled with decadent dessert choices. Imagine one day when I wanted to surprise him with cheesecake - and I made it the way all us poor, uneducated folk make cheesecake - out of the Jell-O cheesecake box! "This is not cheesecake. It's pretty good - but it's not cheesecake." Thankfully, my tastes are so much more sophisticated, I can now tell the difference! I still like them both, but they definitely should not be allowed to be called the same thing!! -Heather
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Life in My World
May 7, 2007
This past weekend we went to our friends’ cabin in Northern Idaho. We had a wedding to attend near the cabin, so our friends suggested we travel over together the night before and sleep in their cabin. We had a fantastic time—visiting in front of the fire, eating wonderful food, sleeping in, hiking—it was great. Northern Idaho is noted for free spirits and the wedding was like nothing I’d seen before. I’m actually wordless concerning it. It was earthy and full of incense and provided a lot of people-watching. As our friend whispered at one point during the ceremony, “I feel an overwhelming urge to cry ‘far out man’”.
I tried to mow the lawn today and broke the blade right in two. It took me one swath to figure it out (I thought the mower ran a little odd, but when it comes to mowing our lawn, perseverance is the key and I didn’t want to let a little drag and noise slow me down). When I started the second pass around the lawn I noticed a little trench in the ground where I’d mowed before so I stopped the mower and inspected underneath and found the blade snapped. I got just enough mowed to make me filthy and needing a shower, but before the yard looked nice. (*Calvin just informed me it wasn’t the blade that broke, something else did—but broke is broke and it didn’t mow so the story is still basically the same.)
Speaking of the yard, I wish you could see it—all of the lilacs are in bloom (about 50 yards of them). If you can overlook the unmowed grass, it’s beautiful. Cali picked three bouquets for the house. Mmmmm….
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2-4-1
May 3, 2007
This is a two-for-one tip! It works as a gift tip as well as a teaching tip. Until June, Staples® is having a special where they will enlarge your photograph into a 12” x 18” poster—complete with lamination and foam board—for under $10. They also throw in a package of Sharpie® markers for FREE. Staples® advertises a soccer team with team autographs around the edge—perfect for a coach’s gift or a child’s room. I’ve been seeing many of my photos with new gift possibilities!
For a teaching tip, I had Staples® make the above picture into a poster and used it in a lesson that I recently taught involving a camel. Using a dry erase marker, the poster worked perfectly as a dry erase board where I wrote the points of the lesson.
And, don’t forget FREE Sharpies! That makes this a true 3-4-1 bargain.
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Please send your comments to jp@neighborjanepayne.com Thanks!
Jane, This is an awesome tip! I would love to do this for a couple different photos I have taken. Now I just have to search through and decide. Thank you, Thank you! Love, Melanie
Using the poster as a dry erase board puts this idea into the next stratosphere! Very creative idea, Jane!
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Works for Me: Birthday Edition
May 2, 2007
Calvin, Ande and Cali
These recipes combine the birthday cake and ice cream in a wonderful, nonmessy combination! It can be made a few days in advance and looks pretty when served.
Chocolate Ice Cream Cake
¾ cup flour
¼ cup cocoa
1 tsp baking powder
¼ tsp salt
3 eggs
1 cup sugar
1/3 cup water
1 tsp vanilla
½ gallon ice cream
Beat eggs five minutes until thick and creamy. Add sugar, water, and vanilla. Mix flour, cocoa, baking powder, and salt together in small bowl. Add to egg mixture and mix well. Line 11” x 15” baking pan with waxed paper, then lightly spray pan with cooking spray and pour batter into pan. Bake at 375 degrees for 12 to 15 minutes. On tea-towel that is sprinkled with powdered sugar, turn warm cake and peel off waxed paper. Roll cake (and towel) into a log. Cool. Unroll. Slice ½ gallon chocolate ice cream and lay onto unrolled cake. Roll cake back up with ice cream inside. Freeze until very firm and then wrap in plastic wrap. Slice and serve with hot fudge sauce.
Strawberry Ice Cream Cake
1 package angel food cake mix
½ gallon strawberry ice cream
Mix angel food cake mix according to package directions. Line 11” x 15” baking pan with waxed paper then lightly spray pan with cooking spray and pour batter into pan. Bake at 375 degrees for 15-20 minutes or until cake is lightly browned and bounces back to the touch. On tea-towel that is sprinkled with powdered sugar, turn warm cake and peel off waxed paper. Roll cake (and towel) into a log. Cool. Unroll. Slice ½ gallon ice cream and lay onto unrolled cake. Roll cake back up with ice cream inside. Freeze until very firm and then wrap in plastic wrap. Slice and serve with fresh or frozen strawberries as garnish.
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Please send your comments to jp@neighborjanepayne.com Thanks!
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Jane -Am I out of the loop? Hiding under my mushroom? Is it your birthday???????? Heather
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Hey you...... are you another year older or..... did you make your family pose for your blog....... Help me out here Janey Payney!!!! Darla
Darla and Heather
Actually, I’ve gotten quite a bit of mileage out of this picture. The girls made the sign for Calvin’s birthday clear back in November (Cali is lying on his birthday present) so I took the picture. Then, last month for Abe's birthday I thought, "What the heck...he doesn't know we didn't make the sign for him” so I sent it to him as a birthday card. Then, today was Works-for-me-Wednesday with the theme of birthday ideas and I thought, “Third time’s a charm.” I’ll be sure and let you know when it’s my birthday so you can say, “Happy 45th” !
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SPT
May 1, 2007
This week's challenge is to show & tell one of your most treasured items. The catch is (YES, there is a catch)... it must be smaller than a deck of cards!
My most valuable possession? Indubitably, my faith—which is like a mustard seed.
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Please send your comments to jp@neighborjanepayne.com Thanks!
Jane, Your faith has always been amazing to me so I find this SPT so appropriate for you. Thanks for sharing your example of faith with me (and countless others that is). Great, great photo! Love, Melanie
You're analogies are always so great. Great post. Jenny
That was a super post – what class did you teach at the R.S. weekend? Faith is knowing the sun will rise lighting each new day. . . You inspired me today, Jane. Love, Barb
Hi Jane, After talking to Deb, and reading your blogs. I really do miss you, and all my friends over on the other side of the mtn.....your blog today about your faith is like a mustard seed. I would have to say that your faith is much bigger than a mustard seed, how about an avocado pit. (I can't think of anything bigger when it comes to seeds) In Hawaii they have some big avocados. Love, Donna
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Life in My World
May 1, 2007
v We had a houseful of scouts for supper the other night. Calvin has been the young men’s leader in church for several years, but was recently given a new assignment so all of his 16-18 year old scouts planned a supper at our house so he would cook for them one last time. Brent, their other leader, provided the steaks and Calvin grilled them and fried homemade fries to go with them. One of the scouts brought a slab of chocolate (from Legacy Chocolates) to melt and strawberries to dip in it. The boys were fun and loud until the food was put in front of them and then we didn’t hear a word for several minutes as they ate and ate and ate. It was a fun evening and I was ever so glad to have a table that seats 14 with long benches on each side.
v Last Friday Deb and I drove to Ensign Ranch for a church women’s retreat where we were asked to teach a couple of classes. Deb and I had a nice visit and drive (thankfully Deb likes to drive) and they served a potluck supper. Have I reminded you lately how much I love potlucks? Especially when someone takes a fresh cantaloupe, strawberry, grapes and pineapple fruit salad. Oh, it tasted so good. Deb taught a card making/mini-scrapbook class on Friday night and I taught a lesson the next morning. The retreat was great and while we were there a darling woman with the most beautiful black hair and cutest scrapbook pages
Leslie and me at the retreat
came up to me and said with warm enthusiasm, “I read your blog!” Her sister, who lives in North Dakota, had referred her to The Neighbor’s Blog a few months ago. Blogging connections never cease to make me smile. When Deb and I packed up to come home she asked me what I planned to do with the rest of the afternoon and I said, “I’ve got to get home and finish raking the leaves out from under the lilacs. They should bloom ANY DAY and each year I race to get the leaves raked out from underneath them before they bloom.” I pulled into our yard and Cali was just finishing the raking! I carried my things into the house and found she had also touched-up/repainted the dining room benches and table, vacuumed and picked me a bouquet of lilacs with a Welcome Home sign beneath them. It was just the best surprise and totally unexpected.
v We’re watching the progress of three nests—a robin’s, a killdeer’s and a dove’s. The doves built their nest in a tumbleweed and the killdeer made theirs in the middle of the road. I guess every species has its free-thinkers that make you wonder.
v Saturday night we had a church bbq and then went to listen to a student who plays in a band that was performing at the local bookstore. We got there just in time to hear the last song and encore. They sounded great and I was proud of him.
v Sunday was full of church meetings and company stopping by to visit. Thankfully Ande made peanut butter rice krispie treats and slathered the top with extra thick chocolate left from the strawberries earlier in the week so we had something to share with company.
v Ande has discovered the joy of tips at her new job.
v Cali is home for a few months and we went shopping for emergency items for her 72 hour kit. Oh ho. Can I just tell you we are not related except by blood? My thoughts on a 72 hour kit are, “I just have to make it three days. After three days the camping will be over and I can toss everything in the trash. Just keep alive for three days.” Cali’s theory is completely opposite. Her theory includes, “I will have nothing left after three days. After three days my time and possessions will be gone—completely destroyed, the hurricane (in our case tornado, terrorist attack or earthquake) will have destroyed everything, so I’d better be darn sure what I have left is good.” She was showing me her clothes that she’d packed away and I thought they were perfectly disposable and perfectly perfect for a 72 hour kit. They weren't new, but not old. She said, “If I was Kate and was left on an island with only these, I would not be happy. Maybe I should get something better to include in my pack.” I, on the other hand, would be relishing the fact that I had clothes that I would have no guilt tossing in the fire on the last night of my 72 hour stay. Cali said, “I do not want to be stranded with you. You will need everything in my pack. I want to be stranded with Dad.” I can only say I want to be stranded with him, too.
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Please send your comments to jp@neighborjanepayne.com Thanks!
v Jane, Thank you for having such a heartwarming and touching message this week (in the newsletter). All of your messages are just wonderful and well throughout and presented and it would be hard for me to pick just one, but I was happy to be reminded this week that kind words always swell hearts and I felt this as I read your message. So I want to thank you and let you know how much gratitude I do feel this day because of your beautiful spirit and willingness to spread love with another. Love you my friend...Hugs...Shirley
v Jane, I loved your newsletter this week. The notes from Ty made me cry. I just want to tell you how much I appreciate how you have raised him. He is kind, courteous, patient and an amazing example for my children when he is here. He taught my children to wait until I sit down and start eating before they eat. A small courtesy but one I appreciate very much. One Sunday he wasn’t able to come for dinner and Jacob said, “He’s not coming? That just ruins my day!” He is a joy to have in our home and all the wonderful things you taught him are a blessing to us. Thanks! I aspire to be a mom like you! Julie
v Dear Jane, I really enjoyed your newsletter on Appreciation! That is a wonderful idea to use with your classes, and for all of us to use each day! I chuckled about the man and the $5 bill in his pocket! We figured it was the same guy we had a worker at Taco Bell deliver a soft taco to as we left the shop! (He was only getting a cup for water when we were there.) We, too, have wondered about him. He looks clean. I have noticed he has at least 3 different coats. Wonder what his story is? Love, Lora Bailey
v You are the best - thanks. I think this one will be a FHE lessen... :) Cyndi Bird
v "Swooshing" is so tempting. How often do you suppose one could get away with it before we call it "irresponsible"? How often do you suppose I could get away with "swooshing" my desk before the boss would say, "What did you do with that .....(work order, email, blueprint, you-name-it)? Just wondering.....just weighing the risks.... Lynn
v Hi Jane, This week's newsletter is just the greatest! It inspires me to want to do better at making appreciation statements. My heart and thoughts are usually in the right place but I fail to follow through with kind words and gratitude that I feel towards people. I WILL DO BETTER! Thanks for giving me the incentive. Sending Love to you and your family.............. Ruth Palmer
v That is a funny story about Ty. Give yourself (and others) a do-over whenever they need it, I say. Barb
v Sometimes I wish I could swoosh away the blog. I fear I am becoming much too engrossed in it. Your Ty is darling. I had to laugh about the incident. Isn't it great we can look back and smile about those times in life when we thought we were going to pull our hair out? Can't wait to see your SPT. Jenny :)
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