Cole and I often miss Victoria when we have a dinner date. We've had a hard time finding decent non-chain restaurants. But in the last few months we have had two very delicious dining experiences that I felt I should share.
First, Asteras: We tried to go to The Nest Bistro (which I have also heard is very good and the menu looks promising), but we were sent away because apparently this tiny little place took reservations and they were all full up. So we headed to Asteras, which we had heard was good and is often packed at dinner time. We were not disappointed. It was super busy but everyone who worked there was moving as fast as humanly possible, while still paying attention to everyone. It was a funky, noisy environment- what you would expect at a greek place. The food was divine! We had pita, tzatziki, and spanokapita to start- all of it very flavourful and well done- and they didn't shy away from the garlic, which I loved. Cole had the special, a beef tenderloin and scallop dish, while I had the roast lamb. Both were superb- Cole's plate was so clean by the end of the meal it looked like it could have gone back into the cupboard. Both dishes were so good, but we both agreed mine was the best. So if you like lamb, this is the dish for you! Served with rice, potatoes, greek salad and veggies, these $20 plates are worth the money. If you haven't tried this place yet, it should be the destination of your next dinner date!
Next, K attended her first birthday party where I didn't have to stay. So Cole and I (and B) had a brunch date at 2 Chefs Affair. A small place downtown that serves affordable, familiar food done in a gourmet way. It is evident from the flavour profiles and presentation that the quality of the food is of the utmost importance. We ordered the eggs benedict and french toast from the breakfast menu. The hollandaise had a beautiful lemon note and the hashbrown had a homemade ketchup accompaniment that was nothing like the ketchup you know. The french toast had real maple syrup and a berry cream cheese spread. The couple beside us had the waffles and those looked like a dessert masterpiece. Cole went back a couple weeks later with a friend for lunch and had just as positive of an experience. $10 plates- you can't beat that price for food this good.
If you have been to a good restaurant in Nanaimo, I'd love to hear about it!
A Forever Family
Wednesday, 23 October 2013
Sunday, 6 October 2013
Meal Planning
We have an almost processed food free home- I do all the cooking and it's from scratch. Occasionally a can of mushroom soup may slip in or K might have some KD for lunch- but these events are few and far between. As I have stated in lots of my blogs, our budget is tight. So it can be a challenge to find delicious, new recipes that fit within our limited meal budget. This past month I tried something new- usually I do week by week meal planning but this time I did the whole month.
Now it did change a bit as the month carried on and I saw different things on sale or our budget got smaller or whatever. But it was helpful to have a better idea what was going on in the month so I could stock up on good sales and prepare for the upcoming meals. It cut the cost of the protein portion of our meal down considerably. Also, you can group meals with like ingredients close together and take advantage of places like Costco for bulk produce.
Here is our meal plan/recipes for September. Maybe you can take some of my ideas and use them for your own families. We aim for an average of $10/dinner and this generally feeds a family of four (I like leftovers for lunch). September we bought a lot of chicken and ground beef to portion out and for October we've bought one of those full pork loins from Costco for $16 and portioned it out for 7 different meals- that makes the protein cost less than $3 per dinner...can you beat that?? We would love to always shop at places like Nesvog, but at this time in our life we can't. For September I managed to make a different recipe for every meal- the reason there aren't 30 is some of them weren't worth mentioning, I was out of town for 4 days and some of them we had 2 nights in a row. I took pictures for almost all of the recipes.
Click on the name for the recipe:
Lime Mustard Chicken + Cheesy Zucchini Rice
Southwest Quinoa Salad
Greek Meatballs and Toasted Feta Orzo
African Palava + Salad with homemade Avocado Dressing
Chicken, Bacon, Brie Salad
Pulled Pork + Potato Salad
Broccoli Cheddar Soup + Jalapeno Popovers
Hot Sausage & Chicken Stew
Korean Beef
Tortilla Soup
Salmon Cakes
Burritos with Roasted Salsa and Black Refried Beans and Mexican Rice
Chicken Caesar Pasta Salad
Cashew Quinoa Salad
Chicken and Dumplings
Perfect Autumn Quinoa Salad
Roasted Garlic Potato Soup (add cumin) + Cheese Biscuits
Chili and Buttermilk Cornbread
Chicken Bruschetta Melts
For October we've already had:
Sweet Tomato and Basil Bisque
Sweet Potato Latkes with Poached Eggs
Spicy Thai Peanut Stir Fry
Our meal plan for the rest of the month (it may change, but if you see anything you like check my food blog occasionally- I'm keeping it pretty up to date these days):
Shredded Pork Tacos with Mango Salsa and Pico de Gallo
Shredded Pork Quesadillas
Cheesy Cauliflower Soup
Shepard's Pie
Cheesy Corn and Potato Chowder
Chipotle Chicken Taco Salad
Lasagna
Shrimp Scampi
Homemade Pizza Pockets
Challupas (crockpot mexican pork and beans)
Garlic Chicken + Zucchini Cakes
Chili+Cinnamon Pork Loin with Apple Salsa
Tuna Melts with Homemade Garlic Cilantro Fries
(plus a bunch of repeat soups/salads from last month + Korean Beef *we have this every month*)
Now it did change a bit as the month carried on and I saw different things on sale or our budget got smaller or whatever. But it was helpful to have a better idea what was going on in the month so I could stock up on good sales and prepare for the upcoming meals. It cut the cost of the protein portion of our meal down considerably. Also, you can group meals with like ingredients close together and take advantage of places like Costco for bulk produce.
Here is our meal plan/recipes for September. Maybe you can take some of my ideas and use them for your own families. We aim for an average of $10/dinner and this generally feeds a family of four (I like leftovers for lunch). September we bought a lot of chicken and ground beef to portion out and for October we've bought one of those full pork loins from Costco for $16 and portioned it out for 7 different meals- that makes the protein cost less than $3 per dinner...can you beat that?? We would love to always shop at places like Nesvog, but at this time in our life we can't. For September I managed to make a different recipe for every meal- the reason there aren't 30 is some of them weren't worth mentioning, I was out of town for 4 days and some of them we had 2 nights in a row. I took pictures for almost all of the recipes.
Click on the name for the recipe:
Lime Mustard Chicken + Cheesy Zucchini Rice
Southwest Quinoa Salad
Greek Meatballs and Toasted Feta Orzo
African Palava + Salad with homemade Avocado Dressing
Chicken, Bacon, Brie Salad
Pulled Pork + Potato Salad
Broccoli Cheddar Soup + Jalapeno Popovers
Hot Sausage & Chicken Stew
Korean Beef
Tortilla Soup
Salmon Cakes
Burritos with Roasted Salsa and Black Refried Beans and Mexican Rice
Chicken Caesar Pasta Salad
Cashew Quinoa Salad
Chicken and Dumplings
Perfect Autumn Quinoa Salad
Roasted Garlic Potato Soup (add cumin) + Cheese Biscuits
Chili and Buttermilk Cornbread
Chicken Bruschetta Melts
For October we've already had:
Sweet Tomato and Basil Bisque
Sweet Potato Latkes with Poached Eggs
Spicy Thai Peanut Stir Fry
Our meal plan for the rest of the month (it may change, but if you see anything you like check my food blog occasionally- I'm keeping it pretty up to date these days):
Shredded Pork Tacos with Mango Salsa and Pico de Gallo
Shredded Pork Quesadillas
Cheesy Cauliflower Soup
Shepard's Pie
Cheesy Corn and Potato Chowder
Chipotle Chicken Taco Salad
Lasagna
Shrimp Scampi
Homemade Pizza Pockets
Challupas (crockpot mexican pork and beans)
Garlic Chicken + Zucchini Cakes
Chili+Cinnamon Pork Loin with Apple Salsa
Tuna Melts with Homemade Garlic Cilantro Fries
(plus a bunch of repeat soups/salads from last month + Korean Beef *we have this every month*)
Entering Hippy Territory
Have you seen THIS article floating around on Facebook- or others like it? It makes me so mad- why can't I walk into a store, buy something marketed to clean my children gently without having to worry that it's actually not good for them or the environment? So many products are like this- I watched a Marketplace episode about "green" products that turned out to be not green at all. So frustrating. Consumerism often infuriates me. But what are we supposed to do? We can research all we want but companies can still trick or mislead us. If your family has the budget, better/natural/organic/green products can be invested in but not every family can afford that. Ours, for instance, is a family of four living off not even one full income since I am at home full time with the kids while Cole is in school full time. We can't afford some of the more health-conscious/environmentally responsible companies. So I started researching homemade products- so I can be sure of the ingredients. Thankfully it's 2013, and the internet is a vast resource of such things.
I already make my own homemade laundry soap- have been for over a year. We love it: it's easy, ridiculously cheap, and as effective as all the commercial laundry soap I've tried. That's the thing- if you're going to make your products, you don't want to sacrifice the result. And I have had 2 babies during my laundry detergent switch- I wouldn't still be doing this if it didn't get out the spit up, poop and other food/dirt stains that come with the territory. I still buy a stain remover for the really tough stuff (stains your commercial detergent wouldn't get out either). I've read about homemade stain remover and even homemade dryer sheets. But I haven't gotten to that yet- one step at a time.
Recipe for Homemade Laundry Detergent
1 cup Borax (the box lasted us a year)
1 cup Washing Soda (the box lasted us longer than a year)
2 finely grated Sunlight Bars (we have to buy a pack of 2 every month probably)
Mix together and keep in a container by your laundry. 1-2 tbsp per load. I use a dry detergent- there's recipes out there if you like liquid. I just use an old formula scoop to measure my soap.
So when my "poisonous" products are gone, I will start trying some of these new recipes. I will have to start getting familiar with the health food stores in order to find the best deals on bulk castile soap (I hear Dr Brommer's is the best) and essential oils. Thankfully things like vinegar and baking soda are dirt cheap. Here are some of the links I'm looking at for recipes. If your family already does some of this and would like to share your experiences, I would love to hear about it- also any recipes you have tested. I will post once I have tested some of these out.
Cole said he's on board for whatever I do- he will use whatever I make. I've talked to him about cloth diapers before but he's always maintained he won't help change diapers if they're cloth (his family used them and had no desire to go back to that). But the night I was talking to him about all this, he said if I wanted to try cloth diapers for the 3rd baby (who is hopefully a long ways off), he will comply. But he warned me that I am entering hippy territory with all this.
Maybe so, but I'm tired of being lied to and wondering what all these strange chemicals are doing to ourselves and the earth. But things take time, one step at a time. I have made the laundry change, next I will look into these recipes and we'll go from there. I like that I will know how to make things that we use everyday. Also, it feels like a way I can help our family be self-sufficient/reliant at a time when I'm not contributing money to our bank account.
http://matthewandemmavickery.blogspot.ca/2013/07/no-poo.html
http://mymerrymessylife.com/2012/10/homemade-moisturizing-baby-shampoo-recipe-free-printable.html
http://mymerrymessylife.com/2012/02/the-magic-and-reality-of-dr-bronners-castile-soap.html
http://mymerrymessylife.com/2012/04/baking-soda-body-scrub-and-soap-100-green-and-gentle.html
http://www.organicauthority.com/sanctuary/3-best-essential-oils-for-cleaning.html
http://liagriffith.com/make-your-own-organic-castile-hand-soap-printable-labels/
http://www.diynatural.com/homemade-toothpaste/
http://sarahhearts.com/2013-08-06/diy-hand-soap/
http://www.diyhomeworld.com/diy-toilet-bombs/
http://tipnut.com/household-baking-soda/
http://fountainavenuekitchen.com/orange-vinegar-a-green-cleaner/
I already make my own homemade laundry soap- have been for over a year. We love it: it's easy, ridiculously cheap, and as effective as all the commercial laundry soap I've tried. That's the thing- if you're going to make your products, you don't want to sacrifice the result. And I have had 2 babies during my laundry detergent switch- I wouldn't still be doing this if it didn't get out the spit up, poop and other food/dirt stains that come with the territory. I still buy a stain remover for the really tough stuff (stains your commercial detergent wouldn't get out either). I've read about homemade stain remover and even homemade dryer sheets. But I haven't gotten to that yet- one step at a time.
Recipe for Homemade Laundry Detergent
1 cup Borax (the box lasted us a year)
1 cup Washing Soda (the box lasted us longer than a year)
2 finely grated Sunlight Bars (we have to buy a pack of 2 every month probably)
Mix together and keep in a container by your laundry. 1-2 tbsp per load. I use a dry detergent- there's recipes out there if you like liquid. I just use an old formula scoop to measure my soap.
So when my "poisonous" products are gone, I will start trying some of these new recipes. I will have to start getting familiar with the health food stores in order to find the best deals on bulk castile soap (I hear Dr Brommer's is the best) and essential oils. Thankfully things like vinegar and baking soda are dirt cheap. Here are some of the links I'm looking at for recipes. If your family already does some of this and would like to share your experiences, I would love to hear about it- also any recipes you have tested. I will post once I have tested some of these out.
Cole said he's on board for whatever I do- he will use whatever I make. I've talked to him about cloth diapers before but he's always maintained he won't help change diapers if they're cloth (his family used them and had no desire to go back to that). But the night I was talking to him about all this, he said if I wanted to try cloth diapers for the 3rd baby (who is hopefully a long ways off), he will comply. But he warned me that I am entering hippy territory with all this.
Maybe so, but I'm tired of being lied to and wondering what all these strange chemicals are doing to ourselves and the earth. But things take time, one step at a time. I have made the laundry change, next I will look into these recipes and we'll go from there. I like that I will know how to make things that we use everyday. Also, it feels like a way I can help our family be self-sufficient/reliant at a time when I'm not contributing money to our bank account.
http://matthewandemmavickery.blogspot.ca/2013/07/no-poo.html
http://mymerrymessylife.com/2012/10/homemade-moisturizing-baby-shampoo-recipe-free-printable.html
http://mymerrymessylife.com/2012/02/the-magic-and-reality-of-dr-bronners-castile-soap.html
http://mymerrymessylife.com/2012/04/baking-soda-body-scrub-and-soap-100-green-and-gentle.html
http://www.organicauthority.com/sanctuary/3-best-essential-oils-for-cleaning.html
http://liagriffith.com/make-your-own-organic-castile-hand-soap-printable-labels/
http://www.diynatural.com/homemade-toothpaste/
http://sarahhearts.com/2013-08-06/diy-hand-soap/
http://www.diyhomeworld.com/diy-toilet-bombs/
http://tipnut.com/household-baking-soda/
http://fountainavenuekitchen.com/orange-vinegar-a-green-cleaner/
Saturday, 5 October 2013
My First Shower and What I Want to Do When I Grow Up (or when my kids do..)
Along with me, a bazillion of my friends are having babies this year. I don't know how it's happened, especially out here in Nanaimo -land of the pregnant- but I had yet to throw a baby shower. That was rectified last month when I hosted for my dear friend Laura and her beautiful little girl. I spent a good deal of time on the food (big surprise) and was pretty happy with how everything turned out.
Menu (click on the name for the recipe):
Apple Strudel Muffins
Dark Chocolate Mousse
Gluten Free Peanut Butter Cookies
Chocolate Zucchini Cake
Spinach Feta Puffs
Crunchy Cashew Thai Quinoa Salad
Warm Brie with Apricot Jam and Toasted Hazelnuts
Veggies with Hummus
Fruit
Currently my title is stay at home mom. I finished my Bachelors degree in English literature intending to enter a career in that general vicinity. I didn't intend on getting married so young, or marrying someone who hadn't even begun his post secondary studies. But I did. So now we are letting Cole catch up and finish his own Bachelors degree and I am at home with the babies. We've decided that I will be home full time as long as we have kids at home full time (by full time I mean not in school). It was an easy and hard decision. But I still desire to work outside the home and I am grateful for some of the examples around me of women who have re-entered the work force after being at home for a decade or two. Women who have spent nights and years continuing their education and preparing to go back out into society. It's a scary prospect- taking that much time off and trying to claw your way back into jobs amongst others who have been there the whole time.
The last year I have been seriously thinking about moving away from my teaching/literary goals and focusing on another love: food. I think I would like to pursue catering. I like the idea that my age isn't going to be a hindrance, that it can be on my terms- as small or big scale as my life allows. I like that it would still allow me to be at home most of the time- that my growing/grown kids could be involved. I like that I would be doing something I love and that I wouldn't be fighting a hundred 23 year olds for one position. I like that I would be setting an example for my girls: that women can be at home raising their kids but also, when the time is right, work and be self sufficient- run a company and follow their dreams. Even if I failed, I like that I would be setting an example for my girls that to try for something we believe in and fail is ok- heck, I'd like to set that example for myself.
The thought is a little daunting- mostly because the onus would be on me. And because I'm not really trained yet. But this is a foodies world now: food trucks and blogs and Masterchef home cooks are everywhere. There is a growing need for companies that cater and the market isn't just for traditionally trained chefs now. I would love to take some classes and improve and add upon what has already been self-taught. But I think I have the important skill- making food taste good. The rest I can learn and things like creating a better blog, web page and photographs I can hire people for and use their talents. There are classes and programs specifically designed for future caterers. I already have a Bachelors degree so I'm primed to do an MBA with a focus in entrepreneurship (which would also satisfy my desire to do more post secondary work). I also have time, while I'm having babies and toddlers, to continue to hone my skills and take some classes and work up to this new, long term goal. So now I've said it out loud. Sometimes it sounds ridiculous to me that I could suggest I could cook for a living- but I suppose it's no more ridiculous than a 19 year old who says he wants to be a doctor. Time and training.
Menu (click on the name for the recipe):
Apple Strudel Muffins
Dark Chocolate Mousse
Gluten Free Peanut Butter Cookies
Chocolate Zucchini Cake
Spinach Feta Puffs
Crunchy Cashew Thai Quinoa Salad
Warm Brie with Apricot Jam and Toasted Hazelnuts
Veggies with Hummus
Fruit
 |
| apple strudel muffins, chocolate mousse, peanut butter cookies |
 |
| spinach/feta puffs, quinoa salad, chocolate zucchini cake, vegetables/hummus, brie/crackers, fruit |
 |
| brie |
 |
| spinach puffs, salad |
 |
| apple strudel muffin |
 |
| chocolate zucchini cake |
 |
| peanut butter cookies |
 |
| dark chocolate mousse |
 |
| quinoa salad |
I love prepping food for events and trying out new recipes and sharing them with other people. My budget for investing in cooking and food presentation is seriously low right now while I'm a student wife but my cooking improves every year. I have lots more to learn and definitely need a ton more practise on presentation, but my interest and enjoyment seem to be on a steep incline. My love of food does not seem to be waining- it doesn't appear to be a passing hobby. I think I would like this to be a permanent fixture in my life.
Currently my title is stay at home mom. I finished my Bachelors degree in English literature intending to enter a career in that general vicinity. I didn't intend on getting married so young, or marrying someone who hadn't even begun his post secondary studies. But I did. So now we are letting Cole catch up and finish his own Bachelors degree and I am at home with the babies. We've decided that I will be home full time as long as we have kids at home full time (by full time I mean not in school). It was an easy and hard decision. But I still desire to work outside the home and I am grateful for some of the examples around me of women who have re-entered the work force after being at home for a decade or two. Women who have spent nights and years continuing their education and preparing to go back out into society. It's a scary prospect- taking that much time off and trying to claw your way back into jobs amongst others who have been there the whole time.
The last year I have been seriously thinking about moving away from my teaching/literary goals and focusing on another love: food. I think I would like to pursue catering. I like the idea that my age isn't going to be a hindrance, that it can be on my terms- as small or big scale as my life allows. I like that it would still allow me to be at home most of the time- that my growing/grown kids could be involved. I like that I would be doing something I love and that I wouldn't be fighting a hundred 23 year olds for one position. I like that I would be setting an example for my girls: that women can be at home raising their kids but also, when the time is right, work and be self sufficient- run a company and follow their dreams. Even if I failed, I like that I would be setting an example for my girls that to try for something we believe in and fail is ok- heck, I'd like to set that example for myself.
The thought is a little daunting- mostly because the onus would be on me. And because I'm not really trained yet. But this is a foodies world now: food trucks and blogs and Masterchef home cooks are everywhere. There is a growing need for companies that cater and the market isn't just for traditionally trained chefs now. I would love to take some classes and improve and add upon what has already been self-taught. But I think I have the important skill- making food taste good. The rest I can learn and things like creating a better blog, web page and photographs I can hire people for and use their talents. There are classes and programs specifically designed for future caterers. I already have a Bachelors degree so I'm primed to do an MBA with a focus in entrepreneurship (which would also satisfy my desire to do more post secondary work). I also have time, while I'm having babies and toddlers, to continue to hone my skills and take some classes and work up to this new, long term goal. So now I've said it out loud. Sometimes it sounds ridiculous to me that I could suggest I could cook for a living- but I suppose it's no more ridiculous than a 19 year old who says he wants to be a doctor. Time and training.
Growing Up/Sister Love
B is hitting 4 months and that means lots of grabbing her mat toys, exercauser play time, rolling, laughing, teething and her first tastes of cereal. Yes, lots of moms wait till closer to the 6 month mark of the 4-6 month recommendation but in our house we like the 4 month mark. K was fed cereal at 4 months, too, and she loved it and had the swallowing thing down right away. B has been much the same. It's just a little at dinner time but I find it can help my babies start sleeping a little better through the night.
I can't believe how fast she is growing up. The second kid's milestones seem to whiz by compared to the first where there was so much quiet and waiting. I love how well B plays now- spending a good chunk of time down on the mat on her back and tummy playing with her mat toys. I love how she can spin herself all the way around in her exersaucer and grab at all the toys. I love her smiles. I love how I can lay her down in bed at nap or bed time completely awake and she'll put herself to sleep.
I do not love her teething. I do not love how much fussier she is than K was as a baby. I do not love how she's decided she needs to go back to feeding in the middle of the night.
I love that she loves her sister. I love that she laughs. I love that she loves me. I love her.
...I'm sure she loves Cole, too...
I can't believe how fast she is growing up. The second kid's milestones seem to whiz by compared to the first where there was so much quiet and waiting. I love how well B plays now- spending a good chunk of time down on the mat on her back and tummy playing with her mat toys. I love how she can spin herself all the way around in her exersaucer and grab at all the toys. I love her smiles. I love how I can lay her down in bed at nap or bed time completely awake and she'll put herself to sleep.
I do not love her teething. I do not love how much fussier she is than K was as a baby. I do not love how she's decided she needs to go back to feeding in the middle of the night.
I love that she loves her sister. I love that she laughs. I love that she loves me. I love her.
...I'm sure she loves Cole, too...
 |
| first rice cereal feeding |
 |
| teething is much more fun when there's cereal on your hand |
 |
| I had to hold her hand out of the way- she kept trying to eat them |
 |
| exersaucer time |
 |
| teething hard |
 |
| always making gurgling sounds with her tongue out |
 |
| stop taking picture mommy (I kept waiting for her smile- she smiles so much but not during this photo shoot) |
B just loves her older sister. She watches her all the time: she thinks she is so funny and interesting. She will smile and laugh for K at times when she refuses to smile or laugh for anyone else. K loves her back and enjoys playing and taking care of her. I am glad they are so close in age- I think it will be so much fun for them when B gets more mobile. It will be more fun for me, too, not having to be the sole source of entertainment most days.
Cute video of B laughing at K while playing on my bed: http://youtu.be/GMp4WR-AMUo
B (left) and K (right) same age
 |
| K cuddling her baby sister |
 |
| K counting on B's fingers and B laughing |
 |
| 1..2..3.. |
 |
| would only smile in K's direction |
 |
| where do you think K is...? |
Cute video of B laughing at K while playing on my bed: http://youtu.be/GMp4WR-AMUo
B (left) and K (right) same age
General Conference
This weekend is General Conference for the church I belong to (The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints). Cole had to work all day long so I was at home along with my 2 year old and 4 month old. I wasn't convinced that I was going to be able to hear or concentrate on any of the talks with the two of them around but I was pleasantly surprised. They played quietly on the floor and took turns cuddling with me in the rocking chair as I listened to the apostles and prophets speak. This felt like a small miracle.
The ever present social media has changed how anti-Mormon literature is distributed and written/presented. It has become more subtle and pernicious and harder than ever to avoid. Lately I have felt like I've been bombarded by it on my news feed on Facebook and passed around sometimes by other members, which makes it all the more confusing. Before the internet, one had to seek out literature that could break down one's testimony. Now it can pop up on your computer screen looking innocent and intentionally, or not, promoted by another member of the church. It is hard to recognize except for the feelings it generates. You will know them by their fruits. If something I have read makes me feel confused, upset, outraged or dark I know it is at least not quite right and is not of the Spirit. When something is right within the gospel, the feelings associated with it are quite the opposite.
Conference is an example of this. The messages are full of simplicity, clarity and light. I do not feel overwhelmed by the call to action- I feel uplifted and motivated and supported. I feel a calmness and quietness enter my soul and an extra measure of the Spirit enter my home when I take the time to listen to Conference. We can have doubts and fears and questions but the place to look for answers is not in a place of discord. If one wants to learn to read they do not turn to the illiterate or if one seeks to fix their car they do not send it to someone who is not trained and skilled in mechanics. Our questions can be answered and our testimonies can be bolstered by those who are trained and skilled in the gospel of Jesus Christ- the ancient prophets and leaders found in the scriptures and the current prophets and leaders called to lead this dispensation.
I am grateful for the church providing a concentrated event for us to refocus and refuel twice a year. I believe the speakers at Conference to be called of God and stand as a testimony of the reality of Jesus Christ and His atoning power.
If you have questions about The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, General Conference talks are a great place to receive real information about what our church stands for.
 | |
| The First Presidency of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (President Eyring, President Uchtdorf, President Monson-*prophet*) |
The ever present social media has changed how anti-Mormon literature is distributed and written/presented. It has become more subtle and pernicious and harder than ever to avoid. Lately I have felt like I've been bombarded by it on my news feed on Facebook and passed around sometimes by other members, which makes it all the more confusing. Before the internet, one had to seek out literature that could break down one's testimony. Now it can pop up on your computer screen looking innocent and intentionally, or not, promoted by another member of the church. It is hard to recognize except for the feelings it generates. You will know them by their fruits. If something I have read makes me feel confused, upset, outraged or dark I know it is at least not quite right and is not of the Spirit. When something is right within the gospel, the feelings associated with it are quite the opposite.
Conference is an example of this. The messages are full of simplicity, clarity and light. I do not feel overwhelmed by the call to action- I feel uplifted and motivated and supported. I feel a calmness and quietness enter my soul and an extra measure of the Spirit enter my home when I take the time to listen to Conference. We can have doubts and fears and questions but the place to look for answers is not in a place of discord. If one wants to learn to read they do not turn to the illiterate or if one seeks to fix their car they do not send it to someone who is not trained and skilled in mechanics. Our questions can be answered and our testimonies can be bolstered by those who are trained and skilled in the gospel of Jesus Christ- the ancient prophets and leaders found in the scriptures and the current prophets and leaders called to lead this dispensation.
I am grateful for the church providing a concentrated event for us to refocus and refuel twice a year. I believe the speakers at Conference to be called of God and stand as a testimony of the reality of Jesus Christ and His atoning power.
If you have questions about The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, General Conference talks are a great place to receive real information about what our church stands for.
Tuesday, 10 September 2013
2nd Birthday
With a baby being born this summer, K's birthday was no big extravaganza. I didn't plan a little kids party- the thought was too overwhelming. She got a small family dinner on the 1st when my parents were visiting and that's where she got her presents. Then the week after on her actual birthday we had a small bbq with some friends and their kids. We made pulled pork and a giant layered birthday cake. It was all delicious and I will post recipes later. Unfortunately the pulled pork ended up a tad spicier than I meant it to and most of the kids didn't want to eat it. Thankfully I had a giant cake with which to make it up to them.
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| New ladybug rainboots from grandma and grandpa...she loves any kind of new shoes. |
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| New art desk from grandma and grandpa. Finally a good place to keep all her colouring supplies. |
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| Red velvet cupcake to celebrate. No candles so we improvised with matches. |
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| The birthday cake I was up all night making. Totally forgot the next day to take a picture of the inside. It had 3 raspberry filled layers- 2 creamy and 1 just straight raspberry. Enjoyed by all. |
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| Remembered the candles this time around. |
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| She managed to blow out one candle and I blew out the other. |
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| New bike from mom and dad. One of those pedal-less easy ride bikes. |
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| Still a tad too short. |
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| Turned 3 months old while K turned 2 years old. |
Both kids are growing too fast- it doesn't feel like a year has passed since I was sitting here writing about K's first birthday party. The time seems to just slip away- although some days still seem like they can't end soon enough. I am enjoying watching K turn into a real little person, full of personality and her own ideas. She loved all the attention around her birthday and won't ever remember there was no traditional party. Oh, also, K went poop in the potty for the first time the day before her birthday. She still doesn't seem super into potty training yet but at least now she understands the concept. I don't want to push it if she's not read to commit yet- she just turned 2 and I have a newborn to take care of. We will keep coming back to it to see if she's interested. But after Christmas I will probably start making a real effort to potty train her.
HAPPY BIRTHDAY!