The Basement

I took advantage of the kids being home for another day and we cleaned the basement.  I know there are still millions without power and homeless.  I'm sure that there will be a way to help others when some of the rescue personal say it is okay.  Tomorrow the kids will probably be back to school and life around here will get back to normal.  

Here's the basement.  Now the kids can play games.

Sandy has left our area

We made it through the night!  Everything around the house looks fine.  We lost some shingles and a few branches from one of the trees in the back yard  and a piece of the fence fell over.  There is no water in the basement and we didn't lose power at all.  I don't say this to brag or because I'm delighting in others tragedy, I only say it so that those out there who don't have a place with power or warmth or a place to cook can know that our house is you house.  Please come over!
  It is still raining, I guess sprinkling is a better word, and the wind has died down.  What a blessing for those trying to restore power to the millions of people without it.  We do have a lake of water in the backyard and a small river to the side, but over time it will dissipate.
  The children slept in the living room on the couches, a slumber party of sorts.  Roxie our dog hates storms so she kept me up most of the night trying to decide where to sleep in our room or with the kids.   Bill went to work bright and early this morning.  Like I said yesterday Micron doesn't shut down for anything and life continues on.  We are grateful that Micron keeps us going and that they are still up and running as usual.

  Well it's time for me to check on some friends.  I hope that all is well with them.  If not I hope they will join us in our home or we can help them in some other way.  We pray for all those who are still in the storm that they will be safe.  

passing time

Sweet caramel popcorn never tasted so good! It's been years since I've made this!

I just wanted to give you an update about us and Hurricane Sandy.  It has been raining on and off most of the day.  The wind has been picking up for the last hour and will continue to pick up throughout the night.  It's miserable outside but it's been nice having time with the kids.  We made caramel popcorn and watched the movie True Grit!  I encouraged Willy to get his homework done while the power is still on but to no avail because school is canceled tomorrow.  We also did some cleaning, laundry, and dishes.  The kids must be rather bored because they have been eating like crazy.   Bill is even coming home from work early!  Micron never stops even when the federal government shuts down it continues producing.  Most of the stores are closed in the area.  It's the anticipation that can drive you crazy.  It's like if the storm would pass you could get to the clean up of it and on with your life.  Even if life may be more difficult the anticipation and the waiting to see would be over and you would know what you needed to do to move on.  But inside the weather is fine and the children are enthralled with anything electronic or mind bending.  They just started the movie DR DOOLITTLE.   It's great to take a break and enjoy being home.  It's 4:30 October 29th and we are happy that we still have electricity and hope for the safety and well being of all who are being effected by this huge storm.

Hurricane Sandy preperation

Wow I never thought I would have to prepare and then live through a Hurricane.  I think we are ready I will do a little more stuff tomorrow morning.  I think in some ways denial is what I am in even though I've checked the batteries and flashlights.  The boys have gone through the yard and moved items.  Willy brought in firewood and I have stocked the food, but the kids are going through it because of anxiety.  If there is any stuff left in the stores tomorrow I'll have to pick up a couple of cases of soda for Bill.  I just wanted you to know that we are as ready as we are going to be!  We will be having lots of wind and rain.  We are praying that if the electricity goes out that it won't be too long and that the basement wont flood.  The roof may fly away but as long as we all we make it without being hurt the rest can be fixed, mended or rebuilt.  I pray for our other ward members and want them to know that they are welcome to come on over and play some games and eat and get warm.  The kids are happy about a few other things that they do not have school tomorrow.  I know that it will all work out.  It may not work out the way we plan but it will work out.

Crochet Projects

I love this throw I completed the other day!  It is so soft and cozy and the colors are fabulous.  This is so simple and fast to crochet that I think I can crochet a couple more of them before Christmas!  I hope I can find the yarn I love on sale.    This throw is so warm that and pretty is just says use me.

I wanted to try something a little unusual so I found this cool spiral pattern  There are four balls of yarn going at the same time.  It's so cool to watch it grow!  I think I might try this in red and white for a mint candy look for Christmas   I also want to crochet some slippers or socking slippers for Christmas   I have crocheted a few scarfs.  I can't sit down without something to do in my hands or I'm stuffing my face so I'm keeping my self creating something!

Levi Quilt #1 Finished

 I love the way this Quilt turned out.  I used the rag quilting method on it.  It was like doing a quilt all wrong first you quilt the block by putting the green fleece block and the Levi block together and sewing an X from corner to corner then you sew the blocks together by putting the two fleece side together so the seam allowance shows on the levi side.  After you have them sewn all together you snip the seam allowance  so that the Levis ravel it's a fun look!  Now I put this away until Christmas.   Now onto Austin's Levi Quilt

Pumpkin pancakes with cinnamon syrup

This morning before conference I had the boys make these wonderful pancakes and syrup.  It tasted so Fall.  You can't beat having another type of pancake to make and the cinnamon syrup is to die for!!!!!!   The boys did a great job of following the recipe.  I included the recipe so let me know how they turn out for you!  Enjoy!  Oh yea we tripled the recipe so we could have some to spare for the kids to warm up in the toaster during the week for breakfast.  

Pumpkin Pancakes 
yields 6 pancakes

Ingredients:
1 cup flour
1 1/2 Tbs brown sugar
1 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp ground allspice
1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
1/4 tsp salt
3/4 cup milk
1/2 cup pumpkin puree
1 egg
1 Tbs vegetable oil
1 Tbs vinegar

Directions: 
In a bowl, mix together the milk, pumpkin, egg, oil and vinegar. In a separate bowl, combine the flour, brown sugar, baking powder, baking soda, allspice, cinnamon and salt. Stir into the pumpkin mixture just enough to combine. 

Heat a lightly oiled griddle or frying pan over medium high heat. Pour or scoop the batter onto the griddle, using approximately 1/4 cup for each pancake. Brown on both sides and serve hot.

Cinnamon Syrup:
1/2 cup white sugar
1/2 cup packed brown sugar
2 Tablespoons all purpose flour
1 tsp ground cinnamon
1 tsp. vanilla extract
1 cup water

Stir all ingredients together in a small saucepan. Over medium heat, stir occasionally until boiling. Let it boil for a few minutes while stirring until it thickens. Remove from heat and set aside until needed.

Skyline Drive

One of the beautiful views of the Shenandoah hills and valleys

Totally cool Bill with his GoPro camera
 attached to his head.  

Lydia enjoyed the views and
 the wind blowing her hair like a model

The yellows, golds, purples, and reds of the Fall foliage. 

I just loved the orange and
 greens of the leaves

loved the colors on the rocks

The Traces trail at Mathews Arm was
 a nice way to stretch our legs.  It was a nice
 short walk in the woods!

We stopped and played Frisbee at the Dickey Ridge Visitor
center.  It was a beautiful day!  

Happy Birthday Willy

Willy turned fifteen years old.  Here is one awesome thing about Willy for every year he has graced us with his presence

1. Willy has a great sense of humor that keeps us laughing!
2. We can still call him Willy Ward Boy. After all this started when he was 3 and he wanted people to know that he wasn't the same as his sisters.  
3. Willy is tough but still lets his Dad win because he knows  "not to let a moment of bravery ruin the rest of his life".
4. Willy is kind to those that need someone in their corner.  He's big like a bully a little over 6 feet tall, but cuddly like a teddy bear. He likes to give a smile to those who need one.
5. Willy takes serious what needs to be taken serious but knows when a laugh can help lighten the mood.
6. Willy is serious about his priesthood responsibilities.  He likes to be counted on to do what he is asked to do even if he may be the only one able to do it. 
7. Willy has a lot of friends and is a good example to them. 
8. Willy knows how important it is to do well in school, as a freshman he is taking his academics very seriously.  
9. Willy is self motivated.  Almost every morning Willy has set his alarm and gotten up on his own so that he can make it to seminary by 6:00 each school day.  He loves learning the New Testament from Bother Ellsworth and the rest of the class.
10. Willy likes to be involved in his school.  He's been working with a freshman committee and is going to be a cheerleader at the powder puff football game.
11. Willy likes to do service!  I know he wants to learn to drive so he will soon be doing his Eagle service project!  He has been very involved with doing service for widows in our ward.
12. Willy is open to new ideas and rules even when they may seem unfair or directed towards him.  Thanks for complying to our new internet safety rules even when it wasn't easy nor something you wanted to do.
13. Willy is helpful!  Thanks so much for being so willing to step in and make dinner, grill, do dishes, laundry and such!   You'll thank me someday when you are on a mission  and you know how to take care of yourself!
14. Willy understands and lives the standards of the gospel even when it's hard!  This gives him character and values that he needs to stand strong even if he stands alone.
15. Willy  Loves and is Loved by his family and others.  

  It's great to have Willy as a son.  I am grateful that he came to me as a tiny long legged infant, who became part of my heart before he even entered this world.  Here's to many more wonderful years!

Temple Blessings

The day started out grey and rainy but that was not to deter  three sister from going to the temple.  The traffic hindered our desire to be there for the 10:00 session and the 11:00 session.  We enjoyed chatting as time passed and traffic moved slowly.  As time passed we knew we could not participate in an endowment session because we had to be home for the return of our children from school.  However, we were determined to serve this day and blessed we were as we each did initiatory work for  five names.  I felt peace and joy as I thought of the blessings of the temple, service and sacrifice.  I believe that if it had only been for one name the time on the beltway would have been worth it.  It was wonderful to talk with Andrea and Kirstie as we weathered the torrents of rain and the parking lot of cars.  Maybe it was the Lord's way of saying you need to take time to connect with others and I'll give you that opportunity.   I am thankful for the blessings of the temple and good friends to go with.

Tonight Bill and the boys went on a youth temple trip to do baptisms.   It's a wonderful opportunity for the youth to see the inside of the temple.  The youth get to check in at the recommend desk and walk past a beautiful mural of the Savior at the second coming.  In the mural you have the darkness and people who are wicked on one side and in  the other half you see the righteous with the DC temple in the background.  The youth then walk down the hallway and down the stairs to the baptistery.  They have only been trying this out the last couple of times it opens their eyes and hearts that baptism is the beginning and is part of something much bigger.  And it helps them to see that they want so much to be worthy so they can receive more of Heavenly Fathers blessings and gifts.  I love that the youth get this experience.  And I'm so happy that my sons get the experience of feeling the spirit of the temple.  I love that they get to regularly see their father  serving in the temple.  I am grateful that we as a family can be together forever because of the blessings of the temple! 

The Collection has left the Garage

Saturday was the day to Serve!  This day of service was declared by Virginia, Maryland, DC, and West Virginia.  Many organizations all over the area took part in many different ways.  Our Manassas 1st ward did a food drive.  It was awesome!  Our home, because of it's central location was the drop off point.  We weighed the bags as people brought them.  The food donation total was 1826 lbs.  Today the food left our garage and was taken to SERVE where it will be given to those in need right here in Manassas.  It was awesome to hear of how members took bags around to their neighbors and collected food and how they wish they had picked up more bags so they could have collected more.  One family talked about how they had their young boys take the wagon around when they were going to put the bags on the step and they were able to collect the food right then and fill their wagon.  There was talk of how the food drive had given them an opportunity to get to know their neighbors and do some missionary work.  Service always blesses the giver and the receiver!  It was truly wonderful to see the collection grow.   The church was not the only organization to participate in this wonderful day, sports teams, schools, other faiths and many others put forth tons of hours and donations to improve the lives of those in need.