For Posterity's Sake

I have another blog that I started for all of my recipes. (buffysbakery.blogspot.com) I only have about 6 in there right now and of course they are all cookies except for a couple of bread recipes. :) I thought this would be an easy way for me to keep them all together. It donned on me that this would be perfect for me to make into a book at some point and have for my girls to take with them when they start their own homes. Slowly, but surely I will add all of the favorites. I would love to have had a book of mom's favorite recipes. You know some of those good 'ol recipes from home. :)

I'm up late tonight because I fell asleep on the couch from 7:30-12:45 and couldn't go back to sleep. I feel like I got a normal nights sleep. I better go add a few more hours to my night. I'm kind of excited that there isn't anything on the agenda for tomorrow. Another free Saturday to hang out with the family. It's looking like more rain tomorrow so even better...forced to stay in and I'm sure play many more games of UNO. Baseball tryouts were cancelled...bummer. The boys have been geared up for that.

Enjoy your weekend!
G'night

Grateful for the Gospel

I hate coming up with a title. Why does it seem so hard? It almost makes me not want to post. I know it sounds silly but it's true.

I love my way of scripture reading lately. Throw on the headphones, get on the treadmill and read along in the big Book of Mormon for LDS Families. I love that I end up reading/listening to about 8 chapters. So much of what I'm reading(currently in Mosiah) is so much of what I see all around me in the world today. Wickedness in so many disguises. I wish that I could shake a few and convince them to wake up. I know everyone has their own timeline with the Lord. This is where I can start to feel impatient. I want others to feel the happiness that I feel by living the gospel. I was once one of those that I'm sure my mom and/or other family members wanted to shake and say wake up and come on back to what will make you the happiest. I honestly cannot imagine my life with children without the gospel that grounds us, teaches us, & is essential for our journey here on earth. I was recently reading about the resurrection in Mormon Doctrine and it is just fascinating to me. As I think about all of the different worlds with people, the question comes to mind...."Why was I chosen to live on Earth, why was I picked to live in a wonderful part of the world where I am free to choose, where everything is at our fingertips, where we having running water, food? And the list goes on. There are so many who suffer on a regular basis because of where they live and their circumstances. When I feel like I am having a hard time, I can quickly turn my mind to those women who are literally enduring through such hard situations and are doing it for their families. What an example they can be to us. What a role a woman has in this world! I totally believe we as women all over the world share some of the same feelings/frustrations no matter what our circumstances...home or no home, plenty of food and just enough to get by, etc. I sure hope & pray that those who are going through such hard times all over the world can know that they have a Heavenly Father who loves them and is watching over them. What peace that gives our soul in troubled times. My heart feels for those who struggle daily. We have it so easy in comparison. I am going to try and show more gratitude for what I do have and the ease of living life here in America. I am so thankful to have a living prophet here on earth that guides us. I hope that we are all listening intently to his messages and following his counsel. I hope that I am passing the love that I have for the gospel and all that it does for me into my children's hearts! I am so thankful for a strong priesthood leader in my home. Todd is a great example to me and our children. He puts a lot of time into our family. I love that he gets the big picture, his purpose and responsibility. I have enjoyed watching him grow in many ways over the last few years as he has served in the bishopric. What a blessing our callings have been to our family and continue to be. I love serving in Primary! These children are our future generations...mothers & fathers. :)

I had no intentions of writing all of that when I sat down. I guess I needed to write it out for some purpose unknown to me right now. My fingers were just typing and my feelings were just flowing.

I am thankful for all of you old friends & new (through blogging). I learn so much from all of you.

Simple Whole Wheat Bread Recipe....mmmmm good!

Here is the whole wheat bread recipe that I use and it turns out beautiful every time. I have tried it with the hard red wheat and the white wheat flour. Both are fantastic! I bake the loaves for 30 minutes but I do have a really old oven which may make a difference. For those newer ovens that work really well :), check at 25 minutes. I wish I had a picture to post with this. Oh well, next time.

Simple Whole Wheat Bread

• 3 cups warm water (110 degrees F/45 degrees C)
• 2 (.25 ounce) packages active dry yeast
• 1/3 cup honey
• 5 cups bread flour
• 3 tablespoons butter, melted
• 1/3 cup honey
• 1 tablespoon salt
• 3 1/2 cups whole wheat flour
• 2 tablespoons butter, melted

Directions

1. In a large bowl, mix warm water, yeast, and 1/3 cup honey. Add 5 cups white bread flour, and stir to combine. Let set for 30 minutes, or until big and bubbly.
2. Mix in 3 tablespoons melted butter, 1/3 cup honey, and salt. Stir in 2 cups whole wheat flour. Flour a flat surface and knead with whole wheat flour until not real sticky - just pulling away from the counter, but still sticky to touch. This may take an additional 2 to 4 cups of whole wheat flour. Place in a greased bowl, turning once to coat the surface of the dough. Cover with a dishtowel. Let rise in a warm place until doubled.
3. Punch down, and divide into 3 loaves. Place in greased 9 x 5 inch loaf pans, and allow to rise until dough has topped the pans by one inch.
4. Bake at 350 degrees F (175 degrees C) for 25 to 30 minutes; do not overbake. Lightly brush the tops of loaves with 2 tablespoons melted butter or margarine when done to prevent crust from getting hard. Cool completely

Just another Monday....not a "Manic Monday"

My Monday's are always calm and pretty quiet. I never schedule anything for Monday morning. Are you kidding? After the weekend & a Sunday, I need to just hang out around the house with no appointments. Ellie and I hung around the house and did finally venture out to get a new pack of UNO cards. I wish I would have taken a picture of the old cards. I have never seen such worn out cards. You couldn't shuffle them.

We went and picked up some fruit & veggies also. I am on day 4 of really trying to eat less carbs (only a couple of servings a day) and am down 3 lbs. I love when my efforts pay off. :) I learn more and more about this body of mine as I get older. I can't eat bread like I used to or goodies....I can really pack it on if I'm not careful. It's called genetics!! Oh well, I am thankful for some healthy genes. Something I did read that made me feel good was that those who have larger thighs tend to have a healthier heart. Amen!! :)hahahaha


I made 3 loaves of wheat bread that my family just loves and devours. It taste so much better than store bought bread. My kids were so happy and the girls even helped pour in the flour. I have found a recipe that is so dang easy that I don't even need to look at it anymore. I love that it's been a "no fail" recipe for me. I have made 3 different batches and they all come out delicious. I would love to have a bakery without the pressure. :) Is there such a thing?

Family night was spent singing the new primary song this month and playing UNO...of course. We all have a good time. Casey served up the best brownies from scratch for dessert. He made the best brownies last night after church. He looked up the recipe on allrecipes by himself, copied it word for word on paper (I guess the word printer never occurred to him) and then busted out his masterpiece with dad overseeing the event. I don't know if they are the best because of the recipe or because we used all SEE'S chocolate to make them. Great job Casey!! I can't wait for your next batch of goodness.

I have to write this in public so that I have a little accountability....I making a huge effort to go to bed early....starting I guess tonight. :) I love to do things around the house at night when nobody is around to bother me or make more messes as I go. Did I mention that I love the little bit of quiet before bed? :) My kids are really pretty good and I'm not complaining. I do just love a little time in the house to think my own thoughts. More laundry to fold before I hit the sack.

Quote from Laurie's Blog.....Great quote!

''May today there be peace within. May you trust that you are exactly where you are meant to be. May you not forget the infinite possibilities that are born of faith in yourself and others...May you use the gifts that you have received, and pass on the love that has been given to you. May you be content with yourself just the way you are. Let this knowledge settle into your bones, and allow your soul the freedom to sing, dance, praise and love. It is there for each and every one of us.''

Recent Happenings

The picture above was the kids eating some dinner/snacks when our power went out last Monday for about 10 hours. They were in heaven to be without power. To them, we were on a campout in our house. They loved carrying around lanterns to see. It was pretty dark in here. Not to mention how dark the street became without street lights. You can't see anything. I am happy to report we were prepared and did just fine without power. It helps that our stove is gas & that the water still worked. :) Once Todd got home, he started the fire going and we were happy campers. That really gave off a ton of light. The kids loved having family night in a camp type setting. I was really happy to see how well they did. I did wash the girls hair that night thinking the whole time that I would dry their hair. Duh...I totally forgot but was able to sit them up by the fire and their hair was dry in no time. I am so thankful for a prophet that guides us and counsels us to be prepared. I guess I am also thankful that I have followed his words and am constantly working on being more prepared. It was fun but was nice to see the power come back on later that night.
Miss Sweet Elle Belle. She is so cute. She did have to go potty at that moment. This was taken earlier this month at the beach. A friend and I took our kids and walked the trail at Oso Flaco Lake that ends at the beach. The weather was just beautiful!!! I love it here. I am so thankful to be able to see this scenery daily. I just love it when the colors are so crisp. The kids played all over those dunes....up and down and up down.



Today was sunny and warmer than recent days. I love the rain but it's nice to have a day to thaw out a bit. Ellie was my little partner around the house today. Uno was a favorite today....any day with Ellie. She is so good. She greeted Todd at the door tonight with the UNO cards telling him to play UNO. They plopped down and busted out a quick game. She loves it. I love playing with her. I know these fun times when she is 3 aren't going to last forever. I'm trying to stop and enjoy the cute moments more.

I am off to watch American Idol!

Here is a birthday shout out to my brother Mike!! Happy Birthday Mike!! I can't believe you are 32 today. We are all heading to 40. :)haha I will have to write a separate post about Mike. I am so lucky to have some really great brothers!!

I think I'm back......

I have been thinking lately how much I need to be documenting our every day life around my house. Facebook doesn't accomplish that in any way. I am going to put forth the effort to write down the cute things that are said, the reality of life with 4 children and our day to day challenges here in the Smith household. This is something that I want to leave for my family.

Life is very busy as is everyone's. Mitch just completed his California Mission report a week ago and both Casey and Mitty made pinewood derby cars and raced this last Saturday. I love the pinewood derby. It is really fun for the boys! A few days ago I signed the boys up for baseball and Emily wanted "girls baseball". She is signed up for girls softball t-ball. She is so excited! It will be a fun season. Busy and probably crazy at times but well worth the fun and experience we will have. I have learned a life's lesson.....life is about work. Especially with children. Did I really think it wasn't going to be? Work is good! This is what I am telling my children all of the time. It helps you appreciate those days that there isn't too much going on.

New bit of advice/tip for parents....get your 3 year old a pack of UNO cards and she/he will know their colors and numbers in no time flat. I have never seen a set of UNO cards so worn out than ours. That is Ellie's favorite thing to do. She gets everyone in the house and/or visitors to play a game of UNO with her. She's good and doesn't need any help! She wins also. It is so fun to watch her. She is such a fun little partner to have around the house each day while the others are at school. She is so funny about what she likes...she will not watch any tv or videos other than the Baby Einstein collection. Fine by me. I hate kid tv/cartoons all day. I would go nuts at the sound of it. :) She loves her brothers & sister. She and Emily love to play real life baby. Emily carries her around like her own child. Too cute.

The boys are actively involved in Scouts. That keeps any family busy....to the max!! I can't imagine how Linda (for those of you who know her) does it with all of those boys. Way to go!!

It's late and my new goal is to go to bed earlier. Oh boy, why is it such a task?

Nuriche rocks!!

www.choosenuriche.com

Check out my website and order your free 3 day sample of Live and ReVive. It has changed how I feel and has given me the energy that I need to get through the day with 4 kids and a million responsibilities. See for yourself!!!