We're Having Coleslaw for Dinner tonight!

Crazy big cabbage just harvested.
Gosh, it's fun to eat what you've grown!
The only problem is....I've got about six more just like it.
Cabbage anyone?

That Pesky Mote

Okay, so I've been thinking about this and pondering this for quite a few days. Wondering if I should post about this topic and stick my neck out, so to speak. I guess, for obvious reasons because you are reading this, that I have decided to write it and publish it.

Apparently there has been quite a brouhaha going on over at Mormon Mommy Bloggers** regarding an upcoming chat with Sister Julie B. Beck, president of the Relief Society of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. The blog owners are going to have a chance to visit with her and gave the invitation to anyone to post questions, nothing is taboo.  I believe that this chat will be tomorrow, the 12th.  There was an explosion of responses, of which I only stuck around to read a couple of pages worth.

Actually the first question was this:
"I really would like to know how to push my husband to be a better man without pushing him. I know he is capable of so much more, but I don't want to force him to do it."

The responses were instantaneous and a lot of them not so kind. I must confess, my first reaction was, "well of all the nerve!"

But after cooler heads prevailed, and I had a chance to think about it, I defy any Mormon married woman, in fact ANY married woman to deny, in fact, that she has had the exact same thoughts at one point or another in her marriage. (sheepishly I raise my hand)  If you haven't had those thoughts, well, you are a better woman than me or you just haven't had them yet. I think this young woman is sincere in her intent.

So if I were Sister Beck, how would I answer that question?  Of course I am absolutely an expert on how she would answer this question because of course I was able to attend two meetings with her a couple of months ago...............(hoping you are getting the tongue in cheek here)

I imagine that Sister Beck would ask us to search the scriptures and find the answer. I think that depending on the person's needs in life, the scripture might be different for everyone.  This is the scripture that came to my mind first,
"And why beholdest thou the mote that is in thy brother’s eye, but considerest not the beam that is in thine own eye?"
Matthew 7:3
In other words, remember that old saying, "when you point a finger at someone else, there are three more pointing back at you.......(unless you have had a traumatic finger amputation or a birth defect)

I guess my point here is that we need to focus on our own spirituality, our own growth and development and our own repentance first before we go off and start yanking out those pesky motes in other people's eyes. I know that I am much happier when I follow this counsel. I have learned by sad experience that when I get all worked up about someone else's faults, and try to do something about it in my own way, it pretty much backfires and relationships suffer.

So that's my two cent's worth.
I'm going to respond to another comment made in a few days.......

Google's link function is working.....go here if you want to read it.
**http://www.mormonmommyblogs.com/2012/01/julie-b-beck-and-mormon-mommy-blogs.htm.

Numero Doce!*

Sweet baby girl.
Arrived early this morning at 2:01 am.
All 6 lbs 11 oz of her.
All is well with momma and baby.
Not sure her parents want her name broadcast over the internet but her initials are EGB.
Perfect in every way.
The epitome of love.

*means number 12! (my twelfth grandbaby)

Cardisms

Grandma, can I pick some kragits?

Interpretation:  Grandma, can I pick some carrots?

Scene in playroom:
Conversation between adults:
Realizing it's very quiet, 
Jessica:  Daniel! Where is Cardon?
Me:   Is he in there watching you guys play those violent video games!!!???
Daniel:  No Mom, he's playing Barbies.

We look forward to spending some more quality time with this little guy because today is the day his mommy goes to get his new BABY!

Keep ya' posted!

Look what I dug out of the garden!

My poor little garden has been sadly neglected. We had some really cold days early in December (I can hear you northerners snorting.....)  I have been so busy with the holidays and life that I haven't really been out to check what is happening.

Last week I happened to step outside and it was a glorious 76 degrees, with the sun warm on my back and I got the itch to get my fingers dirty again and spent a wonderful hour digging around and seeing what damage I could repair.

Look what I dug up!

No, don't adjust your monitor. These are purple, orange and yellow carrots! I decided to try this crazy variety mix and man oh man, am I ever happy with the results. These babies are large and in charge! They were planted in October and have probably been ready to harvest for several weeks, but again, due to my sad neglect, they were largely ignored. I have another patch of regular orange carrots that are wayyyy behind in the growth scale, so I'm definitely planting these again.

We had them steamed up for Sunday dinner and man o man you can't beat the taste of fresh harvested veggies. The difference is amazing. I have a huge crop of bok choy, kale and spinach. A lot of the lettuce bolted.  It has inspired me all over again to get my hands dirty again this week and plant "round two" of my purple babies.....

P.S. They are orange inside, awwwww......

Birthday Gifts

No Steve, her belly is bigger.

All this poor child on the left wants for her birthday is a baby.
This photo was taken on Thanksgiving and she has definitely expanded the waistline since.
Poor baby, she's miserable...
I hope you get your birthday wish soon!

Happy New Year!

To end off the year in style, we attended an informal extended family gathering. That was all my 93-year-old father in law wanted for Christmas.....Being the crazy picture taker that I am, I wanted to document this wonderful patriarch with his posterity.

 He's still amazingly active, even at 93. He's got oxygen 100% of the time and has to use a walker, but he's still preaching the good word to his kids.

 Here's half of his grandkids. I'm so happy that 5 of my 7 were able to be there!

Here's the greats....They were amazingly quiet and well behaved while we were looking for the errant strays running about the church!  He is missing 36!

 His kids, missing one.

For the life of me, I can't figure out why my hand was stuck in his pocket. Looking for money? Nice place to rest the fingers???

Grandpa with his oldest grandchild and youngest grandchild, who happens to belong to me...

What a blessing to have such a wonderful posterity. Look what you and Grandma created!!