Our home renovation

{5.27.16}

We have been SO blessed to be able to buy this home for our family! I love this home, the layout and all the room we're going to have.

 One of the things we love about this home is the open kitchen, breakfast room and family room, in addition to ALL THE WINDOWS!! It's amazing what some sunshine to the soul makes.

The home has been vacant for 17 months and needs a lot of TLC, including a BUNCH new carpet, patching, priming and painting EVERY wall and ceiling along with some water leaks and other little fixes.

This is ALL the old carpet and pad we got rid of. It's a whole mountain's worth!

Because we had SO much work and painting to do the kids were able to help with some of it.

Here the boys are priming Levi's room.

Here are some BEFORE and AFTER shots.

Master bedroom BEFORE was a mustard yellow, and then we painted it a light smoky blue. Very calming and serene. I LOVE waking up to this color.

This is Levi's room BEFORE and AFTER. It was rust orange, and is now a light tan. MUCH better and there's no hole in the ceiling or walls. BONUS! :P

Jackson's room BEFORE and AFTER. It was a caramel brown (walls & ceiling), and is now the same color as Levi's (a light tan). It's amazing how different the boys' color looks with the varied lighting. I LOVE the color it is. Seems like the color is better shown below in Jackson's room.

Alivia's room BEFORE and AFTER. It was a gray blue and is now just gray.

Our family room BEFORE had a red accent wall. It was primed and is now all painted a light beige/gray.

These 2 cleaning supplies have worked WONDERS! Honestly!! I cleaned the doors and cabinets in the kitchen and the transformation was incredible. The easy off cooktop cleaner allowed us to clean on TONS OF grease off of the fan blades that seemed otherwise impossible. Woot woot! So happy to find great cleaning supplies to save me some elbow grease.

It took us 7 weeks and many many helping hands to do all the work we did. We recarpeted 2/3 of the house and painted every inch- all the ceilings, every wall, door and trim. My father in law was able to help us with a broken sump pump, some water issues/leaks, new wood flooring in part of the kitchen along with so many other tasks I can't even keep track of them. 

My birthday wish was to be IN the house and all moved in BY MY BIRTHDAY. My wonderful husband, extended family and friends made that possible. We moved in July 16 with  5 days to spare. BEST BIRTHDAY EVER!!

no-knead dinner rolls

I am sad to say I haven't mastered making bread or rolls, but I'm trying and if I can get a handle on this recipe, it may be my new GO TO roll recipe.

This recipe comes from my Everyday Food Magazine from years ago. (Doesn't look like it's being published anymore, sadly). There were SO many good recipes from there that I've kept out and really liked.

NO-KNEAD DINNER ROLLS
Even beginner-level bakers will have no trouble making these fluffy rolls; the dough can be prepped, put in the pan, and chilled up to a day ahead.
Prep time: 35 minutes
Total time: 2 hr, 40 min.
Makes 18

INGREDIENTS:
2 c. warm water (105-115*)
2 packages (1/4 oz. each) active dry yeast (or 4 1/2 t.)
1/4 c. sugar
4 T butter, melted, plus more for pan and brushing
2 large eggs, lightly beaten
1 1/2 t. salt
6 c. all-purpose flour (spooned and leveled), plus more for shaping dough

DIRECTIONS:

1. Pour warm water into a large bowl; sprinkle with yeast, and let stand until foamy, about 5 minutes.
2. Add sugar, butter, eggs, and salt; whisk to combine. Add flour; mix until incorporated and a sticky dough forms. Brush top of dough with butter; cover bowl with plastic wrap, and set aside in a warm place until dough has doubled in bulk, about 1 hour.
3. Turn dough out onto a well-floured work surface. With floured hands, roll dough into a thick log. Cut into 18 equal pieces (halve log, cut each half in thirds, then cut each piece into thirds again).
4. Brush a 9x13 baking pan with butter. One at a time, flatten each piece of dough, then fold edges toward the center, pressing to secure, until a smooth ball forms. Place dough balls in prepared baking pan, smooth side up (you should have 3 rows of 6). Cover loosely with plastic wrap, and let rise in a warm place until doubled in bulk, 30-40 minutes. (Alternatively, refrigerate at least 4 hours and up to 1 day).
5. Preheat oven to 400*. Remove plastic wrap; brush rolls with butter. Bake until golden and rolls sound hollow when tapped on bottom, 35-40 minutes (tent with aluminum foil if browning too quickly). Pull rolls apart, and serve warm.

18 minute cake

This is one of those recipes from my childhood. I remember having this at just about every church activity I ever went to. Years later, I've thought about it and never made it for my family. I HAD to try it out and see if it held up to all those memories. Luckily, it did!

18 minute cake
(Old favorites from the heart of the Columbia Basin, by Aunt EvaLu)

Sift together in large bowl:
2 cups sugar
2 c. flour
1/4 t. salt

Boil in a saucepan, then pour over sifted mixture:
4 T. cocoa powder
1/2 c. margarine/butter
1 c. cold water
1/2 c. vegetable oil

Then add:
1/2 c. buttermilk
2 eggs, well-beaten
1 t. baking soda
1 t. vanilla extract

Bake 18 minutes @ 400* in a flat jelly roll pan (I used a rimmed cookie sheet). Don't overbake. Some ovens may not require 18 minutes.

FROSTING:
1/2 c. margarine/butter
6 T. milk
4 T. cocoa powder
3 3/4 c. powdered sugar
1 t. vanilla extract

Boil margarine, milk and cocoa. Add 1 cup nuts (optional), powdered sugar and vanilla. Spread on cake while hot.


One of the things I love about this cake, other than the DOUBLE chocolate factor is the moistness it has. It is SO so yummy. When  I made it this time it came out perfectly! My family liked it, but Jackson LOVED it like I do. Yesss!

Sabrina's PB frosting

I LOVE PB frosting! How did I go 20 years and never have had it before! My life was so incomplete! :P Luckily, I've had it many many times now. It's a tricky thing though; some recipes are hard to write down because they're "off the cuff". This is one of those recipes, but I'm writing it down so I have a guideline of where to begin for next time. I want to recreate this all on my own and not have to wait to have it someplace else.

SABRINA'S PB FROSTING

INGREDIENTS:
3 c. powdered sugar
1/4 c. butter, softened
1 1/2 t. vanilla extract
1/4- 1/2 c. milk
1 1/4 c. peanut butter

DIRECTIONS:
1. Cream together sugar, butter, vanilla, and 1 T. milk. Mixture will be stiff.
2. Then add PB. Add more milk or PB or sugar if needed to reach desired consistency and flavor.

Version 2:
Make regular buttercream frosting, then add 1 1/4 c. PB.

Pizza night

May 2016

Friday night is generally Pizza Night! It's been a long time since we made them from scratch. The kids had fun topping their pizzas (even if they boys just used EXTRA cheese).

They turned out super yummy! I was really happy I got to have my own HAWAIIAN pizza. Nobody likes it but me which means its all mine! :)

In honor of Adam

{1.14.16} It was tragic, tragic day off the North Shore of Hawaii when 12 Marines lost their lives in a training exercise gone wrong. My husband's 24 year old cousin, Adam was one of those men.

Adam was a Sargeant of one of the HMS Stallion helicopters. He was training 2 other Marines that night. 

Adam's family came to visit a few months before. I love this picture of him and his Dad Ralph. These are 2 great guys. Ralph is so sincere and kind. Adam is so fun-loving and honorable. He always had a smile on his face.

These are a couple of the signs that were floating around Facebook as they searched for Adam and his fellow Marines. They searched from January 14- mid April before calling off the search/recovery efforts.

At our house, my hubby was honing his new spoon-carving skills as they searched for Adam. It was a sort of escape/useful way to exert his worry and prayers.

Adam's Memorial service was incredible. There were family and friends from all over, along with Marines who traveled from Hawaii to be there for the services. There were also many, MANY fellow Marines who didn't even know Adam, but because he shared their Marine brotherhood, he was one of their own. This is the sort of brotherly love that should exist in the world, but it is definitely found among Marines.

This Marine letter was written by Josh's other cousin's husband. Keith is a Major in the Marines and was Adam's trainer when he first went in to service. It was very, very touching to have Keith write this for Adam's service. He was also able to record a video message to share at the service.

There was not a dry eye in the house, including Keith's (which is NOT an easy accomplishment).

This is the Battle Cross for Adam's service. Each of the 4 people listed above had one of his items to display. I believe his sister Shannon had his boots. It was all so very emotional; to see his very own personal items held by these 4 people and displayed here, in absence of him. (Even writing this now, I'm still very emotional about it.)

Attending Adam's Memorial Service was unlike any other service I've ever been to. It was an incredible service filled with so much love and brotherhood with his fine young man who was called home FAR too early.

He met his beautiful young bride in November, they were married on July l4, 2015, after which they immediately moved to his new post in Hawaii. Who knew they'd have just 5 short months together?

I am very sad I didn't know Adam well at all but I remember him always being happy and smiling and hearing all the stories about him at the service tells me that's how he always was.

When he was considering what he'd do after high school, he considered the armed forces. I believe his Dad served for a time, as did his sister who was in the Army and did a couple tours in Iraq & Afghanistan. Adam kept saying, "If not me, then who?" If he didn't go in to service, than who else would? 

Adam was a good, good man who touched many lives. He served his country valiantly and honorably. No remains were recovered from the search effort, however a part of his flight suit was recovered. (It is believed to be a part of the 2nd suit he always packed with him.)

May he rest with the Lord, his other family members and fellow Marines that have gone ahead. And may the Lord continue to be with and bless his dear wife Samantha, along with his parents, sibling, grandparents and other family and friends. He will be eternally missed.

General Women's Broadcast

{3.26.16}

It's that time of year again when we get to listen to our Church leaders and take part in the General Women's Session of General Conference.

We were lucky enough to have Cousin E, Aunt S and Nana join us for the evening. These 2 girls are so sweet. They love each other deeply and are great friends. Had to capture the moment.

I'm a note-taker in meetings; it helps me to retain what I've learned. I'm happy that Alivia has started doing the same thing. She'll bring a notepad and write down what I write down, along with some of her own impressions. Here are the "goodies" I learned from this Women's Session (which may have been paraphrased by me for conciseness):

Sister Cheryl Esplin, "He Asks Us to Be His Hands"

- Unless we lose ourselves in service to others, our lives have little purpose.

- Don't think of your task as a burden, think of it as an opportunity to give.

- True service requires we focus on the needs .... of others.

***- When children learn to serve others it becomes a pattern for their life. (I love this one. It is SO important! I'm so grateful that my parents taught this to me as a child and I'm trying to teach my kids now too.)

Sister Neill Marriott (one of my favorite speakers) "What Shall We Do?"

- We build the kingdom when we nurture others.

- We must develop bedrock faith in the Savior's gospel.

***- Love is making space in your life for someone else.

- Our highest responsibility is to be women who follow the savior.

Sister Linda Burton, "I was a Stranger"

- We as sisters make up more than half of the Lord's storehouse. Not just goods and products, but talents, skills, etc.

- Local refugee relief projects

- Relief effort- "I was a stranger" video presentation

- Opportunities to serve, mentor, one on one or in groups, etc.

- Remember- one cannot run faster than he has strength

- Parable of the widow's mite. She did what she could.

- Help those in need as we are able.

Pres. Henry B. Eyring, "Trust in That Spirit Which Leadeth to do Good"

- 3 memories or feelings I want you to remember:

1. Love. Charity. Pure love of Christ.

2. Influence of the Holy Ghost. Pray about what to do.

3. Feeling that you want to be closer to the Savior

-3 commitments (things to do) to remember:

1. Go and serve knowing that you do not go alone. He prepares the way before you.

2. Remember the Savior as we go and serve others.

3. Pray in faith to know what the Lord would have you do.

I learned so very much listening to these leaders. They speak with such love, devotion and faith.