Experience joy

"There is one thing needful for joy to which man is entitled, and it is the greatest of all.  It is the service we render mankind. There is something we can take home to God, in achieving which we find true happiness, and that is character—what you have made of yourself during this mortal existence. . . . Character and the service you have rendered will determine your position and place in the next world"  

 David O. McKay

Though harder to come by...

It comes back to you

Hello October

Chocolate Chip Oatmeal Cookies

Ingredients

1 cup butter, softened

3/4 cup sugar

3/4 cup packed brown sugar

2 eggs

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

3 cups quick-cooking oats

1-1/2 cups all-purpose flour

1 package (3.4 ounces) instant vanilla pudding mix

1 teaspoon baking soda

1 teaspoon salt

2 cups (12 ounces) semisweet chocolate chips

1 cup chopped nuts

Directions

1. In a large bowl, cream butter and sugars until light and fluffy. Beat in eggs and vanilla. Combine the oats, flour, dry pudding mix, baking soda and salt; gradually add to creamed mixture and mix well. Stir in chocolate chips and nuts.

2. Drop by rounded teaspoonfuls 2 in. apart onto ungreased baking sheets. Bake at 375° for 10-12 minutes or until lightly browned. Remove to wire racks. Yield: about 7 dozen.

We tend to become like those whom we admire Godly men

 "Sometimes in our lives, 

tears are the lenses we need to see Jesus"

Pope Francis

Sometimes we can take offense so easily. On other occasions we are too stubborn to accept a sincere apology. Who will subordinate ego, pride, and hurt then step forward with, "I am truly sorry! Let's be as we once were: friends. Let's not pass to future generations the grievances, the anger of our time." Let's remove any hidden wedges that can do nothing but destroy. Where do hidden wedges originate? Some come from unresolved disputes, which lead to ill feelings, followed by remorse and regret. Others find their beginnings in disappointments, jealousies, arguments, and imagined hurts. We must solve them lay them to rest and not leave them to canker, fester, and ultimately destroy. 

 Thomas S. Monson

t

The Lord never tires of forgiving, 

it is we who tire of asking for forgiveness. 

Pope Francis

"Tenderly the Master speaks . . . Come back. Come up. Come in. Come home.
Come unto me." 

Thomas S. Monson

Cherry-Brown Butter Coffee Cake

For the Cake

2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil for the pan

8 tablespoons (1 stick) unsalted butter (softened)

1/2 cup granulated sugar

1/2 cup light brown sugar (packed)

1 cup plain Greek yogurt

2 large eggs

1 tablespoon pure vanilla extract

2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour (plus more for the pan)

2 teaspoons baking powder

1/2 teaspoon baking soda

1 teaspoon kosher salt

2 cups frozen tart cherries (thawed in the fridge)

FOR THE TOPPING

1/4 cup almond flour

1/2 cup dark brown sugar (packed)

1/2 cup chopped hazelnuts

1 teaspoon ground cinnamon

1 teaspoon freshly grated nutmeg

3 tablespoons salted butter

FOR SERVING

confectioners' sugar (for dusting)

1 cup plain Greek yogurt

step-by-step directions

Make the Cake: Preheat the oven 325°F. Oil and flour a 9-by-13-inch baking pan.

Place the unsalted butter in a saucepan over medium heat and cook until the foam subsides and the butter starts to look medium-brown at the bottom of the pan, 4 to 5 minutes. Allow to cool, and place in fridge for minutes to set up to the texture of softened butter.

Combine the granulated sugar, light brown sugar, and cooled brown butter in a large bowl. Beat with an electric mixer at medium speed, scraping down the sides of the bowl often, until creamy. Add the yogurt, eggs, and the vanilla; continue beating until well mixed. Reduce the mixer speed to low and add 2 cups of the flour, the baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Beat until well mixed.

Drain the thawed cherries and reserve the liquid. In a medium bowl, mix the thawed cherries and the remaining 1/4 cup flour until the cherries are lightly coated, and set aside.

Stir the reserved cherry liquid into the batter and mix through.

Spread half of the batter into the prepared pan. Spoon the cherry mixture over the batter. Spoon the remaining batter over the cherry filling, spreading it carefully to cover the filling completely.

Make the Topping: Combine the almond flour, dark brown sugar, hazelnuts, cinnamon, nutmeg, and butter in a food processor. Pulse quickly 5 or 6 times until the mixture has a bread crumb texture. Sprinkle the topping evenly over the cake batter.

Bake the cake for 45 to 50 minutes, until the toothpick inserted into the center of the cake comes out clean and the topping is a dark golden brown. Dust the top with confectioners' sugar and serve with Greek yogurt on the side.

Know He is There.

Dispute not because ye see not, for ye receive no witness until after the trial of your faith. 

We are looked upon by God as though we were in eternity. God dwells in eternity, and does not view things as we do.

What a blessing it is and can be in the future—when we have special challenges, heartbreaks, unusual experiences, or disappointments to know that he is there and 

we can cry unto him in faith and complete trust.

Very often over the years I have had peace and patience knowing that he was there and would not forsake me even though some prayers were going unanswered. What a joy and strength it would be in all of our lives to have the childlike faith and complete trust to know that he is there and that we can cry out unto him under all circumstances.... know he is there, even though immediate replies and responses are not always positive.

Perhaps it would be good for our souls to build the relationship and understanding that he is there, even our loving and eternal Father, and that ofttimes delays to our urgent pleas can be best for us. Who is to say it isn't more important to know that he is there than to receive immediate answers?......

What a great strength it would be to all of us in times of desperation and wonderment to humbly approach his throne with "Please hear my prayers. Answer them in thy great wisdom for my best good. But please give me the constant reassurance that thou art there and that peace, contentment, and the courage to continue are mine because I have faith and can come to thee who has promised not to forsake us."......

We are to exercise faith. We are placed on earth as a probation. It is not now, nor was it ever, the intention of a wise, omniscient Heavenly Father to solve all our problems. Life is not—and never will be—an "uninterrupted holiday." God expects us to struggle—so we may become godlike. The edict from Eden was that man should eat bread by the sweat of his brow!

Like a wise parent, our Heavenly Father sometimes says "no" to our pleas. It is therefore essential that we cultivate a feeling for spiritual things that will enable us to "feel" or recognize occasions when our Heavenly Father is telling us "no." Even when his Beloved Son requested that the bitter cup of pain and sorrow be lifted in Gethsemane, our Heavenly Father had other plans. How eternally blessed we are because God permitted his Son to complete that suffering so we will not have to suffer if we repent.....

Pray constantly for help, endurance, and understanding. 

God does answer our prayers. 

Please know he is there. 

I testify he is, in the name of Jesus Christ. Amen

Marvin J. Ashton

Creamy Lemon Crumb Squares

Ingredients

1-1/3 cup All-purpose Flour

1/2 teaspoon Salt

1 teaspoon Baking Powder

1 stick (1/2 Cup) Butter, Slightly Softened

1 cup Brown Sugar (lightly Packed)

1 cup Oats

1 can (14 Oz. Size) Sweetened Condensed Milk

1/2 cup Lemon Juice

 Zest Of 1 Lemon

Preparation

PREHEAT OVEN TO 350 DEGREES.

Mix butter and brown sugar until well combined. 

Sift together flour, salt, and baking powder. 

Add oats and flour to butter/sugar mixture and mix to combine. 

Press half of crumb mixture into the bottom of an 8 x 11 inch pan.

Mix together condensed milk, lemon juice, and lemon zest. Spread onto the bottom layer of the crumb mixture. Top with the other half of the crumb mixture, but don't press.

Bake for 20 to 25 minutes, or until golden brown. 

Allow pan to sit on counter for 30 minutes after baking. Cut into squares and refrigerate for a couple of hours or until cool.

Serve cool.

Quiet conscience

"There is one part of prayer,  the answer part,  that perhaps 

by comparison, we neglect."
Boyd K. Packer

"Total perfection is not necessary now. Striving for it, working hard toward it is." 

Anita Canfield

Live so as to have a quiet conscience.
Richard L. Evans 

"Perhaps any of us could get along with perfect people. 

But our task is to get along with imperfect people.
Richard L. Evans 

"Let us be awake and not be weary of well-doing, for we 'are laying the foundation of a great work,' even preparing for the return of the Savior."

  Dieter F. Uchtdorf

And he cometh, and findeth them sleeping, and saith unto Peter, Simon, sleepest thou? couldest not thou watch one hour?

The Son of God perfectly knows and understands for 

He felt and bore the burdens before we ever did.

For Poise...

"We live through each part of our lives only once. We don't go back. So, instead of wishing that any part of it were over, instead of living always for something that is never now...we should find some sweetness and accomplishment and compensation in every hour." 

Richard L. Evans

 "There seems to be little evidence that the Creator of the universe was ever in a hurry. Everywhere, on this bounteous and beautiful earth, and to the farthest reaches of the firmament, there is evidence of patient purpose and planning and working and waiting" 

 Joseph F. Smith

Remember that regardless of your past, your future is bright and can even be better than you have ever thought possible! "Beyond the limits of our present perspective, there will still be endless unfolding 

plans and worthy purposes and joyful pursuits. 

There will never be a time when we shall 

not have a future to look forward to." 

Richard L. Evans

For beautiful eyes, look for the good in others;
for beautiful lips, speak only words of kindness; 

and for poise, walk with the knowledge

 that you are never alone." 

Audrey Hepburn

"Certain thoughts are prayers.
There are moments when,
whatever be the attitude of the body, the soul is on its knees."

Victor Hugo 

"Seven days without prayer makes one weak". 

"Whatever the past or its meaning, or its length, or its losses, or its lessons learned or left unlearned, we go on from where we are wherever it is and become what we can become; with work, repentance, improvement; 

with faith in the future." 

Richard L. Evans

Mount on wings of eagles

Banana-Zucchini Bread

Ingredients

4 eggs

2 cups sugar

1 cup vegetable oil

2 medium ripe bananas, mashed (about 1 cup)

3 cups all-purpose flour

1-1/2 teaspoons baking powder

1-1/2 teaspoons baking soda

1-1/2 teaspoons ground cinnamon

1 teaspoon salt

1-1/2 cups shredded unpeeled zucchini

1 cup chopped pecans

Directions

1. In a bowl, beat eggs. Blend in sugar and oil. Add bananas and mix well. Combine the flour, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon and salt; stir into egg mixture. Stir in zucchini and pecans just until combined.

2. Pour into two greased 9-in. x 5-in. loaf pans. Bake at 350° for 50 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean. Cool for 10 minutes. Remove from pans to wire racks to cool completely. Yield: 2 loaves.

He stills the winds of our doubt

"I have learned that the bitter, almost unbearable pain can become sweet as you turn to your Father in Heaven and plead for His comfort that comes through His plan; His Son, Jesus Christ; and His Comforter, who is the Holy Ghost." 

 Shayne M. Bowen

You are loved, more than you'll ever know, and God's plans for your future are grander than you can ever imagine. You are His child, and He has you in the palm of His hand, guiding you, protecting you, keeping you from harm. So know that He made you for great things to accomplish in your life, just trust Him, and He'll show you the way....  . ♥ Angela

Filled with faith, Peter stepped from the safety of the boat on to the stormy sea. But as the winds picked up and the waves grew stronger Peter's faith turned to fear. As he began to sink, Peter cried out, "Lord, save me." Two thousand years later, Christ is still calling to us. As we step from the safety of self-reliance on to the stormy seas of discipleship, like Peter we pray, "Lord, save me." With perfect calmness He stills the winds of our doubt, 

reaches down from heaven and saves us.

“Lord, is it I?”

"Once there was a man who enjoyed taking evening walks around his neighborhood. He particularly looked forward to walking past his neighbor's house. This neighbor kept his lawn perfectly manicured, flowers always in bloom, the trees healthy and shady. It was obvious that the neighbor made every effort to have a beautiful lawn.

But one day as the man was walking past his neighbor's house, he noticed in the middle of this beautiful lawn a single, enormous, yellow dandelion weed.

It looked so out of place that it surprised him. Why didn't his neighbor pull it out? Couldn't he see it? Didn't he know that the dandelion could cast seeds that could give root to dozens of additional weeds?

This solitary dandelion bothered him beyond description, and he wanted to do something about it. Should he just pluck it out? Or spray it with weed killer? Perhaps if he went under cover of night, he could remove it secretly.

These thoughts totally occupied his mind as he walked toward his own home. He entered his house without even glancing at his own front yard which was blanketed with hundreds of yellow dandelions" . . .

we must put aside our pride, see beyond our vanity, and in humility ask, "Lord, is it I?"

And if the Lord's answer happens to be "Yes... there are things you must improve, things I can help you to overcome," I pray that we will accept this answer, humbly acknowledge our sins and shortcomings, and then change our ways by becoming better.... May we from this time forward seek with all our might to walk steadfastly in the Savior's blessed way—for seeing ourselves clearly is the beginning of wisdom.

As we do so, our bountiful God will lead us by the hand; we will "be made strong, and blessed from on high."..... a first step on this wondrous and fulfilling path of true discipleship starts with our asking the simple question:

"Lord, is it I?"

Dieter F. Uchtdorf

Zucchini Cobbler

Ingredients

• 8 cups chopped seeded peeled zucchini (from about 3 pounds)
• 2/3 cup lemon juice
• 1 cup sugar
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg

CRUST:

• 4 cups all-purpose flour
• 2 cups sugar
• 1-1/2 cups cold butter, cubed
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon

Directions

1. In a large saucepan over medium-low heat, cook and stir zucchini and lemon juice for 15-20 minutes or until zucchini is tender. Add the sugar, cinnamon and nutmeg; cook 1 minute longer. Remove from the heat; set aside.
2. For crust, combine the flour and sugar in a bowl; cut in butter until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Stir 1/2 cup into zucchini mixture. Press half of remaining crust mixture into a greased 15-in. x 10-in. x 1-in. baking pan. Spread zucchini over top; crumble remaining crust mixture over zucchini. Sprinkle with cinnamon.
3. Bake at 375° for 35-40 minutes or until golden and bubbly.

To succeed gloriously and you have . . . you will be missed Elder Scott

"When you push against the boundaries of experience into the twilight of the unknown, the Lord will strengthen you. The beauty of your eternal soul will begin to unfold."

 Richard G. Scott

"A pebble held close to the eye appears to be a gigantic obstacle. Cast on the ground, it is seen in perspective. Likewise, problems or trials in our lives need to be viewed in the perspective of scriptural doctrine. Otherwise they can easily overtake our vision, absorb our energy, and deprive us of the joy and beauty the Lord intends us to receive here on earth." 

Don't let the workings of adversity totally absorb your life. Try to understand what you can. Act where you are able; then let the matter rest with the Lord for a period while you give to others in worthy ways before you take on appropriate concern again." 

"You are here on earth for a divine purpose. It is not to be endlessly entertained or to be constantly in full pursuit of pleasure. You are here to be tried, to prove yourself so that you can receive the additional blessings God has for you. . . some blessings will be delivered in this life; others will come beyond the veil. The Lord is intent on your personal growth and development. That progress is accelerated when you willingly allow Him to lead you through every growth experience you encounter, whether initially it be to your individual liking or not." 

"We become what we want to be by consistently being what we want to become each day." 

"The Lord sees weaknesses differently than he does rebellion." 

"Our Heavenly Father did not put us on the earth to fail, but to succeed gloriously!" 

"Just when all seems to be going right, challenges often come in multiple doses applied simultaneously. When those trials are not consequences of your disobedience, they are evidence that the Lord feels you are prepared to grow more. He therefore gives you experiences that stimulate growth, understanding, and compassion which polish you for your everylasting benefit." 

"Strong moral character results from consistent correct choices in the trials and testing of life. Your faith can guide you to those correct choices." 

Prosciutto Wrapped Asparagus

12 asparagus spears
6 prosciutto slices/strips
A little butter for frying

Instructions

Wash asparagus and cut off the ends. Cut prosciutto strips into two halves, going lengthways, you should end up with 12 strips.

Place each prosciutto strip on a chopping board at a 45 degree angle. Place one of the asparagus spears on top of the meat, perpendicular to it. The tip of the asparagus should be lined up with the bottom of the prosciutto strip. Wrap the bottom end of prosciutto over the asparagus and holding the meat tight, start rolling the asparagus up. The prosciutto strip will wrap around the whole length of the spear because it's on an angle. You can try a different wrapping method but I find this is a very quick to do it. Don't worry if parts of the asparagus spears are not covered completely.

Heat some butter in a large, flat frying pan to sizzling hot. Fry wrapped asparagus spears for 1-2 minutes on each side or until prosciutto is brown and crispy.

A good reminder

Life's journey

Endurance to complete your race will call for a quality decision on your part to do whatever is necessary for as long as necessary to finish your race.

Before you know it

Scatter kindness

Speak in such a way that others love to listen to you.

 Listen in such a way that others love to speak to you.

You become what you THINK

"Give every day the chance to become the most beautiful of your life" 

Mark Twain

Baked Cream Cheese Spaghetti

INGREDIENTS

1 pound spaghetti

1 tablespoon olive oil

1 pound ground beef

1 small onion, diced

Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper

1 (28-ounce) can crushed tomatoes

1 teaspoon dried basil

1/2 teaspoon dried oregano

1/2 teaspoon dried parsley

1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes, optional

1/2 cup whipped cream cheese

1/2 cup sour cream

1/2 cup shredded cheddar cheese

1/2 cup shredded Monterey Jack cheese

2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley leaves

INSTRUCTIONS

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Lightly oil a 9x13 baking dish or coat with nonstick spray.

In a large pot of boiling salted water, cook pasta according to package instructions; drain well.

Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium high heat. Add ground beef and onion and cook until beef has browned, about 3-5 minutes, making sure to crumble the beef as it cooks; season with salt and pepper, to taste. Drain excess fat.

Stir in crushed tomatoes, basil, oregano, parsley and red pepper flakes; season with salt and pepper, to taste.

In a small bowl, whisk together cream cheese and sour cream.

Add pasta to the prepared baking dish and layer with cream cheese and beef mixture; sprinkle with cheeses.

Place into oven and bake until bubbly and heated through, about 15-20 minutes.

Serve immediately, garnished with parsley, if desired.

One kind word

Always remember One Kind Word Can Change Someone's Entire Day 

the best things

Fear not the gap

"Don't be afraid of the space between your dreams and reality. 

If you can dream it, you can make it so."

It shows

Your life is your story

You will always feel what you dwell on.

 Your life is your story. Write well. Edit often.

Be happy where you are.

And then be happy in the next place.

Comparison is the thief of joy.

Almost every successful person begins with two beliefs, the

 future can be better than the present, and I have the power 

to make it so.

Funfetti Cake Batter Cookies

1 box vanilla cake mix, 18.25 oz
1 tsp baking powder
2 eggs
1/2 C vegetable oil
1/2 tsp vanilla extract
1 C color sprinkles

Preheat oven to 350°. In a large bowl, mix together the cake mix and baking powder. In a small bowl, mix together the eggs, oil and vanilla. Add the egg mixture to the cake mixture and stir to combine. Stir in the sprinkles. Drop by spoonfuls onto a cookie sheet or silpat.

Bake for 10 minutes. Allow to cool for 5 minutes on cookie sheet before transferring to cooling rack. They will be very soft at first.

Cool and enjoy!

Half full

Look closer … . see .. .…. …. . ME!!

When an old man died in the geriatric ward of a nursing home in an Australian country town, it was believed that he had nothing left of any value.

Later, when the nurses were going through his meager possessions, They found this poem. Its quality and content so impressed the staff that copies were made and distributed to every nurse in the hospital.

And this old man, with nothing left to give to the world, is now the author of this 'anonymous' poem winging across the Internet. 

Cranky Old Man

What do you see nurses? ……What do you see?

What are you thinking .. . when you're looking at me?

A cranky old man, … …not very wise,

Uncertain of habit .… … . .. with faraway eyes?

Who dribbles his food .….… and makes no reply.

When you say in a loud voice . .'I do wish you'd try!'

Who seems not to notice …the things that you do.

And forever is losing … …… A sock or shoe?

Who, resisting or not … … lets you do as you will,

With bathing and feeding … .The long day to fill?

Is that what you're thinking?. .Is that what you see?

Then open your eyes, nurse .you're not looking at me.

I'll tell you who I am … . .. As I sit here so still,

As I do at your bidding, .… . as I eat at your will.

I'm a small child of Ten . .with a father and mother,

Brothers and sisters .… .. . who love one another

A young boy of Sixteen … .. with wings on his feet

Dreaming that soon now …… a lover he'll meet.

A groom soon at Twenty … ..my heart gives a leap.

Remembering, the vows .. .. .that I promised to keep.

At Twenty-Five, now … . .I have young of my own.

Who need me to guide … And a secure happy home.

A man of Thirty . .… . . My young now grown fast,

Bound to each other …. With ties that should last.

At Forty, my young sons .. .have grown and are gone,

But my woman is beside me . . to see I don't mourn.

At Fifty, once more, .. …Babies play 'round my knee,

Again, we know children … . My loved one and me.

Dark days are upon me … . My wife is now dead.

I look at the future … … . I shudder with dread.

For my young are all rearing .… young of their own.

And I think of the years … And the love that I've known.

I'm now an old man … … .. and nature is cruel.

It's jest to make old age … … . look like a fool.

The body, it crumbles .. .. . grace and vigour, depart.

There is now a stone … where I once had a heart.

But inside this old carcass . A young man still dwells,

And now and again … . . my battered heart swells

I remember the joys … . .. . I remember the pain.

And I'm loving and living … … . life over again.

I think of the years, all too few …. gone too fast.

And accept the stark fact … that nothing can last.

So open your eyes, people .… . .… open and see.

Not a cranky old man .

Look closer … . see .. .…. …. . ME!!

The best and most beautiful things of this world can't be seen or touched. 

They must be felt by the heart!

Don't know better

Don't believe everything you think

Zucchini Pizza Boats

Ingredients

6 small zucchini (2 1/2 lbs)

1 Tbsp olive oil

1 clove garlic, finely minced

Salt and freshly ground black pepper

1 cup marinara sauce 

1 1/2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese (6 oz)

1/3 cup finely shredded parmesan cheese (1.4 oz)

1/2 cup mini pepperoni slices

2 Tbsp chopped fresh oregano

Directions

Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Line a large rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper or a Silpat liner, set aside.

Cut each zucchini into halves through the length (if they don't lie flat trim a thin portion from bottoms so that they will lie mostly flat. I only had to do this with one of them). Pat insides dry with paper towels (cut portion). Align on prepared baking sheet. In a bowl, stir together olive oil and garlic then brush lightly over tops of zucchini. Sprinkle with salt and pepper to taste then brush a slightly heaping 1 Tbsp marinara sauce over each zucchini, leaving a small rim near edges uncoated. Sprinkle tops evenly with mozzarella cheese then with parmesan cheese. Top with pepperoni slices (placing them more near centers as the cheese will melt and spread). Bake in preheated oven 12 - 18 minutes (bake time will vary depending on how thick your zucchini are and how crisp/tender you want them).

Remove from oven and sprinkle with chopped fresh oregano. Serve warm.