So, what is the recipe?

LeAnne asked for the recipe. I haven't tried it. I just know it looks divine! So, here it is for those who are suckers for desserts.

You've got to love the Internet!

So, I had a magazine subscription that I was getting caught up on reading. Each issue has an outer cover that advertizes their latest cookbook. I was showing a fabulous looking cake on that cover to my Mom. However, it's supposed to get you to buy their cookbook, so the actual recipe is not listed. She recommended I google it. Now, why didn't I think of that? There were other delicious looking desserts on other covers... Those magazines have long ago meant their doom.

Anyway, I googled it and found it! Yea! I didn't have to buy a whole cookbook for one recipe!

Valentine's Day

So, I don't really get into a lot of the hype of Valentine's Day. Yea, Scott and I acknowledge it and give each other small gifts. However, I think it's an overcommercialized holiday and a way for stores to get us to spend money on things we don't need. Chocolate that's overpriced. Jewelry we have no occasion to wear (at least at my house. Scott has never breached this area). Stuffed animals that just collect dust. Little trinkets that are worthless. Flowers that are four times more expensive than next week. Etc. In fact, when Scott asked me what I want this year, I told him I want a note.

Perhaps part of my attitude comes from my pratical approach to spending money. Or perhaps it comes from having to give cards to every child in my class while growing up even if I didn't care much for the person.

However, last night, a woman from my ward and her two children braved the snow storm to bring us a plate of frosted sugar cookies. Then, today, they brought over a Valentine's Day bag of treats and a card for Richard. No overpriced items you'll never use. No overpriced chocolates. Just homemade cookies to recognize that we are friends. That's the meaning of Valentine's Day! Just expressing friendship and love to those important in your life. That's my idea of Valentine's Day! That's why I've only asked Scott for a love note.

A humble, but ever so helpful, neighbor

We received approximately 10 inches of snow last night. I can't complain. It wasn't extremely windy like other portions of the state. We have received a TON of snow this year. It's been a long time since I remember having snow this consistently through the winter. I don't think we've had a day without snow on the ground since December 1. I am ever so grateful I broke down and actually bought snow pants and snow boots for Richard. They have been so valuable since, unlike Audrey, Richard loves to walk through the snow. He's used them a lot.

So, on to the point and the title of my post. Through all these storms, my neighbor has tirelessly plowed the little cul-de-sac I live on. The city ignores our little circle, and we could have a huge, icy mess to deal with. However, with every storm, our neighbor gets on his four-wheeler and plows the circle. He even has helped me plow the end of my driveway a couple of times! He has used who knows how much gas, and as you all know, gas is not the cheapest these days. I know he'll never read this, and I know none of you has ever met him. I just want to applaud those in our lives who take the time to serve other people with no thought of reward or recognition.

True maturity

I am of an age that you'd think I'd be mature enough to overcome certain high school tendencies. You'd think. However, I must continually berate myself for my even slight notice of certain realities. Life has too much to enjoy to worry about popularity contests, right? Right. So, I must grow up and remember I graduated from high school.

A girl after my own heart

I didn't start teaching Richard to clean up his toys until after he went to nursery. I then realized it was a task he was capable of and wondered why I hadn't been responsible enough to teach him yet. Then, there is Audrey. I don't know if she learned from watching Richard or if she just likes order. She'll randomly start cleaning up.  Richard will actually get mad and say, "It's not night-night time!" because I don't make them clean up until right before bed. When teaching Richard to clean up, I had to put a toy in his hand and then bring his hand to the bucket and then make him drop it. Audrey needed no guidance or direction. She just does it! She must be my daughter!

My thespian parents

My parents are in a community play in Gunnison, and I went down to support them. I was with Annette and Thamina. I left Scott with the kids, because I knew the play was way beyond their attention span and their bedtime. I figured if we brought the kids, neither of us would really see it or enjoy it. So, at least this way, I got to enjoy it! Oh, the joys of having fun without someone crawling on your lap, crying for milk, whining because they're bored, etc. 

The play was called "She Loves Me," which is based on the same origins "You've Got Mail" is based on. I enjoyed it and thought they did a nice job! My dad played the comic side-kick to the main character. He was quite entertaining! The audience frequently laughed at what he'd do. My mom played a small part as a shopper, but she performed with gusto! It's fun to see your parents do things like that.