Kelly Times Two

Today, like most days when Hannah gets home from school, she proudly told me that she had finished all of her homework. She is such a diligent student and I never have to remind her to do any of her work. She is extremely responsible and takes a lot of pride in her work and does really well in school.  She has never been tardy or absent from school and never wants me to schedule doctor or dentist appointments during school hours.  I had been busy all day hosting a jewelry party for my good friend, Sue, a stylist for Stella & Dot.  I was exhausted and had an annoying headache that had been bothering me since last night. Hannah rode her bike home from school, came inside and got her backpack out, and was going through her Tuesday folder so I could look over her graded papers and sign off for any handouts that came home.  She eagerly asked me if I would read her November writing assignment and I was too busy at the time, and my head was killing me so I told her I...

My family grew up with a few regular dishes that Mom used to fix all the time, including a rather mediocre tuna casserole.  At the time, we ate it and didn't complain, but the thought of it now, makes most of us lose our appetites. (Sorry, Mom!  We still love and appreciate you.) Several years ago, a coworker shared her recipe with me, and I've made a few changes to it and fed it to my family dozens of times since. It might turn out that some day my kids will feel the same and joke about it, but in the meantime, I'll share it with the world.  It's pretty tasty to me, and very convenient since I usually have most of the ingredients on hand. Baked Tuna Pasta Casserole with mixed vegetables 3 cups (8 ounces) uncooked rotini pasta 12 ounce can of tuna, drained 2 cups (8 ounces) frozen mixed vegetables 1/2 cup chopped onion 1/2 cup mayonnaise 1 can cream of mushroom soup 1/2 cup milk 1 1/2 teaspoons dried parsley 1/2 teaspoon poultry seasoning (or 1 teaspoon curry season...

I'm such a weird adult, I actually love my birthday! It's exciting to have lived for half a century so far and I have so many incredible memories and friends and family surrounding me. My three sisters came to visit this past weekend and we had a blast celebrating. Our weekend plans included going to an opera, Madama Butterfly, joining two other friends, Carol and Kelly, then being pampered at the luxuriously relaxing Lake House Spa at the Lake Austin Spa, dinner out at one of my favorite places, Hudson's on the Bend, then to a movie at the iPic theatre at the Domain. My friend, Sherrie, also dined with us at Hudson's. It was the longest time I had ever been separated from Isaac, and Kelly stayed home with him so I could have a nice time. He brought Isaac to me at the restaurant, then took him home after we ate, and met up with us at the movies. Melody and Molly, two of Lindsey's friends who live in our neighborhood and were in show choir with her...

Since I kind of neglected my blog during and after my pregnancy with Isaac, there are a lot of gaps in our lives, many big and little events, that never quite got documented here.  I need to do some back tracking to catch up.  It is an honor to share with you one of the best things that is new and exciting in our family. Our oldest daughter, Lindsey, is now in the Missionary Training Center in Provo, Utah, rigorously studying Cantonese, and will be spending a year and a half as a full-time missionary for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in the China Hong Kong Mission.  She will spend her time teaching people about the Savior, and helping to lead them to find peace, joy, and comfort that can only be found through the restored gospel of Jesus Christ. She will be helping people in time of need, bringing good cheer to those who are sad and lost, who need to be lifted up.  We are so proud of Lindsey for planning on this goal for several years, and finall...

These Jell-O dessert cups are so much fun to play around with and the color combinations and creative possibilities are endless. Thanks to my sister, Julie, for sharing her recipe with me. Decide what colors or flavors you want, then plan to have 1/3 cup sour cream to go with each box of Jell-O you will use. Microwave water to end up with 1 cup of boiling water to dissolve one small box of Jell-O. Divide that in half. In one bowl, add 1/3 cup sour cream and whisk it together until it's smooth. In the other bowl, add 3 tablespoons cold water. Pour one the contents of one of the bowls into individual serving dishes or into a see-through bowl. Get creative with what you use, a trifle bowl, a square glass vase, juice glasses or even a seemingly boring 9x13 pan because by the time you finish your layers and cut into it, the results will be colorful and pleasing. Chill that layer in the refrigerator or freezer, then take it out to add the other half of your mixture. Chill again...

Some areas that I was reminded to focus on after attending stake conference this past weekend include studying the scriptures daily with our family and having Family Home Evening consistently, every Monday night, rather than hit and miss. The General Authority who was visiting our stake said he couldn't fathom his children leaving the house each day without first having family prayer. There can always be an excuse for why we could easily skip one of these important areas that help to strengthen home and families, including busy schedules, not everyone being at home or awake at the same time. I recommitted to having family prayer with my kids each morning, even if it means that the rest of the family isn't there, or is asleep, or what ever the distraction may be. Those who are at home or awake can still do this regularly. After all, there is a great scripture that says to "pray always." “Pray always, and I will pour out my Spirit upon you, and great shal...

These are so easy to make and amazingly delicious. I posted this recipe here a while back in a rectangle baking pan version. This mini style is much better because you don't have to wait until they are cooled down well to cut them. Individual cookies are so pretty too.  I'll recap the ingredients and baking time again for your convenience. Step One: Melt 1 stick butter (1/2 cup) in microwave bowl with lid Step Two:   Add 1 1/2 cups graham cracker crumbs , mix together with melted butter Step Three: Spoon graham cracker crumble in silicone mini muffin pan to fill about 35 cups (no paper muffin pan liners are needed) Step Four: Sprinkle 1 cup of pecan pieces on graham cracker layer in each cup, a few in each cup, divided evenly Step Five: Sprinkle 1 cup of coconut , a little into each cup, divided evenly Step Six: Sprinkle 1 cup semisweet chocolate chips , dividing evenly Step Seven: Open a can of Sweetened Condensed Milk and pour i...