I hope everyone had a pleasant Mother's day. I know some of you get down on yourselves on this day. Never fear, I would think that all good Mom's want to be better. (If you feel you need improvement, well sista...we all do!)

There is a hymn we sing at church, (Oh My Father), that reminds me that we have a Heavenly Home. That one day when God calls us back, we will be reunited with a Heavenly Father and a Heavenly Mother in a warm embrace. Remember, this is us, attending school, getting the best grades possible and then returning home. So, if you need improvement, or your own Mom does...there's hope and there's a Mom waiting for you who loves you more than we can understand.

So, for Mother's Day, one of my little girls saw this cute idea on the internet...it is not my own, but there are many out there to choose from.  I used cream soda pop and a cake mix for the cupcakes, and a swiss meringue icing. These little critters just wanted to fall off no matter how many toothpicks were inserted. I believe the trick to this bouquet is to eat it fast!

Swiss meringue icing 

We actually used 3 toothpicks. I stabbed them and then placed them on the bouquet, then iced them. haha! but no, they still fell off.

The finished project until we drove to Grandma's and two fell off. 

So, I chose to have a great day, and I did. I am seeing that happiness is a choice...happy journey to you!

My favorite breakfast these days

Hi everyone! I have been away and I have been busy. We did some travelling (which I plan on posting some pics later) but I really just wanted to share with you my newest breakfast fav.

I have been juicing - and I LOVE it! But I decided not to purchase a juicer. When I watched the online videos comparing juicers I realized that my Vitamix blender and a nut bag (this is truly a bag that is finer than a cheesecloth and acts like a strainer-which I found at my nearest health food store) well, combined they produced the clearest juice. Plus my nut bag cost less than $8 and that was totally affordable.

Then, as I was walking through Chapters/Indigo with my girls I discovered Molly Sims new book. Inside was this amazing recipe for a green detox smoothie. Note- this is not a juice but I totally love it! My two girls love it too, which is saying something. My husband is not so fond of it...yet!

Molly also has a website/blog mollysims.com if you're interested. 

Well, until next time - let's continue to find happiness in our journey...

Say goodbye to Gluten? Whaaat?

No way. I can't believe it! I love wheat! I am doing a trial test (it has only been a week thus far) to see if I am gluten sensitive. My gut feels lighter that's for sure, as well as some of my ailments feel better, by far.

So in searching the web I have found a GF (Gluten Free) chocolate chip cookie recipe (which also uses egg substitute) and I like it. Yum. My sister-in-law says they taste like cookie dough, and who doesn't like cookie dough?

Try these ones from the Food Network:http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/alton-brown/the-chewy-gluten-free-recipe.html

I haven't as yet tried these but I like the pictures….

these are from all recipes.com

http://allrecipes.com/Recipe/Chocolate-Chip-Cookies-Gluten-Free/

One thing to be sure of, when it says to spray your open - the first recipe does- you should do it, the cookies will spread out better. (By the way - chocolate has Gluten…look for GF)

One more recipe link and then I must go pick up my homeschool children from their art classes….

Gluten free flour for use in breads, pizza dough and hamburger buns from alittleinsanity.com

http://alittleinsanity.com/all-purpose-gluten-free-flour-mix-recipe/

I made the bread, but my flour had some homemade substitutions (I had less to work with in my packages and used my vitamin to turn the tapioca and sweet rice into flour) so it was ok but not quite as beautiful and high as hers. (Dang it all cuz I had just mastered my homemade breads a few years ago! Time to start afresh!)

Here is a list I also found on the internet for gluten free chocolate and candies:

http://celiacdisease.about.com/od/glutenfreefoodshopping/a/GFcandies.htm

Hope you are having fun on your journey…

Always Remembered

This past holiday marked another birthday without Brian. With prayer, and much talking about him over the years, Brian's absence becomes more tolerable. We went to one of the hills we used to go to, ate his most favourite cheesecake and spent time with friends and family that remembered him and honoured him. It was a pleasant day.

Our now missionary boy. 

 Happy birthday to my Brye. He would have been 41.

Our silly and most loveable dog.

My hubby being silly 

Good Golly Miss Molly we have been busy since then! If you remember we had one daughter get married last summer and this New Year's Eve another daughter got engaged! So wedding plans are in full force once again. 

Just over a week ago we sent our one and only son (not including the new son in law of course) off on his mission! (He's in the top picture). Wow. That was really difficult for us. He is serving in the Cordoba, Argentina mission for 2 years for our church, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. He was so excited to go, but there were some strong emotions as we all said goodbye for now. He is a sweet and gentle yet strong and loyal boy who will learn so much and rely on the Saviour so much; returning a man in 2 years. Missionaries get set apart. For the time they serve, they no longer listen to secular music, or watch TV (including sports) they can only call home twice a year but can receive letters and emails weekly. Now we leave him in the Lord's hands and eagerly "see" the growth and development of his testimony. Phew.

The paths we take decide our journey…