Happy Birthday Thomas Ball!

I can't believe that you are 25 today! Time flies when you're having fun...or maybe it should be time flies when you're no longer young. I can't believe how old you are, and the fact that I am older and always will be.

And so today, I say I am so thankful you were born. Though we fight and don't always see eye to eye (okay, rarely do we ever agree on anything), there is love there. If you ever question that just think of the pic of us at your missionary setting apart. Enough said.

Earth-Shake...Leg-Quake

So today there was an earthquake. I felt it. But I must admit that as I felt a little movement, I had no idea that it was an earthquake. If I am going to be totally honest, I thought it was my out-of-shape thighs trembling a bit as I worked out in the yard...

But it has got me to thinking. For so long I have been telling everyone to get their food storage in order because the 'signs of the times' are happening every day. And so I say it again to all you out there in bloggerworld. Like it has been said so well, 'if you are prepared, there's no need to fear.' There is no better time to prepare than this day.

There is so much going on in this world of ours. There are natural disasters occurring everywhere. Earthquakes, tsunamis. War is found in countless countries. Evil is abundant. You turn on the news, and it is full of sorrow and tragedy and horrific things. It is my firm belief that God is having a really hard time watching what it going on in the world today. And I don't know how much longer He can take it. When we can barely stand to see it, you can only imagine how it must make the Father and the Creator of us all, feel. I don't know what your religious or personal convictions are, but I believe in Jesus. And I believe that in a day not too far distant He is coming back.

And so I am living life as fully as ever. Each day I fill it with that and those I love. I'm trying to be better...a better person, a better friend, a better Christian. Who really knows what tomorrow holds for each of us, for the world. So I will live, laugh, love, just for today; and then get up and do it again with each day I am given. Life is short- "Come what may and love it!"~Joseph B Wirthlin

Someones In the Kichen With Shannon...

So I'm not quite sure what has come over me lately...domestication at it's finest, I guess you could say. It all began when Trisha Yearwood's cookbook came out last week. I received the first installment for Christmas two years ago. To say that I LOVED it would be a total understatement. It became my kitchen-bible. Unless it came outta that bad boy, I didn't make it. You know how some cookbooks only have a handful of good recipes out of the entire thing? Well in "Georgia Cooking In An Oklahoma Kitchen (the first one) the majority were fabulous. And now Ive begun cooking and baking from "Home Cooking With Trisha Yearwood" (part 2). Delightful...

The other night I made a spice cake with lemon sauce. Wow. Now I am not a spice cake fan at all, but this was good. And it made me feel so freakin domestic, I didn't know what to do with myself. There I was making a cake from scratch (for the longest time, I didn't know that was even possible. I thought all cakes came from a box that had Betty Crocker's autograph on it). Then, I went on to hand squeeze lemon juice for the sauce and before you knew it I was zesting the lemon! I know, impressive.

So look out Julie and Julia, here come Shannon and Trisha!...Yeah, that's right. You just wait. Next year I will be going home with the Oscar for Best Leading Role in a kitchen. And who knows, I might also be nominated for a CMA award for Best Duet (you should hear the amazing sounds that come as I sing along to my iPod while creating these culinary masterpieces).

If you ever need a great recipe for black bean lasagna, or a stellar chocolate chip cookie, or possible an awesome almond bread...call me, I've got it. Or, you could just drive yourself to the nearest Barnes and Noble and get yourself a copy. I promise, you wont regret it. (One little side note--if you do the Barnes and Noble thing, check online first. It's usually cheaper there. I got mine shipped to my door for less than it would've been to drive there and pick it up myself. Just an FYI...)

Farewell Dixie...

So here it is, another sad day in TV Land...a part of the land I love...

Dixie Carter passed away. This saddened me greatly. The Golden Girls will always be number one in my heart, but right next to them are Mary Tyler Moore and Designing Women. And now, there is one less designing woman in the world.

I realize that I am sad and pathetic in certain, and according to some, many, aspects. This just might be one of them. I mean, as I was sitting in Church today I got a text message from my brother offering his condolences to me with the passing of Ms. Dixie. I know, sad and pathetic I am.






So I say to you Dixie Carter/Julia Sugarbaker...
thank you for the wonderful memories.




I have come to the conclusion that I better get some new favorite television shows, and quick...first the Golden Girls start dying, now the Designing Women. Stop the insanity! I don't know how much more I can take! But the one thing that comforts me, is they will live on forever in my extensive dvd collection...

Springing Into Spring In My Toms

So today finally felt like Spring. The sun was shining. The weather was warm. There was no snow (as there was through ALL of Spring Break)! It was beautiful. It was Toms weather. Now I must say that I can, and do, wear my Toms shoes in all sorts of weather. But lets be honest, they are not much fun when they get wet. They are more enjoyable to sport in warm-weather.

My whole family has them. Ted bought us all a pair for Christmas, and after that I was hooked. My favorite pair is my peace sign pair. Here is our last all together family photo in our Toms (yes, Elder Harton is in his missionary shoes as this was taken right before the infamous drop-off at the MTC.) (*And Paige, this is the pic he said to post for your enjoyment, and the other one I told you about is on the post about the MTC...*)

Toms are wonderful, and I love them. And they do some good in the world...it's what they call a "1 for 1 Program." For every pair you purchase, a pair will be sent to a child in need. That is awesome, and you know it!

Go check em out, and buy yourself a pair. It will make you feel all Spring-like, and it might even put an extra little spring in your step, knowing you've helped a needy child...

Tomsshoes.com

Large And In Charge

Today was a good day. Then I made a grave mistake for one having a good day...I got on the scale to weigh myself. Oh, bad idea! Very bad idea. Worst idea I've had in a long time.

So I hop up on there not expecting in a million years that the numbers could go that high while I was standing atop the scale. I checked to see if someone had snuck on with me. Nope, just me.

Now I knew I had gained weight. I have eyes. I also have sense. I knew that when I had to lay down on the bed and bust out the vice-grips to assist me in getting my pants on, that yeah, I weigh a little more than I used to. But I must say that I believe it happened overnight. This is the story that I am clinging to. That I woke up one morning and BAM! I'm fat.

And now, looking back, I should have taken the hint from the lid of my Sobe the other day (yes it is one purchased at the Fresh Market where I got locked out of Ethel.). But I must say that I don't think that this is what should be written upon a 'Lean' Sobe lid, because last time I checked, the word lean would insinuate that it was a healthy choice. Here is a picture...


So I guess everyone else saw it coming, me being large-and-in-charge. Even my stupid 'healthy' drink...

So what to do... Weight Watchers? No, I'm not that great at math and would get frustrated adding up and calculating all of those points. Atkins? No, I'm not a huge fan of meat. Liposuction? No, it is too expensive and at my current size I couldn't afford the massive swelling that comes along with having a Hoover shoved in your belly and thighs. Maybe diet and exercise. Man, that sounds like it is going to be a lot of self-control and hard work. It makes me tired just thinking about it...

(Notice, I even enlarged the font to go along with the BIG theme. Maybe bigger is better?...)

Happy Anniversary GMa and GPa

63 years together...That is a long time.
And I think of, and am thankful for what has come about,
all because two people fell in love...

In 63 years, they have seen a lot.
The joys of being parents
The sorrow of loss
The struggles of raising a family
Weddings of their children
The excitement of becoming grandparents
Then many years later, great-grandparents
The enjoyment of retirement
The challenges of aging
And now, the joy and appreciation for each new day

And today I think it is safe to say that they love each other more than ever before.
Each day that love grows stronger for one another
As does the family
It is a bond and a circle that will keep on increasing

How thankful I am that our 'circle', our family, is forever.
Eternal.

I love you guys more than words could ever say
So here is to 63 more years, that will be better than ever!

Kris Belcher

So tonight we went to Girls Night Out at Deseret Book. We met an incredible lady named Kris Belcher. She wrote a book called Hard Times And Holy Places. I HIGHLY recommend you read it. It is inspiring, humbling, and faith building. She has lost the sight in both eyes due to cancer. She speaks of how when she lost her ability to see, she yearned for light. In the difficult journey she sought the source of all light. The Savior. She turned to Him and with His help, created a holy place during the most difficult time of her life.

I've been thinking a lot about light lately. I wrote down some thoughts, and texted them to some friends. Funny, today I received back that very text as a forward from someone...

But my thoughts were these: There is no such thing as darkness, for darkness is nothing more than an absence of light. Think about that. We hear of 'Outer Darkness' in relation to Hell...it is what it is, because Jesus the source of all light and life is not there nor will He ever be. There are times that our countenance becomes dim or even dark. Due to our poor choices, we lose the companionship of the Spirit, the light dims. During difficult times in our lives, we may feel that darkness surrounds us. Well the Light, is also understanding. And that darkness we feel during times of adversity is because of us not being able to see or understand at the moment what the purpose of the affliction may be.

*Check out D&C 88 especially verses 6-13*

It is my hope that your life will be full of light and The Light. This world is a depressing place with so much evil and sorrow. Let's try to live the words of the song...'This little light of mine, I'm gonna let it shine' so that we can lift those around us, and spread hope. Kris Belcher is an example of this. Her light shines brightly. She is full of light and hope and she shares it will all she meets. I'm going to try my best to be a little more, no make that a lot more, like her...

Lovely Lunch Date

All I can say is, GREAT day, even GREATER food, the GREATEST company...

Chance you go to Paradise Bakery and Cafe, may I recommend the BBQ Chicken Salad, with a Coke and a Lemon Zester Cookie...Delightful!