This song is RAD!

Oh, Grey's Anatomy...I love you.

Okay, not to be a gay-wad, but Grey's Anatomy has facilitated the shedding of tears that my normal self will not allow. Thank you, Grey's Anatomy.

The first time I really became "aware" of Grey's Anatomy was when I worked for Inviscan, shortly after my separation from my ex-husband. The people I worked for watched Grey's Anatomy faithfully. I thought they were loony.

Turns out, I would be loony soon, too.

I finally found a moment to watch the season finale of Grey's Anatomy. Holy Crap, this in an intense one!!! Last year's Season Finale was intense, but this year seems to be even bigger. I watched the season finale last night, and I'm watching it again tonight. It still gets me, and I am grateful to know the moments to skip forward, because it is so freaking intense.

Now, I realize a TV show is NOT REAL. Even reality TV is a bunch of bull. But a TV show that can bring real life emotions to the surface is something special. And I have found that in Grey's Anatomy.

The season finale this year is something else. Seriously. Something else.

Ugh.

How sad is it, that when I watch Grey's Anatomy, I want those lives. I want McDreamy. I want the conversations between best friends. I want bits and pieces of their lives.


How freaking sad is that?

Reflecting

Father's Day is this coming Sunday.

I had a good talk with my dad on the phone last week. My parents live in Phoenix, and I have lived in Utah for 8 years now. I miss living close to home...close to all my nephews and nieces, siblings, and my mom and dad.

My dad will always say how he wasn't a good father when we were young. I know he sincerely feels some regret about working too much and spending too little time with us kids. I understand his perspective. And yet, I see my perspective as one of his kids. :)




I love and adore my dad. When I think of him, I don't have any judgments about the time he spent working vs. the time he spent with us at home. I do remember him being at work a lot, but I also remember spending time with him at work. He is an architect, so I remember using different programs at his work to create things. There was one program where we could create different colored lines and make elaborate designs. I loved doing that. When I was 10 or so, I remember learning how to drive while we waited for him to come out of the office. Most of the time, we were a one car family, so we would pile into our van to pick him up from work. I got some good driving lessons sitting on my mom's lap and steering the van. I really enjoyed that. When I was in high school, in my geography class, we had to design a home using floorplans and making a scaled model. My dad was extremely helpful with this project! He helped us use one of the programs at work to design the home, and it was so amazing that we had a party cutting out and creating the model. Easy, breazy. And our project kicked major a$$! I also remember going on camping trips with my dad and my sister. One time, we were tailgate camping, and I remember being utterly amazed at how smart my dad is when he boiled eggs on a campfire using paper cups. Every time I have hiked the Grand Canyon, my dad has been there...all six times. I also remember being completely heartbroken over a guy and sitting on the couch, my head on my dad's shoulder, as I cried over the broken relationship. He is a man of few words, typically, though he is a professional lecturer when it comes to his children. There is absolutely no doubt in my mind that my dad loves me, and always has.

So, today I have been reflecting on my dad and the role he has played in my life. I am so grateful to have a father figure that has been present from day one, and who cares enough to vocalize his love and concern for me. I know he has a testimony of the Gospel of Jesus Christ, and that is an ever-present reminder for me.

I love my dad. :)

Groupon

Just wanted to let you know about Groupon Deal of the Day. It's a daily coupon that is emailed to you, or it is just available on their website. If you like the offer, you can buy the coupon. Earlier this week, there was a coupon for a month membership at a yoga studio, valued at $120, but only $40 that day. Today, it is $35 value of whatever you choose at Engh Gardens for only $15. Make sense?

Here's a link of how it works: Learn About Groupon


And, if you click on this link and decide to sign up, I get bonus $$ for referrals. You can do it too!!!!

Click here!

Good Effort:

I decided to try to do "Pin-Up" makeup a couple weeks ago. Here's the result:


Not too shabby, I guess. I must say, I love my Mary Kay!

What if

What would I say if I didn't give any thought to the readers of my blog?

I'd talk more about my personal struggles.

I'd openly discuss the things that my family members do that boggle my mind.

I would share humorous stories that the average person would find crass.

I would journal my spiritual growth, both forward and backward growth.

I would share experiences I've had that have taught me a lot, where most people would just read the story and place judgment on me rather than reading on to see what I learned and compare it to what they've learned.

I would post more fears, dreams, hopes, uncertainties, goals, and efforts.

The sugar-coating would be removed, and my bare heart would be left.

I don't think I could take that kind of vulnerability. So the sugar-coating will be used.

Sorry.

Need a Fresh Outlook?

Take a shower.

That's what works for me when I'm lagging behind in the day.

"Everyone who has ever taken a shower has had an idea. It's the person who gets out of the shower, dries off, and does something about it that makes a difference."

- Nolan Bushnell

And for some inspiring reading, here's a Warrior of the Light article written by one of my favorite authors, Paulo Coelho. :)

Bullet-point

When I put together a post on my blog, I typically have something specific to post. Tonight, I have far too many thoughts swimming around in my head, so I'll go ahead with a bullet-point of these thoughts.

1. I really love the music on Grey's Anatomy. I picked a couple of artists from the last episode and made a new Pandora station that is FABULOUS. And SUPER AWESOME. The main artist is The Xx.
2. I finally got a library card! I've lived in Utah for almost 8 years, and I have been without a library card the whole time. How sad is that?! So, I have the giddy "free-shopping" feeling of going to the library, browsing through books, CDs, and movies. I love it.
3. For Christmas, Patrick made me a Christmas Tree. It was a really busy holiday season, and money was tight, so I broke down in tears one day over not having a tree. I came home from work to a work of art on our wall. It was made of cut out wrapping paper with a string of lights pinned up and ornaments hanging off of the string of lights. Our star tree-topper was at the top. The rest of our Christmas decorations were all out on display as well. What a thoughtful gesture that was. I have a sweet husband.
4. I have an amazing job offer. I interview next week, and will hopefully find out shortly thereafter that I definitely have it. I'd say the job is 90% mine...the benefit of knowing the future boss. I am so very excited!
5. Patrick and I visited my family in January. The weather was amazing, and it was a really good time. Probably one of the best visits in the last few years!
6. My parents, sis, and sis's boyfriend came to visit earlier this month. That was also a nice visit. We girls went with Patrick's mom to Time Out For Women. It was an amazing two days. The first night, Jenny Oaks Baker played several songs on her violin. I cried when she played the Suite from Far and Away. Wow, it was amazing. It made me want to pick up my violin and start playing again. I miss my violin.
7. I got a calling in December to be the Relief Society Music Director. I've thoroughly enjoyed selecting hymns that go with the topic being taught in Relief Society each week. It's so amazing how music can really bring the spirit into a room!
8. Last week I got another calling to be a Visiting Teaching District Leader. I'm hoping it helps hold me accountable to do my own visiting teaching. :)
9. Patrick got a promotion at his job. Better pay, better hours, and a more enjoyable position. We're both excited about all of the betters.
10. I am chomping on the bit to start a family. Patrick is thrilled, too. We just need to get a few ducks in a row, and it'll be baby-time. I'm less scared/excited and more anxious/excited, which I think is a good thing.
11. I think I am a pretty nice person. Not a pushover-nice, but genuine-nice. I've had a couple experiences in the last couple months where I have been told otherwise. Both occasions were from people who are unhappy with themselves, and I truly believe that I was not being a rude, insensitive jerk. The lesson learned: I am capable of being happy and kind regardless of how I am treated. It's a choice. MY choice. And I will always choose happiness and kindness first. It'll be perceived however it's perceived...

Okay, my brain is now empty and Patrick just got home from work. Snuggle time. :)

Dinner Rolls to Die For

The story behind this recipe is quite funny. My mom worked in a bakery as a teenager/young adult and regularly baked at home. She would make and decorate wedding cakes, birthday cakes, other cake orders, bread to sell, muffins to sell, various goodies to give away, and bread and treats for us at home. She became well known for her dinner rolls, and after several years, recognized a pattern. Every time there was a funeral, she would get called to make her amazing dinner rolls to serve to the family after the funeral services. It was only natural that the boring name "dinner rolls" developed into the well earned "Dinner Rolls to Die For."

Dinner Rolls to Die For

6 to 6 1/2 c. flour
1/2 c. sugar
2 tsp. salt
2 pkg. yeast
1/2 c. butter
1 egg
2 c. warm water (12o˚ to 130˚)
Salad oil

In large bowl, combine 2 1/4 cups flour, sugar, salt, and yeast; add butter. With mixer at low speed, gradually pour water into dry ingredients. Add egg; increase speed to medium and beat 2 minutes. Beat in 3/4 cup flour or enough to make a thick batter; continue beating 2 minutes. With spoon, stir in enough additional flour (about 2 1/2 cups) to make a soft dough. Turn dough onto a lightly floured surface an knead until smooth and elastic, about 10 minutes. (I think my mom still uses her mixer for this part, if my memory is correct.)

Shape dough into ball and place in greased large bowl, turning over so that top of dough is greased. Cover with towel; let rise in warm place until doubled, about 1 1/2 hours. Grease 15 1/2 x 10 1/2 inch open roasting pan or cookie sheet with shallow edges (not flat!). Cut dough into 30 equal pieces; shape into balls and place in pan. Cover with towel; let rise in warm place until doubled, about 1 to 1/2 hours.

Preheat oven to 425˚. Bake 15 to 20 minutes, until golden brown. Brush rolls with melted butter. Remove from pan and serve immediately. Makes 2 1/2 dozen rolls.


These rolls are so amazing, it's ridiculous.

By the way, when my mom worked at the bakery, her boss taught her how to shape the dough into perfect rolls.

• Place the little ball of dough on a lightly floured surface. Cup your hand as if you were to cup a small breast with your hand. (Yep - that's what he said!), now gently roll the ball of dough in a circular motion (breast reference continued) until it reaches the desired shape. :) All I can say is that it really is easier to shape the balls of dough into perfect rolls when you remember this very interesting trick of the trade!
  

Paradise Pumpkin Pie

I'm finally getting to posting this recipe. It's one of my family-favorites that my mom bakes several of for Thanksgiving.

Paradise Pumpkin Pie

1 8-oz. pkg. cream cheese, softened
1/4 c. sugar
1/2 tsp. vanilla
1 egg
1 9-inch unbaked pastry shell
*****
1 1/4 c. canned pumpkin
1 c. evaporated milk
1/2 c. sugar
2 eggs, slightly beaten
1 tsp. cinnamon
1/4 tsp. ginger
1/4 tsp. nutmeg (I like to add a little more!)
Dash of salt
*****

Combine softened cream cheese, sugar and vanilla, mixing until well blended. Blend in egg. Spread onto bottom of pastry shell.

Combine remaining ingredients; mix well. Carefully pour over cream cheese mixture. Bake at 350˚, 1 hour and 5 minutes. Cool. Brush with maple syrup and garnish with pecan halves, if desired.