Grandpa Did It!

Question: What do kids do when they don't have a sibling to blame things on?
Answer: Blame it on Grandpa
Tate was playing outside, the next thing I know he came running in to say, "Grandpa Stradling did it!" I said "okay" not having a clue as to what he was talking about. He went back outside and about 2 minutes later came in comletely solemn. He confessed,"I did it!" He took me outside and showed me the sprinkler line that he had pulled up.

Yummy Doughnuts!

Do you miss KRISPY KREME DOUGHNUTS as much as I do?

I found a krispy kreme copycat recipe that tastes pretty similar to the real thing! I made them on Friday and they are really good! Click HERE for the recipe.

Family Pics

We had our FAMILY PICTURES taken this morning! My sister-in-law Carrie recently started a photography company, and she took these awesome pictures!
Thanks Carrie! I LOVE them.

My FAVORITE Things

I decided to start something new and write about 3 things I love on Fridays! So, here goes:

Burts Bees

Cardio Pilates

FJ Cruisers

Colby II

Today was the most amazing day! Thanks to Tate and his ability to wander off, we recently purchased a new puppy (backpack/leash/harness)! At first Tate would have nothing to do with it, he screamed everytime I would try it on him. So, today I told him that if he wanted to go to Mother Goose Storytime at the AJ Library (A Thursday Ritual), he would need to wear his backpack. He finally agreed! The storytime theme today happened to be puppy's. We read puppy books, and played with puppy puppets! It was so perfect! Everyone complimented Tate on his puppy backpack, and now he likes it. He's even come up with a name for his puppy on his own-COLBY II (After Uncle Lynn's dog Colby). I am so excited! It was so awesome to have Tate right by me the whole time, not running out and half way across the library! I think these backpack harnesses are genious!

Homemade Bread

Some friends have been asking for my whole wheat bread recipe, I use the recipe from SHAR'S, so here it is:

SHAR’S BASIC WHOLE WHEAT BREAD
PERFECT EVERY TIME MADE FROM 100% FRESH GROUND WHOLE WHEAT

Ingredients

6 CUPS WARM WATER, APPROX. 115 DEGREES
2 TBS. SEA SALT
2/3 CUP CANOLA OIL
2/3 CUP HONEY
3 TBS. DOUGH ENHANCER
2 CUPS HIGH GLUTEN BREAD FLOUR OR 1/3 CUP VITAL WHEAT GLUTEN
3 TBS. SAF INSTANT YEAST
6 TO 8 CUPS OF FRESH GROUND FLOUR (TO BEGIN WITH) (10 TO 11 CUPS OF UN-GROUND GRAIN WILL MAKE ENOUGH FLOUR FOR THIS RECIPE)

Directions

Use the momentary switch (m) to mix well. Turn the machine to speed 1 and continue to add wheat flour only until the dough begins to pull away from the sides of the bowl. When you can see the sides pull clean as well as the dough coming clean from the bottom of the bowl you know you have enough flour. (do not add too much flour) the dough should be very sticky and does not come together at this point, but the bowl is clean.
Knead on speed 1 for 8-10 minutes or until the gluten has been developed. If you feel your dough is too dry, simply add a few tablespoons of water to moisten. (always pulling the sides clean) if dough starts sticking simply add a little white flour to take up the moisture. (remember your bosch has 700 watts of power and a reset button.)
Oil your hands, remove dough from mixer onto a slightly oiled counter, divide your dough with a dough divider into 4-5 large loaves depending on your pan size. (we like the 8 ½ by 4 ½” pan, and we usually get 5. However, because we never measure our flour exactly, sometimes we get 4, it will depend on the weather and the climate outside.
Shape loaves, and place in a well greased or sprayed (pam) pan, never use oil. Cover with a dry towel and let rise until dough has risen double or approx. 2 inches above the rim of the pan. This will take from 30 to 60 minutes depending on the room temperature.
Bake in preheated oven at 350 degrees for 30-35 minutes, or until the inside temp. Is 200 degrees. An instant read thermometer is very useful in telling whether your bread is done. Tests after baking time is complete by taking bread out of its pan and pushing the thermometer into side or bottom of loaf. If not 200 degrees, place back in pan and bake another few minutes.
Cool on cooking racks before putting into bread bags. The bread can be frozen up to 30 days without freezer burn.

• SHAR'S also offers free cooking classes. I went to the whole wheat bread class and it was very helpful, so I recommend that.
  


• I really like Shar's Wheat Grinders and Bosch Bread Mixers they work great, however I buy my bread ingredients from FOOD SOURCE INTERNATIONAL. That's where Shar buys her supplies and then marks them up in price!


• It's really important to use only the "Hard White Wheat" from Montana Milling that they sell at FOOD SOURCE INTERNATIONAL, not the "Hard Red Wheat" from the Cannery.

Ward Conference, Nursery Stories, Brandon's B-Day, and Way Up High

Yesterday was a GOOD DAY! Because it was Ward Conference, I didn't have to teach a lesson! Actually, I really do like teaching, my beehives are the best girls ever, I seriously love them! But, it's nice to have a break (from teaching that is) every once and a while.

So, Tate's nursery teachers told me that he has a baby brother and a kitty cat! One of the kids in Tate's class was talking about her baby sister, Tate then told EVERYONE, "I have a baby brother". Then they were reading a cat book and Tate announced, "I have a kitty cat"! He's starting to talk a lot better and enjoys making things up. I think it's hilarious!

Last night we went to the Stradling's house for Brandon's Birthday. Tate's been wanting to go every day for the past week. It was really fun and the food was delicious (As Always)! Grandma and Grandpa Bloomfield were visiting from New Mexico, so that was nice getting to see them also.

Tate enjoyed playing with everyone!

He especially liked it when Grandpa Stradling throwed him

"way up high!"

Everyone was there even Andrea, so it was a really fun time!

Run Run as FAST as You Can!

Well, I've finally succumbed to buying a leash for Tate. Let's face it-He's faster than me!

We went to the TEMPLE GROUNDS and he escaped, and actually went in to the baptistry!
I had to go get him!


I thought I was going to die of EMBARRASSMENT!



I've always thought of "leashes for children" as being inhumane and something I would NEVER use! Well, I guess I've changed my mind because I'm going to Walmart today to get one!

Balloon Fun

This movie of Bryan & Tate is really funny, we were laughing for a long time!

Be Mine!

Happy Valentine's Day to my family and friends! This is a little something I made for Bryan. I'm not the most creative person, but I think it's fun trying. For all you crafty people out there, check out this really cool Valentine's Guide website! They have a ton of CUTE and EASY ideas!

Bubble Time

Bubbles Bubbles Everywhere! What kid doesn't like bubbles, especially with a super cool bubble gun? Click HERE for a make-your-own BUBBLES RECIPE.

Time to Plant!

Yesterday while we were playing outside, Tate looked up at me and said,

"Grandma Stradling MADE this grass!"

(She helped to lay the sod down)

For all of you gardeners and want-to-be-gardeners out there,

It's OFFICIALLY TIME TO PLANT! I can't tell you how awesome it is to grow your own food. This last season was my first time ever, and amazingly it worked. So, if you think you aren't capable-you are! Seriously, if I can do it, anyone can!

• For help in gardening from John Chapman (Certified master gardener in the Southwest) click HERE.


• For more help in knowing what to plant and when from the University of Arizona, click HERE.


• I consider my Grandpa Manning to be the best gardener around, and I've gotten some papers from him that he has saved throughout the years on gardening. Click HERE to see the papers. Soil Preparation is the KEY to gardening, click HERE for good AZ soil prep info.

Good luck to all of you, and to me!

Toddler Valentine Tunes

I came across some cute little songs to sing with toddlers for Valentine's Day! Tate absolutely loves Music and "Mommy Time" so I'm gunna give it a try.

Click HERE for the songs!

Pride and Prejudice

I've been asking Bryan since we first met what his favorite movie is, and he's never known. We stayed up till midnight last night watching Pride and Prejudice, and Bryan now has a favorite movie! I really liked it a lot too!

Jam, Roses, and Fun Fun Fun!

Yesterday I made raspberry jam with my dear friend Dayna. We made it from frozen raspberries! When you live in Arizona it's hard to find fresh ones. Anyways, I think that it is delicious-I had it on my toast this morning!



When I arrived home, after making jam, Bryan was there with some gorgeous red roses for me! Isn't he sweet? He had secretly arranged to have his parents watch Tate for the afternoon and evening. That was very kind of them to do that for us-and very much appreciated. It's nice to have a break every now and again!

We went to eat at PF Changs, rented a movie, sat in the spa, and went to bed early!!! It was so relaxing and fun!

This morning we slept in, got Tate, and then went to eat lunch with Grandma and Grandpa Manning (In & Out Burger). We had a great time visiting! Tate enjoyed playing with the turtles-like always.

Grandpa Manning & Tate had lots of fun playing with his magnets.

Tate was a little scared but he thought it was neat!

Cool Songs

My brothers James and Thomas are both really musical! They wrote a song called LITTLE GIRL before James left on his mission.

Thomas has now started a band called Favored Nation, and he's written a lot more songs. My cousin Stephen Moyer and a few of their friends are in it. Thomas is the lead singer.

Anyways, they've recorded a few songs; WONDERFUL WORLD OF HAROLD -about my Grandpa Harold (Jack) Thomas, and LET ME GO are a few of my favorites. I only wish I had that much musical talent. They're pretty good!

• Click on the name of the song to hear it.

The Best Whole-Wheat Blender Pancakes

Ingredients:

• 1 Cup Whole Wheat Kernels (hard white wheat are the best)
  
• 1 Cup Milk
• 2 Eggs
• 1/2 Cup Oil
• 2 tsp. Baking Powder
• 1 tsp. Baking Soda
• 1/4 tsp. Salt
• 1 Tbsp. Honey

Instructions:

Blend wheat kernels and milk for 4 minutes on high speed, then add remaining ingredients and mix until combined. Pour onto a greased hot griddle for pancakes and cook on both sides. I like to put cool whip on top of mine!

Good Food!

I am way into FOOD STORAGE and being prepared in time of crisis. This picture is a link from lds.org about Emergency Preparedness. They have a whole lot of very useful information.

Also, I really like the canneries wet pack items. You actually go down to the cannery and prepare and can the food, and then you can buy it at an awesome price. It's really fun being able to have a part in making it. I have done it several times, and I totally recommend it!

My favorite is the beef chunks and chicken. I literally use them all the time in whatever I'm making; Enchiladas, Taco Salad, Chicken & Dumplings- You name it! I also really like the ground beef for Tacos and Spaghetti. I've also done spaghetti sauce, salsa, and catsup-all really good.

• If you're in the Mesa Arizona area the number to call for reservations is: 480-967-8551. Reservations open starting at 8:00 AM on the first business day of the prior month.

Another one of my favorite places for year-supply items is

Food Source International. I buy my wheat, flour, yeast, baking powder, baking soda, and any other baking items through them.

Food Source International is a warehouse in Tempe where many of the baking stores in the area buy there supplies. Everything is quality and way cheap.

I love it!

Cute Cousins

Aren't these kids TOO CUTE? Tate loves his Manning cousins-Lily, Emma, Peter, Rebecca, and Anson! We have a pretty cool thing going, where we get together every week for "Grandma Day". It's seriously Tate's favorite thing ever. We like to take turns being in charge of the activity so that it stays fun for everyone.

This is everyone except Rebecca and Anson. Sorry, It's not the best quality.

Elder Manning's Pics and Blog

James Manning (Chile Santiago North Mission)

As most of you already know, my brother James is serving in the Chile Santiago North Mission. He assigned me the great privilege of maintaining his blog while he is gone. I post his emails and any pictures that he happens to send home. It's actually been really fun, as I've been able to read all of his letters and really feel a part of his mission.

You can visit his blog at jamesthemanning.blogspot.com.

Click on the picture above to view his mission photo album.

6 Years!

I can hardly believe it's been that long! Our anniversary is Saturday. We want to do something here in town, but we don't know exactly what-something really fun and reasonably priced. Anyone have any ideas?

Saturday Night

Bryan's long lost friends Tad and Bill came over for dinner and games. Bill's wife Mariet and his son Isaiah came too. It was fun for me getting to know them and especially fun for Bryan catching up with them. Tad's wife and 2 daughters live in Washington, he is down here for work.
This is Tate and Bill's son Isaiah. They had fun playing together!

Who Nose?

Whose Nose is Whose Quiz

So, we have been having a problem with Tate picking his nose lately. Trying to get him to stop-I told him that if he continues he will have a GRANDPA NOSE! His eyes got really big and he just kept saying, "Grandpa Nose" over and over again.

About two days later we went to the store. As I was buying the groceries, Tate screamed out at the top of his lungs, "I want a Grandpa nose"! I was completely embarrased as the check-out lady just stared in awe.

A few days past, and I had recovered from the embarrasement. Tate was looking at me for a while, just thinking. Then he burst out, "Mommy has a Grandpa Larry Nose"! It was soooo funny.

Go on, take a shot at it-Whose nose is whose?

In a Nutshell

Things I have learned from building a swimming pool:

1. It is a HUGE ordeal
2. It is a very long process, with lots of details involved
3. It is so worth it!
4. SUNKISS POOLS Rocks!