So I have to apologize for not keeping up with the daily posts. 
10 days into blogging and I got overwhelmed with a little bit of life! 
But this week I will share my spaghetti recipe, 
show my almost completed quilt top, 
post a new picture of Grant, 
share some tidbits about some of my favorite people in my life, 
and continue to link to other blogs that I love.  

                                                                                                                                   Whew.

Grant's favorite way of viewing 
the people around him.

Well . . . a week ago I flagrantly claimed I would show a picture of my quilt top pieced together.
I have not sewn one single stitch.
However, I have coordinated 14 rows of 24 squares.
Considering I am working with approximately 65 different fabrics that's not half bad.
Remember - I had to cut all those squares out!  
Hopefully next week I will have at least half of it sewn together.
Hopefully.
Until then . . .

HAPPY 26th BIRTHDAY TROY!

Twenty-six years ago today I gave birth to this gorgeous kid.

Thank you Troy for being a wonderful son, 

a fantastic younger & older brother, a true friend,
a fabulous uncle to Grant, a terrific teacher,

and a great example of love and kindness.

I have always appreciated that great imagination of yours.

Having you was a great idea!

If you look at my post from last week 
which talked about Park City's long winters 

and why I love spring . . . 

well I moved to the city so that

I could escape the possibility of snow in May. 

The END of May I might add. 

Some how it just didn't quite work out that way . . .

because this is what I saw when I looked out my window this morning.

"Be Strong and of a Good Courage"

 Joshua 1:6

I had the privilege of teaching the sixteen year old young men and women in church today. 

 I love kids at that age. 

Okay - I love kids of all ages - but there is something about the 

new wisdom of a sixteen year old 

that I truly appreciate. 

The best part of teaching was not just spending some time with my favorite age group - 

but also what I learned from the experience as well.

So here is my favorite quote for the week:

"You must learn to walk to the edge of the light, and then a few steps into the darkness; 

then the light will appear and show the way before you." 

~ Harold B. Lee ~

Faith is the key to gaining strength and courage.

 

My Recipe for Carmel Cake

It was my turn for book group this week, so since we were reviewing The Help by Kathryn Stockett, I chose to serve chocolate pie and caramel cake. Well . . . the homemade chocolate pies were a disaster (which is why I will be eternally grateful to Marie Calendars) - but the caramel cake turned out great.
So that is the recipe I chose to share with  all of you today.  

Warning: It is rich and it is addicting.

Caramel Cake

I just used Betty Crocker's Butter Recipe Yellow Cake Mix for my cake. It was actually quite excellent - but if you have a favorite recipe from scratch for vanilla or yellow cake - go for it! This frosting is also delicious with a chocolate fudge cake. If you choose the fudge recipe it is fun to shave some chocolate on top after icing the cake.

~ Here is the secret to a truly spectacular cake ~

Carmel Frosting

1/2 cup butter
1 cup brown sugar

Melt butter in saucepan and add brown sugar. Stir until it comes to a boil and cook for 1 minute. Add 1/3 cup light cream and remove from heat. Add 1 tsp vanilla and enough powdered sugar to make a soft consistency. Beat until smooth with an electric hand mixer. The frosting will thicken as it cools, so it is important to ice the cake quickly. Sprinkle toasted almonds on top if desired. This recipe makes enough for a single cake recipe. You may double recipe if you would like to do a layered cake.

Enjoy!                         

Autumn was always my favorite time of year - until I lived in Park City, Utah. Trust me - I still love autumn and I truly appreciate the glorious mountains and color. However . . .

Autumns are short in the Utah mountains . . . and winters are long.

. . . so I quickly learned to LOVE spring, when the darkness gives way . . .

to the glorious moment when we are surrounded by . . .

                                                                             ~ THIS!

                    Grant is my happiest place on earth!

~ The Disneyland of Parenthood ~  

I always knew that being a grandmother was going to be my true destiny. Don't get me wrong - I have enjoyed being a mother immensely - and certainly you have to be a mother in order to be a grandmother. Yet . . . there is something magical about having a grandchild. I think it may have to do with the wonderfulness of having someone else constantly in charge. 

All around the world there are people obsessed with fabric. I am one of those people. I believe it has to do with a love for color. So that is why I am starting a quilt for my bed that is full of color. This is how the quilt looks now in its early stages. Hopefully next week you will see the quilt top pieced together. Hopefully.

You might as well know right now . . . I LOVE sunsets. I take many pictures of sunsets . The reason why? Because every sunset is unique - and because they make me feel good. I like taking pictures of things that make me feel good.

A big thank you to ~Erin Lee ~ a lady whom I have loved and admired for a very long time . . . and whom has inspired me to start this blog - you are my blog hero!

Also I must thank  ~ Brady ~ who has been my 4th son for over a decade now (and just happens to be Erin's younger brother!) You and Troy were very kind to stay up late helping me come up with a name for my blog.

I love all the fun and happy memories you two have given to my family. Bless you both!

Not my very best picture - but they were delicious!

So the day has dawned that I am suppose to display a scrumptious picture of a plate of waffles dripping with butter and real maple syrup ~ but I have yet to figure out how to place a picture on this nice soft mustard colored page ~ so instead I am just going to share the recipe with you ~ and if I can somehow during the day learn this little trick that everyone else knows ~ you will see my waffles.

Until then ~ enjoy! 

These are crispy, yet tender, and absolutely delicious.

Waffles

1 1/2 cup flour
2 tsp baking powder
pinch of salt
2 Tbsp sugar
1/4 cup melted butter
2 eggs - separated
1/2 cup buttermilk
3/4 cup milk

Mix dry ingredients together well.
Beat egg whites until they form peaks.
Mix milk and egg yolks together and then add melted butter.
Blend flour mixture with milk mixture and then fold in egg whites.

Drop about 1/3 of a cup of batter on hot waffle iron and cook until
brown and crispy. Serve with butter and syrup, or fruit and whipped cream.
Or all of the above. Yum yum yum!

A Little Pinch of Me - Everyday! This is just the beginning!