Hard Times, But Good Times

Sorry I haven't written in awhile, a lot of stuff has come up and I just never got the urge to write anything. But I feel I should now, because my sweet Institute teacher told me that writing feelings out can be therapeutic, and this blog has been the closest thing to therapy I can afford. My beautiful Aunt Sherri has been sicker than ever lately, in the hospital/ICU, continuing to fight against CF. She's had this a long time and has always struggled, but this time, since I'm old enough to understand what's going down, it's harder. There's been times in the past couple days when we thought we'd lose her, but with continued prayers and fasting, things have somewhat improved. I say improved lightly because the situation is still bad, but it was and could be worse, so improved is the word I choose. Her family, including me, has been posting updates and things on other social media sites, and this has definitely brought people closer and also encouraged others to pray for her as well. So we'll see what tomorrow brings, hope it's better news than today.

I think today has been my worst day so far. For the past couple days, I've just been getting by and trying not to think about her, in the hospital, struggling for breath. Crying here and there, but nothing like today. Today everything came tumbling, or crashing (it felt like) down. All the stress from school, roommates, and now this just got to be too much for me to take. I was Institute (the best place to be) when my teacher started quoting scriptures and insights that touched me. I had to leave the room and I was running down the hallway when the president of the Institute caught me and sat me down to talk. I love how talking--or crying in this case--things out can bring new clarity to any situation. I should know this by now, talking is my favorite sport. He then asked if he could call anyone to come and take me home; I was such a wreck. So he called one of my dearest friends P and her husband D, they were so sweet about the whole situation. They had to pack up their new little baby just to come down and pick me up. D gave me a blessing and we just talked more. It's amazing what a comfort good friends are at stressful times, and holding a little baby, definitely calmed me down a bit. I'm so grateful for them in my life!

Upon coming home, I was told my classes were cancelled because of the combination of bad weather and the new school president's inauguration. I took advantage of the situation to re-focus, take a nap, and re-listen to General Conference talks. My day has gotten 100% better and I've felt a new level of peace and understanding for my situation that I hadn't felt before. A talk I found very inspiring is one by President Thomas S. Monson called "I Will Not Fail Thee, Nor Forsake Thee" given in the October 2013 Conference. Even though there are still tears, they are tears of gratitude for all I've learned in the past couple days, and for the amazing example and life Sherri has lived up to this point. No matter what happens I will always love her and everything she has taught me in the areas of patience, kindness, selflessness, and more. I will continue to pray for the best outcome, even if it might not be exactly the thing I want. I'm so grateful for the support of friends, family, and the gospel in my life and I wouldn't be the person I am without any of these things. I love you all, and just remember when you are down, THINGS WILL GET BETTER! I know, because they have for me and this has made all the difference. 

P.S. Keep praying for Sherri please, she needs our prayers and our love! And if you would like to donate money to help with medical expenses, any amount helps, here is the website: 
http://www.gofundme.com/rv6u5d8

THANK YOU!

Sherri w/ her son J at my bro's wedding

Friday Favorite

This week's Friday Favorite is a lesson that I've recently started to learn. (Not saying I am a master or anything, but definitely trying my best).

Lesson #1: Understanding You're Good Enough All By Yourself.
Now, I think that the recognition of this has come to me through going to college with no friends or roommates I already knew. I didn't know anyone and was not involved in any clubs/extracurricular's and this gave me a feeling of being "lost". But, through the help of constant prayer, attending church, and going to church-related activities I have somewhat found myself. At least the person I am on my own. Sure, this is my second year of college, but it has been a totally different experience than the first. I loved my roommate and we were instant "besties", we went everywhere together, did every activity and class together and I wasn't me when I wasn't with her; I least that's what I thought. But after being separated I have come to the realization that who you are isn't defined by your "bestie", your family, or even your significant other. Who you are is a totally different person, a person you have to find in order to be 100% happy with your life and your situation. At first, when not with my friends and not around my family 24/7, it was a constant "woe is me" and "my life is so difficult", but I've come to find that thinking like that only gets me down and makes me more sad than before. So here are some suggestions when you feel you can't possibly be happy in your situation:

1. Pray. Good, long prayer can bring clarity, joy, and most of all peace. It might not be a lot or for very long, but you can experience these things for a moment if you just pray.
2. Listen to uplifting music. A lot of people I talk to say they listen to music that expresses how they are feeling. And I'm not saying that's bad, but when you are not feeling so hot, listening to depressing music is not going to help. Hate to break it to you, but it's just not. Listen to music that makes you feel happy, light, motivated even. Anything to bring you out of this lull. Sometimes that one verse of "Top of the World" by The Carpenters can make all the difference. It has for me.
3. Go on a walk. Good exercise can also bring clarity to a situation, and it also separates you from the gloominess of your empty, dark apartment (or whatever the situation is that's making you sad...). Get some Vitamin D for heaven's sake! No one ever said a little exercise could hurt you, did they?
4. Read inspiring quotes, poems, stories, etc...Sometimes it just takes reading someone else's words to get you moving and thinking in the right and happy direction. I myself love reading LDS Conference talks or scrolling through Pinterest and the many LDS quotes that can be found there. If interested, go to: https://www.lds.org/general-conference?lang=eng 
5. Clean something. I know what you're thinking, but don't stop reading! Now I'm not saying that you have to deep clean everything in sight, but choose something that might need a little upkeep (light dusting, cleaning the windows, re-arranging furniture you've been meaning to, and the like). Sometimes a little change or update is just the ticket we need out of our own Debby-downer thoughts. I always feel better after accomplishing something, anything, so that's why I'm including it.

In the end, these 5 things are purely what I said, suggestions. I'm not promising instant happiness or anything, but they have made me a little happier. I think if they give you an hour of "feel goods" or even 20 minutes, it was worth it. Anything to improve your day is a step in the right direction. And I have found that once I am simply happy, I have found the person I have wanted to become all along. The kind, funny, serving, HAPPY, and even grateful me! I hope that my rambling today has not totally wasted your time, and that you can get something out of it, if not the link to LDS.org. But who am I kidding, even if you got absolutely NOTHING out of this post, I did. I have figured out how to completely put my feelings out there, not caring what others think. So there. Have a wonderful day, and remember to smile, it feels better than frowning.

Friday Favorite

Yet another assignment for my Foods class, here's a wonderful recipe for our family's delicious rolls! These are made at every major holiday and craved in the time between. The original recipe credited to my 2nd Great-Grandma. So, this is your lucky day: you better run and get a pencil to write this down: 

Grandma Hardy's Homemade Rolls
--1 pkg. Yeast, dissolved in 1/4 C. warm water
--1/2 C. butter (1 stick), softened
--3/4 C. Scalded Milk (heated/boiled)
--1/2 C. Sugar
--1 tsp. Salt
--3 Eggs, beaten
--4 C. Flour

1. Scald milk, let cool.
2. Soften butter.
3. In large bowl, combine all into soft dough. Cover. Let rise 1 hour OR until doubled.
4. Roll out & shape/cut out circles. Dip one half in melted butter and fold over. Place on greased tray. Let rise another hour on pan.
5. Bake 15-20 minutes at 375. 
*Place in air-tight container when storing or rolls will easily become hard

Just beautiful!

Friday Favorite

Cream Cheese-Filled Banana Bread

Bread

--1 lg. Egg

--1/2 C. Brown Sugar

--1/4 C. Sugar

--1/4 C. Oil

--1/4 C. Sour Cream

--2 tsp. Vanilla

--1 C. Ripe Bananas, mashed

--1 C. Flour

--1/2 tsp. Baking Powder

--1/2 tsp. Baking Soda

--Pinch Salt

Filling

--1 lg. Egg

--4 oz. Cream Cheese, softened

--1/4 C. Sugar

--3 Tbs. Flour

1. Preheat oven to 350. Spray bread loaf pan & set aside.

2. BREAD--In large bowl, add the egg, sugars, oil, sour cream, vanilla and whisk.

3. Add bananas and stir just until incorporated.

4. Add 1 C. flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt & stir gently. DO NOT OVER MIX.

5. Put 2/3 of the batter into the bread pan, set aside. 

6. CREAM CHEESE FILLING--In large bowl, add all ingredients & beat with mixer. Pour in bread pan over top the batter.

7. Top with remaining 1/3 batter. Bake 48-50 minutes. Allow 15 minutes before removing from pan. 

Friday Favorite

I have decided recently I have no life. That is, no life to speak of; nothing exciting. Just boring old school and who wants to hear about that? So the nearest thing to exciting is when I find a recipe, try it out, and it ends up being the brightest part of my drab day. Don't worry, I'm all too willing to share these recipes I find, I can't help but share what I love! (Today's favorite includes two recipes because I just couldn't decide which one I loved more...)

Asian Salad
Salad Portion:
-- 3 1/2 C. Shredded Cabbage
-- 1 pkg. Ramen Noodles
-- 3 Green Onions, chopped
-- 1/2 C. Frozen Green Peas
-- 1 Tbs. Sesame Seeds
-- 1/4 C. Slivered Almonds (Optional)
Dressing:
-- 1/4 C. Rice Vinegar
-- 1/4 C. Sugar
-- 2 Tbs. Oil
-- 1 Tbs. Sesame Seed Oil
-- Seasoning Packet from Ramen

1. Combine dressing ingredients, cover, shake well. Toss together with salad ingredients. EASIEST SALAD EVER!

Easy Breakfast Casserole 
(love throwing together for Sunday morning breakfast)
-- 1 can Cresent Rolls
-- 1 (8oz.) pkg. Shredded Cheddar Cheese
-- 1/2 C. Milk
-- 1 C. Browned Sausage
-- 1/4 tsp. Garlic Powder
-- 5 Eggs
-- Salt & Pepper to taste

1. Preheat oven to 350 F.
2. Combine all ingredients (except biscuits)
3. Using scissors, cut biscuits into pieces and stir in gently
4. Put in greased 9 X 13 pan and bake for 25-30 minutes.

Friday Favorite

I have recently started a Food Management course and every week there is a new "challenge". Even if I've already done most of these "challenges" multiple times, I realize that some ladies in the class have not. Therefore, I must be patient and just enjoy collecting new recipes. The first few included homemade/from scratch: bread, dip/sauce, chicken noodle soup, roasting vegetables, etc...This weeks was any cookie (but it had to be a recipe we had never made before). Of course, Pinterest was my go-to for this recipe. I really enjoyed making these cookies, I even made them again to pass out to my Visiting-Teaching ladies and my sister down the street. All in all, one of the best cookie recipes I've ever made AND tasted. 

Soft-batch Cream Cheese Chocolate Chip Cookies (SC^5):
--1/2 C. Butter, softened
--1/4 C. Cream Cheese, softened
--3/4 C. Brown Sugar
--1/4 C. Sugar
--1 lg. Egg
--2 tsp. Vanilla
--2-1/4 C. Flour
--2 tsp. Cornstarch
--1 tsp. Baking Soda
--1/4 tsp. Salt
--2 C. Chocolate Chips (I prefer semi-sweet)

1. In a large bowl, combine butter, cream cheese, sugars, egg, vanilla & beat with electric mixer 5-7 minutes or until evenly combined. 
2. Stop, scrape down sides of bowl & add flour, cornstarch, baking soda, salt and mix just to combine. (1-2 mins)
3. Add chocolate chips & fold into batter. 
4. Refrigerate 20-30 minutes for a firmer dough and less spreading in the oven. 
5. Preheat oven to 350 F. and spoon onto greased cookie sheet. Bake 9-11 minutes.
6. Allow 7-10 minutes for cooling. 
YIELDS: 3 dozen cookies. 

Brighton Staff 2014 Christmas Party

This is the night we were all waiting for, the Brighton Christmas party. Okay, so I don't know about the "we" but I definitely couldn't wait! I made so many wonderful friends at camp, and being away from them was like someone taking away part of my oxygen. I didn't fully realize what an impact these girls have had on my life until I got to the party and my spirit was bursting and I couldn't stop hugging everyone. Ah man, I was practically in tears as I left when the party ended, some of them I won't see for a LONG time (missions, school, etc...). I just know though, that when we do get together again, it will just be picking up where we left off. I loved working at Brighton but it wouldn't have been the same without these wonderful women!

Ruby & Abu. Let's just say us three were the running commentary for the White Elephant game

Me & Scout

Buttercup, Boots, Sunny, Fives, Milla, Flip-Flop & China

Bird, Squeaky & Scout

This is Bug's party, no messing with the Bug!

Again, not everyone, but many were able to come

Paisley, Skippy & Me

In fact, this reminds me of a certain LDS Primary song:

"This is the night we've waited for,

always a treat we have in store.

We love each other, more and more,

with every [Brighton] night!"