BERENISMS

For scripture study in the morning, Beren and I read about Lehi's vision of the tree of life. Beren was so enthralled he wanted to continue learning about it that night at family home evening. Fortunately, I had a folder of cut-outs representing each symbol in the dream. As I laid them on the table, I asked Beren what each one was:
“What is this?”
The iron rod.”
“And this?”
“The river of yucky water.”
“How about this one?” (the great and spacious building)
“Oh! I know that one! That's the “Tower of Mock!”

Beren was at the table writing names of friends on birthday invitations:
“Mama, can you guess who I will choose to do first?”
“Sophie.”
“Yeah! How did you know?”
(a few moments later)
“Who am I gonna do now?”
“Hmmmm . . . Aiden?”
(looking at me with perplexed awe) “It's like there's a little one of you inside my head!”

This morning:
B: “I can't believe we had “Writer's Workshop” yesterday.
M: “Really? On a Monday? It's usually on Wednesday isn't it?
B: “Yeah.”
M: “What did you write about?”
B: “I don't remember.”
M: “You don't remember? It was only yesterday!”
B: (with great patience) “Mama, you know what happens when I go to sleep. It's like my chalkboard gets erased.”

Oh, and You Asked For It

I give you.... noisy chicken!!!!

To commemorate my utter failure at posting to this blog...

Tea Party Cast List

(clockwise from left)
Jamie Bowlsby as "Charlotte Philomena"
Holly Blanchard as "Katherine Henrietta"
Kathy Raymond as "Savannah Abigale"
Elana Nordstrom as "Constance Sophronia"
Becki Brallier as "Mildred Sarah"
Heather Mowrer as "Edwina Winnifred"

A Dream Not Deferred

I have finally fufilled my dream of hosting a Victorian tea party. It took 33 years, but hey, better late than never. For my birthday this year I gathered some dear friends and took the plunge. Special thanks to my mother-in-law, Mary, who was our server (maid) and also the person who made my costume and gifted me with the tea paraphernalia over the years once she found out I wanted to do this. My guests created their own hats at the party (it was glue-gun madness!) and drew Victorian names out of a hat to use during the party. I don't think there was a favorite "tea," but the cheezy-bacon pinwheels definitely took the cake for most beloved savory. The ladies actually called it back out of retirement in the kitchen after we'd moved on to another course! I'll post the recipe for any interested parties. To sum up, it was a ton of work (did I mention redecorating my living room to provide ambiance?)but is was fun. I hope it made a nice memory for everyone who came and it's one more item I can cross off my list of things I want to do before I die.

Cheezy Bacon Pinwheels

1 8oz pkg. cream cheese (softened)
1/8 tsp black pepper
1/2 C cooked, finely chopped bacon (we used real bacon bits)
2 TBS finely chopped onion (green onions good for color)
1/4 C cheddar cheese
1 can Pillsbury refrigerated crescent rolls

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Combine all ingredients except rolls in a medium-sized bowl. Separate crescent rolls into two rectangles. Spread cream cheese mixture on each rectangle and roll it up like a cinnamon roll, starting at the longest side, and then seal the edge. Cut each roll into 16 slices. Place the slices, cut side down, on a cookie sheet. Bake for 15 minutes or until golden brown. Serve warm. Yield: 32 pinwheels