Skype and play dates

Being a parent and grandparent is wonderful - the only regret is that we don't have everyone living closer.  Today we were able to Skype with Nathan, Abby and Elise (Sarah and Chris too!)  What a blessing technology is - I know it isn't the same as being together in person, but we get to see them!

Saturday we picked Miriam up while Simon was napping for a play date.

making cookies with Grandpa

Miriam loves to make cookies - and our course eating dough and a few extra chocolate chips is a must.

YUMM

 Simon and Vanessa arrived at the perfect time - the cookies were just coming out of the oven.

We played with play dough and paints, jumped from the beanbag to the couch and read books-

Simon loves to feed Gus

 Feeding Gus is something Miriam and Simon love to do, but today Simon wanted to watch Gus eat.  He got down on the floor and face to face with Gus as he ate...

Watching Gus eat

Someday we hope to be able to have special play dates with all the grandkids - We love our family

Getting our Italian On

So today we decided to try and make some homemade ravioli.  We brought out the KitchenAid attachment we got years ago but never had used them.  We found a pretty standard pasta recipe and used some semolina flour.  Kneading for 15 minutes tires out the arms!  The roller worked great..

Can't imagine rolling this by hand!

So this is what a ball of dough the size of a baseball looks like when its rolled out

Pretty thin, eh?

Mom made a very tasty filling made with ricotta, parmesan and mascarpone, a few herbs and some salt and pepper.....yummy!!!   We folded the dough over, removed the air and sealed up the ravioli.  We picked up a cutter yesterday and sealed things up nicely...

Getting the air out in important

Finishing up the raviolis

Ravioli with marinara and parmesan, broccoli and fresh, hot artisan bread.  WOW!!

What a plate!

We've been experimenting over the last couple of months with some simple yet very tasty bread recipes.  Mom has perfected the process and the bread is outstanding.

You can practically smell this!

Does this look good or what?

And only 200 calories!!!    Right....

Best part is we have extra made up in the freezer...more dinners to come :)

Fulfillment of Prophecy

This weekend we had our Stake Conference.  I forgot to take paper along to take notes at the Saturday adult session, but so many uplifting things were spoken.  Melanie Tagg was asked to come up and bear her testimony.  I always learn so much from her.  She spoke about how touching it is to her, to read of the accounts and testimonies of the women in the scriptures.  As she was studying this week one scripture jumped out at her, Act 2:17-18.  So often we think of the YM going forth as Elders preaching the gospel as we read this.  But verse 18 really struck home - especially in light of the new age for the YW to serve as missionaries for the LDS church.  Of course as she said this, I paid close attention  - now she is referring to Elizabeth and Rebecca!  Verse 18 says: " And on my servants and on my handmaidens I will pour out in those days of my Spirit, and they shall prophesy:"  These sister missionaries are going forth prophesying of the love our of Savior.  Elizabeth and Rebecca are going forth as part of the fulfillment of Joel's prophesy in the last day.  My heart is so full of joy that they will be able to share the Gospel and to help others know of the love our Savior has for each of us.

A New Year Resolution

One of my new year resolutions is to try and blog more often - which isn't too hard considering I maybe blog once or twice a year!  With the excitement of mission calls for Elizabeth and Rebecca, and the knowledge that great blessings are in store for both of them and the rest of the family as we love and support them, it is time I start recording more of what is happening in our lives.