Entry Refreshed

Remember when I posted an in progress picture of the board and batten we were working on in the entry? Oh yeah that was back in January. I helped my sister do her entry as well, the whole idea started with her. Here are a couple of pictures when we first moved in almost 4 years ago. 

Pretty boring

The stairs are the only interest in the space

Ready to be painted, the tape is the green. 

Painted and deciding if we should paint the doors or not. 

Still needs some interest so the idea to pant the bench comes in. 

All painted, including the doors

I moved some things around and made the pattern on either side of the picture. The idea came from here. And as I was taking a couple pictures today I realized the pattern from the mirror is repeated with that little toilet paper art. I should have seen that before, ha!

Complete with hooks and painted bench. I love how the bench turned out. 

I really do love the way the whole project turned out, it is amazing the difference it makes. It is funny how after we painted the Smart One said that he always thought the walls were white but obviously not with the "Dove White" next to it. The inspiration and ideas to build the project came from this entry and this dining room. It is always nice to get a project finished!

Ginger Pork Tenderloin

I love trying new recipes, my husband never knows what to expect. I have told my family about my recipe trying and my sister suggested I start a food blog with my tried and true recipes. I thought about it and then realized it would be one more blog I neglect and post on erratically. So I'll just post them here, I love food and see a lot of good in that. I have a quote on my kitchen wall,
"People who love to eat are always the best people." - Julia Child.
Anyway, back to the recipes. I've tried some great ones that we have had numerous times and this is one of them.

Ginger Pork Tenderloin

2 to 2 1/2 lbs. pork tenderloin (cut into slices if not already sliced)
1/2 cup Wildtree Asian Ginger Plum Dressing and Marinade
1/2 tsp. red pepper flakes
1/2 tsp. garlic powder
1 tsp. lemon pepper
2 tbsp. soy sauce
2 tbsp. brown sugar
1/4 tsp. cinnamon
1/2 tsp. ginger
Optional: 1/4 to 1/2 tsp. cayenne pepper

 Mix marinade ingredients together and add meat. This can be marinated for several hours and grill. Or  frozen and used at a later date, just thaw and grill. I love freezer meals! Couple of notes, I got the recipe when I bought a bottle of the marinade mix from Wildtree, it is fantastic. But if you don't want to go that route I did find a Newman's Own dressing - Sesame Ginger Dressing that also works, I bought it at Walmart. The dressing does have soy sauce in it so I actually just add two tablespoons to the dressing amount and don't add more soy sauce. I have made this with a pork tenderloin roast and cut the slices myself. The pictures show a pork sirloin chop which was good as well. My kids even like this. :)

Silent Night, Holy Night - Dec. 24

Just as I have mentioned a lot about food I have also mentioned traditions a fair amount. My very favorite is the Christmas Eve program my extended family has done since I can remember. We have a little talent show where everyone takes turns performing Christmas songs. My grandparents would tell stories about Christmases in their lives and include their testimonies of Jesus Christ. We do act out the nativity as my mom reads the account from Luke 2. After the nativity we sing Silent Night and then kneel in family prayer. As I have gotten older I look forward to singing Silent Night most of all. The spirit and reason we celebrate Christmas is so wonderful during those few musical moments, it is wonderful!

Joesph, Mary, Baby Jesus (the Silly One two years  ago - his first Christmas) and the donkey

Sugar Cookies - Dec. 23

I have written several times about food and really this a great time of year for it. My mom makes several types of cookies and treats each year including sugar cookies. One year we had a gazillion cookies and it took forever to frost them all, that was an experience off a lifetime and I wasn't even the one who added 16 cups of flour.  There are so many good ones but I think my favorite are the chocolate almond balls. My mother-in-law also makes sugar cookies and so we decided to make some to leave Santa. We still need to frost them but it is fun to do another tradition from our childhood with our children. 

Hot Chocolate - Dec. 22

I love chocolate and that includes hot chocolate. We tried to go see the lights at Thanksgiving Point with some of my family, it was a 45 minute wait to just get in to see the lights. We decided to go on a drive ourselves and look at lights. It was nice to drive around and afterward we came home and had hot chocolate and watched some basketball. It was an enjoyable evening even if it didn't work out the way we planned. I credit the hot chocolate, Raspberry Cheesecake and Dark Chocolate flavors. 

It's a Wonderful Life - Dec. 21

I was wrapping presents tonight and watching It's a Wonderful Life. I love that movie! I always feel so uplifted at the end. It is a great lesson in not feeling sorry for yourself and looking at the wonderful blessings we have been given. One of those blessing are people that care about you, look around and you will see them. 

"Remember, no man is a failure who has friends."

Caroling - Dec. 20

We got some carolers at our house tonight, it was great. I think caroling is kind of strange when you think about it but nice as well. I have tried to convince the Smart One we should sing a song when we take people gifts this time of year but he doesn't really go for that and I end up singing a solo. He told me to teach the kids to sing and then he can just stand in the background. We'll work on that and I'll keep singing in the meantime. 

Nutcracker - Dec. 19

I remember my mom listening to the music from The Nutcracker during the holidays and enjoying it. Tonight I took the Silly One to see The Nutcracker, my niece was one of the Chinese cookies in it. At first he loved it and just watched the dancers mesmerized. He did get bored at parts but he did quite well I thought. It is fun to share different things with our kids for the holidays. I always enjoy beautiful music and great dancing. 

Service - Dec. 18

When missionaries leave for their missions they are given an opportunity to speak in church. My cousin had his talk in church today. He did a great job and got me thinking about service. That is exactly what he and all missionaries will be doing for 2 years. And what better example of a life of service than that of our Savior. In Matthew 25:40 he said, "[. . .] Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me." We have a great responsibility to help those around us and help and serve the Savior.

Yummy Treats - Dec. 17

'Tis the season to eat! We love good food around here especially this time of year. Here is a recipe that I think will become a holiday favorite, I found it and made it for the first time this year. It originated from allrecipes.com but here is my version with my notes:

Saltine Toffee Cookies
Ingredients:
4 oz. saltine crackers (about one sleeve)
1 cup butter
1 cup dark brown sugar
2 cups chocolate chips
Optional: chopped nuts, sprinkles, candy pieces, etc.

Directions:
1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees F.
2. Line cookie sheet with parchment paper. Then place crackers in a single layer very close together, sides touching, on the cookie sheet.
3. In a saucepan start melting the butter and add in the sugar. Bring to a boil and boil for 3 minutes. Immediately pour over saltines and spread as needed to cover crackers completely.
4. Baket at 400 degrees for 5-6 minutes. Remove from oven and sprinkle chocolate chips over the top. Let sit for 5 minutes. Spread melted chocolate and top with optional topping. Cool completely and break into pieces.

Stockings - Dec. 16

A lot about holidays that make them special are traditions, at least I think so. One of the traditions my in-laws have are their stockings. They made stockings for each of their children and when I joined the family they made on for me. They have done that with the other in-laws that have come into the family and this year they decided to do the grand-kids. So my little guys got to see their's today as we continue the stocking tradition.

A Christmas Carol - Dec. 15

For several years I have tried to read A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens during this time of year. I am reading it right now and love it. (Only 10 days left!) There is good in everyone, something to always remember. God bless us, everyone!

I'll Be Home For Christmas - Dec. 14

Today was the last day of class and it reminded me of one of my favorite Christmas memories. I was a freshman coming home from college for the holidays. I had one of my roommates with me as she wasn't flying home until a few days later and she was staying at my home until then. Several things went wrong and it seemed to take FOREVER to get home. It had been a long hard semester as I am sure all freshman experience when starting college. We rode a shuttle for 4 hours to the airport where my dad met us. Just when I felt so close my roommate lost some of her luggage and we had to deal with the lost and found at the airport. :\ After what seemed like a couple of hours delay we finally came close to being home. We turned onto my parent's street and the Christmas lights were on and soon we drove in front of the house and I saw my mom's old fashioned Christmas tree in the living room window. It was the most beautiful tree! And really it could have looked just like it does every year but there was something special about it this time. Tears came to my eyes as I thought, "I'm home, I am finally home for Christmas." 

I realized then more than ever that there is no place like home for Christmas.

Peace and rest at length have come,
All the day's long toil is past;
And each heart is whispering,
'Home, Home at last!'
- Thomas Hood

You Better Watch Out - Dec. 13

Today I started teaching the Silly One "Santa Claus is Coming to Town." It is adorable to hear him sing it. I loved to sing as a child and it looks like he enjoys it as well.
"The best way to spread Christmas cheer is singing loud for all to hear!"

Wrapping Presents - Dec. 12

I am not sure why but I have always loved wrapping presents particularly at Christmas time. To me there is always something fulfilling about putting pretty paper and beautiful ribbon on a package to make it beautiful. it is even better while watching a good Christmas flick.

Better Self - Dec. 11

Working on improving myself is a continual process, not just at the beginning of the New Year with resolutions. I taught Young Women's and this was my favorite quote from the lesson. I made it into a simple bookmark for the girls.

“Yes, give me a young woman who loves home and family, who reads and ponders the scriptures daily, who has a burning testimony of the Book of Mormon. Give me a young woman who faithfully attends her church meetings, who is a seminary graduate, who has earned her Young Womanhood Recognition Award and wears it with pride! Give me a young woman who is virtuous and who has maintained her personal purity, who will not settle for less than a temple marriage, and I will give you a young woman who will perform miracles for the Lord now and throughout eternity.[. . .]

“Live up to your divine potential. Remember who you are and the divine heritage that is yours—you are literally the royal daughters of our Father in Heaven. O ‘youth of the noble birthright,’ with all my heart I say, ‘Carry on, carry on, carry on!’ (Hymns, 1985, no. 255).” [Ezra Taft Benson, “To the Young Women of the Church,” Ensign, Nov. 1986, pp. 81–85]

Ward Christmas Party - Dec. 10

Our Ward Christmas party was Saturday morning and it was a breakfast. I loved it! It was simple and great. We ate and they did a little program where we were split into 5 small groups and we listened to a couple of people talk about the symbols of Christmas. Wiseman - gifts, Joseph - tree, Shepherd - candy cane, Mary - wreath, Angel - star. Afterward we even had a visit from Santa. It is always nice to have those sweet reminders of the reason for the season and nice to have kids hear it as well. 

Live Nativity - Dec. 9

It has been a crazy week so I am playing catch up. I won't go into the boring details so here we go with my Christmas Cheer. I had pictures taken of the boys and we got the baby laughing. I just love this little guy, it is amazing how they are so lovable.

Tuesday night we went to a live nativity with the Young Women. It was a great experience! As I saw the baby Jesus and Mary I thought about my own baby and how precious he is. I then thought about how the tiny baby Jesus made such an impact on the world. He started out like all of us and truly we can all make a difference in our own way as we follow Him. 

Date Night - Dec. 8

We haven't been on a date in awhile. We started to go out a little more not long before the Small One was born. But tonight we are going to a cooking class so it will just be a short date but still some time for us! I got a deal for it awhile ago and we were actually going to use it the week the baby was born so it obviously just postponed. It is a Christmas class, making a Holiday Caprese Salad & Orange Cinnamon Peanut Brittle . Here's to yummy holiday food and some time with the Smart One!

Merry and Bright - Dec. 7

Seems like I have been doing a lot of reminiscing about past Christmases for my little Christmas cheer/good that I am doing. But I then I came across this quote a few weeks ago and perhaps that is why I love Christmas, because of the wonderful memories. 

"I find it is obvious that the Christmases I remember best, the Christmases which touched my heart the most, are Christmases filled with love and giving and the Spirit of the Savior. [. . .] Bringing the Christmas spirit into our hearts and homes takes conscious effort and planning but can surely be accomplished." - Thomas S. Monson

So to continue on that vein, last night I was driving home from the business college and the lights were on downtown. I love Christmas lights and especially the lights downtown! I remember being in Salt Lake one time with my mom during the day at Christmastime and asking to drive down Main Street because they would put up beautiful Christmas decorations. They even did that in the neighboring city to where we lived. Most cities don't do that anymore, something dumb about obstructing views of the traffic lights. But seriously, I loved how beautiful it was. I worked downtown for a couple of years and it was great to walk down the streets in the early evening when the lights would come on. Anyway there is my joy for the day, Christmas lights.