Thursday, October 9, 2014

No Soliciting Unless...


I have noticed that it is becoming popular to see signs outside of many doors with No Soliciting notices on them.  This has been a trend for many, many years, but more recently I have seen signs with an amendment to the no soliciting sign.  I have seen a lot of different versions of these, but most of them have something that indicates that if you are selling girls scout cookies, you can ring the bell but not if you want to talk about Christ.

In my church we talk a lot about Christ and if you want to come up to my door or write a post on my blog, and talk to me about the Savior, I welcome you with open arms day or night.  In the Book of Mormon there is a scripture that explains why.  It is in 2 Nephi 25:26, it says, 

“And we talk of Christ, we rejoice in Christ, we preach of Christ, we prophesy of Christ, and we write according to our prophecies, that our children may know to what source they may look for a remission of their sins.”

I know a lot of my friends who are not of my faith often wonder why we spend so much time trying to share our beliefs with others.  There is an article that explains it so well, called “Come and See,”  If you read this article or watch the video, it will explain why my “No Soliciting Sign” has an exemption to anyone who wants to talk about the Savior. www.lds.org/general-conference/2014/10/come-and-see?lang=eng&media=video#watch=video.

Tuesday, September 16, 2014

Doughnut Tire Swing!

How to Make a Doughnut Tire Swing

Get an old truck tire and scrub it with soapy water.Let Dry Completely

Drill some large holes all around one side of the tire.The hole side will be on the back side of the swing.
The holes will keep water from collecting inside the tire.

It also help keep mosquito's from nesting in your swing.


Paint the side of the tire that has the holes the color you want your doughnut to be.

We chose a golden yellow. Let Dry.


Flip tire over and paint the"glazed" frosting color.
We liked chocolate brown.
Paint it wavy to look like it's dripping down in the edges.
Once the"chocolate"color is dry, add sprinkles with a small sponge brush.
Use all different colors.
Once that is dry, spray with a clear coat of polyurethane spray paint.
This helps keep paint from peeling.

Now your tire swing is ready to hang.
We will give hanging instructions soon.

Guest Post by Christie Call

Tuesday, September 2, 2014

Joke of the Day




The thing I love most about children, is their absolute innocence. There are so many times when you misjudge, or get frustrated with a child, when really, they are not trying to be bad. A lot of our trials with children really stem from communication and understanding. At times it would do us all good to slow down and try to remember what life would be like if we didn't know everything we think we know.

I have a great friend who has a child that puts everything in her mouth. I'll call her Lizzy, (names have been changed). We were getting in an elevator and little two year old Lizzy saw some food on the ground and before you could blink an eye, she had it in her mouth. I'm not sure if it was a piece of chicken nugget, or dog food. Either way, to this little girl, it looked as good as anything else she might be asked to eat.

Later on in the evening, she was lucky enough to find some already chewed gum on the ground. In her mind, she figured it looked delicious and interesting so she popped it in her mouth. After her mom told her to spit it out, five minutes later she spotted a discarded cigarette. She felt the need to pick it up and taste it too. This is when my sweet friend recognized the need to stop everything, and get down and look into her sweet child's eyes and explain in detail, on a level she could understand without confusion, why we don't pick everything up and put it in our mouth. What a great teaching opportunity and parenting moment.

Had she punished this little girl at this time, she still would have missed a wonderful teaching opportunity. This same day I witnessed a parent on the complete opposite end of the spectrum. I was standing in line at a store when a father and son who appeared to be about the same age, around two years old, came in. As soon as they entered the store the oxygen in the room seemed to get sucked out. The father was yelling and screaming and calling the poor little guy names. At one point, his phone rang and he talked the same way to who ever was on the other end of the line. I looked at this little boy and he seemed to be mentally crushed and broken. I just wanted to scoop him up in my arms. From my perspective this little guy was expected to follow a set of instructions far beyond his capacity to understand. In the end both the child and the parent were left angry. Neither one was satisfied with the outcome.

I look to the bible for help whenever I wonder how to handle the raising of a child. “For whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth” (Hebrews 12:6). I know at times we need to chasten our children.

President Boyd K. Packer has observed that when a person in a position to correct another fails to do so, he is thinking of himself. Remember that reproof should be timely, with sharpness or clarity... and then showing forth afterwards an increase of love toward him whom thou hast reproved, lest he esteem thee to be his enemy.

I love it when I see a parent who does this in such a wonderful manner.

Monday, August 18, 2014

Producers' Message with Reign of Judges: Title of Liberty TEASER - MUST ...

Quote of the Day

Quicksand Humor

How to Open A Can Without a Can Opener-No Tools Needed

Opening a can with no can opener or tools sounds impossible.  It's not, and just in case the Apocalypse happens, you are going to want to know how to do this.


It is possible to open a can without using a can opener or any tools.  Watch the video to see how.

The Zombie Apocalypse Response Team


Monday, August 11, 2014

Friday, August 8, 2014

Quote of the Day

The soul always knows what to do to heal itself.  The challenge is to silence the mind."  Caronline Myss

Monday, July 28, 2014

Future DIY Projects

This summer I have taken a break from DIY projects.  My second son is preparing to serve a full time mission for our church and it has taken all my efforts to help him get the necessary shopping and planning done.  He will be leaving in a few weeks and my other boys will be going back to school so I will be starting up on DIY projects around the house.  Now I just have to narrow down what to take on first.  I have a limited budget and the outdoor projects have to be done before the snow flies, which in Nebraska can be as soon as October.  I would love to have your opinion.  Should I take on the lousy kitchen counter-tops, refinish my table, or do an outside project?  I have to decide whether I am going to do home upgrades, or fun recipes as my next obsession.  Let me know what you prefer:)

Here are some things I found on Pinterest that interest me...
















Wednesday, July 16, 2014

What a great Photographer!

I have a high school friend who is also an excellent photographer.  I highly recommend his work.  Check it out...
http://photosbyboyd.zenfolio.com/p750273483/h60cf4fd#h25f16c9

Tuesday, June 17, 2014

Colored Powder Birthday Template

Free Printable Birthday Invitation Template
Click on Image to Save to Computer


How To Host The Perfect Birthday Party for a Teenager In 3 Easy Steps

I made my own colored powder and I bought some so I could see if there was a big difference.  The powder I made needed more color so I learned my lesson.  I am still convinced that I could save money by making my own, but next time I will add more food coloring to the powder.

What you will need:

Step 1.  Colored Powder
Step 2. Shaved Ice
Step 3. Glow in the Dark Bracelets


After the throwing was over everyone still had a lot of color on their hands so they rubbed it off on the birthday boy.


We hired a Shave Ice trailer to give out Hawaiian Shave Ice at the party.  It was a huge hit.

Friends, Colored Powder, Shaved Ice, what more could you want in a Party?



The Birthday Boy Loved the Super Sized Mixed Flavored Treat

As soon as it was dark, we got out the glow in the dark bracelets we had purchased from Oriental Trading Company.  Then we played dodge-ball with the bracelets.  You throw the bracelets at the opponent.   Even the little kids played this game.  It was so much fun!