Wonder of the 21st Century

Do you remember the short film clips that forecasted the inventions for the new century? I remember seeing such a film when I was about 11 years old. One upcoming convenience was a kitchen where you typed into a panel the name of the dish you wanted for dinner and 'wah-lah' it would come out of a little compartment all prepared. Wow!! I could really use that miracle maker today. Another amazing invention was a phone where you would see the person you were talking to on a little TV screen while you were talking to him. My response to that futuristic gadget was, " ugh, I don't want to have to look nice just to talk on the phone". HaHa . . . oh my naivety. Recently I realized that, by way of my personal computer (which I don't believe was mentioned in the film), I talk and see who I'm on line with. Can you believe how convenient the future has become?

I love to webcam. Via web cam I can see our young granddaughter sing songs, turn somersaults and blow kisses to us. We watched some of her first efforts at walking, saying "I Love You", and showing off her new baby sister. In return Keilah hears our applause, sees us cheer and blow kisses back. Because of this live interaction we are familiar to her and that makes things comfortable between us, especially when she comes with her family to visit.

The possibilities for keeping the connection are numerous. We catch up on family photos our kids have taken on their jaunts around the countryside and the cityscape. We sing good-night lullabies to the babies, recite finger plays with them, read and show picture books.

The web cam is a wonderful thing. "It's the next best thing to being there."

A Perfect Day

What would you write down if you were planning your perfect day? My darling hubby, Scott, gave me a blank schedule for Mother's Day on which I was to plan and enjoy my perfect day. The idea was to do something for myself since, as a wife and mother, I'm focused on doing for family most of the time. What a guy. I felt completely spoiled. I thought of what to plan; there were so many ideas from which to choose. I soon saw that I have a long list of perfect days in my life and they're all different. You know, some are holidays, time with family, giving quiet service, feeling loved beyond words, relishing in the many wonders of nature and regular moments in a day that all add up to "perfect". I cherish them all.

For my Perfect Day in May I chose to bike down to Utah Lake in the morning. . . .

Then do some shopping at noon. . . .

I tried watercoloring for the first time in the afternoon. It was really fun to see what would come out on paper. Scott was my teacher and he told me I show promising talent. . . .

Then spent the evening talking, laughing, reading, relaxing at Sundance Resort with my "watercolor instructor". How perfect is that?!

Everyone needs time to rejuvenate. Sometimes we get an hour or a day. Sometimes just 10 minutes to listen to soothing music before we close our eyes at night. But it's important to take time somewhere. It gives a lift to our worn down spirits, it's renewing, it helps keep us young.

Almond Butter Joy Oatmeal Cookie

I love food from the top of the food pyramid. But as I get older and, especially, as I feed grandchildren who's parents are concerned with the kind of treats my sweet grandkids eat, I have tried to up the health factor on my own recipe for a delicious oatmeal cookie. I replaced the shortening with butter and almond butter. The trans fats are eliminated and the almond butter adds great protein, fiber and nutrients. On my next tweak I'll try switching some of the sugar with honey. Enjoy!

Oatmeal Cookies
Cream together: 1/2 c. almond butter
1/4 c. butter, softened
3/4 c. brown sugar
1/4 c. granulated sugar
2 eggs
1/4 c. water
1 tsp. vanilla
Add: 3 c. oats
3/4 c. flour
1 small instant vanilla pudding mix
1 tsp. salt
1/2 tsp. baking soda
1/2 tsp. cinnamon
1 c. craisins
1 c. white chocolate chips
1/2 c. chopped almonds
or choose your own combination of mix in's i.e. golden raisin, toffee bits, chocolate chips
Bake on greased cookie sheets for 10 minutes at 350 degrees. Do not overbake.

. . . and then, there I was . . .

Once upon a time I was a young girl of twenty. I met and married my "everything-is-wonderful-about-him dream guy. We've lived a happy life together, gone here and there, and done this and that. I bore and have loved being a mother to 5 great kids. Life has been good. We've learned, grown, been challenged, found satisfaction and joy.
After a few years our oldest child got married to a Perfect-for-him-in-everyway-gal. Love her! Then our second oldest child got married to a Perfect-for-him-in-everyway-gal. Love her, too! One day I went to the hospital with our first daughter (in-law) and watched a miracle happen--our first grandchild was born. I was at the birth of my own 5 children but things were different at this granddaughter's birth. Since I wasn't distracted by contractions or pushing, I just witnessed this little girl come into the world. I was in awe. And then, there I was, a Grandma! Two years later another "pink" baby arrived, (Smile), and we're just getting started with this next generation thing.
Not long ago my college-aged daughter asked me which I liked best, being a mom or a grandma. This was my reply, " I love being a Grandma. I feel like a grandchild's love is an extra bit of goodness in a parent's life and vice versa. But nothing beats being a Mom. You love, sacrifice, work, teach, and nurture your child and in return you are the center of his world. And that feels so good. Being a mom is the best! Being a grandma is magical!