I did it!

I came from a split family. My real dad left my mom when I was two and never really turned back. When I was ten my mom and step dad sat my sister and I down and said they had something to talk to us about. At that time I was searching my mind trying to remember what I did that I was about to get into trouble about. Do you remember that feeling as a kid when you know you are about to get into trouble? I hate that feeling! Anyway to my relief my mom said that my real dad called and whats to see us. I was just relieved that I was not in trouble. I like to make people happy and I do not like being told that I did something wrong. Yeah I'm still working on that one!

A few weeks later we drove to Utah to see him. I was fine until I was about 20 minutes from his house. I thought I was going to throw up and was really scared. Long story short, the visit went fine a little awkward since I did not know him but it was fine. I saw him two more times over the next six years. Since than I have not seen or heard from him at all.

On Sunday Kirk had this dream and he kept getting the feeling that I needed to call my dad. I had heard he moved back to Utah but I was not sure and did not have his number. After Kirk kept mentioning it I got his number from my uncle but I could not bring myself to call him.
I did not know this person or what kind of life he was living and I was afraid of that. What would I say to him. Hi, this is Tiffany...... your daughter. Remember me?

OK now I am just rambling. I finally brought myself to call him today and it was a little awkward for both of us I think. He told me his wife of 15 years just passed away in May and he has felt very alone since then. Maybe that is why Kirk got this feeling that I should call him.

Sometimes Heavenly Father goes through other people if we are not willing to hear the message. As I am writing this I realized that this year I have thought about him a few times and wondered where he was and why he has never tried to call us. Ummm maybe that was my prompting and I was not willing to listen. Bummer. I did today.

I do not know if he will ever call me again or if he will ever meet my kids but I do feel good that I called him. Kirk was right (first time, ha ha).

Favorite Turkey tradition

A few years back I found a recipe similar to this one and I changed it to work for me. SOOOOOOOOO yummy! I made it for my family a few years back and now it is the only turkey they will let me make. Thought I would share.

Pressed Herbs and Spices Turkey

This will work for up to a 15 lbs turkey. I'm making a 21 lbs turkey so I will be doubling it.

3 tablespoons grill seasoning (recommended: Montreal Seasoning by McCormick) 3 palm fulls
1 tablespoon ground cumin, a palm full
1 tablespoon smoked sweet paprika, a palm full
1 tablespoon coriander, a palm full
4 tablespoons fresh thyme leaves, 8 sprigs, stripped off stems
Cilantro leaves, 2 handfuls or 1/2 cup basil leaves
1 cup loosely packed flat-leaf parsley, 4 handfuls
1 cup shelled natural pistachios
Extra-virgin olive oil, for generous drizzling

Directions
Preheat oven to according to turkey directions

Mix grill seasoning, cumin, paprika and coriander together. Place the thyme, cilantro or basil, parsley and pistachios in the food processor and process into a paste. Remove bowl from processor and remove blade from bowl. Have a rubber spatula on hand. Drizzle extra-virgin olive oil generously over the turkey to coat the skin. Loosen skin of turkey with a small sharp knife. Use your hands to move the paste around under the skin to evenly distribute the mixture. Coat the extra-virgin olive oil coated skin with the spice mixture.

This is worth a try, you will not be disappointed!!

Feeds my soul

Tonight was the adult session of stake conference. Every time Conference comes around, stake or general I am always amazed by how much they can inspire me. I feel spiritual feed, renewed and ready to serve the Lord. I am so grateful for this gospel and what it has done for me in my life and in the life of my family. Tonight they wanted us to think about how much the gospel means to us and what it has done in our lives. Then taking that blessing we have been given and sharing it with those around us.

It's funny that if we find out about a new restaurant or cool new product we have to tell everyone or even blog about it (me included). Yet when it comes to something that gives meaning to life, brings us so much happiness, helps us be better people and seals us to our families we do not share it or are to scared to share it.

I have testimony of this gospel, that this is the true church. With a living Prophet that leads and guides this church. I know that Joseph Smith was a true Prophet that restored the gospel on this earth. I know that if we follow Him that we can return to walk with Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ and be with our families for eternity.

This Christmas season I have renewed my dedication to share what has made me so happy. To study the life of Jesus Christ and share that with as many people as I can.

I want to share with others the true happiness I have found.

The love of a husband

Have you ever noticed the way the Prophet speaks about his wife? Or any of the General Authorities, Stake Presidents, or Bishops for that matter. On Sunday we had a new counselor called and he got up and shared his testimony. The way he spoke about his wife brought tears to my eyes. I've always wondered what these women do to make their husbands love them so much. That there husbands truly could not imagine this life or the next without them. There should be some kind of book or something.

Stain remover recipe

Here is my favorite stain remover!! It has worked really well for me so I thought I would share.


1/2 Cup Ammonia
1/2 Cup Liquid Laundry Detergent (Use homemade)
1/2 Cup White Vinegar
1/2 Cup Water
Mix well, and store in spray bottle. *Hint - Reuse your "Spray and Wash" bottle. I normally spray it and let it sit for a few minutes.

I'm so over this

I am so tired of being sick and throwing up. I will be 17 weeks on Thursday and I feel like it is getting worse not better. That's all just thought I would say that I am over this!

I love apple season!

Each year at this time I love going to Apple Hill and buying a couple big boxes of apples to make homemade apple sauce, apple pie and anything else we feel like that year. So this year I bought 60 lbs of fresh apples and went to work making some apple sauce. My girls were old enough this year to get really excited and could not wait for it to be done. Yummy!!

I'm planning on making an apple pie for Kirk tomorrow since it is his favorite!