LDS Feminism

There seems to be a trend of LDS Feminist activity going around that has saddened me greatly. Ever since the announcement of the missionary age change in October General Conference, I have seen more blog posts and comments to those blog posts about equal rights for women in the church. I am not one to take a stand on such issues usually. I feel that people are entitled to their views and opinions even if I don't always agree. 

Today that changed. I read an article Mormon Women Plan to Wear Pants that made me sad. As a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints and a woman, I felt the need to share my thoughts.

I do not believe that men and women are unequal in the church. We have our own divine roles that our Heavenly Father, who created us, gave us. We were created as separate beings. Men and women both have roles. We have been taught that these roles must work together to work properly. Women cannot bring forth life without a man and men need the support of the women in the Priesthood. The roles each play are different but not unequal. I feel that if we were to be equal, meaning same responsibilities and roles, we would have been created the same and given the same roles. I am not unhappy about my role as a woman. I may be called old fashioned but I believe that as a woman in the gospel, my role is to nurture the family and support my husband  in his role as the Priesthood holder for our family. I do not see this role as being less or unequal to my husband. We are united in marriage and equal partners in that marriage with seperate but divine roles.

I do not understand why some things appear to be unequal, such as the age and length of time sister missionaries can serve, but I do know that these guidelines were set forth by our Heavenly Father through Prophets. I know that they are there for a specific purpose even if I do not know what that purpose may be. My job is to have faith that what is set forth is right and correct. So will I wear pants on Sunday? No. I do not believe in the cause. I am happy to be a woman in the role I have been given. I do not want that to change.

Cold

I could feel it creeping in yesterday, around the edges of the room. It crept slowly, just a little bit here and a little bit there. I noticed it though, lurking in the corners of the room. I tried to ignore it, after all, it had been late this year. But there it was- cold. I look forward to the first time cold visits each year. I get to enjoy a crackling fire, the smooth, creaminess of hot chocolate, the warm scent of pumpkin spice candles, and the delicious scent of baked goods. Cold lets me do all the warm things I love so much!

Delight

Honey mustard chicken and spaghetti squash

In the oven

Cooking

Cooking

Cooking

Bread dough punched down and divided

On the counter

Rising

Rising

Rising

Sisters talking and texting all day long

On the computer

Laughing

Laughing

Laughing

Wonderful way to spend the day

At my house

Happy

Happy

Happy

For my sister who shared my spontaneously delighted day with me and who helped write this poem although she didn't know she was doing that at the time :)

Treasure

My writing teacher is an amazing teacher. She takes the time to get to know her students and then surprises us with things she thinks we will like. Today was that day for me. I was sitting in the teacher office waiting room waiting for my appointment with another professor. My writing teacher walked over with a book in her hand. We talked for a minute and she said that she thought I might enjoy the book and I could borrow it if I was interested. Of course I was interested. I love books! Then she handed it to me.
One look at the cover and my eyes lit up like Christmas. I might have even squealed with delight.

 It was a Dr. Suess book I have never heard of before. Dr. Suess is my absolute favorite children's author and my teacher knew it. I opened it and lost myself in this book for a few minutes. It is truly amazing! The story behind the book is amazing too. I found a treasure today and can't wait to add this book to my collection. I can't retell the story behind the book with any kind of justice so find a copy and read it. Any fan of Dr. Suess will appreciate the work that went into this book. Thank you Dr. Horan for introducing me to another gem for my collection!

My Feet

     I've never really thought about what my favorite body part was. If you asked my family, they would tell you it was my feet. They might be right!
     There is nothing special about my feet- they are long and narrow. I have long toes and high arches, until I stand, then they go flat. My feet take me where I need to go.
     My feet and I have had fun though. It started with my brother's cell phone. He left it out one day when I was visiting. There it was, all alone on the counter, waiting for someone to mess with it. I couldn't resist! I grabbed it, kicked off my flip flop, and took a close up picture of my foot. I set the picture as his wallpaper and went about my business.
     From that time on, many an unsuspecting family member has found my foot on their cell phone. All thought it was funny and word spread; don't leave your cell phone out when I'm around.
 

Laps

Laps

Mother's laps are good

To have your shoes tied

And your hair braided.

Father's laps are good

To be a cowboy

Or do tricks.

Grandfather's laps are good

After you've been for a walk

Or to count the cars going by.

But Grandmother's lap is just right

Sitting in the big chair

Rock back and forth.

written by Carol Swain

Found poem taken from Grandmother and I by Helen E. Buckly

Illustrated by Jan Dimerod 

Rain and Soup

Today I woke up to rain. I loved it! 

It has been so hot and dry lately. It is the end of summer too so it is the type of rain that makes me think of soup. Not just any soup, but my mom's minestrone soup.

I love this soup! It makes the house smell so good and warm and makes my taste buds sigh with delight. I have the recipe but I have never made it. Somehow it is just not the same without my mom. 
I miss her but I am glad she is where she can be happy. Maybe next time I see her, I can have her make her soup. In the meantime, I will get out a pot and finally attempt to make minestrone soup.

Ode To Parchment Paper

Ode to Parchment Paper

Non-stick and oven safe,

Easy for cleanup too!

Great for baking

were the claims.

Oh parchment paper, 

where have you been?

Using you 

has been a joy!

Baking is fun,

cleanup a breeze!

No more stuck food

on the pans.

Thank you , thank you

my new found friend!

In my kitchen

you will stay!

Patriotic Cupcakes

Tomorrow is the 4th of July. Every year we go to a local park, set up camp and spend the day. The city has lots of festivities planned and people bbq. Then the city shoots off their fireworks over the lake that is in the middle of the park. It is lots of fun and I look forward to it every year. In honor of the day, I decided to try and make patriotic cupcakes. I got the idea off of a You Tube channel, busvlogger.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yzYE9xxUIeA&feature=plcp

So here we go!
I made the cake batter and seperated them into 3 quart size bags. I added red food coloring to one and blue to another and left the third white.

 Then I started the layers in the cupcake cups. First blue, then white and last red.

Baked at 325 for 20 minutes. I did over fill the cups so next time I will use less of each color.

Here is how the layers turned out.

And last I added white frosting with red sprinkles!