Ice Skating Fun and Buy a Great House in American Fork Utah

It was great fun to go ice-skating with the Young Women's on Tuesday. I have personally tried three times to learn to ice-skate...each one a horrible failure ( I grew up in a much warmer climate...so did not learn as a kid). Each time I either ended up hugging the wall or sprawled out on the cold cold ice. So I got to watch and take pictures. The girls all seemed to have fun and they even got to see a guy from "So you think you can dance". I was grateful no one was injured.

On a completely different note, if anyone knows someone who wants to live in our great neighborhood, see the blog below. We would love to show you our home. It is beautiful, and a great place to raise a family with great neighbors and friends. You also get to look out onto a happy house. It snowed again and when a little bit of melting happened the smile appeared....again!!! It is So funny...still makes me laugh...that house really must be happy.

Also here is the link if anyone comes across the blog and has the desire to vote...until the 15th of Feb. http://music.mormontimes.com/contest.php?id=757&nocache=1

Beautiful and Loved House For Sale In American Fork

This is our last effort to sell our house. We have dropped our price aproximately 55,000 dollars and is now listed for 329,900. It is a beautiful custom built, all brick and stucco, home with hardwood floors throughout. It has over 3600 square feet, 6 bedrooms, 3 baths, beautiful large yard with a built-in swingset, fruit trees, hundreds of tulips in the spring, and more. It is a great neighborhood, close to Mt Timpanogas Temple, close to barratt elementary school and wonderful neighbors. If anyone knows someone who is looking for a great house, in a great area, at an excetpional deal give us a call...we would love to show them around. We have loved living here. If not sold this month we will likely take it off the market and continue to live in this great area. Oh and here is the link for those who want to vote.

http://music.mormontimes.com/contest.php?id=757&nocache=1

Sign of A Happy Home

So a few days after the last snow my kids noticed, and have been watching, the smiley face on the Thompsons roof. (I hope they don't mind me posting it). I wish I had taken pictures of the progression...because it started out as two perfect circles and a rather perfectd upturned line and has gradually morphed into what you see. It makes me happy everyday I look out at it. We, at our house, think if you can find a holy figure in a grilled cheese sandwich or president Nixon's face in a potato chip than certainly we can assume there is probably something to smile about in the Thompson's home. So I thought I would share the smile and the joy with those who come across this blog. Here is the link if anyone wants to vote for Aubs...she is starting to do better this round (not gonna win kind of better) but in her heart she feels kind of better (especially with her new pictures) So I hope everyone has a happy day...and a happy inauguration day.

http://music.mormontimes.com/contest.php?id=757&nocache=1

Mushroom Soup Recipe...I know I'm wierd.

So soup...I have really been into making new soup recipe's lately. It may because I can't seem to get warm. I don't generally post recipes, but I want to save this one somewhere. So if you like mushroom soup this one is a keeper. I saw it on "Good Things Utah" last week by Amy Richardson and tried it and it really is delicious. Everyone in our family liked it. It is easy but looks kind of fancy. I was a little worried about the cheese (I used feta instead of bleu) but it wasn't strong and was really good. Oh and Aubs contest started over, it is the final month (for which I am grateful...and I am sure anyone else I talk to is grateful) and goes until Feb 15th, so if you want to...feel free to vote for her. People who want to can vote one time per day. Thanks. http://music.mormontimes.com/contest.php?id=757&nocache=1

Creamy Wild Rice & Mushroom Soup
Ingredients:
3 ¼ cups Chicken Broth
1/3 cup Wild Rice (Uncooked)
½ cup Sliced Green Onion
½ cup Sour Cream
½ cup Milk
1-2 tbsp. Crumbled Blue Cheese
2 tbsp. All-Purpose Flour
1 tsp. Snipped Fresh Thyme OR ¼ tsp. Dried Thyme, crushed.
1/8 tsp. Ground Black Pepper
1 cup Sliced Fresh Mushrooms
Method:
In a medium sauce pan, combine the chicken broth and the uncooked rice. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer, covered for 25 minutes until rice is tender. Stir in the green onion. Whisk together the sour cream, milk, flour, thyme and pepper till well blended. Add to the rice mixture. Add mushrooms and blue cheese. Cook and stir till thickened.
Makes 4 servings.
White Cheese Croutons
Ingredients:
4 Slices rustic bread
Olive oil for brushing
¾ cup Dubliner Irish cheese or shaved Parmesan
Method:
Lightly brush bread with olive oil. Place bread oil side up on a cooking tray. Sprinkle bread with cheese and place under broiler till cheese is melted and slightly golden.
Serve with creamy Wild Rice and Mushroom soup

New Theme

I just wanted to comment on how much I love the 2009 young women theme and challange. It is "Be thou an example of the believers, in word, in conversation, in charity, in spirit, in faith, in purity" (1 Timothy 4:12)". The girls are so great to give talks on aspects of this scripture for New Beginnings in a few weeks. I found it interesting as well that the church has added "virtue" to the main young women's theme. Inspired. I also love the challange they gave to all the Young Women, it was to everyday: pray, read the book of mormon for at least five minutes, and smile. These seem easy and do-able yet are things that I can see would really help me. I am reading this book called "the tipping point" where there is a theory that little things can make a big difference and "tip" you in certain directions. Anyway...that's all...just thinking.

http://music.mormontimes.com/contest.php?id=757&nocache=1

New Pictures For the Mormontimes Contest and/or Teeth Falling Out

So the talented Caroline Jones took Aubrey and I on a picture taking excursion yesterday. We are in search of a shot to replace her picture on the mormontimes website, which she swears makes her look like she is possessed. We like these three but would love feedback on which one anyone else would think would look good (picture 1, 2, or 3). I really can't decide I like them all. She's losing (but gets to hang out next to Nathan Osmond), but she is excited to look better as she does it. Thanks to anyone who has voted and/or keeps voting and thanks to Caroline. I think she is so talented.

http://music.mormontimes.com/contest.php?id=757&nocache=1

TEETH TEETH TEETH TEETH TEETH TEETH

So Brynna lost a tooth last night and another one this morning. She is now missing four teeth in the front of her face. It is like she has a complete and perfect hole in her mouth. She had so much space between her front teeth that it looks like she is missing more than four. She is very excited about the tooth fairy coming. I must admit I wish Melissa was here because she is the best at removing teeth. It makes me kind of naucious to do the teeth thing.

It's a GIRL!!

"A little girl can be sweeter (and badder) oftener than anyone else in the world. she can jitter around, and stomp, and make funny noises that frazzle your nerves yet just when you open your mouth she stands there demure with that special look in her eyes. A girl is Innocence playing in the mud, Beauty standing on its head, and Motherhood dragging a doll by the foot."-- Alan Beck


"A tiny daughter gives parents a life in a climate of perpetual wonder."-- Pierre Doucet

"A baby girl...one of the most beautiful miracles in life, one of the greatest joys we can ever know, and one of the reasons why there is a little extra sunshine, laughter and happiness in your world today. "-- Author Unknown

"Grace was in all her steps. Heaven in her eye. In every gesture. dignity and love".-- John Milton



We just found out Melissa is having a baby "girl" in June. The doctors reading the ultra-sound are pretty certain. What can we say...we do girls well. The doctor told Lance he was going to have quite a fan club. We are soooo excited. Girl stuff is so fun. I have been waiting to hit Kohls for the clearance "baby's first christmas" pj's but I had to know the gender status. I love those sales! Congrats to Melissa and Lance.

http://music.mormontimes.com/contest.php?id=757&nocache=1

Matthew's New Camera AKA "spider phobia?"

Matthew got a camera for christmas and has been busy snapping photographs. It is interesting what a 9 (almost 10 according to him) year old boy finds interesting. He also took video (with his camera) of our most recent pet, a spider, found on Emily's brand new bedspread. She refused to sleep in her room for two nights after this. I think the video may be representative of an intense spider phobia. We will get right on the treament for that.

http://music.mormontimes.com/contest.php?id=757&nocache=1