Sunday, December 6, 2009

First Presidency's Message...and otha stuff.

Oh..............just got over. Did any of you watch that? It was SO wonderful. First, I LOVED LOVED LOVED the tabernacle choirs singing of Handel's Messiah. Soooooooooooooooo much talent. Soooo beautiful. I loved it soooo much. Then the talks...I loved President Monson's story he told. I am a sucker for good Christmas stories like that. Then Silent Night just made me happy. I went back to last year when we were there at the devotional in person, and it was SO powerful...the moment that everyone joined in singing the 3rd verse of the song. I am pretty sure I want to go again next year now.

So I was trying to clean up my sewing room...I've kinda stuffed random stuff of mine in there that I didn't know what to do with...such as old journals. I ran into the journal I had my sophomore through senior year in high school. Wow. I was surprised. For sure, there was definitely talk of boys and how obsessed I was...but, there was also...in like...every entry- talk about how much I loved Heavenly Father, how blessed I was, and WITHOUT fail, every single entry I mentioned how much I loved my family, and how I thought I had the best family in the entire universe. I swear...I don't remember this, but in my journal I always talked about how I was struggling with something, and so I prayed about it...and then that struggle went away. I had SO much faith. Then I went and read old blog posts- and same thing...but guess what? This past like year...it hasn't really been going on. I haven't been as faithful in scripture study, or really much of anything. I can tell the difference. I know that my life was blessed, and felt the need to write about it, because it works. Scripture study, and real- actual thoughtful prayers make life so much easier and so much happier. I dont' mean that trials don't come...they definitely came when I was doing those things...but I just know that when you're in that constant habit, you're so much closer to the spirit and to Christ, that your perspective on things are so different, in a good way. I always wonder how I get out of the habit and out of the zone...but it somehow happens. I think this has been my longest rut yet, and I can feel it! Not in a good way! I always ask my mom- I'm thinking- am I stupid? How could I witness something so amazing, and do such an easy thing each day, and have such amazing results, and then just stop doing it? She tells me that this is why we are on earth...and we are human...and everyone struggles. Anyway. I've definitely decided that I HAVE to get back in that zone. I HAVE to get back to reading my scriptures, and honest to goodness praying with good effort...because I know my life will be so much better if I do. I also decided that since I live 10 minutes from a temple...I am going to go once a week for this whole month. I know some of you probably think...uh, shouldn't you go once a week always? How hard is it when you're that close? Well...you find excuses. We do, at least. I don't know if Clay will go with me each week, but I'm going to go! This is my commitment. That's another thing. It's like...we've been PROMISED that if we go often, we will have soooooo many blessings. Why would I avoid getting those blessings? I don't know.

Anyway- Christmas. I feel cheated. I don't have like...any christmas movies. Well- I have 2. But I haven't watched any Christmas yet! I've listened to plenty of Christmas music though. I love it.

Have any of you seen Angel's and Demons? Holy. Freakin. Smokes. That movie was well made, intriguing story-line, greaty acting...BUT- I can never see that movie again. I got physically ILL watching it. And I even cried. Lame, right? But I'm not joking. I cried, and got a major stomach ache. Something about branding makes me ill...that's for sure- I felt that way in Planet of the Apes...but also the slow horrific deaths. dfjkl;asdfkljal;s. Yuck. Anyway- I can definitely say it was a good movie, but definitely not my thing. I'll just watch New Moon again.

Well...I have major sewing ahead of me. I have 1...2...3...4...5..6! projects to sew. For presents, of course. Hopefully they all turn out well. Clay was like, "Make presents, it'll be less money" I say, "If you want me to make nice presents, it will cost just as much as buying a present" Clay says, "Not if you choose for it not to be" I say, "Yeah...I could make them an ugly rag, that wouldnt' cost much...but I'm making them good presents" Anyway...........I have purchased most of the materials and supplies, and what do you know...it's costing JUST as much...if not more! than what I would've just purchased. Oh well. These presents are more from the heart now!

Today I called my dad on the phone to see if he'd give me the recipe to his hot chocolate. He makes the best hot chocolate I've ever personally tasted in my life. It's basically the bomb-dot-com. SO- here's kinda how the conversation went down...

Me: So dad, I was hoping you could tell me how you make your hot chocolate.

Dad: Oh really...

Me: Yeah- do you have like specific measurements?

Dad: *laughs* Uh...no just a little here...a little there...

Me: So how do you do it?

Dad: Well, first I warm up the milk...you can't put the cocoa in before it's warmed...then you put the cocoa in...

Me: About how much?

Dad: Until it is the color of what hot chocolate looks like.

Me: So you go by color?

Dad: Yes, I go by color. You know, I think I'm going to write that out on paper and patent it.

Me: That's a good idea. So you go by color...and then...

Dad: And then I put a LOT of sugar in. I mean...a LOT of sugar. You really can't have too much sugar.

Me: Okay...a lot...of...sugar...

Dad: Then I take the biggest salt shaker, and put quite a few big shakes in.

Me: So like...an actual salt shaker? Or mom's salt thing...

Dad: No- an actual salt shaker. I would say that if you were making hot chocolate for two people...so about 4 cups...then I would put 5-6 big shakes in there.

Me: Okay...anything else?

Dad: Then I taste it...and if it's too bitter...more sugar...too chocolaty...more milk...you know, I adjust it after I taste it. OH- and don't forget the whipped cream on top. That's a verrry important part.

Me: *laughs* alright. Lots of whipped cream. Okay, well thanks dad!

Dad: Good luck.

Yeah. You know what I did? I actually wrote down his instructions. Typical me. Can't trust myself to remember simple things like...add some cocoa sugar and salt to warmed milk and your good. Anyway...good news is, I made it and it tasted DELISH! Thanks dad!

Well...that'll be all for now. 19 days till Christmas! YIKES. I've gotta get sewing.

9 comments:

Alisha and Braeden said...

This year has been one of those years for me too and it is so easy to get out of the habit of doing those things but it happens when we are busy I guess. I do agree that you can feel the difference and life is so much better when we do those little things! Good luck with your new goals! :) That hot chocolate sounds good I am going to have to try it!

Sharon/Mom/ Grandma said...

Well, dad and I had a good laugh over that blog! I am so glad you wrote that down. I am glad it turned out! Chip off the old block. (dad I mean) :-)
We forgot the Devotional can you believe it! I remembered after it was over. So we dvr'd it for us to watch later. I think I am still brain dead from this week. That is so cool about your journal I am not surprised that is what they said. A man at weight watchers said, one day missed is just a day two days missed is a habit starting. Pretty profound. What blows my mind is how fast you can start a bad habit and how long it takes to make a good one!!! The present thing, quite a crack up! I remember when fabric and patterns took a giant leap, everyone said it wasn't worth sewing anymore. I said it was if you buy everything on sale or if you can't find what you want, or if the item you want is way to expensive. But you always get better quality if you are a good seamstress, and you are oficially a good seamstress! I love you!!! I miss you!

AMY AND MIKEY said...

Danielle, that post was hilarious! I loved the dad and you conversation. Andn I've been wondering the same thing beacuse I agree- dad's hot chocoate is the BEST. That is hilarious he goes by color. hhaha. That was so funny what clay said about the gifts- I could totally hear him saying that- "Not if you choose for it not to be"- hahah. love it. I am so excited to see you guys! And your house! I would be hounding you about pictures- but since we're coming so soon, I'll let you off the hook. I'm excited to see what you made for people. Yes, we watched teh devotional, and I loevd it as well, but we missed teh first 20 minutes- so I'm going to haev to find it online and watch that part. I have only watched 2 christmas movies so far- and that is NOT ennough- and I don't have very many, I hate it. I love you!

Grandma, Nonnie said...

That is the funniest blog you have written in a long time, and I loved it, that he goes by color HA!I think you are and have always been a really good girl, always obedient, kind, loving, and appreciative. If you fall off the wagon for awhile then that just shows you are human. You are too young to be translated Danielle, so you have to be a little imperfect. I love you just the way you are.

Lizzie said...

I was cracking up...totally aloud at the conversation between you and Dad. Loved it. One time I called Mom to ask her how to make scones. She wasn't home, and Dad answered, so I asked him. The conversation was very was similiar to the one you had with him. Very matter-of-fact directions. = )

Loved the part about spirituality. I think all of us can relate. I love you.

HeidiT said...

That conversation was hilarious! I had a very similar one with my parents last month when I asked them how to make my Grandma's cornbread stuffing for Thanksgiving.

Patty said...

Loved the blog about the hot chocolate. Makayla is the same way with Paul's hot chocolate. The dinner was so yummy with you guys and I think your house looks great with all of the decorations. Have a great day. love you. bye now.

Kami said...

Salt? I thought he was kidding, I guess not. I think there has been a lack of Christmas movies here also, and music too! So, do you know what the third book will be called yet? I can't wait!! I loved New Moon too, I want it when it comes out! Well, good luck with your sewing!

Megan and Greg said...

Whoops, forgot about the devotional. Isn't that bad?! I'll watch it online. I've been going thru the same "gotta get back in the spiritual habit" mode too. It's a struggle. It didn't used to be. That's great about your journals. I threw mine away. There's was NOTHING good to remember in that thing. But I like the other ones. But wish there was less about boys in there. I have so many christmas movies. Like 10. I'm glad you said that about Angels and Demons because I've heard NOTHING about it and was going to watch it. Now I'm not. But have you seen TAKEN? AMAZING!!!! Love you! Can't wait to see you!