I Feel Rich When...

I eat warm, homemade bread

I can read the words of Heavenly Father whenever I want to

I can hang out with my family. My husband, kids, sisters...

After a few days of no floss, I FINALLY have some (that's actually what inspired this blog...).

I think of all my true friends

My kids draw me pictures to hang up at work

I can pick fresh from the garden strawberries

My husband calls me at 3:00

I get a homemade bracelet from my son. It doesn't fit, but I hang it up with my jewelry anyway.

What makes you feel rich?

Cooking...It's as Easy as 1, 2, 3...

I LOVE cooking! Or rather, reading cookbooks. It all started in college, when I had a one hour bus layover downtown. This usually happened at lunchtime, and I was usually STARVING! And I was usually poor. So instead of forking out $7 for a piece of pizza everyday, I would get the free Chick-Fil-A sample and wander to a bookstore and look at recipe books. It was the closest I would get to food. Pathetic, I know.

HOWEVER, reading cookbooks grew into a hobby. Now I like to read them just for fun, for my "unwind" time everynight before I go to bed.

I also love recipe websites. Here are my favorite three:

All recipes. My favorite part is the ingredient search. Once I had 1/2 cup of orange marmalade in the fridge. What do you do with that? (Besides use it again for the gross recipe I originally bought it for?) I typed it in to the ingredient search and later that day made some delicious orange muffins my whole family enjoyed.

The Pioneer Woman Cooks I love her commentary, her pictures, her food (well, I'm sure I would like it anyway. I haven't actually made some of it!).

And last but not least, my friend's blog. I hope she doesn't mind me mentioning it (if so, just comment and I'll delete this part Kathy!). I love tried and true recipes! Especially the money saving kind!

And, just for fun, here's a recipe my husband made last night, which is soooo good!

Flourless Peanut Butter Cookies
1 c peanut butter
1 c sugar
1 egg
chocolate chips
1 tsp baking soda

Mix altogether and bake. Don't overbake. Delicious!

My Tasty Five:
1. Cheesecake
2. Homemade bread
3. Homemade cookies
4. Sweet and Sour Meatballs
5. Anything with zucchini

It's a Dog Eat Dog World

Sometimes I'm reminded that I don't live in a perfect world. Like when my alarm doesn't go off and I wake up an hour late. Or when I spill honey on my pants (the ironed ones even!). Or when I get to work with my honey-splotched pants and remember that I have to give a presentation in front of 40 to 50 business people. Or when I forgot to bring a fork for my lunch and we're not allowed to steal from the office supply.

OR (and this is the part that gets me), when you're in the meeting with 40 to 50 business people, someone else who's making a presentation COMPLETELY points out a co-worker of mine and how she doesn't quite do her job so well. AND THAT'S THE FIRST MY CO-WORKER HAD HEARD OF IT. Or even me, and I'm her boss.

Now, it's not all bad. I did take a shower last night, so I was able to get ready for work in time. And my wonderful husband made my breakfast and lunch today so I wouldn't starve myself, or, worse, use my credit card to buy lunch. And breakfast. And snacks. And my honey splotch faded, and my presentation is over. And who cares - one fork gone from the office supply isn't going to cause the state's flagship institution to file for bankruptcy.

But being rude? Seriously. Stop it!

Can't we all just be nice?

My Five:

1. Bunnies and chipmunks, and deeeeeep, caaaalming breaths.

2. My husband. I really couldn't have made it out the door this morning in 25 minutes without him. And he makes awesome crepes and spaghetti.

3. My third-born child. He wakes up most mornings before I leave and tells me that he loves me and good-bye.

4. A fan for my desk.

5. Visiting teaching done! (Thanks to my partner who scheduled them early in the month!)


UPDATE - 1 1/2 HOURS LATER:
THE OFFENDER SENT AN OFFICE-WIDE EMAIL APOLOGIZING AND CLARIFYING WHAT SHE MEANT.

PHEW! LIFE REALLY IS GOOD!