Nutella, Kebabs, and St. Patrick's Day!

Have you ever been to a "Nutella, Kebabs, St. Patrick's Day Party? I'm guessing for most everyone else on the planet the answer to that question is NO! A group of clever Young Women from our Ward and one of their leaders hosted this very imaginative celebration last Saturday. Here is the explanation of the party: We have combined three things that simply do not get enough attention in most people's party plans. First, Nutella, that chocolatey, hazlenutty goodness is worthy of two or three parties a year. And Kebabs? I need hardly explain that all food is more fun on a stick. What's not to love? Lastly, St. Patrick's Day. Long looked at merely as an excuse to wear green (or to pinch people), this holiday holds endless possibilities for green-hued fun. So, what does one do at a Nutella / Kebab / St. Patty's Day Party? For starters, attendees should wear green (or be prepared for the consequences). Like most parties, food will be involved. Everyone should bring a dish that either: 1) includes Nutella as a discernible ingredient, 2) is on a kebab (and seriously, folks, think outside the box on this one, SO many things could go on a stick that usually don't), and/or 3) is green, shaped like a four-leaf clover, or otherwise invokes the spirit of St. Patrick's Day. We will be on the lookout for creativity here, so look for ways to create a dish that involves more than just one of those three options. Super bonus points (and the points DO matter) to anyone who can bring something that includes all three. Games, trivia, and possibly Irish dancing will be part of the festivities. Can't wait to see you young women and leaders there for a fun YW activity! The food was delicious and fit the criteria for the party so well. Pizza kebabs, tortellini kebabs, pickles on a stick....brownies on a stick....shamrock cookies on a stick....cupcakes on a stick....Nutella pancake balls on a stick.....tater tots on a stick....you get the idea!

Definitely the most clever food of the night was the 'pot of gold at the end of the rainbow' kebabs! The rainbow is licorice.
Such a fun night! Now in the spirit of Ireland I'll just say "Slán go fóill."

Jackson's DNA

Remember Jackson? He is the dog who came to our house in Idaho in May of 2010 to stay for a couple of weeks and is still there! I think we can count him as a family member now for sure! For Christmas I gave Jackson (and Scott) a Canine DNA test kit. Here are the much anticipated results!!

Jackson's probable grandparents - a Labrador Retriever

Now that makes sense to me. Characteristics that definitely describe Jackson are "usually happy-go-lucky, calm and easy going, enjoys dog sports, friendly, and food motivated". Definitely see the family resemblance there.

Other Grandparent - a Border Collie

Don't really see the physical resemblance at all but like this breed, Jackson is "intelligent, obedient, and enjoys dog sports".

Other grandparent - a Papillon

This one is definitely a stretch....Jackson weighs 80 pounds and a Papillon weighs 4 - 10 pounds. Again they are called "intelligent, athletic, playful" and they enjoy "dog sports". If enjoys 'dog sports' can be translated to 'ball crazy' then Jackson is right there!

Last grandparent is just called "Mixed Breed".

Reading about all these dogs makes me wonder if they ever label any breed as "not too bright"! I once read something in a magazine about the breed of our beloved Cirera that said, "No one would ever pick a Catalan Sheep Dog for their looks" and I was horribly insulted and even thought about writing to the editor! Can't imagine the reaction of a dog owner when told that his loved pet is less than intelligent!

Well, no matter his lineage, we all love Jackson!

Antarctica for Empty Nesters

Last night George and I gave a presentation to our Empty Nester's Family Home Evening Group about our recent trip to Antarctica. Rather than just boring them with our photos (we have 3500) we put together a presentation on the three main Antarctica Explorers - Amundsen, Shackleton, and Scott. Amundsen was the first to reach the South Pole after a carefully planned and executed journey. Scott's group reached the Pole second but all died before they got back to civilization. Shackleton did not achieve his goal of being the first to traverse Antarctica but his excellent leadership did get all of his men back alive, although they had quite a difficult time for a couple of years on the ice and on the ocean. This was our concluding slide:Little did I know that George had just that day lost his job! He didn't tell me until today. So now we are adapting and pressing forward! Looks like another "Come What May and Love it" kind of year!

Feels like home to me....

Have you ever heard the Chantal Kreviazuk song, "It Feels Like Home To Me"? If our foster dog could sing, I think she'd be singing the chorus," It feels like home to me, it feels like home to me. It feels like I'm all the way back where I belong."

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"Giant" problems in Seminary

To most of the world the word 'seminary' refers to a college that prepares students to be priests, ministers, or rabbis. To LDS teens around the word 'seminary' is a 4 year program for high school students with the objectives to study the scriptures "to help youth understand and rely on the teachings and Atonement of Jesus Christ, qualify for the blessings of the temple, and prepare themselves, their families, and others for eternal life with their Father in Heaven." In some areas seminary class is held in the early morning before school, sometimes as early as 6:00 a.m. For others it is a home study seminary. For those of us living in the Western US where there are quite a few LDS teens, seminary is called 'release time'. This means that students are actually released or excused from one class period of their normal school day to attend a religion class in a building adjacent to, but not on, the high school campus. Here in Lake Oswego the class is held at our church building which happens to be right across the street from Lakeridge High School. Since September I have had the fun privilege of teaching Old Testament during the first period (7:35 - 8:50 a.m.) of the day to 14 wonderful high school students.

Friday morning we had a lesson about David and Goliath. I based my lesson on this poster

After attacking Goliath with a slingshot and marshmallows, the kids posed by this 'life sized' reproduction of the Philistine Giant Goliath!

We've got some pretty tough giant killers!

And they look so cute!

Don't worry Emma, Thomas will beat up that giant for you!

When James gets on Christian's shoulders they become Goliath sized!

After our fun giant slaying activity, the kids made a list of the modern day 'Goliaths' they face like immorality, drugs and alcohol, bullying, dishonesty, negative media influences, immodesty, peer pressure.....and on and on. Then we talked about the things they can use in their lives as 'stones and a sling' to help defeat these modern Goliaths. Some of their weapons are the scriptures, prayer, the Holy Ghost, and parents. But my favorite was when Emma added "each other" to the list of possible weapons. How true! Peer pressure is often thought of as a negative thing but it can be positive too. What an amazing force for good they can be as they face the Goliaths of the world with strong faith and good courage knowing that the Lord God is with them as he was with David so long ago!

My life is blessed as I start my day with these enthusiastic youth as we study the scriptures together.