I'm happiest when...

To contact us Click HERE

I'm happiest when I take the time to read my scriptures, even when I think I won't get anything out of them.

I'm happiest when I say meaningful prayers and spend the time thinking about and thanking the Lord for my innumerable blessings.

I'm happiest when I'm driving to the temple, holding my husband's hand as we drive.

I'm happiest when I listen to all 8 hours of General Conference and then study each talk later when the transcripts are printed.

I'm happiest when I remember my Savior loves me and has suffered every pain and affliction so that my burdens can be lightened, my pains can be lessened, and my happiness can be deeper.


I'm a busy person and often times I think I will be happier if I just go to bed without reading my scriptures. Or that I can't possibly sit still long enough to listen to every talk from General Conference. But when I take the time to be still and let the Lord take control of my life a peace comes over me that I can never achieve by myself. I have seen the Lord's hand readily in my life recently and pray that as I continue to sacrifice MY will and obey HIS will that he will be able to mold me into a better Me. A happier me. A more peaceful me.

Hike of the Week- Coplay Lake

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Coplay Lake @ Dennis Long

Updated Tuesday 2-26-2013. This is on the edge of Mount Rainier Park the Carbon River side. This is the summer toad to Summmit Lake. Road is not gated so might have just a few trucks.
Check out Green Trails Maps for directions. 237 is the map for this hike. Click here for complete list of maps. 



Road walk @ Dennis Long

Open mountain views on the way up @ Michael Fagin

Road goes up to Summit Lake too far to do in winter  Michael Faign

At the edge of the lake @ Dennis Long

Driving Directions; From Enumclaw drive west on State Route 410 (Chinook Pass Highway) to SR 165. Proceed on SR 165 to the Carbon River Road/Mowich Lake Highway junction. Turn left onto Carbon River Road and follow it to Cayada Creek Road (Forest Road 7810), which is  just before the national park entrance. Turn left (north) and drive about 4 miles which is close  to the snow line about 2800 feet

Trail Stats: To lake is about 2.5 miles one way and 1100 feet gain. Depends where you park

I'm happiest when...

To contact us Click HERE

I'm happiest when I take the time to read my scriptures, even when I think I won't get anything out of them.

I'm happiest when I say meaningful prayers and spend the time thinking about and thanking the Lord for my innumerable blessings.

I'm happiest when I'm driving to the temple, holding my husband's hand as we drive.

I'm happiest when I listen to all 8 hours of General Conference and then study each talk later when the transcripts are printed.

I'm happiest when I remember my Savior loves me and has suffered every pain and affliction so that my burdens can be lightened, my pains can be lessened, and my happiness can be deeper.


I'm a busy person and often times I think I will be happier if I just go to bed without reading my scriptures. Or that I can't possibly sit still long enough to listen to every talk from General Conference. But when I take the time to be still and let the Lord take control of my life a peace comes over me that I can never achieve by myself. I have seen the Lord's hand readily in my life recently and pray that as I continue to sacrifice MY will and obey HIS will that he will be able to mold me into a better Me. A happier me. A more peaceful me.

I'm happiest when...

To contact us Click HERE

I'm happiest when I take the time to read my scriptures, even when I think I won't get anything out of them.

I'm happiest when I say meaningful prayers and spend the time thinking about and thanking the Lord for my innumerable blessings.

I'm happiest when I'm driving to the temple, holding my husband's hand as we drive.

I'm happiest when I listen to all 8 hours of General Conference and then study each talk later when the transcripts are printed.

I'm happiest when I remember my Savior loves me and has suffered every pain and affliction so that my burdens can be lightened, my pains can be lessened, and my happiness can be deeper.


I'm a busy person and often times I think I will be happier if I just go to bed without reading my scriptures. Or that I can't possibly sit still long enough to listen to every talk from General Conference. But when I take the time to be still and let the Lord take control of my life a peace comes over me that I can never achieve by myself. I have seen the Lord's hand readily in my life recently and pray that as I continue to sacrifice MY will and obey HIS will that he will be able to mold me into a better Me. A happier me. A more peaceful me.

Needs vs. Wants

To contact us Click HERE
I'm having a hard time deciding what are my Needs today and what are my Wants. I've decided that preparing my primary lesson and buying the groceries I was asked to bring to dinner tomorrow are Needs.

Sadly, where I'm struggling is: doing laundry, vacuuming, cleaning the kitchen, and making another freezer meal for the week. They feel like Needs. And it's sorta sad that they're also Wants, instead of something like, say, watching TV and sewing.

But I am very sore and tired today and it's probably more of a Need just to rest, despite feeling like a terrible wife for sending my husband to work with frozen burritos and hot pockets in his lunch. Thankfully I married a man that is more concerned with how I'm feeling than with what's in his lunch. (Which at least did include cucumbers, mushrooms, and a fruit smoothie.)

Sigh, I don't think I'll ever get this "Fun" thing down. But that's ok. I'm happier than I've ever been so I think that's what's important.

I'm happiest when...

To contact us Click HERE

I'm happiest when I take the time to read my scriptures, even when I think I won't get anything out of them.

I'm happiest when I say meaningful prayers and spend the time thinking about and thanking the Lord for my innumerable blessings.

I'm happiest when I'm driving to the temple, holding my husband's hand as we drive.

I'm happiest when I listen to all 8 hours of General Conference and then study each talk later when the transcripts are printed.

I'm happiest when I remember my Savior loves me and has suffered every pain and affliction so that my burdens can be lightened, my pains can be lessened, and my happiness can be deeper.


I'm a busy person and often times I think I will be happier if I just go to bed without reading my scriptures. Or that I can't possibly sit still long enough to listen to every talk from General Conference. But when I take the time to be still and let the Lord take control of my life a peace comes over me that I can never achieve by myself. I have seen the Lord's hand readily in my life recently and pray that as I continue to sacrifice MY will and obey HIS will that he will be able to mold me into a better Me. A happier me. A more peaceful me.

Thinking of EJ

To contact us Click HERE
Lately I've been having a craving for saltines and cream cheese. And I've been thinking of EJ and rusty red garden tables. And blue ceramic fish-shaped platters sitting high on china hutches. And tea pots and tea cups filled with mint or lemon zinger tea with copious amounts of sugar stirred in. And entire blocks of cream cheese being consumed in one sitting by two young girls living a fantasy filled with fairies and drying flowers and a permanently locked mysterious storage room in a basement. And old-fashioned, screenless windows that opened by lifting, permitting a young girl to stick her whole torso out of the window, making her hair curl in the misty air and her mind think she was living in a Green Gables fantasy. And nights sitting on the porch wrapped in a flannel and jeans quilt listening to the fog horn, sipping tea and eating more saltines and cream cheese.

I'm happiest when...

To contact us Click HERE

I'm happiest when I take the time to read my scriptures, even when I think I won't get anything out of them.

I'm happiest when I say meaningful prayers and spend the time thinking about and thanking the Lord for my innumerable blessings.

I'm happiest when I'm driving to the temple, holding my husband's hand as we drive.

I'm happiest when I listen to all 8 hours of General Conference and then study each talk later when the transcripts are printed.

I'm happiest when I remember my Savior loves me and has suffered every pain and affliction so that my burdens can be lightened, my pains can be lessened, and my happiness can be deeper.


I'm a busy person and often times I think I will be happier if I just go to bed without reading my scriptures. Or that I can't possibly sit still long enough to listen to every talk from General Conference. But when I take the time to be still and let the Lord take control of my life a peace comes over me that I can never achieve by myself. I have seen the Lord's hand readily in my life recently and pray that as I continue to sacrifice MY will and obey HIS will that he will be able to mold me into a better Me. A happier me. A more peaceful me.

I'm happiest when...

To contact us Click HERE

I'm happiest when I take the time to read my scriptures, even when I think I won't get anything out of them.

I'm happiest when I say meaningful prayers and spend the time thinking about and thanking the Lord for my innumerable blessings.

I'm happiest when I'm driving to the temple, holding my husband's hand as we drive.

I'm happiest when I listen to all 8 hours of General Conference and then study each talk later when the transcripts are printed.

I'm happiest when I remember my Savior loves me and has suffered every pain and affliction so that my burdens can be lightened, my pains can be lessened, and my happiness can be deeper.


I'm a busy person and often times I think I will be happier if I just go to bed without reading my scriptures. Or that I can't possibly sit still long enough to listen to every talk from General Conference. But when I take the time to be still and let the Lord take control of my life a peace comes over me that I can never achieve by myself. I have seen the Lord's hand readily in my life recently and pray that as I continue to sacrifice MY will and obey HIS will that he will be able to mold me into a better Me. A happier me. A more peaceful me.

KUOW Hike of the Week: Desert-Wind Farm Or Ski

To contact us Click HERE

Lenticular clouds and wind turbines- surreal? @ Alan Bauer

Updated 2-19-2013

This road is gated for February and March offers plenty of sun and views of the wind turbines, clouds, and Columbia River. Thanks to Alan Bauer Dennis Long for photos.
Check out Green Trails Maps for directions. 207 S for the Pass if you ski. Click here for complete list of maps. 

Hike is road walk and is now gated @ Dennis Long

Sage and wind turbines @ Michael Fagin

View from top of ridge of Columbia River @ Michael Fagin

Catus blooms end of April or early May @ Alan Bauer

Come back in May and you will see flowers @ Alan Bauer

Driving Directions: From Seattle take I-90 east and take exit 115.From exit 115. and off I-90 at Kittitas, go north over freeway. At 1.2 miles turn right at the stop sign. Veer to the left soon after onto County Road 81, and continue 1.2 miles total from the stop sign (2.4 miles from I-90) then turn right onto the Vantage Highway (SR 14). After 10.4 miles on the Vantage Highway pass the turn access to the Wild Horse Windfarm where you can go up to the visitor center after march 31st yearly. 1.8 miles past the entrance to the PSE wind farm (12.2 miles total from County Road 81) find the first access to the Quilomene Wildlife Area. Park here, Discover Pass required (Dept. of Fish and Wildlife lands here).
Stats: Out route was 3.7 miles one way with about 600 foot gain.

Route

Check out Nordic Center at Snoqualmie Pass for directions. Lots of new snow this Friday and Saturday. Click here for maps and details. 

I'm happiest when...

To contact us Click HERE

I'm happiest when I take the time to read my scriptures, even when I think I won't get anything out of them.

I'm happiest when I say meaningful prayers and spend the time thinking about and thanking the Lord for my innumerable blessings.

I'm happiest when I'm driving to the temple, holding my husband's hand as we drive.

I'm happiest when I listen to all 8 hours of General Conference and then study each talk later when the transcripts are printed.

I'm happiest when I remember my Savior loves me and has suffered every pain and affliction so that my burdens can be lightened, my pains can be lessened, and my happiness can be deeper.


I'm a busy person and often times I think I will be happier if I just go to bed without reading my scriptures. Or that I can't possibly sit still long enough to listen to every talk from General Conference. But when I take the time to be still and let the Lord take control of my life a peace comes over me that I can never achieve by myself. I have seen the Lord's hand readily in my life recently and pray that as I continue to sacrifice MY will and obey HIS will that he will be able to mold me into a better Me. A happier me. A more peaceful me.

I'm happiest when...

To contact us Click HERE

I'm happiest when I take the time to read my scriptures, even when I think I won't get anything out of them.

I'm happiest when I say meaningful prayers and spend the time thinking about and thanking the Lord for my innumerable blessings.

I'm happiest when I'm driving to the temple, holding my husband's hand as we drive.

I'm happiest when I listen to all 8 hours of General Conference and then study each talk later when the transcripts are printed.

I'm happiest when I remember my Savior loves me and has suffered every pain and affliction so that my burdens can be lightened, my pains can be lessened, and my happiness can be deeper.


I'm a busy person and often times I think I will be happier if I just go to bed without reading my scriptures. Or that I can't possibly sit still long enough to listen to every talk from General Conference. But when I take the time to be still and let the Lord take control of my life a peace comes over me that I can never achieve by myself. I have seen the Lord's hand readily in my life recently and pray that as I continue to sacrifice MY will and obey HIS will that he will be able to mold me into a better Me. A happier me. A more peaceful me.

Yes, you CAN make brown rice in a crock pot!

To contact us Click HERE
I've been failing at cooking brown rice lately and I hate how it takes an hour to make. So I thought I'd try the slow cooker. (I've been on a slow-cooker kick these last couple weeks.) Yes, it takes longer BUT if I could put it in at the beginning of church and have it ready the minute I got home, happy day!

I realized I was using too much water (2.5 cups water to 1 cup rice). I had thought I needed that much because the climate is so dry here that I always have to use extra water when making bread. And the instructions on the package DID say to use 2-2.5 cups of water. This morning I read the fine print: use less water if you want firmer rice, more water if you want chewier rice.

So this morning I sprayed the inside of my 2 quart crock pot with cooking spray, added 2 cups brown rice and 4 cups COLD water (preserving the 1:2 ratio of rice to water). I set it on high and let it cook for 3 hours and voila. Perfectly cooked brown rice! And I was able to eat lunch immediately because I didn't have to wait an hour to cook the rice on the stove. Because really, who wants to cook something and have to wait for lunch when you get home from church? We're usually so hungry we don't even change out of our church clothes before eating!

I'm being responsible...

To contact us Click HERE
It's 60 degrees outside and I'm sitting inside on the couch studying for my Life and Health Agent exam, which is Monday afternoon.
And further making me restless is knowing that Kevin is outside hiking, having a good time in the warmth and sunshine. He was sweet enough to offer to stay and help me study (and he really would have). But I've never known how to have someone help me study. And it does help me focus better with him not being here.
So here's to me being responsible.
(But I'm smiling because I can hear my neighbor singing to her two-year old "Singing in the Rain" and the two-year old is singing back her own version of it. That's right, start them off with show tunes young and they will grow to love them!)

I'm happiest when...

To contact us Click HERE

I'm happiest when I take the time to read my scriptures, even when I think I won't get anything out of them.

I'm happiest when I say meaningful prayers and spend the time thinking about and thanking the Lord for my innumerable blessings.

I'm happiest when I'm driving to the temple, holding my husband's hand as we drive.

I'm happiest when I listen to all 8 hours of General Conference and then study each talk later when the transcripts are printed.

I'm happiest when I remember my Savior loves me and has suffered every pain and affliction so that my burdens can be lightened, my pains can be lessened, and my happiness can be deeper.


I'm a busy person and often times I think I will be happier if I just go to bed without reading my scriptures. Or that I can't possibly sit still long enough to listen to every talk from General Conference. But when I take the time to be still and let the Lord take control of my life a peace comes over me that I can never achieve by myself. I have seen the Lord's hand readily in my life recently and pray that as I continue to sacrifice MY will and obey HIS will that he will be able to mold me into a better Me. A happier me. A more peaceful me.

KUOW Hike of the Week: Desert-Wind Farm

To contact us Click HERE

Clouds streaming in desert sky of Eastern Washington with wind farm in background @ Dennis Long

Updated 2-19-2013

This road is gated for February and March offers plenty of sun and views of the wind turbines, clouds, and Columbia River. Thanks to Dennis Long for photos.
Check out Green Trails Maps for directions. No map for this hike but check out route below. Click here for complete list of maps. 

Hike is road walk and is now gated @ Dennis Long

Sage and wind turbines @ Michael Fagin

View from top of ridge of Columbia River @ Michael Fagin

Driving Directions: From Seattle take I-90 east and take exit 115.From exit 115, turn left to city of Kittitas and drive through Kittitas, turn right at “T”, Patrick Avenue. Turn left at 81 Road, then turn right at Vantage Highway. Take that about 5 miles and go "past" the entrance to the Visitor Center of the Wild Horse Wind Farm. Then drive 1.8 miles past the Visitor Center driveway and  turn left on small parking lot and start hike.
Stats: Out route was 3.7 miles one way with about 600 foot gain.

Route

I'm being responsible...

To contact us Click HERE
It's 60 degrees outside and I'm sitting inside on the couch studying for my Life and Health Agent exam, which is Monday afternoon.
And further making me restless is knowing that Kevin is outside hiking, having a good time in the warmth and sunshine. He was sweet enough to offer to stay and help me study (and he really would have). But I've never known how to have someone help me study. And it does help me focus better with him not being here.
So here's to me being responsible.
(But I'm smiling because I can hear my neighbor singing to her two-year old "Singing in the Rain" and the two-year old is singing back her own version of it. That's right, start them off with show tunes young and they will grow to love them!)

I'm happiest when...

To contact us Click HERE

I'm happiest when I take the time to read my scriptures, even when I think I won't get anything out of them.

I'm happiest when I say meaningful prayers and spend the time thinking about and thanking the Lord for my innumerable blessings.

I'm happiest when I'm driving to the temple, holding my husband's hand as we drive.

I'm happiest when I listen to all 8 hours of General Conference and then study each talk later when the transcripts are printed.

I'm happiest when I remember my Savior loves me and has suffered every pain and affliction so that my burdens can be lightened, my pains can be lessened, and my happiness can be deeper.


I'm a busy person and often times I think I will be happier if I just go to bed without reading my scriptures. Or that I can't possibly sit still long enough to listen to every talk from General Conference. But when I take the time to be still and let the Lord take control of my life a peace comes over me that I can never achieve by myself. I have seen the Lord's hand readily in my life recently and pray that as I continue to sacrifice MY will and obey HIS will that he will be able to mold me into a better Me. A happier me. A more peaceful me.

I'm being responsible...

To contact us Click HERE
It's 60 degrees outside and I'm sitting inside on the couch studying for my Life and Health Agent exam, which is Monday afternoon.
And further making me restless is knowing that Kevin is outside hiking, having a good time in the warmth and sunshine. He was sweet enough to offer to stay and help me study (and he really would have). But I've never known how to have someone help me study. And it does help me focus better with him not being here.
So here's to me being responsible.
(But I'm smiling because I can hear my neighbor singing to her two-year old "Singing in the Rain" and the two-year old is singing back her own version of it. That's right, start them off with show tunes young and they will grow to love them!)

I'm happiest when...

To contact us Click HERE

I'm happiest when I take the time to read my scriptures, even when I think I won't get anything out of them.

I'm happiest when I say meaningful prayers and spend the time thinking about and thanking the Lord for my innumerable blessings.

I'm happiest when I'm driving to the temple, holding my husband's hand as we drive.

I'm happiest when I listen to all 8 hours of General Conference and then study each talk later when the transcripts are printed.

I'm happiest when I remember my Savior loves me and has suffered every pain and affliction so that my burdens can be lightened, my pains can be lessened, and my happiness can be deeper.


I'm a busy person and often times I think I will be happier if I just go to bed without reading my scriptures. Or that I can't possibly sit still long enough to listen to every talk from General Conference. But when I take the time to be still and let the Lord take control of my life a peace comes over me that I can never achieve by myself. I have seen the Lord's hand readily in my life recently and pray that as I continue to sacrifice MY will and obey HIS will that he will be able to mold me into a better Me. A happier me. A more peaceful me.