Saying goodbye to....

..the old 2012.

I sit here thinking about the 2012 and the many memories that were made.

I loved 2012. 

It was a year that was good to me and my family.

 2012 Christmas with the Fielding Family
Post Christmas with the Swenson family

2013 New Years with the Van Tassell Family

This Year-2103

To become more of an activist for women's right in developing countries.
This is how I participate:
1. Join groups that re involved with this activism.
2.  Read and be involved in Blogs and Facebook post's
 that deal with this subject matter.
3. Sign petitions and communicate to government that
are involved in making laws.
4. Listening to web-cast
5. Reading books that deal with the subject.
6. Talking to Friends and family about these issues.
 7. Emailing friends and family to give them
resources on how they can make a difference.

On the right side of my blog you can see what
 foundations and organizations I put my most effort into.

Wishing you the very best
in

Winter sweaters

 If I could afford to buy my winter sweaters, it would be from 

(click here...Dale of Norway. 

Can you believe the beauty and artistry of these wool sweaters?

I love them all.

Winter Sweater

Wool to warm me
Comfort it gives me
Protection from the white winter.

January 2013

Here we GO!

A full year ahead of: 

????

It's good to have something to blog about.

I am going to use this How Many Days in a Year calculator.

I am doing self help therapy when I blog.

on to my next post......

Pre Christmas Thoughts

This season of the reflection of the Christ Child brings 

so many feelings and thoughts of how I have lived my life.

(not to worry, I am not going to get too deep in thought here.)

Family and friends are such a big part of who I am, I used to think that 

my religion was too, but in recent years, I have come to a conclusion 

that I am influenced by so many good 

people (outside of my religious roots) that 

 really want to make the world a safe, happy and 

productive place for humankind to experience 

the goodness that exists in our world (universe).

As a person that was really living in a small isolated sphere, I was left out

 of what the rest of humanity was doing to exists on a daily basis.

I forced myself to read, act, and think differently.

I have been to places that others might consider dangerous or unsafe.

I have read of others' tragedies and challenges to even survive a day.

I have seen poverty and injustices that I have never experienced myself.

I do believe that God and Christ will heal all 

wounds and will make up the difference.

I will be more kind, loving and thoughtful in my actions.

I will be more tolerant, and see "both sides."

I will be an activist for equal rights for all.

I am amazed by the good that 

my world family does for one another.

Happy to be a part of it.

This is a wonderful life.

-Melanie 

Pepperidge Farms

Tonight, I made Palmiers -
Palmiers are made from puff pastry, a laminated dough 

similar to the dough used for croissant, but without the yeast. 

Puff pastry is alternating layers of dough and melted butter. 

The puff pastry is rolled out, coated with sugar, and then the two sides 

are rolled up together so that they meet in the middle, making a roll that is
 then cut into 

about 1/4" slices and baked. 
Usually it is rolled in sugar before baking.

I thawed out my Peppridge Farms Puff Pastry,

I love anything that has FARMS in the name.

There is a truth in that it must be fresh and natural.

I jumped onto PF's website to get some ideas as to what 

I should make with this buttery rich dough.

I was so impressed by their site that I had to share 

it with this post. click her to go and discover so many delicious

 ideas for your holiday entertaining!

click here

Postlude to Gratitude.

A big thanks to my sister-in -law Kim (and family) for hosting and cooking

 a wonderfully delicious turkey dinner!

 The Kitchen Crew

The next generation of cooks

Photo BoothPhoto enhanced 
 We actually had all those pies to choose from. :)

The Utah Swenson's
Grateful for family!

Life of Pi

This is a book I highly recommend..

The Life of Pi

 The minute I started to read it, I was so transformed and hooked on the

 place, characters and events. This novel is a mystical tale.

Here is a brief summary

Life of Pi

and here is a sneak peek

I maybe the first one in line at the theater for this great adventure!