reads

The past few days I have been spending the weird spring weather reading a few books and apartment hunting. We are starting to outgrow our 1bedroom place, but are not yet convinced about the price of anything newer. Budgeting to see if we can afford (or want) to buy a place here.
What are you doing in your free time these days??
I enjoyed both of these books, easy reads- and light entertainment with a love story in both!

a few pictures

growing

Lottie is growing!
Right now she seems to understand SOOOO much! Friday evening I was getting ready so we could go out, I was in the bedroom getting dressed and for a final touch put on a necklace. I stepped into another room to do something else and called Lottie so I could load her up to go- out she came walking with a pearl necklace on!!! Then she walked back in the bedroom and the next thing I knew she had on the matching bracelet! She is so very observant! When she is about to do something she knows she shouldn't she looks at me shakes her head "NO" then does it anyway... a mind of her own, that is for sure! I love her so very much! She has started to say "daddy", "mommy", "milk" "meahn" (amen), and other little noises. She reminds us MANY times during the day to pray- she is so sweet!

Great helper!

I was hanging laundry out to dry today and Lottie came running in and stuck her head into the washer to pull clothes out and started hanging them the best her little "1yr" hands could! I started running around looking for the camera and some batteries with enough juice to capture the whole thing- in the end I only had my phone- so the image is a bit blurry- but at least you have a glimpse of my little helper!

Peek of Rome

Here are a few pictures of us at TREVI fountain where Lottie threw her first "wishing to return to ROME coin"- she loved it! Especially throwing it over her shoulder!

wall art

The past few weeks I have been helping my friend Michelle create useful things for the nursery awaiting Little Baby S to arrive mid April. We have made bumper pads, sheets, covers for the changing table, window valances, a diaper stacker and a quilt still in the works! While we have been working on all these fun little projects we added a few throw pillows to the list for her newly painted and remodeled front room. We also tried our hand at making a frame from pieces of wood and stretching a panel of fabric over the frame for some wall art! We were both very pleased with how it turned out! I can't wait to see it on the bright green wall in her home! (I will post the link when she gets it all put together!)

I LOVE IT! Don't you??

Your potential

Last week while preparing a lesson for church I came across a quote I had written down a few years ago in my journal. It was as powerful for me now reading it as it was when I wrote it. I thought it a GREAT one to share.

"I feel to invite women everywhere to rise to the great potential within you. I do not ask that you reach beyond your capacity. I hope you will not nag yourselves with the thoughts of failure. I hope you will not try to set goals far beyond your capacity to achieve. I hope you will simply do what you can do in the best way you know. If you do so, you will witness miracles come to pass". President Gordon B. Hinckley

What do you think?? Do you realize your potential?? Do you know the power with-in you?? Do you acknowledge the miracles in your life due to the talents given to you?? Next time you feel down because you are NOT something- read this and hopefully you will be reminded that there is more inside of you then you may remember!

YUMMY spring cake roll

Cake
3eggs
1cup granulated sugar
1/3cup water
3/4cup Gold Medal® all-purpose flour
1teaspoon baking powder
1/4teaspoon salt
2 1/4teaspoons chopped fresh or 3/4 teaspoon dried rosemary leaves, crushed
1teaspoon grated lemon peel
2tablespoons powdered sugar
Lemon Cream Filling
1cup whipping cream
2tablespoons powdered sugar
1teaspoon grated lemon peel
Garnish
1tablespoon powdered sugar



1. Heat oven to 375°F. Line 15x10x1-inch pan with foil; grease generously with shortening.
2. In large bowl, beat eggs with electric mixer on high speed about 5 minutes or until thick and lemon colored. Gradually beat in granulated sugar. On low speed, beat in water. Gradually beat in flour, baking powder and salt until smooth. Fold in rosemary and 1 teaspoon lemon peel. Pour into pan; spread evenly to corners.
3. Bake 12 to 15 minutes or until toothpick inserted in center comes out clean. Immediately loosen cake from edges of pan and turn upside down onto towel generously sprinkled with 2 tablespoons powdered sugar. Carefully remove foil. Trim off stiff edges of cake if necessary. While cake is hot, carefully roll cake and towel from narrow end. Cool on cooling rack at least 40 minutes.
4. In small bowl, beat whipping cream and 2 tablespoons powdered sugar with electric mixer on high speed until stiff. Stir in 1 teaspoon lemon peel.
5. Unroll cake and remove towel. Spread filling over cake; roll up cake. Sprinkle with 1 tablespoon powdered sugar. Store covered in refrigerator.

This is sooooooo yummy I made it TWICE this weekend! Try it and let me know what you think! FOr sure it is a keeper in my home!

Hope