Lessons from watercolor class

I got to teach watercolor to our ward's yw last night and a couple things were interesting to me.

I told the girls the number one rule was not to compare your art to anyone else's, especially mine because I've been doing it for so long and it wouldn't be fair.

The things that really stuck out to me were one of the leaders and one of the girls. Both sat and stared for most of the activity at their painting without doing much to it. I had been walking around in case anyone needed help and gave suggestions every now and then. The amusing part was the leader had me there to help her and didn't want to do it because she was so nervous that she'd mess it up. With 10 minutes left of the activity she finally put color to the paper, but still didn't like how it turned out because it wasn't perfect.

I thought instantly that I wonder if there are times when we hold back from doing something because we are terrified of messing up and don't think to ask for help from Heavenly Father. I mean, I was right there waiting and ready to help and she was paralyzed to try.

The other girl finally raised her hand when I asked if anyone was struggling to know how to do something and I showed her how to blend a sky with vibrant colors. She was so impressed and surprised and then became more courageous. She progressed because she was willing to try and ask for help.

I thought they were interesting analogies.

Inspiration comes in many forms

Over the past 10 months I've gone through a huge growth spurt. From seeing my sister go on a mission and become an amazing woman in ways I didn't know were possible to listening to the devotional that changed my life.

I've made curry, enchiladas, chile rellenos that flopped, peach cobbler 8 times in two months, pesca parmesan, and frozen lemonade pie in that time.

I've learned to follow the Spirit better, be on my knees in earnest prayer more, read my scriptures and the words of the prophets more, and have maintained good letters with my sister and best friends serving missions.

I've been threw the fiery darts of the adversary with temptations not to believe in God who manifests He is watching on a daily basis. I struggle with not being able to voice my disapproval at things that should be obvious to others. I read a book called Discover your Strengths and man I tell ya, that book can sum me up if you read the green highlights I marked. I've been reading Daughters in my Kingdom which the Church published for Relief Society and it's been amazing to learn what I have.

I've been really struggling with patience in myself. I was having an even harder, easily the hardest, with a summer friendship that I received a "no" without me even asking, being incredibly lonely at school because my best friend is getting married and most of my other friends up here have moved off. I've been praying desperately just for a friend that I could call up whenever and be able to just unwind and unload with.

I went to a dance that ended up being the blast of the semester next to Yellowstone the first weekend in Idaho.

I've discovered my passion for education and psychology. It's been a crash course getting back into ceramics but I good one. I've been picking up on new music. He is We is one of my new favorite bands.

I've been looking for opportunities to serve and have been blessed with said opportunities as well as a busy week. If I'm not busy, my anxiety picks up.

I think I spend more time talking to my mom than most women my age, and I have no secrets. I'm an open book. I can't keep things in that bug me. I'm working on when to deliver such conversations so they don't explode on me.

I couldn't ask for more out of life right now. To all who have entered my life since coming back to Idaho, thank you. I've learned so much and keep learning and improving.

I know God teaches us in hind-sight. He lets us experience pain, then rescues us from it, and lets us take a step back and say," Oh, I get it now!" I'm a fighter. So when temptation comes my way I get annoyed with him but like Sister Thompson said in conference, "I didn't keep my testimony, my testimony kept me." I've learning endurance. Good endurance. Nothing is impossible with God. We just have to be willing to put forth the effort and wait on Him. No one is perfect, and I'm in no hurry.

Asian night- Next class, projecting for 26 Feb

The next class request was stir fry. This means Deener time! Most likely going to be at 6:30 pm-location TBA.
Featuring Sis. Nash's stir fry noodles, JJ Kovach's banana egg rolls, and Dana's SW eggrolls. Cost will be determined based on RSVP due the 19th. All are invited! To RSVP just comment on this posting.

In my opinion, everyone's gotta eat, and love to eat. What's the point of making money if you don't spoil yourself every once in a while with either really expensive delicious Irish Whiskey cheddar cheese or Lemon curd?

Crepes 15 Jan 2011

First class.
9 people ~ 2 men. 7 women.
30 crepes
~ toppings ~
Organic chocolate sauce(we don't do high fructose corn syrup, which happens to be the first ingredient in Hershey's chocolate syrup.), Rasberries, Blueberries, Bananas, Lemon curd, Caramel sauce, fruit dipping whip creme, home made whip creme, cinnamon, sugar.
~~Professional Crepe Flippers Association~~
Holly * Sarah * Nico * Sariah * Mallory * Shaista * Megan

Appetizer ~ Bruschetta
In the words of Nico...
EPIC.

Recipes

Crepes:
1 c flour
1 c milk
1 egg
1 pinch salt
(Makes about 6 crepes)

Mix all ingredients with a whisk until batter is smooth.
Set large frying pan on medium high burner.
When the pan is slightly hot remove the pan from heat and grease lightly. Pour a small pancake size circle in the middle and immediately rotate until crepe is thin and coating the pan. Set on heat and wait for edges to dry. Turn crepe when the sides lip easily with plastic spatula. The crepe is done when it slides on its own when shaken.

Assembly:
Place desired fruit or creme fillings in the center, fold sides on top and decorate with more toppings.

Bruschetta:

1 loaf french bread
1 cucumber
2 roma tomatoes
olive oil to drizzle
parmesan cheese to sprinkle
(Serves 10)
Preheat oven to broil high.
Slice french bread in 3 inch wide pieces then slice in half.
Place crust side down on cookie sheet and drizzle with olive oil.
Broil for about 3 minutes or until crusts are almost burnt.
Cool for 2 minutes.
Place 1 tbsp of diced tomatoes and cucumbers on the bread and sprinkle with cheese.