Daisypath Anniversary Years Ticker

Thursday, December 17, 2009

True Meaning of Christmas

I know I have a lot of playing catch up on my blog to do - it sure has been a crazy Christmas season so far. I promise I will update all of you on our fun-outings this weekend! But I wanted to reflect on the true meaning behind the season. I don't tend to share my personal feelings on here too often because special moments in my life are ones that I like to keep near and dear to my heart, I really don't like to publicize them or share them with too many people. Even though I know I should, because there are many people who I know I could touch their hearts by sharing my testimony, feelings, and experiences with. I have had a lot of tender moments recently where I have realized how much I have been given, and the little amount of gratitude I have shown. I have also come to realize how lucky I have been to help others in times of need. For some reason, this year has been so different for me. I haven't even thought once about what I want for Christmas. All I have thought about is what I can give. And to be honest, I haven't even thought about giving presents. It's more about giving my time. Helping at a shelter. Donating food, clothes, anything to all of the poor, homeless people I have to drive past every cold morning on my way to work. It's a constant battle to keep my composure and emotions under control on the way to the office each morning. I feel so bad for those people who are struggling, and I wish I could help each and every one of them. I have had such a strong desire to help those who are struggling to make ends meet, especially during the holidays. If it's a load of groceries, an annoymous amount of money, a simple smile, a letter, my testimony, anything to help brighten someones day. That is the true meaning of this holiday season. To celebrate Christ by being Christ-like. Here's a poem that I found while working on my Young Women's christmas lesson this week, I hope it helps each of you get in the Christmas spirit. Merry Christmas everyone!!

If The Savior Came to Visit You
by Donna Green
If the Savior came to visit you for just a day or two,
Would you be really comfortable with all the things you do?
Would everything within your home go on the same old way?
Or would you have to change your ways during the Savior's stay?
If the Savior came to your house to spend some time with you,
Would you be prepared to meet Him and a warm friendship renew?
Would you really know Him and long to have Him stay,
Or would you hope that He would wait and come another day?
So you could do the many things that you've been planning to,
But never seemed to have the time or take the time to do?
"If only I had know that he would come today,
I really would have been prepared."
Are these words you might say?
"Please give me but another day and I will use it to prepare,
To read my scriptures faithfully, help those in need and kneel in prayer."
But no one knows when He will come.
Not the hour or the day.
And if we are to be prepared we must begin today.
To take upon us our Savior's name, come to know Him and do His will----
Look forward to His coming, each sacred scripture to fulfill.
For whether His coming for each of us, is a great or dreadful day,
Will be determined by our faithfulness and how we live each day?

Monday, November 30, 2009

Funny Monday's

Hopefully all of you are recovering from a great Turkey day weekend! Here's a little laugh to start off your week right!

Saturday, November 28, 2009

2nd Annual Dickson Turkey Bowl

Second year the Dickson family had a game of flag football, here's my pix captured from the sidelines:

keep your eye on the ball!

Karlee intercepting!

Jess & Mike colliding!
cute little nephews playing at the park on the sidelines

it was an emotional game!
everyone had to have black lines under their eyes, to be part of the team! even the kidlets!
Mike & Tammy
Matt and his awesome football attire!
Another great action shot of Karlee playing her heart out!
RUN!

Yes, that's my husband all right. Proud of it!
Ready, set, hike!

Go Tom Go! Go Jess Go!

Our Mascot patiently waiting to be untied so she can get her slobber on the football!
Harli is such a good dog, she makes me one proud owner!

Traditional "L is for Losers" picture:
Matt(bro-in-law), Karlee (jess' little sis), Lacee (jess' little sis), Miranda (Lacee's friend), and Jess

"W is for Winners" team: Mike (Tammy's b/f), Tym (jess' mom), Doug (jess' dad), and Tom (jess' older bro). Jess' mom Tym was voted MVP for this year!

Way to go Dickson team! Can't wait for next year... hopefully we'll have more players next time!

Friday, November 27, 2009

Razzleberry Pies


Wednesday night my mom helped me make her famous razzleberry pies to take to the in-laws house for Thanksgiving. I am soooo glad my mom taught me how to make these, they are the best pies EVER and now I won't have to beg her to make them for me, I can do it on my own!
We made the pie crust from scratch, which is actually really easy to do!

My mom showing me how to make the top layer. (yes I know - my apron is stylin')

Razzleberry Pie:
Pie Dough:
6 rounded cups flour (Unbleached)
3 cups butter flavored Crisco
3 tsp salt
1 1/2 c water
Mix flour, shortening and salt with fingers until it resembles a crumb mixture.
Add water and mix.


Razzleberry Pie Filling:
5 cups water
3 1/2 cups sugar
1 package frozen raspberries
1 package frozen blackberries
1 package frozen boysenberries
**Sometimes you can't find all of these berries so you can replace it with 1-2 large packages of mixed frozen berries.
3 rounded cups of berry pie tone (Must buy at Kitchen Kneads which is now located at 30th and Grant Ave. in Ogden. It comes in a package --get a package that has at least enough for 3 rounded cups)
Bring water and sugar to a boil. Add package of frozen blackberries, and bring to a boil again. Thicken with pie tone that has been diluted with water. After thick take off heat and add frozen boysenberries and frozen raspberries. Remember that it needs to be thicker than what you really want before you take off the heat because the moisture in the frozen boysenberries and raspberries with thin it down a little.
Bake pies on the lowest rack in the oven. Put cookie sheet under the pie to catch any spillage. Bake pies at 375 degrees for 1 hour or until pie shakes loose.
Give frozen pies an extra ten minutes.

The finished product.

** Hint: You can add about 1 tbsp of half & half and probably about a tbsp of sugar on top of the pie right before putting it in the oven. This helps it to come out with a golden crust and the sugar gives it a nice shine on top. Just spread the cream around the pie crust with your fingers evenly and then sprinkle the sugar across the top.
It was so nice to spend some time with my mom although it was a little awkward because we had to video tape the entire process for my mom's new company: http://www.yourfamilypi.com/. If you sign up to be a member on her website, which is free, then you can watch the video tutorial on how to make these, it's about 15 mins long. So thats where these pictures came from, but I also wanted to share this yummy recipe for anyone who loves Razzleberry Pie! Mmmm!

Wednesday, November 25, 2009

Team Jess!

Well I'm sure most of you have decided whether or not you are on Team Edward or Team Jacob, but I honestly have not gotten into the groove of the Twilight obsession yet. I read all four books in probably a two-month period while I was trying to plan my wedding last year, and don't get me wrong, I loved the books! but I can honestly say I haven't seen the Twilight movie, nor am I overly-anxious to see New Moon. I guess I'm just too afraid that the movies won't be how I imagined while reading the books - maybe someone needs to convince me the movies are just as good. Anyhow, for all of you who HAVE seen the movies, or at least are Twilight fans, I found this funny version of Twilight scenes on one of my photog's personal blogs. Maybe I should have saved this for Funny Monday's cuz I sure got a chuckle out of this: Enjoy!


MY SCREENPLAY ADAPTATION OF STEPHENIE MEYER'S "TWILIGHT"
By Eric D. Snider
****Scene 1****
BELLA: I'm sad to leave the hellish, uninhabitable wasteland of Phoenix to live in a rain-soaked town full of rubes. I wish everything about my comfortable and privileged life were completely different!
DAD: Hi, Bella! Welcome to Forks, Washington. I'm glad you've stopped playing mother to your own flighty, irresponsible mom and come here to be my mother instead.
BELLA: It will be my pleasure to cook and clean for you.
DAD: I bought you an old truck from an Indian in a wheelchair!
BELLA: I ... have no response for that.
****Scene 2****
BELLA: It's tough being the new kid in school! Especially when everyone is so friendly and helpful and interested in me. Why can't they just leave me alone so I can sit in the corner and cut myself?
CLASSMATE: You're awesome, Bella!
BELLA: See what I have to put up with? Hey -- who are those hot people over there?
CLASSMATE: Those are the Cullens. They avoid direct sunlight, they don't eat food, they sleep in coffins in a graveyard, and holy water burns them. I think they're Canadians.
BELLA: They sure are spectacularly gorgeous.
CLASSMATE: Yes, they are.
BELLA: I mean seriously, those people are BEAUTIFUL. Especially the one who keeps looking at me. Man alive, that guy is stunning. I mean, wow. He is hot buttered seduction on a stick. I'm not interested in him sexually, of course, because sex is dirty, but wow -- LOOK AT HIM! Yee-ikes! Hubba hubba! If you don't mind, I'd like to spend the next 75 pages talking exclusively about how attractive he is, and then bring it up again every paragraph or so for the remaining 400 pages.
CLASSMATE: Knock yourself out.
****Scene 3****
EDWARD: Hi, I'm Edward. I'm every girl's fantasy boyfriend: moody, humorless, violent, capable of snapping your spine with my bare hands, liable to do creepy things like watch you while you're sleeping, but also really cute.
BELLA: There is something strange about you.
EDWARD: (recoils at her garlic breath) I don't know what you mean.
BELLA: I just can't put my finger on what it is.
EDWARD: (lifts automobile with one hand) You're imagining things.
BELLA: I feel like you're hiding something from me.
EDWARD: (grabs passing rabbit with lightning speed; drinks rabbit's blood) Don't be silly!
BELLA: It's like you're different somehow.
EDWARD: (turns into bat; flies away)
BELLA: Hmm. I bet he's gay.
****Scene 4****
JACOB: You should be careful with those Cullens. Many moons ago, our tribe's elders, who were werewolves, made a pact with the Cullens, who were vampires. They're not allowed on our land, not even at our casinos.
BELLA: What, still? Even after all this time has passed?
JACOB: Nope.
BELLA: Since when do white people honor treaties with Indians?
JACOB: I know, right?
BELLA: Let me guess -- you're a character whose only job is to provide exposition, and you won't be useful until the next book.
JACOB: Yes. At the earliest.
****Scene 5****
BELLA: Thanks for saving me from that mob of guys who attacked me in the street! It's a good thing you obsessively stalk me while simultaneously insisting you want nothing to do with me.
EDWARD: No problem. If anyone's going to tear you limb from limb and gorge themselves on your sweet, delicious, life-giving blood, it's going to be me.
BELLA: Aw, you say the nicest things! I'm pretty sure you're a vampire, that I'm in love with you, and that part of you wants to kill me.
EDWARD: Don't be silly. It's not just part of me.
BELLA: LOL!
****Scene 6****
EDWARD: You know what vampires love? Baseball!
BELLA: Really?
EDWARD: Sure! Haven't you ever heard of vampire bats?(Crickets.)
EDWARD: Anyhoo, these are the vampire friends I live with, the Cullens. They've been very eager to eat you.
BELLA: You mean meet me?
EDWARD: Meet you. What did I say?
ALICE: I'm Alice! I can see the future, but only when it's useful to the plot. For example, right now: Look out for those mean vampires barging in from the forest!MEAN VAMPIRE JAMES: Fe-Fi-Fo-Fum! I smell the blood of a human!
EDWARD: Stay away from her! Bella, you'd better go. I don't want you to have to see me fight this guy for your honor, our muscles straining as we grapple, the air thick with testosterone and the sounds of our throaty snarling.
BELLA: Right! I wouldn't want to see that! Especially not if your shirts got torn off!
****Scene 7****
MEAN VAMPIRE JAMES: You puny humans are so predictable and weak. Now I've got you alone, free to toy with you and torture you and deliver lengthy explanatory monologues to you! I just hope I don't waste so much time fartin' around that when I finally do decide to kill you it's too late because Edward and the Cullens have arrived to save you!
BELLA: That would certainly be an unusual twist!
MEAN VAMPIRE JAMES: I must say, I can see why Edward likes you. Your smell is overpowering!
BELLA: Oh, you can smell that? Sorry, I thought I could sneak one out....
MEAN VAMPIRE JAMES: Never mind! At last it is time for me to--
EDWARD: Not so fast, Count Jerkula!
MEAN VAMPIRE JAMES: Edward! And the Cullens! Who could have foreseen your perfectly timed arrival?!
ALICE: I could have! Didn't, but could have!
(Fighting ensues. MEAN VAMPIRE JAMES is vanquished.)
EDWARD: Bella! Are you OK? He bit you! I've got to suck out the vampire poison!BELLA: Edward, you don't have to make up excuses to put your mouth on me. I mean honestly, who ever heard of "vampire poison"?
EDWARD: I'm serious! It's coursing through your veins as we speak!
BELLA: Uh-huh. Whatever you say, Powder.
****Scene 8****
BELLA: Why did you bring me to the prom, Edward? You know I can't dance, and that I hate it when people tell me I'm beautiful, which happens all the time.
EDWARD: I don't want your dangerous psychological infatuation with a vampire to interfere with your regular life.
BELLA: But I want to BE a vampire! I want you to do it to me. It will strengthen our love for each other. I want to become one with you. And what better night than prom night? We can do it in the back of the limo.
EDWARD: Wait, what are we talking about?
BELLA: I don't know. All the metaphors have started to run together.
EDWARD: You're sure you want to be a vampire?
BELLA: Yes.
EDWARD: Well, how about if I press my lips against your throat in an ambiguous way, just enough to ensure that readers come back for the sequel?
BELLA: It's a deal.
(Fade to black; roll credits; send in ushers to mop up audience's tears and drool.)

Monday, November 23, 2009

Funny Monday's

Here is one of my favorite Will Ferrell clips from SNL. Ignore the Spanish subtitles, I couldn't find one without them =) I love Will Ferrell, he's such a goof! Hope your week is off to a great start!!

Wednesday, November 18, 2009

Funny Monday's

I know I totally suck at this Funny Monday's actually being on Monday's --- but if any of you are having a rough week so far - hopefully this brings a smile to your face! This kid is insane - who the heck gave him a Mt. Dew before he started dancing... seriously?!

Sunday, November 15, 2009

Pheasant Hunting


Two weekends in a row now Jess has gone pheasant hunting. I had to show a few pictures since he was so excited he finally had some luck during hunting season ... at least he shot SOMETHING right?!

The first weekend he took my Dad along with him and had some father-in-law/son-in-law bonding time. They went down south with a bunch of my cousins and their dogs. Our little Harli has become quite the bird hunter - she's a huntin' dog through and through now, thanks to Jess! Way to go babe - glad you had fun!

Wednesday, November 11, 2009

Funny Monday's

Here's a funny for this past Monday!

Grand Prize Nephew

So I know that I am totally bragging here, but since I don't have kids of my own, I feel I have the bragging rights as an Aunt...

My precious and handsome little nephew Titan was entered into a baby contest last month by his parents at the Expo center and he won Grand Prize! He won $300 and obviously lots of bragging rights... but I just had to post these pictures because they are so stinkin cute... don't you just want to eat his little cheeks!

Thursday, November 5, 2009

Tuesday, November 3, 2009

Temple Pictures... MORE!












mom, grandma taylor, me, and my aunt shan

silly dickson children

dickson family plus friends dan & jessica turner and mike & julie rhodes

silly sisters
coming out of the temple
Us & My Dad

Monday, November 2, 2009

Funny Monday's

Hope this gives you a GIGGLE - have a great week!!

Funny Monday's

Here's one for last week since I totally spaced last Monday to post one... oops!

Saturday, October 31, 2009

Try JibJab Sendables® eCards today!

Happy-Happy-Halloweeny!


Jess and I went to a Halloween party last night that his sister Tammy was throwing and we had such a good time! I don't think I have laughed that hard in a long time - my stomach and cheeks were hurting by the end of the night from laughing so much!! I went as a mummy and Jess was a ghost - they were pretty easy and cheap costumes as you can see...
We had a really yummy dinner and then played some super fun games. First we bobbed for apples, which was a real treat! Its a lot harder than it looks, trust me! I got my costume and face makeup ruined a little...

Then we did a donut race where you had to eat the donut off a string with no hands and the first one to rip the donut off the string wins. The boys totally dominated on this game!

This is another couple at the party who we had lots of fun with -Jess' good friend from the valley Adam, and his wife Melanie. They were dressed up as Fred & Daphne from Scooby Doo.

Thanks Mike & Tammy for the awesome party - we had such a good time! Hope everyone has a safe & memorable Halloween tonight!

Friday, October 30, 2009

Sealing Day Pix!

FINALLY got my pictures back from my photographer - let me know what you think! I promise I will post more later -but these will have to do for the time being =) This first one is my ultimate fav!