Over the past couple of months my 16yo and I have been discovering

Aside from wishing it had a content filter (there are some raunchy pins on Pinterest, as well as underaged kids, and no apparent way to filter or report inappropriate material), I like it. But here are a few more things…

Nutella is best just straight from the jar. Or spread over crêpes. Or in pastry from Gloria’s Little Italy. But not as an ingredient in other foods.

Just say “No!” to big bows across bosoms.

When did we decide that leggings are in fact pants? I blame Pippa.

There is never good reason to upcycle anything that exists next to your toilet. Toilet paper rolls should go directly into your recycle bin and not hang on your Christmas tree or decorate your child’s room.

If the recipe isn’t worth a photo of the actual result and not a stolen photograph of something else, it probably isn’t worth trying. For example, you cannot make grilled chicken in your crockpot.

I liked salted caramel before it was a thing.

Nothing makes your hair grow faster. Nothing. Except possible pre-natal vitamins. Pin that!

There is WAY too much cheesecake. Cheesecake used to be special. Pinterest made it ordinary.

Ryan Gosling is never going to “Hey girl,” you.

I’m not a fan of making things–Christmas trees, lamp shades, planters, etc.–out of books. Seems like a waste of a perfectly good book to me. And if it wasn’t a good book I wouldn’t want to display it in my living room anyway.

On the up side, who knew all the things you can do with pallets?

*to date Pinterest is responsible for the 16yo having cooked something new for dinner, and also the ruin of that dining room table I refinished myself a couple of years ago by same 16yo (that nail polish water marbling thing? It doesn’t work so much).

Meet my December over at Segullah today. When you get it all figured out. Let me know, k?

It’s nearly mid-December and I’m simply not feeling it. My life is full of goodness (see my last two posts) and I am not unhappy by any means. But this Christmas thing…my heart just isn’t in it. The lights seem tinny. The lists too long and desperate. The grass too green. Yet it’s not just the fresh silent blanket of snow that’s missing. I’ve been feeling a bit like this stanza of one of my favorite Christmas songs (only, again without the snow):

In the bleak mid-winter
Frosty wind made moan,
Earth stood hard as iron,
Water like a stone;
Snow had fallen, snow on snow,
Snow on snow,
In the bleak mid-winter
Long ago.

But today, just for a moment, the stone lifted. The true spirit of Christmas whispered to me a service I needed to render for one of my dearest friends. Something for her children, who are like family to me. I leaned over to her and made my offering. The love with which it was given and accepted softened and warmed my heart. The divineness of its source warms me still.

What can I give Him,
Poor as I am?
If I were a shepherd
I would bring a lamb,
If I were a wise man
I would do my part,
Yet what I can I give Him,
Give my heart.

I got to play tourist today. I wasn’t chaperoning anyone. I didn’t have anyone else to please. My brother cleared his schedule and asked me what I wanted to do. And we did it. Here’s a recap:

It wasn’t until this morning when I realized that Portland has Trader Joe’s.

And it’s the holidays. The only thing better than Trader Joe’s is Trader Joe’s during the holidays!

Note: Objects in this photo reflect just a portion of the goodies I found at Trader Joe’s. I may have to borrow and check in a bag just to get it all home.

Next we went to an independent spice and herb shop. Words cannot describe it, but if you could smell my luggage you would know that, among other savories, I purchased not one but two kinds of chili powder. Rather potent Chili powder. In fact, it’s very possible I will be serving up Chili Candy Cane Joe-Joe’s on Christmas Day.

(Photo pending)

On the way downtown we stopped in the Selwood District, where my brother gave me a fabulous free haircut in his Salon, Capello Zona. It’s closed on Mondays, so I got a private cut and style, complete with shampoo and scalp massage.

On the way out I caught this nice little shot.

Next we stopped at Penzey’s. I’ve been buying herbs and spices online from Penzey’s for years, but I had never stepped into an actual brick and mortar Penzey’s.

Until today…

After that we headed to heaven.

I mean Powell’s. And entire city block of independent book store. I could have spend an entire week and several paychecks in that store. But I didn’t. It was still heaven. Neither words nor photos do it justice.

But I tried.

For lunch we headed down to the food pods on 10th and Alder. Oh. My. Gosh. To quote Bek: “Portland is pretty awesome. They have the BEST food cart culture.” Indeed!

This was to my left.

We went right. Right past Thai Me Up (go ahead!).

Right to The Frying Scotsman.

Where, in honor of my two boys, I ordered Fish and Chips.

And ate my first ever Mushy Peas (with malt vinegar).

James (of course his name is James!), is a real Scot. He’s been here about four years. He makes amazing food. We had a nice chat. And if he’d have been wearing a kilt I would have tipped him even more.

We then spent most of the afternoon Goodwill hunting. We hit thrift stores, DIs and even my first Salvation Army. Pickings were slim. Simply put, I stink at thrift store shopping. But I picked up a few things. I enjoyed my time with my brother. And also got a little kick out of this blast to the past.

We sang this song in elementary school. Of course we did. It was the 60s.

After a little down time at home we had Family Home Evening with my brother and SIL and then headed out to dinner. At Mezza.

My first Lebanese food.

You gotta love a place where you can watch the Mom cooking in the kitchen while the Dad is taking orders and serving and the daughter is doing her homework at one of the empty tables.

I had the Pumpkin Kibbeh.

It was amazing.

Back home for game night. Then my brother split a Pumpkin Oreo shake from Mike’s with me. I am on sensory overload. And I enjoyed every minute of it!

I love these people. And I love this town.

Can’t wait to come back!

Last night I gathered with three of my younger brothers in a beautiful church building in Portland–the first LDS church built in the state of Oregon. We were there to celebrate the baptism of my nephew, Gavin. There were several occasions throughout the evening, both at the church and then later as we overtook a local Mexican restaurant for dinner during which my thoughts turned to my father, who passed away almost 30 years ago. I felt he was aware of our gathering, of our love for him and for each other and for our families, as well as of our efforts to live lives reflective of the eternal truths and principles he and my mother taught us. I had the impression that his witnessing our gathering gave him joy.

Today I am getting ready to attend church with my brother and his family. A friend of mine–someone I haven’t seen since we reunited briefly in Brussels in 1987–is driving up from the area in which we grew up to join us. Her family lived just up the street from us (in a place where “up the street” could be over a quarter of a mile away). My father was her family’s home teacher. He loved that wonderful family deeply. We knew that and they knew that. I know this family was blessed by my father’s love and service to them. Our families were blessed for knowing each other. And our family was blessed to have witnessed the effects of our father’s love and service on that dear family. I feel our meeting up today will also give my father joy.

I mentioned to my husband via text this morning that I was sorry to miss our stake conference (and I truly meant it). He replied, “You are where you are supposed to be.”

He is right. I believe the events of this weekend and my presence here was brought about by a Father in Heaven who loves us and wants us to know the joy and eternal nature of love–both of families and friends.

My heart is full…

It’s not like tomorrow is allofasudden Christmas Day, but I am feeling a bit rushed by time and I find myself completely unready for it to be December. Or Christmas. Or 2012.

Yet so it is.

Here are a few incidentals:

So you know that REAL Cadbury’s I was excited about?

Somebody found it in the secret hiding place where I was keeping safe the sweets to ration.

And it is gone.

Sad face.

Remember that little giveaway I did earlier?

Christy won.

Big surprise, right? But I want to thank Ash again for the great idea and make sure those of you who commented know how much I loved every single one of your entries. THIS MUCH! I have the best readers, I truly do.

Happy face!

And you know how I’m getting up my nerve to put myself on a plane in a couple of days to see my (most generous) brother? I just found out I will actually get to see three of my brothers! These are probably the siblings I see the least, so I am looking forward to spending some time with them and their respective families. In addition to my nephew’s baptism (at which I have been invited to speak), the four of us will later attend my brother’s Christmas party. That should be fun, right? Finally, on Monday night those of us who are still around will be privileged to dine at my nephew’s favorite Mediterranean restaurant.

They have good eats in Portland.

And you have to love an 8-year-old who already has a favorite Mediterranean restaurant.

Happy face!

Finally, because…

1. I am just a tiny bit proud of myself for finishing something,

2. I have much enjoyed the encouraging and thoughtful and amusing comments you have shared with me,

3. But mostly because I truly do have the best readers…

I’m giving away more soap.

Two lucky readers will receive one bar of their choice: Applejack Peel or Green Tea Lemongrass.

Just leave a comment on this post by midnight Sunday, December 4 to enter. Please make sure I have a link or an email address so I can contact you if you win.

Best–

I’m talking about my cats–and also about life–over at Segullah today. Jump on over and tell me about how your present life might differ somewhat from the one little-girl you once imagined.

See you there!

p.s. Be sure to come back tomorrow for my “Whew, we made it!” soap giveaway.

The End

Remember my friend Mike?

We got a little parcel from him yesterday.

Complete with an amusing card.

I love the British. They’re so, well, proper!

And, apparently, random.

And they have real Cadbury over there (as opposed to fake Cadbury).

And they won’t just send you a candy bar. They’ll send you a bar and a half!

Have I mentioned how much I love the British?

Thank you, Mike! We love you loads as well.

You are correct: I may know what it’s like to be a teenager, but I do not know what it’s like to be a teenager in 2011. (That said, I do recognize that it is a much more difficult world than the world in which I grew up.)

But know this: The tools required to succeed and be happy in 2011 are the very same tools that were recommended in 1981. The world may have changed, but truths and values–the core characteristics that will strengthen you, guide you and protect you in this world–are exactly the same.

They are just as available to you today as they were to me back then.

Since what you say is true, those tools are more desperately needed now than ever.

Grab hold. They are yours for the taking.