1940 Census Release

Well, if you haven't heard "it's big news in my genealogy world" come April 2, 2012.

Genealogists are eagerly anticipating the release of the 1940 census records. These records will add another resource for researching your family tree.


Congress passed privacy statutes regarding the censuses that restrict any identifying information from being release to the public for 72 years. The 1940 enumeration date was April 1, 1940 and the records will be released April 2, 2012. The National Archives and Records Administration, (NARA) which is the custodian of the census information, will release the information on that date in digital form.


Family Search (http://www.familysearch.org/), in collaboration with other leading genealogy organizations, will begin publishing the 1940 Census online for FREE on April 2! Unlike previous census years, the 16th population census of the United States will be released in the form of free digital images. Census records from 1790 through 1930 are currently available.

I will be volunteering as a transcriber with about ten thousand other energetic genealogists! You too can volunteer to help index this census if you go here: www.familysearch.org/1940census
and specify your favorite state to index. The states with the most votes will be put up to be indexed first.



You can download the free indexing software at https://indexing.familysearch.org/ there is even a commercial on YouTube that you can watch. Watch it here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VaypvLmEQDE&feature=related.

Prayer

“God is eagerly waiting for the chance to answer your prayers and fulfill your dreams, just as he always has. But he can't if you don't pray, and he can't if you don't dream. In short, he can't if you don't believe.” ― Jeffrey R. Holland

Easter Bark

Can you ever have too much chocolate?

Easy to make and fun to do with your kids, this colorful no-bake Easter treat also is a good way to use up all that Easter candy. Candy coating chocolates can be found at most craft stores in the candy and cake decorating aisle, as well as in the baking aisle of most grocers.

You can get a variety of colors, including pastels and white, as well as milk and dark chocolates; mix and match as desired.

Easter bark
Start to finish: 30 minutes (10 minutes active)
Servings: 16

1/2 cup sweetened shredded coconut
Green food coloring
1 pound pink candy coating chocolate
1 pound yellow candy coating chocolate
1 and 1/2 cups of candy toppings (such as small jelly beans, Easter candy sprinkles, candy-coated chocolate eggs)

In a large zip-close plastic bag, combine the coconut and a few drops of green food coloring. Close the bag and shake until the coconut is evenly green. Set aside.

Line a rimmed baking sheet with waxed or parchment paper. One at a time, place each color of candy coating chocolate in a microwave-safe bowl and heat on high in 30-second bursts, stirring between, until melted and smooth.

Spoon the melted chocolate onto the prepared baking sheet in a random pattern. Use a small spoon to swirl the colors together.

Let cool for 5 minutes, then top with the jelly beans, sprinkles, other candies and green coconut as desired. Set aside to harden completely, about 20 to 30 minutes, then break into chunks.

I'm In Love

Wishing ......Wishing..........Wishing for a shoe closet just like this!

So Many Blessings.....

What a wonderful happy life I live! I am truly so blessed in so many ways!

I often wonder what entitles me to so many blessings!

On Saturday I will take with me some very special temple work to do when I attend the St. George Latter Day Saints Temple. This makes me so so so so so so happy!

No...........I have not forgotten you!

Super Cute Easter Ideas

And......if ya ask me bout the Peeps....they should be in a vase! Ewe...

Easter Bird's Nest Candy

This little chow mein candy is my favorite to make for the Christmas holiday but I had never thought of making them for Easter and then adding the cute eggs!

Here is the recipe for the haystacks and this will make about 20 to 24 haystacks.

1 Cup butterscotch morsels
1 Tbsp. of creamy peanut butter ( I like more PB so I add about 1 and 1/2 Tbsp.)
1 Cup of peanuts......party peanuts......not redskins.
1 Cup canned chow mein noodles.

Put the butterscotch morsels and peanut butter in a microwave safe bowl and into the microwave on high power for about one minute and then stir. The butterscotch morsels should melt as you stir, but if they don't, don't worry! Just put them back in the microwave for about 15 seconds and then stir again.

When the butterscotch is completely melted stir in the peanuts and the chow mein noodles. Use a teaspoon to scoop out a little of the mixture into a mound and onto waxed paper. Then add your little mini colorful Easter eggs in the middle.

Sisters In Zion

1. As sisters in Zion, we'll all pull together,
The blessings of God on our labors we'll seek:
We'll build up His kingdom with earnest endeavor;
We'll comfort the weary, and strengthen the weak.

2. We'll turn from our follies, our pride and our weakness,
The vain, foolish fashions of Babel despise;
We'll seek for the garments of truth and of meekness,
And learn to be useful and happy and wise.

3. We'll wear what is sensible, neat and becoming
The daughters of Zion—the angels of light;
We'll work with a will, while the angels are scanning
Our aims and our actions from morning till night.

4. We'll bring up our children to be self-sustaining;
To love and to do what is noble and right;
When we rest from our labors, these dear ones remaining,
Will bear off the kingdom and "fight the good fight."

5. Nor shall our attention be wholly restricted
To training our children or shaping our dress;
The aged, the feeble, the poor and afflicted,
Our labors shall comfort, our efforts shall bless.

6. "The Lord hath established the cities of Zion,
The poor of His people are trusting in Him,"
He makes us a source for His poor to rely on;
Oh! shall we not brighten the eyes that are dim.

7. Oh! shall we not hasten to soothe the condition
Of the humble, the needy, the honest and pure?
Oh! let us remember, whate'er our ambition—
'Tis our duty, our mission, to comfort the poor.

8. 'Tis the office of angels, conferred upon woman;
And this is a right that, as women, we claim;
To do whatsoever is gentle and human;
To cheer and to bless in humanity's name.

9. How vast are our labors; how broad is our mission,
If we only fulfill it in spirit and deed;
Oh! naught but the Spirit's divinest tuition—
Can give us the wisdom to truly succeed.

10. Then, as sisters in Zion, we'll all pull together;
The blessing of God on our labors we'll seek;
We'll build up the kingdom with earnest endeavor;
We'll comfort the weary and strenghten the weak.

How grateful I am for my "Sister in Zion" friends. Last night I attended a Stake Conference meeting down the mountain with many other church members. It's not always about the message but it's sometimes just about the support you feel from the other sisters in your church ward. How blessed I feel to have so much friendship and to feel the love from these sweet sisters. Being single is not always an easy journey..... but knowing that their are those that love and support me... means the world to me as a "single sister" in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints.

Even if you are not a member of our church please remember how important it is to befriend another! This is what the Lord would have you do and we are blessed by serving others.

Saturday in San Francisco

Heading down to the Ferry Building



On Saturday we headed from our hotel (The Grand Hyatt), at Union Square down to the Ferry Building area on the Wharf. On Saturday this whole area comes alive with local artists, musicians, yummy food and just some really cool stuff!

I love all the hand made items and who doesn't love the feel of fleece!





This ladies cool stuff really caught my eye. All of these adorable bears and balls are made with recycled wool sweaters. I am definitely making three of these for my three littlest grangirlies.

Seriously...........The lady holding the bear in the photo paid close to $60.00.

So.....I guess off I go to the thrift stores but I am just wondering how you will sew a seam for wool as so it won't separate. Hmmmm.....



♥♥♥♥♥

Check out the vintage suitcase!

Who knew there were so many kinds of edible mushrooms.

Lots of fun people here!

Sur La Table

We love this store and wander thru every year!

This year we found "the scone lady" with the very cool hat!

I swear these blueberry scones must have like 5000 calories but they were so yummy!

Sausalito, California

Nestled on the other side of the Golden Gate Bridge is this quaint little community called Sausalito. You can take a day trip, via Gray Line tours to here and also Muir Woods. The bus picks you right up outside your hotel and off you go! So much fun!



Seriously...........If this guy only knew that in my earlier years my girlfriends and I had borrowed a hearse and did some serious joy riding! That's all I'm sayin! And some of you thought I was such a saint huh?..............

My mother was even encouraging me to get in the drivers seat so she could snap a photo!

and...I wonder where I got some of this crazy behavoir ;)

If there is a Christmas store in town......mother and I will be sure to find it! We bought the cutest "elf on the shelf" that the grankidos are sure to love!

I thought these decorations were hilarious and who on earth would buy them........Well.....there were three cute russian ladies spending a small fortune at the register for about ten of them. Go figure...............If we were all alike the world would be a pretty boring place right? (giggles)

The only down side to this trip was that we only had an hour to browse the town!

R.I.P.

So Long Davey Jones.............

Oh how I loved "The Monkees"! My childhood friend Liz Garvey and I ate more bubble gum then you could ever imagine trying to get the Monkee cards........ in the bubble gum pack to piece together the famous poster! It's a miracle I never had more cavities!

Another sign that I am aging too! When the heck did I get so old?

I miss my youth........but I am so thankful that I have so many wonderful memories.

I'm sure the day will come when I can no longer remember ...

But for now...........I still love you Davey Jones!

"Cheer Up Sleepy Dream"

River Rae

Our little River is already 4 months old! How can that be? We love this photo as it looks like she is trying out some new infant urban camouflage.

Lori's Diner

We never miss the opportunity to eat the world famous "fish & chips" here at Lori's Diner!

We love the great decor and the 50's and 60's music!

I Want More!

Cupcakes by Kara at Ghiradelli Square........Red Velvet is my favorite ♥