Skinny Me

                                                                               Me with 2 year old Sweets

These are the two skinniest pictures of me since I've had babies.  The first one was after BD was born.  I never put that baby down.  I couldn't figure out how to eat and hold a baby so I lost quite a bit of weight.   The second one was after Lili was born/died.  I didn't have a nursing baby so it was pretty easy to lose weight.  I used Weight Watchers to get down to my goal weight.  It was very difficult.  I am 10-15 lbs away from my goal weight.  I've been stuck here for over a year.  I don't know why, but it has been really hard to lose this last little bit.  I've lost 50 lbs since Tutu was born, but I just can't get this last 10 off.

I haven't been tracking my food.  I know that is the secret.  I just can't get motivated to do it.  I've been doing really well getting my 5 points a day, but tracking is holding me back.  I must do it!!!

No doughnuts for me on doughnut day!  (we have doughnut days twice a year - Ground Hog Day and Labor Day).  I wonder how many grams of sugar are in a Krispy Kreme doughnut.

Looked it up.
The Original Glazed have 10 grams.
Pumpkin Spice Cake has 27 grams.
The highest one is a Chocolate Iced KREME glazed Web doughnut for Halloween at 34 grams. (like we need more sugar at Halloween)

The Last Apple

My interest in being nonsugaric started many years ago.  I have polycystic ovarian syndrome. This is a pre-diabetes condition.  I happened to notice that the diabetics that I knew were trying to eat as they always had just by substituting artificial sweeteners.  I just thought that was the wrong way to look at it.  That is one of the reasons I didn't use the words sugar-free.  Sugar-free indicates artificial sugar.

Now I see recipes for gluten-free desserts.  If for whatever reason we've determined we can't eat a lot of sugar or wheat let's just eat a lot less of those things.  I think there are many foods and flavors we could be eating that would fulfill us more than fake sugar and wheat substitutes.

Not to mention the example we will set for our children.  I haven't told my children they can only eat x number of grams of sugar a day, but because I'm not eating much of it, either are they.  This has happened a few times in our lives.  Whenever, I reduce my sugar consumption and increase my produce consumption my kids do too.  It isn't always a good thing.  I feel greedy when my kids ask if they can have another banana or apple and I want to say no.  I want to make sure there is enough for me.  It's as if they want to finish off the ice cream.  Last night, Super Jack and Bumbles had a knock down, drag out fight over the last apple. It was horrible, but hilarious.

I got more apples today.

Warmness

I have been really good about earning my 5 Weight Watchers Activity Points.  If I don't have my 5 points from my morning exercise and daily activity then I usually run in place before I go to bed.  That is what I was doing right before I started writing this.  I'm only at 4 points, but I'm sure I'll make it to five.

Only eating 6 grams of sugar a day is hard.  But I'm sticking to my guns. I can't wait until Monday is here again. (you don't usually hear people say that).

This morning didn't start off very well.  Tutu woke up early and my husband had pneumonia so I didn't get to go work out.  I thought I might get my points just from taking care of my family.  I mean when you are constantly working with messes like this . . .

you might think you are burning a lot of calories.  I even did four loads of laundry, folded them and put them away.  When I checked my points I had only earned ONE!  I ended up going to the gym after Tutu was in bed, but I'm still a little short.

I could do better in the eating department.  I often have salads for lunch, but when it's so cold I just want something warm. Sitting next to this all day sure helped.

This is a great nonsugaric alternative to making hot chocolate.  The kids really enjoyed coming in from the snow and sitting by the fire.

 Then Super Jack helped me make these yummy warm green things.

Roasted Brussel Sprouts!

Veggies are so much better roasted.  Of course, not everyone agrees.

I could eat the whole bowl.

Six Grams

So far I've made it on six grams of sugar.  I thought of picking up a Larabar,
but I thought that would just be giving into my sweet tooth which is what I'm trying to stop doing.

A reader asked me how I measure my sugar intake.  I learned that 1 tsp of sugar is 5 grams of sugar.  With this I can calculate how many grams of sugar are in 1 cup of sugar (240 grams).  So if I bake a batch of cookies the dough would have 240 grams of sugar.  If it makes 24 cookies each cookie would have 10 grams of sugar. (that is if I don't eat any dough).

The reader also mentioned that they had tried to eat no sugar at all and then they went overboard later.  I've done the same. This is why I've tried to adjust it to allow some sugar.  I read that 20 grams is the recommendation for women.  That is why I chose that number.

I got a great suggestion for how to celebrate Valentine's Day without sugar cookies.

Strawberry Flowers

However, I have been thinking for a few years that I should just make a list of the things I love to eat. Perhaps I could then allow myself to indulge in one of those each month.  Do you think I could have a list with only 12 things on it?

My extended family has been trying to coordinate our get togethers.  We get together for Christmas and Thanksgiving, of course.  My mother started holding a Fall Festival a few years ago.  We liked it so much we planned to have a Winter Celebration, a Spring Festival and a Summer Celebration.  We had a successful Summer Celebration and Fall Festival last year.  We will be holding Winter Celebration at my house on February 8th.  I'm nervous that it will be hard to resist all the goodies.  Perhaps I will allow myself to indulge at those celebrations in the future.  As for now I plan to stay strong because I really want to lose this weight.

First Taste

I weighed in today.  I'm down to 151.8.  That's .6 lbs lost.  I know it's not a lot, but it still counts.  Remember that is a little more than two sticks of butter that came off me.  I'll take it.  Plus, my waist is down to 34".  When I was in high school my waste was 26".  My hips and chest are only 3" bigger than they were in high school, but my waste . . . .

I think it stems from my problem with cookie dough.  I LOVE to bake.  In fact, when I was in high school I would come home and bake something after school every day.  I think I kept it up for a year. Back then I could handle the calories, but now, not so much.  I have tried to lose weight after my last 5 pregnancies and every time I do I have to completely stop baking.

However, baking is a great thing to do when there is a holiday coming or it's cold outside and you need something for the kids to do.  Not to mention, when you go to the store and your kids see those disgusting sugar cookies that the grocery stores bake for the holidays, they want some.  I can't stand to buy those cookies.  They're dry, expensive and full of chemicals.  I always think, "sure it would be great to have cute little heart shaped cookies with sprinkles, but I could make them so much better than these."

Well that happened to me last week.  I got some Valentine's sprinkles in preparation for our cookie making.  My kids begged me to do it last week, but I knew I'd eat some and I didn't have the points.  I decided to make them today because my points refresh on Monday.  Let's just say, I ate too much.   I didn't eat too much as far as calories go.  However, I'm sure I'm over my 20 gram limit.  I don't really know how many grams of sugar were in those cookies (one of the problems with making things yourself).  So how should I make restitution?  Should I not eat any sugar at all for the rest of the week?  That would mean I couldn't eat what I usually eat for breakfast.  Let's say I'll only eat 6 grams of sugar per day for the rest of the week.

By the way, I was telling my husband that I hate making cookies because I can't stop eating the dough.  He took a pinch.  He started telling me he could see why I couldn't stop eating it.  He was describing how it melts in your mouth.  I was wondering why he was acting like that.  I asked if he'd ever eaten cookie dough before.  He said that today was his FIRST taste!  WHAT????  Sometimes it is so fun living with an Albanian.  I'm always surprised at what he missed out on.  I wish I had taken a picture, but since I didn't I'll leave these for your viewing pleasure.

I love how Bumbles is just watching her throw a fit.

She's my Rootin' Tutuin' Cowgirl.

The Dinner Table

I was good about restricting my calories today.  I didn't even eat 20 grams of sugar because I couldn't fit in the calories.  I have also earned 6 points for the last 2 days.

I'm speaking at my church on Sunday.  The topic is "personal righteousness".  I've been pondering on this for the last three days.  Strangely this talk

Compassion at the Dinner Table

about a dinner table really inspired me.  James Forbes talks about how he learned about compassion at his family dinner table.  If we all had dinners like Rev. Forbes perhaps this country wouldn't have an obesity problem or a poverty problem.

This is what we had at our family table tonight.

It's from my favorite book. French Kids Eat Everything.  It's a crustless quiche.  It's easy and tasty and healthy.  I LOVE it.

Redefined Selfies

I watched this Dove commercial today.

Redefine Beauty Through Selfies

 Dove had mothers and daughters take selfies.  Then those self portraits were hung in an art gallery where people left comments. Interestingly, the things that these women and girls didn't like about themselves were the things that others thought made them beautiful.

I took some selfies.

Muffins Anyone?  This is my least favorite part of my body.  I dare you to find a way to compliment it.  I'm just working hard to make it go away.

This is my second least favorite part of me - my dark circles.  I've tried plenty of things to make them go away, but they are here to stay.  Once again, convince me there is something beautiful about them.

That being said, I know there is much more to me than my muffin top and my dark circles.  I just accept them and focus on all the other things I like about me. 

I had to go to the store today, which is always dangerous.  I took three of my kids, which makes it more dangerous.  They begged me for Valentine's cookies.  I said, "No!"  But I did let them get some Conversation Hearts that were in little boxes.  I don't even care about those.  I also got some Twix Minis.  They were the lowest in sugar of the ones I looked at.  Each mini Twix had 5 grams of sugar.  I had two.  It was a nice little treat.

I am doing very well at only eating 20 grams of sugar and tracking my intake and exercising.  The hardest part still is just not overeating all the nonsugaric foods.  Tonight I made a recipe from this book I got for Christmas.

It was so yummy.  I really had to work hard to stop eating "Jen's Lakehouse Enchiladas".  I had a few extra kids over and I was glad they cleaned the pan.

Tutu's Selfie - Now THAT'S Beauty

Angels for Lana Stocks

I didn't want to get up this morning, but I did.  I didn't want to go out in the cold, but I did.  I didn't want to drive in the snow, but I did.  However, I couldn't make it to the gym because the police had blocked off the road.  After all that I had to turn around and go home.  

I did work out at home with 5 kids.  That didn't work out so well (no pun intended).  I only earned three activity points today.  I think the kids burned up my extra energy playing in the snow and making these.

I saw these from Tutu's bedroom window.  I just thought they were so very beautiful.  I've seen many snow angels, but they've never touched me like this.  I didn't understand it then, but while I was writing this post it hit me.

I heard that a wonderful, vibrant, 67-year-old man, that my parents knew, just died suddenly from a heart attack this morning while he was shoveling snow.  Things like this are just so sad.  I mourn so deeply for people who lose their spouses.  I KNOW that when my baby died there were angels that surrounded me for a very long time.  I KNOW that it was because of all the prayers that people offered in my behalf.  I think my children's snow angels are some of the angels that rushed to earth today to comfort the wife of this dear man.  Let's all make more snow angels tomorrow to send her the comfort she needs.  If you send me a picture I'll put it on my blog tomorrow and hopefully she'll see them.

What Do They Eat?

I went out to dinner with my parents, my family and my brother's family.  There were six small children there. We only ordered 3 meals between them.  They didn't even finish the three meals.  Granted two of them were under two, but it made us laugh.  I can't understand how kids survive when they don't eat anything.  Two Christmases ago my mother gave me this WONDERFUL book.

   

BEWARE!  This book will blow your mind. It has helped me in so many ways.  I love the way the French teach their children to eat.  I really want to go to France and learn from the pros.  If anyone knows of a great French cookbook please let me know. I want to become a French Chef when I grow up, among other things.

I'm doing great with the 20 grams of sugar.  It's even sinking in with my kids.  I purchased these

They have 10 grams of sugar.  Bumbles asked if he could have a second pack.  Super Jack jumped right in and said, "No, because 10 plus 10 is 20 and that's too much sugar."  Lead by example my friends.

So we ate these instead.

Oops, I just realized that broke two of the rules from the "French Kids Eat Everything" book.  Don't tell.

If You Give a Boy Some Duct Tape

I weighed myself this morning and I'm down to 152.4!  That's 1.6 lbs GONE!  I was worried I wouldn't lose, but I have to say knowing I'd have to report it on my blog helped me be disciplined this weekend.  It has also helped to think about my future self.  I really want to be good to her. It may not sound like that much, but it is a healthy weight lose.  A Weight Watchers worker once compared my weight lose to a 1 lb of butter.  Now when I lose weight I think of it in terms of sticks of butter.  That's almost 7 sticks of butter!  It sounds like a lot that way.

After I found out I lost weight I went down stairs and ate 2 waffles with syrup!  That wiped out my sugar count for the day, but I enjoyed it.  I was worried I'd be at a loss of what to eat with no sugar grams, but it wasn't hard because Bumbles helped me.

Bumbles got some pickle duct tape.  This made him think about pickles.  He asked me if we had any.  I found our jar in the back of fridge and we ate the last 4 pickles while we danced around the kitchen.  We tried to get Tutu to join in the fun, but she wouldn't have it.  I love pickles.  They are a great diet food.  I love their flavor and they have no points.  

My other sweet moments were sitting outside and feeling the sun shine on my face.  I had to soak it in because its been raining a lot and I've missed the sun.  I hear there is a storm coming tomorrow.

It was also sweet to watch Tutu enjoying the sun and looking up at the leaves every time the wind blew.  I forget about these wonders until my kids remind me.

Thanks for the Pressure

I have been pretty frustrated today.  My clothes feel too tight and I feel like I'm working so hard to get fit.  I'm tired of being uncomfortable in my body and my clothes.

There is only one thing to do.  TRACK MY FOOD.  I didn't want to set it as a New Year's Resolution because I didn't want to do it.  I kept telling myself that I could just restrict my intake without tracking.  Unfortunately, there is just too much of a margin of error when I'm keep things logged in my head.  Every week I say I'll track my food, but I don't.  I even pay $15.95 a month for the privilege of tracking my food and I just don't do it.

The next step is to declare it on my blog that I will track every day.  Now I'm stuck.  The social pressure of disappointing all of you it too great.  Today I was annoyed because I worked out this morning and went grocery shopping and by 8 pm I only had 2 activity points.  I was mad because I knew I had to get 5 because I said I would.  What did I do?  I turned on a video and worked out AGAIN.  You see the power you have over me?  Now I have my 5 points.  I feel fitter and stronger, but not thinner.

Even knowing I would write this tonight helped me restrict my calories more. I know I'm doing a good job of limiting my intake when I go to bed hungry.  I'm starting to feel those hunger pangs.    My future self thanks me.

Children's Games

I was surprised to wake up to snow this morning.  I was walking through the kitchen to go to the gym.  I glimpsed the snow out the back door.  I gasped in surprise.  I couldn't believe how excited I was.  I felt like a kid again. We ventured out in all our mismatched snow gear.

Tutu, Super Jack and Bumbles enjoying the snow.

Tutu was thrilled with her first snow.

Except for when Bumbles threw it in her face.

I woke up late again for my workout so I only lifted weights.  I think I pulled a muscle in calf, grrr.  I had a pretty slow day.  My kids were pretty whiny so I didn't get much done.  My husband teaches a Book of Mormon class every Thursday.  I was alone with the three little kids.  Super Jack was kind of whining because he had had a few disappointments today.  He wanted to play a board game.  I keep explaining to him I can't play board games when Tutu is awake.  Then a brilliant idea hit me.  I needed to get moving and the kids needed to be entertained (without using a plug).  

We played "Following the Leader" around the house.  It was great exercise.  I was exercising AND laughing.  I don't know if that has every happened before.  Tutu was entertained by her mommy being silly.  Super Jack and Bumbles were taking turns being the leader.  They came up with some great moves. We were all red faced and breathless in the end.  I think I'll be adding that to my workout routine permanently.  For our cool down we played a little "Simon Says".  They fell asleep in a flash.  There are too many good things about running around with kiddos to write them all down.

My Future Self

I had a hard time getting 5 points yesterday. I basically did a second workout walking around my house and doing kicks and such for a long time.  I was watching "My 600-lb life" so that kept me moving ;).

I didn't want to stay up just to get my exercise in today.  I went to the gym, which I also did yesterday, but when I got home I kept moving.  I cleaned up the kitchen and even mopped the floor.  I also cleaned and vacuumed the living room and the stairs.  By 3:00 pm I had earned 5 points.  Now I'm up to 7 for today.

I have to say that cleaning my house was almost more enjoyable than working out on the elliptical machine. Next time your house needs a good cleaning just think about all the calories you'll burn and maybe it will motivate you.

Or maybe just knowing my house is clean will motivate you to clean your house.  That's what this guy said.

How_behavioral_science_can_lower_your_energy_bill.

I was pretty upset after stepping on the scale this morning the numbers were going the wrong way.  I have found over many years of trying to lose weight that eating less and well is MUCH more important than how much I work out.  However, I keep hoping that I can workout enough to be able to eat whatever I want.  (not working so far).  So today I redoubled my efforts to restrict my calories.  Listening to this TED talk really helped me get some perspective.

The_battle_between_your_present_and_future_self

I plan to be kinder to my future self.

Four Secrets

I checked my vitamin last night.  I also had to walk up and down the stairs 10 times and do 25 jumping jacks to earn my 5 points, but I did it.

Secret #1 - Tools

Having the right tools to eat healthy is very important.  I used to only have a small little cutting board that was very difficult to cut a pineapple on.  Because of this I'd leave my pineapples in the fridge for a long time.  Now I have this nice big cutting board from Pampered Chef.  It even has grooves for draining the juice.  I love it and it makes cutting a pineapple so much easier.

Secret #2 - Snacks

When you feel a craving it is not the time to cut up a pineapple or strawberries.  Cut your snacks in the morning and snack when you need something sweet.

Secret #3 - Whipped Cream

Whipped Cream has less than one gram of sugar.  It is also low calorie.  It makes fruit seem like dessert and

It inspires kids to eat fruit.

Secret #4- Gum

They have so many wonderful flavors of gum these days.  I like this one, but my husband prefers mint.  The best tip I've read from Weight Watchers is to put a piece of gum in your mouth when you're cooking.  This really helps me when I'm making something yummy that I can't stop "tasting".

I've only earned 3 activity points today so I'm off to get more exercise.  Plus, I've got to "take" my vitamin.

Three Pounds

Today I ate three pounds of ice cream. . . . .

Just kidding.  I weighed in this morning and I am down to 154 lbs. Three pounds GONE.  I also lost an inch off my waist.  I'm down to 35"!!  I'm excited.  Here's how I have done with my resolutions.

1.  I really like this 20 gram goal.  It is more doable because I can have a bite of this or that.  It helps me feel like I'm not missing out.  My family had ice cream tonight and I had a few bites.  I almost always eat one of these for breakfast - Peanut Almond And Dark Chocolate.  They have 10 grams of protein and 6 grams of sugar.

When I'm not planning to have a dessert at some point I'll eat one of these Weight-Watchers-Pecans-Caramel-Pecan-Crowns after lunch.  They have several different flavors.  I really enjoy the coconut ones. All the candies have 9 grams of sugar.  That leaves me 5 grams for little bites of other things.

2. It's been hard for me to get 5 points a day.  I have been doing it though.  The only time I don't is on Sundays because I don't work out then.  I also didn't get 5 points on the two days that were super cold because I didn't go to the gym.  These things happen, but I'll just "find a way" to get my five points.

3. This one needs improvement - (the spiritual one) - but I came up with a plan.  I really like to check boxes.  Weight Watchers has this great thing with their mobile app and on their website that let's you check boxes.

I decided I'm going to check the vitamin box when I've studied the word of God each day.  As you can see it's not checked yet, but it will be by the end of the day.  

Perfection

I know in blogs we often try to make ourselves look perfect.  You may think my house is always clean, I never raise my voice, my children never whine or I never feel lazy.  Well, it just isn't true.  Right now I have this in my living room.

It's a giant pile of laundry and it's been there for two days.

And here's my bedroom.

My bed's not made and it hardly ever is.

I think we'd all feel better about life if we could all just understand that we all have our weaknesses.  We are all great at some things and not so good at others.  We can all learn to do things that we couldn't do before. I am inspired by these words by President Dieter Uchtdorf

Another thing we need to remember when it comes to setting goals is this: We almost certainly will fail—at least in the short term. But rather than be discouraged, we can be empowered because this understanding removes the pressure of being perfect right now. It acknowledges from the beginning that at one time or another, we may fall short. Knowing this up front takes away much of the surprise and discouragement of failure.

When we approach our goals this way, failure doesn’t have to limit us. Remember, even if we fail to reach our ultimate, desired destination right away, we will have made progress along the road that will lead to it.

And that matters—it means a lot.

Even though we might fall short of our finish line, just continuing the journey will make us greater than we were before.

The Best Time to Begin Is Now

An old proverb says, “The best time to plant a tree is 20 years ago. The second-best time is now.”

There is something wonderful and hopeful about the word now. There is something empowering about the fact that if we choose to decide now, we can move forward at this very moment.

Now is the best time to start becoming the person we eventually want to be—not only 20 years from now but also for all eternity. (to read or listen to the whole talk go here The-best-time-to-plant-a-tree?

Oh My Darlin'

I did get my workout in this morning.  I even had a nice conversation with a stranger at the "Y".  But then I came home to this.

Guess what I did.  That's right, I threw it in the garbage.  It looked so at home in there.

I have to confess that I've been having a really hard time with Bumbles for awhile.  He really fights me about taking naps, but he's only 3 so I'm not giving up.  Plus, he also has night terrors and if he doesn't take a nap he will definitely have night terrors.  If he takes a nap that usually means he'll sleep well.  He has also wet his bed twice in a row the last two days.  I'm always trying to find a peaceful way to help him be happier and more cooperative.  Once again, thanks to my mother, I might have found it.  Here it is . . .

Children's Music

We've had the book on the left for many years, but the two white books are ones my mother just gave us yesterday.  She is trying to disperse some of her collections amongst her family members and she gave her music to me!  Yesterday we looked at them a little, but today we had a major sing along.  All the kids got involved.  I said we'd only sing one or two from each book, but we basically sang everyone I knew.  Our very favorite and the one we sang the loudest was "Oh My Darlin' Clementine".  Bumbles has liked that song for awhile.  After my voice wore out Bumbles went to bed without a fight.  Ok, he didn't sleep, but he did lay peacefully in his bed.

Then I went to the store for my weekly shopping and saw these.

One of our favorite God Candies

This isn't normally the brand I buy, but under the circumstances I just had to get them.

I didn't eat any sugar at all today until 7:00 when I enjoyed TWO Mafishe.  They were so delicious and very worth the wait.  The batch I made had 1 cup of sugar which comes out to 48 teaspoons of sugar.  This came out to 10 grams of sugar per cookie.  I had TWO.  I have to say this 20 grams thing is really quite nice.  It's nice to give yourself a limit.  The other side effect is that my mouth always feels clean.

BTW, we had a lot of soda left over from our get together last night.  I looked at the labels.  Did you know that 8 ozs of soda has 35 grams of sugar?  You can't even have a whole glass and stay under the limit.  Interestingly, juice has about 25-30 grams of sugar.  Just something to think about.  

Presenting!

I promised I'd tell you the name of Baby #6 yesterday, but I didn't get her outfit clean in time.  Therefore, it had to wait until now.  Please meet . . . .

 Tutu!

She is my little dancer girl and she looks so cute in a tutu or otherwise.  There you have it.

She was being especially cute this evening at our Munch and Mingle.  Every second Thursday we have a few friends over to, well, munch on food and mingle.  Is there sugar there, you ask?  Why yes there is.  Everyone who comes brings something of their choosing to share. I also provide food. This is what I provided.

It was a lovely spread.  There was only 1 gram of sugar in the popcorn chips in the back left corner and 1 gram in the blue bowl in the middle in the front.  It was very yummy.  I didn't eat any of the "sugary chips".  I was plenty happy with my grapes, popcorn chips with guacamole and carrots with hummus.  Someone did bring two pans of brownies.  There was also soda there, but I drank water.  The brownies were on the table so I just stayed away from them.  The hard part was cleaning up.  There were some crumbs in the brownie pan that I would normally clean up with my stomach, but today I just threw them in the trash.  Remember the trash can is your friend.

Tip #5: Cover things up and/or put them away.  There were still three brownies in the other pan, but I just put the lid on it and walked away.  I also put the extra soda in the fridge.  I don't know why, but when things are on the counter with nothing covering them it seems like they are calling my name.  As soon as you put a lid on it, it's quiet.

I did go workout this morning, but somehow I only earned 3 activity points.  I guess after taking a day off I lost a little momentum.  Don't worry, I'll get it back.  I can't wait to see what tomorrow brings.  Maybe it will bring Mafisha.  I actually saw a recipe for "cloud cookies", what they called them, in Parents Magazine today.  

Cast Your Pearls

Well, I didn't get up and workout this morning.  I overslept.  I stayed up too late last night worrying about a friends baby that went to the Emergency Room.  There was cause to worry because it turns out she had a skull fracture from falling out of a high chair.  The poor baby!  She will recover, but that is no fun for anyone.

I had this whole master plan of how I was going to make eggs for breakfast this morning so I could have a nonsugaric breakfast and then I would have enough grams of sugar to eat a mafishe.  Mafishe is a yummy treat we got all the time in Albania.  I think they are the same as meringues here.  I've been trying to perfect making them.  I like them because they are very low calorie.  They are just egg whites and sugar.  However, I have to plan very far in advance to make them because they have to be in the oven for four hours.  Well, even though I planned well for the sugar grams I didn't plan well for my oven space.  So once again the Mafisha didn't get made.  I'm still trying to calculate how many grams of sugar they have, but I think it will be about 18 grams.  You see, I love them so much that I'd use up all my whole day's worth of sugar on them.

Tip #3: Plan ahead for what is most important to you. I did make a lovely breakfast though.

Bumbles even helped me.  He rolled out the biscuit dough and helped cut the biscuits with my biscuit cutters from Pampered Chef!  I'm so very happy to have them.

I was also very happy to have the self-rising flour my husband accidentally purchased when I sent him for some all purpose flour.  I knew it would come in handy.  Those biscuits were delicious! We called them Bumble Biscuits since Bumble's "made" them. He was so proud.

I have to say I felt like Milly from "Seven Brides for Seven Brothers".  It was really making laugh because I had just read St. Matthew 7:6 the night before.  It's the one about the pigs.  See the title of this post for a hint.

Tip #4: Stay busy with projects. Here is mine.  I made this two Januarys ago.  This project has been in the development phase for many years.  Here's what I'm doing.  I read a book called Standing for Something: 10 Neglected Virtues That Will Heal Our Hearts and Homes  -by Gordon B. Hinckley.  I loved it and it really inspired me.  I decided to assign a virtue to each month.  I then made a banner with a symbol that would remind us of that virtue and the name of the month in Albanian.  The fabric of the banner also adds to the feeling of the virtue.  My dear and talented mother picked out all the fabric for me.  This, of course, spurred me into action.  I also decided I would bead each banner in honor of my grandmother who had a special talent for this.  I have successfully made all the banners and I have beaded January and February.  I almost finished March, but I lost one of the beads and haven't been able to replace it.  Perhaps I will finish the beading this year.  In addition to displaying the banner I am supposed to have a teaching moment about the virtue several times during the month.  Maybe I'll get better at that this year too.

January is Optimism

Sweets took this picture today.  It sure made me smile and helped me to feel optimistic. 

She is so clever.