The Good Time Guy's Golden Birthday!

Ever since Ty learned to say his own prayers, he always asked Heavenly Father to "bless us with a 'good time.'" This kinda stuck to him & he became known as the family's "Good Time Guy." Today is Ty's "Golden Birthday" - He turns 22 on the 22nd. (Your Golden Birthday is when your age matches the day you were born.) Thanks for all the "good times" Ty - we pray that you have many more.

Generations of Love...

When I was a little girl, I LOVED my G'ma Harwell's sugar cookies! She always had a cookie jar full of them in her kitchen. I remember helping her make them a few times - it wore my little arm out trying to mix the dough & she didn't use a cookie cutter - she used the rim of a glass drinking cup or the rim of a mason jar to cut perfectly round circles of those sweet, delicious treats. It was a happy childhood memory.

When I was a young newlywed, I wished I had taken time to get that recipe from her. About that time or shortly after, my Aunt Dorothy decided to put together a family cookbook & she collected recipes from all of us & compiled a wonderful family heirloom that I treasure...& in that book...my cousin June had submitted G'ma Harwell's sugar cookie recipe! I couldn't wait to make them, but I was sorely disappointed when I did - they were not easy to make & they didn't turn out anything like my grandmother's cookies. They were hard & dry & could have broken your teeth trying to bite into one!

Now years later...& a little more experience in the kitchen...I wanted to try to make them again. I've been thinking a lot about my grandmother - so for Valentine's Day, I wanted to make her sugar cookies into little heart shaped delights for the sisters that I Visit Teach. "Voila!" They were not only delicious, but they were "so cute" (as Amy would say) & I couldn't bring myself to give them away! Isn't that sad?



Paul is such a "cookie monster" - he really wanted to get his hands on them, but I wouldn't even let him have one! I just wanted to look at them! I was so proud of myself! It's a good thing we had some surprise visitors yesterday so those cookies didn't go to waste...I finally even let Paul have some. After all, grandmother's cookies are for grandchildren!



One of the reasons I've been thinking so much about my grandmother (both of them actually) is because our Stake hosted a Stake Temple Day this morning on Valentine's Day. We had the privelege of doing some special sealings...It was such a sweet experience to remember, honor, & celebrate the love of my grandparents & great grandparents in such a special way on this day of love. I love & appreciate my family very much & I'm grateful to have known my grandparents personally & realize that they helped to shape the person I am today. It's not just about the cookies...

Loyd & Naomi Cowell

Robert & Eva Harwell

Here comes the BRIDE!

I was so excited that Dara asked me to go with her (& her Mom & sisters) to try on bridal gowns. Dara's sisters are so fun & gorgeous, too! (L-R is Dara's Mom, Kimlay, & sisters, Sopheak, Chenda, & Davy)



Here are a couple of dresses that were NOT Dara's favorite...What? You don't think I would actually post a dress she was considering? That would not be cool!





I had so much fun watching her try on dresses! Thanks for including me Dara...you are going to make a beautiful bride!