The Last Lecture by Randy Pausch and Jeffrey Zaslow

This book was recommended to me by a friend and I am so grateful that I picked it up.  I love to read books that make you feel good about yourself but I also enjoy reading books that make you stop and think about how you are living and what you can do better.  This was a wonderful book full of insights to live your life the best you can for the time you have left.

Don't let anyone else determine who you are meant to be.  Pursue your dreams.  Use the talents Heavenly Father has given you and make the world a better place.

The Last Lecture by Randy Pausch and Jeffrey Zaslow

There are several sections in this book and there are so many wonderful little gems of wisdom and thoughts on how to live.  I've summarized what I want to remember from this book so that hopefully in my life I can fulfill my dreams be a better person and even try to enable the dreams of those around me.

Really Achieving your childhood dreams: 

What are your childhood dreams?  What have you done to reach them? How can you make them happen?

Lessons learned:

The Dutch Uncle:  appreciate those people in your life who love you enough to tell you the tough-love things   you need to hear

Pouring Soda in the Backseat: People are more important than things

Romancing the Brick Wall: Brick walls aren't there to keep us out.  The brick walls are there to give us a chance to show how badly we want something.

Not all Fairy Tales End Smoothly: Even Fairy Tale moments have risks.  Sometimes things don't happen how you have it pictured in your mind.

Lucy, I'm Home: Not everything needs to be fixed.

A New Year's Story: We play a role in our destinies.  You can make things worse if you fall to pieces, there are things you can do that might help the outcome in a positive way if you just keep going without dwelling on the "This isn't fair."

In Fifty Years it Never Came Up: Appreciate the sacrifice of others and be humble.

The truth can set you free: share the truth.  Live a life of honesty and integrity.

Enable the dreams of others: 

Time must be managed, like money
You can always change your plan, but only if you have one
Ask yourself: Are you spending your time on the right things?
Develop a good filing system
Rethink the telephone

A recovering jerk: Teamwork is important, listen to feedback and apply it to make you better even if it is hard to hear

Training a Jedi: When good things happen to you, pass it on.  Pay it forward.  Help others fulfill their dreams

They Just Blew Me Away:  Encourage creativity and innovation, watch what others can come up with if you give them a chance

The promised Land: Like Moses who led the Israelites to the promised land but never set foot in it, do what you can to prepare those around you to succeed, show them that you have confidence in them, and know that they will go on to do great things

It's About How to Live Your Life:

Dream Big
Earnest is Better than Hip; hip is short term, earnest is long term
Raising the White Flag: sometimes it's better to give in that to remain stubbornly set in your ways
Let's Make a Deal: change the dynamic, make a mutually agreeable solution
Don't Complain Just Work Harder
Treat the Disease, Not the Symptom
Don't Obsess Over What People Think

Start By Sitting Together: to work with other people here is some tips- meet people properly, find things you have in common, try for optimal meeting conditions, let everyone talk, check egos at the door, praise each other, phrase alternatives as questions

Look for the Best in Everybody: Almost everybody has a good side.  Just keep waiting.  It will come out.
Watch What They Do, Not What They Say

If at First You Don't Succeed... try a cliche: The reason cliche's are repeated so often is because they ring with truth.- Dance with the one who brought you; Luck is what happens when preparation meets opportunity; whether you think you can or can't, you're right; Other than that, Mrs. Lincoln, how was the play?

Be the First Penguin: when penguins are about to jump into water that might contain predators, well, somebody's got to be the first penguin.  Someone has to be the first to fail.  A person who has failed often knows how to avoid future failures.  Experience is what you get when you didn't get what you wanted.  Experience can be the most valuable thing you have to offer.

Get People's Attention: Come up with an attention-getter, what will make you stand out?

The Lost Art of Thank-You Notes: Show your gratitude, be sincere, take the time and do it the old fashioned way

The Friday Night Solution: The best shortcut is the long way.  Work Hard.
Show Gratitude: Go out and do for others what somebody did for you
Send Out Thin Mints: Give a reward and let others do what they already know they need to do
All You Have Is What You Bring With You: Be prepared

A Bad Apology Is Worse Than No Apology: A proper apology has 3 parts- 1. what I did was wrong. 2. I feel badly that I hurt you. 3. How do I make this better?

Tell the Truth: You're only as good as your word.  Tell the truth, all the time

Get in Touch with Your Crayon Box: smelling a crayon takes you back to childhood.  Remember your childhood dreams

The $100,000 Salt and Pepper Shaker: There is more than one way to measure profits and losses.  Have a heart.

No Job is Beneath You: Be grateful for what you have.  Do the best you can in what you do.  Check your attitude and work a little harder.

Know Where You Are: Be sensitive when crossing from one culture into another

Never Give Up: Have Tenacity.  Get over the Brick Wall. Brick walls are there for a reason.  And once you get over them-even if someone has to practically throw you over-it can be helpful to others to tell them how you did it.

Be a Communitarian: All of us have a responsibility to the community.  If you want rights, then you have to fulfill your responsibilities. Everyone has to contribute to the common good.  If you do not do so you are being selfish.  When we're connected to others, we become better people.

All You Have to Do is Ask: Ask questions.  Just ask them.  If they say no, then you are no worse off than you are now, but they just might say yes.

Make a Decision: Tigger or Eeyore: You have to decide are you going to be a fun loving Tigger or a sad-sack Eeyore.  Only you can choose.

"I don't believe in the no win scenario."

Baked Ziti Rigati

We had some company over for dinner and so I wanted to make something that was easy to put together and that everyone should like, you can't go wrong with pasta and bread sticks right?

Baked Ziti Rigati

1 lb ground hamburger

pinch of salt

pepper to taste

1 clove garlic, pressed

1 jar of your favorite sauce, I use Newman's Own Marinara

1/2 tsp Italian seasoning

3/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese

4 cups cooked ziti noodles (or other), about 1/2 a pound

2 cups shredded Mozzarella cheese

Cook your noodles and preheat oven to 375 F.  In a large skillet brown hamburger with salt, pepper and the garlic.  Drain off the grease.  Add the jar of sauce, Italian seasoning, and the Parmesan to the pan with the meat and stir.  

 Add the cooked noodles and stir until the sauce has coated all of the noodles.  Spray a 9x13 baking dish with non-stick cooking spray and  transfer your noodle mixture over using a spatula to spread it into an even layer.  

Sprinkle with the Mozzarella cheese and bake for 20 minutes until the sauce is bubbly and the cheese is melted.

You may also like: Single Rise Breadsticks

Baked Ziti Rigati

1 lb ground hamburger

pinch of salt

pepper to taste

1 clove garlic, pressed

1 jar of your favorite sauce, I use Newman's Own Marinara

1/2 tsp Italian seasoning

3/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese

4 cups cooked ziti noodles (or other), about 1/2 a pound

2 cups shredded Mozzarella cheese

Cook your noodles and preheat oven to 375 F.  In a large skillet brown hamburger with salt, pepper and the garlic.  Drain off the grease.  Add the jar of sauce, Italian seasoning, and the Parmesan to the pan with the meat and stir.  Add the cooked noodles and stir until the sauce has coated all of the noodles.  Spray a 9x13 baking dish with non-stick cooking spray and  transfer your noodle mixture over using a spatula to spread it into an even layer.  Sprinkle with the Mozzarella cheese and bake for 20 minutes until the sauce is bubbly and the cheese is melted.

Blackberry and Pork Tenderloin Spinach Salad

I was looking for a way to use up some left over pork tenderloin from a previous dinner and I had these beautiful blackberries just begging to be used.  This salad was a delightful lunch.

Blackberry and Pork Tenderloin Spinach Salad

2 cups baby spinach leaves
2 Tbsp crumbled feta cheese
2 Tbsp sliced candied almonds
1/4 cup fresh washed blackberries
1/4 cup fully cooked pork tenderloin, diced
2 Tbsp white balsamic vinaigrette

This makes enough for a single serving.  Layer salad ingredients in a medium bowl or on a 8" plate and enjoy.

Sliced Candied Almonds

I love salads but I also love to add things that are a little special.  Like these fabulous candied almonds. You could use this technique for other nuts if you want but almonds are my favorite.

Candied Almonds

2 Tbsp butter

1 egg white

generous 1/4 cup granulated sugar

1 3/4 cup sliced almonds

Preheat oven to 325 F.  Place butter into a 9" square baking dish and place in the oven just until melted.  In a mixing bowl combine the egg white and sugar and beat until frothy.  

Stir in the nuts and coat well.  

Add the nuts to the pan and bake for 20 minutes stirring every 5 minutes or until the nuts are just lightly browned.  

(I made a double batch in a 9x15" baking pan)

Line a clean baking sheet with wax paper and transfer the nuts from the baking dish to the wax paper.  

Spread out and break apart with a spatula.  Let cool completely (or eat by handfuls off the pan).  Store in an airtight container.  I like to keep mine in the fridge so they last a long time.  These also freeze really well.  I use my foodsaver and freeze in 1 cup packages.

Candied Almonds

2 Tbsp butter

1 egg white

generous 1/4 cup granulated sugar

1 3/4 cup sliced almonds

Preheat oven to 325 F.  Place butter into a 9" square baking dish and place in the oven just until melted.  In a mixing bowl combine the egg white and sugar and beat until frothy.  Stir in the nuts and coat well.  Add the nuts to the pan and bake for 20 minutes stirring every 5 minutes or until the nuts are just lightly browned.  Line a clean baking sheet with wax paper and transfer the nuts from the baking dish to the wax paper.  Spread out and break apart with a spatula.  Let cool completely.  Store in an airtight container.  I like to keep mine in the fridge so they last a long time.

Blue and Green Little Boy Receiving Blanket

It seems like everyone in my extended family is having baby boys!  Since I have two of my own I am excited for them.  This is a receiving blanket I made to give as a gift for one of those baby boys that is due later this spring.

I used 2 yards of coordinating snuggle fabric, no batting.  The backing spread out right side down and the pattern was spread out right side up.  I pinned the fabrics in place, and then stitched in the ditch along the pattern.  I did do some extra stitching around the border about 1/8th of an inch inside the outside border just for extra stability.  I left a 3/4 inch border around the outside and snipped little tabs for the borders.  Once it gets washed a few times they will start to curl and look fun.

Not too heavy for the summer and a good size for tummy time, to throw over a car seat, or to swaddle with.

Heavenly Almond Cupcakes with Buttercream Frosting

So my new friend Chelsea asked if I had made Almond cupcakes.  I had not but I was intrigued.  So, she came over this morning and we played in the kitchen.  Since we couldn't stop eating them I would say they were a success!


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Heavenly Almond Cupcakes with Buttercream Frosting

1 box white cake mix
about 1/3 cup oil, 1 cup water, and 3 eggs (I followed the whole egg recipe) whatever it calls for to make the cake batter
1 3 oz box vanilla instant pudding
1/4 cup sliced almonds
1 Tbsp sugar
1 tsp vanilla extract
1 tsp almond extract

Preheat your oven to 325 F.  In a blender or small food processor add the sliced almonds and 1 Tbsp sugar.  Pulse until about the size of graham cracker crumbs.  Don't over process or you will have a paste.

 In a mixing bowl add the cake mix, oil, water, and eggs.  Add the pudding mix, the almond sugar mixture, and the two extracts.  Mix with an electric mixer on low about 30 seconds, then beat for about 2 minutes.  The mixture will be thick.

Line two muffin tins with paper liners.  Using a large scoop fill each cup about 2/3 full.  

Bake for about 18-22 minutes.  I turn the pans in the oven around for the last few minutes so they brown evenly.  

(If you look close you can see the little pieces of almond, yum!)

Let sit in the pans for 2 minutes or so, then remove to cooling racks to cool completely. 

 Frost.

Almond Buttercream Frosting

Heavenly Almond Cupcakes with Buttercream Frosting

1 box white cake mix
about 1/3 cup oil, 1 cup water, and 3 eggs (I followed the whole egg recipe) whatever it calls for to make the cake batter
1 3 oz box vanilla instant pudding
1/4 cup sliced almonds
1 Tbsp sugar
1 tsp vanilla extract
1 tsp almond extract

Preheat your oven to 325 F.  In a blender or small food processor add the sliced almonds and 1 Tbsp sugar.  Pulse until about the size of graham cracker crumbs.  Don't over process or you will have a paste.

In a mixing bowl add the cake mix, oil, water, and eggs.  Add the pudding mix, the almond sugar mixture, and the two extracts.  Mix with an electric mixer on low about 30 seconds, then beat for about 2 minutes.  The mixture will be thick.

Line two muffin tins with paper liners.  Using a large scoop fill each cup about 2/3 full.  Bake for about 18-22 minutes.  I turn the pans in the oven around for the last few minutes so they brown evenly.  Let sit in the pans for 2 minutes or so, then remove to cooling racks to cool completely.  Frost.

Makes 24 cupcakes

Almond Buttercream Frosting

1/2 cup butter (1 stick), softened
4 cups powdered sugar
1/4 cup warm water
1 tsp vanilla extract
1 tsp almond extract

In a mixing bowl add butter and 1 cup of powdered sugar.  With an electric mixer, beat until blended.  Add in another cup of powdered sugar, the vanilla and almond extract, and 1-2 Tbsp of warm water.  Beat with the electric mixer until well blended.  Add another cup of powdered sugar with 1 Tbsp of water and beat.  Then repeat with the remaining ingredients.  Beat an additional minute until the frosting is fluffy and everything is incorporated.

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Almond Buttercream Frosting

A little piece of heaven.  Just eat it by the spoonful when no one is watching...  Oh I mean, use to frost cupcakes, cake, graham crackers, cookies, or whatever you think would taste even better with frosting on it.

Almond Buttercream Frosting

1/2 cup butter (1 stick), softened
4 cups powdered sugar
1/4 cup warm water
1 tsp vanilla extract
1 tsp almond extract

In a mixing bowl add butter and 1 cup of powdered sugar.  With an electric mixer, beat until blended.  Add in another cup of powdered sugar, the vanilla and almond extract, and 1-2 Tbsp of warm water.  Beat with the electric mixer until well blended.  Add another cup of powdered sugar with 1 Tbsp of water and beat.  Then repeat with the remaining ingredients.  Beat an additional minute until the frosting is fluffy and everything is incorporated.