Rice Pudding

M-m-m…What else is there to say about this delicious concoction? Last night was not only my first time cooking it, but also eating it!

I came home with an empty stomach and to a fridge full of rice. 

What else was I to do when Jared eagerly suggested rice pudding? 

At first I thought it was as simple as adding rice to some instant pudding. 

Well that sure seemed easy enough... And certainly not delicious... 

I quickly googled it and endless pages of recipes for rice pudding appeared. 

Quick and easy, dairy free, banana, pumpkin, and of course the traditional- which sounded scrumptious. However, given the late hour of my arrival home, we opted for quick and easy:

3 c cooked rice- check

2 c milk- check

1/2 c sugar- make that stevia- check

2 tbls butter- check

1/4 tsp salt - check

1 tsp vanilla

And, as I quickly learned, how could a rice pudding recipe be complete without a little cinnamon to top it off? 

30 minutes later we enjoyed warm rice pudding. I can’t think of anything more perfect than sharing this savory, sweet dessert with sweet company.

Well, I think we'll put this one in the books as a tasty success!

Attitude of Gratitude

Well, as most of you probably know, this blog is a class requirement. I am supposed to have written twelve blogs by the end of this month. Perhaps my classmates are finding it easier than I am, but my life just really is not that exciting.

So as I sat at work the other night, waiting for the nurses to get out of shift report so I could begin my trek through the bitter cold to my car, I realized how truly blessed I am.

I reviewed the week’s events in my head, and felt so lucky. I think so many days I find it so easy to take my life for granted and complain about the many things I actually have in my life- my car, my job, my husband and the warm apartment I have to come home to every night. There are many people out there that don’t even have a place to call home...

During a recent trip to L.A. I discovered that there are 88,000 people in L.A. that are homeless. That’s like the entire city of Sparks.

Not all of these people are just your typical “bum”. Some, are just normal people that have hit a hard spot and need a little help getting back on their feet.

I am so thankful to have my Heavenly Father to rely on when times get tough, and to make the good times even better. I often wonder where my life would be without the gospel and am so grateful that it is part of my life.

I don’t think I acknowledge my own gratitude for all the many blessings in my life enough. Gratitude is such a huge deal to me- a simple “Thank you”, can mean so much, yet I sometimes neglect to say it.

Gratitude is something I don’t hear often in my line of work.

Mostly it’s just complaints on how I could improve to better serve them. This week though, I have had the most wonderful group of patients. They have shared their gratitude with me multiple times throughout the week and it fills me with a hope that genuinely good people still exist.

Until I started working at West Hills I never really realized how far a “Thanks” could go.

Or how much the lack of one could influence my day.

Now, I’ll never again let an opportunity pass to let someone know I am thankful.

Thomas S. Monson said, "Having gratitude and not expressing it is like wrapping a gift and not delivering it."

Happy Sunday everyone!

All Growed Up

With Spring Break just around the corner, the magnitude of being an adult has finally hit me. As children we often dream about being a grown up and having a job as a designer or doctor. What we didn’t realize then, is these magnificent jobs don’t come with a Spring Break. It’s a year round obligation. 

Although I am neither a designer nor doctor, I have a real job that offers no breaks. In fact, it’s sometimes difficult to even get a day off. However, I managed to do just that. I usually work on Saturday night but in anticipation of the upcoming break from school, I have the night off! I don’t remember the last time Jared and I were able to go out on a date on a Saturday night. The reality of it is though; we will probably spend the night watching movies on the couch. And to be honest, that’s alright with me.

For typical college students, Spring Break is a time for party goers, to venture to warm beaches and unwind under a hot sun.  This week long recess during the semester is known to relieve students of the cabin fever they may have acquired during the previous months of studies.

As for this year, my Spring Break will be spent much like every other week. But who knows what’s in store for next year. I’m thinking a cruise.. 

Sunday’s Best

Sundays are by far the best day of the week. Jared and I have the entire day to spend together. Usually we've been finding ourselves ending up at my dad’s for dinner. It's not that I don't want to cook, it's just that the food at my dad’s is much better. Plus, it's so convenient because he literally lives eight minutes away- sometimes less, but it really depends on who's driving...

Anyway, after church we typically lounge around a bit, I might do some baking if I'm feeling especially motivated. And then around five we'll make the quick drive to my dad’s house. By the time we get there the house is filled with delicious smells of whatever my step mom has brewing that night. And then to top it off, at the heart of this practically gourmet meal, we always have dessert to look forward to.

Last night featured homemade Napoleons. Decadent paper thin phyllo dough squares with alternating layers of lemon cream and freshly sliced strawberries in between and drizzled with lemon and topped with a dusting of powdered sugar.

Although the desert is tasty, the best part is spending time with family. I feel like it is such a blessing to be able to sit and enjoy each other's company. It’s so nice to live so close to family and to be able to see them pretty much whenever. Although sitting down for dinner as a family has been at a slow decline in America over the past few years, I think this is one tradition I’m going to stick with.