Category: Creativity

It Was Tasty Nonetheless

Although the consistency of the fudge did not turn right, it was tasty nonetheless.

When the consistency of my first batch of homemade fudge this holiday season did not turn out right, it was a tender mercy an idea to add the overcooked fudge to a hot chocolate beverage came to mind. Although the fudge was dry and crumbly, it was still tasty nonetheless especially when added to the heated drink as it enhanced the richness and yumminess of the hot chocolate. 

It was a tradition in my home growing up to make fudge during the holidays and it had been years since I last made it. For whatever reason, the nostalgia perhaps, I decided to make it once again this year. The recipe I used from an inside label of a can of evaporated milk seemed simple and easy enough, which it was, other than the fact that I overcooked it even though I stirred it for no more than the 5 minute boil time indicated per the recipe instructions. 

Not wanting to waste and throw out the remaining evaporated milk, I went on to make a second batch and decreased the boil time by 1 minute. This batch came out better, yet being concerned it would set too fast while stirring in the final ingredients after removing it from the heat, I did not allow the marshmallows to fully melt before quickly scooping the fudge out of the stove top saucepan into a dish. Even so, this batch also was tasty nonetheless. 

On to batch #3 only because I still had remaining evaporated milk that I wanted to use up completely. There was just enough to make another half a batch. This time I only boiled the fudge for 2 minutes since I was making less fudge in the same saucepan as washed and reused the prior 2 times and it too came out dry and crumbly, yet, as with batch #1 and #2, it was likewise tasty. 

Despite my inability to make fudge that looked good, it was a tender mercy each varied batch was edible and tasty and the idea to add the dry and crumbly fudge to a hot chocolate beverage came to mind.

When have you made a dessert that did not turn out right, yet not all was lost as you realized before dumping the entire messed up batch that it was tasty nonetheless and could be added to enhance another fabulous treat? 

tendermercym❤️ments~jld

“How have you noticed Heavenly Father’s awareness and mindfulness of you today?”

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Multipurpose Sleds

What do you do when it rains?

Everywhere I have lived, other than where we are currently, it has snowed in the winter time. Our family enjoyed sledding, making igloos, snow days, and even shoveling snow. Oh, the fun we had. I liked these activities except for the cold that came with it. When we moved away from the snow and cold, we brought with us our sleds in hopes that maybe we would get snow and still be able to use them. Unfortunately, the opportunity for snow here is very slim. Nonetheless, we have continued to hang onto our sleds and store them on a shelf in our garage.

One year around Easter, we took a trip out West and as we traveled through the mountains, we anticipated snow and we’re looking forward to the possibility of going sledding. Although we brought the sleds with us, the snow was much higher up in the mountains, further away from where we were down in the valley. Our desires to once again, one day, use our sleds to go sledding has remained and we have not yet wanted to get rid of them. After all, snow sleds sold in warm climates is probably not likely.

After 6 years of living away from snow, this past winter it snowed. I was ecstatic! We got snow! It was glorious and our children soaked up the hours of fun while it lasted which included a snow day. My kids rolled up as much of the snow they could in our backyard to build a snowman and built up a hill that they could sled down. Other than that rare occasion, they have come to make use of their sleds in another way.

Although for the most part we do not get more than a dusting of snow/frost here and there, we do on occasion get lots of rain. With the rain and relative warm temperatures, our children have enjoyed going outside and slip sliding through the pool of water that flows through our backyard and sliding with their sleds in the street alongside the curb and sidewalk in front of our house as the water gushes downhill.

When we have torrential downpours from time to time, they will not only get out their sleds, but also their boogie boards. They have a great time. Recently, they have included their skateboards as they lie stomach side down, helmet on their head, arms outstretched, legs elongated behind them and ride as the running water pulls them down the street.

When it rains a lot, this has become a favorite past time for them. The joy this activity has been for my children has been exciting to watch and record. They have made the most of what could be a gloomy, boring day and turned it into fun memories and a creative way to use the sleds we no longer use in the snow but as a means to go sledding in the rain. I love the ingenious ideas my kids come up with to have fun being kids.

When have you taken an object intended for one purpose and have thoroughly enjoyed its use in another way too?

tendermercym♥ments~jld

“How have you noticed Heavenly Father’s awareness and mindfulness of you today?”

Craft Room Supplies

I have had a craft room for a number of years that began when I hosted an annual Christmas party. That was a wonderful time and a season that past about seven years ago.  Since then, my craft room has remained mostly untouched except for times when my kids have school projects and they’re in need of supplies.

Most recently, one of my children needed paper to make origami designs for an up-and-coming Eco Fair.  Recyclable resources were needed, preferably with the least amount of out-of-pocket expense. It feels so good to have readily accessible resources available to help my kids with their projects.  I love seeing their creativity and ingenuity using what I have on hand to help with their great ideas. Being able to walk into the craft room rather than go to the store to purchase supplies saves so much time, energy, and stress. It is exciting, fun, and exhilarating to share what resources I have in buckets and on shelves, intended to bless the lives of others.

Do you get excited about resources that you have available and on hand that can help and benefit someone else?

tendermercym♥ments~jld

Fearing a Dog Rescue

I have an absolute fear of dogs. When I was younger, while walking home, I was bitten from behind by an unfriendly dog. Since that time, I have experienced anxiety around dogs—small, medium, large, any kind of dog, even ones that are friendly.

This morning, as I was driving home after dropping off my children at school, I saw a loose dog near my house getting into a garbage bag sitting out for trash pick up. The dog looked familiar, possibly our neighbor’s dog. I drove past him, backed into my driveway, and then thought about what I should do. I immediately drove back to the dog thinking at the same time, “I want to help, but I’m afraid of dogs so I don’t want to get out and guide the dog back home. I also do not have the neighbor’s phone number with me.  If I went back home to get the number, I may lose the dog”.

As I approached the dog, I rolled down my window and spoke the name I thought may be his to see if the dog would respond. I said, “Hi, Hello!, go home bud, go home” with a soft and gentle voice and tone. He looked up and I knew it was him. Even though I have a fear of dogs up close, I like them from a distance and I was able to speak to him in a kind and friendly way all the while staying inside my car. For several minutes, I encouraged and invited him to go home and he slowly began returning back towards his house at the very time, right behind me, a car pulled up and the neighbor’s wife got out and came over to her dog.

I thought to myself, “How Cool”!  It was a tender mercy I was able to help guide their dog back home, even with my fear, without getting out of the car and the timing of the neighbor’s return home was fabulous!

It was also amazing when the neighbor’s husband spoke to their dog, the familiarity—how and what was spoken—was identical to how and what I spoke. In addition, it was a tender mercy I was able to briefly interact with the neighbors when I only see and visit with them from time to time as we infrequently cross paths. Although I was a bit self-conscious because I was still in my pajamas, my hair was a mess, my make up was streaked and my teeth were not yet brushed; nonetheless, I was grateful for the interaction and being able to assist in their dog’s return home despite my fear.

Have you had an experience where you worked through a fear to help with an animal rescue?

tendermercym♥ments~jld