Third Sunday Dinner Report~May and June 2015

Time goes so fast and here we are in June getting ready for another Third Sunday Dinner and I have not even posted for April and May.  Please forgive me.  It has been a couple of crazy months, a whole other story coming soon called "The Gluten Free Scandal".   Any way here it is, late but full of fun and food.  Enjoy and thank your for reading.  

April and May are great months for eating out.  In fact this May we had record cool weather in Arizona.  It was amazing.  

In April we did a tostada bar.  Beans are cheap and tortillas are even cheaper.  So that is what we did.  It was so much fun.  We fried hundreds of tortillas and ate two roaster pans full of beans.  I also baked wheat free whole grain white chocolate basil brownies.  Wow, I had forgotten how good they are.  No food left over and lots of happy memories.

In May, sorry no pictures, we did pasta and fresh baked rosemary flat bread in the outdoor pizza oven.  I showed the boys what to do and I left.  May was really fun,  we had some special guest come and it happened to fall on my birthday.  What a great way to spend my birthday.   It was so fun.  So we had the Mesa Mission President and his darling wife come to dinner.  They are amazing and everyone loved meeting them and feeling of their great spirits.  President and Sister Jenkins enjoyed the evening and I think we enjoyed them more.  What great people to give up three years of their lives to serve the Lord and all the young men and women they preside over.  What a huge responsibility and how amazing they took time out to come to dinner.  It was great.   

We also has Marvin Goldstien and Vanessa Joy show up and give up a quick mini concert.  It was magical and so much fun.  I love Marvin and Vanessa.  We will be doing a class together at BYU Education Week in August.  This will be our third year of teaching together.  They are so talented and so willing to share what they do with others.  I adore them both and felt honored to have them in my home again.  

June and July we change it up a little.  We do a Cookie and Ice Cream Social later in the evening.   It's so hot and my house will not accommodate all the people that come inside so we have to do it out.  At seven o'clock it is somewhat cooler and the Ice Cream helps make it feel even cooler.  It will be great.  We are adding a Back Yard concert to the event to make it funner.  

Enjoy the pictures and I hope you are having success in doing Third Sunday Like Events in your home.  Remember the power that comes when we open up our hearts and homes to others.  This is where true Christian Fellowship can really happen.   Enjoy your journey and adventures in life.  

Chef Brad~America's Grain Guy

Now that's a pot of beans.  Actually we did two of these and there were not leftovers.  I did blend them to turn them into
re fried beans.  Beans are cheap and oh so healthy for you.  

Pans of Basil Brownies.  I love these.  I make them and cut them into inch squares.  I pile them up on platters and everyone enjoys them.

  Nothing quit like fried corn tortillas.  I love them and they make great tostadas.  I cannot buy the ones already done.  They are expensive and taste off.  

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     I keep thinking the great things the youth learn each month when they volunteer to come and help me.  Actually they do most of the work.  I love them and their willingness to serve the help out.  No complaints, no problems, just happy faces and fun.  I love the youth.




















This young lady comes early every month and pulls it all together for me.  She adds all the last minute touches and is always happy and willing to do whatever,  even if it is something she has never done before.  Amazing how willing the youth are to serve.

Happy Faces make it a great day. 

All the food spread out.  It went so fast I almost didn't get a picture.  

I love the young couples that come.  Life can be hard when you are just starting out.
Being with others that love you can sure make a difference.  

More happy eaters.  

I love the Mormon Missionaries.   You dont' have to be Mormon to appreciate the dedication and
devotion of these young men.  Giving up two years of their lives to serve others.  Thank you boys for all you do.

I really enjoy getting to know my neighbors.

This sweet family just joined the Church.  

When I think of the great things that are in store for them I just smile and
thank the Lord for opportunity to know them and maybe in some small way
help them find greater joy and happiness in their journey.

One of my best friends.  This man is amazingly talented in so many ways.  I love him.

So fun to see everyone enjoying the day.

Marvin is goofy and so much fun.  Vanessa classes up the act.

This man and his darling wife have been good friend for 25 years.  We have been
in the same neighborhood for that long.  He is our current Bishop and I adore them in every way.
I feel honored when he comes to dinner.  He is so busy.

Thank you President and Sister Jenkins for honoring us by coming to dinner.
We could all feel the love you have and the joy you feel in serving the Lord.

Thank you both for such sweet memories.  I will treasure the memory of your
happy birthday song to me.  Love you both.