The Happiest Place on Earth

Spicin Up Saturdays with Joni

This last month my family visited the "Happiest Place on Earth." We spent four wonderful days at Disneyland. Every day was perfect. There were so many smiles and giggles. The kids were in constant happiness. One time we were standing in line, I think for Peter Pan, and Vienna asked me, "Mom, is Disneyland called the happiest place on earth?" I told her yes, it was sometimes called that. She said to me, "I know the real happiest place on earth. It's our home." I looked at her in surprise. Here we were having so much fun and she thought home was better than this place. I stopped and reflected what our home life had been like the few months prior to our vacation. I had been morning sick (yet it lasted all day!). I had felt like a dark cloud was hanging over me and had trouble handling anything. In the month of February we had had some minor financial setbacks and felt the stress of that. Also, I manage storage units in an office that's down stairs from where we live. The kids and I spend 3 1/2 hours a day in an office helping customers. They often get cranky near the end of my shift. I couldn't believe that Vienna would call home happier than DISNEYLAND! But then I looked between the stresses and bad moments we had been experiencing and thought of the good things that happen in our home. I thought of the times that I was feeling sick and we all cuddled on the couch to watch cartoons. I thought of Family Home Evenings that we have every Monday and Family Fun Nights we have on Fridays. I thought of the nights I spent in their room reading Junie B Jones and laughing at that crazy girl. I thought of the hugs and kisses and loves that were given. I thought of the family prayers and scriptures study that happen daily and most important, I thought of the good spirit that flows through our home. Yes, Disneyland was a great place to be, but our home is the HAPPIEST PLACE ON EARTH!

Recipe of the Week: Sweet & Sour Chicken (Gluten Free)

(This recipe comes from our family cookbook.)

2 Chicken Breasts cooked and chopped up

1 Can of Pineapple

1 green pepper

2 T Soy Sauce (I bought this at a health food store)

2 T Corn Starch

3/4 C Brown Sugar

1/2 Cup White Vinegar (Great value brand is gluten free)

2 C cooked rice

Drain the pineapple juice into a measuring cup. Add water to make it total 1 cup. Pour into a large pan. Stir in the cornstarch. Add the brown sugar, vinegar, and soy sauce. Add the pineapple, green peppers and carrots. Cook and stir until liquid is clear and thickened. Add chicken and simmer 10 minutes. Serve over rice.