Busy day today. Had company spend the night from Idaho last night on their way to St. George and Las Vegas. My niece, Ashley and husband Wes and exchange student Gia and friend came. This is Ashley, who is expecting...that I sent the mean (mock-mean) phone message to a few weeks ago....demanding an explanation of why she hadn’t told me she was pregnant......the one who then reminded me that I had just bought her a maternity outfit a month ago. (In my defense, it all happened the weekend my father-in-law died....so we were all a little dazed.) Anyway, it was a hit-and-run visit but they’ll be back on Tuesday night. Got up early to finish my talk for the baptism and make some Mexican quiches with salsa for Elizabeth’s shower (Valene’s daughter.) I made the pina colada slush yesterday. Husseled the food over to the shower....it looked so gorgeous I wished I could have stayed. But so excited for Joshie’s baptism as well.
Ryan and Marci live in Eagle Mountain....so it is a little drive. They actually had to reschedule the baptisms for today and David had attorneys flying in from out of town for business...and so he couldn’t make it! We were so bummed! This is just our second grandchild to get baptized! Marci and Ryan attend a Spanish Ward.....and there was one other boy, Samuel, who was getting baptized. Traveling on Redwood road to Eagle Mountain, I see a huge storage bin with the name SAM in huge letters. That caught my attention and then I looked underneath it where it said "Store and Move." I realized it was a little God wink. I knew Sam was being baptized with Josh and realized that "store and move" totally applied to baptism. (I know, I know....my mind works different than most people’s!) We store our testimonies and spirit in our hearts...we store our baptismal covenants...we can store up spiritual feelings but then we have to MOVE! We have to do something with them. We have to ACT upon our testimony and doing God’s work. I loved it.
At the baptism, I gave my talk. It was quite different than I planned on, because I would say a few lines, then Ryan would translate it in Spanish for Sam’s family and friends. But it went okay and Josh was very excited about the whole event. Afterwards, we had lunch at the church....great salads and pizza. I mean REALLY great salads. I can’t wait to share recipes. I think both recipes are from the Green Smoothie Girl....Marci is one of her greatest fans. Marci said she just learned the Green Smoothie Girl was on Wife Swap...and she was sure they were going to make her out to be really weird and awful. She isn’t. Check out her website here: http://www.greensmoothiegirl.com/
Craisin Salad
1 head red leaf lettuce
2 heads Boston/Bibb/butter lettuce
1 large can mandarin oranges, drained
1 c. craisins
1 cup mozzarella cheese, grated
1 cup sliced almonds
1 Tbsp. butter
2 Tbsp. agave or maple syrup
(note: Agave is found at health food stores and is low glycemic (1/3 of sugar) coming from a cactus plant.)
Toast almonds over medium heat with butter and maple syrup, stirring constantly until light brown (be careful not to burn). Set aside. Toss all remaining ingredients together. Add nuts and dressing and toss right before serving.
Craisin Salad Dressing
This big batch makes enough for 2-3 salads.
½ cup honey
½ cup apple cider vinegar
1 cup olive oil
1 Tbsp. mustard
1 tsp. sea salt
1 small red onion, cut in fourths
1 Tbsp. poppy seeds
Blend all but poppy seeds in BlendTec until onion is pureed. Add poppy seeds and pulse a couple of times.
Shelley's Tomato, Avocado and Almond Salad
*2 cups tomatoes, chopped
*1-2 cups avocado, diced
*1 cup almonds, chopped
1 cup celery, chopped fine
4-5 Tbsp. chopped green onion
4-5 Tbsp. chopped cilantro
1-2 Tbsp. fresh lemon juice
1 tsp. agave
1 Tbsp. nutritional yeast (optional)
dash of cayenne (optional)
¼ tsp. sea salt or Trocomare
Mix and enjoy! *Optionally, for simplicity, use just the first three ingredients and a pinch of salt.
I didn't realize the last one was a salad.... I used it as a dip for the chips. Really, really, really good. So good. In fact, fabulous! Delicious! Try it. I'm not kidding. The almonds make it devine. Really, you'll be blown away.
Are you convinced? Then move!
Saturday, May 31, 2008
Friday, May 30, 2008
Truth
Since yesterday I have been pondering about truth. Truth, as the world sees it, is constant change and is subjective. I use the analogy of buying and selling your college textbooks. One semester and your books are out of date. Truth changes. Yesterday a MSN blurb on their news page asked the question, "Are you more likely to die in an airplane accident or by being hit on the head by a coconut?" The answer was by a coconut. I read that 150 people a year are hit on the head by coconuts and die each year.....but as I googled "dying by a coconut," I realized that everyone was quoting sources that were quoting sources that were quoting sources that didn't really have any substantial facts supporting it. Yet when we read it, we determine that it is truth.
Tomorrow is Joshie's baptism. My second oldest grandchild. I adore this boy. It is so smart (reads on a 6th grade level although he is in 2nd grade) and reads dozens of books a week. When Travis (Uncle Travis) asked him last week what his favorite book was, he replied, "I don't have a favorite book. I have favorite series." He is the one that corrects his teacher's Spanish pronunciations. Well, and mine. Actually he just rolls his eyes at me.
So, tomorrow Joshie is getting baptized. And by default, I get to give a talk at the baptism. So I've been thinking about a few things I want to say. Here is a little bit:
Today, Joshie, you have been baptized a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. God gave His name, this name to His Church. When I was baptized, I was a little confused by the name. I understood the Church of Jesus Christ but I thought by calling ourselves Saints, that meant we thought we were perfect and better than other people. Now that I have been embraced by the Gospel for most of my life, I understand that God in his wisdom, set the standard. You will find that , like the song, we are "trying" to be like Jesus. We aren’t perfect and we certainly aren’t Saints but scripture tells us that those who take his name, take also the name of Saints because that is what God wants us to become. This gospel is about becoming and we are all here, in various states, as part of that journey in trying to become like the Savior by doing the things he would have us do here on earth. When we know that we are indeed, sons and daughters of God, that title helps us to realize what God expects from us, how
he expects us to live our lives. (Ephesians in the New Testament, chapter 4, talks about how we are given a prophet and teachers so that we can "become" perfected as saints. That we will no more be like children, be tossed to and fro and carried about with every wind of doctrine from various sources but that we may learn in truth. Esp. 4:11-15)
On my to do list today:
-I've already walked this morning with Brendalyn- check
-taken my vitamins- check
-getting ready to plant more flowers
-then shower and take my MIL on some errands that she needs to do.
-Deliver Boston's birthday present. He turned 3 yesterday.
-Work on Joshie's talk and also a talk I get to give Sunday in another Ward (I'll talk about that later)
-Help Brendalyn for a party she's doing for her granddaughter.
-Burn some cd's.
-Make myself work in my closet. Disaster.
-Go to Costco and buy liner for my flower beds. Start installing the liner and order Replenish to come with mulch. Have I mentioned I think I have a mile of flower beds......whew!
This week, Elsa and I took Debbie Stowell to Stella's for her birthday lunch. None of us had ever been there before and we loved it! I loved it so much, I took Ben and Susie there yesterday as well! Great food- owned by the same people as Red Butte Cafe. It is on 9th and about 40th...somewhere south of Millcreek Garden Center. You'll want to check it out if you live in the valley. Try not to get hit on the head by a coconut on your way there!
Tomorrow is Joshie's baptism. My second oldest grandchild. I adore this boy. It is so smart (reads on a 6th grade level although he is in 2nd grade) and reads dozens of books a week. When Travis (Uncle Travis) asked him last week what his favorite book was, he replied, "I don't have a favorite book. I have favorite series." He is the one that corrects his teacher's Spanish pronunciations. Well, and mine. Actually he just rolls his eyes at me.
So, tomorrow Joshie is getting baptized. And by default, I get to give a talk at the baptism. So I've been thinking about a few things I want to say. Here is a little bit:
Today, Joshie, you have been baptized a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. God gave His name, this name to His Church. When I was baptized, I was a little confused by the name. I understood the Church of Jesus Christ but I thought by calling ourselves Saints, that meant we thought we were perfect and better than other people. Now that I have been embraced by the Gospel for most of my life, I understand that God in his wisdom, set the standard. You will find that , like the song, we are "trying" to be like Jesus. We aren’t perfect and we certainly aren’t Saints but scripture tells us that those who take his name, take also the name of Saints because that is what God wants us to become. This gospel is about becoming and we are all here, in various states, as part of that journey in trying to become like the Savior by doing the things he would have us do here on earth. When we know that we are indeed, sons and daughters of God, that title helps us to realize what God expects from us, how
he expects us to live our lives. (Ephesians in the New Testament, chapter 4, talks about how we are given a prophet and teachers so that we can "become" perfected as saints. That we will no more be like children, be tossed to and fro and carried about with every wind of doctrine from various sources but that we may learn in truth. Esp. 4:11-15)
On my to do list today:
-I've already walked this morning with Brendalyn- check
-taken my vitamins- check
-getting ready to plant more flowers
-then shower and take my MIL on some errands that she needs to do.
-Deliver Boston's birthday present. He turned 3 yesterday.
-Work on Joshie's talk and also a talk I get to give Sunday in another Ward (I'll talk about that later)
-Help Brendalyn for a party she's doing for her granddaughter.
-Burn some cd's.
-Make myself work in my closet. Disaster.
-Go to Costco and buy liner for my flower beds. Start installing the liner and order Replenish to come with mulch. Have I mentioned I think I have a mile of flower beds......whew!
This week, Elsa and I took Debbie Stowell to Stella's for her birthday lunch. None of us had ever been there before and we loved it! I loved it so much, I took Ben and Susie there yesterday as well! Great food- owned by the same people as Red Butte Cafe. It is on 9th and about 40th...somewhere south of Millcreek Garden Center. You'll want to check it out if you live in the valley. Try not to get hit on the head by a coconut on your way there!
Thursday, May 29, 2008
That "stuggling with faith" thing
I’ve been anxious about several things going on in the lives of people I love. I have mentioned my daughter and my son-in-law, Ryan. He still doesn’t have the medical answers or help he needs to get on top of his current health crises. And they were told this last week that Parker’s last surgery didn’t work, so they are scheduling a repeat surgery soon. This is a big one where they take bone from his hip to create a gum line in his mouth. It will mean no sports for a year (his total love) plus many other difficult things. And Ryan’s father is still struggling to get on top of his cancer. We love this man. Then Tanner’s girlfriend, Brooke has a little girl, Annie, who is in the hospital as I write this...having major heart repair today- one valve and 3 holes. We are very nervous. Then we have someone in the Ward that I love and adore, whose husband’s health has turned from being a little off-balance a couple months ago after returning from a trip that has increased in severity until now it is life-threatening. I am so worried about them both. Worried would be taking it lightly. My chest just hurts from anxiety for them all. Our Ward is fasting on their behalf this coming week and I almost ache to get started. Amazing how different your personal fast is when you are ready to lay your heart on the alter. Lynda, who is my friend and also Visiting Teacher, and I spoke on the phone and shed some tears on Monday. Her children say she needs more faith. We talked about there is a difference between faith in that Gary will get well and faith in God...and in His will. That is the challenge.
My daughter, Brandi, posted something on her blog that she found from BYU Women's Conference, the handouts section, that I really found to be helpful. It was from a talk about being Steadfast and Immoveable in Faith: Solid as a Rock.
virtual sharing stations online
Let not your mind turn back
(D&C 67:14)Sometimes unsteadiness occurs as we allow our minds to turn back and reflect on hard times, trials, unfairness, hurt, betrayal, frustration or just better days. The scriptures are filled with verses about the mind. There is power in controlling our thoughts and having a firmness of mind, looking forward with an eye of faith.
Jacob 3:1-2 Look unto God with firmness of mind, and pray unto him with exceeding faith, and he will console you in your afflictions, and he will plead your cause, and send down justice upon those who seek your destruction. O all ye that are pure in heart, lift up your heads and receive the pleasing word of God, and feast upon his love; for ye may, if your minds are firm, forever.
Do not take counsel from your fears
There is a great deal in life to weary our souls and create fear within us. Satan would have us take counsel from our fears. This is a sure way to create unsteadiness. Because faith and fear cannot exist together we must dispel fear by exercising our faith in Jesus Christ. That is the second lesson of the spirit of revelation. After you have gotten the message, after you have paid the price to feel His love and hear the word of the Lord, go forward. Don't fear, don't vacillate, don't quibble, don't whine... With the spirit of revelation, dismiss your fears and wade in with both feet. In the words of Joseph Smith, "Brethren [and sisters], shall we not go on in so great a cause? Go forward and not backward. Courage, brethren; and on, on to the victory!" (Holland March 2000 Ensign)
Submit to God's will in all things
Why do we submit to God? Is it because we have to if we want to be considered obedient and righteous? No, we do it because we trust Him. We submit to God in all things because we believe that what He wants for us is the best thing. We even submit to God's timing because we trust that what we cannot see ahead in the path is something that will absolutely be in our best interest. Submission is about trust.Elder Neal A. Maxwell rightly said: "The submission of one's will is really the only uniquely personal thing we have to place on God's altar. The many other things we 'give' are actually the things He has already given or loaned to us." (Ensign, Nov. 95 24)
Such good advice. It takes discipline to keep fear from encroaching on our faith. My prayers are full today.
My daughter, Brandi, posted something on her blog that she found from BYU Women's Conference, the handouts section, that I really found to be helpful. It was from a talk about being Steadfast and Immoveable in Faith: Solid as a Rock.
virtual sharing stations online
Let not your mind turn back
(D&C 67:14)Sometimes unsteadiness occurs as we allow our minds to turn back and reflect on hard times, trials, unfairness, hurt, betrayal, frustration or just better days. The scriptures are filled with verses about the mind. There is power in controlling our thoughts and having a firmness of mind, looking forward with an eye of faith.
Jacob 3:1-2 Look unto God with firmness of mind, and pray unto him with exceeding faith, and he will console you in your afflictions, and he will plead your cause, and send down justice upon those who seek your destruction. O all ye that are pure in heart, lift up your heads and receive the pleasing word of God, and feast upon his love; for ye may, if your minds are firm, forever.
Do not take counsel from your fears
There is a great deal in life to weary our souls and create fear within us. Satan would have us take counsel from our fears. This is a sure way to create unsteadiness. Because faith and fear cannot exist together we must dispel fear by exercising our faith in Jesus Christ. That is the second lesson of the spirit of revelation. After you have gotten the message, after you have paid the price to feel His love and hear the word of the Lord, go forward. Don't fear, don't vacillate, don't quibble, don't whine... With the spirit of revelation, dismiss your fears and wade in with both feet. In the words of Joseph Smith, "Brethren [and sisters], shall we not go on in so great a cause? Go forward and not backward. Courage, brethren; and on, on to the victory!" (Holland March 2000 Ensign)
Submit to God's will in all things
Why do we submit to God? Is it because we have to if we want to be considered obedient and righteous? No, we do it because we trust Him. We submit to God in all things because we believe that what He wants for us is the best thing. We even submit to God's timing because we trust that what we cannot see ahead in the path is something that will absolutely be in our best interest. Submission is about trust.Elder Neal A. Maxwell rightly said: "The submission of one's will is really the only uniquely personal thing we have to place on God's altar. The many other things we 'give' are actually the things He has already given or loaned to us." (Ensign, Nov. 95 24)
Such good advice. It takes discipline to keep fear from encroaching on our faith. My prayers are full today.
Wednesday, May 28, 2008
Journal Question
Journal Question: Share a moment when you have been terrified.
Last week when Brendalyn and I were walking in the gully, we were trying to figure out by the houses overtop, where exactly we were and how far we had traveled. At one point I recognized a house and said, "Oh, that is where I saw a boy almost killed." Which led to her asking me about it. I don’t think I’ve ever recorded it in a journal. So here goes:
It was about 1993. It was January and I was driving along Dimple Dell Road on my way to an auto repair place to pick up a friend in the Ward....then we were meeting others at a restaurant for my birthday lunch. It was before cell phones or least before I had a cell phone. I was driving along when all of a sudden, I saw two guys, kicking and beating up a third one on the ground. The two on top were actually kicking and stomping the kid’s face and stomach. I couldn’t believe what I was witnessing....and quickly looked in my mirrors to see if any other cars were approaching. Not a car in sight! I was terrified but realized I had to do something. I drove past them, honking...then stopped and started to turn the car around. When the boys saw me, they took off to their car, which was running nearby. They gunned their car straight at me, but swerved, then raced past. I was able to get their license plate number. I hopped out of the car and helped the beaten boy into my car. His face was bloodied and swollen. Immediately he said he needed to get to school. I said, "No, you need to go to the doctor’s." He didn’t even want to hear about it and insisted he needed to go to school. I said I got the license plate number and that we needed to call the police. That he was VERY adamant against doing. He said that if I did, surely the boys would come after him and kill him. And he was terrified that his parents would find out he wasn’t at school. I questioned, "Alta?" which is the closest high school by us...and he said no, another one much further away. I knew that my friend was waiting at the car dealership and other people were waiting to meet up at the restaurant....and didn’t have means to call them. I finally ended up taking the boy to a Hardee’s drive-in, by a bus stop, with money to take the bus that could get him to the school, with instructions to stay inside until the bus came. I have never seen someone so terrified, yet unwilling to get help.
That night, the license plate number seemed to burn a hole in my pocket. I wanted to call the police and I wanted those thugs to pay. But I realize that policeman don't always make things better. And the boy seemed genuinely terrified of me calling, for fear of retribution. I knew he wouldn’t testify against the boys...and perhaps they would come after him again. It was probably a drug deal gone awry.
I struggled with it all evening....and poured out my heart to my husband, asking for his advice. He taught me a valuable lesson. He said, "Marilyn, you were probably put in that situation to help that boy and probably saved his life. You did what you could. But you are not responsible for the rest of this boy’s life. You can’t make everything all better for him and carry that burden. He is the one that ultimately needs to make the changes to get help in his life."
Good advice. But it is so hard to see other people make mistakes and suffer the consequences....yet each of us ultimately has the responsibility to take control of our own lives. No one else can make my decisions or pay my consequences and I can’t really do that for another either.
Last night I visited a new sister I’ve been given for visiting teaching. I shared one of my favorite conference talks, which was Elder Lund’s....talking about opening our hearts to the Spirit. It is such a beautiful talk but one line in particular stood out to me. The spirit will come to the door of our hearts....but only we can invite the spirit in. The Lord doesn’t force his spirit upon us, doesn’t force us to do his will. He "invites" us but agency is so important to him (and us), he allows us our choice. That must be the hardest thing a parent does....allowing agency. To know what is right and what will bring the greatest happiness...and see the gift turned away.
In the middle of every difficulty lies opportunity.
Albert Einstein
Last week when Brendalyn and I were walking in the gully, we were trying to figure out by the houses overtop, where exactly we were and how far we had traveled. At one point I recognized a house and said, "Oh, that is where I saw a boy almost killed." Which led to her asking me about it. I don’t think I’ve ever recorded it in a journal. So here goes:
It was about 1993. It was January and I was driving along Dimple Dell Road on my way to an auto repair place to pick up a friend in the Ward....then we were meeting others at a restaurant for my birthday lunch. It was before cell phones or least before I had a cell phone. I was driving along when all of a sudden, I saw two guys, kicking and beating up a third one on the ground. The two on top were actually kicking and stomping the kid’s face and stomach. I couldn’t believe what I was witnessing....and quickly looked in my mirrors to see if any other cars were approaching. Not a car in sight! I was terrified but realized I had to do something. I drove past them, honking...then stopped and started to turn the car around. When the boys saw me, they took off to their car, which was running nearby. They gunned their car straight at me, but swerved, then raced past. I was able to get their license plate number. I hopped out of the car and helped the beaten boy into my car. His face was bloodied and swollen. Immediately he said he needed to get to school. I said, "No, you need to go to the doctor’s." He didn’t even want to hear about it and insisted he needed to go to school. I said I got the license plate number and that we needed to call the police. That he was VERY adamant against doing. He said that if I did, surely the boys would come after him and kill him. And he was terrified that his parents would find out he wasn’t at school. I questioned, "Alta?" which is the closest high school by us...and he said no, another one much further away. I knew that my friend was waiting at the car dealership and other people were waiting to meet up at the restaurant....and didn’t have means to call them. I finally ended up taking the boy to a Hardee’s drive-in, by a bus stop, with money to take the bus that could get him to the school, with instructions to stay inside until the bus came. I have never seen someone so terrified, yet unwilling to get help.
That night, the license plate number seemed to burn a hole in my pocket. I wanted to call the police and I wanted those thugs to pay. But I realize that policeman don't always make things better. And the boy seemed genuinely terrified of me calling, for fear of retribution. I knew he wouldn’t testify against the boys...and perhaps they would come after him again. It was probably a drug deal gone awry.
I struggled with it all evening....and poured out my heart to my husband, asking for his advice. He taught me a valuable lesson. He said, "Marilyn, you were probably put in that situation to help that boy and probably saved his life. You did what you could. But you are not responsible for the rest of this boy’s life. You can’t make everything all better for him and carry that burden. He is the one that ultimately needs to make the changes to get help in his life."
Good advice. But it is so hard to see other people make mistakes and suffer the consequences....yet each of us ultimately has the responsibility to take control of our own lives. No one else can make my decisions or pay my consequences and I can’t really do that for another either.
Last night I visited a new sister I’ve been given for visiting teaching. I shared one of my favorite conference talks, which was Elder Lund’s....talking about opening our hearts to the Spirit. It is such a beautiful talk but one line in particular stood out to me. The spirit will come to the door of our hearts....but only we can invite the spirit in. The Lord doesn’t force his spirit upon us, doesn’t force us to do his will. He "invites" us but agency is so important to him (and us), he allows us our choice. That must be the hardest thing a parent does....allowing agency. To know what is right and what will bring the greatest happiness...and see the gift turned away.
In the middle of every difficulty lies opportunity.
Albert Einstein
Tuesday, May 27, 2008
(this picture looks suspiciously like Loretta and Brendalyn! Go figure!)
We had a wonderful holiday week-end with a few exceptions. We got home from Church and Travis popped in with Nash. Their church was going on, and his teacher didn't show up for the Young Men so he was going to have to teach. Could we please watch Nash? Of course. We had dinner and while Mom W. and I were cleaning up, David was watching Nash. In just a flash, he fell on the fireplace.....and spit his forehead open! Of COURSE it would happen on our watch! I could tell it was deep....Tenille was out of town, Travis in meetings, I wasn't sure what needed to be done- stitches or a butterfly band-aid. So I had David drive me up to a Dr. in our Ward to check him out. Definitely stitches. Eventually Travis got home and took him to Primary Children's hospital. Six stitches. I felt SOOO bad!
Nash...we are SOOOO sorry! We love you, bug!
It poured rain all weekend. Yesterday morning, Brendalyn, Loretta and I were on, then off, then on for walking. When we finally got to go, it was misting and beautiful. We loved seeing all the flagpoles up and they reenacted famous events (like Iwo Jima or the moon planting.) Impressive, huh?
The plans for the day included a horseback ride through the gully with Travis's family. We got rained out. Then a BBQ outside...rained out. We hauled it inside instead. We had a great time...we tossed pennies so all the adults, bigs and littles would be interactive inside. It is too easy to just expect the kids to play while we visit. We did have a fun time. Our penny winners were Gracie (age 6), Kaleb (age 6- a visiting cousin to Joshie and kids) and Brandi. Yeah!
Brendalyn and I decided on our "Biggest Winner" project. Here is what we are doing, for 3 weeks, until we go to Lake Powell.
1. take a multivitamin a day (and calcium)
2.Drink 6 glasses of water a day
3. Read one chapter of scriptures or Conference or Ensign talk a day.
4. Stick to our diet plan of choice....ours is to eat lean meats, vegetables and fruit. No whites- no white bread, potatoes, rice or pasta. Treats limited to twice a week. All food has to be recorded in a journal.
5. 1/2 hour of exercise a day, 5 days per week.
6. One random act of kindness each day.
Everything has to be done daily. If you miss your exercise, you can't make it up for points another day. We haven't decided our reward....being healthier might be enough! It is good to have a buddy to account to. Anyone else in?
"The successful always has a number of projects planned, to which he looks forward. Anyone of them could change the course of his life overnight.” –Mark Caine
It poured rain all weekend. Yesterday morning, Brendalyn, Loretta and I were on, then off, then on for walking. When we finally got to go, it was misting and beautiful. We loved seeing all the flagpoles up and they reenacted famous events (like Iwo Jima or the moon planting.) Impressive, huh?
The plans for the day included a horseback ride through the gully with Travis's family. We got rained out. Then a BBQ outside...rained out. We hauled it inside instead. We had a great time...we tossed pennies so all the adults, bigs and littles would be interactive inside. It is too easy to just expect the kids to play while we visit. We did have a fun time. Our penny winners were Gracie (age 6), Kaleb (age 6- a visiting cousin to Joshie and kids) and Brandi. Yeah!
Brendalyn and I decided on our "Biggest Winner" project. Here is what we are doing, for 3 weeks, until we go to Lake Powell.
1. take a multivitamin a day (and calcium)
2.Drink 6 glasses of water a day
3. Read one chapter of scriptures or Conference or Ensign talk a day.
4. Stick to our diet plan of choice....ours is to eat lean meats, vegetables and fruit. No whites- no white bread, potatoes, rice or pasta. Treats limited to twice a week. All food has to be recorded in a journal.
5. 1/2 hour of exercise a day, 5 days per week.
6. One random act of kindness each day.
Everything has to be done daily. If you miss your exercise, you can't make it up for points another day. We haven't decided our reward....being healthier might be enough! It is good to have a buddy to account to. Anyone else in?
"The successful always has a number of projects planned, to which he looks forward. Anyone of them could change the course of his life overnight.” –Mark Caine
Monday, May 26, 2008
Peeking In My Closet
I've heard you can tell a lot about a person by looking through his closet. Well, you can't look through mine or I'd have to kill you. But I thought I would share a few things I have "hanging" in my "Favorites" file...and I'd like to hear what a few of yours are.
Jib Jab is a site, where you can edit heads from your pictures and put them on funny videos. You may have seen the dancing elves at Christmas that was going around. Our family has done so many of these (many are free...most cost $3) You can email them (the kids will watch them over and over) but you can't copy them to a DVD (darn!) Be careful in viewing...some are crude...but many are great. You can also send them as birthday cards or messages. We are Jib Jab fans, thanks to my son Ryan.You have GOT to go to this site. We have a new store in Sandy...so you can go in person. Aren't these cakes gorgeous? Brandi gave me one for Mother's Day and I've turned into a big (no pun intended) fan. For a fancy gathering or shower, you will want one of these!
This is a treasure chest of cupcake recipes...all with pictures. Delish!
This is my longtime favorite site. On this site, you can make birthday time capsules. You just type in your birthday and then check the things that you want to appear on "your" day of history. You choose what famous books, movies, historic happenings you want to record...even add your own headlines. And it is FREE! A great gift for birthdays ....
I haven't done this yet...it is a little pricey but I think it would be perfect for the perfect occasion. Check it out.
I love "squeaky shoes" for Addison. They have other fun things but the squeaky shoes are my thing.
You can subscribe to the magazine, which is a great resource but you can just go to their website and find everything. It is a WEALTH of fun ideas to do with your kids. Great holiday ideas.
Honestly, these are WONDERFUL and make a great unexpected gift. I love the chocolate covered grahams. Thanks, Gayle Miller, for your gift that turned into one of my favorites.
The orphanage that my son, Ryan, helps support.
All sorts of tips.
and
This one is Good Things Utah which often has guest chefs from Utah restaurants sharing recipes. Today this one was posted if you are a Rumbi's fan.
I'm telling you....Cookie Tree is totally the way to go. This is their seconds website. You can also call. You order the day before, availability is subject to change, to pick up the next day. The cookies are seconds, usually because of weight, but you wouldn't know they were. You can buy boxes of dough or cookies already made and packaged. These are the cookies you would get at restaurants or Maverick, fresh baked. I love the English Toffee and the Chocolate Macaroons the best. You can't beat ANY of them! I get the smaller peanut butter discs and then pop a Hershey's Kiss on top when they come out of the oven. Their store is in the area behind Burlington in Murray.http://lds.org/
I download my scriptures, a chapter at a time, find my favorite talks and look up the Visiting Teaching message each month. How did we EVER live without LDS. org?
http://www.authentiquegallery.com/
My favorite art gallery in St. George. Jane carries fabulous artists...including Julie Rogers who did this picture of my G. G. Great-Grandfather, Archibald McPhail, in the Willie Handcart Company. His story is incredible.
Okay...that's a few of my favorites...what are some of yours?Sunday, May 25, 2008
Week-end Report
* It hurts to say this but I’m too old for Indiana Jones. There I said it. I still don’t feel better. I felt like I was in the middle of a cartoon...or rather a Disneyland ride without the thrill. But the popcorn...the popcorn was FABULOUS!
Ryan said he knew the movie was in trouble when they talked about the Mayan civilization in the Amazon....those two are a continent away from each other.....
* Dinner afterwards at Iggy’s with Kirk and Cathy. Always fun. And everyone got out their Blackberries or whatever (but me...I left my funky party planning calendar Izzie at home even though she begged to go to the movies...she LOVES Harrison Ford.) to choose the dates for our New England trip in the fall. David had one day open in three months. I don’t think that is going to cut it. Hopefully he can delegate some depositions to someone else.
*I’ve only been to the East coast once, when Brandi was attending Ruetger’s, in New Jersey. We took a day trip to New York...it was on a Monday and many things were closed. We did take another day trip to Philadelphia. That’s it. So I am going to be easy to please.
* Perfect Saturday weather. Sunny yet cool-crisp. Brendalyn, Loretta Duncan and I walked at least 4 miles in the gully in the morning. Loretta just got back from a two-week girlfriend trip to France, Switzerland and Germany so it was awesome to hear all their adventures. While we were walking, Loretta said, "Are you going to Elizabeth Cook’s shower today?" I screamed...."Today?!!!" and panicked. Because I was suppose to make pina colada slush and several Mexican quiches with all the condiments AND I hadn't bought Elizabeth's present yet AND I have Joshie’s baptism AND give a talk at it! "Today!" I screamed. Wait, Loretta....all that is next weekend. Woo! I had a scare for a minute. All the wildlife in the park vanished. Brendalyn’s ears blew off. It was all Loretta’s fault for mixing up her days. But Loretta was happy....she was already behind schedule and she was making a salad for the shower, which she hadn’t started yet either.
*Then I picked up Cathy ...here are some pictures I took in her backyard while I was waiting for her.
This used to be "my" backyard...I loved looking out on this view....isn’t it wonderful? And we headed out to the Garden Lodge in Riverton. That is where our field trip group went this past week but I couldn’t go with company here. Cathy had never been before so that was a treat. I found some wonderful yellow poppies, a couple flats of blue salvia (my favorite annual), some tickseed, and a marvelous petunia basket.
* Both Travis and Ryan W. had kids today...so both headed to our house with them to hang out. It was fun to have the two baby boys (both turned one this month) together to see how they interact. Joshie was sick so he laid on the couch but Heidi and Elijah both got some great horseback rides in with Uncle Travis and David. Later Ryan and I headed over to Daybreak to look at a few houses. They are thinking of moving there since he commutes all the way from Eagle Mountain and his offices are on 8080 S. Redwood Road. 
Things to look forward to this week-1. Finish visiting teaching. I have one new girl to visit and I’m excited to get to know her.
2. Haircut...I’m long overdue.
3. Taking Debbie Stowell out for her birthday. I found her present when I was out with Cathy on Saturday.
4. Next Saturday is Elizabeth Cook’s bridal shower. It WASN’T this weekend...ditto on Joshie’s baptism.
Heh, how about this for a great idea. Cathy’s family is doing a Biggest Loser contest. I would call it a Biggest Winner event. It goes something like this....
As a family, you make up the challenges and decide how long you want the challenge to run. You get one point for each challenge, each day. You cannot make up days or points.
You get a point for:
1. Reading one chapter of scriptures each day
2. Taking a multivitamin
3. Exercising 30 minutes each day
4. Getting 7 hours of sleep each night.(Brandi wishes!)
5. Drinking 64 oz. of water each day
6. Staying on your diet plan. This isn’t about how much weight you lose, it is about eating healthy and staying on it.
I might add- do a simple active of service each day (not something you normally do)
In Cathy’s family, they all put in $50...and at the end, the winner takes 80%, second takes 20% or something like that. But the incentive could be a variety of fun things. This could be something to do with a group of friends as well. Sounds awesome, doesn’t it?
Give me a stock clerk with a goal and I'll give you a man who will make history. Give me a man with no goals and I'll give you a stock clerk. J.C. Penny
Saturday, May 24, 2008
Happy birthday, Dad!
Today is my father's birthday, although he has actually celebrated his birthday on the 25th for most of his life. A few years ago, when he applied for a passport, there was a discrepancy with his birth date. His birth certificate said his birth was the 24th. He was actually born after midnight, but his mother was in the maternity home on the 24th....and someone put the wrong date on it. Oh well....we tease him he's just a party animal and wanted to celebrate twice. Which he always has been. When I first started blogging a year ago, I shared some personal history that I want to repeat here...since it is a legend in our family. I have written my personal history in short vignettes that have titles and this one starts with my mom.
The War Effort
However, Maxine's parents, George and Mary James, were very strict...especially when it came to dating and dancing. She tells how, although she was a cheerleader, she was not allowed to stay for the dances after the football or basketball games...and that many a night she would walk home crying from the game while her friends all stayed to dance. When Maxine was allowed to date in high school, her older brother, Denver, also had to come along! In spite of this, she was still very popular! During her sophomore, junior and part of her senior year, she worked at "Larry Dean’s Ice Cream Shoppe." Aunt Marie Garner says of this time, "She was the cutest little blond in town!" This was the era of the "Big Bands"-Glenn Miller, Tommy Dorsey, Benny Goodman were all big names. Life was pretty good...although a war was raging first in Europe, then Pearl Harbor and the Pacific. One by one the boys in her class joined the service, dropping out of school, with the exception of two boys who were farmers. Maxine did her part for the war effort by writing to half of the Army, Navy, Air Force and Marines corps! She wrote to all the hometown boys and relatives. The mailman was always relieved to get by the James household since his pack would be cut in half!
The Legend
One of the boys that she wrote to was named Keith. They had a few classes together at Rupert High but didn’t really know each other. She thought he was the best dresser she had ever seen but never would have thought of dating him..he was MUCH too WILD for her...why, he even skipped school! And he drove a bright Model T. coupe with pink elephants painted all over it! He was just one of the hometown boys she wrote to. But, after a while, the nice friendly letters arriving from Keith started to get a lot more serious. He started writing how things were "going to be" when he got home between the two of them and talked about plans for the future ("I dream of when our lips will meet!") Maxine was taken by surprise and thought she’d better stop and think about how deeply she had begun to feel about his guy. Maybe it was serious...he really was cute. About this time she went to the town library to check out a new book to read. She randomly picked one out and when she got home, the book fell open. Inside was a letter addressed to another girl in town (the girl who had previously checked out the book.) Maxine looked closer and thought she recognized the handwriting. She began to read the letter...about "how things were going to be when he got home and talked about plans for the future." Maxine was furious! Here was Keith writing to how many girls...and writing the exact lovey-dovey things he was writing to her! She wrote him off and quick! She thought that was the end of that! And that is the story of the beginning of my mother, Maxine, and father, Keith, and their happily ever after.....
Going Steady
Maxine was working at the telephone company when the war ended and the boys came home. Maxine was a little afraid of Keith because now, instead of driving a wildly painted Model T, he was driving a huge black motorcycle! But he persisted and he WAS handsome and she weakened. Then he wanted her to go steady. She told him absolutely not. He was just home out of the service, and was just playing around. Why, he didn’t even have a job! There was no way that she was going to go steady with someone that didn’t have more roots than that! Well, Keith hopped on his motorcycle, drove to the nearest gas station, walked in and got a job as a car washer, roared back to Maxine’s house and said, "Well, I’ve got a job. Will you go steady with me now?" Maxine ran out of excuses!
Green Gold Fish
Going steady with Keith had its difficulties. As you might have guessed from previous stories, Keith wasn’t very faithful! But he did try. Maxine had always wanted some goldfish. Keith went out and bought her some. But when he brought them to her, they were a little greenish in color. She was disappointed because she had really wanted "gold fish." Keith told her not to worry...that they would get gold when they got a little bigger. She was doubtful! Well, shortly after this time, they had an argument. The next thing that Maxine knew, Keith had accepted a date with another girl to take her to her Senior Prom. He even bought her a beautiful corsage. (Note: Almost 40 years later, Maxine says of this moment, with indignation, "My goodness, she had to be 1 ½ heads taller than Keith. He would have had to sit her on a fencepost to kiss her goodnight!")
Encore For the Fish
Well, our little romance hit stormy waters. Keith and Maxine didn’t date for several months after that. One day they ran into each other. The meeting was a little tense. Keith, trying to make conversation, asked how the goldfish were doing. Maxine replied that they were fine. "Had they turned gold?" "Yes, " was the reply. "Well," he asked, "could I come over and see them?" That did it...she doesn’t even remember him later proposing...just remember that he slipped a ring on her finger one evening. Maxine says, "We got married in my folk’s home at 210 Maple Street in Rupert, Idaho and have lived happily ever after!"
(P.S. Did I mention Keith was late for the ceremony because he was out water skiing on the canal?)
One of my favorite memories of him was, when I was a teenager and always talking on the phone...when he would come into the room, he would put the telephone cord up to his ear and make funny faces like he was listening to my conversations. And when I call home and say, "Dad, it's Marilyn", he always says, "Marilyn Who?" And there was the time, when a whole bunch of boys showed up at our house....we lived in the country on the lake...and cars were everywhere....guys sitting on their cars just waiting. Dad quickly summed up the situation...and realized they were waiting for my date...and that one boy in particular was ticked about our dating. Instead of going out and telling all the guys to grow up and get off our property, he came into my room (where I was sobbing) and asked me if they were waiting for Johnny. When I said yes, he said, "Well, let's head him off." We hopped in the car....and met him before he got to the house. Of course, Johnny didn't know what was waiting for him...my dad just kissed me goodbye and said "have fun!" and off we went. He was cool like that. In fact, many a boy dated me to just hang out with my dad. He was that fun. We always pulled pranks on my mom, he taught me to water ski, didn't let me mow the lawn since that was boy's work, and pretty much pampered me. He was handsome....he looked a lot like Michael Landon of Little House on the Prairie fame, only with a flat top...that he wore even when it wasn't cool. Our hair kind of matches today! From him I inherited my blue eyes, thick hair (unfortunately on the legs as well), runny blood and the shape of my nose. I just adore this man!
Happy Birthday, Dad! You're the best!
The War Effort
However, Maxine's parents, George and Mary James, were very strict...especially when it came to dating and dancing. She tells how, although she was a cheerleader, she was not allowed to stay for the dances after the football or basketball games...and that many a night she would walk home crying from the game while her friends all stayed to dance. When Maxine was allowed to date in high school, her older brother, Denver, also had to come along! In spite of this, she was still very popular! During her sophomore, junior and part of her senior year, she worked at "Larry Dean’s Ice Cream Shoppe." Aunt Marie Garner says of this time, "She was the cutest little blond in town!" This was the era of the "Big Bands"-Glenn Miller, Tommy Dorsey, Benny Goodman were all big names. Life was pretty good...although a war was raging first in Europe, then Pearl Harbor and the Pacific. One by one the boys in her class joined the service, dropping out of school, with the exception of two boys who were farmers. Maxine did her part for the war effort by writing to half of the Army, Navy, Air Force and Marines corps! She wrote to all the hometown boys and relatives. The mailman was always relieved to get by the James household since his pack would be cut in half!
The Legend
One of the boys that she wrote to was named Keith. They had a few classes together at Rupert High but didn’t really know each other. She thought he was the best dresser she had ever seen but never would have thought of dating him..he was MUCH too WILD for her...why, he even skipped school! And he drove a bright Model T. coupe with pink elephants painted all over it! He was just one of the hometown boys she wrote to. But, after a while, the nice friendly letters arriving from Keith started to get a lot more serious. He started writing how things were "going to be" when he got home between the two of them and talked about plans for the future ("I dream of when our lips will meet!") Maxine was taken by surprise and thought she’d better stop and think about how deeply she had begun to feel about his guy. Maybe it was serious...he really was cute. About this time she went to the town library to check out a new book to read. She randomly picked one out and when she got home, the book fell open. Inside was a letter addressed to another girl in town (the girl who had previously checked out the book.) Maxine looked closer and thought she recognized the handwriting. She began to read the letter...about "how things were going to be when he got home and talked about plans for the future." Maxine was furious! Here was Keith writing to how many girls...and writing the exact lovey-dovey things he was writing to her! She wrote him off and quick! She thought that was the end of that! And that is the story of the beginning of my mother, Maxine, and father, Keith, and their happily ever after.....
Going Steady
Maxine was working at the telephone company when the war ended and the boys came home. Maxine was a little afraid of Keith because now, instead of driving a wildly painted Model T, he was driving a huge black motorcycle! But he persisted and he WAS handsome and she weakened. Then he wanted her to go steady. She told him absolutely not. He was just home out of the service, and was just playing around. Why, he didn’t even have a job! There was no way that she was going to go steady with someone that didn’t have more roots than that! Well, Keith hopped on his motorcycle, drove to the nearest gas station, walked in and got a job as a car washer, roared back to Maxine’s house and said, "Well, I’ve got a job. Will you go steady with me now?" Maxine ran out of excuses!
Green Gold Fish
Going steady with Keith had its difficulties. As you might have guessed from previous stories, Keith wasn’t very faithful! But he did try. Maxine had always wanted some goldfish. Keith went out and bought her some. But when he brought them to her, they were a little greenish in color. She was disappointed because she had really wanted "gold fish." Keith told her not to worry...that they would get gold when they got a little bigger. She was doubtful! Well, shortly after this time, they had an argument. The next thing that Maxine knew, Keith had accepted a date with another girl to take her to her Senior Prom. He even bought her a beautiful corsage. (Note: Almost 40 years later, Maxine says of this moment, with indignation, "My goodness, she had to be 1 ½ heads taller than Keith. He would have had to sit her on a fencepost to kiss her goodnight!")
Encore For the Fish
Well, our little romance hit stormy waters. Keith and Maxine didn’t date for several months after that. One day they ran into each other. The meeting was a little tense. Keith, trying to make conversation, asked how the goldfish were doing. Maxine replied that they were fine. "Had they turned gold?" "Yes, " was the reply. "Well," he asked, "could I come over and see them?" That did it...she doesn’t even remember him later proposing...just remember that he slipped a ring on her finger one evening. Maxine says, "We got married in my folk’s home at 210 Maple Street in Rupert, Idaho and have lived happily ever after!"
(P.S. Did I mention Keith was late for the ceremony because he was out water skiing on the canal?)
One of my favorite memories of him was, when I was a teenager and always talking on the phone...when he would come into the room, he would put the telephone cord up to his ear and make funny faces like he was listening to my conversations. And when I call home and say, "Dad, it's Marilyn", he always says, "Marilyn Who?" And there was the time, when a whole bunch of boys showed up at our house....we lived in the country on the lake...and cars were everywhere....guys sitting on their cars just waiting. Dad quickly summed up the situation...and realized they were waiting for my date...and that one boy in particular was ticked about our dating. Instead of going out and telling all the guys to grow up and get off our property, he came into my room (where I was sobbing) and asked me if they were waiting for Johnny. When I said yes, he said, "Well, let's head him off." We hopped in the car....and met him before he got to the house. Of course, Johnny didn't know what was waiting for him...my dad just kissed me goodbye and said "have fun!" and off we went. He was cool like that. In fact, many a boy dated me to just hang out with my dad. He was that fun. We always pulled pranks on my mom, he taught me to water ski, didn't let me mow the lawn since that was boy's work, and pretty much pampered me. He was handsome....he looked a lot like Michael Landon of Little House on the Prairie fame, only with a flat top...that he wore even when it wasn't cool. Our hair kind of matches today! From him I inherited my blue eyes, thick hair (unfortunately on the legs as well), runny blood and the shape of my nose. I just adore this man!
Happy Birthday, Dad! You're the best!
Friday, May 23, 2008
You're Gonna Miss This
* Yesterday was lunch with Carolyn Campbell (my prolific writer friend) and Linda Midgley (my friend that has a phobia about tigers in her garage and backseat.) We met at Carolyn’s home and it was fun to see all her new decorating. It is the joke in our little group that I’m their personal decorator....each time we meet at one of their houses, they ask, "Okay, what should I do next." For Carolyn, it was to put some color on the walls. She did her living room, kitchen, dining and large family room. It all turned out fabulous. Now we are working on picture arrangements. Carolyn served some great food and I copied down recipes but don’t know where I put them now. I’ll post later. Just a great afternoon spent with dear friends.
* It has rained and rained here...then it stopped in time for Brendalyn and I to walk the gully. The air was crisp and we were able to do about 4 ½ miles! And I didn’t die. Big accomplishment for me. The birds were singing so loud you could hardly talk over them!
* May continues to be the birthday month. Yesterday was Debbie Stowell’s (one of my closest friends in the Ward) birthday, tomorrow is my dad’s birthday, the next day Ben’s Susie’s birthday, and next week is kiddo-Boston’s birthday. He’ll be four. He’s has real attitude and is such a spunky kid. Tenille said that a whole group of little girls, all older than Boston, showed up at the door. Boston acted a little annoyed and they squealed, "Boston, would you take us around the cul-de-sac in your jeep?" He kind of rolled his eyes and growled, "Ooo-kkkay, let me get my crocs......" (His outdoor shoes.) He is sooo funny and has all the energy of Travis as a little boy.
*Art this morning. I haven’t got a picture to work on so I had better get going. Then weeding in the flower beds after this marvelous rain.
* Date night tonight with Kirk and Cathy. I think the Indiana Jones movie and dinner is on the docket.
* My sweet daughter-in-law has been keeping us posted on a little family’s tragedy this weekend. One of her sister’s friends has a little girl that choked on a piece of apple on Sunday. It got lodged in her throat....she was without oxygen for quite a while. They had to operate....but she died yesterday. Two years old. I think of our Addi. How could we ever lose her? Our hearts are broken for this little family in Park City.
* And speaking of Addi, Brandi shared something sweet yesterday. She was at the grocery store with Addison and Hallee. Addi loves to sing constantly at the top of her lungs. On one aisle, Brandi said a gal, probably in her early 40's, passed by. Addi was singing her heart out. A couple of aisles later, Brandi saw the lady again..and this time she approached her. She said, "Have you ever heard the song, "You’re gonna miss this?" Brandi nodded. Then the lady got all teary and pointed to Addi, still singing, and said, "THIS is one of those things you’re going to miss."
We just can’t take these little ones or these big ones for granted. Not for a minute.
Lyrics to the chorus of the Trace Atkins song:
You're gonna miss this
You're gonna want this back
You're gonna wish these days
hadn't gone by so fast
These are some good times
So take a good look around
You may not know it now
But you're gonna miss this"
* It has rained and rained here...then it stopped in time for Brendalyn and I to walk the gully. The air was crisp and we were able to do about 4 ½ miles! And I didn’t die. Big accomplishment for me. The birds were singing so loud you could hardly talk over them!
* May continues to be the birthday month. Yesterday was Debbie Stowell’s (one of my closest friends in the Ward) birthday, tomorrow is my dad’s birthday, the next day Ben’s Susie’s birthday, and next week is kiddo-Boston’s birthday. He’ll be four. He’s has real attitude and is such a spunky kid. Tenille said that a whole group of little girls, all older than Boston, showed up at the door. Boston acted a little annoyed and they squealed, "Boston, would you take us around the cul-de-sac in your jeep?" He kind of rolled his eyes and growled, "Ooo-kkkay, let me get my crocs......" (His outdoor shoes.) He is sooo funny and has all the energy of Travis as a little boy.
*Art this morning. I haven’t got a picture to work on so I had better get going. Then weeding in the flower beds after this marvelous rain.
* Date night tonight with Kirk and Cathy. I think the Indiana Jones movie and dinner is on the docket.
* My sweet daughter-in-law has been keeping us posted on a little family’s tragedy this weekend. One of her sister’s friends has a little girl that choked on a piece of apple on Sunday. It got lodged in her throat....she was without oxygen for quite a while. They had to operate....but she died yesterday. Two years old. I think of our Addi. How could we ever lose her? Our hearts are broken for this little family in Park City.
* And speaking of Addi, Brandi shared something sweet yesterday. She was at the grocery store with Addison and Hallee. Addi loves to sing constantly at the top of her lungs. On one aisle, Brandi said a gal, probably in her early 40's, passed by. Addi was singing her heart out. A couple of aisles later, Brandi saw the lady again..and this time she approached her. She said, "Have you ever heard the song, "You’re gonna miss this?" Brandi nodded. Then the lady got all teary and pointed to Addi, still singing, and said, "THIS is one of those things you’re going to miss."
We just can’t take these little ones or these big ones for granted. Not for a minute.
Lyrics to the chorus of the Trace Atkins song:
You're gonna miss this
You're gonna want this back
You're gonna wish these days
hadn't gone by so fast
These are some good times
So take a good look around
You may not know it now
But you're gonna miss this"
Thursday, May 22, 2008
A Few Thoughts
* What can I say...my boy, David Archuletta didn't win American Idol. But both he and David Cook were winners. Although I loved them both, the grand finale was boring and silly, boring and silly. Other than that, I liked it. Not so much.
* My un-Hawaii company left yesterday. They finally gave up. Their luggage is who-knows-where. How disappointing to plan to go on a marvelous trip and then have set-back after set-back. The happy news is that I got to have them all to myself for 3 days! David's mom loved having her two granddaughters here....and they loved being with her. We had so much fun....I love them all. We ordered dinner the night before from Johnny Carino's (Pecan-encrusted Salmon salad and Bowtie Chicken Alfredo. Yum. Double-yum.), watched A.I. (and I made them all vote all night long, even if they didn't want to) and then Enchanted. Enchanted always makes everything better.
* Although the airlines weren't helpful, it was really their ticketing agent Orbitz that really dropped the ball and had terrible customer service. But the responsibility/bottom line really stopped with my in-laws. They missed their flight. They missed their opportunity. They left Idaho too late, ran into road construction, had their boarding passes but then Shyrl had to park the car, his wallet dropped accidentally and then he had to go back for it. A series of unfortunates not too unlike life. We can't go through life blaming our situation on other's lack of help. (My in-laws didn't...I'm just using this as a metaphor in life.) We all have setbacks, whether through our own choices or others. But whatever they are, we ultimately take responsibility for how we react to those consequences...victors or victims, we decide. I was especially proud of how well the girls handled this. They are already making plans to save their money and try it again in January.
* I love my MIL. I'm so glad that she can live here with us. I feel it a privilege to be able to serve her and spend time with her. She has been such a blessing in my life, I want to repay her somehow.
* I made my MIL watch all of American Idol with me. She didn't think that David Cook would win "because he looks too scruffy and he kind of yells when he sings." She didn't think people would like that...and besides, she wasn't sure that would be a great example for young people.
Actually, David Cook seems like a VERY nice young man....I hope he can stay that way!
* My tomato plants are flourishing in the greenhouse. Today I staked them all up with cages. I love to touch the leaves and then smell my hands. Ahhhhh, summer!
* Rain. Rain. And more rain. Snow in the mountains. I think we are having our April showers in May.
Disappointment to a noble soul is what cold water is to burning metal; it strengthens, tempers, intensifies, but never destroys it.
-Eliza Tabor
* My un-Hawaii company left yesterday. They finally gave up. Their luggage is who-knows-where. How disappointing to plan to go on a marvelous trip and then have set-back after set-back. The happy news is that I got to have them all to myself for 3 days! David's mom loved having her two granddaughters here....and they loved being with her. We had so much fun....I love them all. We ordered dinner the night before from Johnny Carino's (Pecan-encrusted Salmon salad and Bowtie Chicken Alfredo. Yum. Double-yum.), watched A.I. (and I made them all vote all night long, even if they didn't want to) and then Enchanted. Enchanted always makes everything better.
* Although the airlines weren't helpful, it was really their ticketing agent Orbitz that really dropped the ball and had terrible customer service. But the responsibility/bottom line really stopped with my in-laws. They missed their flight. They missed their opportunity. They left Idaho too late, ran into road construction, had their boarding passes but then Shyrl had to park the car, his wallet dropped accidentally and then he had to go back for it. A series of unfortunates not too unlike life. We can't go through life blaming our situation on other's lack of help. (My in-laws didn't...I'm just using this as a metaphor in life.) We all have setbacks, whether through our own choices or others. But whatever they are, we ultimately take responsibility for how we react to those consequences...victors or victims, we decide. I was especially proud of how well the girls handled this. They are already making plans to save their money and try it again in January.
* I love my MIL. I'm so glad that she can live here with us. I feel it a privilege to be able to serve her and spend time with her. She has been such a blessing in my life, I want to repay her somehow.
* I made my MIL watch all of American Idol with me. She didn't think that David Cook would win "because he looks too scruffy and he kind of yells when he sings." She didn't think people would like that...and besides, she wasn't sure that would be a great example for young people.
Actually, David Cook seems like a VERY nice young man....I hope he can stay that way!
* My tomato plants are flourishing in the greenhouse. Today I staked them all up with cages. I love to touch the leaves and then smell my hands. Ahhhhh, summer!
* Rain. Rain. And more rain. Snow in the mountains. I think we are having our April showers in May.
Disappointment to a noble soul is what cold water is to burning metal; it strengthens, tempers, intensifies, but never destroys it.
-Eliza Tabor
Cathy's Spinach and Cranberry Salad
I love yummy salads for the summer. This one is a favorite.
Cathy’s Spinach and Cranberry Salad
2 small bags fresh spinach
2 heads romaine lettuce
1 cup crumbled feta cheese
2/3 c. craisins
4 T. slivered almonds
½ red onion, diced
Cathy’s Spinach and Cranberry Salad
2 small bags fresh spinach
2 heads romaine lettuce
1 cup crumbled feta cheese
2/3 c. craisins
4 T. slivered almonds
½ red onion, diced
Dressing:
1 cup oil
½ cup balsamic vinegar
½ cup sugar
1 tsp. salt
1 tsp. Worcestershire sauce
1 tsp. onion salt
Mix the spinach and lettuce, cheese, craisins, almonds and onions. Mix the dressing ingredients and toss just before serving. Approximately 8 large servings.
What If?
I found this in my files and thought I'd post it:
What if the Book of Mormon had been written by Dr. Seuss?
Nephi: Of goodly parents I was born
I've never drunk, I’ve never sworn.
This is Lehi, he’s my dad
Laman, Lemuel, they are bad!
And who is this? Why this is Sam
Yes, this is Sam;
Sam: Sam I am
Laman: That Sam I am, that Sam I am
I do not like that Sam I am
Sam: In a tent my father dwelt
Laman: And it’s so hot, I think I’ll melt
Lemuel: Our father’s brain is out of whack
Laman: Yeah, it’s too hot, I’m going back
Lehi: Then go and get the plates, my dear
Laman: On second thought, I’m staying here
Nephi: You said you’d leave and go away
Now all you want to do is stay?
Lemuel: That Nephi always gets his way
Laman: Here we are in this damp cave
Sam: We would not be here if you’d behave
Nephi: I will go and I will do
There’s the angel, that’s my cue
Laban’s had too much to drink
Now he’ll lose his head, I think
Nephi: Look what I found, a brother from the quorum
Sam: We will take him home, we will call him Zoram
Lemuel: Oh great, another pathetic life form
Laman: Our gold and silver we have spent
I do not like it in this tent
Lemuel: I cannot read the Liahona
I must have drunk too much Corona
Laman: We hate it here, we have no lives
Lehi: Then go back to the city and get some wives
Lehi: A tree, a tree, I see a tree
The fruit is white, the fruit is free
A floating building, could it be?
Why do they laugh and stare at me?
Laman, Lemuel, come and see
Laman: We will not eat your precious fruit
Lemuel: We will not wear a tie and suit
Laman: We will not help you build your boat
Lemuel: We do not think that it will float
Laman: No not this boat, it will not float
Not even in a shallow moat
I do not care what Nephi wrote
Lemuel: We will not eat your fruit I say
Laman: We will not eat it on a tray
Lemuel: And we won’t eat it in a tent
Not even if your clothes are rent
Laman: We’d rather have a can of spam
L & L: We will not eat it, Sam I am
Sam: You do not like it, so you say
Try it, try it, and you may
Try it and you may, I say
Laman: Sam, if you will let us be,
We will try it, you will see
L & L: Say, we like this fruit of life
Sorry that we caused such strife
You’ve saved us from an awful jam
Thank you, thank you, Sam I am
What if the Book of Mormon had been written by Dr. Seuss?
Nephi: Of goodly parents I was born
I've never drunk, I’ve never sworn.
This is Lehi, he’s my dad
Laman, Lemuel, they are bad!
And who is this? Why this is Sam
Yes, this is Sam;
Sam: Sam I am
Laman: That Sam I am, that Sam I am
I do not like that Sam I am
Sam: In a tent my father dwelt
Laman: And it’s so hot, I think I’ll melt
Lemuel: Our father’s brain is out of whack
Laman: Yeah, it’s too hot, I’m going back
Lehi: Then go and get the plates, my dear
Laman: On second thought, I’m staying here
Nephi: You said you’d leave and go away
Now all you want to do is stay?
Lemuel: That Nephi always gets his way
Laman: Here we are in this damp cave
Sam: We would not be here if you’d behave
Nephi: I will go and I will do
There’s the angel, that’s my cue
Laban’s had too much to drink
Now he’ll lose his head, I think
Nephi: Look what I found, a brother from the quorum
Sam: We will take him home, we will call him Zoram
Lemuel: Oh great, another pathetic life form
Laman: Our gold and silver we have spent
I do not like it in this tent
Lemuel: I cannot read the Liahona
I must have drunk too much Corona
Laman: We hate it here, we have no lives
Lehi: Then go back to the city and get some wives
Lehi: A tree, a tree, I see a tree
The fruit is white, the fruit is free
A floating building, could it be?
Why do they laugh and stare at me?
Laman, Lemuel, come and see
Laman: We will not eat your precious fruit
Lemuel: We will not wear a tie and suit
Laman: We will not help you build your boat
Lemuel: We do not think that it will float
Laman: No not this boat, it will not float
Not even in a shallow moat
I do not care what Nephi wrote
Lemuel: We will not eat your fruit I say
Laman: We will not eat it on a tray
Lemuel: And we won’t eat it in a tent
Not even if your clothes are rent
Laman: We’d rather have a can of spam
L & L: We will not eat it, Sam I am
Sam: You do not like it, so you say
Try it, try it, and you may
Try it and you may, I say
Laman: Sam, if you will let us be,
We will try it, you will see
L & L: Say, we like this fruit of life
Sorry that we caused such strife
You’ve saved us from an awful jam
Thank you, thank you, Sam I am
Tuesday, May 20, 2008
Catchin' Up/ and a Little Black Rain Cloud
1. First of all....Idol tonight. Get out your phones and dial. Then hit redial and dial again. Do that for about 1-2 hours tonight and get excited that your finger will be slimmer tomorrow!!!!
I'm not kidding. Get voting!
2. Friday night it was so awesome to have a date night with Brandi. It was spur of the moment....and by the time her hubby got home to watch the kids, all the funky stores that we would have wanted to go to were closed. She asked me what I wanted to do. Smith's Marketplace! Really, of all the places to go to and that is where I chose to go. But we wandered and talked and shared....chose plants for her flower beds. After a couple hours of wondering, it was way past time for dinner. We were starved. The area that we were in really has a lack of quality restaurants.....we couldn't think of anything close. So I said, "Let's go to "blank"....I've never been there before...how bad could it be?" Brandi said I couldn't post the name because it was embarrassing....and to answer the question, "How bad could it be?" Let me just say, pretty bad. We had several moments of laughing so hard we almost got into trouble....I can't share some of the things that happened, but can I just say, I love my daughter....and love that we can spend time together ANYWHERE and have fun.
3. Ben is back in town...or at least WAS back in town before heading out to the desert with Susie. But he gave me a belated gift for Mother's Day...a darling heart bracelet from Chico's...but the card meant so much. Ben seldom writes letters or notes so it is a treasure that I'll keep. It said, "Thank you so much for everything you do and everything you are. When I think of how fortunate and blessed I am, I know it's because of my wonderful parents. I'm always inspired by your artistic talents, creative ways and animated character. I love you so much. Ben "
Sigh......
4. Tenille and Rylee and Boston got home from their serendipitous trip to Disneyland with some of her family. I had baby Nash twice this last week to help. They got home Sat. night so we had them all to dinner on Sunday along with Aunt Pat and Cousin Casey. I made noodle bowls with the fabulous sauce I posted from Leisa Root (Creative Cooking) and we had fresh fruit and strawberry shortcake. It was fabulous outside so we moved the tables into the shade and had a nice relaxing evening. Yesterday was Nash's first birthday....my youngest grandchild. Noah also turned one 8 days ago. They are almost twins!
5. Yesterday, my ex- sister-in-law, Angie (who I love and adore) and husband Shyrl (who is a sometimes Elvis Impersonator....) and my nieces, Cami (age 23) and Mallory (age 16) were headed to Hawaii. They drove to the airport from Idaho....and missed their plane. It has been like a house of dominoes falling ever since. The airline wanted to charge $1600 a person for the next flight. The company that they ticketed through were totally inept and of no help at all. They came here last night to try and find what options they have. We are not sure they will be able to go. And they will lose their timeshare accommodations, deposits, travel insurance ($600...didn't include missed flights....).....not to mention they are heartsick and exhausted. They have saved and saved for this trip...they don't have the financial means to just bite the bullet and even go somewhere else. I've tried to make them laugh. I served them pineapple tidbits and sang Aloha Oy. They wanted more. They wanted hula. They wanted sunshine. They wanted to go home with sunburns. They wanted to say they finally got to go to Hawaii.
I told them we could pretend. Okay, I know it is not "quite" the same, but I took David's mom and Cami and Mallory to get pina colada's and then we went and got pedicures. It was an hour of heaven. Angie was too heartsick to even pretend.
Winnie the Pooh: [after rolling in mud] There, now. Isn't this a clever disguise? Christopher Robin: What are you supposed to be? Winnie the Pooh: I'm a little, black rain cloud, of course. Christopher Robin: Silly old bear.
I'm not kidding. Get voting!
2. Friday night it was so awesome to have a date night with Brandi. It was spur of the moment....and by the time her hubby got home to watch the kids, all the funky stores that we would have wanted to go to were closed. She asked me what I wanted to do. Smith's Marketplace! Really, of all the places to go to and that is where I chose to go. But we wandered and talked and shared....chose plants for her flower beds. After a couple hours of wondering, it was way past time for dinner. We were starved. The area that we were in really has a lack of quality restaurants.....we couldn't think of anything close. So I said, "Let's go to "blank"....I've never been there before...how bad could it be?" Brandi said I couldn't post the name because it was embarrassing....and to answer the question, "How bad could it be?" Let me just say, pretty bad. We had several moments of laughing so hard we almost got into trouble....I can't share some of the things that happened, but can I just say, I love my daughter....and love that we can spend time together ANYWHERE and have fun.
3. Ben is back in town...or at least WAS back in town before heading out to the desert with Susie. But he gave me a belated gift for Mother's Day...a darling heart bracelet from Chico's...but the card meant so much. Ben seldom writes letters or notes so it is a treasure that I'll keep. It said, "Thank you so much for everything you do and everything you are. When I think of how fortunate and blessed I am, I know it's because of my wonderful parents. I'm always inspired by your artistic talents, creative ways and animated character. I love you so much. Ben "
Sigh......
4. Tenille and Rylee and Boston got home from their serendipitous trip to Disneyland with some of her family. I had baby Nash twice this last week to help. They got home Sat. night so we had them all to dinner on Sunday along with Aunt Pat and Cousin Casey. I made noodle bowls with the fabulous sauce I posted from Leisa Root (Creative Cooking) and we had fresh fruit and strawberry shortcake. It was fabulous outside so we moved the tables into the shade and had a nice relaxing evening. Yesterday was Nash's first birthday....my youngest grandchild. Noah also turned one 8 days ago. They are almost twins!
5. Yesterday, my ex- sister-in-law, Angie (who I love and adore) and husband Shyrl (who is a sometimes Elvis Impersonator....) and my nieces, Cami (age 23) and Mallory (age 16) were headed to Hawaii. They drove to the airport from Idaho....and missed their plane. It has been like a house of dominoes falling ever since. The airline wanted to charge $1600 a person for the next flight. The company that they ticketed through were totally inept and of no help at all. They came here last night to try and find what options they have. We are not sure they will be able to go. And they will lose their timeshare accommodations, deposits, travel insurance ($600...didn't include missed flights....).....not to mention they are heartsick and exhausted. They have saved and saved for this trip...they don't have the financial means to just bite the bullet and even go somewhere else. I've tried to make them laugh. I served them pineapple tidbits and sang Aloha Oy. They wanted more. They wanted hula. They wanted sunshine. They wanted to go home with sunburns. They wanted to say they finally got to go to Hawaii.
I told them we could pretend. Okay, I know it is not "quite" the same, but I took David's mom and Cami and Mallory to get pina colada's and then we went and got pedicures. It was an hour of heaven. Angie was too heartsick to even pretend.
Winnie the Pooh: [after rolling in mud] There, now. Isn't this a clever disguise? Christopher Robin: What are you supposed to be? Winnie the Pooh: I'm a little, black rain cloud, of course. Christopher Robin: Silly old bear.
Sunday, May 18, 2008
Sunday Stroll
It started out this morning when I looked out the front door. The kids on the porch begged me to come outside and go on a walk with them. So I did. Well, I walked. They rode a bike. They are ALWAYS riding this bike.
First we looked at the Sweet Woodruff I planted yesterday. I LOVE Sweet Woodruff. It is suppose to be hardy and fairly stepable but somehow, Sweet Woodruff gets trampled with all the kiddos. So each year I just fill in the bare spots.
Now, this is one of my favorite stepables. I plant this in the Whimsy Garden.....it makes me think of four-leaf clovers.
Yesterday I corralled (are you impressed with my cowboy talk?!) David into digging some big holes for me. I have been digging all week and didn't think I could/wanted to/should have to dig the bigger holes. That is exactly why I married David....so I would have a hole digger. Well, that and a few other things. Last year I had my nephew, Jared, weld me some pergolas. I got them up but didn't get any vines planted. I was planning on espaliering pear trees to them, like in the secret garden at Ward and Child's, but decided I didn't need any more pear trees. So I planted grapes. Like I need any more grapes! But I think, someday, these pergolas will be beautiful.
Next on our walk, we stepped into the greenhouse. Look at these sweet babies just a'growing. If you don't know what they are, just identify the leaf.
When I don't have anything cleaned or pressed in my closet to wear, I do as Adam and Eve did in the garden. Just pick myself a couple of fig leaves......
First we looked at the Sweet Woodruff I planted yesterday. I LOVE Sweet Woodruff. It is suppose to be hardy and fairly stepable but somehow, Sweet Woodruff gets trampled with all the kiddos. So each year I just fill in the bare spots.Now, this is one of my favorite stepables. I plant this in the Whimsy Garden.....it makes me think of four-leaf clovers.
Yesterday I corralled (are you impressed with my cowboy talk?!) David into digging some big holes for me. I have been digging all week and didn't think I could/wanted to/should have to dig the bigger holes. That is exactly why I married David....so I would have a hole digger. Well, that and a few other things. Last year I had my nephew, Jared, weld me some pergolas. I got them up but didn't get any vines planted. I was planning on espaliering pear trees to them, like in the secret garden at Ward and Child's, but decided I didn't need any more pear trees. So I planted grapes. Like I need any more grapes! But I think, someday, these pergolas will be beautiful.
Next on our walk, we stepped into the greenhouse. Look at these sweet babies just a'growing. If you don't know what they are, just identify the leaf.
When I don't have anything cleaned or pressed in my closet to wear, I do as Adam and Eve did in the garden. Just pick myself a couple of fig leaves......
Who am I kidding? It takes more than a couple to cover this body!
Can I just say brushetta? Toast some wonderful bread or baguettes brushed with olive oil. Chop up some roma tomatoes.....then some of the lush basil below.....a little minced garlic and a drizzle each of olive oil and balsamic vinegar. Could life get better than this?
I've been planting in the greenhouse. Let me explain. The greenhouse is a HUGE unsightly glass enclosure that covers the HUGE unsightly, drained-for-the-time-being-while being-repaired swimming (money pit) pool. J.D., the former owner, who I periodically praise (I loved that man) and curse (you know me....#$%#%$#%!!!....."dang it, J.D. WHAT were you thinking??????!!!!!) loved horticulture. He loved to plant unusual stuff. He used this greenhouse for the unusual. He had flower beds all around the pool and planted lemon trees, lime trees, grapefruit and orange trees. Unfortunately all those cute little trees grew up. And all that humidity in that HUGE unsightly greenhouse caused black fungus to grow all over the leaves of the citrus trees. Fungus you couldn't spray because, well, the HUGE unsightly swimming pool was there as well. So, we have cut down all the citrus. It was hard to see them go. But I couldn't bear to cut down the fig tree. Can I just tell you how messy it is? You can't eat very many figs or you'll become a runner. A runner, because, well....you'll be runnin' if you know what I mean. So they grow big and beautiful and then they splat on the cement. I've tried to out-trick them and tried pulling them off the trees before they splatted. (I like saying, "splatted." It involves every muscle in your mouth. Try saying it a dozen or times a day and count it as an aerobic exercise.) Well, you pull them off and then this white latex stuff starts oozing out all over your hands. Then you start stinging. Then itching. I'm not going to pull off the figs this year....I'm going to give that job to my mother-in-law! Just kidding! So, then I discovered plastic gloves. I know you always wondered who discovered plastic gloves, so I'm telling you it was me...until I stand corrected. Plastic gloves come in very handy on this mini-farm/paradise- money pit. I now wear the gloves and use my trusty scissors and VERY carefully nip each fig off the tree. Only problem is the tree is way too tall. I take my life into my hands every day. It is frightening. I have had many a close call and several near-death experiences. So, this year, I'm letting Marci's neighbor come and harvest all the figs. She's really excited. I'm going to be out of town that day. I hope she survives.....
Can I just say brushetta? Toast some wonderful bread or baguettes brushed with olive oil. Chop up some roma tomatoes.....then some of the lush basil below.....a little minced garlic and a drizzle each of olive oil and balsamic vinegar. Could life get better than this?
I've been planting in the greenhouse. Let me explain. The greenhouse is a HUGE unsightly glass enclosure that covers the HUGE unsightly, drained-for-the-time-being-while being-repaired swimming (money pit) pool. J.D., the former owner, who I periodically praise (I loved that man) and curse (you know me....#$%#%$#%!!!....."dang it, J.D. WHAT were you thinking??????!!!!!) loved horticulture. He loved to plant unusual stuff. He used this greenhouse for the unusual. He had flower beds all around the pool and planted lemon trees, lime trees, grapefruit and orange trees. Unfortunately all those cute little trees grew up. And all that humidity in that HUGE unsightly greenhouse caused black fungus to grow all over the leaves of the citrus trees. Fungus you couldn't spray because, well, the HUGE unsightly swimming pool was there as well. So, we have cut down all the citrus. It was hard to see them go. But I couldn't bear to cut down the fig tree. Can I just tell you how messy it is? You can't eat very many figs or you'll become a runner. A runner, because, well....you'll be runnin' if you know what I mean. So they grow big and beautiful and then they splat on the cement. I've tried to out-trick them and tried pulling them off the trees before they splatted. (I like saying, "splatted." It involves every muscle in your mouth. Try saying it a dozen or times a day and count it as an aerobic exercise.) Well, you pull them off and then this white latex stuff starts oozing out all over your hands. Then you start stinging. Then itching. I'm not going to pull off the figs this year....I'm going to give that job to my mother-in-law! Just kidding! So, then I discovered plastic gloves. I know you always wondered who discovered plastic gloves, so I'm telling you it was me...until I stand corrected. Plastic gloves come in very handy on this mini-farm/paradise- money pit. I now wear the gloves and use my trusty scissors and VERY carefully nip each fig off the tree. Only problem is the tree is way too tall. I take my life into my hands every day. It is frightening. I have had many a close call and several near-death experiences. So, this year, I'm letting Marci's neighbor come and harvest all the figs. She's really excited. I'm going to be out of town that day. I hope she survives.....
I have a love/annoyed relationship with my fig tree. Mostly love since it does provide a great clothing option for my family. The insides of the fig look exactly like the inside of a Fig Newton....go figure! But splattered on my cement, around my HUGE unsightly swimming pool is not a desired scenario. I wonder if Adam and Eve had this dilemma?
Now, this picture might not look too wonderful right now, but I have been planting tons of different kinds of coleus in my greenhouse. You know, in all those places were we used to have black-fungus citrus trees. I'm posting this now so in a month, we can have a before and after picture.....it will be wonderful! Coleus is a shade-loving tender perennial, that is more like an annual in our climate. I love all the varieties...and wish I could plant them outside. But when I do, all the deer in the valley call "smorgasbord" and coming bouncing over. They eat them to the ground, smack their lips and then have a burping contest. Coleus is not only beautiful, I hear they taste great as well. So since I am not in the restaurant business, in the greenhouse they go.
Potted plants doing well. Thanks for asking.
Now, there are some treasures that, honestly, I thank J.D. for every day. This is a little beauty in the greenhouse that I don't know what it is. It is a bush, not a vine. Isn't it beautiful? I will send a treat to anyone who correctly identifies this plant. Because I want to plant a ton of them.
Another thank you to J.D. for all the honeysuckle, which is just getting ready to bloom. We have it inside the greenhouse and outside all over. It is like heaven for a month. I love honeysuckle.
The tomatoes are SOOO happy in their pots! Can you believe these plants look so gorgeous and it is only the middle of May? I think I might enter them in a beauty pageant. Look, that purple clematis is looking on in amazement. Clematis, I love you too! But everyone is ALWAYS telling you that you are beautiful. Tomato plants seldom get praised until they start producing. The compliment means more to them right now.
Okay, Okay! You can have your picture posted as well. And yes, you ARE beautiful! Now, are you happy?
I think I have mentioned that J.D. bought this property as a place to teach his children and actually, most children in the neighborhood how to work. Consequently, for better or worse, we have strange "projects" all over the property. But this one. This one! This one I LOVE! This is the rock wall in our back yard. It is the perfect foil for geraniums and boxwood. Oh, and you can see the weeping pussy willow that David dug the big hole for yesterday as well. Thank you, dear friends, from Bucket and Girl's Night Out! I love you!
This is my fountain. It makes me feel, what? Refreshed? I like the big hands that catch the water. I love the whole water image....the living water that we have to catch, not lose.
It is not gorgeous yet...still a work in process. Someday it will be fabulous!
Now, this picture might not look too wonderful right now, but I have been planting tons of different kinds of coleus in my greenhouse. You know, in all those places were we used to have black-fungus citrus trees. I'm posting this now so in a month, we can have a before and after picture.....it will be wonderful! Coleus is a shade-loving tender perennial, that is more like an annual in our climate. I love all the varieties...and wish I could plant them outside. But when I do, all the deer in the valley call "smorgasbord" and coming bouncing over. They eat them to the ground, smack their lips and then have a burping contest. Coleus is not only beautiful, I hear they taste great as well. So since I am not in the restaurant business, in the greenhouse they go.
Potted plants doing well. Thanks for asking.
Now, there are some treasures that, honestly, I thank J.D. for every day. This is a little beauty in the greenhouse that I don't know what it is. It is a bush, not a vine. Isn't it beautiful? I will send a treat to anyone who correctly identifies this plant. Because I want to plant a ton of them.
Another thank you to J.D. for all the honeysuckle, which is just getting ready to bloom. We have it inside the greenhouse and outside all over. It is like heaven for a month. I love honeysuckle.
The tomatoes are SOOO happy in their pots! Can you believe these plants look so gorgeous and it is only the middle of May? I think I might enter them in a beauty pageant. Look, that purple clematis is looking on in amazement. Clematis, I love you too! But everyone is ALWAYS telling you that you are beautiful. Tomato plants seldom get praised until they start producing. The compliment means more to them right now.
Okay, Okay! You can have your picture posted as well. And yes, you ARE beautiful! Now, are you happy?
I think I have mentioned that J.D. bought this property as a place to teach his children and actually, most children in the neighborhood how to work. Consequently, for better or worse, we have strange "projects" all over the property. But this one. This one! This one I LOVE! This is the rock wall in our back yard. It is the perfect foil for geraniums and boxwood. Oh, and you can see the weeping pussy willow that David dug the big hole for yesterday as well. Thank you, dear friends, from Bucket and Girl's Night Out! I love you!
This is my fountain. It makes me feel, what? Refreshed? I like the big hands that catch the water. I love the whole water image....the living water that we have to catch, not lose.
It is not gorgeous yet...still a work in process. Someday it will be fabulous!
This is Noah. All the kids have a face in the trees. You've seen them before but we can't go on a walk without seeing all the kids.
This is Rylee. She lost another tooth this week at Disneyland.
Lilacs!!!! Yes!!!!! Thank you, J.D.
This is the tennis court...another "work project".....I just wanted to show all the grape vines that encircle the entire court.
This is Addison....Look at how fabulous the bark is on her tree!!!!
It almost doesn't look real!
Another project...the cabin. Cabin, I love thee, but again, so much work......and see....more rock walls.
This is the well by Eve's cabin....not Adam and Eve but J.D. and Eve's cabin. Eve used to dress up in a pioneer dress and the school kids would come and they could pump water from the well and she'd tell them pioneer stories. I don't do that......
I did dress up as a turkey once and went to Trish Morrison's class at school and told stories. But a pioneer woman? That might be too embarrassing....
Little things just make me happy.
Thanks, kids. It was a lovely Sunday stroll.....
This is Rylee. She lost another tooth this week at Disneyland.
Lilacs!!!! Yes!!!!! Thank you, J.D.
This is the tennis court...another "work project".....I just wanted to show all the grape vines that encircle the entire court.
This is Addison....Look at how fabulous the bark is on her tree!!!!
It almost doesn't look real!
Another project...the cabin. Cabin, I love thee, but again, so much work......and see....more rock walls.
This is the well by Eve's cabin....not Adam and Eve but J.D. and Eve's cabin. Eve used to dress up in a pioneer dress and the school kids would come and they could pump water from the well and she'd tell them pioneer stories. I don't do that......I did dress up as a turkey once and went to Trish Morrison's class at school and told stories. But a pioneer woman? That might be too embarrassing....
Little things just make me happy.
Thanks, kids. It was a lovely Sunday stroll.....
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