Dog Days of Summer

Can't believe its the last week of July! 

My talk on the pioneers went pretty well...not my best, but acceptable.  Very glad its over!  I really like writing talks, but delivery is getting harder and harder as I get older.  I feel so nervous and like I can't catch my breath.  But, so far, I don't think anyone in the congregation can notice.

Had a great afternoon yesterday at the new and improved Elm Creek Park playground. Gideon and his buddy and Christy and hers and I, along with pb&j's, apples, pretzels and homemade pickles.....and my knitting :)  Yeah, love knitting outside at the park.  It was a perfect day...warm, but breezy...great in the shade.  And really what summer is all about.  I'm glad we could finally have a day like that.

Great dinner last night.  I'm trying to have us eat healthier and also trying to bring something new to the table.  I found a recipe in Debbie Macombers Cedar Cove Cookbook.  It was bowtie pasta with white beans, roasted  peppers, garlic and spinach, with a splash of balsamic vinegar at the end, and a parmesan cheese sprinkle.  And I roasted the peppers myself (which was really cool, btw).  It was a little time intensive, but delicious.

What's for Dinner
Heading out to dinner tonight with my dear friends of 18 years, Anna and Emily, so the fam is having:  
frozen pizza. (So, sue me...the healthy lasted one day). They are excited...which I'm trying to not let hurt my feelings :)

Today
Gid's buddy Josh is here all day, regular housework day, driving sister missionaries around for awhile, dinner with my friends.

Have a Blessed Day...be a blessing in someone else's life!

Friday Night Lights

Made it to Friday!!  A good day...wrote  my talk on the pioneers and focused on three pioneer spirit qualities: hope, courage and the spirit of inclusion.  It's maybe a seven on the scale.  Have some time to mull and hopefully improve it.

I went shopping with Gabby for Girls Camp.  I love spending one-on-one time with Gabby.  She is a joy. And she finished driver's ed...will try for her permit the Monday after camp. oy vay

Gideon's first baseball tournement game was tonight.  He got a hit and a run!!  I was so happy for his success.  Christy is babysitting for the first time outside of home tonight.  The eighteen month old is asleep so she is just needed to do is literally sit, so I let her.  I'm four an a half minutes away.  I timed it. Why is everyone growing up so quickly?

Dropped of six bags of donation to Goodwill today.  I take bag after bag out of here and yet there is still too much here????? Why??!!!?? Oh well, progress not perfection.

Mother Moment today...Allie wrote about her feelings about Gabby on her blog.  Very wonderful.

Dinner was leftover Stouffers Lasagne (thanks Grandpa!). 

And the best thing about the weekend is......... Tomorrow I get RYKER!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Ryker is my nephew, Adam's son...therefore, my great nephew...which works cuz I am a GREAT Aunt!! haha.  He is seven months old and perfect and I get him overnight!!!!!!!  We are soooooo excited!! And Christy gets a crash course in Diaper Changing 101.

Have a Blessed Day...be a blessing in someone else's life!

Hump Day

Nothing interesting today. Still too hot and humid.  Still working on upstairs.  Nothing new and/or amazing on this ol' hump day.  Sorry, dear readers.

What's for Dinner

Chicken stir fry

Today

drivers ed, cub scouts, watching a friends two little ones, Young Womens (youth group), soccer game that we desparately hope is cancelled. (Baseball tourney was indeed postponed til this weekend).  Laundry, the great bedroom re-do.

Comment on Comments

I love all the comments...I really, really do!!  But....I can't figure out how to comment on your comment yet.  So...comment-ors:  Know I love and appreciate you and I'll try to figure it out!

Life in the jungle continues.  There is condensation on the doors and windows (like reverse of winter) and my glasses fog up when I walk out the door or get out of the car in my mad-dash towards indoors.  Here is why I like winter more than summer: 

1. you can always put on another layer when you are cold

ie., sweater or blanket

2. you cannot keep peeling off layers until you are comfortable when you are hot

ie., you can't walk around naked and my layers of subcutaneous fat are unfortunately

unpeelable  (believe me...I've tried!). 

3. I don't shovel, so I don't know the pain of snow, but I do water the garden and weed, etc., so I know

the pain of heat.

But, it's all good...our A/C holds on, God Bless It!

So, I'm still working on Christmas...spent some time yesterday scouring Etsy.com for ideas.  I think I got some cute ones.  I'd share them here, but some of you are on my Christmas list and alas, I would like you to be surprised.

I've been asked to speak in Sacrament Meeting on Sunday.  Pioneer Day, don't cha know.  Topic:  "Faith out our Fathers."  I'm in my "think about while procrastinating" phase of talk writing.  Prayers appreciated.

What's for Dinner

Alas (wow...i'm really alas-ing today), the taco salad of last night was not meant to be.  Circumstances changed and I got backed up.  I did stick to theme, however, and brought home Taco Bell.  I try.

Tonight it's gonna be chicken salad sandwhiches.  I put up (as in pressure-can) chicken breasts and it's so wonderful to just pop open a jar (looks likes brains) and add some onion, ranch dressing and maybe a grape or two.  It's really delicious, everyone loves it and it won't heat up the kitchen tonight.

Today

Driver's Ed, lunch with my good friends Cheri and Debbie from AZ, extensive work on the much neglected bedrooms of this house, laundry, friend Rebecca coming over to discuss homeschooling, and Gideon's first baseball tournement game...which I hope they just go ahead and play instead of cancel and reschedule because my SOUL needs baseball to be done, complete, over this week.!!!!!

Have a blessed day...be a blessing in someone else's life!



Seriously...we live in the Amazon...seriously

It's crazy hot and humid...which I despise...but my garden loves!!  My deck is a jungle.  So much so that I feel totally claustrophobic out there and which doesnt' matter cuz it's too hot to be out there anyway.  But, its a lovely and sunny day!

I went Visiting Teaching this morning.  For those not of my faith, our womens organzition at church, the Relief Society, is organized by companionships, two sisters, who look out for the needs of two or three other sisters, by visiting atleast once a month to share a spiritual message, and fellowshipping them always.  It's a nice way to look out for one another and some of my most cherished friendships have come from my visiting teaching assignments.  The gal I visited today (I went alone, as my companion is just about to have a baby) is a wonderful young mother with the three cutest little children.  I so enjoyed sitting on her couch, surround by toys and children and noise. It brought back memories of those days in my life...constant motion is how I recall it.  So, while I went to strengthen her, I left edified.  Isn't it great how the Lord works?  It's impossible to serve without being served in return.

What's for dinner?

Since the lettuce in the kitchen garden is insane because of the jungle weather, its Taco Salad tonight!

Today

For Gabby, it's driver's ed (last week, hurrah!) and a party with friends in Andover (thankfully found someone to carpool with).  Gideon conned Grandpa (meaning cute-ly asked) into a trip to Walmart to spend his birthday money on Lego Harry Potter for the Wii.  He's had the money for awhile, but I wanted him to wait a week or so to make sure that's how he wanted to spend his $30 and to teach delayed gratification, which is not something I'm good at or been so good at teaching.  He'll get to play it a few hours this afternoon since it's the first day and then only half hour a day from here on.  He says he fully understands, so...we'll see.  Then tonight it's the Art Show for last week's art lessons.  Circus theme, so the kids have to share any "freak show" talents they have...and of course my kids have some.  Christy will bend her thumb all the way back (gross) and Gideon plans to share the peculiar noises he can make with various parts of his body.  I made him show me all of them, and the worst has to do with arm pits, so I'm just letting him glory in his abilities.  Gabby is showing some of her AMAZING photography at the show too.  Michele Holcomb is a gifted and talented artist and teacher!

Have a blessed day...be a blessing in someone else's life!

Beautiful Sabbath Day

From the inside of my air conditioned house, it is a beautiful Sabbath Day...outside it is the climate of the jungle.  ugh...but I'm so very grateful for the air conditioned church in which I will be spending the afternoon!  My heart goes out more and more to the pioneers and the hardships they endured...I'd be hard pressed to go to church without the A/C. 

I teach the nine year olds at church.  They are a great bunch of kids and they are deep in my heart.  I have a great team teacher, Rebecca, but today is my turn.  We are discussing the Savior's parable of the sheep and the goats, Matthew 25.  Great lessons about the just and final judgement which awaits us all, as well as the value of a service-filled life.  It's a great parable, that's for sure.

What's for Dinner

Crock pot Sunday and it's the famous recipe from my friend, Jill Brown, "Creamy Chicken Over Noodles".  A family favorite and super super easy.  (Thawed chicken breasts, cream of chicken soup, sour cream and a packet of  dry onion soup mix served over egg noodles). It will be nice to come into our blessed air conditioning and have that ready when we get home from church.

Today

Choir practice this morning (Gabby is the new choir pianist!!!), Church from 1-4, family dinner and then Family Movie Night.  On Sunday evenings we rotate who chooses a movie for our family to watch together.  Last week Christy chose "Secretariat," which was awesome.  Tonight it's Gabby' turn.  It's always a surprise.  No baking cookies or brownies tonight...too HOT...icecream or popcicles it is.

Have a blessed day...be a blessing in someone else's life.

A Maple Grove Days Saturday

It is still overcast and potentially rainy which makes me sad cuz it's Maple Grove Days!

 

This is a great event in the community, and today is it's culmination.  The Community Center parking lot is full of carnival games and big inflatable bouncy-type things.  There is a pony ride and a petting zoo.  A highlight for us it the Lion's Club Corn Feed at the pavilion.  Steamed corn on the cob, vat-o-butter, all you can eat = YUM!!!  The Lion's Club sure knows their corn.  Ron is busy at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints booth in the community center Expo.  If you are going we are on the top floor across from the Lutherans. :)  Ron worked really hard on making the booth inviting.  Those great  "...And I'm a Mormon" commercials will be playing the whole time (but longer, cooler versions than on tv) and we have some mini "I'm a Mormon" bill boards of some of our congregants, which are totally cool.  David Molanphy is a genius. They look amazing!  I hope that those who pass will be touched by the beautiful picture of the  Savior


and learn that there are plenty of Mormons in this community, who are regular folks...happy folks... and that they will be drawn to learn more about why we are such a happy lot.  And there is taffy...yum.

For those wondering, dinner was great.  The Philadelphia Cooking Creme was tasty and yummy.  I would buy again with a coupon or a good deal...but that's just me.  There are VERY few things I would pay full price for, so that is certainly not a diss.

What's for Dinner?

Company is coming!!!  We haven't entertained in FOREVER, so we are excited.  The Abrahamsons, from church, are coming to dinner.  We will be having kabobs...chicken, marinated in Italian dressing, and steak, marinated in teryaki.  Plus mushrooms, peppers, zukes, onions, pineapple.  Will probably serve with rice or rice pilaf.  Sylvia is bringing dessert.  Fun!!

Today

Get the house company ready, head over to The Days to see Sweetie and eat corn, company for dinner and then watch the FIREWORKS!!!! Maple Grove has AWESOME fireworks!!!!!

Have a Blessed Day...be a blessing in someone else's life!

A Quiet Day

It's another rainy day!  And overcast.  And I'm in that sorta mood...so I'm good.  It cleared enough last night for the parade, which was very fun.  The kids got LOADS of candy, which makes the parade a success for them.  I was reminded of what a great community we live in, so it was a success for me.  Now today, we are mostly home, hopefully catching up on some housework and having some "reading by the window on a rainy day" time.

Speaking of which, I finished a book this week.  I Capture the Castle by Dodie Smith. 


It was written in the 40's, now back in print.  I liked it.  It is the story of a couple of teenage girls who live in an old English countryside castle with their eccentric father.  They meet some American fellas and the story ensues.  Not an all-time favorite, but an interesting and entertaining read.  Thanks, Michele Holcomb for the recommendation and the loan.

What's for Dinner

Trying something new.  I'm going to cook up some penne then add some diced tomatos and fresh basil from my kitchen garden.  Then (because of a really good coupon) I'm going to add some Kraft Philadelphia Savory Garlic Cooking Creme.

Sounds yummy in my head, hopefully it will translate to the table well.  But I figure with cream cheese, garlic, basil and pasta I can't go too wrong.

Today

Finishing up the first week of driver's ed for Gabby.  Last day of art lessons for Christy and Gid.  Tonight Ron will be finishing the last minute prep for our church's booth at the Maple Grove Days Expo (he is the Ward Mission Leader and the booth is going to ROCK). So, time for me to find a new book!

Have a Blessed Day...be a blessing in someone else's life!

Rainy Days

I LLOOVVEEEEE rainy days. Always have. I have vivid memories of being in my pink bedroom as a little girl, bed in front of the cracked open window, hearing and smelling the rain and reading a book.  Let's just call that one of the "happy places" I can go to in times of crisis.  Another great rain memory is from my Little House in the City (our first married couple home-5648-45th Ave S).  The little one-and-a-half story had an awesome skylight upstairs, which was our bedroom.  We called it our "Starry Lookout" (thanks to Christy by Catherine Marshall).  The rain on the Starry Lookout was amazing!!  Now, I enjoy a rainy day because, for the most part, it means we can slow down.  Outside things are cancelled and inside things suddenly become optional for me.  I love rainy days.

What's for Dinner?
Hopefully the rain will stop just before six, as tonight is the Maple Grove Day's Parade.  Which we love.  It's a great parade.  And we sit at the beginning by Grandma's House, so there is still plenty of candy. Which is dinner!  haha...just joshin'.  But dinner has to do with the parade.  While our chairs have been out all morning (in the rain), I still like to get there quite early to ensure no one steals our very, very good spot. So, I'm gonna get a big sub sandwhich and have a picnic on the parade route.  I think we will also have cherries, baby carrots, chips and lemonade.  The kids will love it.

Today
For the little kids it's bowling day ($20 gets ya two games a day, every day during the summer, bowling pass) with our church friends, and art class at the Holcombs, and of course the parade.  For Gabby, driver's ed, "Harry Potter" marathon culminated with the midnight premiere (five extra bucks got her group the VIP box at the theatre...ooooohhhh. [I used theatRE here instead of theatER because they have the box...fancy... and Harry is from England]).  So, while not going to the movie (not my favorite) I get to go to the theatRE around two thirty in the morning to collect her.  Good Mama.

Have a Blessed Day...be a blessing in someone else's life!

Christmas in July

I love to create.  I knit, sew etc.  I love making and giving homemade gifts.  When i make something for someone, not only is it a present for them, but for me as well.  I love the process of deciding what to make, researching and finding a pattern, gathering the materials.  I love when the construction actually begins...I get to spend the time I'm working on the gift thinking about the recipient: how much I care for them, how they will look in the gift and I will even offer a prayer or two on their behalf as I'm working.  The whole process means so much to me.  Hopefully, the people who receive my gifts like them and aren't disappointed they didn't receive a store bought gift.  And if they are, atleast I hope they don't tell me! 

One thing about loving to give homemade gifts is that it definately takes time...thus the title today.  If I want to give homemade gifts to my family and friends, I have to plan and start working now...right in the middle of July. So...I have my notebook out and am smack dab in the middle of my Christmas "shopping," which is a great way to spend a summer day.

What's for Dinner

Good News!  Sweetie called and caught an earlier flight and will be home for dinner!!  Which means, I should make one...a descent one...since he has been eating out for the last few days.  Decided on the old standby, spaghetti!  I can my own sauce so that's what we are doing...homecanned sauce with a fresh-as-can be salad from the kitchen garden on my deck, and garlic toast sticks (which means I don't have any nice bread so I'll take plain sandwhich bread, butter and garlic it, cut it into strips and bake til crisp...cheap and the kids think its fancy.

Have a Blessed day...be a blessing in someone else's life!

A New Summer

I have amazing memories of the lazy summer days of my childhood.  Awaking late, playing in the neighborhood, lounging in the sun, lots a reading time, climbing trees.  I keep waiting for that to happen this summer for my kids.  But...not so much.  I'm beginning to understand summers are different now.

Since May we have had a minimum of two baseball games (sometimes three) and a practice or two a week plus a soccer game and a practice each week.  We have driver's ed, art class, play dates, sleepovers, Mutual, Activity Days, parades, Maple Grove Days, piano lessons, trips to the library.  All good things.  All busy things. So, summers are different now.  Busy.  Scheduled. Maybe I was blessed because my mom didn't drive and we had to stay home.  But I'm blessed to be able to drive and have a car and have the means to do fun things with my kids.  It will be interesting to see what THEIR memories of their childhoods will be.  Different, but still good.

What's for Dinner

Been in a dinner rut...job hazzard of being a homemaker for almost twenty-two years:  running out of motivation to make good dinners.  Therefore, I'm trying again and thought I would add a "What's for Dinner" on my posts to help motivate me to actually make a decision ahead of time about what to make each night.

Tonight:  Chicken and creamcheese crescent roll bundles.  Yum.  And...it doesn't look like barf.  My last two nights, while very tasty (hot dish of beef and potatos and a chicken and pea curry roux over rice) were not at all visually appealing.  So...this should atleast LOOK better. 

Today

Let's see...today it's Driver's Ed for Gabby, playdate with Ostivgs, art class at the Holcombs, baseball practice for Gid and soccer practice for Christy.  Hopefully, I'll be able to fit in some housework, knitting, and working on a baby quilt for Sharing and Caring Hands.

Have a Blessed Day...be a blessing in someone else's life!

A blog? Me?

Here I am!  Blogging!  Exciting!  I have been so impressed by my daughters and friends blogs, I thought I would try my hand.  I'm not to techno-savvy, so we'll see how it goes.