new recipes and things

Is it too late to grow beets?  I have been reading on the internet and it says that they should be ready to harvest in 60 days.  So, there is plenty of time still to grown beets, right?  But it also says that they don't like hot weather and by golly, it's pretty hot right now.

Does anyone know.  I REALLY want pickled beets.

And ketchup?  anyone made homemade ketchup.  I've read some recipes and reviews.  The one I found on the foodnetwork said that if you start making your own homemade ketchup, it will be so tasty that you'll never try the grocery story stuff again.  I'm just getting some ideas for my gazillion tomatoes that I hope to harvest.  I ate one from the garden tonight in my egg white omelet and it was so delish.  My mouth is watering just thinking about it.

And what is the deal with cucumbers?  And watermelon?  all of 'em--dead.  But darn it all, the zucchini is thriving.

And last of all...artichokes.  I picked one up last year at the nursery on a whim.  I had no idea what to do with it, so I looked it up on the internet.  I don't live in the right zone to grow artichoke.  Oh well.  I planted in anyways and prepared for it to die.  I was kinda ticked at the nursery for selling me something that won't even grow here.  And they don't produce fruit in the first year.  UGH.  But this spring there was a tiny little green speck on the pile of dead artichoke so I didn't pull it out, I left it and guess what?  We ate artichoke this week.  it was good.  We picked 3 and left the big one to see what it looks like when it flowers.  There are at least 3 more left on the plant.  You should plant about 5 artichoke plants per person in the family who likes artichokes, so I will be going out to get myself 24 more plants next year so that in about 5 years we can actually have enough to eat between the 5 of us for the summer. Maybe by then I will know better how to cook them.  or dry them for decorations.  

feeding the birds in Scofield

We took our dried bread down to the lake to feed the birds.  There are ducks, pelicans, geese, and blue heron.  however, there are no pictures of us feeding the birds because we scared them all away.  We kept the bread and threw it in the freezer and will attempt the feed the more tame Utah Valley seagulls later today.

Summer and Sierra

Rick was trying to take some pictures of the girls and they kept laughing and being silly.  So he just took the pictures.  I think they turned out kind of funny.  when I look at them I can almost hear Sierra's contagious laugh.

Sierra

Summer

Fun in Fairview

So last week when we were in the mountains for a few days we decided we needed a change of scenery and did the "over the top" drive.  that means we left Scofield and headed west, up to Skyline drive and down into Fairview.  Then South through Sanpete County.  Since I already seem to be in a sentimental mood, I'll tell you how it makes me feel when I take that drive.  It reminds me of my dad.  He had a cabin near Fairview at Skyline Mountain Resort.  Every time we come down out of Fairview canyon, it just reminds me of him.  One time (I think I was pregnant with Sierra, so that would be 9 years ago)  I helped my dad at his cabin one week.  We were tiling the bathroom.  He was cutting tile with my mom and I was laying the tile in the bathroom.  We only had one little mess up but it was behind the toilet.  I was quite proud of our little bathroom.  It was fun to hang out and work side by side with my dad.  I spent 13 years working side by side with him at Arctic Circle and it was fun to do that under different circumstances.  When we were done with the job, Dad drove "over the top" back to Scofield to drop me off where Rick and Summer were waiting for me.  I remember that drive and just chit chatting with my dad.  One specific thing that I remember is that we heard on the radio that Ricks College in Rexburg would become BYU-Idaho.  I have no idea why I remember that little detail.  But you know how you remember things like "Where I was when I heard Michael Jackson died...(dropping off a load of grass at the compost place in Provo)...?  Well, I will always remember where I was when I found out the great news about BYU-Idaho.  I was in Fairview with my dad.  hum, funny, the little details, how they stick out in my mind...

Back to the real story.  Last week we stopped at a few little antique stores and gift shops on our drive.  The last stop was this place in Fairview:

It's called the Corner Station.  They have been open for 10 months and business is doing well.  It is similar to Funfunity in Springville, the Imagination Station in Flint, or that other cool store at Dogwood Festival Market by Old Navy in Flowood.  But we all decided that this one tops them all.  The kids loved it.  We let them each pick out one little thing for being good kids on the drive and for getting their jobs done during the week.  I got a couple of little things, too. And the best thing of all was one of those mobiles of the planets that was marked 50% off.  I'm all about bribery so we told the kids that if they get their jobs done for the next month or so, we'll take them back to the Corner Station in Fairview to choose another item.  They have tons of EEBOO brand games and toys, Melissa & Doug stuff, books, jewelry, antiques, homemade gifts and much more.  I'm sure it will help the jobs get done around here, and I'm always happy to help out the little guy and spend my money at the small town, mom and pop businesses.  I think you all should bribe your kids and visit the Corner Station in Fairview. 

See that cardboard box in the bottom picture?  It had a little had written note on it that said, "Take me, I'm free and your kids will have hours of fun with this free box."

Saturday in Richfield

So, my cousin, Alexia, got married yesterday in Annabella at my Aunt Connie's house.  At the last minute my mom and I loaded up the car with my kids, some diet coke, and a donut and headed south.  I was very glad we went.  I think my dad would have been pleased with us for being there.  Speaking of my dad...when we parked and headed up the walkway to the yard, I spotted my Uncle Dell.  He is the youngest of the 6 kids, my dad being the oldest.  Anyway, I never thought my dad and his brother looked alike, but for about 5 seconds I thought my dad was standing there.  I started to cry.  All I could think of was my dad and how much I missed him.  Especially when family events like this come up.  

For some reason, Cole took an instant liking to Uncle Dell and engaged him in several water bottle sword fights.  I thought it was so sweet to see the Father of the Bride take a few minutes to entertain my little blonde boy. 

Dell went to sit in the shade and take a drink.  Cole leaned over to me and said, "Mom, who is that man?"  I said, "He is Papa Kent's brother.  His name is Uncle Dell."  He said, "I'm going to go tell that man that I love him."  My aunt Connie was standing there and she heard him tell Dell that he loved her.  They both started to cry.  

Me and Uncle Dell

Shirley (dad's sister) , Kelli, Lori (cousin), Connie (dad's other sister), and Nan (my mom)

Summer

Photo shoot preview.  

Sierra and Hooee

Just one more picture before I clean the kitchen.

Cole

My "to-do" list just keeps getting longer and longer, but I couldn't resist this cute picture of Cole.  We put the training wheels on his little "hand me down" 2 wheeler bike and he hasn't stopped.  I think he is about to wear right through those little tires.  He doesn't like to pose much (he leaves that to this sisters and believe me, I've got a million pictures of them over the last week).  but he did stop and smile for Dad while he we trying to climb this gate.  I love it.  He's all boy.  The scar on his chin and the purple nail on his big toe prove it! 

The Helper Train Museum

Ok, we have been spoiled for the last few days.  We left on June 29 to go to Scofield and we just got back today.  I have 600 pictures to upload and sort but, I thought I'd give you an idea of what is to come.  Activities included Rhino rides, museums, toy store, temples, treasure hunts, talent competitions, treats, parades, fireworks,  cleaning projects, photo shoots, and  much more. 

We asked Cole what he wanted to do on Tuesday and he wanted to go to the Helper Train Museum.  I figured that was OK, because there is an antique store that I love right across the street.  Well, at least there used to be.  It is no longer open.  I was bummed, but Cole was thrilled.  I cashed in some ones and gave him a stack of quarters.  He kept the trains running for an hour while the rest of used checked out the museum.  I asked Cole what he wanted to do the next day and he said he wanted to go to the train museum.  boy, he's so predictable.  We went to Fairview instead.

As soon as I get some groceries in the fridge and the laundry caught up I'll get some pictures on here.  Have a good day.

PS, my lawn in burning up, weeds are taking over, garden looks terrible, and my house needs to be dusted.  I thought I had all these things taken care of when I left the house.