Boo Was Our Neighbor

Mom & Me...and other stuff

2012-01-31T20:51:00.000-08:00

Cole had Mom & Me day at school last week. He looked forward to it for weeks.

First off was a play called The Mitten. Cole was an usher along with his friend, Brady.

We had to wait in the hall until one of the ushers came to get us and direct us to our seats with a flashlight.

Once we found our seat, the ushers got to recite their lines, "here's your seat. Enjoy the show."

Then we got some popcorn, "here's your popcorn. Enjoy the show."

Then came a program, "here's your program. Enjoy the show."

After the play, we got to do Centers with the students.

Cole and I are working on a pattern worksheet.

Then we got to have a cup of hot chocolate.

We could drink it plain, with marshmallows, or with whipped cream.

We had to color a paper cup of hot chocolate and then place it on a paper graph on the wall to be used for a Math project later in the week.

Cole hasn't stopped talking about hot chocolate with whipped cream.

The next project was creating a Snowman S'more.

I love the look of concentration on Cole's face.

He did not want any help.

Cole and his teacher, Mr. Kay (who is from Nephi, went to SUU, and likes NASCAR.)

Can you believe I let Cole wear his purple moon boots to school on the day of the big play?

Oh well, 3 other kids were wearing moon boots, too.

Cookies in the oven for some RAOK.

Sierra was talking to me on Monday morning.

She said that she thought maybe she could be more productive at school.

I was hoping that by being more productive, she was considering learning how to spell.

But instead, she said that she could use her time better at school by taking her knitting to school.

I let her take it to school but I told her that if it got in the way, her teacher asked her to put it away, or kids started calling her "Martha", then she would have to not knit at school.

This is a project that she finished a few weeks ago.

She got a book of patterns for knitting monsters recently and I think she is going to create every monster in the book.

This is the project that she took to school this week.

She's almost done. Some of the kids in her class have requested that she knit them a monster.

I told her to just teach them all how to knit their own monsters.

project 38 (42)

2012-01-29T13:06:00.000-08:00

This was a project that I've had in the works for a long time.

The squares were leftover ones I had cut when I made my first quilt for Cole years ago.

They were taking up space and bugging me so I finally sewed them into a square, added the red, and found some brown to go on the back.

I wanted to try to learn how to do machine binding so I tried it out on this project.

It's not the best.

I thought it looked terrible. It looked much better after it was washed but I could still see the mistakes.

Today I donated it to the Humanitarian Project for our ward.

They are collecting new/gently used blankets for the Women's shelter (?)

I might not have given this quilt away if it weren't for the project 38 (42).

Even though I can see lots of mistakes in my little red quilt, I'm hoping that it will keep some young boy warm for years and years as the edges wear down and the batting falls apart.

And hopefully nobody will ever care that the binding is crooked and the edges didn't match up.

(another view)

Basket Weave Afghan

2012-01-28T08:07:00.000-08:00

I took this to Hawaii when we went in March last year.

I thought it would give me something to do on the plane.

It took a lot longer to do than I had anticipated.

I think I barely made it through 2 of the 9 skeins of yarn on that trip.

But I was really glad that I had it.

I sat and crocheted for hours while we watched TV/news waiting for information about the Earthquake and Tsunami. So, I call this the Tsunami Blanket.

I bought all of the yarn at the same to time so I wouldn't have issues with different yarn die lots.

But, one of the skeins of yarn was off just a little bit.

I noticed it before I even started using it. But I used it anyways.

That makes it an intentional design feature. or something.

I leave this on the chair in the front room where I can wrap up in it and watch the kids go out to the bus stop every morning.

Here is the free pattern that I got from craft passion:

Basket Weave Afghan
[with yarn 1 (blue)]

Starting Row: ch156, turn.

Row 1 : sk 3 ch, dc in the 4th ch from hook, ch2, turn. (Counting the first sk 3 ch as 1dc, there is 154dc on this row)

Row 2 & 3 : skip first st, hdc1 on the next st, *FPdc3, BPdc3* repeat 25 times until last 2 sts. hdc2, ch2 (deem as first st for the following row), turn.

Row 4 & 5 : skip 1st st, hdc1 on the next st, *BPdc3, FPdc3* repeat 25 times until last 2 sts. hdc2, ch2, turn.

Repeat row 2 to 5 until row 85 or until the blanket measure about 30″, ending with either row 3 or row 5 pattern minus the ch2 st.

BorderDetermine which side you want as the front of the blanket to crochet the border.

There is no turning on the border, all stitches are done on the front.[with yarn 1 (blue)]

Round 1 : Ch1, 3 sc in the same corner. sc1 on every st around the entire blanket, with 3 sc in each corner. slst to the beginning ch. fo. Don’t turn.[with yarn 2 (brown)]

Round 2 – 6 : Ch1, sc on back loops only around entire blanket, with 3 sc in each corner. slst to the beginning ch, don’t turn. fo after finish row 6.

Weave and hide all yarn ends.

2 funnies...

2012-01-27T08:16:00.000-08:00

I had to drop Summer off at BYU yesterday for either 30 minutes, 45 minutes or 60 minutes.

Not sure which one it would be when I dropped her off.

So, it wasn't really enough time to ~~shop someplace fun~~ go to Cabela's to see the fish.

We ended up at Arctic Circle.

I chose the back booth by the playground.

Cole asked why and I told him that that was where my Dad always used to eat his lunch.

He asked why and I said that it was because you could see everything from that spot (the counter area, the dining room, the drive-thru) and Cole added: the playground!

He sat there for a minute and then he said, "Mom, it's so cool how when you used to work here you could just take your break and play on the playground. That would be so awesome!!"

yep, Cole, I totally did that.

Then he said, "Man, I hope when I grow up I marry someone who works at Arctic Circle so I can have her bring French Fries home for me to eat every single day!"

That's totally how it works, Cole.

I just had to laugh about the way his little mind works, but I will take it as a compliment...

He does believe that his own father married well...and he did.

I'm behind on my ROAK...and by behind, I mean that my mom is still feeding the masses without being asked (mostly) and I am doing all I can to keep ahead on the laundry at my house.

But, the weekend is coming up and I will be ROAK-ing all weekend long.

Watch out mom.

Update 38

2012-01-25T11:51:00.000-08:00

Update....

on the Chevron Quilt:

I love it. Summer loves it.

Here is a view of the back. Pink Floral & Grey Polka Dots.

I was just a few inches short of having enough polka dots for the whole thing, so I mixed it up a bit.

It was a pretty easy quilt to put together. It looks great on Summer's bed.

Once she cleans her room I will get some pictures of it.

That will be about the same times she graduates from high school and moves on to college.

The update on the Star quilt is...26 stars. only 54 to go.

But it will be awesome. I am just trying to do 5 stars a day.

Update on the ROAK's...

Mom called this morning. She had 2 cakes in the oven. Chicken in the crock. Salad in the fridge. I think she is trying to feed the entire neighborhood one meal at a time.

She is kicking my RAOK butt.

Yesterday was a killer for us on the errands and commitments.

For my ROAK for day 35: I let someone go in front of me every time I made a purchase yesterday. Even though I had Cole with me and he hates to shop more than Sierra does.

Bad News from my Mom

2012-01-23T19:57:00.000-08:00

She called today.
She had bad news.
It went like this...

"Kelli...you are not 38. I don't know if you know this...but you will be 42. Sorry to bring you that bad news. I remember when that happened to me one year."

OK, so here is the deal. I know I'm not 38. The reason I know I am not 38 is because everything fell apart when I was 39 and that has been about 3 years. I'm not super great at math but 39 plus 3 years is 42.

But...the girl whose idea I am copying is 38. And I figured it out 38 days before my birthday. I decided that was more than just coincidence. So, I figured that as long as I was copying someone else's idea of 38 Random Acts of Kindness, I might as well following it EXACTLY.

Here is the line up so far:
Day 38: made treats for someone that I normally wouldn't
Day 37: supposed to help Sister M. figure out how to read her scriptures on her Nook, but she was sick and didn't come to church so had to go with a backup plan and write a thank you note. (maybe I can ROAK her next Sunday).
Day 36: Made some taggies...one for Lillie and 2 to give away. I was going to make one for Lillie anyway, the 2 extras were the ROAK.

And when I cleared up the number thing with mom, she told me to chalk up a few RAOK for her:
she led the music in RS at the last minute, she is finding dinner for the multitude of sick and needy people in her neighborhood, and she is deciding to do some family history which she will begin immediately.

So, if you want to join in...please do some ROAK. one or many. maybe some will pay it forward. Leave a note for me to keep track. or just do a little anonymous ROAK. either one. it won't hurt.

Unbroken

2012-01-23T12:45:00.000-08:00

I haven't written lately about any of the books that I have been reading, so here goes...

This book was first recommended to me last summer by the RS pres in my ward.

They were reading it for the book club that she was in and she invited me to participate.

Unfortunately, the book club was in 5 days and I had a conflict that evening, so I skipped out on the fun.

Fast forward to a few months later.

I was looking on my ipad for a book to read.

Rick and I share a Kindle account.

I looked to see if there were any books that Rick had recently downloaded that I would be interest in.

I started reading this book before I even realized that it was about.

Typically this subject (WW2, war, fighting, POW) turns me off completely.

But, before I realized what I was getting myself into, it was too late--

I was hooked.

I read this book rather quickly. It moves quickly.

Her writing is very precise.

She includes just enough detail to paint a seemingly accurate picture without being too gory.

I think everyone should have to read this book.

So many lessons to learn.

Would I recommend this book? YES

Would I recommend this book to my 14 year old? maybe a little young, but by high school, YES.

5 1/2 stars

Project 38

2012-01-21T22:28:00.000-08:00

This idea is completely NOT original to me.

I saw this on Pinterest a few months ago and I pinned it.

Here are the details...

This girl wanted to celebrate her 38th birthday in a special way, by doing 38 random acts of kindness for each year of her life on her birthday.

She asked friends, family, facebook friends, etc. to join her throughout the day to perform Random Acts of Kindness and to let her know about them.

She planned out 38 things to do throughout the day, but also took advantage of opportunities to present themselves throughout the day.

Her husband, 3 daughters, husband and husband's parents joined her.

She took pictures throughout the day to document their Random Acts of Kindness.

(they returned stray grocery carts, loaded groceries into cars, dropped coins on the playground for chilren to find while playing, fed parking meters, paid for cars behind them on the toll bridge, walked up to a family eating at Chili's and gave them a gift card for their meal, gave donuts and thank you notes to policemen, took a bag of clothes to the homeless shelter, taped coins to vending machines, left quarters at a laundromat, delivered handwritten valentines to an assisted living facility, mailed a letter to an old friend, brought in neighbors garbage can, left a thank you note for mailman and more.

At least 38 people joined her on her birthday in Random Acts of Kindness.

How fun is that??

Well, that sounds overwhelming to do all in one day, especially since Rick works on my birthday this year...

But, since I, too, am turning 38 and it's exactly 38 days until my birthday,

I thought it would be fun (and easier) to do one thing each day for 38 days.

I started today.

I made a treat and took it to someone that I normally wouldn't have taken a treat to.

It was her birthday.

I didn't get a picture--darn. But I have proof that I made the treat!! (witnesses)

If you want to join in celebrating my birthday (which is on February 27 for the forgetful ones out there)

do a RAOK and let me know (here, facebook, email, or snail mail)

Your participation is optional, while my children's participation will be mandatory.

I will make a list of all of the RAOK's (is the 's grammatically correct? I think not)

Ready

Set

Go!!

My birthday, last year, with my vintage Pyrex that my girl's thrifted for me!

There may be one little, tiny fact in this post that is not entirely true but will not in any way hamper the effectiveness of this celebration. 38 days--GO!

Star Quilt

2012-01-21T21:43:00.000-08:00

the 2 pictures above are stacks of fabric that I will be using for my start quilt project.

Sierra chose the color scheme.

I had all of the fabric except 2 small pieces of orange and the creme colored background fabric which I picked up at CornWagon.

Here is a stack of the cream sitting by my sewing machine. waiting. just waiting.

And here is a stack of the cut colored pieces.

It takes 4 background pieces (above) and 5 colored pieces (below) to make 1 star.

Except that one you have the star components sewn, you leave it like this:

(you don't sew them together...until you have all 80 stars prepared)

Here is a little sample of how it comes together.

Because they "nest" you do not sew them together until you are all the way ready to sew the quilt top together.

I just had to lay them out and get an idea if I am really going to like this before I make 72 more of these.

So far, so good.

This is in no way meant to to give any instruction whatsoever.

Mostly just for mom & BK to see what I am talking about.

if you really want to see the tutorial go here oh, fransson (sparkle quilt)

one less thing to worry about...

2012-01-19T11:43:00.000-08:00

Well, the day has finally arrived...my kids can now say that they have an H family cousin.

This is what I was thinking about yesterday while I waited for the news to arrive (which it didn't until this morning):

I remember this topic when I was a kid: Carrying on the family name.

Background: My dad was the oldest child, followed by 4 girls and then one more boy. My dad's 4 sisters all had children before he did. So, there were lots of Grandchildren, but none to carry on the family name. So, when my dad became a parent it would have been cool to have a boy, right? to carry on the family name. Didn't happen. And then my some more girls were born and then my Uncle Dell had a child and it was a girl (hi, jessica). So, no family name...My sister was born...still no family name.
Then a few more boys joined the family, including my brother. Hallelujah. We got one kid to carry on the family name. And then a couple of boys were born to Uncle Dell. The Robison name will continue on. And my brother was born near the end of the grandkid line to bring number of Robison grandson count to 4. Out of 23 grandkids.
And now Lanny has single handedly taken it upon himself to keep the Robison grandson count at 4 for the next generation as well. Good job, bro.

What this means to me is that unbeknownst on April 8, 1995...the pressure would be heavy on me and Rick to help carry on the H family name. And, of course, child #1, Summer--a girl. Child #2, Sierra--another girl. It was starting to look like it might be the end of the H family name on this branch of the tree. Then...finally Cole joined the family and there was much celebration. The H would continue on. I did my part.
But, that was only half of the story. The red headedness needed to carry on, as well. While I was trying to contribute my part of the recessive red head gene to the next generation, I think Rick was secretly doing everything he could to NOT contribute to another generation of red heads. And, as you can see--no red heads in our little family. (for which Rick is enormously grateful)

So, when Jon and Teresa announced that they were expecting, that took a lot of guilt off my shoulders for not producing a little freckle-faced, red-headed grandson. Although, it looks like Cole is still the only little one to carry on the H family name so far...the prospect for a freckle-faced, red-headed granddaughter is looking really good. Maybe Jon and Teresa will get it right next time around, but for now we have a H grandson, and a red-head granddaughter. I'm not sure what to call Summer & Sierra (besides spoiled!)

Congrats, Jon & Teresa...Lily was born this morning weighing 8 lb. 15 ounces and is 22 inches long. I hope that red fuzz doesn't fall out and she really is red! (maybe she'll be athletic and coordinated so that she can carry on the athleticism in the family since Rick and I seemed to have not produced any world-class athletes in our procreating efforts)
pictures to come.

B & W

2012-01-18T14:26:00.000-08:00

This is a little quilt that I recently finished. It was a project that I was kinda doing with my mom.

She has one that is exactly the same, just a little bit bigger and a slightly different boarder.

Here is a close up of the quilting.

This quilt is a lap quilt size which means to me that it is perfect for watching TV (which I don't do much of) and snuggling on the chair with Cole in the mornings while we wait for him to go out to the bus.

Here is a view of what the back looks like. I just sewed a white strip down the middle of the quilt to break things up. Kinda unpredictable, like I tend to be sometimes.

I also did the entire binding on the sewing machine on this quilt so I could practice before I did it on something big.

It's not perfect, but I get better each time I do it.

I didn't like the way it looked at first, but after it's washed and dried and shrinks up a bit, it looks pretty good.

Plus, it saves so much time. Hand sewing the binding takes forever. at least for me.

I don't know that I will do machine binding every time, but at least now I know that it's an option.

And who is really looking at the binding on the backside anyway?

More to come...Summer's finished quilt and Sierra's beginnings of a quilt.

8 years ago and a Tender Mercy

2012-01-16T21:00:00.000-08:00

Last week marked 8 years ago since my dad died.

My sister wrote about it on her blog here Papa Kent

My brother wrote about it on facebook.

Cole and I went to the cemetery to take flowers (he kept referring to him as "Uncle Kent".

oh well. He'll get it one of these days.)

But, there's a story that I feel that I need to record about my dad and this is as good a time as any.

I did share this a few weeks ago at YW, but I wanted to make sure that I had it written down...

It's really kinda 2 stories that work their way together at the end.

Lots of years ago at Christmas time when Summer was a baby we were visiting Utah from Missouri.

Rick's family is small and so is mine, so even though it was a "H" family get-together, my mom, dad, and Bryan came as well. Rick's mom had put together a little program for Christmas Eve.

One of the things that she did was give us each a little slip of paper where we could write down a gift to give the Savior that we could work on throughout the year. After everyone had filled out their slip of paper, we gathered them all up and put them in a box and Rick's mom wrapped it all up.

The following year, the box was opened on Christmas Eve.

However, Sierra was a newborn and we were living in Michigan and couldn't afford to come to Utah for the holidays. So, Rick's mom took the little slips of paper that belonged to me, Rick, and my mom and dad, and Bryan and put them in an envelope and mailed them to us.

I laughed when I opened them and read them.

Bryan's said that his gift for the year was to help get his very recently returned missionary brother married (which did happen in August of that year).

I don't remember what Rick's or my mom's slip of paper said.

But, I kept my paper and my dad's paper.

I tucked them away in a box with sticky notes and stationary.

(Pause for Story #1, begin Story #2)

Last Summer/Fall, I was troubled by some things in my life.

I tried to talk it out on several occasions and with multiple people, but it didn't really seam to make a difference. And then I was called out by some of those people in that the very thing that I was having a problem with, was a characteristic that I wasn't necessarily exhibiting myself (sorry if that's complicated. because it is).

I was so confused.

So, (plug for Personal Progress) since I was working on Personal Progress for Young Women, I looked at one of the goals that I still needed to accomplish.

There seemed to be several that could help me, but Knowledge #4 stuck out to me:

Select a gospel principle you would like to understand better (for example, faith, repentance, charity, eternal families, or baptismal covenants).

Read scriptures and the words of latter-day prophets that relate to the principle.

The subject that I was researching was actually quite broad and it took me a long time to read enough about it that I thought it would do me any good...more like a 10 hour value project than just a value experience!!

I finally felt like I had come to terms with this thing that was troubling me and I was starting to get a grip on it when I was looking for some stationary to use for a Young Women's Lesson that I was preparing.

I had completely forgotten about those little slips of paper that I had tucked away so many years ago.

But, as I was looking through the box, this little slip of paper fell out:

It was like my dad was right there, giving me advice and telling me what to do.

If you know my dad, he was always a man of few words when in came to serious stuff.

Never one to preach.

But, this is exactly what I needed to hear to figure out a way to deal with the thing I was struggling with.

I just read that little slip of paper and cried.

Then I put it on my bulletin board by my desk where I look at it every day.

Right below it is a picture of my dad.

How could those 3 words + my dad's name written 12+ years ago be the answer to what I needed to hear.

I have to admit, that I do not think that I would have understood the message if I had not been working on Personal Progress and making an effort to learn more about certain principles.

Thank heavens for Personal Progress. And Tender Mercies.

Miss you, dad.

Dinner with Elaine (Neon Trees) & Sabastian

2012-01-09T09:48:00.000-08:00

So, Rick was working the other night...

and there was a (psych) patient in a room that was listening to Neon Trees.

One of the nurses said, "Oh, my friend is the drummer for the Neon Trees."

One of the rotating paramedic students said, "oh, my wife is the drummer for Neon Trees."

(I later found out that my friend, Jill is in the same ward as Elaine. Isn't it funny what a small world it is?)

Rick was impressed with this student already, so he later talked to him about his wife & her band.

Rick asked if he could meet them sometime for dinner and bring his family.

Sabastian said that his wife was just getting ready to record their second album and then go on tour so it would have to be soon.

He and Rick texted a few times and were able to set up a dinner date at one of their favorite eating establishments: TACO BELL.

We arrived at about the same time as they did and introduced ourselves.

We walked in and the kids are like, "what is this place?"

Elaine and Sabastian are laughing at our poor, sheltered, naive children that have never eaten at TACO BELL.

(little do they know that Rick survived on Taco Bell while in college, don't tell the kids)

So, Elaine orders as we are explaining the menu to the kids and then she turns to me and hands me these $5 gift cards:

They look like hot sauce packets, but if you look closely you will see that it really is a plastic card.

I was kinda embarrassed taking her gift cards to their favorite restaurant,

but she said that her bands gets them all the time and she's happy to share.

Elaine and Summer are talking about music.

(I was secretly taking pictures with my phone. hehehe)

First of all...this girl is SMART.

You can read more about her here:

LDS Living

and here:

mormon women project (not working right now, ugh)

ps. she is a return missionary, as are all members of the band.

She was so cute to talk to Summer and Sierra.

Her best advice was...

don't compromise your standards for those around you,

or in other words...surround yourself with others who share your same ideals or standards.

Her example was don't play music because to look cool, or to get chicks.

Play music for the sake of music.

Here is a video of their single that came out in December:

(kinda reminds me of the Killers)

Everybody Talks

a quilt top and a Cole-ism

2012-01-05T11:37:00.000-08:00

While we were in St. G last week, I worked on some projects. This is one of them.

It's just the quilt top, bit I love it so much I had to share.

I worked on some other projects, pictures to come later.

I made Rick take the pictures. Out on the front lawn. In January.

I was waiting for the bus to bring Cole home from K and it was all I could do to NOT get out the lawn mower and mow the grass/leaves.

It's kinda weird. I might go out and plant the tulip bulbs that I didn't get planted last fall.

More pictures of me.

And my hair that I had done yesterday.

I wonder if the neighbors would think I was more crazy for

*standing on the front lawn, posing for Rick in my quilt top

*mowing the front lawn??

I'm off...

to plant tulips, quilt, and a special dinner (pictures of THAT to come also)

Cole-ism:

We were at music class yesterday.

The kids had a pass-off. The name of the song:

Seasons

Miss Laura, the teacher, is so darn adorable.

She asked the kids if they knew what season it is right now.

Cole's hand immediately shot up: "Spring"

Miss Laura: "Well it feels like spring but do you have another guess?"

Cole: "Christmas is over and there is no snow. That means Spring."

Bless her heart, Miss Laura knows not to argue with that logic.

Spring it is.

Taking a Break

2011-12-31T09:09:00.000-08:00

We have officially had the driest December in Utah History.

And since there was NO snow.

And since it is the last day of the year.

what better way to celebrate 60* in December than to go to Zion's for a little fresh air.

I haven't been in Zion's since I was in high school, but I have decided that the best time to go to any National Park is in the "off-season".

There was nobody there.

And we could drive through the park and not have to ride the shuttle.

But, the hike we tried to do was closed because of ice.

So, we only did about 1/4 of the intended hike.

oh well.

But it was good for the body and good for the mind.

Here was our laugh of the day...

"Ethan, what the flip is wrong with you?"

(quoted by Ethan's sister, as Ethan was forcing his sister right off the trail as he gazed as the beauty around him.)

Another observation. or two.

(Spoiler alert)

Christmas...it also didn't help the level of success of Santa when one week before Christmas we were wrapping gifts and Cole walked right into the storage room where all of his santa gifts were hidden in plain sight. Soooo, we had to rearrange what gifts everyone was giving each other so Cole wouldn't discover that his Santa gifts were sitting in the basement a week before Christmas.

And Summer pointed out that because we have done home school for the past 2 Decembers, those 2 Christmas's were much more Christmassy.

We didn't have to devote so much time to things that didn't matter.

We could spend more time together and do more family things and devote more time to the Spirit of Christmas. I won't try to promote the homeschooling thing or even try to convince anyone, but for us it really did make a difference in our Spirit of Christmas for the last 2 years. And we really noticed it this year.

H Family Party

2011-12-28T11:15:00.000-08:00

Cole played his Christmas song

Summer accompanied Sierra on the violin. they would have played all night if we woulda let 'em.

easy to please

that a good look, Kelli

I need to figure out how to get that date off the camera again. Maybe Cole can teach me.

I also need to learn how to take pictures. Maybe Summer could help me.

Family Par-Tay

2011-12-28T11:04:00.000-08:00

Nanners with the Grandkids

We had so much fun at Thanksgiving Point last year that we thought we should do it again.

It kind of didn't live up. Guess we'll move on to Plan B for next year.

Nanners with the kids
Minute to Win It Games:

Lanny and Jason were the cotton ball counters.

This was the frisbee throw. Cole is planning his strategy against the girls.

Notice how Bryan showed up this year. It was easy since he's living at Mom's house.

I think I will get Cole a stack of cups for Christmas next year.

(remember...low expectations...)

Cole, Fisher, Lance

The Highlights and the low lights...

2011-12-28T10:37:00.000-08:00

We did pull it together after the Christmas Tree FHE Fiasco a few weeks ago.

This particular FHE involved sticks, glue, markers, and glitter so most of the family was happy.

the glue gun injury on my finger will heal soon enough, I suppose.

Just like the real thing...

Every single one is different.

It was fine, until Cole started using his flake to pick his nose.

The kids did admit that it was a Christmas Fail this year.

We were too busy. too preoccupied with stuff. too much time in the car.

I personally checked out back in October sometime and didn't return to the show until about 12/15.

The girls admitted it too...we didn't go to Temple Square, or make gingerbread houses or watch all of ABC Family 25 Days of Christmas movies.

I did all of my shopping online. I didn't step foot in the malls. I missed out on that aspect of holidays. Except that week that I went to Walmart 3 days in a row which doesn't do a thing for the Christmas spirit. It mostly just makes me want to eat en entire batch of chocolate covered pretzels.

Which I did. Each time I went to Walmart.

Rick worked a TON in December, especially on the weekends.

Cole had a Polar Express Activity for his last day of school.

The kids had to get their pass punched 5 times during the month of December so that they could board the Polar Express. We tried to talk to Cole to explain how it was going to work. But to no avail.

He had it set in his mind what the Polar Express was and let me just say...it did not live up.

The kids got to line up their chairs in the hall and watch the movie.

Then Santa made an appearance with bells and all.

Cole could not have been more expressionless for the entire event.

The kids went back into the classroom and I was able to get a quick picture with the big guy.

My plan was to use it to bribe Cole into thinking that I had a tight relationship with S. Claus.

This is all he had to say about it...

It was a totally fake real Santa.

And even though it looks like there is snow on the ground and it was a white Christmas...

Not. That is all an optical allusion. The only real snow that was have had this year was back in October when the grass was green and the leaves were still on the trees. I'm not entirely complaining about that, it's just weird.

And we didn't make time to drive around and see the lights--an activity that I love each year and remember way back when the Christmas Light Highlights was to drive up above the Temple and see the lights, especially the well-lit Osmond Lane.

So, on Christmas Eve we finally made time to drive to Spanish Fork and see the jam packed Christmas display for $5.

Which did not leave us any time for making cookies for Santa. He got cupcakes instead.

So, it wasn't a huge fail, just lots of minor fails.

The good thing is that by recording this, we will see what we can do to make next year better.

First, off...no real estate deals around the holiday.

Second, say no to all of the activities and lessons.

Third, it is not necessary to make homemade caramels every day for 2 weeks.

I still can't wear my favorite pants.

And last, expect way less. If your expectations are low, you will not be disappointed.

I was told on more than one occasion this year that I care too much.

So, for next year I will try very hard to set my expectations very, very low.

And not just for the holidays, but for the whole year.

The R family joke that "I just want to serve..." yeah, that's going right out the window.

Merry Christmas everyone.

The Kooks

2011-12-22T09:09:00.000-08:00

The Kooks are a band that Rick started listening to a while back. He takes pride in his skills to find unknown artists, then listen to them and become familiar with them before the rest of the world even knows who they are.
So, the Kooks were doing a US tour in some smaller venues and they made a stop in Salt Lake. I heard about it and thought that Rick might like to hear them. However, Rick had to work on the evening of November 30 and it wasn't worth the bother of a schedule change.
On November 29, I picked up Summer from school and as we were driving home, they had a contest on the radio to give away tickets to see the Kooks in the Endzone (a live, semi-personal show that the radio station does earlier in the day of some of the local concerts). Summer grabbed her phone and started dialing as she asked me if she could enter. I just rolled my eyes and said, "whatever". And it started to ring. And then the DJ answered and Summer said, "Hi, I'm just calling about tickets to see the Kooks." She won!!
So, she called Rick to tell him that she won tickets. He said, "Too bad I have to work." And she said, "It's OK, we can still go. I won tickets to the Endzone earlier in the day!" So, Rick and Summer went to see the Kooks and eat free pizza with the 101.9 The End people.
Summer said that it was fun and she liked the music. But, they had a strong British accent and she could only understand half of what they said. She walked around the house for a week repeating some of the phrases and then laughing out loud.
One song that you MIGHT be familiar with is Junk of the Heart (Happy). Google it.
AND, if I were that gambling type of person, I would totally take Summer to Vegas with me. The kid has the magic touch.

So Worth $1

2011-12-21T18:50:00.000-08:00

Initially, I didn't think this was one of my better mom decisions, but you gotta do what you gotta do sometimes.

I was at Walmart. I had the twins.

And I was grocery shopping.

And YW shopping. (Trying to use the last of our budget by the end of the year.)

After 2 long hours (or at least what felt like 2 long hours of shopping, I stumbled across a bin of $1 items for stocking stuffers.

This is exactly the kind of stuff that I needed for YW.

So Summer and I started digging through the bins of ~~crap~~ really cool stuff.

It was taking a while.

Cole got impatient. He started searching with us.

He pulled out this Pepsi version of chapstick.

He asked if the Young Women needed a Pepsi. I said, "probably not."

So He started begging for the (chapstick) Pepsi.

For $1, I said Yes without even hesitating, but then immediately regretted it.

But at that point it wasn't worth (another) meltdown in Walmart.

He played with it, talked to it, and grinned for a good 15 minutes until we got to the car.

He said, "Can I finally try my Pepsi?"

"Yes"

"This is gross."

"What is gross?"

"Pepsi"

I turned around and there he sat with a mouth full of Pepsi chapstick.

He had taken a bite out of the Pepsi chapstick.

I said, "See, I told you Pepsi was gross."

The Pepsi chapstick has been sitting on the kitchen counter all week.

Every time I see it, I can picture the look on Cole's face with a mouthful of Pepsi chapstick--so worth $1.

Does it have sugar in it, then YES!

2011-12-18T21:26:00.000-08:00

I bought the stuff to make the licorice caramels last year, but I never got around to making them. So, this year, about a week after Halloween, I decided that I COULD NOT live another day without licorice caramels. Here is the recipe and the beginning of a bad, bad breakfast habit...

Licorice Caramels (from Red Couch Recipes blog)

1 can of sweetened condensed milk
2 cups sugar
1 1/2 cups light corn syrup
1 cup butter
1 t. salt
1 t. anise oil
1 t. black food coloring

Place sweeteened condensed milk, sugar, corn syrup, butter, and salt in heavy-bottomed sauce pan. Cook and stir on medium until firm ball stage (245-250). Take off heat and add anise oil and food coloring. Pour into prepared buttered glass baking dish (9x13). Let cool and cut or break into pieces and wrap in cellophane wrappers.

(As side note...every time I hear the word CELLOPHANE, I think of my dad. Because he is the only person in the world that I ever heard use that word on a daily basis.)

So, then Rick had to take a treat to his Home Teaching families and we thought it would be a great idea to make caramels. It was a good idea, because I had 4 cans of sweetened condensed milk that were close to their expiration date, as well as some very hard brown sugar.

Here is the recipe for
Home Made Caramel (from the Giver's Log blog)
1 cup butter, unsalted
1 cup light corn syrup
1 can sweetened condensed milk (or 2 cups half and half or light cream)
2 1/4 cup brown sugar
1 t. vanilla

Here are her instructions and tips...
Line pan with parchment paper.
Cut butter into smaller pieces, even sized cubes for even melting. Melt over low in sauce pan.
Carefully add sugar by pouring in into the center of the pan. If any sugar crystals stick to side of pan, push them down with a damp pastry brush so they do not crystallize the entire batch and make you want to cry.
Add and mix in corn syrup and sweetened condensed milk.
Cook and stir on medium for one minute, then medium high until boiling. Make sure the butter is fully blended into the caramel mixture. Reduce heat to medium and keep a steady boil. Stir frequently.
Temperature does not raise at a steady rate, so watch thermometer closely.
When caramel reaches thread stage (230 to 233) take out any caramel that you would like to use as dip.
When temperature reaches late soft ball stage (234-240) dip a few apples.
When thermometer reaches 244, remove caramel from heat (low firm ball stage).
Stir in vanilla.
Pour into prepared pan.
Allow to cool for several hours.

My own notes:
Use some (brand new) sandpaper and rough up the apple peels to dip caramel apples. It will help the caramel from slipping off the apple.
Plan on 30 minutes to make the caramel and 3 hours to wrap it.

We made a second batch of the caramels for FHE (which went much better than the previous week FHE). We dipped some apples and then wrapped the rest.
And then we found some pecans.
So, made another batch with pecans.
Then a few days later I saw this in the newspaper:

Old Fashioned Caramels (Daily Herald, last week sometime)
2 c. sugar
1 1/2 corn syrup
1 c. butter
2 cups cream, divided
1/2 c. cocoa
2 t. vanilla
1 c. chopped nuts

Butter pan and set aside.
Boil sugar, corn syrup, butter, 1 cup cream, and 1/2 c. cocoa until mixture comes to a complete rolling boil that can't be stirred down. Continue boiling, slowly add the second cup of cream while continuing to stir and allowing the mixture to keep boiling. Stir and cook until the mixture reaches hard ball stage (250). Remove from heat. Stir in vanilla and nuts and pour into the prepared pan to cool.

So, I have officially made one recipe of caramels every day now for 8 days in a row.
Rick told me that it HAS TO END. He has eaten caramel with every meal for a week. Sometimes it IS his meal. I am happy to say that I have used up all of the sweetened condensed milk (and then some), all of the hard brown sugar, and all of the corn syrup--which I think is pure evil--from the food storage.
The candy thermometer temperatures were adjusted for the altitude here in Mapleton, UT (4700).
If you are making candy at sea level (like Hawaii) or at the top of Maple Mountain (10,000) then you might need to make some adjustments. I'm sure there's an app for that.

O Christmas Tree

2011-12-13T08:51:00.000-08:00

There may have been a story floating about regarding last week's FHE and the putting up of the Christmas decorations. I just wanted to clear up the rumors and set the story straight...

Last week Rick thought it would be a really fun idea to put up the Christmas decorations for FHE and it went like this: (short version)

Rick hauls the ginormous tree in from the garage, scratching the tile floor, happy it wasn't the wood floor.

Girls are fighting over who can sing the loudest, and which Christmas CD we ~~have~~ get to listen to.

Rick puts the 12 foot tree together.

Rick takes the tree apart to put it together in the correct order (it comes in about 50 pieces).

Rick plugs in the lights for the tree. only 1/2 the tree lights up.

(there may have been some swear words)

Girls are still fighting.

Cole wants to help.

Cole dumps out the nativity.

Wiseman lands on his head.

Rick is still working on the lights on the tree.

Rick exclaims loudly that he is "done with this tree."

Rick hauls tree out to front porch.

Kelli offers 12 ft. partially pre-lit tree on freecycle.

5 minutes later someone claims the tree.

The girls are still fighting and get sent to their rooms.

Cole is crying because he can't help decorate the tree.

Rick decides to leave for work early and jumps in his car and heads down the street.

Rick returns 15 seconds later with a flat tire.

Kids exclaim that they are hungry.

Kids eat Chex Muddy Buddies for dinner. and for breakfast the next morning.

Summary: Hugely effective FHE. One we will not soon forget.

But, just to clear the record...we do have a smaller tree:

I decorated it all by myself the next morning when the kids went to school as I finished off the last of the Muddy Buddies.

When they came home from school they all exclaimed:

"Why didn't you let us decorate the tree?"

"Why did you use those ugly colors?"

hum, maybe next year.

And as I was taking these pictures, Summer told me that I probably should learn how to take photos.

She said that I'm so bad, that it will probably require taking a class. Nice.

And we won't be eating dinner for a couple of weeks because our kitchen table is in the entry way where tree is supposed to be. But, it's OK.

Rick splurged on this train when we were living in Michigan. I don't even remember if we had a tree, but we sure did have a train.

We put it around our tree when we lived in Mississippi.

We tried to put it up a few years ago, but Cole would NOT leave the train alone.

So, it has been on the top shelf down in the basement for a few years.

We got it out this year and put it with the Department 56 Village that Rick likes to put together.

We gor the first 2 pieces when we lived in Michigan.

There is a "Christmas Village" north of Flint called Frankenmuth.

I remember driving up there once when Sierra was 2 weeks old.

It's a little German town, but one of the big attraction is Bronner's. It's about the size of Costco, but it is completely Christmas. It's full of trees, ornaments, wreaths, and decorations of all types and sizes. And it was then and there that Rick decided he wanted to collect the Department 56 Village pieces. There are a few different types of villages and he specifically likes the Snow Village.

It was there that we picked up the house on the left and the house under construction on the right/rear.

This year, in an effort to console himself on the loss of the 12 foot tree, Rick purchased "Friendly Car Sales" (the one with the red roof) and Dinah's Drive In (the one with the hamburger on the roof).

Rick has also collected a few pieces of Department 56 Halloween village but we have not displayed those for a while for the same reason...Cole.

On Saturday morning when Cole got up, he asked me what we were going to do.

I said "Nothing" because that it usually what we do all day on a Saturday, right?

He said, "Good because I just want to sit here and watch the train."

I said, "all day?"

He said, "all day."

Here is the nativity with the wiseman missing his head.

This is our version of "Elf on the Shelf"

We made these a couple of years ago.

They are supposed to help Santa by checking on good behavior at our house.

I hope they weren't watching too closely during FHE last week.

Mistletoe

2011-12-11T19:54:00.000-08:00

Cole was helping me make caramels the other day. He begged and begged for me to let him eat that chunk of butter. Seriously. I had to convince him that it would taste so much better when it was mixed with sugar, more sugar, and vanilla.

Here is a Cole story from this past week:

Cole: "mom, were you embarassed?"

Me: "when?"

Cole: "you know, when you got married....you know...when you had to kiss dad?"

Me: "no"

Cole: "how embarrassing mom, I just don't know if I can do it, you know, kiss someone in front of ALL THOSE PEOPLE!!"

I told him not to worry, it's not the biggest part of getting married in the temple. So, a temple wedding is looking really good to Cole right now.

Then, Cole asked me yesterday if we could go to the store. I asked him why and he said that he needed to buy some mistletoe to take to school.

WHAT?

I said, "I thought you were too embarrassed to kiss anyone."

He quickly said, "it's not for me."

YW in Excellence

2011-12-03T18:19:00.000-08:00

Our theme for the Evening was "Patterning our Lives after Personal Progress"

Our YW President gave a cut talk about using the different sewing tools and comparing them to our lives.

For example, we can follow a pattern=scriptures.

or a seam ripper=repentance.

I talked about tools such as technology and the online Personal Progress Program (which is kinda my "thing" lately).

I also told about how I have been doing Personal Progress myself and included a story about my dad. (of course, right?)

here are some pictures...

This table was just outside the door and had the programs as well as the bags of mints that are inside the box. The mints were in the shapes of thread, scissors, etc.

For 2 of the activities prior to this evening, we made aprons.

We didn't let the girls take them home.

I kept them to use for decorations for the evening and then let the girls take them home that night.

I was in charge of the decorations (that's your quilt, BK)

I only spent $5 on decorations. Everything else came from my stash of trash.

Except the vintage sewing machine which was Sadie's.

Another view of the back of the room.

Making room for the cupcakes on the table...

These girls sang a song for the program. (Summer in the red skirt)

The sewing machine and cupcakes...

*This idea was not at all original to us. BK gave me the original idea. We decided to use it. We scoured the internet and used lots of different ideas. My cute friend Lisa printed up invitations that looked exactly like a pattern envelope. This is just a glimpse of how we pulled the ideas together.

Christmas Countdown

2011-12-03T08:47:00.000-08:00

This is my latest Pinterest project...

and a story to go along with it.

I saw this on Pinterest and I figured it was a reasonable project that would cost NO $$.

I whipped it up using a bunch of scrap scrapbook paper. And some cotton balls.

Each evening we cut off a strip.

And before you know it, Santa's beard is gone and it's Christmas.

Now, for the story...

I was using Rick's camera to photograph my cute little Santa.

I took off the lens cap and put the camera up to my face to look through the window, and...

BAM

Camera strap right. in. my. eye.

With a blurry eye, I quickly snapped a picture and then ran upstairs.

My eye was killing me. Red. Splotchy. And burning....just like when I got a stick in my eye.

I called Rick to see which of the eye drops I should use to make the BURN go away.

He asked me what happened.

Then he said, "Kelli, WHAT IS YOUR PROBLEM?

When you poked your eye out last time,

I told you to wear protective eye gear when you do dangerous stuff.

Now, I'm saying--just wear protective eye gear always!!"

Obviously my reaction times are slow.

At least he'll know what to get me for Christmas.

(AND, it looks like Santa needs bigger eyes. Maybe I will fix that. And outfit him with some protective eye gear.)

Happy 6 to Cole

2011-11-28T10:54:00.000-08:00

2 weeks old, Flowood, MS

Winter Quarters, Nebraska

Cole & BK, July 4

Yellowstone

San Diego Zoo

San Diego

Destin, FL

Destin. Cole got mad and threw a tantrum. He laid his head down and sobbed. Then he fell asleep.

Skyline Drive

Scofield

Hawaii

Disney World, 11/2010

First day of Kindergarten

Happy Birthday Nan!!

2011-11-12T10:05:00.000-08:00

Fairview

Jackson, MS 2004

Vicksburg, MS 2/2005

Nan and Halle, Jackson MS 2/2005

Nan, Summer, Kelli (and Cole) August 2005

Nan and BK 8/2007

Nan & Summer 10/2008

Maui 2009

Summer & Nan, flight to the Big Island

Nan at the beach. Big Island. 1/2011

Happy Veteran's Day

2011-11-11T14:59:00.000-08:00

1/11/2004

I'm a hermit

2011-11-10T15:32:00.000-08:00

We ventured out to the big city (that would be PROVO) on Saturday. We saw a movie...Puss in Boots. It was good. Good enough. Good enough that I almost didn't fall asleep. Ran some errands. got some gas. Then we ended up at Sam's Club. We needed milk. And vegetables. And samples. Oh, the people. People everywhere. Traffic everywhere. I came home. Took some ibuprofen. And checked my Amazon Prime Account. I discovered that my account was to expire that very day. So, I renewed my Amazon Prime Membership and vowed to never leave the house again until some time in January. Maybe February if the weather is bad.
I'm serious about the Amazon Prime thing.

Here is the Scoop...it costs like $79 ish.

I do all of my shopping on Amazon. Mostly. In the past year I have bought such things as books, emergency kit thermal sleeping bags, flax seed, zone bars, 1 gallon of Elmer's glue for $7.00, bakers twine, and the list goes on.

If I purchase something that is "Prime" then I get free 2-day shipping with most products and no minimum purchase.

Every time I go to make a purchase, I always "Price Check" against Amazon. 9 times out 10, Amazon is the better deal.

And I can preorder new releases and they will arrive on my door step the very day that they come out. And they will charge the lowest price available from the time I preorder until the time it ships. I got a .01 credit for the last book I preordered because the price dropped a penny from when I placed my order. So totally worth it.

Rick bought my Christmas present last year from Amazon. (Camera). The lens cover wasn't opening very well and with time, it kept getting worse. I went to the amazon page, printed a copy of my receipt, a copy of the warranty, and a shipping label. I took my camera to the Post Office and a couple of weeks later my camera came back. All fixed and good as new. All I had to pay was the $9 postage.

I'm pretty sure that I got my money's worth in the past 12 months for the Amazon Prime membership. Although I'm sure some people purchase way more than I did and really take advantage of that 2-day shipping. You can sign up for automatic shipments (diaper delivery) and all sorts of fun stuff.

So, if you are not sure about doing the amazon thing, ask me. I'll convince you. Or you can try it for 30 days for free. Just don't forget to cancel, that's how they get ya!

And if you do shop on Amazon, could you do me a favor and click through from the Mapleton Elementary School Website. The PTA will get 4 to 7 % of all of the sales that click through from their page. Awesome. Thanks.

Here is the link to the Mapleton Elementary PTA. Then just look for the Amazon arrow...

At least I'm not begging you all to buy stupid wrapping paper, right?

So, no Black Friday shopping for me. I will be in my PJ's. Eating pumpkin pie leftovers. Or whatever. But, I will not be at a mall. or Walmart. or anywhere crazy. thanks amazon.

staples and a competition

2011-11-04T08:00:00.000-07:00

Cole loves his tools.

Last week he found my little multitool pocket knife thing that I took to girls camp.

I let him poke holes in my big black x-ray machine costume all afternoon.

Rick was at work and I texted him that we would probably be visiting him something during his shift because I was letting Cole play with a pocketknife.

It turned out OK. No blood at all.

Another "tool" that Cole loves is this:

He stapled together all of my note cards, scrap paper, grocery lists, bills, book covers, newspaper ads, and any other paper item he could find in the house.

He gave Rick and I our own stack of stapled notecards and told us they were books for us to draw pictures in.

In other news...

We are in the thick of the "box tops" war at school.

Cole's teacher won last year for having his class collect the most box tops.

Nothing like healthy competition because Cole has caught the fever and thinks that every meal should include something that came from a box with a "box top".

So, if you have any of these guys sitting on your shelves,

Send them to Cole!!

Halloween 2011

2011-11-01T09:34:00.000-07:00

This is Summer LAST week dressed as Taylor Swift.

I must confess we got that skirt at DI about 5 months ago.

It was $6. Which I thought was too much considering the fact that it was too "big" and too "glittery" to actually wear in public.

But it did make for a nice costume. She only had to wear her hair in curlers for 48 hours to get the look.

This was Halloween evening.

Sadie and I dressed up as 1950's housewives.

I asked Summer to take pictures of everyone and everything since Sadie and I were busy making homemade donuts for the neighborhood.

Awesome.

Summer took 3 photos.

Didn't even get one of her siblings. or the homemade donuts.

I might have to dress them up in their costumes and make-up tonight so that somewhere down the road a few years when the kids want to look back on pictures of 2011, they will actually believe me that I let them dress up and beg the neighbors for candy.

Rick participated in the festivities by ~~dressing up~~ adjusting the temperature of the hot chocolate.

And speaking of temperature, we couldn't have asked for better weather.

When the evening started, we should have been serving ice water instead of hot chocolate.

But, as the evening wore on, more and more ghosts, goblins, witches, etc. appreciated a nice, warm cup of hot chocolate.

Here is a picture of the flyer that we passed out to the neighbors...

Apparently not everyone gets my sense of humor.

I really confused a lot of people with the "costume check".

So much so, that most of them didn't even keep reading to the funny parts.

oh well.

This morning I was getting Cole some breakfast.

(Cereal, which is really just code for a bowl of sugar, but we were running late since we were up all night eating...sugar)

Cole asked me to wait before I poured the milk on his ~~sugar~~ cereal.

I asked why, and he said that he needed to finish his chocolate bar and he didn't want the cereal to get soggy.

His poor Kindergarten teacher...

Time to take down the decorations and move on to ~~Christmas~~ Thanksgiving.

Happy Halloween 2011

2011-10-31T13:58:00.000-07:00

I can't find my keys...

I must have mistaken them for a kit kat.

tomato...jam

2011-10-30T21:40:00.000-07:00

It's time for a change...
Brandi was not impressed with my Pressure Cooking adventures and Summer said she is sick of looking at my blog and having jars of chicken looking back at her.
So, I will tell you about my latest kitchen adventure:

It kills me to wait all winter, spring, and summer long to get those yummy ripe tomatoes.

Oh how I love a fresh garden tomato.

I can make an entire meal of tomatoes for days and days.

So, when the threat of frost and winter sets in, it makes me sad to see all of those poor green tomatoes.

So, I heard of making jam out of green tomatoes.

Sign me up!!

I just googled "green tomato jam recipe" and I had dozens of choices.

This is what I did...

Made 4 cups of green tomato puree by throwing the prettiest green tomatoes in the blender.

Added 4 cups of blackberries and raspberries that were lurking in the freezer.

Add 4 cups of sugar.

Boil 10 minutes.

Add a 3 oz box of Jell-O.

And 1 tsp. lemon juice.

I had blackberry fusion on hand. Not sure why, but it was a great combination.

Simmered for 20 minutes.

Put in small jars and put it in the freezer.

It was so darn yummy that I ran downstairs and found a box of berry blue Jell-O.

And I had plenty more green tomatoes.

And I threw in the last few raspberries and found about 2 cups of blueberries.

The second batch ended up much thicker than the first , not sure why.

So, by the end of the day I had used up all of the random berries lurking in the freezer,

used the end of the tomato crop,

and barely made a dent in my food storage sugar supply.

There were tons of recipes on the internet.

Some were freezer jam. Some you could process and leave on the shelf.

Lots of options.

I totally recommend this cheaper version of berry jam.

And, if the tiny nut in the raspberries or blackberries bother you,

You can make this entirely with the tomatoes and the Jell-O.

If the tomato seeds bother you, you can strain them out.

But, if you leave them in, they just seem like seeds from the berries.

It's like camouflage.

PS. I went to a class last week sponsored by the "other" stake.

Topic: Pressure Cooking. (not canning like I did, cooking, as in, cooking dinner. every night. in the pressure cooker. fast.)

Between the crock pot and the pressure cooker, I don't know why I even have an oven.

Oh yeah. to bake bread so I can eat my yummy freezer jam.

pressure canning

2011-10-19T08:02:00.000-07:00

For the past year or more I have been contemplating the purchase of a pressure canner.

I have mostly gotten the hang of canning things in a water bath.

But, I realized how much more I could grow and can if I could pressure cook.

So, after much price comparison shopping and reading reviews,

I purchased the silver pressure canner pictured below on the left.

I was quite intimidated by its massiveness and its buttons, knobs, and gauges.

But, it came upon conversation a few weeks ago with a friend of mind that we needed to learn how to use a pressure cooker.

And, wouldn't you know it...chicken was on sale for $1.39/pound at Ream's with the purchase of 40 pounds.

Perfect.

I'll spare you the disgusting details but this is what it looks like when you get the chicken into the bottles and ready to can.

Still quite intimidated by the knobs, buttons, and gauges, my friend and I called the neighbor across the street to come walk us through the process.

I was afraid I would do something wrong and blow something up and end up in an ambulance on the way to the hospital like Cliff Bingham who lived next door to me growing up.

They were pressure cooking beans, as I recall. And I have been freaked out by the thought of pressure cooking ever since.

Here is the chicken just after coming out of the pressure canner 90 minutes later.

The quart bottles were on the bottom and you can see the white film on them from all of the minerals and whatnot that is in our water.

All but one of the bottles sealed.

It looks quite gross and my house smelled like chicken for a day or two.

But, it felt like a great accomplishment to can my own chicken.

So much so that I decided to make chili a few days later.

I was at Sam's Club and I found a big package of extra lean ground beef that was marked down for quick sale.

I used that along with the 3 bottles of canned tomatoes that were in my fridge.

I had canned tomatoes a few weeks ago and I had 3 bottles that didn't seal, so I used those.

I also used the peppers from my garden.

And chili powder from the pantry.

I thought that turned out to be a pretty cheap project for food storage.

All of the bottles that I canned did seal. That was good.

I had one bottle worth that I didn't can, I just added more tomatoes and a can of beans from my food storage. The kids thought it was the best chili they had ever tasted.

It turned out to be more like a chili concentrate where you add more cans of whatever you have to make a meal. So, even thought it was only 8 pints.

I'm sure we could count it as at least 8 meals depending on who is eating and how much we add to it.

And then...

we had some potatoes that needed to be used that had come with our vegetable co-op thingy.

I had the carrots, celery, onions, and stew meat on hand, as well, and the next thing you know...we have lots and lots and lots of vegetable beef stew on the storage room shelves.

I'm pretty happy about that because these are things that Cole will eat and he is definitely the picky eater at this house.

I was worried that my investment in a pressure canner might have been pretty steep.

But, I can see now how easy (relatively speaking) it is to use a pressure canner.

And I love to grow things in my garden all summer and see them lined up on my shelves all winter long.

As this growing season is winding down (and I failed miserably as a gardener this year), I find myself already planning all of the things I want to grow...and can...for next year.

Done!! Again!!

2011-10-17T14:29:00.000-07:00

I thought I was done with all of these vintage photos, but then I realized that I didn't include any of my Grandma Ethel or her Mother, Esther May Smith...

so here you go.

Esther May Smith Norton

This photo hung in my Grandma Ethel's bedroom for as long as I can remember.

I'm not sure when any of these photos were taken.

That is the next project.

All together I scanned 140 photos.

Done!!!

2011-10-17T12:43:00.000-07:00

I saved the best for last...
I think I spent about 12 to 14 hours scanning photos the last week.
These turned out so cute.
I can't tell if Sierra looks more like my mom or if Halle looks more like my mom.
I'll do a comparison one of these days.

Another one...

2011-10-14T11:49:00.000-07:00

Nan is definitely the one on the left.

Showing off her legs.

or her tights.

Cole just asked me why all of these pictures are "WHITE".

some questions for mom

2011-10-13T16:57:00.000-07:00

I've been scanning again.

My fingers hurt from typing and pushing the scanner buttons.

Serious.

My kids are in the kitchen emptying the dishwasher and making dinner.

It could be interesting...

Mom, is this you?

Maybe you didn't want your picture taken?

More to come.

I'm saving the best for last.

Surprise!!

2011-10-12T18:12:00.000-07:00

surprise MOM.

I have been scanning pictures this week.

Look how cute you are. were.

This is the ONLY picture I have of anything Dalton. at all.

Raymond, Sylva, Morgon Leon, & Dolores

And I will need help with this one...

I assume it was taken in Parawon.

I can make a guess on 2 of them, maybe 3.

I will certainly need the help of you and Dolores one of these days.

I'm about half way done scanning photos.

I may have to stop soon and cook. and do laundry. and shower.

But, I am on a roll......

Dr. Hooker Retirement Dinner at Sundance

2011-10-09T10:18:00.000-07:00

Whenever they have group dinners or anything for Rick's work, he usually lucks out and is working.

We've missed out on things like Carrabas and Chef's Table.

But, not this time BABY. Dinner at Sundance.

This was a wedding reception that was happening.

Rick told me not to take pictures of the reception because the girls might see them and get their hearts set on something that he isn't willing to "pick up some extra shifts for".

I just wanted to pretend that we were guests of Art & Rebecca so we could see how the other half lives.

But, our event was across the water in the Redford Room...

So, this dinner was a retirement party for Keith Hooker. This was as close as I got to a picture of Dr. Hooker. The funny thing about it is that I still don't view Dr. Hooker as one of Rick's partners.

Dr. Hooker started in Provo in 1972. He pretty much started the entire program there.

He took care of almost any kid in the Valley at one time or another when I was growing up.

He had daughters that we close in age to me.

They went to a different school, but they danced and I danced. I knew who they were.

So, it's just weird to me still that Rick and Keith are partners.

The dessert bar. Not a great picture. But, I love how they just threw out some boards and some big flat rocks from the River just out the door and plopped some cheesecake on them. Looks great. Tasted better.

Here are Cameron and Kim. Cam and Rick went to school together in Kirksville. They went to MI to do rotations when we did and we were next door neighbors.

I couldn't decide which pictures to use.

Cameron kept trying to pose crazy and the poor Sundance lady didn't know how to react.

Brandi helped me pick the outfit.

Good times. Good food. I gained 2 pounds.

Beautiful fall day in October

2011-10-08T14:18:00.000-07:00

I took this picture on Tuesday.

I didn't get a great shot.

The girls said to wait for a week or so and the leaves and colors would be much prettier..

This was Thursday.

At 3 in the afternoon, after the snow had all day to melt and this is what is still left...

It's kinda weird to see the snowy picture with all of the leaves still on the trees.

We may have lost a branch on the apricot tree in the back yard. darn. (sarcastic)

The branches on the right side (above) that are pointing down in front of the garage window...

well, they are supposed to grow straight up. But the weight of the snow made them bend down.

We may have lost a few branches from that tree as well. Darn. (serious)

Cole made a giant snow ball in the back yard.

Then on Friday he went outside and made snowballs.

Finnish Pulla

2011-10-07T11:39:00.000-07:00

We had a combined YM/YW Activity a couple of weeks ago.

Summer signed (me) up to make something from another country.

She chose Pulla.

When Cole saw this pan of braided bread, he said, "Mom, WHAT is that?"

I said, "braided bread."

He said, "Wow mom. That looks terrible. I thought you knew how to braid."

The YM men at the Church said something different.

They asked what it was and I told them.

Then they asked what makes Pulla so special or different.

Luckily I had asked myself the same question and I had found this information:

What is Cardamom:

The fruit of a large bush that grows wild in the Cardamom Hills in southern India, cardamom is cultivated in Tanzania, Vietnam, Papua New Guinea -- and Guatemala, which is the world's largest exporter.

Traders carried cardamom along the spice routes from India. The Vikings brought it from Constantinople to Scandinavia, where it's still popular, but used almost exclusively in baking. (I can't quite picture a Viking baker. Can you?)

Cardamom is the world’s third most expensive spice, after saffron and vanilla, because it too must be harvested by hand, when the pods are only three-quarters ripe, or the pods will split open and spill their seeds.

The paler the green husk, the older the 15-20 small, dark brown seeds inside. The seeds should be sticky; if they aren't sticky, they aren't fresh.

From ancient Rome, three facts about cardamom that might be related: it was used in perfume-making, as an aphrodisiac, and to cure bad breath.

In India, cardamom often flavors tea; in Arab cultures, it flavors coffee. Bedouins will first show the cardamom pods to their guests, as a sign of respect, before pouring coffee over them (the pods, not the guests).

Ssshhh... it's the secret ingredient in Swedish Meatballs.

This important trivia was very impressive to the YM.

I could tell by the way they listened to attentively as they scarfed down the bread.

Cole must have decided that my bread braids didn't look good, but they tasted just fine.

The bread didn't last long at home either.

Here is the recipe that I used:

2 c. milk

1/2 c.warm water

1 pkg. dry yeast

1 c. white sugar

1 t. salt

1 t. ground cardamom

4 eggs, beaten

9 c. flour

1/2 c. butter, melted

1 egg, beaten

2 T. white sugar

warm the milk in a saucepan until it bubbles, then remove from heat. Let it cool until lukewarm.

dissolve the yeast in the warm water. Stir in the milk, sugar, salt, cardamom, 4 eggs, and enough flour to make a batter (abt. 2 cups). Beat until the dough is smooth and elastic. Add about 3 cups of flour and beat well. The dough should be smooth and elastic. Add the melted butter and stir well. Beat again until the dough looks glossy. Stir in the remaining flour until the dough is stiff.

Turn out of bowl unto a floured surface Cover with an inverted mixing bowl, and let rest for 15 minutes. Knead the dough until smooth and satiny. Place in a lightly greased mixing bowl, and turn the dough to grease the top. Cover with a clean dishtowel.

Let rise in a warm place until doubled in bulk, about 1 hour. Punch down and let rise again until almost doubled.

Turn out again on to a flour surface and divide into 3 parts. Divide into 3 parts again. Roll each pice into a 12-16 inch strip. Braid. You should get 3 braided loafs. Lift onto greased baking sheets. Let rise for 20 minutes.

Brush each loaf with egg wash and sprinkle with sugar.

Bake at 400 for 25 to 30 minutes.

Check often because the bottom burns easily.

*The recipe says to make sure you have plenty of time because it takes 4 hours to make this.*

*This is true*

Fiestaware

2011-10-04T09:03:00.000-07:00

I don't remember EXACTLY when I got started on Fiestaware...

but when we moved to Kirksville, I remember my friend Jacque had a bunch of bright colored dishes that I loved. And then we started going to Estate Sales and Antique Stores and seeing lots of the same dishes.

So, I started learning more about Fiestaware.

This is a view of one of my shelves in the kitchen. It has a few of my favorite things.

A mix of Fiesta, Pyrex and milk glass.

The plates on the bottom left are all Fiesta. And of course, my favorite color of Pyrex: aqua blue, especially this line called "Amish". The 2 milk glass things in the front, right.

And next to those on the the right is a rock from my dad's cabin in Fairview.

More Fiesta

The orange thing is a "disc" pitcher and the red salt and pepper shakers.

My Hawaii salt and pepper shakers.

The striped glasses on the left are from a cute little antique store in Brandon, MS.

We visited there once while Bette & Waino were visiting.

Out in front of the entrance to the store was a pile of disassembled chairs.

We asked about the pile and were told it was going to the firewood stack.

So, we asked if we could purchase one of the chairs in the pile.

The owner of the store told us to take what we wanted since it was save him a load to the woodpile.

Score.

Bette continued taking the chair apart and took it home in her suitcase.

This is a view of some of the bowls and plates in my cupboard.

The orange plates in the stack came from DI. I've had a hard time identifying which color it is.

I think it is Mango-Red which was produced from 1969-1972.

The other colors above are white (duh), cobalt, sunflower, and shamrock.

We use the Fiesta for our every day use.

It's fun to go to restaurants and try to determine if any of their plates or serving platters are Fiesta.

We have also been known to rewind TV shows or movies and watch in slow motion to see if any of their props are Fiestaware.

Country Living magazine did feature in September 2011 about Fiesta...

As American mealtimes grew more casual in the 1930's--with families eating in the kitchen--Homer Laughlin China Co. responded by introducing a one of informal dinnerware called Fiesta. Designed by Prederick Hurten Rhead, art director of the Newell, West Virginia, outfit, the dishes sported a handcrafted look in bright colors such as red, blue, and green. Here's how the good became collectors items:

1936: Just 6 months into production, the factory turns out its one millionth piece of Fiesta.

1950: Hues shift with trends, and pastels emerge; 10 years later, a bolder palette returns.

1973: Believing the stye had run its course, Homer Laughlin discontinues the line.

1986: Demand for vintage Fiesta leads to a relaunch.

2008: The Mentalist, joins a long list of TV shows and movies, including two and a half men, and A Christmas Story, to use the vibrant ceramics as props.

Back in the day, you could find a good deal on Fiesta on Amazon. Not so much any more.

So, I/we just wait for a sale at Macy's. Usually about 50% off.

It's kinda spendy, but if you buy it one plate at a time for 50% off, it's not too bad.

The kids loves to mix and match the colors with the napkins and the seasons.

I love Fiesta.

My mom, my sister, and my SIL's all collect Fiesta. It's fun.

(and we may have a slight problem, but there's worse things to collect, I'm sure)

Color Coding the Proclamation and more...

2011-10-02T19:07:00.000-07:00

I saw this activity on the internet several weeks ago and I thought it would be a good idea for the YW Activity that I was in charge of in August. It included The Family: A Proclamation to the World...

to print your own copy go here: the Family

or you can pick one up at your local Distribution Center.

This is the copy that I had found online where the document has been color coded according to the 8 different Young Women Values. To learn more about that go here: Young Women Values.

You can find this color coded version by doing a google image search of "color coded proclamation". Several versions will pop up.

Then I printed out a little prompt sheet of my own with the scripture and description of each value.

I gave each of the Young Women at the activity a copy of Family: A Proclamation to the World, and a prompt sheet. We had volunteers read paragraphs (slowly) and then the other girls would raise their hands (or shout out) when a phrase was read that pertained to a value. And then we would underline/color that phrase. At first it was hard, but it got much easier as we went along.

The copy on the left is my version and the one of the right is Sierra's.

(I had Cole and Sierra with me because Rick was at work.)

It was such a great learning opportunity for me, that I had this really great idea to color code my Patriarchal Blessing.

So, on Friday night, I typed up my blessing onto the computer so that I could make the font bigger and add space between lines and make the margins bigger so I could add notes. That was as far as I made it with that project. (which I am doing as a Personal Progress activity) But, it was a really good reminder of the words and phrases in my blessing.

Here is the really exciting part...so many of the phrases of my Patriarchal Blessing were repeated throughout the talks given in General Conference. So, sorry to all of the rest of you, but this conference was meant for me. I'm not sure if I would have recognized that so many of the General Authorities were talking directly to me if I had not just recently read through my blessing so carefully. I can't wait to get the Ensign in a few weeks and take a printed copy of my blessing and compare the counsel given to me as I color code my blessing with the Young Women Value colors.

PS. I highly recommend this activity to any who want to become more familiar with The Family: A Proclamation as well as your own Patriarchal Blessing.

getting ready for conference

2011-09-30T08:22:00.000-07:00

This might be the last picture for the year of our days in Scofield.
Or maybe not.
This is one of my favorites for a lot of reasons.
We had walked up to the cemetery. We do that a lot. It's not because of my fascination with cemeteries as much as the simple fact that in Scofield, the cemetery seems like a great destination for a walk since it is located ALL THE WAY ACROSS town. It's just the right distance. And if you are jogging/running, you can get just enough uphill/downhill variety in the 1 mile loop to make for a nice little workout. Especially if you do it a few times.
We had walked up to the cemetery to take some pictures. And it's not like I don't already have pictures of the Scofield Cemetery. But, this time I was taking pictures for a project that I am helping with...
the Church is accepting photos from regular old people like me to use for various purposes. Members (who have an LDS account) can log into a page on the lds.org website called The Vineyard. (you go to MENU, then, Serving in the Church, then, Volunteer and Contribute. Then scroll all the way to the bottom and you see The Vineyard. Summer and I have been subject tagging photos for the Church. The Church has needs for various photos and they have a list. 5 pages long. And members all over the world can submit photos. The photos can be used for Church magazines, websites, lessons, videos, and all sorts of other uses. All of the photos that are approved go into a big data base and then people like me and Summer can volunteer to subject tag the photos. Each photos is tagged about 20 times. Volunteers tag a photo by attaching words to photos that one would use to search for a particular photo in a data base. So, for example, a General Authority might want a photo of a headstone for a talk on Family History. He could access the Church's data base of photos and search for a picture that fits his talk according to words like, cemetery, grave, headstone, etc. I have tagged 100's photos with subject words and I have also submitted about 15 photos of which 7 or 8 of them have been accepted. I am planning on submitting some of the pictures that we took this weekend of the cemetery in Scofield as well since cemetery and gravestone photos are on the list of needed photos.
I learned about all of this fun stuff at Education Week. Summer and I have kept track of the time we have spent working in the Vineyard and are using that for a 10 hour project for Personal Progress.
And...we have even been interviewed by LDSNews about our participation in the Vineyard.

About the picture.
Sierra walked all of the way down the hill with her eyes closed.
Cole has his gun in his hand. I'm not sure why he doesn't have a gun in both hands.
Summer is sporting the Scofield fashion look with the side braid and all.
And the scenery in the background is where I want to live. But, only for 6 months out of the year. It is seriously the prettiest little cattle ranch ever. Except that would mean having cows. So, I'll just admire.
And if the view were a little wider you would see the quakies turning yellow up in the surrounding hills. So pretty.

And Conference...
We read President Uchtdorf's message on the Church website about General Conference--No Ordinary Blessing.

1. Members of the Church are entitled to personal revelation as they listen to and study the inspired words spoken at general conference.
2. Don't discount a message merely because it sounds familiar.
3. The words spoken at General Conference should be a compass that points the way for us during the coming months.

I have usually just approached conference ready and willing to accept the messages presented. I haven't always listened to conference with particular questions that I want answers for. In our family, we have a topic that we have been working on and we hope that we can find answers to that issue as we listen to conference. I also have a few questions of my own that I will bring to conference.

Elder Holland said this about General Conference..."Some one of us will touch on your circumstance and will send a personal little prophetic epistle just for you."
I hope I am listening.

Picking Currants

2011-09-29T17:47:00.000-07:00

We were in Scofield last week. Kind of a last shabang for the season.

I think we were the only ones in the whole town.

It was awesome. And it was currant picking season.

Good thing we have some connections with the right people.

This is the home of some family friends.

Out behind the back of the house is the creek that runs through town.

This is where we were went to find the currants.

Summer had been currant picking before so she knew exactly where to go.

Sierra and I climbed through the stinging nettle to find a little patch of currants.

I had a big stick that I used to hold back the stinging nettle while Sierra picked.

Once we had picked that area clean, we headed down closer to the water.

And then Rick showed up to help us with the picking.

He was brave and made his way down by the water's edge.

Summer and Rick

Mostly, I just kept taking pictures of Rick because he usually doesn't join us in our berry picking adventures.

Here is a nice, bright branch with berries and you can see the creek in the background.

This is what your hands look like after picking currants.

Aren't they so pretty?

We decided that these berries were the best looking ones in town because they are right on the creek and get plenty of water. You can spot them easily right now because the leaves are starting to turn a dark red and they are so pretty. There are bushes growing all over the town, even in areas that are abandoned and don't get any water.

The thistles were growing right in the middle of the currants on the creek bank.

Apparently they like the location next to the water as well.

They were sticky and prickly and nasty, but besides all that they were really pretty...Some purple left and lots of fluffy seeds blowing in the breeze...

After 2 hours of berry picking and a few rounds with the stinging nettle and thistle...we had a nice cooler full of currants....enough to make 2 quarts of juice...awesome...so worth our time.

(that would be a little bit of sarcasm...but it's all about the adventure--not the amount of juice!)

Ready or Not...

2011-09-20T21:33:00.000-07:00

This time of the year always seems to put me in the mood to Prepare.

Maybe it's the little anniversary in my head of Hurricane Katrina or the

Earthquake in DC/Hurricane/Tropical Storm/Severe Flooding

that has plagued the Eastern United States.

Or, it could have been a series of classes that I attended at Education Week.

The class was titled:

Preventing Preparedness Procrastination

taught by Tal Ehlers who is the Emergency Management Director of Uintah Co.

He talked about...

10 thing you would like to have accessible if all modes of delivery and transportation were stopped.

Figure out YOUR list and buy it NOW.

Just because it's not happening to you doesn't mean it's not happening.

72-hour kits, food & water sanitation

Every family should have a FAMILY PLAN

schedule a meeting. write down the plan. (or record).

keep plan in 3-ring binder. everyone must know the plan, where the written plan is located and that the plan is the same no matter who is home.

Shelter in Place (I had never heard of this before)

Temporary restroom facilities in case of emergency (I've never thought of this)

And much, much more.

I mean, I would like to think that we take our preparedness quite seriously around here.

But, we put these 72 hour kits together months ago. We couldn't find a great place for them and we didn't want them in the garage because of past experience with rodents. gross. So, they just sat in the family room. And drove me nuts. I had to up my medication (not really).

then I heard these stories of the recent disasters in our country combined with the class at Education Week and I decided that this was a perfectly reasonable place for the 72 hour kits.

Plus, Rick keeps adding to his kit.

For example, he found a Really Good Deal on a 3-in-1 handy dandy preparedness tool a couple of weeks ago.

It's light weight. It has a knife thingy. a saw. and a hatchet. and a shovel. And it folds down really small and weighs almost nothing. It's called a tactical tomahawk.

Mostly, it gives me a piece of mind against the zombies.

you know,

Aim for head or else you're dead.

One thing that I need to get updated is my car kit.

I also need to get small kits for the kids for their backpacks. I got freaked out when they brought up the story of the kids up in Lehi/Highland/Alpine who had to stay overnight at the school a couple of winters ago when that really freak snowstorm blew into town and shut down roads because of sideways blowing snow and low visibility.

I am also trying to update my information sheets...

And, the Mapleton Stake puts on a Preparedness Class once a month that I/we have been trying to attend.

(I live in the Mapleton NORTH Stake, so not my stake, but we have been invited by the kind, prepared members of the other stake in Mapleton to get prepared.)

Last month, the class was about communication.

Seriously, it was awesome.

I need a HAM radio license.

And a HAM radio.

Rick and Summer have a license. Now, it's my turn.

Past classes that I have attended included Earthquake Preparedness & Water Storage / Sanitation

This week we are learning about Food Storage (and wheat).

The class only lasts an hour and they said to be on time and be prepared to be filled with info because they will be dishing it out fast and furious. (the info, not the wheat.)

But, I have decided that I live in the wrong stake.

Those folks on the other end of town are on the ball.

I may take up residency on the other side of the tracks just so I can be sure someone will come looking for me when the big one hits. Or when the zombies come.

Celebrating Fall

2011-09-18T20:38:00.000-07:00

The light dusting of snow on Timp and the glimpse of red & orange in the hills this weekend prompted me to get out the Fall Decorations. I love decorating for fall. Here is a sneak peak...

The buffet table in the kitchen area.

This is a new acquisition. We've got a big case for owls this year.

I totally copied this idea off the internet. I had the wooden plaque thing and the orangish scrapbook paper on hand. I cut the paper down to fit through the printer. I found the font on my computer. I modge podged the paper to the board (that I spray painted black!) I love a free project. The kids don't get it. I laugh every time I walk past it. I don't get out much.

I bought the owl mugs at the Corner Station in Fairview last fall. I wish they weren't mugs. I never use mugs. But they were so cute that I bought them anyway. Remember the above mentioned owl obsession?

Rick bought the Trick or Treat blocks at the gift shop at the hospital a few years ago. They always have cute things at the hospital. I made the bunting mostly from fabric that my mom passed on to me. Thanks Mom.

And this little arrangement kept Cole occupied for at least an hour. I've had this black tree for a few years. Originally I had it decorated with orange pumpkins. Last year I found the black, purple and green witches. I let Cole decorate it however he wanted. He chose a little of everything. Works for me.

Happy Haunting!!

I got nothin' to say...

2011-09-18T11:36:00.000-07:00

I have been without a camera for a few weeks now. The lens cover will not open when I turn it on. It's been slowly getting worse ever since I opened it on Christmas morning. Rick thinks that it's because of all of the dust from this trip...

Yes, that is dust all over my face. It was definitely gritty. Maybe the dust did have SOMETHING to do with it...

So, I had to ship my camera off to California because the repair is covered under warranty. I am hoping to have it back by next Christmas.

I'm digging into the recent photo archives here...

I went school shopping with Sierra a few weeks ago. It's so much easier going shipping with Sierra when I don't have the twins with me. The twins are really hard to shop with. Our first stop on the shopping trip was at DI, mostly to drop off a few bags of old clothes that no longer fit so that we would have room for the new school clothes. We ran inside to find a couple of things I had in mind for projects. I was trying to be quick so I wasn't looking at everything carefully. Sierra spotted this little bag and thought we needed it. I think it was a dollar. It looked like Fiesta ware. The problem with Fiesta salt and pepper shakers is that they don't say "Fiesta" on the bottom because the little stoppers are in the way. So, as first I didn't know if we had a treasure or not. I called Summer and had her take a picture with her phone of the Fiesta S & P Shakers at home and text it to me so I could compare the bottoms. It looked like a perfect match.

I figured it was worth the one dollar gamble. And it paid off. Sierra spotted a real treasure. It is very rare to find Fiesta at DI. It has only happened to me one other time. And the best part is that they "appeared" to be unused. Still, I washed them and sanitized them. Several times.

And this slightly out of focus picture reminds me of one thing...RUNNING.

Because it was taken just a couple of hours after running the Hobble Creek 1/2 Marathon.

Can you guess which toes are mine and which ones belong to Summer? shouldn't be too hard.

This reminds me that the Utah Valley Marathon registration is now open. I am totally doing it again. But, I will probably wait for a few more months to register. But, I don't want to wait too long when the registration price goes up or when it sells out. I will do the 1/2 again. If Rick's schedule allows, he will do the full marathon. Now, for the other news...there isn't a 5K...it's a 10K next year. So, if you're in, let's get training. And speaking of training...I am verbally committed to run the Snow Canyon 1/2 Marathon NEXT fall. It takes place in October. If that plan falls into place, you'll be hearing more about that in the future.

Oh, I found these pics of a recent DI find...We were looking for something completely different and stumbled upon this chair...

Of course, when we found it, it was a light wood color. Not cute but totally solid. So, I got it home and checked my Year's Supply of spray paint and decided that the chair totally wanted to be periwinkle.

No good "BEFORE" shots, but Summer did get some good action shots. Here it is in the house...

Here is Fisher putting the chair to good use when we celebrated Summer's birthday.

I have more to say, but since my audience (amara and audrey) is out of town this week, I'll save some for later. FYI guys...it's been really quiet this week.

Happy Birthday Sierra Jean

2011-09-12T23:00:00.000-07:00

Sierra was born in Grand Blanc, MI just a couple of weeks after we moved from MO.

This is Sierra's blessing day.

I bought this dress over labor day weekend when we went to Birch Run over Labor Day.

It was $12 at the Gap outlet. It was size 6 months.

I didn't even know if I was having a boy or a girl.

(We were sooo poor)

The poor dress was so big, we had to take the buttons off and move them in to try to make the dress fit better.

Sierra was such a good baby.

Don't you love those big blue eyes?

When Sierra was 6 months old we visited Utah for a few days for a mission farewell.

This was taken in Michigan.

We were out in the yard playing while we waited to go to Gracie Oswin's Birthday Party.

(Sierra and Grace were almost the same age--Grace was born just before the move to MI and Sierra was born just after the move.)

Some random pictures from Sierra's baby book.

In June 2001, we took a road trip to Palmyra.

We camped at Niagara Falls. It was cold. Sierra was such a good baby.

Taken in MI on July 4, 2002

Sierra has always had a "thing" for rocks.

Summer had just started Kindergarten and Sierra wanted to do everything Summed did.

So, she got her "school books" and her "school clothes".

This is the first day that I was finally able to french braid her hair.

July 2003 in Scofield.

One of my favorite pictures ever.

When we lived in Mississippi, we were able to go to DisneyWorld.
Rick had a conference in Orlando that was paid for, so he drove and we tagged along.
Sierra was so embarrassed to be held by such a handsome prince.

New Orleans (notice Sierra's darling crab beads)

Destin, FL

Summer, Sierra and Colbie Caliet. Seriously.

Summer, Sierra and Cole

2008

Capitol Reef 2010

March 2011

A few things about Sierra...

she is a great sculptor.

she makes creative things with yarn and a crochet hook.

she can also knit.

she reads. a lot.

the last time we counted she had 86 freckles.

She is smart. I just got her State Testing scores back yesterday.

She scored above school level & state levels in all areas.

She scored really high in reading comprehension & vocabulary.

I would like to think that she inherited that from me, but it probably has to do with the fact that she reads so much.

She did fairly well in math as well as science. With the exception of a the section on weather.

She scored 25% on that section.

Maybe she filled in the wrong bubbles or something.

I'm really not worried about it because as far as weather goes...

there's an APP for that.

Happy Birthday Sierra

One Last Look at Summer 2011

2011-09-06T09:12:00.000-07:00

While we were in Scofield a few weeks ago, we loaded up the Rhino/Razor, filled the water bottles and cooler, grabbed the new GPS and headed out for the day.

Rick was the leader.

Sierra and I were at the back...

The flowers were in bloom and it was so beautiful.

This was our first stop for a geocache.

On top of Skyline Dr.

Cole found the cache in a pile of rocks.

This was another cache that we found. It was right off the path, but it was straight down hill.

This was a really cool place for a cache. The hallow log was awesome.

And the view of the valley/Fairview was amazing.

A really nice shot of my dirt covered face.

It was absolutely gross.

Just imagine what my snot looked like.

School Days

2011-09-02T09:43:00.000-07:00

Cole's Activity of Choice
The first week of School, Cole had Kindergarten testing, so he did not go to school.
I think that is the meanest thing in the world to do to a kid...and his mom.
Cole was occupied by spending a few of those days in Scofield.
And then when he was home with me, I let him choose an activity.
Of all things...he wanted to color on paper towels with markers and eat wheat thins.

Then we waited on the front porch for the bus to bring Sierra home.

I had to drop Summer off early on the first day of school since she had never been to school at the Jr. High even though she's in 9th grade.

She had to make sure she could find and open her locker.

She found it. And opened it. with the help of a 7th grader.

Sierra's first day of school WITH COLE.

Cole was too nervous to eat breakfast.

But I made him choke down his piece of wheat toast before he could go to the bus.

Luckily the bus stop is right in front of the house.

Rick got up to see Cole get on the bus on his first day of school.

He had only gotten about 3 hours of sleep, so he went back to bed.

Cole actually let me hold his hand and walk him to the bus stop.

Except every time I see this picture my eyes go straight to my butt. what's up with that?

He stood in the bus line with Sierra, holding her hand the entire time.

After Cole got on the bus, I drove to the school and went to his classroom with a bunch of other bawling moms. I was fine until they read the book, "The Kissing Hand"and gave the kids a heart to give to their moms. There were lots of tears. Mostly moms.

He had the biggest grin when he got off the bus.

Michiganders Reunion in Utah

2011-09-01T18:23:00.000-07:00

last weekend there was a Michiganders in Utah Reunion.
Rick had to work but I took the kids.
All who lived in a 2-3 ward area over about 10 years were invited.
I have to say that as hard as it was to live through Michigan winters that last 9 months and only see 5 hours of daylight in the dead of winter...
I LOVED MICHIGAN.
From the first time I went to the Grand Blanc ward at 9 months preggo to when we moved 3 years later,
I had the best friends.
The only problem...we all lived about 40 minutes from each other.
Good thing that Katie lived right in the middle.
And good thing that she loved to host a party.
And good thing our kids were the same ages and got along wonderfully...
(except when Kira crawled on top of Sierra and ate her head at the Easter egg hunt and the guys were too busy with video cameras and the ladies were too busy with cameras of their own to notice...)

Katie and Kelli

Gabe and Summer

Michigan Babies...Sierra & Kira

All of the Michigan Kiddos...McKade, Kira, Gabe, Sierra, & Summer

Marty, Katie, Kelli

Klixi, Katie, Kelli

Klixi got a hold of everyone she could find and the word spread on Facebook. A lot of friends were missed, but it sure was good to see some old familiar faces. Thanks everyone. I had a great time.

fishing at Scofield

2011-08-27T22:36:00.000-07:00

Sierra

Rick

Kelli & Cole

Sierra

Kelli & Cole

Cole and Sierra

These are just a few fun shots of our day of fishing while in Scofield a few weeks ago.

I didn't have a license, so Cole and I occupied ourselves with new camera apps and worms.

Not at the same time.

I was occupied with the camera.

Cole was occupied with the worms.

Until he got bored and started throwing handfuls of rocks of the bridge.

Fishing ended shortly after the rocks were thrown.

We did have an encounter with a nice man from the Division of wildlife something something.

He asked who was fishing and checked for licenses.

He asked who was driving the 4-wheeler (Summer) and checked her license.

He also check for helmets which we were all wearing. Not while fishing. Only while driving.

He also checked our registration.

Then he told us what bait to try.

And chatted with us for 30 minutes.

What a great job that guy has.

Saturday Reunion at Scera Park

2011-08-25T12:27:00.000-07:00

Last Saturday we had a little family get together.

It was sandwiched between all sorts of events such as moves, graduations, marathons, vacations, and other summer fun.

Grandma B told us a few weeks ago about the plans.

We were signed up to run the 1/2 marathon, so we were worried about making it on time.

(well, Rick wasn't worried about making it on time...he was worried about ME being able to make it on time.)

But, we arrived before the blessing on the food!!

Cole had been counting down the days to see his cousin, Klead.

He kept asking, "is today the day of the party with my cousin?"

Here are the boys in action.
It was about 98* outside.

They didn't slow down, except to each chips and drink.

Random shots of the group...

Grandma Bette

Summer

Kamilla was giving pedicures...

Kamilla is giving me a pedicure/glitter toes.

You can tell because of my John Huntsman shorts and the ugly feet.

Sierra

Summer and Grandma

Cousins Scera Park August 21, 2011
Sierra, Cole, Kamilla, Klead

Hobble Creek 1/2

2011-08-23T13:02:00.000-07:00

Well, I had big plans to train and get my best time ever. But, then life happened and training took a back seat. I thought that I would continue running after the Utah Valley 1/2 and get my best time ever. I think I ran a grand total of 13 miles in the 2 months between Utah Valley and Hobble Creek. The week before the race I had hoped to get in a 10 mile run just to reassure myself that I could run at least 10 and if you can run at least 10 you can finish a half marathon. Usually. Well, the 10 mile run never happened. So, then I thought I should just back out. But, I couldn't do that. So, I got up at 3:30 am and did my best. It was so blasted hot. I was so glad I did it. That canyon is so dang pretty. I just kept looking around at the surroundings the whole time I was running. That's why my time was slow!! haha. I was proud of myself for finishing that one. And I ran the ENTIRE thing--except water break areas. And just like last year...Rick ran at his own pace (much faster than my pace). He finished and then walked back to meet me (at about mile 12). And we ran the last mile together. So much fun.
Until the next day. When I COULD NOT WALK. And the day after was even worse. The only thing that didn't hurt were my calves. Seriously. My back, my thighs, my arms, my hips, my neck and, of course, my feet. But not my calves. Rick says that I have calves of steel. I would prefer abs of steel or buns of steel.
My time was 2 hours 47 minutes. Not great. But, I finished and that's a win for me!!

BYU Education Week

2011-08-23T08:16:00.000-07:00

This is seriously one of my favorite things to do all year.

Rick says that it is just because I like to buy pens and take notes.

He's kind of right about that.

This year Summer was old enough to join me.

On the first morning, we went to the same class.

After she saw all of the young people and all of the youth classes that were offered,

Mom was history.

Here we are with some of our friends, I mean Summer's friends.

They were kind enough to let me eat lunch with them each day.

Isn't that kid in the middle a lucky, lucky boy?

This is Annie, Trisha, Keaton, Lexi, and Summer...my Ed Week friends.

Here are some of my favorite quotes from Education Week, in no particular order:

It's up to each of us to save each others kids.

Be the Brad Wilcox of your ward because Brad Wilcox cannot be in every ward. (Randall Wright)

There never is a time when the spirit is too old to approach God. (Joseph Smith)

Complaining opens doors for poor performance. (Justin Su'a)

Extend a hand of fellowship to at least one person you did not know before. Each day of your life, strive to enlarge your own circle of friendship. (Russell M. Nelson)

We do not have the authority to change what the First Presidency has commanded. (Randall Wright)

Do the right thing, for the right reason. (Ryan Eggett)

How can we allow ourselves to get so busy with the cares of life that we would neglect our vulnerable little boys and girls and leave them unprotected from evil influences? How could we fail to give them the love and attention they crave? How could we send them into a dangerous world without laying a secure foundation to hold them steady. No other priority comes close to this responsibility to raise our children in the way they should go. (James C. Dobson/Ryan Eggett)

The Lord's plan is to advance ever more rapidly His word and His works and the effects of His gospel throughs the world...The Lord has revealed the technology that enables the Church to take full advantage of these advances. But, while technology can and does bless lives, never forte that while we have computer, cameras, microphones, clouds, and satellites, we have failed if we do not rely on the Holy Ghost. (Henry B. Eyring, at the dedication of the new BYU Broadcasting Building)

If you have a computer, you have the power to have an impact on the world.
Fille the internet with enough good that we can FIND the good.
The logo will always appear on official Church website. Some websites are run by outside sources. Some people will copy...Some will put out false stuff...People will try to change the content. (Ron Schwindeman, Church internet coordinator)

And I learned some amazing things in the series of classes that I attended regarding the Internet as a teaching tool...

the Church is on a 6 week development cycle.

The schedules of the General Authorities revolves around October and April (General Conference).

The Brethren take off for the months of July and December.

When they come back to work, they work hard.

So, when they came back at the first of August, they were hitting it hard.

The instructor told us that they have been working extremely hard on some changes for General Conference.

This particular instructor told us to "look for a whole new experience for General Conference."

When he returned back to Salt Lake after Ed. Week, the decision was up to him to determine if enough progress has been made to complete the 6 week development cycle.

If it doesn't happen in October, it will happen in April.

I cannot wait to find out more!!

I have also learned about a lot of new things on LDS.org

Ode to Summer Vacation

2011-08-21T07:28:00.000-07:00

I read this essay in the newspaper a few weeks ago. I kind of wished that I had found it at the beginning of summer rather than the end. However, knowing that my kids would be going backing to school this fall after a 2 1/2 year "vacation" from public school, I have tried really hard not to count the days, but to make the days count. Last week was the culmination of our summer. We were in Scofield. Doing nothing. Together. No cell phone. No internet. Barely any TV (one TV set). We hardly knew what day it was, but those day sure flew by and suddenly it was time to tidy up and come home. It makes me a little sad to think that my kids will leave me to go to school tomorrow morning, but for now and I am relishing in the memories of our summer.

The Joys of Summer by Mitch Albom

I feel sorry for today’s kids. Summer comes, they’re finally free from school—andbang! Band camp. Science seminars. Internships.

Instead of downtime, it’s get-up-and-go time. Chorus travel, archaeological digs, dance tours. My nephew from Michigan flew to Georgetown University for a summer medical program, replete with cadavers. He was 16.

He’s hardly alone. Some kids fill their summers with so many prep courses that they’re ready to graduate from college by the time they get there. It’s all very admirable, but here’s a question: Why so busy?

I can make the case for doing nothing all summer. That’s right. Nothing. I know it won’t advance your kids’ career objectives or improve their SAT scores.

But it might be good for them.

When I think of my childhood summers, I remember lying in the grass, hands behind my head, feeling the blades dig into my fingers. I studied the clouds. I joked with my friends. None of us wore watches.

Weekdays were indistinguishable from weekends. I’d wake up when my eyes opened, read comic books over bowls of -cereal, go outside with my baseball glove (just in case a game broke out), and find something to do—oil my bike, make things in the garage. Was it lazy? By today’s standards, maybe. But there was a freedom that today’s kids don’t enjoy. We sat on curbs. We daydreamed. Think about the word. “Daydream.” It means your imagination wanders while your eyes are open.

What kid has time for that today? Preteens are on travel soccer teams. They fly to faraway cities. Play tournaments. Isn’t that what pro players do?

Likewise, camps chew up the summer months, but they’re no longer just softball and swimming. There are fashion camps. Circus camps. Science camps. Achievement is emphasized.

Even kids at home find their free time under scrutiny. Some children are made to adhere to playdates as if keeping a doctor’s appointment. (By the way, the closest I ever came to a “playdate” was when my mother opened the door on summer mornings and said, “Go. Don’t come back until supper.”)

We need to lighten it up. Sometimes doing nothing is doing something. Sure, camp can be fun, and travel ball is exciting, but if we cram in activities from the last day of school to the first, we’re ignoring an important fact: The way kids work during the academic year—honestly, you’d think homework was a full-time job—a mental break may be needed. These are young minds, young bodies. Replenishing the juices by kicking back is not a bad idea. And if not in childhood, then when?

Now, I know what you’re thinking: “If we don’t enroll our kids in an activity, all they’ll do is text. Or watch TV (and text) or talk on the phone (and text).”

Well, you could prevent that. You could take away the cell phone, the iPod, the Nintendo. Then see if you can get your kid to do four things in a day:

1. Have a face-to-face conversation with a friend.

2. Read something.

3. Build something.

4. Get wet. A pool. A hose. A sprinkler. Whatever.

That’s really enough. Before you can blink, it’s the school year again, where every day is jammed with sports, AP classes, student government, and field trips.

That’s fine for September. But if September is no different from June, July, and August, then we’re doing something wrong. And our kids are missing something precious.

Alma 5:26

2011-08-19T11:10:00.000-07:00

I realize that I already wrote about the 4th year hike, but I have more to say.
On Sunday, August 7, we attended an early Fast & Testimony Meeting in Orem where my brother blessed his 4th son, Brody Fenton Robison.
Knowing our limits (and by our limits, I mean Cole), we did not attend our own Fast and Testimony Meeting later that day. Instead, we chose to just attend Primary (Rick was teaching Cole's class--which turned out to be a combined effort by many), Sunday School, and Young Women.
Knowing that I had to teach Young Women's and I needed to make some copies, I ended up going to the entire 3 hour block of meetings. By myself.
I thought I would just sit on the VERY back row and read and think about the lesson I had to teach. But, I heard Sister Christiansen get up first thing and share her testimony about a conversation that she had with her son, Shad and how she knows Heavenly Fathers loves him. It was all over. a few minutes later, during a quiet time, I got up and shared my testimony about a combination of things that had touched me in the previous week, part of which was the hike I had participated in to the top of Maple Mountain combined with the lesson that I was preparing to teach on A Change of Heart.
My family was not there and did not hear what I had to say, so I wanted to record it here for them to read.
I have to confess that I was not super thrilled to participate with this 4th year hike. Summer is a 3rd year, so I didn't have a daughter attending. I ~~HATE~~ moderately enjoy hiking. I am tired of "roughing it".

BUT, remember...it is who you know. Several weeks before the hike, the 4th year hike specialist showed up at my house and ~~begged~~ invited me to participate with this hiking activity. I told her no because Rick had to work that weekend. And Rick answered, "She'd love to hike. Sign her up." So I didn't have much of a choice.

me and that darn hike specialist

I'll confess. It was fun. I got about 20 phone calls from Sadie throughout the 2 weeks before the hike. I helped her plan the menu and shop for the food. I helped prepare the little "happies" for the girls after the hike.

And so we hiked.

I had been preparing my lesson for Young Women's and I had a bunch of ideas, thoughts, and quotes going though my mind as I prepared my lesson entitled, "A Change of Heart is Necessary in Becoming like God."

After hiking for about 5 hours, this is what I saw as I reached the top of the trail:

I started to cry. Kinda of because I hurt. Mostly because of how much I could feel Heavenly Father's love for me. The Stake President, who was standing next to me said, "it's breath taking, isn't it?"

I said, "yeah, but I'm not crying, my eyeballs are just sweating."

We sat there for about 20 minutes and ate, drank, and called our parents.

It seems like it would be easy to get lost in how expansive the sight below us appeared.

But, to me, all I could feel was how much Heavenly Father loves me...

to be born at this time.

to have all the blessings that I enjoy.

to be able to participate in this event.

and so much more

And all I could think the entire time was

1. get me down from here in less pain than it took to get up here

AND

2. I want to be a better person. I should be better. It made me think of President Hinckley's suggestion that we should try a little harder to be a little better.

Boyd K. Packer summed it up nicely with this:
"I'm not ashamed to say that I want to be good. And I've found in my life that it has been critically important to establish this intention between me and the Lord so that I knew that he knew which was I committed my agency. I went before Him and said, "I'm not neutral, and you can do with me what you want. If you need my vote, it's there. I don't care what you do with me, and you don't have to take anything from me because I give it to you--all that I own, all I am--," and that makes the difference."
("to those who teach in troubled times", seminary and institute conference, summer 1970, Boyd K. Packer)

From the talk I gave in Church a few weeks ago regarding Strengthening Our Testimonies, I learned from Cecil O. Samuelson, "that while we believe fully in the mighty change of heart described in the scriptures, we must understand it often occurs gradually, rather than instantaneously or globally, and in response to specific questions, experiences, and concerns as well as by our study and prayer."

And Marvin J. Ashton said that "the measure of our heart is the measure of our total performance. ...The "heart" of a person describes his effort to better self, others, or the conditions he confronts...The gospel of Jesus Christ has the power to change hearts and help individuals become pure, gentle, honest, kind, and loving." ("the measure of our hearts" October 1998)

So, this event was not "global or instantaneous", I felt a change of heart.

"If ye have experience a change of heart, and if he have felt to sing the song of redeeming love...can ye feel so now?" Alma 5:26

Happy To You

2011-08-06T21:35:00.000-07:00

Some things never change. Christmas 2000 in Michigan

Summer's First Birthday. August 1998.

The day after this picture was taken we moved to Missouri.

Love you Summer.

Geocaching at the END OF TRACK

2011-08-06T14:58:00.000-07:00

We made a quick trip to Scofield a couple of weeks ago.

Summer had checked on the internet to see if there were any geocaches nearby.

There were TONS.

The only problem is that it didn't do any good to download the GPS coordinates to my phone because there is no cell service and therefore no GPS.

(And there is no internet service, natural gas, or indoor plumbing. kind of.)

So, Summer wanted to ride towards Clear Creek because she thought there was a geocache.

I thought it was crazy, but I always love to ride to Clear Creek, so we headed out one evening.

The only clue that Summer could remember was "...end of the track"

Which totally sounded vague until we saw this sign.

It was in a camouflage colored baking soda type container.

We scored some cute little trinkets and filled it with some of our own ~~junk~~ treasures.

Good thing for all of those coal trains that there is a sign warning them that it is the END OF TRACK.

Otherwise, they might run into that big pile of rocks.

PS. I will be leaving for Scofield tomorrow.

For a week.

If you need to get a hold of me...

too bad.

4th year hike

2011-07-31T21:22:00.000-07:00

In our Stake we have what is called a 4th Year Hike.

It is for the girls that are about 15 and have attended camp for 4 years.

They could complete their hiking certification at camp,

however, the Stake Presidency and the Stake Young Women's leaders have felt that the girls needed more.

So our Stake does a 4th year hike.

The purpose is to allow the girls that have attended camp for 4 years, the chance to go on a campout and a hike that is specific just for them.

They can get to know each other better,

they can get to know their Stake leaders better,

they can do hard (and I mean HARD) things

and they can prepare for future leadership.

All 3 of the leaders were from our ward.

And 3 of the 6 girls were from our ward.

We are one tough ward!!

(2 girls and 1 leader did not make it to the top)

Our first night in camp we were really roughing it--we ordered pizza!

Natalie, McKenzie, Courtney, and Alyssa

Fearless Leader: Sadie

Making snow angels

At the top, Kelli, Natalie, Alyssa, Courtney, McKenzie, Sadie

Kelli and Sadie

10,500 feet

Lunch break at the top of the Mountain

Camp fire after our 11 hours of hiking

Maple Mountain

2011-07-27T22:33:00.000-07:00

taken september 2010

I'm heading up here for a couple of days

with 2 fun ladies

and 7 fifteen year old YW.

More pictures to come.

Tokheim 39 Short

2011-07-27T22:13:00.000-07:00

When we were in Montana to visit Glacier National Park, we found this place in Columbia Falls:

It was a gold mine of junk.

Rick was already on the lookout for a vintage gas pump.

Well, out behind the antique mall, heading up the lane behind the 2 dead pine trees was a ghost town of old gas pumps. Dozens of them.

This one had been there for a while. It was covered in pine needles and cob webs.

And we paid $300 for it.

We loaded it up and brought it home from MT with us.

I liked the color just the way it was.

But, it was Rick's project and he said that the grey stuff was primer and it all had to go.

So, this gas pump has now been disassembled and is currently being restored.

Rick's been doing his research on how this pump looked in it's original condition.

Tokheim 39 Shorts were made in the 1930's to early 1950's.

Old gas pumps take me back to my childhood in Circleville to Kenz store and the old gas pumps in the lot next door.

They're probably long gone.

They were taller pumps, probably made by the Wayne Co.

Here are all of the parts.

I hope Rick can remember how to put it all back together.

Ideal 55 Slider

2011-07-27T21:49:00.000-07:00

After Rick completed his Vendo 56 restoration, he was on a quest to find another project (no, it's not that pile of junk sitting in the driveway ((another story, for another time)).

He found this lovely pile of metal on ebay in California.

It arrived while we were out of town for 24 hours taking care of things in Scofield.

So, the delivery guys left in in front of the garage and informed the neighbors that they had made a delivery.

When we got home, the neighbor said, "you got a delivery. looks like a cooler. DOES IT WORK?"

So, I said, "Yes, yes it does work. Brush aside some of those cobwebs and grab yourself a cold one."

No, it doesn't work.

Let the restoration begin...

I realize that this doesn't appeal to most people.

But here is the story of the Ideal 55 Slider:

This particular unit was $425.

Made from 1949 to the late '50's by the Ideal Co.

They were made for several different companies.

This one was made for the Royal Crown Cola Co.

This is the back side.

And the restoration begins.

When it is complete, it will be valued at approximately $3,000+

If any of you find a Barq's Ideal Slider 55, let Rick know...in about 2 years.

Vendo 56

2011-07-27T21:34:00.000-07:00

OK, Here is Rick's recently finished project:

This is a completely restored Vendo 56.

What does that mean?

It means that this is a Vendo Slant Shelf Coke Machine .

Made for only one year (1958-1959)

and made only for Coke.

It is the most rare of the vintage style Coke machines.

I wish I had a picture BEFORE it was restored.

It was a mess. And Rick paid $1,200.00 for it.

2 years later, with a complete restoration it is worth about $6,000+

And it works, just in case you are wondering.

oops, this photo didn't rotate--just tilt your head.

And the door opens to revel the bottles of Coke (or rootbeer or water)

The coin mechanism is currently disabled so if you came to my house you could actually enjoy a cold one--for free!

Have a Coke and a smile.

This reminds me a lot of my Grandpa Dalton...

Good Luck Elizabeth

2011-07-24T22:48:00.000-07:00

Elizabeth is Cole's girlfriend. Seriously.

He's had a crush on Elizabeth for a few years now.

Elizabeth is Teresa's younger sister.

Teresa is married to Jon.

Jon is Rick's brother.

Everybody clear?

Elizabeth is leaving in 3 days for a mission to Argentina.

Last weekend they stopped by to visit one last time before the MTC.

Elizabeth is in the middle in the light pink shirt.

Cole was having a hard time finding a place to sit for the picture.

I think it is because he secretly wanted to sit next to Elizabeth.

It took several tries to get a good picture.

Eventually, I just gave up.

This is as good as it gets.

Good Luck Elizabeth.

We will miss you. And by "we" I really mean "Cole".