Crazy Garden!

The secret to getting a summer garden harvest when it's 105+ for many days:

Keep the water timer going.

Walk away and ignore the whole thing.

Looks like I'm going to get Granny Jensen's sweet relish made after all!

Bleary-Eyed

So all you young moms out there are waiting for the day when you can sleep all night? Tired of waking up every other hour to tend to babies and children who need a mother's touch?
Don't hold your breath.
Let me illustrate by sharing my story from last night.

I'm an early-to-bed, early-to-rise sort of person. I like the mornings.
I'm just weird that way.
So by 9:30 pm, my eyelids are drooping and I'm ready for dreamland.

Only to be awakened a couple of hours later by person-who-will-not-be-named who needed a bath because he was hot and sweaty and sore after playing basketball.

Hit the snooze button.

Only to be awakened a short time later by person-who-will-not-be-named who came strolling in after arriving home from whatever activity he was participating in. Of course he is immune to the midnight curfew because he is over 21. And then to relax he needs to check his Facebook and emails for at least an hour.

Hit the snooze button.

Only to be awakened by person-who-will-not-be-named who begins the round of middle of the night bathroom trips.

Hit the snooze button.

Only to be awakened early the next morning by princess-who-will-not-be-named who needs the perfect hairdo for the day and it must begin at 4:30 am in order to perfect the "do."

Forget the snooze button and get up.

So, I'm just sayin'.....

Random blathering with a photo Review

I'm brain dead this morning.

Probably because last night as I was stumbling around after a bathroom trip, I planted my face into the corner of a very tall dresser. My left cheekbone is very bruised.

Time + things to accomplish today.....an equation not working

I'm trying to figure out what to feed the missionaries for dinner and how to get it all done so I can go do some visiting tonight.

I have no fresh food in the house.

I need to buy small amounts of fabric to finish up projects. The stores are on opposite ends of my town.

I'm trying to figure out what to buy for my son who is going to be living in Alaska for the next two years. The letter from the mission home says: "just bring clothing suitable for winter weather." Ha-we wear flip flops and shorts most of the winter here.

So here's my random photos:

First day of school yesterday for Steve. Doesn't he look thrilled? A nice scrapworthy photo.Jen sent me a ton of photos yesterday. I'm so beyond happy. Now I just have to get them printed and scrapbooked....I've got more pretty colors to play with, except I notice a complete obsession with polka dots.

Ok-time to get off the computer and get going.

Random enough?

This is What 16 looks Like at 6:00 AM

And this is her posing with her uber cute skirt that she got for her birthday.

I can't believe how the years have flown by. It seems like she was just crawling around the floor making lots of noise to get herself noticed.

She's beautiful, incredibly talented and a good girl too!

Happy 16th birthday to my baby!

Another Post Labeled Family Events

Six down, one to go!
GGMA-mark your date-22 Aug 2009

Triumph over Garden Adversity

The other day, as I was walking quickly by the garden, trying not to be too depressed, I had to take a double-take. This was hanging out casually on the cucumber vine!

A 1.8 pound Armenian cucumber!

And my 4 lbs of fresh basil got reduced to this:

But oh man, does it ever smell good!

Hope springs eternal.

Pan de Amor

Yesterday my Hispanic sisters came to my home and we made bread.

We had a great time, talking, teaching, laughing, sharing.

Even though bread-making is not part of their culture, they were so willing to learn and work so that we might share the bread with a homeless shelter.Look out for that one!

It doesn't matter what language we speak, where we live, or our culture, women all love to come together to enjoy each other's company and serve together.

I even learned a few new words in the process!

Sneak Peak

Since I've got a major project going on today-I don't have time to blog so here's a link to our awesome family portraits taken on the beach. Go check it out!

http://www.rachelclarephoto.com/blog/?p=202

Because Life is Crazy and Busy.....

Take a breather and drink a refreshing smoothie....

I just came across this smoothie and tweaked it for my very own. I know it's not green, but when it's 105+ degrees for days on end, it tastes mighty fine! It's easy-peasy too:

1/2 c (more or less) of some kind of fruit juice, I've used apple and grape, both.

1 cup frozen strawberries

2 cups watermelon

Take this mixture for a spin in your blender.

Sip.....ahhhhhhhh.

Also, since this time of year is fruit heaven and it's cheap, I'm taking the opportunity to buy extra and freeze it for future smoothies. Since I'm not as lucky as my sis in Michigan with fresh blueberries practically in her own back yard.....

I'm buying it when it's on sale. Just rinse off the fruit and place it on a cookie sheet and freeze. That way the berries don't get stuck together in a ziplock. When the fruit is frozen, I scoop it up and put it in ziplock bags. When it's February with no fresh fruit, I'll be smilin'!

Family, Fun and Food!

What could be better? A magic combination. This last weekend was filled with all three.


First, a family wedding is a good excuse to get together and hang out. Why is it that we only get together at funerals or weddings? I got to visit with my cousins that I haven't seen for YEARS. I felt like I could have hugged Cousin A. for ten minutes! It was so great to be together-even if the time was short. Cousin A, Cousin M and Cousin S posing for the camera:
What silliness!
We spent some more time with Cousin G's family. He's the oldest son of Cousin A and he actually lives closer than 100 miles to me! What a novelty!
Later that day was a REALLY big family event. One that I had to keep secret!


Was he surprised?
Yes!
He thought he was checking on a TV at the Crandall's home. He even came prepared with his work notebook.

Did we have fun?
Of course-The Crandall house is the ultimate party house (thanks guys)
There had to be a contest to see who could do the wackiest dive.

Even the little guys got in on the fun.And the food?

Oh my-the food was divine. I think I gained 2 pounds on Saturday. The wedding luncheon was gorgeous and yummy-sorry no photos of the food!

And the surprise party? Oh yum-authentic Hawaiian food-delish!

And of course the requisite ice cream birthday cake from Baskin-Robbins. (a tradition begun by a lazy mother years ago who was too hot to bake during a certain August birthday)Did the day contain the three elements for success?

You betcha!

despite the added poundage!

He's BAAACK

Just arrived safely from parts north. Made it across the Indian rez safely. Got all As in his classes-

Dang it, now us girls are outnumbered!

Happy Birthday!!!

Thirty years ago today...
A little baby boy was born...

And he grew...


And grew......

29 years ago today.....he dropped his 1st birthday cake on the floor.....

And he grew....
And grew.....
And GREW.......to 6'5....and he married his sweetheart nearly 10 years ago.
And now he's all grown up with 4 kids of his own....

Happy 30th Birthday my lovely firstborn son!!!!

(of course you know I was 9 when I had him......)

Playing

I've been playing with pretty colors lately.
Pretty colors of fabric, that is.
I love, love, love the smooth soft feel of pure cotton fabric.
And the luscious prints just waiting to be crafted into something beautiful.
Here's some of the latest creations for our next little one coming....

Aliens racing across the quilt (bad photo)Rocket ships shooting off to the stars....(do we see a pattern here?)Fun, bright colors for our little guy.

I wish blogger had the sense of touch-they are so soft and yummy! It's such a pleasure to create pretty things with such pretty fabrics!

Okay these are done-it's time to find some more to play with!

First Day of School

Hey ladies-it's that time again! Time to book that appointment to the spa, time to relax with a good book and a box of bon-bons.....



Ha!



Who am I kidding?

My baby went to school today. It's been 10 years since I sent her off, skipping, to 1st grade. My oldest was 22 years old and my baby was almost 6. Was I weeping and wailing? Well, sorry to say-no. I had had babies and toddlers at home for 22 years.....

But it is a little strange this year, a little less drama this morning as the school kid left, a little quieter. I'm approaching that "empty nest" with mixed feelings. Elation that I will eventually have an empty house, except with kind of a sad feeling that my most important work is done.



Well, maybe not quite.

ASU Baby

My clever daughters and friends threw a baby shower for the future Sun Devil Baby last Saturday.

Of course the theme colors HAD to be maroon and gold!

And we slaved over the maroon cupcakes and gold frosting-although someone did make a comment that the frosting looked like newborn baby poo......ugg....but that didn't deter us from scarfing almost all of them!

Yummy food, tastefully arranged for our special guest.....

The room was jam packed with well wishers.Congratulations! Now the countdown begins!!!

Placing the Foot Firmly in the Mouth.....Again

Yes, I did it again.



Let me explain:



Spanish vocabulary lesson:

Cinturon......Belt


Cintura......Waist.

Yesterday I had to give a talk in the Spanish branch. Yes, IN Spanish. My topic was teaching our children discipline. Of course you know how you always like to start a talk with a little joke. I told the congregation that the secret to our success as parents was that TL had a BIG BELT. The congregation broke out in hysterical laughter. (Gee I'm thinkin'.... I'm pretty funny haha)

Turns out the joke is on me.

I found out later that instead of using the PROPER word for big belt..cinturon grande, I said...cintura grande...which of course means my husband has a:
Big gut.


{Sigh}



Oh well, it wasn't the first time I blew it and it won't be the last time either.