whatever

Capture Moments- Jan 3

 

The ture measure of a man is not how he behaves in moments of comfort and convenience but how he stands in times of challenges.....my Dad

 

Create- 

I am Creating, designing....and dreaming of a new cabin kitchen. (note to self...need to learn more CAD design =)

(Cabin Kitchen as it looks now)

 

Note- working on my 2014 goals-

 

2014

 

There is something incredibly hopeful about a fresh start. I suppose at one time or another we have all wanted to start again with a clean slate.

So, I cleaned the slate blackboard...and began a new

How do you make a better you? 

Happy New Year

Related articles

What I made...Homemade Christmas

Christmas visit-

2009 in review-

Just a little run down of my year- 

• We went to BYUI for Kent and Becca's graduation
• Visits to my Dad
• putting cement  mow strips in Shannon's backyard
• Surgery
• Easter with Sam and Heidi
• Receiving Mason's Mission call to Montana, taking him to the Temple and MTC
• Visits from my Brother
•  Buying a little house and fixing it up- we named it the Hamlet
• Being called as Temple workers
• Visits from Shannon and the kids
• Denver and Bree's wedding in the Salt Lake Temple
• Going to Texas to see Kent and Becca's new little baby and to help out a little
• Going to Oregon  and baby sitting Shannon and Scott's children while they went to Hawaii 
• Working on the Hamlet and at the Nut House.
• Working in the garden
• Denver and Bree living with us and working for us at the Nut House.

 The pasting of my Brother Don in November. 

• Finding our Dear Friend Ben who had been missing for almost four years.
• Taking Heidi and Bree on a little get away
• Girls day out
• Many RS enrichment activities
• Cooking, shopping and parties with Bree
• Working in the garden, fighting off the woodpeckers, and all other wild creatures.
• Sam and Heidi and John's family came for Thanksgiving.
• Danny got a new Dog- Emma
• Kent and Becca and our newest Grand baby Nicholas were here for Christmas.

It has been a year full of blessings, trials and wonderful times.  I have embraced it all, and feel blessed. I'm ready to "break in" the New Year..... break in some new things & break out of some old habits. Smile more and say yes More often. {as per Conner I'm at 75 % now, I want to make that 90% =) I would make it 100% yes...but I've got to keep their safety in mind =) 

Happy New Year. 

 

 

Thanksgiving-

 

"A thankful Heart is a Happy heart."

 

 "Thankfulness is measured by the number of words; gratitude is measured by the nature of our actions."- David O. Mckay

 

 

"Hold fast to the blessings which God has provided for you. Yours is not the task to gain them, they are here; yours is the part of cherishing them- J. Reuben Clark, Jr.

 

 

 "Think to thank. In these three words are the finest capsule course for a happy marriage, a formula for enduring friendship, and a pattern for personal happiness." -President Thomas S. Monson

 

 "We should confess His hand is all things. Ingratitude is one of our great sins." -Ezra Taft Benson

 

 Thanks to my children & my brother and family for helping us to have a wonderful Thanksgiving- Everyone pitched in and helped.

From the cooking to sharing fun times- We ate, had a little gift exchange and the boys had a boxing match to see who would win $50. 

 

  

Sam won the boxing match.

Thanks to Heidi for helping with the kids table and cooking.  

 

Sam cooked the Turkeys and made the dessert-

 

 Denver and Bree helped to make the table pretty- and Bree made the place cards-

 

 
 

"Those things which we call extraordinary, remarkable, or unusual may make history, but they do not make real life.

     After all, to do well those things which God ordained to be the common lot of all mankind, is the truest greatness. To be a successful father or a successful Mother is greater than to be a successful general or a successful statesman." - Howard w. Hunter.

 

I'm thankful for my Family, home and health-  

"There isn't a word in all the English language with more magic in it than the word gratitude. Love makes fertile the soil for things to blossom and to grow, and love begins with gratitude.- Geraldine P. Anderson 

 

Beautiful life-

This year I've been participating in it's a "Beautiful Life" link up, that Melissa started over at The Inspired room.  I have learned a lot from others, and through it all I have tried to take the time to appreciate what is beautiful in my life-

Because it has caused me to look more closely and not miss those quiet beautiful blessings- the ones beyond price-  I have learned to love even the little things more deeply.  And I believe that by counting all the Beautiful things in my life- children, grandchildren, friends, family, home, health etc. I've learned to count on the Lord more.

I valve the little gifts and blessings more- yesterday I tried to count or just think in my mind some of the little things that are blessings and beautiful to me- some may seem silly- but I thought I would share a couple.

- scented candles- {I told you silly, but I love the way they can bring back memories and add such a "I'm Home feeling to my home.}

Notes & Artwork from Grandchildren- yesterday I was looking through a few- just made me so happy.

And of course all the little quiet things that make my day lovely- the fog sitting on the house tops, breakfast with my Husband, talks on the phone with my children, sleeping a little bit better, and one less "Hot Flash"  =) yes, sadly I'm of that age.

Thanks for visiting me here and listening to my ramblings- I'm also over at Blissful today- Giving you some ideas about Home Entertaining.

It is a Beautiful Life.-

Click on badge to enter site.

Gathering in the Garden.... preview-

Norma and I just finished putting the final touches together for our next Enrichment night activity-

Here's a little preview, more will come after the event.

We worked on invitations-

Jar tags-

and the seed packet tree.

Remember the fabulous "poster" Norma put together-{the chalkboard is actually foam board.}

 

 

 

 

 

-Just a glimpse at the seed packet tree-

Wait until you see the whole thing- fun!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

And of course Norma and I have fabulous garden outfits planned- which include matching aprons and lime green garden shoes-  =)   

 As part of my "Beautiful Life" 12 months of goals,  I need to remember to take ....

Time to listen and to comfort, time to learn and to encourage-

and to remind myself often that…

“Things that matter most should not be left to the mercy of things that matter the least.”-

O. Leslie Stone

 

Procrastinators Party- The After Photos

This was the before-

 

• Horrible windows
• Boring planter

• Drawer full of pictures

• Pot locked in Christmas past-

I asked for your help- and you came through-

Now the after-

 

• Windows cleaned- many of you gave me great advise-  I tried them all, these three worked the best- Rochelle,said  "DONT USE WINDEX. Streak free and perfect windows comes from an aerosol type can. You can find it at most any store. Sprayway, glass cleaner."    Becca said-"The best way I've found to get a window clean with no streaks is to use two microfiber rags--get one wet with just plain water and scrub the window, and then go over it with the dry rag until all the streaks and water is gone. It's amazing, and it doesn't leave little fuzzies from paper towels or newspapers behind." Ellen gave me this recipe for clean windows- 1 T rubbing alcohol 1 gal. HOT water-   These three ideas worked like a charm- But I have to say Rochelle's way was the easiest =)
• Boring planter- got a new Gazing Ball, simple but fun.
• Drawer full of pictures- still working on this one- but here is the start- PS-Erin said this-"I got some Ikea boxes and filed them chronologically, so they'd be ready for when I do have the time & plan for what to do with them long term."
• Planter of Christmas past- painted the top rim green- filled with rocks and put in the tall tea light poles {didn't buy one thing to remake- just stuff I had}- easy and no water needed. Marie said   "P.S. For starters....take the Christmas lights off the last plant."  :) {look Marie no lights =)

So there you have it, thanks for helping me remove all the "Shame"  Special thanks to Melissa for giving me a little kick to finish some of my "unfinished" project.

To see what others are doing to remove their shame- click on over here.

Have a great day- and Thanks again for all the help.

Cooking with the girls-

While the girls were here we had some time to cook together, and I thought that we all needed cute aprons-

So I boxed them up, added a cute tea towel and ribbon to the top-

 

 

Items to be made-

• fruit salad
• potato salad
• desserts

 

• Shannon & Anna
• Heidi & Carlee
• Anna & Carlee helping out
• Becca & Anna

 

• Bree & Shannon

 

-My friend Ruth made these sweet Aprons- if you would like to get these little apron too- check out the Pink Bowtique .

 

I enjoyed having all the girls home- and it was totally fun to be able to work together.

Happy Day-

I would love it if you headed on over to Blissful- come get Inspired-

Always fun to hear from you.   

It is a Beautiful Life- see what others have to say- Through this challenge I've grown to appreciate the "Beautiful things more in my life- Have a wonderful day- 

Saved-

 

I had to rescue this little beauty from the frost.....yes, can you believe it! April 15th and we get freezing weather....then get this, Saturday and Sunday it will be in the 80-90's. I can't figure out this weather!

And of course we planted all our tomatoes Monday, which are now a dark black color.  Guess if it's not the gophers its the weather.  Go figure!

This weekend will be full of family and fun- Happy Day!  I have lots of things to share with you when my life settles down a little....for example...

 

It is a Beautiful life- All my children will be home this weekend, the first time that this has happened for 5 years!  It is a Happy Day!

I what to thank you Dear readers  for stopping by and always leaving such encouraging  and sweet comments- you are the best.   And a special thanks to Melissa for hosting a great series....It's a "Beautiful Life" make sure to click on over to her site to join in the fun.

Also this Friday click on over to Blissful, I have a post up there today.  Would love for you to leave me a comment. =)

 

 

 

$24 dollar Kitchen make over-

Hope everyone is having a wonderful Friday- We are at Kent and Becca's graduation and enjoying our time with them.

 

Kent before gradutions- {My camera died- so sad; Denver had his fantistic camera so I will post more pictures later.}

Look what we found in our Hotel room when we got here- totally sweet, Thanks Kent and Becca- We love the book that Becca made for us from our France trip-

 

 

We will be heading to Becca's graduation is just a few moments-

Now for the $24 Kitchen Make over-   I would love for you to stop by and check it out. {sorry I had this pop up one day to early yesterday =)

 

This month is full of wonderful things; family, accomplishments, togetherness- and wonderful things to be thankful for and to hold close and to remember.  All part of a Beautiful life-

Also head over to Melissa's site The Inspired Room to see what other are saying about how they are making their lives Beautiful.