whatever

learned something new...

I may be the last one in the blog world to learn about this...but I found a couple of sites that offer free Blog Banners- to see go
here and then go  here.  For me it was fun.....but for many of you out there who are pros at photo shop etc. may not find it as fun.  Just sharing. My new banner is from Banner of Blessings.

Feel good Stuff

Cherry Cheese Cake

1/4 cup can milk

1  8 oz. cream cheese, room temperature

1 cup powder sugar

2 pkgs Dream Whip {prepared according to package directions}

1 can Cherry pie filling

Prepare Dream whip.  In separate bowl cream the cheese , milk and sugar. Add to dream whip.  Then spoon into graham cracker crust. Spread filling on top and refrigerate for several hours before eating.

Graham Cracker Crust:

• 2 pkg graham crackers crushed fine.
• 2 sticks butter melted
• 1/2 cup sugar

Mix everything together and press into 9x13 pan.

I thought I would share with you one of my favorite desserts from my growing up years- My Mother would make this for just about every special occasion we would celebrate- It was always one of those "feel good" foods that I love.  Planning to make it next week-

Have a great weekend.

This is Today

It may look like fall- because of the yellow of the trees- but it's the sunlight shinning on them- kind of "into the light" feeling.

Even in the smallest of places beautiful things are found.

From my eye's view-I like to make little "frames" if you will in my mind- Kind of silly I know, but sometimes as I  view my garden I position myself to get a certain view- example- standing behind this clematis to view my fountain- Silly

This makes me smile- because this picture reminds me that it's all about compromising- see the ceiling fan and solar panels in the background well that was my compromise- What is it they say about ceiling fans and design?  Got to love that Man of mine- always needs to be cold- and the funny thing is I actually really like how the panels look standing there all "proud like"- they should be, they've saved us tons of money. :}

We even got money back this month- sweet

Side note- I love my home- but lately I've been in kind of a funk- need to change things up a bit- not sure why- maybe it's my age :}  So I thinking that even the best-loved home can benefit from a swift kick in the decorative pants- Or something like that- Have any good ideas- Or maybe I just need to eat a big bowl of ice-cream-

Power Tower

Have you ever tried really hard to get something to work, using all of your inner most creativity to do so?-  Well,on our trip to France we had many issues with electricity- it just wouldn't want to work for us- To get our adapter to work, each morning this arrangement or something similar would appear- Dan took the prize for the most creative "power tower."

Drive bys Around the World

On the blog, Inspired room ; she has asked us to join in the fun of taking some pictures of our neighborhood- "Drive By " as she would say. So I decided to join in the fun. It's a little hard in my area- because people live way off the road on private property and I need a bigger camera lens to get the good stuff, but heres a little look at my area-

 

I've always thought this home has a kind of Tuscany feel to it.

 

 It is actually a rainy day today- Which is so weird for this time of year- feels more like March instead of May- I love the stacked rock walls all over our neighborhood- and the view from this picnic table to the lake.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

It's hard to tell from this picture, but this home is four stories high- they have an amazing view from the top deck. Most homes here,are set way back and are completely surrounded by trees- hence the trouble with getting good shots.

 

 

 

 

If you decide to participate in the "Drive By" make sure to include a link back to her site. She then will add you to the list - it would be fun to see places from all around the country.

Magnolia Grandiflora

Magnolia's are in bloom- they are huge this year. This bloom was more than 12 inches across.

I'm planning on a Magnolia Garland this fall.  Happy Day.

Yesterday's Birthday

Yesterday was Becca's Birthday- Happy 21- Here are a couple pictures from the day.

Ashlee and Becca

-The whole group-


Mikayla Being shy

Happy Birthday Sundae- complements of CHL  {Cool Hand Luke's}
Ashlee made the cutest card for Becca- and gave it to her at the restaurant- the waitress saw the card and gave this to Becca  in celebration of her birthday-  So thanks to Ashlee-

Becca and Kent- one last picture as they were headed out the door for Texas!

Morning to Night....

This morning Becca and I spent our time getting a pedicure-  They had amazing chairs to sit in- we received a mini "spa" massage alone with our "French Pedicure".

After the pedicures we had lunch with the guys at our favorite Mexican restaurant. Yum...

Then Kent and Becca ran some errands and Dan and I headed up to Yosemite-

  

During the summer months our Stake provides church service in the "park" for those visiting- and Dan has the responsibility to make sure things are set up and there are speakers etc. for each Sunday during the summer. It was so beautiful up there today! Prefect- and this is just the cutest little chapel- it's a non-denominational church and is used by many religions- and for lots of weddings.

 

Is there ever really any place to escape?

To Night- we are attempting to come up with the best Caption crunch shake ever!

Storage

 

In the cabinet above my refrigerator sat a box of copper and tin cookie cutters- I decided that they have been hidden long enough- So what to do with them?

Thought they would look fun in a couple apothecary jars I have sitting empty-

Man shopping....

Had a fun day with Kent...doing some Man shopping.{to help him get ready for his internship in Texas} It's been awhile since Kent and I have been able to spend some time alone--- It's always a good day when I can spend some one and one time with my children.  Plus Kent is so cute- can I just say "Somethings bothering me"  {sorry family joke}

Also last night the boys got together to play some war game, via, phone line over the TV- It's so cool that they can play against each other, along with hearing each others voices as they play- Sam in one town, Jake in another and Mason and Kent here- all playing together- cool.

Looked like lots of fun, not sure who finally won- I went to bed- {hey, they started the game at 10pm}