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Oh the Shame....

I need your help....Please!  Today I'm showing you four projects that I've put off, some for days, others for months, and even one for years.

Thanks to Project Procrastinators Party- hosted by Melissa-

Maybe I will finally get these done-

Here's where I need your help......

First project that I've put off for days- Window cleaning, mainly because I love the little grandchildren's hand prints- and because I can never seem to get them as  clean as I would love- Tell me what do you do?

Second Project

For months I've been trying to figure out what to put in this lovely guy- Have any ideas?

I would love something that would last through the summer.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Third Project- this has been around for awhile    =(

Any ideas for a drawer full of pictures?

 

 

 

 

 

Here is where the true shame lies- This sweet little pot has been like this for two years- yes, two Christmases ago- Help, what to do?

 

On May 14th I will show the "after" pictures of these items- If I used your idea, I will have a link to your site so all can see what a amazing person you are- So please help me out here-

Thanks- {oh the shame =)

For Carlee and Preston's Mommy and Daddy-

 

This week has been filled -

• Trips to the Tree-house
• chasing the neighbors cat
• Wild Turkeys knocking at our door
• Horses, dogs and ants oh my!
• peas up the nose- Preston adventure
• Carlee's question everyday- "So Grammer, how is your day?"

 

 

 

 

 

Lots of fun Hair days-

 

and now the recipes I promised-

 

Sandi's Tart-

Crust:    
2 Cups Ground Gingersnap cookies (about 38Cookies)
2TBSP Sugar
1/3 Cup Butter 
 
Filling
8OZ. Cream cheese ,softened               Assorted fruit: Strawberries, Blueberries,Kiwi, oranges , red or green grapes raspberries.
1/4 Cup sugar                                                          2TSP Lemon Juice                                                     1/4 cup Apricot Preserves.
1/2 Cup Whipping cream                                             1TBS Water
 
 
Preheat oven 350
for crust:  in a medium bowl combine ground cookies & sugar with a pastry blender add butter & mix until moist clumps form.  Press mixture into bottom & sides of 10" removable bottom tart pan.  Bake 8 minutes or until lightly browned.  Let cool
Filling: Combine cream cheese, sugar & lemon juice with an electric mixer. Add whipping cream & beat at high speed until light & fluffy. Spread in tart shell & chill several hours arrange fruit on top of chilled filling.  Combine Smucker's Apricot preserves with water & brush over top. Garnish with mint leaves and serve, for a lighter version: Proceed as directed for crust, but replace filling ingredients with 1 8 oz. container of lemon yogurt.

 

Baby shower Brownies-

 

One package of brownie mix- cook in bite size muffin tins-

after cooled- add sliced Banana and Strawberries- drizzle with chocolate.

 

It's taken me a week....

 

(read the story behind this picture here.}

Yes, a whole week.... To finally share all of the happenings that took place while ALL of our children were here, along with their spouses and children- Happy Day

{we also took family pictures... to come later}

Below you will find a photo diary of some of the fun things we did-

Words can not express what pure joy it was to have them all home-

"Other things may change us, but we start and end with Family."

-Anthony Brandt

The River and Kent's Gold Quest-

 

 

 

The gold-

 

Swimming in April; some because they wanted to, others with a little help.

 

 

 Just Playing in the Bubble Room-

 

Eating-

 

The Big Party-

 

As we were preparing for the party- Anna asked where the party hats were- {you know you can't have a party without party hats...silly me} so ribbons came to the rescue - I think they are very nice, and prettier than some store bought cardboard one. Heidi has more about the party, check her site.

The Big Race-

 

 

1. Get ready
2. Get set
3. Go!
4. The exchange
5. The Last exchange-
6. Mason & Kent in first place-{he was Becca's proxy}
7.  Sam and Heidi second and Denver and Bree third.

Fire-pit-

 

Conner was the master "Peeps" roaster-

 

It was a fabulous time, but came to an end much too soon- Can't wait until we are together again- {I got a sneak peek at the family picture amazing, Bree and Denver are just adorable in their engagement pictures- {sorry guys I saw them first.}

So there you have it....the whole story. If you think you missed something check out these earlier posts-

Boy Oh Boy, Cooking with the girls, MTC, {or as Conner would say, The Empty Sea- go here to read something so funny you will cry!}  Mission farewell and All I really need is Family.

Thanks for all your love and support- You are the best!

 Come see me over at Blissful- thanks-

Meme of the day

Liz- my friend from across the pond has tagged me, check out her site fabulous.

Rules of the meme. Respond and rework. Answer questions on your own blog. Replace one question. Add one question. Tag 8 people.

1.What are your current obsessions?

My family and blogging.

2. Which item from your wardrobe do you wear most often?
Jeans and my red garden clogs.

3. What’s for dinner.

You decide- I’ve been too busy to cook.

4. Last thing you bought?
Outdoor cushions- Happy day

5. What are you listening to?

Finding Nemo, I’m babysitting grandchildren now.

6. Do you have a pet and if not, why not?
No, too busy to take care of one- I know so sad.

7. Favorite holiday spots?
France

8. Reading right now?
Potterybarn early summer edition- =) and A Miracle that changed the world- the 5000 year Leap-by W. Cleon Skousen

9. 4 words to describe yourself right now.

Dependable, workaholic, Grammer, sleepy

10. Guilty pleasure?
Not sure if I have one right now, I will have to work on that. =)

11. Who or what makes you laugh until you’re weak?
My husband

12. First spring thing?
wildflowers

13. Planning to travel to next?
Utah- for a wedding and to visit my Dad

14. Best thing you ate or drank lately?
Sandi’s fruit tart- yummy

15. When was the last time you read a bedtime story and what was it?
Last night- George’s Store- by Frank Asch

16. Favorite ever film?

Don’t have a favorite- but I like a good mystery and ones that make me cry.

17. Care to share some wisdom?

Be kind-

18. Favorite song?
Don’t have one- man I’m boring.

19. What’s your favorite Flower?

Dahlia

I now tag My Heart Leaps up, Jocelyn, Marilyn and Paula- and anyone else who would like to join in.

Here is a little peek into what is new in the garden today-

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- 

Bitter- Sweet-

We arrived in Utah one day early to gather up a few remaining items on Elder Andersen's list, it was interesting all the extra attention he received.

Everywhere we went people would ask him if he was getting ready to enter the MTC.  -fun-

After errands were done-Elder Andersen requested that we eat dinner at Tucanos, Brazilian Churasco. 

They assumed he might be preparing to leave on his Mission, and when that was confirmed they sang to him and give him a free dessert.

On the morning he was to report, we met Grandpa Blain for Breakfast- At the Village Inn, they too were excited for him and he recieved a free Breakfast as well.  Elder Andersen loved all the attention, and it was really sweet how it made him just beam.

 

After Breakfast it was time to report to the MTC-  it went as follows.

 

• Picture in front of the MTC sign- Its a tradition.
• Just thought it was so cool seeing all the young Elders and Sisters- How often do you get to see large groups of well dressed and happy young people. {1500 to 2000 missionaries are training there at any given time- they serve 2.6 million meals there each year- and we found out it takes a 300 cow dairy to keep up with the daily consumption of dairy products.- Crazy!
• The view from one of the dorms.
• Elder Andersen and Grandpa Blain.
• They teach 52 different languages there. {Everywhere we walked we heard and saw the Elders practicing their new language and studying together.}

 

• Every detail of the day were so very well orchestrated.
• From the door that we entered to the little red dot. [the red dot is for the new Missionaries, so the workers know they are new and can help them if needed.}

 

 

Dan had the honor to put Elder Andersen's first missionary badge on.

 

 

 

{Three generations of missionaries} Dan served in Argentina Rosario, my Dad served in the Eastern States, and now Mason in The Billings Montana mission.

 

Having done this three other times with Sam, Kent and Denver- doesn't make it any easier.  We are so excited for Mason and for the great journey he is about to embark on.  We are excited for the life long friendships he will make, for skills he will develop, for the service he will give.  He leaves a young man, and will return home refined and polished.

The two years of service he will give is in a way a tithe of the nearly 20 years he has been blessed.

{Each Missionary is responsible for all their own financial expenses while serving. The church will provide a plane ticket home at the end of their mission.} 

 

So for the next two years, Elder Andersen will serve the Lord- We will not see him until that time is done. But our prayers and letters/ emails- will be our life line to him.

Joy feels our heart.... Until we meet again-

Mission Farewell-

Sunday April 19th was the day when family and friends gathered to hear Mason speak in Church, and to show their love and support.

We would like to thank all that came and sent Mason off with well wishes and blessings- you are very appreciated.

The day was wonderful- I thought Mason's talk was touching and totally him. =)

{and I'm not just saying that because I'm his Mom.}

{Mason and our Branch President}

 

These are the men that stood in the circle when President Edler set Mason apart as a Missionary. {I was a little slow on getting a picture- so I grabbed them all as some were heading home; hence the reason some are not in a suit.} I really think that a Mom should not have to worry about pictures on a day like that.  There were a couple other pictures I wanted to get but didn't, I'm hoping one of my kids has it on their camera.

 

Have you ever tried to get five children to sit still long enough to get a picture? .....I think it's cute still the same.

The girls-

 

When I took the girls out to take their pictures- Carlee notice Anna's "gloves" and said- "Grammer, can I have some hand slippers too?"  Too cute. The matching skits in the picture on the bottom right- Shannon made.  It was so much fun seeing the two girls twirl and run around in those adorable skirts.

 

 

Thanks to Sandi for all her help and especially for the fabulous dessert.

 

{recipe coming soon.}

 

 

 

 

 

Family and Friends-

 

Thanks to everyone- sorry if I missed getting you in the pictures.

It was such a blessed day- All of Mason's siblings{ Shannon, Sam, Kent, and Denver} were there along with their spouses and children. (Denver and Bree aren't married yet, but we count her as one of ours.} We so appreciated the kids for their support and love of Mason-

Today's the day Mason's enters the MTC- If I have a fast connections in our hotel tonight I will post about it. {we are hoping to get half way home tonight.}

 

 

 

All I really need is...

A garden to tend and family to love.

Each morning after breakfast two questions were usually asked-

"Can you go to the garden with us?"

"Can we play in the tree house?"

I had all the help I needed to tend to the garden- and we played to our hearts content at the tree-house.

The Garden-

 

 

 

 

The Tree-house

 

 

Anna and her flowers-

Anna loved to pick flowers, just about any time of the day she was either carrying some or asking to go pick some.

 

 

Conner on his solo ride- He was one happy boy.

More to come- we are taking Mason to the MTC tomorrow- Can't wait to tell you all about it.

Things to come-

The lake, the river, girl cooking day, Cook out , etc. etc.

Boy oh Boy!

 

Let's celebrate with a Half-hour Shower

For Becca and Kent- their baby is due in August.

 

 

 

 

 

 

• Place- In the Garden

• Colors- Blue, yellow and white

• Food- Brownie Sundae

• Activities- making baby burp cloths, baby name picture frame,

• Gifts- Starting Kent and Becca's baby library

The Setting-

 

 

The Guests-

 

 

The Food-

 

The Activities-

 

 

 

"Cute little Nose, Sweet little Smile... A baby is coming in Just a Short while!"

 

 I'm participating in Melissa's "Beautiful Life" challenge- click on over to see what other very talented people are doing.

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. =)