this farm girl..

2011-12-09T21:12:00.001-08:00

5x7 Folded Card

View the entire collection of cards.

2011-09-11T18:34:00.000-07:00

For school Matt loves to have things he can eat on the way in the morning. I made some blueberry muffins for him. I will put them in little zip locks and freeze them, then we can take a few out at a time. It works great! I love recipes the use sour cream. For some reason I find them to be the most moist. These were VERY good!

Ingredients

4 eggs
2 cups white sugar
1 cup vegetable oil
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
4 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon baking soda
2 cups sour cream
2 cups blueberries

Directions

Preheat oven to 400 degrees F (200 degrees C). Grease 24 muffin cups or line with paper muffin liners.
In large bowl beat eggs, gradually add sugar while beating. Continue beating while slowly pouring in oil. Stir in vanilla. In a separate bowl, stir together flour, salt and baking soda.
Stir dry ingredients into egg mixture alternately with sour cream. Gently fold in blueberries. Scoop batter into prepared muffin cups.
Bake in preheated oven for 20 minutes.

2011-07-22T20:21:00.000-07:00

Homemade Pizza night!

{{{best part, it's for the bread machine. Makes it real but easy}}}

NY Style Pizza Crust

2/3 Cup warm water (put it into machine), add:

1 Tbls olive oil

1 tsp garlic, minced

1 tsp cornmeal

1/2 tsp salt

1 tsp sugar

2 1/4 cup flour

put 2 tsp yeast on top of the flour

Set machine on dough setting.

About an hour and a half later this is what you'll have!

I put olive oil on a baking sheet and then sprinkle some cornmeal on top of that.

Dump dough onto the pan

Pat it out like this. I put it in the oven for a little bit before I put any toppings on it. Otherwise its very hard to get the crust done and the toppings not burned.

I did sliced tomatoes and feta cheese

Put a little sauce on top, then feta..

Then tomatoes..

Then mozzarella on top of that

And it's done! It was so good! Loved the feta because of the little bit of bite that it gives it. We love feta on anything:)

2011-07-17T20:09:00.000-07:00

We had been looking at ways to repel bugs (mainly mosquitos) from Mylah w/o having to put actual bug spray on her. Also looked into those clip on ones but read that they shouldn't be inhaled, especially by young children. So, then Matt started looking at some natural ways to deal w/ bugs. He bought three citronella plants! These are the flowers from them. We haven't really had much of a chance to use them or see if they work. We've only gone out for walks in the dark or rain and the mosquitos aren't really out then.

Russian Sage

Hollyhocks. They were so, so pretty this year. Matt and I decided we will need more of them next year. The only ones we have, I believe, are the ones that were here when we bought the house and we just moved some into the full sun and they took off! They were the some funny back spot that was all shade. We are planning on getting many different colors for next year. They last a long time, too, because they have to bloom working their way up the whole stalk.

Phlox. We really only have this shade of purple. They are very pretty, though!

This is Summer! I am so thrilled that it's SUMMER. I don't do all that well in the Winter months. And I have a very hard time loving and appreciating things around me other then heat, headed mattress pads and blankets. And those aren't that fun to take pictures of;-)

Hen & Chicks

2011-07-14T10:50:00.000-07:00

This might not seem like a very big deal to some...

But I have Hen and Chicks that are living! Not only living, but growing, thriving and looking so good! I have never been able to grow them, not anywhere, not in anything and not for any amount of time. I finally found a spot they like I guess and I'm so thrilled!

2011-07-11T21:16:00.000-07:00

Kisses, kisses & more kisses

WHY MOTHERS KISS THEIR BABIES

BY: Judie Rall

After a baby is born, it is natural to see the mother kissing the baby. One would think this is simply because of the emotional bond that has formed between mother and child. While this is true, there are also other very compelling biochemical reasons why it occurs. These reasons reinforce the understanding that our bodies have inner wisdom which we seldom recognize or trust. Just as our bodies know how to give birth even if we don’t have intellectual knowledge of the process, our bodies’ biological systems also have reasons for the complex social interplay between mother and baby. It just goes to show that, more than ever, we should trust our mothering instincts.

Five Senses

When an animal gives birth, you will notice that the mother spends a lot of time licking her young. This exposes her five senses to the young so that she knows the taste, smell, feel, sound and sight of her new baby. In this way, a mother claims her child as her own.

When a human mother births a baby in an environment which allows her immediate and free access to her child, you will notice that over a period of time she performs certain behaviours called “claiming behaviours.” She will caress the child, explore the softness of the baby’s skin, and probably count and fondle the unique little fingers and toes.

She probably marvels visually over how much the baby looks like her or her husband or another family member. She will notice the colour of the hair and eyes and other physical features. She hears the baby’s cries and learns to distinguish them from all other cries. As she leans down to kiss the child, she undoubtedly smells the scent of her new baby and through the actual act of kissing; she comes to know the taste of him or her.

Just like an animal mother, she has now exposed her five senses to the baby so she attaches to him or her. She now feels he or she is her own. It is not unusual to find that women who are deprived of the privacy required to create this immediate bonding right after birth often say they feel a distance between them and their baby.

Health Benefits

Claiming behaviours such as kissing provide not only emotional, but biological attachment. There is a very real health benefit for the baby who is kissed.

“When a mother kisses her baby, she ‘samples’ those pathogens that are on the baby’s face. Those are ones that the baby is about to ingest. These samples are taken up by the mother’s secondary lymphoid organs like the tonsils, and memory B cells specific for those pathogens are re-stimulated. These B cells then migrate to the mother’s breasts where they produce just those antibodies that the baby needs.” says Lauren Sompayrac, author of How The Immune System Works.

We talk a lot about breast milk and how it conveys antibodies to the infant helping to prevent illness. However antibodies made for the mother while pregnant are not what the baby needs. He or she needs antibodies for the environment around them that they are in constant contact with now. Kissing her baby is a very important activity beyond its obvious pleasurable and attachment- promoting value. It helps mother claim baby, and helps her body determine the antibodies baby needs in the breast milk.

So mothers, kiss away on those babies!

This fun article is from here.

Isn't it amazing how God designed us and how our bodies work?!

How great is our God??

2011-07-08T09:01:00.001-07:00

Favorite carriers and wraps so far:)

I love the Moby. It's like she's still inside me really, only much more still because she's usually sleeping in there. She LOVES the movement and noise of me moving around. The other day I was at the store and there was a couple a few checkout lanes over. The man went to get something they forgot and when he was coming up to pass the lane I was in he stopped and said he thought it was just a shirt I was wearing until I leaned over and he saw Mylah's head!

Matt has yet to try the Moby but he loves the Ergo. I always tease him a little because of how he wears it. Like he's all hunched over or like he has to keep his shoulders up or something. I guess he is new to this whole extra weight of carrying a baby in front of you thing. Me, I've been doing it a while and it's a natural thing for me to put my hand on her like I've still got her floating around inside me. Matt wears her well and she loves her daddy! Here we're shopping at Farm and Fleet - checking out their great kids clearance stuff:)

I have some other wraps/sings that I want to try but think they'll be easier when she can hold her own head up for longer then she does now.

Speaking of the wee one, she's up from a nap so I had better go relieve Oliver from her fussing:)

Me, getting big!

2011-07-07T10:06:00.000-07:00

This is me at about three months pregnant..

And here we are a few days before Mylah Jane was born!

I LOVED being pregnant. I could do it again and again! If they are all this easy anyway;-) I still miss being pregnant at times. I just really enjoyed it a lot! I also LOVE being a mommy to this baby girl too, though!

Day at the pool

2011-07-07T09:58:00.000-07:00

Mylah and I went to the pool with some

friends yesterday. She ate and

then did this the whole time

we were there:) Looks like

she's doing a face plant

in this picture:) Hey,

she was happy!

All four of the adults that were there

got burned. Got the kids all sun

screened up and didn't do any on us.

The sun was HOT yesterday.

I have to say, though, it felt

great! It means summer is here:)

Had to at least try it...

2011-07-05T22:02:00.000-07:00

A mango avocado salsa

It wasn't that great

It wasn't bad, just not what I'd make again

I did get some pretty pictures:)

First time I tasted mango I thought maybe I was eating pine needles:)

Books = Love

2011-07-05T13:27:00.001-07:00

I have found some good reads lately and that always makes me happy

I love it when a book is just plain good. No (or very little) sex and unnecessary bad language.

Veil of Roses was probably my favorite of the two. It was a great book to read right before the 4th. Such a good reminder of how blessed we are to live in the US and be FREE!

What are you reading this summer? Have any good suggestions? I an always up for trying something new!

2011-06-26T19:02:00.000-07:00

PURE JOY IS IN MY HEART!

I am so blessed to call this precious little girl mine! I am so thankful the God gave her to US to raise, love, protect and share a life with. We are having a lot of fun being parents:)

Matt's "senior" photos:) Glad he's 28 though!

Our family! I still can't believe it sometimes. I am loving motherhood. I could go on and on about all the things I love about it. I know there'll be days and there have already been tough moments. As they get bigger/older I hear the troubles get bigger as well. But, we're going to deal w/ one day at a time. I do sometimes still miss being pregnant. I'm glad she's here w/ me and I know who was bouncing around in there but I also loved being pregnant w/ this little girl. I am overwhelmed by my very blessed life!

2011-06-15T10:57:00.000-07:00

We had a big day on May 17th, 2011!

We became a FAMILY OF THREE!

And it was the happiest day of our lives:)

Mylah Jane Nelson

8lbs 8oz 21in long

2011-05-31T18:27:00.000-07:00

amazing sugar cookie recipe!

2 cups unbleached all-purpose flour (10 ounces), preferably Pillsbury or Gold Medal
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1/4 teaspoon table salt
16 tablespoons unsalted butter (2 sticks), softened but still firm (60 to 65 degrees)
1 cup granulated sugar (7 ounces)
1/2 cup granulated sugar (3 1/2 ounces), for rolling dough
1 tablespoon light brown sugar
1 large egg
1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract

1. Adjust oven racks to upper- and lower-middle positions; heat oven to 375 degrees. Line two large baking sheets with parchment paper. Whisk flour, baking powder, and salt in medium bowl; set aside.

2. In standing mixer fitted with paddle attachment or with hand mixer, beat butter, 1 cup granulated sugar, and brown sugar at medium speed until light and fluffy, about 3 minutes, scraping down sides of bowl with rubber spatula as needed. Add egg and vanilla; beat at medium speed until combined, about 30 seconds. Add dry ingredients and beat at low speed until just combined, about 30 seconds, scraping down bowl as needed.

3. Place sugar for rolling in shallow bowl. Fill medium bowl halfway with cold tap water. Dip hands in water and shake off excess (this will prevent dough from sticking to your hands and ensure that sugar sticks to dough). Roll heaping tablespoon dough into 1 1/2-inch ball between moistened palms; roll ball in sugar, then place on prepared baking sheet. Repeat with remaining dough, moistening hands after forming each ball and spacing balls about 2 inches apart on baking sheet (you should be able to fit 12 cookies on each sheet). Using butter wrapper, butter bottom of drinking glass; dip bottom of glass in remaining sugar and flatten dough balls with bottom of glass until dough is about 3/4 inch thick.

4. Bake until cookies are golden brown around edges and just set and very lightly colored in center, 15 to 18 minutes, reversing position of cookie sheets from front to back and top to bottom halfway through baking time. Cool cookies on baking sheet about 3 minutes; using wide metal spatula, transfer cookies to wire rack and cool to room temperature.

2010-10-01T23:04:00.001-07:00

Matt and Tyler were getting some stuff sorted out at Grandma's the other night and they found her wedding rings!

When Matt told me where they found them it all came back to me....

When I was getting my grandma packed up to go to an assisted living place for about two weeks I had asked her where her wedding rings were. She said, very dismissively actually, they they were in the tv room in the smallest basket of a set of three. I went and looked at them and then gave her a hard time because of where she kept them.

She just kind of waved me off and smirked. She was a woman that never really thought much of "things" and "stuff" even if it was something important. That's just how she was. She knew she wasn't taking them with her when she left this earth, so it didn't really matter. That's something to remember. Thats the attitude to have!

Also, she was a little, petite lady... they don't got past my knuckle - I am not so petite!

2010-09-18T22:29:00.000-07:00

I really want to try and make this yogurt w/ milk from the farm! Let me know if you've ever make homemade yogurt and if so what was the recipe and how did it go??

news

2010-09-18T21:55:00.000-07:00

We are VERY excited to be going into this new pase of our lives together!

2010-09-08T19:16:00.001-07:00

What's rollin' around in YOUR dryer?

This is what's in mine...

I found this big box or wool yarn outside on my door step one day when I got home from work. I was thrilled. Rae was so sweet and sent it to me to make dryer balls. My friend, Raychel, was starting cloth diapers and wanted some dryer balls to cut down on the time it took to dry all her newly acquired laundry. You need wool so that they felt well and don't fall apart when in use.

Here's how I did it...

Start by making small balls of yarn. The ones on the far left are done.

Done and ready to be felted. the first layer anyway.

Now, you get an old nylon sock and put one of the balls all the way at the end, tie a knot and do it all over again..

Like this... and then you'll have a string of yarn balls in nylon like sausage:)

all done and ready for a very hot wash cycle and then the dryer. This might need to be done a few times in a row.

They are now felted and ready for the second layer.

This is the second layer. I'm using this yarn on the top because it looked like it would felt really well, and it did!

The brown ones are ready to go into a nylon again and the little ones are still needing a second layer.

I took a picture of the finished project with my phone so it's not a great picture, but you get the idea:) They really felted well! And, I'm happy to report that they cut way down on the drying time of the cloth diapers! She had to dry them one and a half cycles and now they're dry after just one! So, it was worth it. Now, I'm making myself some. This yarn has gone a long ways, so I'm excited I get some too:)

Thank you, Rae! It was awesome to get to make a bunch of these and not have to buy yarn. You made our day! We are so excited. You might know you've grown up and are boring when you get excited about wool dryer balls that speed up drying and in turn lower electric bills:)

2010-08-30T14:35:00.000-07:00

an update on this post:

I think I put too much garlic in it. It was unbelievable. I emanated garlic. Even my pee smelled like garlic. And, I was hoping that the cloves would stay more whole. So, I think I'd have to put the garlic in at a later stage in the bread making, and use way less of it;-)

2010-08-29T22:28:00.000-07:00

I Love her illustrations! Saw her stuff on a blog and wanted to share. She is so fun and talented.

We've been busy. Just getting back into the routine of back to school and lots of work for both of us. September promises to be just a busy. Trips with family, trips to see family, wedding, hopefully some boating *fingers crossed*

Have a great week!

2010-08-21T22:32:00.001-07:00

PiCkLeS!

Icing the cucumbers.

Sterilizing the jars. I read that you can do them in the oven.. and that made me excited cause doing those in a water bath is so time consuming.

Jalapeno, garlic and all that good stuff in the jars, waiting for the rest!

The brine:)

Pickling seasonings

chili peppers from our "garden"

The dill and alum is in there too

and then packing the jars

Packed and ready to be bathed in brine

Still so many left!

the ends need to be thrown away and then there are all the slices ready to be backed

such pretty color!

in the hot water bath they go

They're done. Now they just have to sit for a few weeks before we can try them.

I was in high school last time I did pickles so I'm excited to see how they turn out.

2010-08-16T20:59:00.000-07:00

Garlic Bread

Ingredients

1 3/8 cups water
3 tablespoons olive oil
1 teaspoon minced garlic
4 cups bread flour
3 tablespoons white sugar
2 teaspoons salt
1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
1 teaspoon dried basil
1 teaspoon garlic powder
3 tablespoons chopped fresh chives
1 teaspoon coarsely ground black pepper
2 1/2 teaspoons bread machine yeast

This is what's in my bread maker. Except..... *ppl who know me will roll their eyes at this point* I didn't really do/use everything the recipe said *Grin*. I actually used TWO garlic bulbs and peeled them and roasted the chunks of garlic. YUM. So, I added that instead of the tiny amount of garlic they wanted me to use. I also didn't use basil or chives. Also, agents my better judgment, I put the pepper in....? You see, I'm trying to replicate a kind of bread that you can get for, ahem, $4 for a small loaf at Festival!!! That's too much for a small loaf of bread. But. I LOVE THE STUFF. We will see how it turns out. It's baking as I write:)

2010-08-16T20:13:00.001-07:00

Just some of what I've been reading...

I love books that take place in the 1800's. There was a little sex in this one that always makes me go, "ahhh!" and then I skip through it and move on. It was a good read, though!

LOVED this one. Very, very good book. I live in a old ripped up house that we have vision for, so this was a perfect book for me right now:)

another good one! If I remember this one had a little sex, too:-/ It's the same way I feel about movies with a little sex. I feel like you could let us know what happened w/o actually having to show it or get into it. That's just me:)

I've been more into the lighthearted books lately. I go in streaks with what I enjoy reading. I think when my life feels stressful I want to read lighthearted and not intense mystery.

2010-08-14T17:12:00.001-07:00

I love this photo! I have been spending a lot of time with the cows again. My sweet husband has been doing a lot of milkings for me though, and that's been wonderful!

This is were this fun photo is from. Sadly, it's not mine:)

2010-08-09T21:31:00.000-07:00

What I've been doing all day. Pictures later.

3/4 cup sugar

1/2 cup salt
1 quart vinegar
1 quart water
3 tablespoons mixed pickling spices
30 to 40 medium cucumbers
dill

Wash and dry cucumbers. Combine sugar, salt, vinegar, water. Tie spices in cheesecloth bag. Add to mixture and simmer 15 min. Pack cucumbers in hot, sterilized jars. Pour in mixture leaving 1/4 head. Adjust lids and bands. Process in boiling water bath 15 min. Yield 7

25 quarts is what I ended up with.

wow.

2010-08-06T17:22:00.000-07:00

I've been thinking a lot lately about this. Branding. So far I have not come up with a stamp or brand. I want to. But, I don't want to rush into it. I don't want to hastily just make something and then a short time later realize it's not me, it's not what I stand for. I see too many new photographers just put a blah strip of white that says, "John Doe Photography" and there's not a single thing that's memorable about it. Not one thing. It's not catchy, it's not pretty, it's a nobody font and it makes me cringe a little. Rae will probably be proud to know I think/feel this way about this subject. I also see smart, sassy, established photographers who have thought about it and it shows! I can tell it's who they are, it's a passion, it's something I picture even when I'm away from their page or blog, its memorable!

So, this is something I've thought about for months now. Should I have a name, or use my name? I want people to be able to know me, my name, however I feel that's rather dull. I think about it, and then just sweep it out of my mind. And then I think to myself, "I'm hoping one day, it will just hit me and I'll know what I'm suppose to do and I'll never second guess that choice."

The other thing is that I am not really doing photography right now anyway. Just doing it for fun, on the side or for friends. I am very much enjoying learning and teaching myself slowly. I want to be sure I know what I'm doing and what I'm selling someone. I don't want to do it half way and then look at my work and say to myself, "I'd never pay for that!" I want to know what I am, who I am and what I'm selling is more then worth it some day.

I have some very fun blogs that I follow that are written by well established photographers. It's so fun to see how sure of themselves they are and that they know their stuff and they mostly taught themselves. It's a slow, enjoyable, leaning and frustrating at times journey for me:)

Let me know if you have thoughts or ideas. I'm always open to the thoughts of great minds:)

2010-08-05T09:44:00.000-07:00

"How many are your works, O Lord! In wisdom you made them all; the earth is full of your creatures. There is the sea, vast and spacious, teeming with creatures beyond number-living things both large and small."

Psalm 104:24-25

This was the sunset on the way home from our vacation. It was just outside of Lake City. These pictures, on this blog don't do it justus! It was stunning. It was actually the only time the whole trip that I took my big camera out. It was such a blessing. I was bummed that we had to end our trip and we had to go back to the real world.. and this was a nice treat.

2010-08-04T21:59:00.000-07:00

The bread was good. It was a bit dense, so next time I would choose the Large Light setting and not the Regular Light setting. Give it a little more time to raise. Taste was very good and my husband even had a sandwich with it, as did I:)

And just look at me, going out on a limb here.... no picture. I hope you're a better person then I am and actually come back to visit and trust that I will have pictures again.

2010-08-03T12:45:00.000-07:00

I have a confession. I don't really keep reading blogs that don't have pictures. Therefore, I don't really ever post unless I have pictures to go w/ it. I love to see things, I'm a visual person, a hands on person. I just need to see it! This is what's in my bread machine right now...

Garlic and Chive Bread

Ingredients:

5 cloves Garlic

1 tablespoon Butter

1 1/4 cup Milk

3 cups Bread Flour

1/3 cup Parmesan Cheese -- Grated

2 tablespoons Fresh Chives -- Snipped

1 tablespoon Sugar

3/4 teaspoon Salt

1 teaspoon Bread Machine Yeast

Directions:

Saute garlic in butter for 1 minute. Cool. Add all ingredients to machine according to manufacturer's directions.

I will have to let you know how it tuns out, since it's still in the machine..

2010-08-03T12:33:00.001-07:00

My wonderful husband is on the Dakota Fire and Rescue and they are doing the Gun Raffle again! Click on the picture of the ticket below if you want to better see the list of guns that you can win. Tickets are $20.00 each and it's a great deal and a great thing to support. This is a great team of people that really take a lot of pride in all that they do. The best part is that you don't have to be present to win if you don't live in the area, can't be there or just don't want to be there! Tell the men in your life!

*because somehow I don't think the men are reading this blog very much;-)*

2010-08-02T15:59:00.000-07:00

“We were promised sufferings. They were part of the program. We were even told, ''Blessed are they that mourn."

“God, who foresaw your tribulation,
has specially armed you to go through it,
not without pain but without stain”

“We're not necessarily
doubting that God
will do the best for us;
we are wondering
how painful
the best will turn
out to be”
C.S. Lewis

2010-07-21T21:20:00.000-07:00

This is a pretty bowl from my grandma. I have always loved this bowl. I think so many of the things of my grandma's that I loved were from the kitchen. I spent a lot of time in the kitchen w/ my grandma.

So pretty

We've been finding a lot of glass in the yard while doing this redo. It's been interesting. I wish I'd saved all of it to make a wind chime out of it all... but I didn't think of it till just recently. We figured why back when someone had buried some garbage. That's what it looked like when they dug it up anyway. There were some bags in the mix too, and that made us really think that's what went on.

My new favorite thing:) I think I could put this on just about anything and be happy:)

2010-07-21T13:32:00.000-07:00

Photo Collage

I am having so much fun actually understanding PSE!

It's the small things in life:)

I'm wishing now, though, that I had played w/ it more before this instead of just getting annoyed w/ it and leaving it.

2010-07-19T20:55:00.001-07:00

"..this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us. We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed. We always carry around in our body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be revealed in our body. For we who are alive are always being given over to death for Jesus' sake, so that his life may be revealed in our mortal body."
2 Corinthians 4:7b - 11

We were reading in 2 Corinthians last night before bed and I loved this part. I had to share it with you. And it makes me think of how I need to die to my ugly, human, sinful self every day. I want to make more room for God in my life/soul/heart. I just love how this verse applies to so many different aspects of my life and all the many places I need to die and move over of there is no room for the LORD in my life.

2010-07-19T15:28:00.000-07:00

I'm playing w/ my actions again. This was one of my favorite pictures of the day. We got rained out so had to do pictures under the car port. great, right? This is the bride's son and daughter-in-law. He was a goof ball and she was so much help w/ everything and the food all day! Fun people!

This is SOOC

Just some more fun actions. I wanted you to see the one SOOC so you can see how the actions totally change the look and feel of the picture.

Fun. I know. You're impressed. :)

2010-07-19T14:00:00.001-07:00

Wedding Photo Shoot

I am learning there are a lot of interesting things about shooting a wedding. One, you walk in and you're just sucked right up into it and are part of the family. As if it's not odd that you're a stranger and in the house, helping, taking pictures and being introduced to different people. You're sucked right in and are an instant part of the family. And then a few hours later you leave and never really see these friendly people again. Kind of a whirlwind that leaves you with a strange feeling!

Another thing is that you're kind of expected to know who's related to who and how. And that's a trick:) I have to try hard and remember names and how someone belongs to someone else. It's so fun, though, to get to know people. And you sure to do get to know them in a situation like that!

I haven't had time to do much editing. I hope to be able to get a lot of editing done when we're on vacation next week.

2010-07-16T21:59:00.000-07:00

I am so excited to have all these new actions! I am having fun with them... so much fun. Here are a few. I'm not good at it yet, but the more I play the more I'll learn.

Ahhhh, I am one happy girl!

2010-07-15T01:36:00.000-07:00

Baby Addie Nona

I think this one might be my favorite. I know she's starting to get mad here.. but this face is just so cute!!! And there's a little tear on the right eye:,,( She was so patient with us for so long. What a sweetie..

Sara is such a blessing to me. I am so happy that she's finally living her dream of being very happily married and on her way to having a house full of babies. I use the term "full" lightly. but you get the picture. I feel like Sara is my sister and this little girl means to much to me because it's Sara's first, her first daughter and I know how long she's wanted this little girl. What a blessing. I am in awe of God's awesomeness in her whole life - and Him letting me share it with Sara!

2010-07-14T23:59:00.001-07:00

Some fireworks for you

We had a very nice, mellow 4th

2010-07-09T23:16:00.001-07:00

Teaching myself as I go....

And rather proud of myself...

I have finally taken the time to teach myself how to get actions in to pse6 and use them! Simple if you have a class, or a teacher... but I hate just sitting around till I figure it out, and that's what I did! I sat here, till I read enough blogs and just poked around until I got it:) I know it's silly to someone who already knows pse inside and out... but I don't! This is so fun! I love knowing more and more about something and knowing I did it myself!

2010-07-07T14:53:00.000-07:00

Are any of you into Twilight?

Some of my friends are:) And I go along with it and watch the movies because they do and it's a great excuse to get together with friends. We went and saw the movie Eclipse last Wednesday night. It was the best movie yet, of the three.

This is a picture for Raychel:)

And I liked this one cause it's kind of artsy.

I would really like to read the books because the girls say that the books are a lot better then the movies. Have you read the books? Have you seen the movies? And did you enjoy them?

2010-07-05T12:27:00.000-07:00

A fun photo shoot for a friend..

These two little boys are cousins. And so eating up the camera:)

They are all so easy to take pictures of!

Look at that little boys smile!? He was too cute. What a pleasure to do these pictures!

2010-06-28T19:20:00.000-07:00

Summer is finally here

And going way to fast already!

And summer means fresh fruit that we can afford and is actually good to eat. Matt's been able to get out fishing, I have not had a change to get out on the water yet:( We have been working on the back yard a lot. Have been camping once and going again this weekend. We've been milking a lot of cows. Had some family in town the last weekend, it was fun to see them. Did I mention working a lot? Yep, we have been. Have had a good summer so far and plan on packing a lot more in so stay tuned...

2010-06-28T19:14:00.000-07:00

Bunnies, bunnies!

This is Emma

These pictures are of Chester. He's rather anti social. Emma is a sweet heart. She loves any attention possible. Chester, really only cares for Emma:)

I LOVE little bunny mouths:) Isn't it cute!?

2010-06-28T18:50:00.000-07:00

Lightning and lightning bugs.......

Some lightning we captured the other night when we were out storm chasing:) We were chasing lightning and this is all we really got. I wanna go out again sometime maybe when it's better and maybe in one place. It was all over the sky and really hard to decide where we should set the camera up. It was pretty even though we didn't get much of it recorded onto a SanDisk.

Matt was out walking Ollie one night and saw a lot of lightning bugs out. We went and tried to get some pictures. They were pretty too. There are just some things (like lightning and lightning bugs) that take a lot of practice getting a picture that really looks like what the naked eye sees.

2010-06-25T17:24:00.001-07:00

Another really good book!

I love the main chorictor, she's a spit fire that speaks her mind. I also love the settler days. It all fascinating to me. She uses moss for a diaper. Wow. Can you say diaper rash?? All that they did just to survive!

2010-06-25T07:51:00.000-07:00

What I'm reading........

I start a lot of books and then don't bother with them for one reason or another. I don't believe in wasting my time on a book I'm not enjoying.

This is such a good book! I enjoyed it so much. It was a little bit love story (and that I'm in to right now, taking a break from hard core mystery) little bit kept you guessing about a man in prison. It had a very unpredictable ending and I always LOVE that:) I would highly recommend this read if you want something light hearted yet keeps you thinking and wondering.

2010-06-14T20:28:00.000-07:00

Enjoy some of the pictures from the baby shower that I helped throw. What fun we had:)

2010-06-10T22:31:00.000-07:00

It's been so fun and.... a great morning process for me to go through all the old pictures that my mom has scanned. I just can't believe how much I loved my grandma and how much she was a part of my life! She really molded me and helped make me who I am today. What a special and amazing thing to have had her a part of my life so much that she helped make me who I am!? I am so blessed.

Wasn't I cute!?

Dad and Audrey. Looks like maybe she's heading off to school:)

See, I loved this lady I got to call Grandma for so long!

I use to think that grandparents who were just mad about their grandkids were a little... overboard, or fruity:) But, I know what it's like to be on the other side of that love and overboard-ness. Every time I'd talk on the phone w/ my grandma, from age 2 1/2 to 26, she's say, "grandma loves you" before she'd hang up. I loved that. It makes me realize how important it is to say things like that. It doesn't do anyone any good to keep those feelings inside. Today at her memorial service I had so many people come up to me and say, "you're grandma loved you so much" and "your grandma was so proud of you" and "she talked about you all the time." I know she loved me and it showed. Makes me choked up just thinking about it. I spoke at my grandma's service today and sobbed the whole time. She meant so much to me I couldn't even find enough words to say, to convey who she was to me, what an amazing, caring, loving grandma she was to me and my brothers!!

What a woman. What a blessing to be molded by her so that I could be more like her when I grow up:)

2010-06-08T23:05:00.001-07:00

I loved this! I stole it off of a friends fb album and had to share it:)

This is in honor of my grandma, because she'd love it.

and in honor of my grandpa because he served in the US Army!!

2010-06-05T22:44:00.000-07:00

So I got this scale at a garage sale for $3! It's an old baby scale from a Dr office... 50's maybe..? Very cute. It didn't have a price and when I asked I figured they'd want at least $20.

So last night I was using it for some baby photos of Addie. I forgot my big flash at home and that would have helped I feel, because it was later at night. Addie was hungry and didn't give us too much time. BUT, in her defense, she did really, really well for being hungry and we just kept torturing her!

I feel like there cute, but missing something... I don't know what it is. I feel like maybe it'd be fun to do the pictures out in the grass... or in a field w/ some tall grass...? She's a good sleeper I guess so we may have to do some more practice before she gets too big for my scale:) Tell me what you'd want to see or do different. What do you like about the pictures, and what don't you like? I just feel like there's something missing.... maybe I just think that way cause they're mine, but I do think somethings missing...

2010-06-02T23:24:00.001-07:00

This is another recipe that really reminds me of my grandma. When I was little we had a lot of laying hens at home. We'd always give my grandma fresh eggs and sometimes I would get to take a dozen fresh eggs down to grandma's house and spend the day with her making a chiffon cake. It's just something that reminds me of her.. The day after she passed away I make brown bread and this cake. It was a great way to go back in time and remember when I was a little girl and would help grandma in the kitchen:)

MARBLE CHIFFON CAKE

1/3 c. unsweetened cocoa
2 tbsp. sugar
1/4 c. water
2 tbsp. vegetable oil
2 c. sifted all-purpose flour
1 1/2 c. sugar
3 tsp. baking powder
1 tsp. salt
1/2 c. vegetable oil
7 egg yolks
3/4 c. cold water
2 tsp. vanilla
7 egg whites
1/2 tsp. cream of tartar

Combine cocoa, 2 tablespoons oil, 2 tablespoons sugar and 1/4 cup water in a small bowl. Stir until smooth. Set aside.

Combine 2 cups flour, 1 1/2 cups sugar, 3 teaspoons baking powder and salt in large mixer bowl. Add in order 1/2 cup oil, egg yolks, 3/4 cup water and 2 teaspoons vanilla. Beat at low speed until combined, then at high speed 5 minutes.

With other beaters, beat egg whites in large bowl with cream of tartar until still peaks form. Pour batter in a thin stream over entire surface of egg whites, fold in lightly by hand mixing. Remove 1/3 of batter to a separate bowl. Gently fold in chocolate mixture. Pour half the light batter into ungreased 10 inch tube pan; top with half the dark batter. Repeat layers. With a spatula, swirl gently through batter to make marble.

Bake at 325 degrees for 65-70 minutes or until done. Invert cake in pan. Cool thoroughly. Loosen cake from the pan. Invert onto serving plate.

2010-06-02T22:21:00.000-07:00

Me on a tractor... I was a daddy girl when I was little, spent a LOT of time on tractors, graders, in carriers on dads back, out testing cows with dad, farming with dad... everything!

not a very good picture, but still cute. I was so fat! Not like that's changed;-)

2010-06-02T21:57:00.000-07:00

I was a very stylish little girl thanks to my grandma...

She was a great seamstress.

I always had very cute little dresses.

I've already informed my mom that she will have to make cute things for my kids.

I loved it when I grandma would come up and measure me, or have a half done dress that I'd have to try on to see where it needed to be taken in. Sometimes I'd get to pick the fabric, or at least a color. I think my mom still has some of the dresses. I should look for them sometime, I'd love to see them.

The more I think about my grandma the more thankful I am to have grown up w/ her being such a huge yet interact part of my everyday life. I was so blessed. I can't even put it into words. It makes me sad for people who are growing up with out an amazing grandma and grandpa. I would go on drives with them, out to eat with them, to church with them, to VBS at grandma's church, shopping for a very particular shirt for my grandpa - and it needed a very particular pocket on the front that had to be the exact right size for his wallet to fit. That particular experience was a little painful for a 6 year old little girl, if I have to be honest;-) Those are the memories I get to have for the rest of my life, though, and that is priceless!

2010-06-01T13:48:00.000-07:00

Happy June First!!

it's really hard for me to believe it's the first of June already. i feel like summer is already going too fast. i try to enjoy the beauty around me still, even tho i feel it's all going too fast. i spend a lot of time w/ cows, and after while i don't see their beauty anymore;-) what do you have going on this month? anything you've really been looking forward to? hope this first of June finds you as happy, healthy and as blessed as i am.

2010-05-31T22:39:00.000-07:00

This is a recipe that really reminded me of my grandma. She'd make it for Christmas and holidays sometimes. It's so, so very good! It's like candy. Try it sometimes you'll love it:)

Boston Brown Bread

1 c. whole wheat flour

1 c. med. rye flour

1 c. yellow cornmeal

1 1/2 tsp. baking soda

1 tsp. salt

1 c. raisins (opt.)

2 c. buttermilk, room temp.

3/4 c. molasses

Generously grease 2 (1 pound) coffee cans or 3 (1 lb.) vegetable or fruit cans; set aside. In a large bowl, combine whole wheat flour, rye flour, cornmeal, baking soda and salt. Add raisins, if desired. Toss to separate and coat with flour mixture.

In a medium bowl, combine buttermilk and molasses. Stir into flour mixture only until dry ingredients are moistened. Turn into prepared cans, filling evenly. Cover cans tightly with 2 layers of foil; tie with string. Place a rack in a large kettle. Place cans on rack. Place kettle over low heat. Add boiling water until halfway up cans. Cover; bring water to a gentle boil. Steam bread 2 1/2 to 3 hours or until a wooden pick inserted in center comes out clean. Add more boiling water during steaming, if necessary. Carefully remove bread from cans. Cool on racks at least 30 minutes before slicing. Makes 2 or 3 small loaves.

2010-05-31T22:08:00.000-07:00

This is my grandma and my dad when he was little. If you look closely, my dad is making a funny face - a face that looks just like my brother Tyler!

This is my grandma when she was about collage age I believe. She was a brown eyed beauty! She always had great thick hair, and I wished I'd inherited it. My mom has had a great time looking through all the old photos. She scanned a lot of them for the grandkids. I didn't have as much time to go through all of them so I'm very glad she did that for us:)

My grandma was also up to date and very stylish. She always looked so sharp and cute! When I was about 17 I even borrowed a shirt from her. That's how cool and up to date she was all her life! How many people can say the wanted to wear something at age 17 that their grandma was currently wearing!?

My grandma was so unselfish. I didn't even realize how unselfish until this past week that I've really been thinking a lot about her. She always asked about how we were doing, what we were doing, and she meant it. Never did she ask just to be nice. She always cared. She always asked about and talked to my husband and the boys girlfriends as if they were her own grandchildren. She never talked about herself and if she did it was always positive and it was almost always about how blessed she was. All along she was a huge blessing to others! This is a way I want to be more like my grandma.

She was simple. I think that's really how God wants us to live. She did not get wrapped up in money or things. Those were just things she had to deal with in this life. That makes me realize even more how heavenly minded she was. She knew she'd leave this earth someday and wouldn't be taking anything with her. What a great hope we have in that! What a great hope we have to know we will meet Jesus face to face and we won't need anything but him!?

2010-05-31T22:03:00.000-07:00

If you thought I wasn't telling you the truth about talking w/ my grandma on the phone all the time.....

Here's the proof! The only person I talked to on the phone at this age was my grandma! Chattin' it up with my grandma. What did one old lady and a three year old talk about!?!? :) That's the amazing grandma I had, putting up w/ me:)

2010-05-29T16:33:00.000-07:00

I am having a great time editing baby pictures... :)

Great picture, though, right!?

2010-05-29T12:11:00.000-07:00

I love this song right now.

I'm a dork and sometimes love country music.

It's what's going on in the barn, and that's the only time I listen to the radio.

Enjoy:)

Remember when I was young and so were you
and time stood still and love was all we knew
You were the first, so was IWe made love and then you cried
Remember when

Remember when we vowed the vows
and walked the walk
Gave our hearts, made the start, it was hard
We lived and learned, life threw curves
There was joy, there was hurt
Remember when

Remember when old ones died and new were born
And life was changed, disassembled, rearranged
We came together, fell apart
And broke each other's hearts
Remember when

Remember when the sound of little feet
was the music
We danced to week to week
Brought back the love, we found trust
Vowed we'd never give it up
Remember when

Remember when thirty seemed so old
Now lookn' back it's just a steppin' stone
To where we are,
Where we've been
Said we'd do it all again
Remember when
Remember when we said when we turned gray
When the children grow up and move away
We won't be sad, we'll be glad
For all the life we've had
And we'll remember when

2010-05-26T09:24:00.001-07:00

Many tears. Of Joy. Of sadness.

At 1:24 this morning my grandma went home to be w/ the LORD. What a blessing it was that she was able to live at home, healthy and happy right up until just before she passed away. She wanted it that way! Just her and her kitty. Another huge blessing is that my mom was able to be w/ her when she took her last breath here on earth and the angles came and got her. I can't think of a better person to be w/ her for that amazing moment!

I have so many memories and thoughts that I can't even express all of them. I will write more as I remember, because she was worth many posts, not just one!

I dreaded this day from the first moment I learned what death was I think. I spend hours on the phone w/ my grandma when I was little. Sometimes I would call her many times a day. Hers was the first phone number I learned, even before my own. She was grandma, she was my grandma. It wasn't a birthday, Christmas or real family get together unless it was at grandma's.

I do want to be just like her when I grow up. Feisty, fun loving, loved her family w/ her whole heart, always positive, always saw the best in people and situations, loved the LORD, always had a huge interest in our lives no matter where we were in life (even prison:), tough as nails, giving and had a great sense of humor for a 90 year old!

There was a spot on the top of her right hand and when we were little fascinated us. We always asked her what it was and she always told us that it was a pice of lead that had broken off in her hand, under her skin. I think a class mate stabbed her w/ it, it broke off and there is stayed. I now wish I had remembered the details better. I have a feeling I am going to wish that a lot about the memories I have of grandma. You take for granted your grandma when you're so young. It makes me realize that I shouldn't take for granted anything or anyone around me. I wished I hugged her last time I saw her, I wished I'd told her how much she meant to me one more time, told her how much she was loved so thoroughly by all that knew her, especially her grandkids! I know she knew, but everyone likes to hear that.

I spent HOURS baking w/ my grandma when I was little. She taught me a lot in the kitchen. She made a mean pie and chiffon cake:) I wish w/ all my heart that my kids could have known her. I told my mom that she has some huge shoes to fill if she's going to live up to grandma! I think she'll do just fine w/ that:)

Well, grandma would tell me to get on with my day and stop crying over her. It was her time to go, but it just doesn't seem fair here on earth that she won't be w/ us anymore and that all we have is the memories. But, I thank the LORD for all those great memories and that I got to know my amazing grandma as well as I did. I just feel like a 5 year old who was just told her grandma died, not the 27 year old I am. In the map of my life there is a huge empty pice missing, but it was a beautiful pice when it was still in the puzzle and it gives me hope that I might be as great a woman as she was.

2010-05-21T21:24:00.000-07:00

This is the book I'm reading right now and I LOVE IT! I am so sad she only has three books!

I LOVE this author, she's my newest favorite!

2010-05-20T14:01:00.000-07:00

A good book to read

For now I've burned out a little on mysteries and want something a little more light hearted. It my also be because my life has enough crazy, busy, drama of it's own.

2010-05-19T23:23:00.000-07:00

Loving this weather!

I have a bad chest cold that's making me feel pretty crummy but I'm still able to enjoy life:)

2010-05-15T07:17:00.001-07:00

{Cora Ruth}

Cora with her aunty, Ester.

We had the great honor of being one of Cora's two's sponsors for her baptism last weekend. What a precious little girl:)

When great grandma was holding her she kept yawning like she was thoroughly bored. And then grandma would pinch those little cheeks.

Mom trying to get her to smile:)

I LOVE the look on Cora's face here. Carol is holding her talking to her and she looks so... interested... or confused:)

Her gown. It was first worn by Becca's great, great grandma (I think!?). Anyway, it's old and has been warn by many of the ladies in her family. Very special!

Do you think Matt's a natural?

Getting into her gown... *my pictures loading backwards, sorry:(*

can you tell Kristi loves being a grandma!??!

The grandparents

mom and dad.

What a blessing that day was in so many ways!

What a wonderful other family I have:) And how wonderful that these ppl love the LORD like they do and want their children to grow up in a loving, Godly home. This little girl is so blessed! All of Kristi's sisters and brother came. They are such neat woman (and guys!). They just bless my heart so much every time to see them. They come to every family get together like this that they can make it to. They are great, loving, family orientated, Godly woman who could certainly teach me a thing or two. Like I said, what a blessing this day was!

2010-05-07T21:04:00.001-07:00

I want to be like this photographer!.... we'll see! haha... I have to do a LOT more hard work to get there... but I can dream!

2010-05-07T10:12:00.000-07:00

{ps this is NOT my bread! Mine doesn't look this good...}

Sourdough Bread

1 1/4 cups sourdough starter 3/4 cup warm water 4 cups bread flour 1 3/4 teaspoons salt 3 tablespoons granulated sugar 1 3/4 teaspoons active dry yeast

Place ingredients in the bread machine pan in the order suggested by the manufacturer. Select Basic bread cycle and start machine.

Makes one (2 pound) loaf.

This is a new recipe. I lost my bread machine recipe book for now. ugh. I'll find it. So far the sourdough bread has been my favorite. It's the lightest and most fluffy. We will see if I like this recipe as well as the last.

2010-05-07T08:33:00.000-07:00

When it was warm enough we were out for a walk and he was out for a swim.

Doesn't he look like he's enjoying himself!?

2010-05-05T00:03:00.000-07:00

some books I have read and enjoyed..

The Diary was short and sweet. It was a good quick read. And a great ending that I didn't really expect in a way. love it when that happens.

The Castaways was more intense and complicated. I enjoyed the very interesting and different characters. They were, however, rather dysfunctional. That always annoys me a little and I'm not sure why. I just want a simple story (unless I'm reading a mystery) that makes me feel good:) I feel like my life is complicated enough, when I read a book like this I want to get away through it. It was a good book, though.

2010-05-02T23:25:00.000-07:00

Amazing Bean Casserole

Stir together and put in a 9x13 pan:

2 cans pork n' beans

1 can kidney beans

1 can lima beans (I hate these, so I do navy beans instead)

1 can onion rings

1 cup sugar

Top with 1 lb. fried bacon and 1/4 cup catsup. Add a little bit of bacon grease on top of that.

Bake at 350 degrees until it's browned and bubbly.

It's like candy. I hate beans and I love this dish. My whole family loves it and all the boys request it for their birthday.

2010-05-02T22:42:00.001-07:00

in my spare time

this is what I do.

I do a lot of this.

I do love it, though.

And my cows are probably as thrilled about it as this one looks:)

And every day I go home with at least that much cash;-)

2010-05-02T22:19:00.001-07:00

Never judge a book my it's cover

Do you judge books by their covers?

I sure do!

I love some good art on the front of my book.

I want that to be eye candy to me.

I want to look at it and know I have to read that book.

Sometimes I just go to the library and if I don't know what I want or haven't looked into an author I just pull them out, glance at the cover and from then decide if I want to read what it's about - silly, I know, but I want to like what I'm looking at first.

I've thought if I were every to write a book (and that will never happen!), I would want Rae to design my cover. I know I'd love it. I know that would be a book I'd want to read just by looking at the cover. I've thought about how important that is since I do it all the time.

So if you read/like different kinds of stories do you suppose to like different art on your covers?

My thoughts.

Don't these book covers just make you want to read them?

(ps, I've never read these or seem then in my life;-)

2010-05-01T23:01:00.000-07:00

Me and Ollie on a walk

The tracks. When we first moved here I was a little disturbed by the tracks and how much we could hear them. Now, it feels so much like home. I would miss the trains so much if they weren't there.

HaPpY sUmMeR fEeT!!!!

Thanks to my amazing husband and my wonderful sister-in-law I now have a magnolia tree!!! I love it! It's blooms lasted for a long time this year! I just love how large and floppy the flowers get. Love it.

Lilly of the Valley. I don't know what flower is my favorite. They are all amazing. The smell of these is heavenly!

So pretty!

I love this time of year.

2010-04-27T00:09:00.001-07:00

Babies, babies everywhere!

My life has been full of these little blessings lately.

This is Addie Nona - my long time friend, Sara's little girl.

This is Nyla Jai`

She is my dear sweet friend Andrea's little girl.

I want to steal her. I won't even lie.

There is also Cora who is my new little neice and I haven't been able to meet her yet:(

My good friend, Josie, is also expecting in a few weeks too!

2010-04-20T07:29:00.001-07:00

This is an amazing scone recipe. I've tired many and this is by far the best! Try it out and let me know what you think:)

Scones

2/3 cup butter milk or plane yogurt.

1 egg

3 c. flour

4 tsp. baking pwd

1/2 tsp. baking soda

1/2 tsp. salt

1/2 c. butter

1/2 c. sugar

mix well and add whatever you want (if you want): dried cherries, cranberrys, chocolate chips, white chocolate, nuts..

Edit added:)

Lightly flour your surface, pat dough out in a circle, about 1/3 to 1/2 in. thick - whatever you prefer. Cut in crazy triangles, put on to a baking sheet. Bake at 375 degrees 20 - 25 mins or until golden brown. Cool and frost, or put course sugar on top before baking - which ever you like.

2010-04-18T21:41:00.000-07:00

subtle definition
sub·tle (sut′'l)
adjective subtler sub′·tler (-lər, -'l ər), subtlest sub′·tlest
thin; rare; tenuous; not dense or heavy a subtle gas
capable of making or noticing fine distinctions in meaning, etc. a subtle thinker
marked by or requiring mental keenness subtle reasoning
delicately skillful or clever; deft or ingenious a subtle filigree
not open or direct; crafty; sly
delicately suggestive; not grossly obvious a subtle hint
6. working insidiously; not easily detected a subtle poison

So we were trying to figure out how to spell subtle. We went on and on
trying to figure it out on three iphones and one mac.. and nothing
Until...
My husband called and he knew how to spell it!
It was the same spelling that we were coming up w/ but
we really weren't believing it...

2010-04-14T18:38:00.000-07:00

Daffodil!

::SpRiNg::

Some of my deals!!!

My free 8x10! FREE. This little note says, "copyright release needed." It makes me feel good cause it means my photography is good enough that they need the photographer's release.... and I am the photographer!

I've never had these before. The Mozzarella ones are very good! I got them for 44¢ each at Walgreens!

Got Oreos for really cheap! Two of them for 89¢ and the other two for $1.49. I had coupons for BOGO w/ the precious of a gallon of milk.

Benadryl for free and two razors for about 78¢ each:)

Snuggle fabric softener for 99¢ each and Degree for men - 78¢ each.

My hubby loves orange juice and grape juice. We are stoked now! These were about $1.35 each. The dawn was only 30¢ each:) I love dawn.

I was so excited about this deal! Last week at HyVee they had these containers for 99¢ and I had coupons for all of them so I payed 30¢ each!!! It was a great, great high:)

So if you want any good deals!? Come to my garage sale on May 8th!!

2010-04-12T08:07:00.000-07:00

What I'm reading right now..

And I'm loving both! They aren't my usual mysteries. They just have very fun characters and everyday stories. Look into them if you want a good read:)

2010-04-03T22:47:00.001-07:00

Day off, things that make me happy, fresh baked bread and rainy day...

Crocs! I got them for $11.99 each, delivered to my door:)

Rainy day. My pretty, wet flag.

I finally got to organizing my coupons!

My sister in law, Becca, makes such beautiful cards! They are like art!

My bread making. I run out about twice a week and then make some more. Nothing better then the smell of fresh baked bread.

My sweet neighbor gave me some tomato plans because she had some extra. I love a new plant! I think I'll have to replant them in something a little bigger before I'm able to plant them outside.

It was a beautiful day before the rain:)

The best part, my sweet husband worked for me so that I could stay home, make bread, do laundry, coupon and just poke around... and then get my hair done. He's such a great, great man! He was born to be an amazing husband!

2010-04-03T22:31:00.000-07:00

Spring is HERE!

I'm very glad about that.

Some of my crocus'

and the rain crushed them:,(

So pretty...

So can I plant

an onion like this?

Like one from the store

that I'd normally

cook with?

::SPRING::

2010-04-03T22:25:00.001-07:00

Ruffy wanted some head shots too:) This is his side shot and then...

His serious look.

2010-04-03T22:15:00.001-07:00

My fun new hair. I LOVE it. LOVE IT. I have the best stylist!

Love the hot pink/redish chunks:) So fun!!

2010-03-31T19:56:00.000-07:00

Some great dEaLs!

This is $47.96 worth of groceries. I payed $18.88!! Some great Quillon's deals this week.

Oliver is going to be a Mighty Dog! And to make him Mighty, Walmart payed me 30¢!! You're welcome Walmart for taking this off your hands:)

(there's one missing cause he was dying to try it!)

This is more Quillon's deals! all this for $6.99 - with nine items that makes it 77¢ each!!

This was a Target deal two weeks ago I believe. The cereal was 25¢ each and the milk was FREE. Two of the huggies were $5. and the other two were $4.50 each.

Another one that I made money on. I made $2.84!! Nice, ha? :) I love this hobby!

2010-03-30T08:18:00.000-07:00

I no longer have this very pretty bush in my yard. that doesn't make me all that sad. it was very pretty last year.. I feel like it's very hit and miss when it looked like this and when it was just ugly. It bloomed for three days and then it was just an ugly bush. So, we had the guy take it out when he did the septic last Fall. The yard is very ugly right now. I'm not sure what to do about that. should we just plant grass and go for a yard, or should I do a garden and make it profitable and a lot of work. That's the part that scares me, I don't know how much time I'll have to take care of a garden this summer so will it just turn into a nasty weed patch? What to do? Time will tell. We'll probably end up doing a little of both. Because I KNOW I'm not going to have time to take care of a garden the size of my whole yard. that's my pointless rant for the day. stay tuned.

2010-03-10T22:33:00.001-08:00

I had the privilege to do an engagement shoot with this cute couple! I have known Andrea for years, since late grade school... she's always been SUCH a HUGE blessing me to and it an amazing friend and young woman! Jeremiah is such a great guy and loves her so much. I am so very thrilled for them. They have found happiness! They are getting married on a beach on Florida in May. How fun, right?! Enjoy they eye candy. I had SO MUCH FUN doing this for them. I just keep looking at these pictures and loving them more and more every time;-)

I think this one is so far my favorite!

Stunning couple, right!?

Congratulations guys!

2010-03-10T20:45:00.001-08:00

Can you tell me what's not like the other in this picture??

(or should I say, not like it should be)

Notice? I found this on the internet and wanted to try it. Worked really well for a homemade lens cap... :)

Here's a hint - "I heart my camera!!"

2010-03-10T20:18:00.000-08:00

I love my pictures! I have thought about taking all my pictures on my picture boards down to start over. But, there are problems with that. I would MISS these pictures! I don't print very many pictures anymore. I'd miss the memories. The boards would look so sad with out anything on them for a while. So, I think I'm going to leave them for now.

Fresh bread!

Yummmm. I love it toasted with jelly...

One of my favorite things.....

This is a wonderful book that my bible study girls are reading together. It's such a simple, good read! It's a great insight into a woman's heart. It's all so true and really makes me think, makes all of us think and usually makes for some very good discussions. Our last chapter was on pains and hurts that have effected us in our lives. It didn't highly pertain to me, however it makes me so much more aware of why people might be acting they way they do. It's been a very good book and such an easy read. Read it if you can!

2010-03-10T20:07:00.000-08:00

Playing w/ my new 50mm lens! It's so fun and I love it so far!!!

isn't that fun!?

And Ollie....

He is his daddy's boy... and he also LOVES going to grandma's house! LOVES it. Like you have no idea:)

2010-03-10T19:44:00.000-08:00

We had to get BOX of Purex we got so much:)

These are my really cheap (and super cute if you ask me) crocs! They were $15.00 shipped to my door! I also got this lip color for about $2. cheaper on line delivered to my door then I've seen it anywhere in a store. Awesome:)

So as you can see my life is... fun and cheap:) I love it that way. I am living on a collage students budget w/ a mortgage payment!

2010-03-10T19:38:00.001-08:00

It was a good day in the mail for samples and coupons:)

It's so fun to get something FUN in the mail:) It's so worth signing up!

2010-03-10T19:21:00.000-08:00

FREE, Free, FrEe...

All of this laundry soap was free w/ couponing!

They were on sale at Walgreen's BOGO and then I had a BOGO coupon. Soooo, the coupon bought the one I was suppose to buy:)

It was $84.00 worth of laundry soap. I am pretty proud:) Thanks to my friend Raychel and her hubby I had 7 of those coupons!! Amazing.

I paid less then $1.40... for tax:(

2010-02-13T21:11:00.001-08:00

If you don't know how to relax....

you could learn a few things from Hank!

2010-02-05T23:44:00.001-08:00

We went to the little Methadest Church on the corner just down the street. We had been at Matt's parents for the afternoon and then on our way home we saw a guy salting the church sidewalk so we stopped and asked him what time the service was. We had 20 minutes to get home and great ready. We hadn't even showered. We looked pretty good and were only about 5 minutes late.

It was such a small, and yet huge, blessing to have happened appon that service. It was decorated so very beautifully. Such a cute little country church. It was wonderful. They read the Christmas store and lit candles as they went. So precious!

There was this basket of very pretty little "The symbols of Holly" card... they were so pretty. It layed around my room for days and I'd pick it up and admire it. So, I loved taking pictures of it:)

What a neat idea. I had never seen this before.

2010-02-05T22:33:00.000-08:00

And these were the only other Christmas cookies we made cause I was craving them:)

Yumm

Frosting, frosting and more frosting

So, we might not be able to decorate cookies quit like this when there are kids involved someday;-) And Matt choosing our Christmas music for the evening, Christmas Eve. We had a wonderful time

So this post is about a month and a half over due!

2010-02-05T15:50:00.000-08:00

one of the only thing I made for Christmas....

Oreo Truffles and dipped ritz w/ peanut butter in the middle:)

2010-02-05T15:32:00.000-08:00

And my brother is finally giving me the sister I've always wanted!!!!

Jami is an amazing young woman! I am so thrilled that she will officially be a prat of the family.. but really she has been all along:) She is so perfect for Tyler. She's beautiful inside and out, caring, outgoing, smart, a very hard worker, very honest and she loves my little brother! I am just so, so thrilled..

And she always looks so stinking cute! She's always doing something fun and cute w/ her hair and wearing something ever cuter yet! Sometimes I try to keep up w/ her... but there's no hope for me:)

And the stunning ring that Tyler had made just for her! It's so pretty and shines so much. I just can't say enough how blessed I am..... she's a great friend to me and a huge blessing!

2010-01-25T14:06:00.000-08:00

I good book that I'm reading!