Cooking Capers

This week I taught my daycare children the song "MY FLAG" from the Children's Songbook. Today we make graham cracker flags for dessert. The blue sprinkles left their months a blue-green. After lunch we did a tricycle ride around the block and counted American Flags. Fifteen flags on poles, and eight painted house numbers with American Flags painted on them. This months Visiting Teaching message is about Nuturing the Rising Generation. I took Cookie in a Jar mixes along with the story Cookie Sunday (The Friend, November 1989) to the sisters with children that I visit teach.

Where's the Camera?

A few weeks ago Grant and Grandpa were out working in the backyard. Grant run into the house and then back outside again. I followed him. Grant had the camera and was "taking pictures" of Grandpa. Last Friday Grant and Cami came to play while their parents were on a date. Grant climbs onto the desk chair and starts going through all the desk drawers. I asked, "Grant what do you need?" His reply, "WHERE'S THE CAMERA?" Grant has realized that when we are together, we often take pictures! I love my little guy! (Yes, Rachel he's mine too!)

Earlier Friday Grant and Cami came to our Daycare Water Day. The daycare children tired of playing in the sprinklers after about 20 minutes. Not so with Grant and Cami! They loved the water. I knew that Grant has a passion for water, but feared that Cami would panic when the water sprayed her. Not to fear, she LOVES water too and could not get enough! I was also water soaked. Probably should have put on a swimsuit.
Much to my grandchildren's dismay we brought them into the house when they started turning blue. It is Sierra Vista and was only in the upper 70's low 80's that morning. Next time we do a water day it will be in the afternoon.

Labor Day with Family

We had a wonderful Labor Day with family. Each of our children living away from home called. (That puts a smile on a mother's face.) Mid morning Grant and Cami came to play. When Grant and Papa get together there is ALWAYS water involved! Learning the fine art of water guns.
Practicing newly learned skills.

We were invited to have dinner with Mark and family. Morgan is putting the finishing touches on a Red, white and blue trifle. After our preparations for dinner we loaded up the car and drove to Carr Canyon. (It's only a 15 minute drive to the first trail) The stream runs through the trail and we always enjoy getting to play on the rocks.

We took the trail to the Carr House ruins

On the way back we got rained. Shelby was prepared!!

We cut our hike short and headed to Mark's. Rachel made Rootbeer. Grant loved playing in the dry ice steam!

Dinner was delicious. Grilled Turkey burgers, salads, chips and Rootbeer. The company was even better!!!!!

Great Saturday w/ Family

I had a great day Saturday with the family, BBQ 2 rack of ribs and made a new German potatoe salad recipe (yum) fresh squash from the garden, what a meal.

The Grandkids came over an we taught Grant how to play Mario cart on the Wii, he perfected going in circles and going the wrong way, later he wanted to use the hose and water, he was suppose to water the garden, I think the trikes and Grant got thte wetest.

Looking forward to Monday, house and yard chores and maybe hike in the mountains, then out to Mark and Rachel's for Dinner

Girls Weekend

It was a Girl's Weekend. Friday, Shelby and I headed to Bethany's for dinner.She had prepared a fabulous dinner for the three of us. Chili served in homemade bread bowls, fresh cantaloupe and sauteed spinach with garlic, almonds and a raspberry balsamic vinegar.
Next we went to Mothers house for a visit with her and Aunt Betty.

Part of our visit included attending Callie's Bridal Shower. We had a great time visiting with family. We also feasted an incredible salad bar. Dessert included:

Randi's Lemon Cake decorated with fresh roses

and a Fudge Swirl cake surrounded by Kit Kat's prepared by one of Tim's sisters.

GRUBS! :(

A couple of weeks ago I looked out the kitchen and saw that one of the tomato plants looked thirsty. A bit odd since its our rainy season. I checked the soil and it was moist. Then the pepper plants next to it also started wilting. Randy checked the soil. It was moist. He then did a little digging and found GRUBS!!!! The creepy critters are eating the roots of my garden plants. Randy did some research and ordered beneficial nematodes. Microscopic organisms that eat the grubs. Sadly it takes two weeks for them to get here.

The destruction continues. Hopefully we will be able to save the summer garden. If not, we will treat the soil and get an early start on our winter garden.

It's a good thing that we enjoy Fried Green Tomatoes!

"Life will sometimes hand you a magical moment. Savor it."

(Life's Little Instruction Book #639)

One of those magical moments for me is music. I love the sound of live music. It's is so much better than listening to music on a stereo system. Morgan knows that music calms the "savage mom" and indulges my desire of calming music. Recently I watched the remake of Ice Castles. I asked Morgan if she would learn to play some of the music from the movie if I bought it. Thankfully she said, "YES".

Morgan is currently learning/playing Ice Castles by Hamlish, Pravane by Faure (both from the movie). Hymn 22-We Listen to a Prophet's Voice for ward choir (she is an accompanist) and February Song by Ondrasik, Groban & DeVries from one of her current favorite DVD's Awake Live.

Thanks for the music Morgan, I savor every magical moment!!!!!!!!