Ch-Ch-Ch-Changes

We had some rain last week - lovely long drenching rain.

The best thing about that is that it has taken the heat down a notch or two. Confession: Summer is my least favorite of all the seasons. I just don't do well in the HEAT. It drains all my energy leaving me a lethargic (and cranky) breathing mass.
Most creatures hibernate in the winter, but it's Summertime for me.

I always look forward to the days when the temperatures start to drop.
It's way too early to be feeling fallish yet, but it's Cooled down to the low 90's, and the evenings are in the 60's. We can finally turn off the AC at night, throw the windows wide, and just enjoy the breezes.
I love it.

I've made no secret about the fact that Fall is my favorite season - mainly for the reasons listed above, but also for the changing leaves, the harvest, and the Holiday season that follows.

I also love the fact of school starting, (even though I won't have anyone going to school anymore.) I just love the feeling of order, and schedules, it's a time of new beginnings and new possibilities.

With the cooler weather, my energy level goes up a notch, and I feel like I'm coming back to life again. I'm looking forward to feeling ambitious (let's say I'm hopeful) - starting new projects, and getting out of the house a bit more.

With those changes, I'm hoping to start walking daily again. I hate how sedentary I've become this year. Not only is it bad for the body - it's bad for the mind and the attitude. I need to clear some cobwebs (and shed some insulation!)

Speaking of favorites...

I'm in a sharing mood today, so I'll share with you a little family favorite dish
We all love it, though admittedly I don't make it very often (it takes hours to prepare!) ...But I assembled a batch this week.

This started out as a [Japenese ?] recipe that my former sister in law found, but I have modernized [and Granny-fied it,] and made it my own. It has a name I can't spell or pronounce, but my family just calls it "Pillows."

You start by browning about a pound of hamburger with about an eighth of a cup of soy sauce and about a tablespoon of grated ginger root (Mmmm - it smells lovely!)

Then you place about a teaspoon of the hamburger in the center of a small square egg roll wrap. Moisten your finger, (no, I don't lick and stick - I keep a small cup of water nearby.) Dampen the corners of the egg roll wrap, then fold it closed, sealing the edges.
(I would say fold it like a diaper, but does anyone even know how to fold diapers anymore?)

When they are finished, they look like neat little bundles, thusly:

Then you fry them up in a little vegetable oil, just until they are golden brown...

...And serve them with rice and some yummy stir fried veggies. So, so good!


Parting note:

The other morning I was doing my hair, when I noticed a tap tap tapping outside my window. This silly little woodpecker was having a snack in my tree.
(I love watching the birdies)

The poor sad tree is infested with some kind of destructive bug that is killing it, I'm afraid. Makes me so sad - this tree shades my room and keeps it nice and cool.

Off to see what's next for this week...
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ADD

When I was in school, we never heard of ADD, but when my son was diagnosed in kindergarten, and I read up on it, it filled in some pieces to my puzzle.

...Like, when I was in 3rd grade, I was always wandering out of my class and into my sister's. I would go over to the bins where the worksheets were kept, pull one out and sit next to her and fill it out.
It wasn't that I was lonely or scared - it was just that my class felt boring sometimes, and her work was a little more interesting. This went on for several weeks until her teacher finally kicked me out. (Now that I think of it, no one from my class ever came looking for me - Hmmm...)

Anyway, if acorns fall from oaks, I may have a little of that disorder myself.

That would conveniently explain why I can't make long term goals - it's not that I can't commit - it's just that way before the deadline approaches, I've found several other paths that interest me, and have wandered off the track...

And in decorating my home - I always have to do a little at a time because of my budget, but by the time I'm getting started, my tastes have already changed and I want something else. I can't settle on just one style, because I like EVERYTHING!

I've even started this blog post twice this week, and shut down after the first paragraph. Just couldn't concentrate.

- Not a serious problem, but definitely distracting.

I'm trying to work on my concentration, but... hey - look over there, there's something shiny!

....

This is a test.... This is only a test....

So much on my mind and in my heart today. Hoping I can create some order out of the chaos and make some sense of it all...

Things have been a little insane around here this month - hubby got through the first round of cancer treatments with his brother, but the second round is coming up this week. (Dennis' wife can't be with him all the time, because she's the main source of income now, so hubby fills in for her.)
Dennis is feeling more himself this time around, so he's all the more anxious about the treatments (plus, he's fully aware of what's coming this time.)

On my end, I get more and more concerned for hubby who is bearing such a tremendous burden. Besides being there with his brother, his dad is now having problems too. He's been in the hospital for over a week, and having quite a struggle.
His mom is partially blind and isn't able to drive, so coping with her needs and her fears is a trial too.
...That plus holding down two jobs - just to look at hubby shows how much it is all wearing on him.

- But look in his eyes, and one can also see that the refiner's fire is at work in him, and that he is receiving a measure of joy and satisfaction, (and I hope strength) from all the service that he has been giving. I know that he has chosen this course, and that he wouldn't have it any other way.

The frustrating thing for me is trying to find my part in it all.
The job it took me so long to find keeps cutting hours, and my wages are a joke.
I thought I had a second job in the bag - but this week I discovered that there is no bag.
I'm just here at home alone all day, twiddling my thumbs and feeling completely USELESS. I wish that I could do more to lift the burden, but it seems all I can do is to try not to add to it.

My sister has had me caught up in making plans a trip for the two of us for over a year now. We were going to go this September - but I finally gave myself a reality check this morning, and decided that that dream is a dream that is not meant to happen. At least not now.

There is no way I'll be able to save enough at this point, and whatever I do manage to save, I would so much rather use to help my youngest to get into college, and for my little grans to buy school clothes.

(My daughter in law plans to get their clothes from the second - hand shop this year... There's really nothing wrong with that - she loves being frugal, and the girls get just as excited to find things there as they do at the department store - the only one who minds is grandma.
I love to spoil them, and I love seeing them all dolled up and looking just so...)

To splurge on a vacation right now would just feel selfish and wrong.

Speaking of reality checks - my son Brad flies out this week to search for a new home for he and his wife. And Jenny will be making trips to Ephraim to finalize finacial aid for school. No more pretending that things are going to stay the same - life is about to go on in a big way.

The first time Brad left home, our milk bill dropped about 80%. ...Just one of those silly little things that remind you that something is different - something is missing.
Each soul that has come to our family is so precious, and they leave such a big hole when they are not around. I've been so blessed to have them all close for so long...

I love this quote from Bruce Barton:

"Sometimes when I consider all the tremendous consequences that come from little things, I am tempted to think there are no little things."

I love my family.
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Pioneer Weekend

July 24th is a big deal around here - all kinds of celebrations going on to celebrate our pioneer ancestors who settled this area.

This year my family chose to whiff all the celebrations and spend a quiet week being pioneers ourselves - roughing it in the woods.

We loaded up our covered wagon (a self-contained 5th wheel trailer) and headed up the canyon.
All the way up, hubby was re-assuring the grand daughters that there were no bears where we were going - nope, never seen one here...

Meanwhile, we passed the campground by the lake and noticed that the gates were all closed. Strange, we thought, everything is usually open this time of year.
We found a spot just around the bend and up the road a bit and set up camp.

The next day when the kids came up, they told us that they had seen on the news that there was a bear attack at the lake the night we came up!
(The reason the gates had been closed.)
Apparently, grand pappy is full of... well, you know.
(We were only a mile from the girl's camp where they see bears all the time...)

Setting up camp
Melissa is who you want to have around when camping - she is a champ...

Target practice - Shooting BB guns

The dog refused to come out of the car while the kids were shooting...
(sorry, he's black - doesn't show up well.)

The great thing about camping is that OTHER people cook!
(I love my boys!)

These are evil - stay away (They're MINE!) LOL

Playing in the lake (after the bear threat was removed)

Bumps on a log
(the kids are using a very big log as a flotation device)


I'm not much for swimming (or wearing a swimsuit in public places),
so I opted to hike around the lake admiring the flora and fauna instead.

There's a really nice trail that goes all the way around the lake;

ducks

Wild Rose


The kids also enjoyed playing badminton and baseball (until we lost the ball in the weeds...), geo-caching, bike riding, chilling while watching cartoons, card games, and...

Napping


Home again and ready (?) to tackle that other mountain - laundry. *Sigh*

Miscellany

This past month, I finally finished my second story - then voluntarily ended my own writing career (at least for now.) I didn't think I'd miss it at all, but I kind of do. At least I miss having that continuous project that kept my mind semi-active and interested.

I was wandering around at odds with myself the other day, wondering what to do next, when my daughter suggested going to the nearby Barnes & Noble.

I jumped at the suggestion, because it's such a great place to look for new inspirations.
We spent a pleasant few hours wandering and perusing before she had to get home to go to work.

I came home with a fun magazine, a book of fairy tales, and a little fairy painting kit.

I've been wanting to start painting again, but it's been so long that there's that fear that I won't be able to do it anymore. (I haven't touched a paintbrush since my last baby was born.....18 years ago!)

I used to love to paint faces, and would often use photos in the doll magazines to practice techniques, and to challenge myself.
The Haute Doll magazine I got will be just the place to start trying that again (I hope.)

When I look at dolls, for some reason I always shy away from the perfect-every-hair-in-place type, and am drawn to the one that is a little different - quirky, sad, awkward - the one that needs LOVE.
These are some that I found;

Dale Zentner


I love how her dolls have such unusual faces. Their emotions seem to change depending on how the head is tilted. I also love the frizzy hair, and the fun girly fashions. Very fairly-like, don't you think?
Val Zeitler is another brilliant doll designer - she's cornered the market on quirky!
This one is from her "Attic Treasures" collection:

She also has a line called "Bitten." (Beautiful victims of Vampire bites.)

Then there's Evangeline...

Ok, maybe she's a little odd - even slightly creepy... (her best friend is a bat)

...but come on - you gotta love the shoes!



Speaking of Priceless Faces, this one is precious too...
(And I want to capture it as soon as I'm practiced up.)

(My youngest gran - this is her "not having fun, I want to go home now" face.)

We're going to attempt to go camping this week - wish us luck!
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Grandma Day

My two older grand daughters are learning to enjoy making cards, and every once in a while, they will ask to come over and "play" with grandma.

We had such a day today. It's always fun to see how excited they get when I pull out the paper and stickers (not to mention, a great way for me to use up excess supplies!)
Today they learned how to die cut and emboss with a Cuttlebug and Quikutz tools.

As you can see, they had a great time, and made special cards for everyone in their family.

Love my Girls!

Party Hardy

July is party month around here - 5 birthdays in the first week, besides Independence Day, Pioneer Days, and our own local Scottish Festival.

By the 7th, I am beginning to be slightly weary of celebrating, but that's probably due to the HEAT.

4th Follies

With the 4th of July falling on Sunday, we kept the celebration pretty low key...

We did have a family pot-luck barbecue, then we had our own little fireworks show.
My boys had been planning this for a while, and the main thing they wanted was a tank war. (Fond memory from days gone by.)

They had a hard time deciding who the opposing teams would be, but it finally boiled down to Pepsi vs. Coke. (Coke is a bad word in this house!)

The tank fireworks have been modified over the years - they don't roll or shoot as far as they used to, so it wasn't as exciting as any of the kids had hoped, still they had a good time with it. And although from the photos, you can see that Pepsi took a beating, hubby cheated and proclaimed them the winner (no surprise.)
battle
Pyro maniacs - I mean, technics

Summit meeting...

Lined up for battle...

...The bombs bursting in air

Take no prisoners...

Witnesses (girilie burrito)

Great Scott
As I mentioned, my little town is host to the Scottish Festival in July. It gets bigger every year, and people come from everywhere to see Scottish dancing contests, live folk music, bagpipe competitions, as well as games such as the caber toss, etc.

Some come to stroll the booths and buy Scottish goods, some to visit the clan booths and search out their Scottish roots, and some - merely to admire the men in skirts.

(And yes, I do have a wee bit o' Scott in me - my maternal grandmother was a McBride.)

But whatever the reason for coming, it's always interesting and always a good time, but like I said, be prepared to enjoy the heat as well.

Pioneer Days

This coming weekend is Pioneer Days. This is a state holiday, set aside to honor those brave souls who crossed the wilderness and settled here. No small act of bravery - many lost everything (some even their lives) to find a place free from religious persecution.

If you are a native Utahn (or Arizonian for that matter,) chances are good that you have ties to these people.

Lots of Parades, carnivals and fireworks, so I'm catching my breath 'till then.

Cherry Time

In the next week or so, it's also Cherry time here. Lots of local fruit growers will be harvesting and processing this years crop.

Since my job is so slow, and I've been cut back into next fall, (almost) I volunteered to work in the fruit.

In my opinion, you can't be a true Paysonite unless you have worked in the cherries at least once. (Initiation, ha ha.) It's disgusting work - long hours and hard labor, but the pay is decent, and just when you think you can't stand it anymore, it's over.

That pretty much covers things here. :-)
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Surprises

Tuesday, my youngest talked me into taking her shopping to all her favorite little haunts. We had a fun day, looking at everything and grabbing a snack at our traditional greasy spoon.
When we got home, all of my family's cars were parked in front of the house - I wondered what was going on here while I was away...

We walked in the door, and everyone yelled "Surprise!" They had thrown me an early birthday party - and I had fallen for it hook, line and sinker. What a devious bunch! :-)


(My son the artist/food stylist arranged the table aesthetically because he knew I would want photos.)
But it was lovely, the meal was tea party style, with dishes that were not only delectable, the were pretty to look at too!
...There were lace table cloths and flowers - Martha Stewart would have approved!

My daughter in law planned it and made all the food herself.
It's so touching when someone is willing to put in not only the work, but the thought that goes into something like this - it's just really special.

Thanks to my family for giving me such a wonderful day!


...A surprise that wasn't so good - doing the math and finding out that I'm actually a year older than I thought I was! Hmph.


The 4th of July weekend is upon us already, and we're having fireworks here Sunday, as well as a pot luck supper. July is such a busy, festive month!

Have a safe and happy holiday!
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Night

I tried to sleep. Really I did.
It's just too hot, and the full moon is peeking through my blinds and taunting me.
It knows that when it is bright and full, it makes me want to drive up into the hills and look at the stars in the sky and the lights in the valley below.

I like to watch the bats come out and get them to dive at the little pebbles I throw at them, and remember the days of night games, tree houses, and sleeping out on the big front porch.

I love my little town at night. The streets roll up, and it's so quiet and still.
I've spent many a restless night driving around and discovering little crannies and hills with views that take my breath away. All those favorite little places hold memories that are best enjoyed alone because that's how I first experienced them...

But since it's too late for a respectable old lady to be wandering around town alone, I've been sitting here looking for pictures of favorite things to cheer me.

One of my favorite sites had tons of gorgeous pictures of Oregon - which led me to think of my children, and how things are going to change at the end of this Summer.

My son is going to move back to the Pacific North West - not Oregon, but even further. Seattle.

On the one hand, I'm excited for him to be going off to a new adventure, and continuing on to fulfill his goals - but on the other hand, something in my gut fears that he will never come home again. Ever.

I've been so spoiled having all my kids so close.

But fish gotta swim, and birds gotta fly.

(...While crotchety mamas sit home and *Sigh*)


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Summer Solstice

It's official (by the calendar anyway) Summer is here.

When the kids are out of school - so am I. No more reason to get up early in the morning. The thing is, that for me, school is out forever. No more children in that routine ever again.

Trying to make plans to fill my days. I must accomplish things - or just sit around waiting to die. (Boring!)
Planning to de-junk the house little by little, get the garden in, start reading again, and hopefully do some creative things too.

Planning a trip this fall - so working to save for that. Difficult when the job is dwindling down to nothing...

I spent this past weekend at a couple of dance recitals for my granddaughter.
The one on Friday was for her tap/jazz class, and the other on Saturday was a full blown ballet (Coppelia.) The performances were at the new art center in Provo, a very nice venue.

Long performances, but it was fun to see how focused she was, and how seriously she was taking it. So cute. Wish I could share pictures, but they wouldn't let us take any...

Saturday I also went with my sister to the Parade of Homes. It's always fun to tour the homes and see what is new not only in the architectural styles, but in decorating styles as well.
We were only able to get through four of the homes before I had to leave for Millie's dance recital (the homes are spread all over the county) but it was fun - I enjoyed it.
In past years, the homes have all been huge and outrageous, but this year they were mostly small and conservative - signs of the times.

There was one huge "castle" type home that was my favorite - because I could imagine my entire family being able to live there together without feeling crowded. I never knew I wanted that - but it would be awesome, I think.
It was completely self-contained - movie theater, gym, indoor pool, even a dance studio! The only thing the place didn't have was a bowling alley!
Awesome. *Sigh* Unfortunately, the only oil on my property belongs to Questar.

News
Sad week in the neighborhood - 2 of my neighbors passed away this past weekend.

One a nice old gentleman who lives around the corner. Salt of the earth - his kind smile will be missed.

The other was an 11 year old boy. So sad when there is a life that will be unfulfilled - and especially when it was an accident that could have been easily prevented with a little forethought. The boy is in a better place, but his family will struggle.

Enough for today - I have laundry to do, and dishes to wash.

Happy Summer! (Wish I were on that beach...)

Weekend Rewind...

Thanks for being patient with me...

It's not that I have nothing to say these days - it's a technical thing.
It's so complicated to post these days, because I have to go back & forth between computers, email photos to myself, download them onto the other computer, then post them... (I have an unhealthy virus on my main computer, so I don't trust doing everything there.)

I haven't deserted - I've just gotten lazy. (Too much work)

Anyway, It's been a good week here - Sunday we celebrated my daughter in law's birthday with a barbecue up the canyon. She did all the work herself, and it was AMAZING! Yummy ribs, dutch oven potatoes, and home made doughnuts.

The weather man (as well as Mother Nature) kept threatening rain, but thankfully, that didn't happen. It was a bit chilly, but it was green and beautiful up there!
The party was a success, and lot's of fun! I enjoy her family, they are kindred spirits.


Family& Friends


As the air got cooler, the circle around the fire got closer...


Babe in the woods Sighted the elusive Babe-squatch


Beauty My daughter caught this shot - lovely.


Sorry the photos are so small... still trying to get the hang of this.
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Friday

It's been a pleasant week here - rain during the nights, cool breezes during the day. I love sleeping with the windows open, and what the rain does for my flowers.
(Even though it does make the grass grow a little too fast...)

It's also been very quiet.
Hubby has spent most of the week at the Huntsman Cancer Center with his brother, so I've been on my own. (The brother is doing well - almost beyond expectations.)

Been finding this & that to do - finished a little album for my daughter's best friend. She's been a part of our family for almost as long as my daughter - so a mere graduation card just didn't seem like enough...


I had the hardest time deciding what to do for her - then it occurred to me that I had all these photos of times that she had spent with our family - and voila! ...the idea was born.





I only hope that she can recognize the heart-felt sentiment that comes with it - she means a lot to us.


Other pass times this week?

Wrote a few chapters on my silly story, spent some time with the grans and my girls. Last night my daughter and I watched "On a Clear Day" together - what a trip back in time! (Gotta love those fashions from the '70's!) ...and the ever present laundry and cleaning.

It's Friday now, and I'm so ready to get out of here for a bit - any suggestions?

Have a great weekend!
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HellOooooo!

It's Summer vacation - now if someone would just alert the weather...
Still coolish and damp here, but the upside is that for the time being, everything is very GREEN.

I made a little trip to the garden shop this week, and lost myself among all the flowers. Heaven.
I wish those folks would come and re-do my whole yard for me, the shop was so full of beautiful blooms.

I picked up just a few to plant in my 'giant' teacup:

I had such a hard time deciding with all the beautiful choices there - but I settled on a few that were unique and fun.
These petunias captured my imagination - they are so different from any I've ever seen...
Love the green around the edges - so cool.

I had a plan to eliminate some of the large plants in my front flower beds - they have always been unruly, and laid flat in a tangled up mess. I was finally going to rip them out this year and replace them with daisies or something - but guess what? The darn things are pretty this year!



I've also been creating a little. With graduation comes the need for more cards...

Not terribly exciting, but I was in a pinch...

I also made this little recipe book for my daughter who will be leaving home for the first time this fall.

I made it out of one of those inexpensive photo albums you can find at any department store. I used some Basic Grey papers I had on hand, and the vintage title which is Cosmo Cricket. I don't know if she'll appreciate the "old fashioned" look that much, but it spoke to me of my momma and yummy home cooking, so there it is.
I'll fill it with my recipes that are her favorites, so she can create them herself. (Although she already knows most of them!)

Lastly, a little card to celebrate some new ribbons that came in the mail the other day...

I was inspired (or should I say 'tempted'?) by some creations by my favorite card artist; Lilybean. She is such a hazard to me - anything she uses on her blog - I have to have. She just makes it look so gorgeous! I swear the woman could sell me old socks, and I'd be happy about it. I hope the folks she designs for appreciate her!

...But I digress... I ordered the ribbons from This Good Day at etsy.com. The papers are some K&Co. that I had laying around, and the vintage 'seed packet' is a sticker that was a fun sister gift last fall (from Victorian Trading).

That's it for today. I was supposed to work this afternoon, but they are cutting hours again. I'm wondering how long until I find myself laid off again?

Nursing a toothache, so I just may put myself to bed...

Enjoy your weekend!
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