7 Days and Counting...

One week from today, Mike and I leave for our vacation! I am finally getting excited about it. My first beach vacation in years. The last time I remember a true beach vacation was in the mid-90's when I went to the Bahama's with friends. It's been a LONG TIME COMING!!!

We leave next Sunday for Blanding to spend a few days with Mike's family and then it's on to Puerto Penasco, Mexico for a few days at the beach! There is nothing better than being on a beach, taking in the sun, and reading a good book. Yea!!!

Doesn't the beach look WONDERFUL!!!

Enrichment Pays Off!

Last Tuesday evening for enrichment we had a wheat bread demonstration. I've been trying to perfect my bread making for years, but frankly, I've had little success. (I've always thought that if you follow the recipe - no matter what recipe it is - you'd have bread like great harvest!) Lacy shared that we need to add a little wheat glutten and dough enhancer and we can have great bread. Well, today, I tried her recipe and I made great bread! I think Mike and I will be having BLT's on homemade bread this evening for dinner! Thanks Lacy!

I need to work on the tops, but the bread is delicious.

Maybe I'll make three loaves instead of two next time.

Quilting...

On Thursday evening I completed this quilt for my niece Alishea. She purchased sheets - which is the backing - and then I found, via Brenda & Bethany, the fabric for the front! I think it turned out darling! Sometimes, it is so hard to give up these quilts!!! Alexis and I went to the fabric store yesterday and found fabric for yet another quilt for her (#3). We are awaiting the painting of her room, which will happen next Friday, then we'll be off to the fabric store to make another purchase.

Quilt Front - Surf & Sand

Close up of the front

"Psychedelic Flowers" Alishea wanted brown thread showing on the back. Bethany Christiansen (2quiltingb's) did the quilting.

Finished product - Picnicing with the Ants!

A close up of the great quilting done by Bethany!

Feeding the Ducks...uhmmm Seagulls

This evening we went down to Sugar House park to feed the ducks. But when we arrived, we found that it was the seagulls that wanted to be fed, not the ducks. It seems that seagulls have taken over the feedings. It was a great way for us to 'use' some stale bread. Just a few photos...

Feeding the 'ducks'... seagulls!

Mt. Olympus at dusk

Something I never noticed before. The seagulls have a small red spot on their beaks. At first I thought it was blood, but then I noticed that all of the gulls had it. It was a shocker!

Our Trip To The Hogle Zoo ( written by Lexi! )

Today we went to Utah's Hogle Zoo. We walked all over and we saw almost all of the animals The Ghost of the Bayou. It is one of 10 of a rare white alligators in the world. After that we saw a Cougar (Go BYU!),Then we saw some Black Bears fighting(or as Sidney would say'They were just playing' ). At 11:00 A.M. we went to see the bird show and on of the birds hit me right on my head. At the zoo there is a new Carousel. I rode on the Leoperd and Vicki was right next to me. At the end of our day at the zoo we rode the Zoo Train. We saw all of the animals of the zoo that were in hiding. Evan though we go on the train everytime we go to the zoo, it's all way interesting to see what you can only see by train. Besides it's tradition!!!( I would also like to add that Vicki got a 50 cent discount for riding the carousel and buying the combo!! )

Look... it's a tiger!

They can pick a fight!

Vicki & Lexi on the Carousel!


My favorite aunt and Vicki on the train!


Ahhh TrAiNwReCk

Summertime Swim!

Today we went swimming at Steiner Aquatic Center. Mike and Alexis immediately went for the diving boards inside... I chose to enjoy the outdoor pool with an abundance of sunshine! Once again, Mike and Lexi spent almost two hours jumping off the diving boards.

Lexi's twister from the low dive!

Jumpin' Jehosephat... It's Mike from the high dive!

Lexi's straight shot from the high dive.

FHE up Millcreek Canyon

On Monday evenings in the summertime, Mike & I enjoy going up Millcreek Canyon to have dinner and FHE. We have 'our spot', which is at the Church Falls picnic area. Last evening was our first time up the canyon and when we arrived at Church Falls, the area was CLOSED!!! We couldn't believe it. We had to find another spot to eat dinner. In some ways, it just wasn't the same!

My niece Alexis Lang, is visiting us this week. She always has a million things that she wants to do. I've learned to 'limited' her by asking her to write down everything she wants to do and then we plan out the days trying to get to everything on her list. (Sometimes, we do. Sometimes we don't!) One thing she wanted to do was go up Millcreek Canyon again. We had a wonderful evening relaxing, reading scriptures, and enjoying nature!

Alexis wearing two pairs of sunglasses!

Alexis was taking a lot of pictures. When I view them this morning, I found this containing the contents of our cooler. It cracked me up so I decided to post it!

Our picnic spot...

Alexis took her shoes and socks off and put her feet in the cold - very cold - creek water.

This lasted abou 15 seconds!

What would I do without my fire starters? Mike & Alexis!

P.S. Good news... Now that Mike's turned 60, we receive the 'senior discount' for Millcreek Canyon. Instead of paying $2.25, we now pay $1.00. Oh, what will we do with that extra $1.25??? I also need to mention that while my husband may be 60, he doesn't look a day over 50!!! (Alexis just told me that Mike doesn't even look 50, he looks 45-48. He'll LOVE hearing that!)

I am Always Surprised...

I am always surprised when I receive an email from Etsy notifying me that I have sold another item. It is so random. Yesterday, I received another notification. I was so excited! I never know when another sale will occur, but I'm always grateful when an item sells!

Etsy is an internet site that allows people who make handcrafted items to sell their wares. I've been doing this a couple of years. I've been making tablerunners and wall hangings. I've included a few pictures...

The Watermelon Runner is my favorite!


Lime Wedge

Lemon Wedge


Carrot (This one is VERY cute too!)


Candy Corn - for Halloween!

American Flag (Wall Hanging)



Etsy Site Link: http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=11255434

The Get-Away

Mike and I had a little get-away yesterday today. The funny thing about it is that we decided to 'cut costs' and go to a small, unnamed hotel, not far from our home because we are planning a nine day trip next month... BUT, at 2:00am, we both decided that the bed was TOO uncomfortable. We got up and drove home - which took about four minutes. We still continued our get-away by not answering the phone, etc. (Do you know how guilty I feel NOT answering the phone when we are home?) In case you are wondering, we are now 'back' and into the regular routine. Mike's at work and I'm staying up a little late to blog, sew, and just do a few odds and ends!

What did we learn? Well, we'll drive to Wendover next time. They have nice rooms for about the same price we paid last evening, but the BED's are SO MUCH MORE COMFORTABLE. (By-the-way, we don't gamble, we just get-away!)

Vicki's Bistro!

The other day our neighbor, Vicki Allen, called and invited Mike and I to dinner to celebrate my birthday (which was today) and Mike's too (last week). This evening we walked the 10 steps to her door and when we entered, I was so surprised! Vicki had created this little romantic dinner for Mike and I. She didn't even set a place for herself. (But, we did invite her to sit with us as we ate!) She served us each course. We had salad, spaghetti and garlic bread, and her famous carrot cake for dessert! This evening was so great. She did for me what everyone needs on their birthday, she made me feel special. Thanks Vicki for a great evening!

Our hostess and chef, Vicki Allen!

Celebrated Guests, Mike & Sidney Christensen

Our cuisine & table setting! (How do you make all the pictures line up?)

I forgot to take a picture of the delicious carrot cake that Vicki made. So, here's Mike's piece with a candle!

Fabric Story Update!

Okay, an update on the fabric story... Mike arose yesterday afternoon and suggested that we get away for an overnighter. I couldn't believe it! He knows the way to my HEART!!! (I mentioned to him that if he would have told me sooner, I might not have needed the fabric store run!) Plans are in the works. I have the best husband ever!!!

The story behind the FABRIC...

Last evening Mike received the proverbial phone call asking him to work an overtime shift... Well, I have to confess, I wasn't too happy. He's worked three (3) shifts in the past 10 days and frankly, I was feeling a little neglected... (See The Five Languages of Love... my love language is quality time!!!) I hadn't had any QUALITY TIME with the most important person in my life!!! (Mike asleep in the bedroom during the day does not qualify as QUALITY TIME!)

After Mike and I discussed all of this and established a new rule for next weekend... NO acceptance of overtime offers! - and I reminded him that my birthday is this FRIDAY and I am expecting QUALITY TIME - I went into another room and started to giggle quite loudly, I might add. Mike wanted to know what was so funny and I told him, "This [meaning the overtime shift last night] might just cost you a trip to the fabric store [for me]! Always the great man that is he, he thought it was a great idea!

So, here's a few pictures of my new fabric! I don't know what I'll make with it, but I know that Brenda & Bethany (twoquiltingb's) will help me out. They always have great ideas!!!

I'm always a sucker for fall colors!

This fabric 'spoke' to me!

Oooh, I don't usually go for pinks, but I see a lot of possibility with this fabric!

The yellow doesn't show up here, but I think this is neutral enough that I could use it with a variety of projects I have in mind!

P.S. Mike came home this morning and had figured out how much money he'd earned in overtime the past two days and said, "Well, there ____ dollars, I think that it's enough for the fabric store!" I laughed, knowing good and well there was NO WAY I'd spend that much money! But thanks honey, for my trip to the fabric store. I had a great time and, by-the-way, most of what I purchased was on the clearance rack.