Sorry, can't chat...

Baseball It is bottom of the ninth; rally your team to win the game with only 3 outs left

Play this free game now!!

enough said?...

Birthday Boy and the cloudy sky

Can you even believe that my baby is 1 year old? I sure can't...

He's THE BIG 1
We had cousins here to celebrate... we had so much fun! Andy had a good ol time with the cupcake and then promptly had a bath and went to sleep. It was all the fun he could handle

Just as soon as he woke up... there were presents awaiting. This one had custom wrapping (which I thought was a really cute touch thanks to his big brothers and sister...)

Bright Shiny and New....

This goes out to all my Arizona friends... I made this smocked sun dress today after seeing this cute and easy pattern on Martha Stewart. You know me... I obsess about making these things and have made 2 going on 3. So, for Holly who gave me this Thai Silk in the first place... Thank You! Kristen - totally thought of you while making this... are you proud of me? RaDean, you totally need to make one of these for your little E. Aubri, don't you think Aliya would love one? And everyone else who has an inkling to sew... this is a way fun and easy project.... Sadie is looking a little ragged... but loves the dress. I've also made one for the neighbor, and am working on a shorter version for shirt for Sadie. Send me some fabric... I'll totally make you one.

If you are rolling your eyes at me right now... keep in mind I do these kinds of projects for more reasons than one... like you know, keeping me out of the kitchen, keeping me pleasant with my kids, keeping my hands busy, and because I have learned to totally enjoy sewing and creating quick and easy projects. ahhhhhh!!!!!!!!!!

an upcoming MEMORABLE day...

so... it's a holiday weekend and we are planning to stay home and work. It's not all that bad though... we are finally going to get our swing set put up... remember the one that we bought last year? I am probably more excited than the kids. I'll keep you posted on the progress. Jake has been working like mad every night to try and get the thing weather treated before we assemble it. There is a whole heck of a lot of wood to this thing. YIKES... wish us luck!

Chicken BLT - 1.2.3.

Dinner last night was a snap thanks to three things...
bread dough in the electric bread maker... (thanks Julie... love that recipe)

pampered chef stone bowl...

and my oops at Sams club the other day... I got breaded chicken rather than regular chicken breast. I was already at the register with 2 onery boys and didn't want to go back and switch...sucks on the calories though....oh well.

So, I baked just regular french bread dough into the bowl shape... easy!
tossed lettuce, tomatoe, cheddar cheese, and green pepper with 2 TBSP ranch dressing.
added chicken and bacon crumbles and plenty of pepper.
YUMMMMM.....
what do you think? better than CHUTNEY? he he he he he he....

For your "convenience"

Here is my ode to the convenience store... There's nothing like a good ol' hometown convenience store . And it seems like there has never been a time in my life that I haven't had my "favorite"... for instance:

Salem Market - (mostly cause Mom worked there and I could sluff school and see her.)

"Buds" - (to get the unmentionable jerky chew that would make me look TOUGH for all the bullies in my 4th grade life.)

Fast Gas - BIKE RIDE

Harts - high school

Loyds - (where my summer fantasy boy worked in Archer Idaho... oh Matt... why couldn't you have mowed the lawn everyday....?)

7-11 - ubiquitous, notorious

Maverick - current

and now....Harris Market, where I found this lovely little purple jewel. Idaho Huckleberry Cordial... are you kidding? It's the culmination of all the convenience goodness...and boy is it good. Garland/Tremonton is proving to feel more homey all the time! :)

Chutney

chut·ney [ chútnee ]
noun
Definition:
1. spicy relish: a sweet and spicy relish made from fruit, spices, sugar, and vinegar

The fruit of choice: RHUBARB... I remember eating rhubarb as a kid. We would just sit on the grass, near the garden with a salt shaker and peel the red outside skin off and shake it with lots of salt and eat it. I loved it. I was at the grocery store the other day and saw these big beautiful stocks of it and couldn't resist. So, I brought them home and peeled them and shook them with salt... and ....ewwwww.... man it was sour and almost pucker-y? So, I had to come up with something. I like relish with Ham or Pork Chops and thought... CHUTNEY! It was really good with grilled pork chops and I'm sure it would be even better with ham. So, here it is...
Rhubarb Chutney:

courtesy of Marth Stewart every day food
Ingredients
Makes 2 cups
2 tablespoons olive oil
1 medium onion, finely chopped
1 pound rhubarb, cut into 1/2-inch pieces
1/2 cup raisins
1/2 cup packed light-brown sugar
1 tablespoon peeled minced fresh ginger
1 cinnamon stick
1 tablespoon sherry vinegar
Directions
In a saucepan, heat oil over medium. Add onion and cook until softened, 5 to 6 minutes.
Add rhubarb, raisins, sugar, ginger, and cinnamon stick. Cook over medium, stirring occasionally, until rhubarb begins to break down, 6 to 8 minutes. Remove cinnamon stick and stir in vinegar. (To store, refrigerate, up to 5 days.) Serve with ham or pork and cornichons.

**I didn't have a cinnamon stick, and I think I might have added too much cinnamon... I just shook some in, so if that is the case for you... be careful not to add too much... go ahead, try it!

"sports mother therapy"

Anyone familiar with any books written that are therapy for mothers with kids in sports? Seriously... I need it. I do NOT handle sports well. I get so hot and bothered that I have to pace in order to calm myself down. I try and be upbeat and supportive and compliment my kids on a good job. I cheer and yell for not only them but their team-mates too. I try and smile at the coaches and their wives. I try and teach at home when I get the chance. But still after the game, I get in the car and pssssssssssssssssssss...... let off the steam. I GET SO FRUSTERATED! mostly with the things I can do nothing about. I know kids have potential and all it takes is practice.. so that part doesn't bug me as much as "in the moment" they should have some coaching and teaching and lights on, kick myself in the butt, aha, oh I get it, try something different next time... bells ringing SOMETHING that would result in improvement. No more excuses... I can't candy coat things... "nice try... good swing...it's o.k." kind of thing when I think they COULD DO BETTER. See.... I need a therapy book. I love my kids and I know they try and I want to and DO SUPPORT them. I just want them to be successful. I don't care if they are the star athelete on scholarship...or even if they WIN every game... I know they are CAPABLE HUMAN BEINGS!

WOW! There's a glance inside of me for you.... :) The summer is coming and baseball season will be in full swing... I must prepare myself! So, if you have any great words of wisdom.... do share. And don't "candy coat it" just kidding!

sometimes life is a little "hairy"

Life has been a little "HAIRY" for Andy these days. He got the cold that seems to be circulating in our family... not lucky for him.... it turned into much more than just runny nose and cough... so we took him to the Dr. and he sent us home with a breathing machine, antibiotics, and a sympathetic pat on the back. Andy's not real sure about sitting still for 6 minutes with the mask on...this picture doesn't do the hair justice.. but it is wacko! today!

He slept forever this morning which made for some crazy hair and cute smiles.
Nick even got to take a chug on the peace pipe.
he's practicing... and finally got the mask the right way

All in all he's feeling a bit better, sleeping, and deep breathing some good fog...

fruit flowers

the Fruit Flower Arrangement for the shower turned out grand. I especially loved the apple star flowers with green centers and the limes. I think everything needs a touch of green. The food was delicious and the party was very fun. Haley just seems to fit right in. Dallas is a lucky guy and Haley is a lucky girl. Next big event.... Aubri's wedding!!!