Needle in...

Okay, so one day, recently I walked outside and was standing on the porch just looking around. I glanced beside me and saw this.

I was pretty impressed. Now there are pine trees all around down here. But there aren't any right next to the house, they are at least 20 feet away and this plant was sitting in a planter on the steps of the porch. I wonder what the probability of that is. How unique is this? I was pretty certain it had to be against all odds.

We see this a lot everywhere. But this tree was under a pine tree. I asked the whole family if perhaps they put that pine needle there just so. No, everyone was as surprised as me. I love the gifts nature gives us. Lots of little miracles to enjoy if we take the time to just be aware.


I'm adding this picture because I found this bush full of berries on one of my walks. It reminded me of my mother. Every fall she would drive out into the country and pick orange berries. She would bring them home and use them in bouquets around the house.
They would dry and shrivel and retain their bright color and she would then use them in her christmas decorating with pine boughs and pinecones. When I was first married I did the same thing. Ray and I would take walks and I would bring home fantastic weeds, thistles and other wildflowers to add to our decor. Now I head for Michaels or some other hobby store to buy what I need. I remember when silk flowers first hit the market. We thought they were so tacky. Funny how so many things change...but the wildflowers are still there for all of us.

Sunday Dinners

I love cooking Sunday dinners. Ryen and Maddie sometimes like the meal and sometimes they really struggle with even tasting the delectibles. So last Sunday I asked Ryen what SHE wanted for Sunday dinner. The answer was an obvious = no brainer reply...chicken nuggets.

So I took Ben and Carrie's suggestion and made the recipe from the taste kitchen cookbook.

Meg and I couldn't decide if the effort was worth it but Ryen's attitude toward this Sunday dinner made it worth it for me!

It was a truly yummy dining experience this week.

Angels amoung us

Angels have always had a special meaning in my life. My mother always had an angel on the top of our Christmas tree. And I was fortunate to find the exact same angel of my youth for my tree. I have always believed in angels and felt that I must have a guardian angel. So when our Relief Society planned an enrichment night entitled "Angels Amoung Us" and asked for volunteers to decorate the tables. I enthusiastically volunteered.

I was hunting around town for an angel I could use as the centerpiece. I found this charming rag doll angel and knew I had found her. I made a new skirt and then made an over skirt. I sewed sparkly fall leaves on the netting and enclosed colorful leaves between the layers.

Meg and I had fun looking for garlands and other little things to put on the table. We used candy kisses to go around and throughout the fall leaves. It was so fun for me. I love decorating tables.

As you can see we used the waxed real leaves around the table as well. I love my angel. I think I will name her Hope. And I've decided I really loved making her a new skirt so... Remember all the geese we used to see in people's yards and they would dress them according to the seasons? Uh huh, I think I am going to expand her wardrobe. She is not going to be used just for Christmas anymore. She will have a place all year round. Angels are a good thing to have amoung us.

Leafing It!

Sonny had this idea of dipping leaves in melted wax. He said he had done it to some roses for a friend years ago. I had never done it so we decided to give it a try.

We collected a variety of leaves and dipped them into the hot wax. The hotter the wax and the quicker the dip, the better they turned out.


The leaves were glimmery. We also did some roses that had dried in the vase and they turned out great, too. Everything took on a beautiful shine and glow. They are simply beeeeuuuuutiful!!!!! Sonny says that they are preserved forever. We'll see about that. For now I am just happy that the edges aren't crumbling and falling apart and that I can enjoy the real thing for a little while longer.

I can't believe it's butter!

I love butter. It isn't so good for you, but some research suggests if you have to have a spread on your toast might as well be butter. Obviously, it would be better not to have any at all. Aunt Candy's doctor told her how to make it a little healthier. Take 1/2 c. of butter and blend that with 1/2 c. of olive oil. You get some healthy fats and a spreadable butter. Maybe the rest of the world already knew to do that but I didn't. I have buying the spreadable butter stuff and now I can make my own. So yesterday I did it for the first time and at first it seemed too runny. But I put it in the frig and it became the same consistency of the commercial stuff. You can also add herbs and spices to it as you like. So easy, a short little blend and you have what you are paying big bucks in the store. Just thought you might like to try it.

I Am Thankful for...

For years now I have hung a poster in a prominent place and everyone that is around puts their comments of what they are thankful for. It is another one of those traditions I have that makes this season fun for me. This year I had to have my poster so I put it up on my door and began my list.

First and foremost Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ go in the center. And then the names of my family. I never have caught Megan or Sonny writing things, but day after day new comments have appeared in a handwriting other than my own. Every day I read the words that signify my gratitude. I asked Ryen what she was thankful for and she replied, helping trees grow really BIG, helping children when they fall down, lightbulbs, and a measurer.

I know that I am blessed each and every day and I am grateful for ALL I have and enjoy. I know that they come from a loving Heavenly Father and I could never be grateful enough. But each November I am happy that there is a time dedicated to keep those things ever clearer and nearer my focus. My greatest blessings? Besides those two Heavenly personages that have delivered me and continue to save me on a regular basis, my amazing, wonderful, loving, and dearly cherished family!!!!!!!!!!

Tea Anyone?

I was delighted one day to be invited to a tea party at the palace by Her Royal Highness, Princess Ryen.

We enjoyed juice (for her) and apple cinnamon herbal tea (for me) while daintily partaking of apple slices and animal crackers.

We chatted about the gossip of the castle folk and what the princess's busy schedule was demanding of her.

It was a rather delightful afternoon excursion, to be sure!