May Baskets

Our mini rose garden just thrives and shares her abundance - Sweet!

Jared's crop of beets has finally been harvested.

Designed and created for Lucy

Peppers and eggplants from our garden !

A Day at the Cabin

We had such a fun day with Jared helping us haul and set up a wonderful log rocking chair at the cabin. Jared and Marty went to Arby's to get lunch while I stayed and organized and rearranged things. It was beautiful weather - a bit gusty and chilly at first. We were thrilled to see blooming Iris all over the grounds - our first year the elk didn't chomp down the plants

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Beth's Goats at the County Fair

We had such a delightful time with Beth and her family at the County Fair on Friday. It was great fun to see one of her goats receive the Grand Champion award in her class and also other awards for other goats. This was special as she has been working hard to build up her herd. She will blog about it herself, but I just have to share several photos of the fun. We totally enjoyed seeing Jill, Lucy and Jesse take the goats into the area to be judged. They were being judged as dairy goats. Robin and Elsa were having fun exploring the fair. They were excited when their Dad arrived so they could go on some more fun rides.

These babies were so happy when their Momma was thru being judged "Grand Champion"!

The two baby boys were very popular as potential champion bucks and had several very interested buyers. Check Beth's blog in a few days for an update on all the fun.

Easter 2009

We all had a lovely Easter Sunday, beginning with church and ending with a family gathering. We enjoyed a scrumptious dinner of apricot filled lamb roast, ham, potato salad, fresh veggie salad, roasted parmesan asparagus, berry jello salad, bunny buns (of course) and absolutely delicious carrot cake cupcakes decorated with a festive miniature, edible, Easter basket on top. After dinner it was pleasant to watch the kids gather treasure filled eggs that had been hidden by a very tall bunny. We then gathered in various groups to visit, look at treats and share creative ideas. It was a day filled with joy but also a day to miss the precious family members not able to be there.

Here are a few of the swap treasures Missy and Beth did for me.I have already arranged them in various places or eaten some of them. Beth made some delicious blood orange marmalade, the adorable bunny kitchen towel, the fun musical bookmark laying on my Madame Alexander Pinky doll, and the Rosewater mist along with other fun things. Missy gave me a delightful bag filled with all kinds of fun things - if you look on her blog she has a nice picture of her swap. It was such fun that we are going to do a May Day swap (on my birthday) yay! I get to make a may day basket for Lucy - what fun! Oh yes, It was so fun to have Jared and Jenny color eggs for me on Saturday night. (pictured below) Also pictured below are the cupcakes Beth made with applesauce, whole wheat flour and agave - a natural sweetener from cactus. Thank you Beth, Jared, Jenny, Missy and everyone for such a sweet time!

The Light of Life

The birth of a baby that all might be born.

The raising of a young child that all might be raised.

The life given that all might have hope, peace and comfort.

The return - to gather those searching unto himself.

The dawn.

The day.

The night.

The everlasting light.

The scriptures are the candle light shining in the uncertain hours of life.

A Creative Swap with Missy

What fun to do a creative swap with Missy. I was so delighted with the stuffed love bird and sweet little doty doll she made me. She included a decorated valentine she created, filled with heart doves. What fun! In return I baked her a loaf of cheesy french bread with a tiny jar of fruit jam from England (World Market) wrapped in a yard of quilting fabric, and made a sachet out of a vintage doily, filled with lavender from my garden and decorated with silk roses and a tiny purchased humingbird. Thank you Missy for helping me to feel creative and loved!

Stone Soup

It was a delight to enjoy "stone soup" with a yummy chicken soup and a fun play performed by Allyson and Samantha and the other children of their Montessori School. Unfortunately, the pictures of the play did not turn out. Allyson was a narrator and Samantha was a cowgirl. Hopefully Missy has some pictures on her blog. The Hollenbeck cousins Sarah and Felicity

Sunset in Gilbert on April Fool's Day

I glanced out my balcony window and noticed a breathtaking moment. I barely had time to grab my camera and capture the drama before the image faded. As I was reading my grandmother's journal this evening I realized that all our moments are really breathtaking and usually fade before we can capture the moment.