It's about Us.

I Have moved into my new blog.

2009-11-17T19:02:00.002-07:00

Well I have moved into my new blog. I am hoping that you will leave comments on this one so I know you have visited. I am excited about how it is going to look and it will give me more room to play and add stuff. I will miss this blog but I think I will love my new one more.

Please stop by My Lovely Impressions

halloween 2009

2009-11-04T22:04:00.003-07:00

Our Friend Ethan, (ping pong player) and Kadin ( road sign )

The kids Halloween Night

Our halloween was a bit rushed because destiny had a hockey game in Olds late afternoon.

We made it back in time to meet with friends and head out trick or treating. It was a nice but chilly night and the kids trick or treated long enough to fill there bags and actually feel like they had enough.

Hayze was a nerd or Alfalfa. and Destiny was a Zombie. I got this dress at the thrift sale for $1.00 and will be able to use it again next year for something. My suggestion was princes Fiona, from shriek.

With everyone being sick the week of halloween, not to much effort went into this years activities. Next year will be better. IT was fun just the same.

give away and reuse WINNER

2009-11-03T22:42:00.002-07:00

Random draw was made and ....

Tanya was the winner of the "chic" picture

Thanks for entering jazzy... Look for other things on here in the future.

Tanya, I will get your info and deliver.. HHEHHee.

Fun Country Riders Banquet.

2009-10-29T20:59:00.007-06:00

Last Saturday we finished up the "Fun Country Riders" season with a banquet and dance.

It was a great event, with lots of raffle items, pot luck supper, awards and a DJ dance.

The kids had an excellent time and were a great help that night.

The Awards

Both kids did really well.

Destiny won High point for their division and Hayze won reserve.

Destiny received a bronze and Hayze a beautiful painted pony. both engraved with there personal information.

Destiny also won best in poles and barrels and Hayze won best versatility. ( other events)

They received framed pictures of themselves with the information on the photo for what they won. ( they are very nicely done)

Proud dad.

( Hayze was happy he had his Hawaii shirt on in the photo he received)

Destiny and her dad dancing

They kids had so much fun dancing, Hayze asking all the moms to dance. I think he felt more comfortable dancing with them than the younger girls.

Destiny danced with all the young kids and ran around having fun.

Hayze took on quite a big roll at the dance, he helped pull tables and chairs out when we needed extra, he help sell raffle tickets, he and Nicole sold 50/50. ( raising $105 dollars) then he was confident enough when the time come to draw to go on stage and talk to the DJ so that he and Nicole could draw the number. He spoke in the mic like a pro and even mentioned other things that were going on, selling cookbooks and raffle tickets.

The night was a huge success for the club and our family had a great time.

Give away and reuse

2009-10-21T21:58:00.002-06:00

Picture from Art In Motion

A while back I had mentioned to my friend Tanya that I wanted to organize a swap. You know a place where my friends and I could bring 10 or so items to swap with other ladies. This could be anything from house hold decor to books to dishes, just something in good shape but that you don't use or need anymore. Well I haven't had the time to organize such an event, however, my dear daughter gave me an idea tonight. I have this nice picture in my office just sitting on my desk. It recently lost it's home when I redecorated my bedroom. The other thing I have in my office right now is 52 items for a raffle table for the kids banquet for the gymkhana club. Destiny said "mom why don't you donate this picture to the raffle table? Well I can't really do that seeing it is "used". But what I can do is "raffle it away" on my blog. So I am encouraging reusing/recycling, and I think it is to nice of picture to take it to the "take it or leave it". It is a real nice feminine piece that would go nice in a romantic, or french, or girls room. It caught my eye because it was so "classy".
Ok. If you would like this picture for your home, leave a comment on this post and I will make a draw for it next Wednesday Oct. 28.
If you are selected I will mail it out to you, I will contact you for your info if required.

to leave a comment, click on the word "comment" on the bottom

Karen's Wedding

2009-10-21T08:58:00.004-06:00

The Staff from Bangles.

We we were all invited to attend Karen's Wedding on Sunday.

The wedding was in Rosebud at the theatre. It was a lovely ceremony.

Unfortunity not everyone was able to attend but 8 of us made it to share in her day.

Congratulations

Karen & Daniel

Thanksgiving Weekend

2009-10-16T16:55:00.002-06:00

Last weekend we spent in Kalispell Montana for the Thanksgiving weekend. I was a nice time for our family. We got to shop a lot and swim in the pool at the hotel as well as see the beautiful country side of Northern USA. Our kids have never drove through a boarder, poor things have only had the opportunity to go through customs at the airport. That started off our new experiences for the weekend and from there, we seen great country, glacier parks, moose in the back of pick ups, park rangers with hats like you see on t.v., different restaurants and the list goes on.

One of the weirdest things to me is, how does the accent change just 10 mins inside the boarder. We stopped to have a bathroom, (or should I say restroom) break and they all talked we an accent.

I didn't get a chance to take as many pictures as I wanted when we went. I drove the whole way there and my family isn't nearly as excited about picture taking as I am. Destiny did however afford me the luxury of a few one afternoon, while her brother sat in the truck and had no part of it, for then anyway. He did break down the next day for a few.

I will add them when I get a chance. Destiny and I are on our way out to dryland training for her hockey team. Have a great weekend.

It Is In The Eye

2009-10-07T20:44:00.001-06:00

Its amazing to me how they are all so different.

Their eyes can tell a story, and I never really realized it until recently.

This particular horse is a bit of a wild spirit. After a recent storm she

became our best friend and had eyes a stressed and as scared as mine.

The other thing so amazing is that animal lovers and horse crazed people can tell a horse apart by their eyes. I spent a hour or so out taking pictures of the horses one day not telling anyone and when I started editing them, Destiny came right up and said, oh I like Brahma's eye.

Really, because I couldn't even remember which horse it was.

Patchy

These were a couple of my favorite "eye" shots from that day.

I tried to make this one sepia, not nearly as effective with that blue eye.

Lefsa

2009-10-05T20:58:00.004-06:00

Lefsa, is a tradition in our family. It is basically a potato tortilla, however we just put butter in it and eat it with our turkey. or it is the best with bacon in it in the morning but different Norwegians do different things.

This is the dough, made up of mashed potatoes, butter, cream and flour. ( room temp, before you add the flour)

Roll it out as thin as you can get it, I had to use a lot of flour so that it wouldn't stick.

That is my moms rolling pin.

Now, I don't have all the fancy lefsa making tools such as a lefsa griddle, flipper, or any other paraphernalia. I just used my electric frying pan and a regular flipper. That worked too..

This is only my second attempt at making lefsa, so I didn't think it warranted anything to fancy.

I must say, this is a two man job and at least 2 griddles. I was a little over excited and made a lot of potatoes, and only used half of my mashed potatoes for the lefsa, so we will be eating mashed potatoes all week.

It tasted great. It actually even looks like it should.

If you would like a recipe. Just let me know and I can try and help.

Bringing Home the Hay

2009-10-04T21:47:00.002-06:00

Well it is that time of year to get ready for the season ahead. The snowy rain came just two days after we got our bales home for the winter.

We had a lot of help for this evening of bale moving and it went very quickly.

I supplied the supper, the boys did all the work.

You can see the weather rolling in just behind Jim in this picture.

That is our friend Kody, Hayze and our nephew Gerrick. Gerrick loved watching the bales fall.

Awh, too wicked! Was the saying that got us giggling.

The boys were an excellent help.

Helping Uncle, Gerrick had a great time

The boys on the top of the stack, ready to go home.

Really Looking

2009-09-30T20:25:00.004-06:00

Well, I am really looking for something to share.

I haven't done any neat projects, haven't completed anything new.

Haven't seen any great movies, or ventured really to far from home.

But what I have been doing is:

Volunteering at the kids gymkhana's
Attending meetings to plan the year end banquet for the kids gymkhana
Designing a email/mailout for the kids gymkana
Attending hockey conditioning and tryouts
Attending hockey practices
Co-coaching Destiny's Pee Wee girls hockey team
Putting on a parent meeting for the girls hockey team
Eating a spaghetti supper at the school tonight
Watching the kids rope and ride at the riding area
Watching the new Greys
Watching the new House
Watching the new survivor
And spent an evening with the "girls" at a very cute Italian restaurant last Friday.

Oh and I can't forget the pictures I took, I edited the whole batch on Monday so that I could get them to her prior to the baby coming. LUCKY, the baby came 13 days early and arrived on Tuesday.

Ready to Arrive

2009-09-26T10:15:00.002-06:00

I was so blessed to be able to take these photos.

The baby is due to arrive in about 3 weeks.

This photo shoot took us 3 hours and many wardrobe changes. We had a great time and I learned a lot about taking pictures inside. I am more of a outdoor shooter, however I really enjoyed this experience and may now have to buy a few lights. Thanks to Shawna for the use of her lights and backdrop.

Editing is in the early stages, but the pictures so far are amazing.

Cutest Helper

2009-09-22T07:51:00.003-06:00

Destiny has recently lost a few privileges at home due to some wrong choices, so she has plenty of extra time to help me around the house. Yesterday, she helped cook supper, do laundry, cleaned the front entrance, and even straightened the shoes in my closet with out being asked.

She is a great little helper, and a great little conversationalist with out the T.V on.

I took this picture to finally show you the beautiful apron that the kids "aunty Marlene" made them. This is Destiny's and it is made out of recycled jeans. Thanks Kim.. Hayze's apron is made of recycled denim as well. Just a little more masculine. I will share a picture of him in it, if he ever actually helps in the kitchen.

2009-09-18T17:06:00.004-06:00

A couple of pictures for you to look at. I am just trying to get my pictures to look bigger on my posts. I am not sure of the proper way to do this.

I went in and manually changed the pixels on html screen. That seems like a very tedious way to do it, and if I am posting a lot of pictures, not practical at all.

So if you are reading this and you have any idea how my pictures can be big and not so grainy and have to do it manual please let me know. ( bloggers help)

took a couple nights ago. Can't believe the September weather we are having.

A sailors sky is a sure sign on more hot weather.

Destiny and Mic

The kids, I had to snap this one, Can't believe they are in the same room and getting along.

(see how grainy, yukk)

I will keep trying. Have a great weekend.

Weekend full of arenas.

2009-09-14T14:06:00.003-06:00

The Regehr family hosted a team roping jackpot and a pig roast on Saturday.

Jim took part in the team roping as a heeler .

Pig roasted to perfection

Jim after the roping, I took no arena pictures for this reason and due to the fact that I was running back and forth to the hockey arena with the children.

After supper they had a dummy roping for the kids.

Hayze won the heeling, and took home a buckle donated by Trina's dad Jim.

Jim was so proud that both Hayze and himself won something.

Jim took 4th place in the jackpot, and won a $50 gift card to K&K livestock.

All the kids from the Dummy roping

Yes, I even got in on the action.

$2.00 entry fee for the adult dummy roping.

notice there is no "victory" photo for me.

We had a great time at the Regehrs, I love getting together for functions like that with friends.

Sunday found us at the gymkhana area in Strathmore and then back at the rink for Hayze's conditioning. Another great day for the kids at the arena. I don't have any pictures because I was helping time and announce. Another great weekend.

As fall continues on and the sports start up, I am getting excited about all the things to come.

Hockey teams will be picked for Hayze after next weekend and their winter series gymkhana starts in Okotoks. Gitty UP.!

Crazy Hair Day

2009-09-11T07:48:00.003-06:00

This morning was all about crazy hair day.

Destiny went like Pippy Long Stocking and Hayze just had crazy hair. Hayze enjoys crazy hair day and is confident to pull it off. He will even wear a crazy mohawk not on crazy hair day if him and his buddy's decide that is what they want to do on a certain day. Now pajama day is another story, no pj's to school for him.

Destiny was in her glory this morning, she spent a lot of time looking in the mirror at her new hair do. She loves it.

How We Did It: We took a firm wire hanger. Cut the ends off, molded it to the shape of her head and left 6 inch pieces on either side. When it came time to attach it this morning, I just got her to hold it on top and I braided the sides around the wire and wolla! You have this CRAZY hair do.

She said she looked like pippy long stocking, I was surprised she even knew who she was, but she had seen books.

I am going to pick up our new (used) bedroom suite today. I am so excited, Jim and I have been sleeping in the guest room while he was painting and fixing up our space. Now today the furniture, and I will hang some pictures and we are done that part of the house project.

I will share before and afters when it gets completed. Feel free to remind me to post those pictures, it might keep me motivated to complete my bedroom.

Have a great day.

Cowboys

2009-09-08T10:51:00.006-06:00

click to make bigger and read

Count Your Blessings

2009-09-03T22:34:00.004-06:00

I had a pretty exciting night with the kids at the arena last night. Hayze "spun" his first steer (dallied). He as been roping since early spring, but we have not allowed him to dally or tie hard to his saddle horn for safety reasons and their really is a lot to learn in a quick hurry. Last night Hayze caught a nice slow ster and make it all happen just perfect. We were so proud of him.

Picture quality low, arena was really dark last night.

Jim healing one for Hayze.

Destiny wanted to practice going out of the box, so I thought she was going to do just that.

I turn around and she is Hazing a steer for Hayze. She came out of the box like a seasoned veteran and full of confidence. She got a bit more practice through out the night and was pretty confidant that when ever her dad needs a hazer for steer wrestling she would be the one who could do it. Way to go hunny..

Destiny and Hayze.

This is a picture I edited a couple nights ago, I think the technique gets lost on my blog but it is very cute. ( you can click on it to make it bigger)

Just about 1/2 hour before this shot was taken Destiny got dumped on you but. She went out to catch her horse and her and her brother decided to jump on and come in with them. They were still with the herd of horses and it all went sideways when one of them took off.

Mic (Destiny's horse) started kicking and bucking and dumped her off the front. Her back was all grass stained and her leg is pretty bruised up but she got back on and finished the night.

Peachy Friend

2009-09-03T08:08:00.003-06:00

PEACH PIE

Michelle Stewart brought me the best peach pie yesterday and I want to share it with you so you could enjoy it too. According to facebook they are a popular item and I was lucky enough to get in on the experience so I thought I would share the recipe so you could enjoy the bounty of peach season as well.

Doesn't it look so nummy.. it was still warm in this picture. (thanks again Michelle)

Heaven knows I can't make pies.

Ingredients

pastry for a double-crust 9-inch pie
6 cups fresh peaches, sliced
2/3 cup sugar
1/3cup all-purpose flour
1/4 teaspoon cinnamon
1tablespoons butter

Directions

1
Preheat oven to 425 degrees F.
2
Stir together flour, 1 cup sugar, and cinnamon and set aside.
3
Wash, peel, and slice fresh peaches.
4
Mix together peaches with the combined dry ingredients.
5
Turn into pastry-lined pie pan and dot with butter.
6
Cover with top crust, cut slits in it, seal the edges.
7
Sprinkle top with 2 tablespoons of sugar.
8
Cover the edges with foil to prevent over browning; remove foil for the last 15 minutes of baking.
9
Bake 35 to 45 minutes or until crust is brown and juice begins to bubble through the slits in the crust.
10
Pie may be frozen for future use.

3876

2009-09-02T08:04:00.002-06:00

That is how many visits I have had to my blog in the last year.

3876

Thank you everyone for stopping bye..( dots represent where you all have visited from)

It's funny that Sept 1 brings my blog counter on cluster maps to a new year.

With back to school/work, I too, feel like I have started a new year, now more than New years I want to put routines in place and get organized for another year.

I would also like to get my blog organized.

Let me know what you would like to see on my blog. I have always had a wide range of things on my blog, may it be scrapbooking, pictures, cooking, links to other blogs, family stuff..

Let me know what has caught your attention in the past and that you would like to see more of.

I have added the "follow this blog" on the side bar. If you are interested please sign in.

I love to read everyones comments, please click on "comment" and leave a note.

thanks for following our happens, have a great long weekend

Friends and Family in Bloom

2009-09-01T08:22:00.003-06:00

Well, do you remember this Party? We hung Destiny's name on the drive way gate sign and everyone let balloons go. We call it our family and friends party.It was two years ago already (in June)

It was such a great time and we have such fond memories of the time with all of our family and friends..

Just to refresh your memory, we asked everyone to bring a perenial flower rather than a gift for Destiny. Here is some pictures of the flowers from that summer.

Well this year the flower garden had produced quite nicely considering our weather. I wanted to share this mornings bouquet. I encourage you to celebrate in this way at some point in time. What a wonderful way to remember people, picking flowers!. Now this bouquet is not perfect nor do all the colors match, but isn't that who we are as people, and each one of those blooms is from someone different.

the beginnings

2009-08-30T22:59:00.003-06:00

Well, today marked the beginning of what is to come. A construction zone.

Jim and I sold our King size bed to a girl that works for me and we are buying a bedroom suit off a client who purchase a house already furnished. So in the mean time that gives us the opportunity to decorate our bedroom.. Hopefully this time actually "decorated it" it always seems to be the last room in the house to get the final touches. Jim painted it today and it is so different. We had a dark egg plant purple and a greeny tone with it before. Today Jim pained dark choc. brown and a really light cream. I think it will be nice once we decorate buy holly "white".. I don't have white painted anywhere in our home right now. "wow"

Our children went boating with their friends today.. They came tired and colored brown. They got lot's of sun and lot's of water sports. Thanks to the Hammonds for taking them. They had a blast.

When they got home we had the Hammonds for supper and a visit. I made this dessert. You should try it. So simple and kid friendly. We all loved it.

Well I will post some before and afters as they are ready. Currently no afters. It hopefully won't be long.

good evening

Back To School

2009-08-27T08:19:00.003-06:00

Grade 5

Grade 4

Can you believe it. My baby is in grade 4. I can remember being in grade 4. I told them yesterday as we were walking into the school. I can remember being in grade 4, drawing horses with Marlene and sing to ABBA. All they could say was I didn't know ABBA was that old.! I guess that is how they see it.. Mom is old and we are big Kids moving on up in grades..

It really doesn't feel that long ago. Seems to me I was wearing "pedal pushers " then too..

Hears to another great school year, and good luck to all of you starting in the next few days.

22 days

2009-08-25T09:07:00.003-06:00

I can't believe that it has been 22 days since my last post, time flies in the summer and now back to school for the kids tomorrow. Can you believe it.

10 days of those 22 we spent on a "family summer holiday" yup I said family. Being a rodeo family we don't often get time to get away in the summer as a family.. This summer was an exception and hopefully a start of something new.

We started our holiday on Thursday the 13.. We left after Hayzes hockey school and went as far as Swift Current, Sk. We stayed in a cute little campground and got up and headed to Moose Jaw. We had decided to do the tunnel tour on our way to Manitoba. The city is so rich in history, the old buildings are really great as a back drop to pictures. I took some great shots there. I have a lot of updating to do so I won't share them all but we did have a fabulous time in Moose Jaw. ( link to the tunnel info)

Kids in Moose Jaw

We learned some history as well on the tour. It was interesting to listen to the kids when they told people about it. They had obviously learned a bit while having fun.

(Al Capone and attorneys)

From Moose Jaw we headed to Manitoba.

We celebrated Kenny and Shawna's 40th year.

they had a huge party and a fabulous supper for all of us.

thanks so much for the hospitality.

From there, on to Tobin Lake to do some house boating.

It was very pretty on the lake. The weather didn't cooperate with us unfortunately and the fish did not come out either. We had a ton of great food and we did manage to get a few card games in and the kids had a blast playing in the sand on our own private beach.

Upper deck of one of the house boats.

sport goofy

Jim is so funny!

Their you have it. a brief update of a few days of our lives. I dropped and broke my good camera and it is fixed and ready to pick up so I am sure you will be bombarded once again in the near future with pictures. Until then I will continue to update you on the past happening of our summer.

have a great day..

Weekend Complete

2009-08-03T22:18:00.007-06:00

thank goodness, to much craziness.!.

This long weekend was jammed packed with rodeo, parade, chuckwagons, wild pony races and wicked storms.

We did get some visiting in with some old friends and the kids enjoyed the freedom of the rodeo infield

Here are some picture hi-lights.

Destiny with her face painted

Our friend Shelly Profit, her family drive wagons

Kids in the parade, the Burnco float with the musicians

This was the hail that fell at the rodeo grounds on Saturday night. Shaped the bullets.. that was crazy.. then Sunday night!

Sunday Night.

Sunday night hailed and Stormed at our home at 2:30 in the morning. Rocking and shaking our house. Our siding is cracked, window broke and my holiday trailer very badly hail damaged.

Horses ran through the fence and gates dinted. It was very scary, we took the kids to the basement and waited it out, we lost power for 8 hours. Not a night I want to relive.

A video of the boys first night wild horse racing.

So as you can see, it was fun and eventful. hopefully insurance is not a hassle and a "make work project" and we can get this fixed up without any problems.

Back to work tomorrow, I think that it will be a welcome change to the unscheduled weekend.

Still nothing

2009-07-31T08:58:00.002-06:00

I really don't have anything to share. I have been busy with the yard. Dad is visiting and it is busy.

The rodeo is on this weekend here and Hayze is in the wild pony race all weekend and Jim is Steer wrestling on Sunday.

I dropped my camera the other day and it is not working so, I will have to break out my little one and catch some action. I could cry about my camera.

I will update when I have rodeo hilites.

The scavenger hunt ends today that we have been doing. It has been a lot of fun.

We will see how we make out.

Things I NEED to share

2009-07-16T22:45:00.002-06:00

Well tonight I have a couple things I need to update and share with you.

1. I have been meaning to share this with you for a couple of months now. You know when someone shows you somethings so simple that works, you really just want to say "I know" but you can't because you are thinking in the back of your mind, "why didn't I think of that" Well this is one of those times. I was filling up my bug "juice" as I call it, when my husband so graciously steps in to help... actually just to tell me I am doing it wrong... and explains to me that if you pour the fluid out of the jug on it's side it pours out smooth and you don't get any of that glug, glug, splatter. You know what ... He was RIGHT. it works amazing. Try it next time. you will love me for this tip.

Pouring like this makes sense!

The kids and I are doing a photo scavenger hunt put on by this

website. It has been so fun. I may share some of our photos as we a getting close to the wire.

We have until July 31 to complete it.

The kids and I made these Jello Jigglers the other night.

We needed red and blue Jello for our scavenger hunt and I seen the recipe on "My Crazy Life" blog so I thought how perfect. We cut them in to Maple Leafs and we have the perfect patriotic snack for a warm summers day.

What is a Campfire Pie?

Well let me tell you, it is the most scrumptious thing on the camping trail.

You need this iron that you see in the photo. You can pick them up at home hardware, Canadian Tire or any where else you buy your camping supplies.

The the rest is simple. Butter two pieces of bread, butter side out as you would a grill cheese and fill the inside with pie filling, jam and peanut butter, or anything else you can think of.

We also did, Campfire pizza's. They were amazing. You just pile in all the pizza fixings, cheese, sauce, pepperoni, mushrooms....... and then you place the iron right in the fire or on the hot coals and let it cook. Such a fun and tasty treat.

I bought a new bike, a vintage style bike in a nice blue, with a removable basket.

I am so excited to share a photo of it with you but I don't have the right outfit to wear.

no not really, but it is adorable.

just a the picture.

Camping

2009-07-12T20:17:00.010-06:00

CYPRESS HILLS, SASKATCHEWAN

We spent from Sunday to Friday visiting Saskatchewan and this is what the majority of it looked like.

This picture shows the stream heading straight for our trailer.

Our Friend Jayse

Destiny Getting her hair done By Stacey

the final project looked amazing, and out of her face for swimming

Some swimming time, it was chilly but great change from battling the rain.

Our great cooking, that is one thing when we camp, we always eat good.

That is corn on the cob in the tin foil,

A large bug that we had to battle a few times around the camp fire,

with out exaggerating that bug is about 2.5 cm long

Destiny's awesome fire

Destiny's first fire she ever lit. She did so good.

The boys fort. They added the roof and a deck, to an already existing structure.

They had so much fun with it.

The Wilson's

The Biletsky's

Stacey, Me, Julia

Wild roses everywhere there

Oh, a ray of sun.. I better capture it.

Hayze's photography. He wanted it like a magazine cover, off centered.

I think he achieved it don't you.?

Campings' famous foods.

Jiffy pop! even though it never works, got to do one every summer

this one actually was pretty good.

Waiting for..........

can't hide my excitement for.......

a banana boat.. yummmoooo..!

And Camp fire pies..

Over all a good trip, good company and some good stories.

I have a new love(s)

2009-07-03T17:27:00.005-06:00

Well remember the new cupcake recipe I tried a couple posts back, that was a recipe I got off a recipe card that I got from Target when I was visiting Phoenix. When I was unpacking and found the recipe card, it was from Martha's new book so I had to make it. Of course I loved them, ( even if Cheryl found them "dry".) The icing was truly sinful and I can't wait to make some more cupcakes form my new book that I bought today at Costco.

Martha's New Book

New love #1

New love #2

It is so simple and lovely.

This is the phone I had before Tuesday,

The Blackberry Storm.

It is awful, don't waste your money or your time.

It wouldn't sinc with my mac, it was hard to type and the screen jump from up to sideways regularly.

But I do love my new Curve in Red

Happy Canada Day

2009-07-01T22:51:00.003-06:00

Another day to celebrate this great nation we live in.

We celebrated by going to Jim's rodeo in Airdrie.

I wish I had some pictures of Jim steer wrestling with you, however, I don't think he would like me to share today's photography with you. Now I am not saying the actual pictures are bad, I am saying that the steer wrestling didn't go as planned.

I did capture a bucking horse, now they are suppose to be wild and wooly so I figured I could share that with you.

Have a great rest of the week.

there's a mouse in the house

2009-06-25T19:58:00.006-06:00

Those of you that know me, know that could quite literally be the case out here on the farm. However, last night was a different case all together. Destiny's class did an Opera and she played a mouse. A very good mouse I may add.

That is her there in the middle the "brown field mouse"

That is our friend Kadin in the Middle, he was the farmer

He had a speaking (singing) part, and did really well.

There is the "field mouse" giving a little mousey attitude to the boy in front of her

The kids after the play, Hayze was not in this play, it was for grades 1-3 only.

He helped with the doors.

Then, we went to the DQ, like we do after every concert for an ice cream treat.

yummmy

And we met up with some friends that had just finished baseball.

And then played at the park for a few minutes.

What a great night.

Time to Reflect

2009-06-17T08:35:00.005-06:00

I am off to Saskatchewan tonight for a funeral. That is never something I want to do obviously. But I am looking forward to seeing my family and extended family that I rarely get to see except for the odd wedding and funerals.

My dear Aunt P.K passed away this month and I will miss her dearly. She was my neighbor growing up and a vital part of who I have become as an adult. She loved to create, may it be cooking, decorating, sewing, knitting, ceramics, music, gardening and trying new things like the 3d cut and paste craft she did when I was a kid.. you know the stuff that you varnish? I was fascinated with that when she finished that course. (if you know what it is called please leave a comment)

My own mom had different interests than those of auntie Phyllis so I was lucky to have her next door so that I could also learn new things from her too. Auntie taught me how to crochet at a very young age (sorry if you were at the receiving end of any of those projects) she gave me the love of crafting, and trying new things.

I in recent years have learned to love the kitchen too, and have on a few occasions been able to gets some tips from auntie on how to make things just right. She was always ready to give her advice on anything. Even on my last visit I learned how to look after my rose bushes properly.

I am going to miss her dearly, she was a great person and a loving aunt.

After the kids went to bed last night, I took the time to bake and do some thinking, I find after I lose someone in my life they are in the forefront of my thoughts almost constantly.. So last night was a great time to reflect and just bake while the kids were fast a sleep. It was a beautiful time for me.

I made these:

Yellow Buttermilk Cupcakes with

Swiss Meringue Buttercream.

Yellow Buttermilk Cupcakes

Makes: 36

• 3 cups cake flour (not self-rising)

• 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour

• 3/4 teaspoon baking soda

• 2 1/4 teaspoons baking powder

• 1 1/2 teaspoons coarse salt

• 1 cup plus 2 tablespoons (2 1/4 sticks) unsalted butter, room temperature

• 2 1/4 cups sugar

• 5 large whole eggs plus 3 egg yolks, room temperature

• 2 cups buttermilk, room temperature

• 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Line standard muffin tins with paper liners. Sift together both flours, baking soda, baking powder, and salt. Set aside.

With an electric mixer on medium-high speed, cream butter and sugar until pale and fluffy. Reduce speed to medium. Add whole eggs, one at a time, beating until each is incorporated, scraping down sides of bowl as needed. Add yolks and beat until thoroughly combined. Reduce speed to low. Add flour mixture in three batches, alternating with two additions of buttermilk, and beating until combined after each. Beat in vanilla.

Divide batter evenly among lined cups, filling each three-quarters full. Bake, rotating tins halfway through, until cupcakes spring back when lightly touched and a cake tester inserted in centers comes out clean, about 20 minutes. Transfer tins to wire racks to cool 10 minutes; turn out cupcakes onto racks and let cool completely. Cupcakes can be stored overnight at room temperature, or frozen up to 2 months, in airtight containers.

Swiss Meringue Buttercream Frosting

Makes: About 5 cups

• 5 large egg whites

• 1 up plus 2 tablespoons sugar

• Pinch of salt

• 1 pound (4 sticks) unsalted butter, cut into tablespoons, room temperature

• 1 1/2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract

Combine egg whites, sugar and salt in the heatproof bowl of a standing mixer set over a pan of simmering water. Whisk constantly by hand until mixture is warm to the touch and sugar has dissolved (the mixture should feel completely smooth when rubbed between your fingertips).

Attach the bowl to the mixer fitted with the whisk attachment. Starting on low and gradually increasing to medium-high speed, whisk until still (but not dry) peaks form. Continue mixing until the mixture is fluffy and glossy, and completely cool (test by touching the bottom of the bowl), about 10 minutes.

With mixer on medium-low speed, add the butter a few tablespoons at a time, mixing well after each addition. Once all butter has been added, whisk in vanilla. Switch to the paddle attachment, and continue beating on low speed until all air bubbles are eliminated, about 2 minutes. Scrape down sides of bowl with a flexible spatula, and continue beating until the frosting is completely smooth. Keep buttercream at room temperature if using the same day, or transfer to an airtight container and refrigerate up to 3 days, or freeze up to 1 month. When ready to use, bring to room temperature and beat with paddle attachment on low speed until smooth again, about 5 minutes.

Finally

2009-06-15T10:33:00.008-06:00

I have been seeing plants sprouting for months on other peoples blogs. We are finally seeing some results in our flower beds. Our plants are all perennials. We just have to weed.. If we get around to it!

This is our rustic Flower Bed.

If feels so good to see things actually growing .. The weather has been so cold, actually cold enough to freeze some of my plants that I purchased on mothers day.

Our trees are just a buzz with bees. I should have taken video so you could hear the hum in the yard. You can hear it when you open the door.

A new plant on a comeback. I thought we lost it.

Rock Garden plants are my favorite, they look so strong and rustic.

This is also planted in rocks, Hayze almost pulled it out, it looks like a tuff of grass in the rocks.

Now, it is delicate and beautiful. Isn't it pretty?

Wildflower, I love the look of this and wish I had more of it. I will look when it goes on sale.

Not sure the name of it, I am sure I will figure it out.

Finally, color. This just opened this morning and actually inspired me to take these pictures.

Summer is here.

------------------------------

OUR "NEW' PUPPY

BOW BOW

OK, I know what you are all thinking, another dog? I know, I know. I am thinking the same thing.

While I was away in Phoenix, Jim bought this little puppy for the kids.

Now our track record has not been that good with dogs, we do really try our best to keep them, stuff just happens .. really... it just happens. I have thought maybe Spur ( our old dog that has been with us for 12 years) has conspired to get rid of them all.. She is smart you know! Anyway. We wish little Bow a long stay and lot's of love.

He better learn how to be quiet at night shortly or I may have to start my own conspiracy. I Had Destinys teacher call me today to see if something has been going on because she is so tired in class. My only answer... A NEW PUPPY.. we are all feeling it this morning. I think outside for him tonight.

One last post of Phoenix

2009-06-11T08:35:00.003-06:00

Last post from the land of beige. I am home now and reality strikes almost instantly. My holiday is a distant memory. It was a lot of fun and a lot of great relaxing.

Simple yet functional, swim up bar

Pictures from the golf course that Jeans home is located on. Beautiful breakfast and a beautiful property.

Stacey taking pictures

This Heron was on the course as well.. How beautiful.

We also seen a rat like this as we drove into the golf course property. Not the cutest rodent out there, however we forgot all about it once we seen how beautiful everything else was. I forget how lucky we are to be living in a rat free province. Yuck!

So, over all it was another amazing holiday. It was equally as exciting coming home to excited kids and a "lonely" husband. It really warmed my heart when they all had a big smile on there face when I drove it.

Thanks Jean for the hospitality and laughs .. I had a blast.

Day 4

2009-06-08T01:07:00.005-06:00

Well here is a little update from day 4. As you can tell day 3 was a bit of a write off. We stayed by the pool and had a great time.

DAY 4

We stayed by the pool all day and then went to Gila river casino and watched Lonestar.

It was a great concert, I had a fabulous time. I know the girls did too.

This is a great place to watch a concert, small intimate place. I could share tons of pictures put I will just hi lite a few here.

now prior to the concert beginning I went to get the 3 of us a drinks. The bar wasn't busy, just me and a guy beside me getting a shot of whiskey with a beer chaser. Normal enough I guess. Smiled politely and ordered my drinks, then the bar tender said that I was only allwoed to carry 2 drinks back to my chair. I turned to this "guy" and asked, hey, where are you sitting? Can you carry this drink for me... ??? He kind of motions to the stage and says, ""um I'm not sitting.". and walks away. I say to the bar tender, is that guy in the band? he says ya he is.. I said.. Oh I am an ass... anyway... I look around for someone to help me carry my drinks and he is walking back, says sorry and I express what an ass I am and say thanks anyway. I tell the bartender, I'll take my chances with my 3 drinks and walk to our seats. We had a good giggle and enjoyed the show.

Funny thing is, he recognized me during the show and smiled at us... ( smart ass grin, as if to say ... told ya) But came out after to take a picture with me, and said "any other time I would have carried your drink) how fun is that.
little trivia for ya, Lonestar's lead singer is not the original. Didn't know that tell tonight when I was looking at there site. He sounded familiar to me.. I think the switch was in 2007.

Pictures we took outside the casino, after the concert.
Another great day in the dessert

200 post

2009-06-05T21:48:00.003-06:00

Hint, if I have to ask.....

"is this your sext look?"

It probably isn't.

Day 2

2009-06-05T11:14:00.009-06:00

Day 2..

La Bella, another great experience. Facial and massage for me and the girls both experienced pedicures and Jean had massage and Stacey had facial.

excited to go to the spa

waiting patiently

I had to get my hair washed. It was greassssy. The ladies drank wine and waited for me. the balcony at the spa

the ladies getting their pedicures

off to shop... and shop.... and shop....

1st stop, Dicks sports
Now why can three woman laugh so much about a store named Dicks?

We laughed when we got there, and we were still making jokes when we were cashing out.

Our truck when we got back to the house at after 11Pm.

what we found in the entrance when we got home

and how we got it out. I laughed so hard, three woman screaming at a inch long gecko.. was a little wake me upper at the end of a very long day relaxing.

Me going through my purchases of the day. Not as much as my traveling partners..but enough just the same.

What a great day. Nothing on our list for the rest of our holiday. More relaxing I am sure.

Sorry to hear it is going to snow back home.

I'll put something in the blender for you.

Day 1 of our Phoenix Holiday

2009-06-03T22:44:00.004-06:00

Well we woke up at 3:30 to start our journey. We arrived in Phoenix at 9:30. Settled in and went for lunch and bought our weeks work groceries. I love shopping in an American grocery store. such neat stuff. Then back to the house for a swim.
Then the girls started pruning. They when to Jeans rental house to prune and when they got back we did her front yard.

Jean on the ladder, this tree is prickly.. not a job for flip flops as Jean found out.

A neat plant waiting to bloom in her front yard.

Jeans front yard.

Stacey hard at it.

Just in time, the ice cream truck.. who knew they still where around? ( yes, I am in lounge pants)

And to top the night off. Jeans neighbour came home. She drives a mustang gt.. had to get a picture of the whole package.. she owns a bar down the road. She has invited us on Friday night. good be eventful.

Yard work 101

2009-05-31T19:13:00.006-06:00

Well if you see me regularly, you have probably heard me say, " I am loving the age of our kids.

Today was another good example of why. If you live on a farm, or acreage or even just have a big yard you know the time that goes into it. Many hands make light work as the saying goes. And today, I trained some new hands.

Destiny always says she isn't a good driver, so I s

howed her how to run the lawn tractor, of course reiterating the safety features and the option of just standing up to shut it off.

This helped with her confidence once she new she could just stand up.

I set her loose in the front paddock and she did amazing. Her smile proved that she had more confidence in her abilities. That was great for her.

Now there are times in life where I truly believe that you have to be careful for what you wish for. I think Hayze found that out today. He really wanted to whipper snip today, so after some persuading and some safety gear.... off we went. Hayze got on to it right away and did alot of whipping. I was really proud of him for all the grass that he cut. That job is really a ruthless, hand vibrating, body shaking job. He did good and even by the end he was able to change the cutting string and pull start it.

I think he was happy to be done and be able to play with his sister.

When all the yard was looking better, we cleaned up and went to town for some ice cream and parts to fix up a couple leaks we have in our irrigation/sprinkler system. Jim got them fixed up to problem and now we can start watering our brown grass. Funny how fast that happened. Feels like there was just snow on it last week.

Just 3 more sleeps until my trip to Phoenix.

LUCKY

2009-05-22T13:19:00.005-06:00

Well I have not posted in a while because I have been lost in this world.

I picked up my new Mac last Friday, and have now just figured it out enough to save my photos in files to upload to my blog. I have spent a considerable amount of time on it. Ended up phoning the "help" line this morning for a couple of things. I am still not able to hook my Blackberry to sync. grr......

We have had some outdoor time too... Not always the nicest weather but outside just the same.

Jim played with his heal o matic last night..

Hayze had ball on Wednesday

We picked up a new dog yesterday. 5 year old registered black lab.

He came with a name... we don't like it.. and really he doesn't come to it anyway.

We have been call him lucky... don't you think he is? he is with us. HEHHE

He is a great dog, and spur and him are on the deck together, she can't hate him that much.

Meleah Rain

I was asked to take pictures of Erica's little girl. She is such a Pumpkin.. look how cute she is. The photos turned out good. The kids came with me. They had such a great time on Kalbhen's ranch.. I am sure they will be asking for a return visit soon.

Last Monday was a holiday, and the kids went to their second High River little britches rodeo. It rained all day and was very cold. I think the kids had fun anyway. They seem to be tougher than me in that regard. I was froze to the bone. Click here to see the full album of pictures.

I am going to continue on my goal of getting something done in my house.. I have step away from the computer now.

"step away, back away, don't look back, I know I can do it"

Bored shepards

2009-05-15T07:47:00.000-06:00

Fantastic Weekend

2009-05-14T08:19:00.007-06:00

Well Mothers day weekend brought some long awaited warmer weather and our trees are now starting to bud. Our yard is so beautiful in full color in the spring.. I can't wait.Hayze, Destiny and I spent Sunday together, Saturday they spent with grandpa Jack while I celebrated my birthday with friends in the City. Jim was rodeoing in B.C.
( he is back there this weekend, If you could all say a little rodeo prayer for him that would be great)
The kids made me the best home made gifts, I always love those, and they are so proud of them. Destiny also used some of her money from Grandpa to buy me these. How generous of her.
The afternoon of mothers day we went to Mossleigh to Aspen Crossing such a cute little place to spend the afternoon. We had a really good buffet lunch on the patio. The kids were convinced that this is were we are coming for every mothers day.

After lunch we shopped in the green house and got our flowers for our pots outside.

Hayze did the more "manly" things.

Played in the fountains

Shopped for tools

checked out the "shocks"

Destiny is generally up for getting her picture taken (for awhile). So I took a few of the kids, they both clean up pretty good, so today I took my new lens with me to try it out.

Destiny's hair was so cute, everyone was stopping her and telling her how cute she was..

*she was polite and said thanks, thank goodness she didn't say "I know".. That's what she tells me.*

Hayze promised me some pictures so .. he they are. He looks pretty happy to be playing along.

our kids.. waiting for lunch, I snapped a few.. they would have liked to be eating.Destiny playing around in the gift shop while I was paying. Now when we got home, It was time to plant.. Destiny was a good motivator for that.

I was going to leave them, she wanted to do them that evening so .. we did.. and I am glad it is done.

Watering the finished pot. She did this one all by herself. I hope it works out.

Mind you I have had to cover them for the last couple of nights because our weather is so crappy.

Destiny has a visitor while she was planting.

We spent the rest of the evening on the back lawn playing around..

What a great day. I loved my whole weekend, I got spoiled and spent some great quality time with my children.

Good Friend

2009-05-11T23:30:00.003-06:00

Marlene flew in for my birthday, we had a fabulous time together. We shopped during the day and then met up with some more friends and went to the "roller Derby" That was a funny surprise. We ended the day with going for Japanese. It was a fabulous day. I have so much to post about, but tonight I will just share a few photos from the shoot with Marlene.

If you ever caught the Canadian show "wild roses" you may recognize the back ground in this photo. It was one of the pictures in the opening credits.

Learning Together

2009-05-07T13:57:00.003-06:00

These pictures were taken last night at Lausens arena just a couple miles east of our home.
This was Hayze's first night team roping, and he did great. It happened by accident actually..
Hayze was wanting to go to the area and help the steer wrestlers and ropers.. He likes to load cattle and work the shoot. When I left the arena after dropping him off, he was doing a fine job, Lorne even put a bail there so he could reach everything and he has the routine down pat.
About a hour later I got a call from Chad saying bring your camera, Hayze is team roping. Yup.. with the big boys. So back over I go, camera in hand

And this is what I found...

My 10 year old team roping

On a green broke horse, that too, is just learning.

Hayze did really well, we are very proud of his confidence

And well, Patch did pretty good to.

A Challenge On the Horizon

2009-04-28T07:50:00.004-06:00

Well, to follow up on the last post.. Tanya and I had a fabulous evening together visiting and eating the nice meat, cheese and cracker tray she put together... Wouldn't you know it, a neighbour rang the door bell and gave her a beautiful veggie tray from a function he was at. So needless to say we were well feed, had good company, watched a lot of you tube, laughed and cried.. And still, no Jane Austin. You know Tanya and I have been trying to do this since November. We even bought the book, Pride and Prejudice.. can't get through that either.

I did find this link to recap from another blog. Tanya, you might find that interesting.

As some of you may know, Tanya has been heading up a small investment group. Well she seems to be doing well at picking and choosing for the group and has made us a small amount of money ( or should I say fortune). I am sure she is going to post about it soon.. When she has her tips ready I will link to it.

The last thing Tanya and I have been working on is recycling material for house hold use.

Now this is not to say that we are going to fill our homes with junk but, make a few neat projects for our home and fix up somethings we already have.

this is an old chic incubator, I have had it for years.

I took the heating apparatus off and thought once it is refinished it would make a good island or table. We have decided to use it in our mud room as a counter.

this the beginning project

Jim Sanding it down, even the corner metal pieces are shining.
I will show you the finished product, once it is in place and the room is organized.

It looks amazing

This is the coffee table Jim made in College about 19 years ago. Jim had sanded it down in this picture and it is ready to be re stained and top coated.

even reused our sausage tray for the stain. we are doing good.

Now this is an old sign that Jim made for his family years ago too.

Again sanded it down, cleaned it off and blow the saw dust off.

Stained it, and gave it new life. Now this Stevens Family can use it.

the challenge on the horizon

this is the scrap metal pile at the recycling depot.

Now I am not going lye, I have been known to claw in it before and find some neat stuff.

Tanya has decorated some of her house with it and now we want to see projects with it.

I had bought a couple of gifts while in Honduras from this ladies company

recreated art and soul

Have a look at her creations and her bio. It is really amazing.

Now we are inspired to try our hand at it, and want you to too..

Please send pictures of anything you have refurbished, or design out or recycled product.

I will post them on the blog.

We will show our projects when they are completed..
the last project I was working on Sunday was fixing up our flower beds. The ground has become so hard over the winter that it turned out to be a big job.. I planted some bulbs. I hoping they will come up this year, and Jim put a bag of peat moss on for me. It looked really nice.

After this picture, it snowed.Have a great day.

Movie night with a Friend

2009-04-24T19:02:00.004-06:00

Well, ok.. I felt the need to bake something to share with everyone.. Couldn't decide, so I baked COOKIES.. Yes one of the simplest things to bake, yet some of the best girl friend food their is. Tanya once brought large cookies and ice cream and we made home made ice cream sandwiches. That was a nice treat.. Now I am hoping she has ice cream when I arrive tonight.

I used the recipe from here I might add, it is the best choc. chip cookies I have made. I really watched them and set the timer for only 8 minutes. I don't know what it is about cookies at this elevation but they don't take as long to bake. Please check out the Chipits website. They have some great recipes (every things choc. of coarse) and they have a contest that Canadians can actually enter for a Kenmore kitchen. I made extra big ones (just for Jim)

Now this evening I am on my way to Tanya's for a girls night. The men are both away doing stuff so we are getting together. I wanted to take her some cookies and thought of this cute way to package them. Now one reason I am so proud of this idea is because I really just started recycling . Gasp, I know.. that is a whole other post, but I am getting good at it.

I had Just added this to the plastic recycling today, so I pulled it out (see I didn't have to get it out of the garbage, (like I would) it was actually clean and with the other plastic.)

cookies fit perfect.

Now I am going to cover it, and make it look pretty.

Note the shape. a bit of a arch at the top so that when you wrap it there are no puckers.

I added a little ribbon, a card that I put stickers on to spell Yummy
and viola, a cute little bring along hostess gift.

For your paper crafters out there, the paper is from PinkMartini "flirtini"

So now when I arrive, we will be all set for our "Jane Austin" movie marathon.

A Great Post

2009-04-24T15:14:00.007-06:00

Ya, well I had a great post in mind. I had some pictures I was going to share..

cute brownies in the shapes of hearts with carmel and vanilla bean ice cream.

before and afters of laundry day, and share my feelings on the "SOCKS!"

the before and afters of Destiny room, remember this well it didn't look like that anymore. so I did it again.

Pictures of another fire, this time west of us.. blowing this way while we ate supper.

And a picture of Jims jean starched so much that they stand up by themselves... oh, wait.. I still have that one

The rest of my pictures... I deleted.. yes, I deleted them off of my card. I thought I had batch processed my pictures to be smaller and I had only selected one picture.. Ya, that's right. a picture of over starched pants is all that is left. Good news is, they were more documentary pictures of "a day in the life" rather than "keep sakes".

So that is really all I have for today. I do want to leave you with this video.. Because this is how I have been feeling lately.. And I am trying really hard not to raise my voice... I have been yelling a lot.. Ya, pretty much everything she says.. I have been yelling.

Watch this Video

The end of the year

2009-04-20T15:11:00.010-06:00

Well, it was the end of the year for this event anyway. And what a finish. The kids both did very well and Jim and I are very proud of them. Saturday was the finals for the Future Cowboy and Cowgirl rodeo asc. for the winter series. This is not to say that the kids won't be out there this summer rodeoing where ever we can take them.. The winter series ran from October-April this year and was so greatly organized and the kids all had a safe and fun environment to develop their skills. Thanks to all that helped do such a great job, volunteering and organizing all year.

The following pictures are all from this weekend.

Some of the quality is a bit grainy and blurry. I find arena shots tuff..

Destiny's Barrel Run

Hayze's Key Hole Run

Proud Dad

Destiny Getting the Goats Ready

For The Next Age Group

Hayze Flanking His Goat.

He did so good

Tieing His Goat

Waiting For the Flag

Hayze was disappointed, his calf only stayed tied

for 5 seconds, needed to be 6 "no time"

The banquet was Sunday for the Kids. It was held at the Ranchmans.

That is a big deal for the kids because the kids get to ride the bull and play pool and act like grow ups. The parents all bring a pot luck item and they supply beef on a bun for everyone. It is a really nice time for everyone.

Rodeo Moms

Shelly Longeway, Me, Connie Lausen

Friendships Made

Both Young And Old

Pool Shark

Bull Rider

Watch This

That's My Dad

Old Friends, New Stories...From the Ranchmans

The Awards

Destiny won 2nd in Barrel Racing

(Bronze, "Big Heart, Big Money")

1st in the Key Hole

(buckle)

2nd in the Pole Bending

(bronze, "Thunder on the Praire")

1st in the goat untieing

(buckle)

Hayze Won Third in the Key Hole

(Halter and Bernie Brown Print "three Amigo's")

Perfect Attendance

(glass plaque)

The Big One

High Point Champion

( Horse blanket, embroidered on both sides with her name on the neck)

Our friend Nicole, Congrats on your big wins

Congratulations Girls, You had a great season...

And you are both blessings to your families.

While we were at the banquet enjoying ourselves we got word that there was a fire in our area and it was moving towards our home. We made a few phone calls to confirm the location of the fire and they reasured us that it was stopped and it would not effect our home.

This is what we came home to.

That is Our Home

The fire consumed about 1/2 section and stopped before crossing the hiway to our home.

We all said our thanks to the Lord as we approached our home. Our neighbour to the East was very close to starting on fire. I am sure they were using garden hoses..

We have all said we were glad we weren't home. It would have been scary anticipating the worst. We haven't heard yet who the neighbours were that were out helping baddle the blaze, but when we do, I big hug is in order.

Pictures at Home

Out to Pasture

Nail biter

2009-04-19T10:54:00.002-06:00

We are off the the banquet for the end of the year for the Future Cowgirl and Cowboy Rodeo Asc.
We are all very excited about the day and had so much fun yesterday.
The kids did very well and the scores were not given out so today will be exciting to see how they did.
Destiny is in the 8 and under group,
Hayze is in the 9-13 group
They don't compete against each other so they both have a chance a bringing home prizes.
Hayze had a "smok'n" run yesterday in the barrels.. I hope he did good enough to win a prize..

Results tonight, when we get home.

New pole

2009-04-16T21:19:00.001-06:00

Please do the pole on the side.

Easter Weekend

2009-04-14T08:29:00.006-06:00

This Easter found us is Edmonton with the kids for Hayze to play hockey with the "Stoney"team from Morley. This was a great weekend of hockey for Hayze and it turned out that all the kids were really inviting. Hayze didn't know any of these children and he made some really great new friends.Hayze also played really good this weekend and made some amazing plays.. I wish I had my video. some of his best hockey this winter. Funny when there is no expectations on you how you are able to do better.

New jersey for the Weekend. #19

Some of the team with their bronze metals

"the cheering section"

Thought this was cute. Shorts and hockey bag.
These picture montage was taken at Lynn and Lincolns.

Jim has never so much as sat on a bike before. He has never ever had any interest in it..

It was funny to see that little grin on his face when he sat on it.. I think it was something God gave all men, the love of a "machine" .

I must say, he looked pretty good with his new "buffalo" shirt sitting on the bike, with his little grin. He did start it up, but never took it down the road.. just down the drive.

It was more of a photo opp..

Destiny's tooth finally starting coming in this weekend. We heard a lot about that.

Seems whenever we go visit somewhere we have teeth coming or going.

We spent sometime down town Edmonton feeding the geese Saturday afternoon, just the girls.

The poor goose, he had cold feet standing in the icy water.

Picture of Destiny while we were waiting outside the rink for the boys.

Back to work today, and it was good to get back at it. Funny when you spend a few days out of town how you feel you have so much catching up to do. I am going to do payroll tomorrow and hopefully take the kids to play some scrub with there friends tomorrow.

Hope every ones Easter break is going well, and if you have anything fun or entertaining planned with your friends and family give us some ideas. We have Wed. to be with family, Thursday the kids are off to a rodeo in Med. Hat with Jim and Friday we have family time again, no work or school..

This weekend takes us into rodeo finals, rodeo Saturday and banquet on Sunday. this will draw gymkhana to an end for this year.

Happy Heart

2009-04-08T08:58:00.004-06:00

This photo was from the weekend festivities at Lyalta. The Dance was another success and I think everyone had a nice time. Thanks to all that helped out. It was excellent this year because more people chipped in to help and not everything was left to the same people to do. That makes for planning an event so much easier.

Our Family is leaving to Edmonton tomorrow for some more hockey. We are going to be staying with our family Lyn and Lincoln ( which we have never done before) so it will be great for us and the kids to hang out with their cousins. The kids are so excited about going to Edmonton. It is the winter vacation they both wanted. I can't wait until they see the mall.. again, that might have a bit of a personal desire attached to it.

Happy Easter to everyone, hope the bunny finds you all and we will post pictures when we get home of the Edmonton holiday.

More Hockey

2009-04-01T08:20:00.008-06:00

Jim and I had a evening of relaxation in downtown Calgary at the "Hotel Arts" it was really greart. We had supper at the "Raw Bar" which was the best meal ever..
If you ever get a chance to check it out, you sould.. Simple yet perfect. It was a nice surprise, thanks Jim.

Lobby Photos.

Heated Pool..

Prior to going to the hotel, Jim and I got the opportunity to play hockey against our son..

The atom tier 2 team, against the parents.

they beat us 10-8 but it wasn't for the lack of trying..

5 of us wore our "babes on blade" jersey's

Jim was trying so hard he broke the blade right off his skate..

The Skating mom's

Hayze trying to skate away from an "aggressive" dad

The Group of us.. We had so much fun,.

And on our way home Sunday afternoon we captured this picture.

The area has a lot of bald eagles right now, and we believe that is a golden eagle with it.

They have been spotted together by a few families out here.

Nice to Know

2009-03-23T13:21:00.003-06:00

HELLO EVERYONE,

It is nice to know that I am missed. I have had a crazy life as of late and unmotivated to blog about anything.

I am hear to tell you, I am back.!!

Thanks for all the nice emails reminding me to keep blogging..

Well this weekend found Hayze and I in Lloydminster with Hayze's hockey team. It was a nice weekend for the boys and girls to wind up the hockey season. The weekend in hockey wasn't as successful as the camaraderie but they did show the tier 1 division that they were there for a good fight.

amazing body art

2009-03-12T09:01:00.003-06:00

I got this photo off of oddee
this is a fun blog with odd stuff..

Big Sexy

2009-03-09T20:27:00.002-06:00

We are planning an event at Bangles and would love for you to come.

I have been quite busy with work projects.

We have developed new brochures, put together a coupon for local teachers, brought in a new color line, hired new staff, promoted current staff, running a pedicure contest and hocked up the internet at the shop. Now we are going to bring in a new line to try. "Kenra" should be on the shelves tomorrow.

Hope some of you can make it on Friday, would love to see you.

what can I say

2009-03-06T22:47:00.003-07:00

Since my last post not much has happened.. I have been racking my brains to find something, to share something that even seems remotely interesting.. I have come up with a couple but nothing to exciting.

My dad came to visit for 3 days
The kids auntie Marlene made the cutest aprons for the kids and sent cookbooks. ( picture to follow.)
Tanya started an investment groupy... thingy... and we all invested in a penny stock and ford tonight. ( look for updates, and send tips)
Kids both have play off games tomorrow, go Strathmore go!
Work is going amazing... the girls are all so fun.
New brochures should be ready next week.. .. finally..!!
Bangles got a new color line and a new facial line this week. How fun is that?

That is all I got tonight. oh.. just wait.. I embarrassed my son today in the mall.. (probably more than once) I got him to put a wig on and I took a picture on my camera phone. The lady came and said.. no no no... no pictures. the poor boy was mortified... Destiny and I kept trying wigs.. he walked away.. I laughed..

good night.

a couple more pictures from our trip

2009-02-19T21:05:00.009-07:00

Well I have had people asking for pictures that I had taken while in Honduras. Here are a few that I will share for now. I have to do a video, and should really be doing that instead of blogging. The video will be on here too, so until then a few hi lites.

Prior to leaving, I told Destiny you are going to want to get your hair braided while we are there, don't even think of asking. Well all the little girls that we were with got theirs done so I could not say know. Her hair actually looked cute. She still has it in and she loves it.

The hot springs we visited after zip lining down 18 zip lines.
I know why they save the hot spring until last, to wash the perspiration off your brow.
( zip lining is a whole other post )

A day trip that we took to a group of little islands to snorkel and site see.
This little island is home to approx. 100 original tribes people.
this guys is filleting our lunch for us.

Little girl on the island

kids crowding around to receive gifts that we had brought.

this was a bit scary to start off with. I was crowded by a group of kids and adults alike until a couple of the elders came out and helped me get to this area that separated us from them and we were than able to hand the stuff out without them grabbing at us or our stuff.

desolate island that we stopped to snorkel. the kids found it way more fun to catch and play with hermit crabs.

hermit crabs

Destiny playing water volley ball

hotel staff

another neat thing about this holiday is that the flight crew was able to stay in Honduras for the week. they were put up in our hotel so we got to know them and hang out with them for the week. This is Tony in this picture with the kids. He came with us on our snorkeling adventure.

He was a great guy, and our pilot
Well this well have to hold you over for now. Will share more soon.

Honduras, now Home

2009-02-17T22:49:00.002-07:00

I have been told to describe it as "unbelievable".

I think that most stories however are believable and actually if you forget about all the

sickness, I think we came away with some pretty good memories and if nothing else "stories"

I am not going to get into it all tonight, but we are glad to be home, thankful for the new friends we met and will have cherished memories from a country that is working hard at developing a land that works for tourist and locals alike.

I am working at putting together a video for the kids classes and when I do, I will share it with you along with the funny stories..

Good to be home, and thankful for all we have. Crystal.

Winter Holiday

2009-02-05T22:06:00.001-07:00

Gone to Honduras with the kids. Be back next week.

prairie wonder

2009-02-02T21:26:00.006-07:00

Well I celebrated Destiny's birthday with a party on Friday. The kids were off school and we decided to invite her friends for 4 hours of "High School Musical" fun. My friends all asked me if I was crazy having a 4 hour party, but it went so fast. Stacey stayed to help me and it was great.

Destiny's Cake

This was my fist attempt at using marshmallow fondant, well fondant of any kind really.

I think it turned out ok. My cake is a bit lacking in originality but the "HSM" theme is there.

If you would like to try your own fondant I got the recipe here

Grandpa Jack got both the kids sparklers for their cakes. They loved them. Destiny blowing out her Candles. Only 2 boy friends ... ... ok really? your 9....

Everyone got their Picture with the birthday girl and then Michelle and I cut them down and put them in frames for everyone to take home. they all turned out so cute. Lilly was in every shot the girls were in.

Besides doing a word scrabble, bingo, picture taking, eating.. they also did dance routines.
I had printed out the words to two of Destiny's favorite HSM songs and set the music so that we could have a dance/sing off.. Girls against the boys.. It was amazing. I wished I had my video ready. The boys had an amazing routine, the girls sang there hearts out.. it was great.

Saturday Night
we got together with some friends. 9 of us went to
this restaurant
It was amazing food. I loved it.

This is a picture of the desert that we got. Brad took this shot on his phone.

I wish that I could describe how good it was.. just nummy will have to do until you can experience it yourself.. If you go, call me.. I will go again.

Thanks Mr. Rycroft for the suggestion, I will put it on my list of fav's..

Are you lost?

Jim took this picture out our back door this afternoon.

The kids and I were on our way to hockey and I noticed this moose on the other side of the hi way from our farm. We stopped to watch it for awhile and when we left we phoned Jim at home and told him that a moose was on it's way to our house and we could already see the horses going a bit crazy.. Jim said the moose went the entire perimeter of our land and then went west.. What a funny site out on the prairie.

what a whoot!

2009-01-26T22:17:00.002-07:00

Just finished Destiny's cupcakes to take to school tomorrow. Thought I would share.

Her birthday is going to be High School Musical theme. This is just something different for school. Basically for my benefit because I am into owls right now.

happy birthday my baby girl..

Sunday Gourmet

2009-01-26T16:57:00.007-07:00

Well I am not sure if you can call it gourmet but it sure was good. On Sunday, we came home after Hayze's hockey game ( they were defeated 6-4) and had brunch. I made a triple stack of pancakes made from my new pancake molds I got a Williams and Sonoma.

These molds make a hollow centre when stacked so that you are able to

fill them with whatever topping of filling that you desire. I put warmed up apple pie filling in ours and let it over flow on top. I then put grated old cheddar cheese on top, I loved the sharp taste with the sweet.. Kids didn't have the same feelings about the cheese.
A couple of things to consider when doing something like this. I think metal cookie cutters would work to make shapes. You would just need tongs to remove them prior to flipping.
Key tricks, batter has to be quite runny, molds have to be hot prior to pouring batter in to them and they need to be greased well in between each pancake. Pam works great.

I used one pan just to keep the molds hot in between.. I wish I had a large griddle so I could cook all three at once rather than one at a time. These ended up being a long process and my kitchen actually looked like a bomb went off before I was done.
It all ended well and they were excellent. We all loved them and they are on our list to try again.

We serve sausage with them.. got me thinking you could just put the sausage in the middle and pour your syrup right on top. Kind of gives new meaning to "pigs in a blanket"

My helper.. like I mentioned the kitchen took a beating this morning.. I was prepping for this

potato soup, and making brunch at the same time. Destiny was a great help at keeping us on top of the dishes because when we finished the soup, we started making her cupcakes for her birthday.. Which is tomorrow. I hope to send cupcakes to school for her and then bake a separate cake for her party on Friday. Please, please try the recipe for potato soup on Amy's blog. It is so good.. I called it "potato skin soup".. It tastes just like them and it is so nummy..

Destiny trying to beat the winter weather. I think we have all had enough of this cold.

She looks so cute in her Hawaiian outfit..

To bad we are going to Honduras for our vacation..!!..

I am sure they will let her were it if she wants to..

I realized today that I never shared with you the "Santa Hats" that I made for Destiny's Christmas ringette party. They turned out adorable and I wanted to show them off..

I got the idea from here

We had so much fun making them. I did however have the dilemma of how to make them stand up. We didn't have any styro foam and Jim couldn't find any in town so after the kids hands were full of sticks I got the bright idea to use a 2x4. Hayze drilled the holes for me and we were lucky enough to get the perfect size drill bit and they stood up nicely.. The girls loved them and ate every last one.

Boys and their Toys

2009-01-22T20:54:00.004-07:00

Jim bought himself a new toy yesterday. A Heel o Matic

This toy will teach Hayze how to rope and let then both practise using the quad to pull it around.
The good part is that there is no long horns getting out in the middle of the night and Jim won't have to feed any cattle.I think both him and Hayze are really excited about it. Click here to watch a video of what it can do. Destiny's paint horse is currently at the feedlot getting rode, I think the boys are thinking that they would like to rope off of it.. We will see how that goes over.

All this "cowboy" stuff made me remember that I hadn't shared with you the spurs that Twylla got made for the kids for Christmas. They are so nice. As you can see they have thier names on them in silver. Twylla has explained that they will beable to grow with them as well. The gentleman that made them will adjust them as they grow. We love them.

Now if it warms up, we can all go play with the plastic steer.

Christmas In the Rockies

2009-01-19T20:45:00.003-07:00

We Celebrated another great season with the staff in Canmore this weekend.

We stayed at the Wind tower Hotel and had two beautiful suits for the girls.

It was a fantastic time. We shopped, went to a locate establishment, went for a fabulous supper at he grizly paw (local micro brewery) and spent the evening in our hotel room playing some very fun games.

The pictures are just a taste of what it looked like.

12 of us were able to make it for the weekend.

we missed the rest of you.

the local "establishment" where we played pool in the afternoon

The Grizzly Paw let the games begin.

Tanya and Karli put together some amazing games for us to play.

They had planned 27, we only got through 10.

Can you see the "twist" on connies ankle? Yes we had to do that with flippers on.

You did not want to get a question wrong playing this game.

Tanya supplied us with this glasses for the night. What a whoot.!

They were clean, I promise you.

Week long Celebration

2009-01-15T22:00:00.004-07:00

Well it all started a week ago today.. 10 year old birthday Celebration.

Brad and Kody Hammond took Hayze and Jim to the Flames game for there birthdays. ( kody celebrates his this Saturday) They had an amazing time and the Flames won. The boys got to watch the warm up and then Curtis Glencross's mom took the boys down below to get thier jerseys signed. ( Hayze got his jersey for his birthday) They than sat in some "big wig" seats that Brad had arranged and enjoyed an evening of great entertainment. What a great photo.. Can you see the puck? Kipper can!
Glencross in the warm up.
His mother Robyn is a business partner of a friend of mine.. talk about being 'hooked up'
THANK YOU so much for taking time for the boys

The biggest Flame fans there that night.
GO Flames Go!

Then came the actual birthday... Tuesday, Hayze had to stay home from school because he hasn't been feeling good. I took him to get a massage and an Chiro adjustment. And he relaxed for the better part of the day.. until he opened his gift and got some money.. He had started to save up for a I pod Touch and now had enough money.. so on a snowy, sick day.. we went into Wal-Mart so that he could buy "all he wanted" for his birthday.
This thing rocks.. I love it..
Needless to say on his birthday there was no fancey supper or birthday cake.
Today he seems better and I made supper and some cupcakes to celebrate.. and finally sing
"Happy Birthday"

These were the cupcakes I decorated for him.

I just used wasx paper to make a stripe down the middle of the high balls and then dipped them in sugar sprinkles. The number on top is on a chocolate waffer and printed with more icing.

The chalk is two candy's together and a hole pushed in the top.

I loved them.. they turned out so cute.

Destiny delivered the dessert tonight for the sing song.. woops.. just a little accident..

great for a big giggle.. and thier is nothing better than that..

Happy Birthday Buddy.

A little "shop" therapy

2009-01-11T11:11:00.005-07:00

Well after Christmas I thought I needed a little shop therapy, so Destiny and I went to Calgary to exchange some boots and look around at all the sales. It was a great day of shopping and we came home with some fabulous pieces from the Pottery Barn. I had post on facebook that I loved my new Pottery Barn Furniture and a few of you had requested and update with pictures on the blog so here they are. I love my new furniture.

Coffee table and Side table

Sofa Table

The best thing of the day for me was the two little owls that you see on the table.

are they not the cutestest things ever.. They are also from the Pottery Barn.

I wanted to also add a belate Birthday Greeting to both

My sister in law Maureen and my mother in law Judy.

I hope that you both had the best birthdays and that your year is full of whatever your wishes are for the next year and beyond.

We have 2 birthdays coming up in our home too.. Hayze will be 10 on the 13th and Destiny will be 9 on the 27th.. I can't wait to celebrate with them.

mini update

2009-01-08T20:28:00.003-07:00

I have a lot going on right now and my main computer internet is still not working.

I thought I would just write a little something and share another pictures.

hope everyone is doing well and enjoying the new year.

Hayze and Destiny with there Cousins, Damen and Jasmine.

taken over the Christmas holidays.

Christmas Computer Crapout.

2009-01-04T20:13:00.005-07:00

What a terrible time for my satelite internet provider to crap out on me. I have however figured out that my laptop works on wireless.. Go figure.
Just a brief update tonight because really I have so much to share.
The holidays were filled with Family,good food and some good laughs.
This picture is of Wendel playing a board game with us. "the dangerous book for boys" has a board game .. it is a lot of fun We had some good laughs... Even if it was below 30 degrees most days

the kids played mini shiny, swam, and rodeoed over the break. this helped so that no one became house bound.

I promise to share more pictures later.

Please click on the link on the side to see the pictures from the Ladies Hockey New Years Eve dance.

Have a good night

Concerts to cabbage rolls

2008-12-23T22:35:00.006-07:00

Our little Lamb.

Destiny was the star of the show, " The Little Lamb"
this was a none talking role, but she was on the stage the whole night.

[dec 18,2008]

Destiny and Andre
the end of the play wit Jesus in the manger.
Destiny did so good in this role. she didn't act silly or nervous and was right on cue.
we were so proud of her

Hayze after his sisters play. Tried to get a shot of him in his new vest on stage.. He had no part of it. So again.. a better one with his coat on.

----------------------
I want to say, if you are one of our friends that bought tickets for the great DeWalt tool package off of us to support Hayzes hockey, I have good news and bad news.. You didn't win, the good news is you know the person who did.. ME... Isn't that great? I have some projects lined up.. Will see how they pan out.. Jim isn't as excited about owning tools as he was about asking for them for the last 4 years. (be careful what you wish for)
[dec 1, 2008]
Update; money raised through ticket sales went to purchase the whole team matching warm up suits. they look so professional in their matching suits.. go STORM go!!
[dec 20, 2008]

Hayze in the "hard helmet" awarded by the coaches for a game well played.

This was the game against Crossfield on Sunday

1 gaol & 4 Assists

Manager Donna, putting the boys through pregame warm up. she is a tough one. See Hayze down on the ground giving it his all.. While she is yelling out "drop and give me 20" to another kid.. ( I think this had a lot to do with the big win.. they were all scared!)

Or, it could have been the spectator enthusiasm.

Or .. the coaches..

Jim is actually "jersey Mom" but was asked to go on the bench last weekend to help out while the head coach was on holidays. I think he really enjoyed it!.. Well, turns out it is good that I take so many pictures. With 5 days in between posts, I would forget what we have been up to in the last little bit.
----------------
[dec 23, 2008]
I have done a lot of baking.. well for me anyway.. and tonight I tried my hand at cabbage rolls. My mom always served cabbage rolls with Christmas dinner.. My oldest brother Monty's fav. so she always made sure that they were there for him.. Mine are in the oven tonight. I must add, I am a little nerves about the outcome so I thought I would make them a couple days a head so if they need to be redone I could do that. So far, they are smelling good.
------------------
[dec 16, 2008]
I went back to work last week for 4 short days. I didn't work full days but it felt good to get there and do something out of the house. The shop is doing great and it was really good to see all the girls again.

That is it for tonight. My cabbage rolls are done and I am going to relax.

An old project, turned new.

2008-12-17T19:33:00.002-07:00

Well you might remember this project from early June. It took me awhile to complete but prior to my surgery I wanted to get it done and out of the basement and up into our sitting room.
I am actually very proud of how it turned out considering it took me 6 months to get motivated about it. The day I decided to finish it the kids and I went to Home Depot picked up all the paint, sand paper and molding I needed. Yes that is right I said molding. I cut it, attached it, ,painted and stained it all my self. (proud moment for me). Take not from the original pictures. The molding I put on top adds a lot to it. Right now it is full of Christmas pictures and decorations but when the season is over I am going to put some velvet print wall paper in tonal colors on the back. It will lighten it up a lot.

Can you see the crackle, Destiny helped me apply the crackle paint in a few spots after the first coat of paint. Then I painted over it to get this effect. I don't think you would want it all over but it does sure add a nice "aged" effect once I added the antique stain (brown) at the end. I then sanded those areas smooth and this is the final effect. I soaked the hardware in a solvent to get the paint off and they returned to their original form.

I now love this old cupboard, if only I could do something to get rid of the "old" smell when I open the doors.

some more creations

2008-12-15T18:29:00.003-07:00

Giant Peanut Butter and Jelly Thumbprint Cookies

I got this recipe for a Chatelaine Magazine that I was give while in the hospital.

The recipe can be found here

If you have a very close look at these two pictures you will notice that I burnt the whole batch

I was really only able to selvage about 8 cookies. Recommend time for cooking was 12 minutes, so I set my timer for 10 min, giving me, what I thought was ample time to check on them.

I don't know if my high elevation or my oven is hot but.. what a wreck.

This whole project was not successful.. I was even going to make up a recipe card for it with the adjustments for myself so that when I attempted them again I could do so accordingly. Well, when I went to upload the file, it said "file corrupt" of course I had already closed off my project in Photoshop.. so I am done with these buggers. If you ever get the desire to make these after reading this post ... let me know how you made out. I wish you the best.

2008-12-13T20:56:00.001-07:00

Thursday night our family went to the grade 4-6 performance of "The Town Of Bethlehem".

It was very cute, and their were some great actors and actresses. Hayze was a singer, and that is all he wanted to be. He never tried out for any parts and he just wanted to be a singer.

He did a great job acting out the song they were singing.

He even smiled a time or two.. that is great, considering this isn't really "his thing"

His dad told him he wanted to here him sing nice and loud, he said "ok" Jim said "what song you singing?" Hayze said "I don't know"

Hayzes family waiting for the "big show"

Destiny getting her picture taken after the concert.. Embarrassed because he mom asked her to go up on the stage.. a better shot of her putting on her coat..
[don't smile, oh, I see a smile]

that is it for tonight. I had a great big day. 2 ice times for the kids and a ringette girls party.. I am done.. done!

Holiday Projects

2008-12-10T13:45:00.004-07:00

I know! Two posts in one day. That is amazing, but I wanted to show you a couple other projects I have been working on.

Desk Calendars

This is the front and back view of the desk calendar I have been working on for a month or so.

This is a inside view of the month of March and a side view so that you can see how I folded it.This is how pretty it will sit on my family's desk / table.

This project was inspired by Scrapgirls On there website you can purchase templates for 4x6 calendar templates. I then worked with all the current digital paper that I have and added pictures to every month. Personalizing it with the cute little faces of my children. When I got all 12 months completed ( this took me sometime because I worked on it a few minutes here and there) I uploaded the 13 files (cover included) to Costco and requested 12 of each printed on 4x6 photo paper in matte. I was able to pick them all up the next day at the location I chose, this is such a great service. When I got them home the kids and I separated them into a 1 year calender. I then took sheets of 12" x 12" scrapbook paper and and cut it into 4" stripes. I was able to get to easels from each piece of paper, one strip I cut in half to add to the back of the other two once I got them folded so that they would sit in a triangle. If you would like the exact measurements just email me and I can walk you through it. When the stand was complete I then punched holes and attached the ring binding. (thanks to Lisa for the use of your binding machine) WOLA!. The cutes little desk calender this season. My original thought before binding them was to get those cute little picture holders that you just slip the pictures in make of wire. I think that idea would work too and wouldn't be to expensive because I am sure that you can buy then at the dollar store.

Digital Scrapbook Page

[click to see larger]

I just finished this this morning. I was on 2 peas in a bucket web page this morning just browsing around and noticed this weeks digital challenge. " create a background paper using only brushes" So I was inspired to do a layout. This is what I came up with. I got my snow flake brushes for deviantart by a member named MELDIR. This site have proven useful a couple of time for brushes to use in Photoshop. So as you can see,outside of using snowflakes my layout is quite simple. The ripped edges I got from Scrap Girls they add a nice layer to this layout.

well you have it, all my projects.

Christmas Journal

2008-12-10T09:44:00.009-07:00

Well remember this post were I said I was going to be so ambitious and do a Christmas journal and document everyday on our way to Christmas 2008. Ya well that failed!. I ran out of time prior to surgery and I haven't had the ability in the last couple of weeks. But with all that said I have realized that we as a family have done some great things on our way to Christmas and I have documented with pictures and get to "journal" about them on my blog. So this.. has become my 2008 December journal.

We have done some great things together so I am going to hi light a couple for you

Poppy Cock

[december 7, 2008]

Caramel Popcorn with Nuts (Poppy Cock)

Ingredients
4 qt Fresh popped corn.

1/2 ts Salt.

2 c Peanuts; dry-roasted, (or any other nut you would like, I used cashews)
1/2 ts Baking soda
1 c Packed brown sugar
1/2 ts Vanilla extract
1/2 c Unsalted butter
lg 5 quart roasting pan.
1/2 c Corn syrup

Instructions for Caramel Popcorn with Nuts (Poppy Cock)Place popcorn in large roasting pan. Mix in nuts. Set aside. Preheat oven to 200F. In heavy sauce pan, mix sugar, butter, corn syrup and salt. Over medium heat, stir until boiling. Continue to boil, without stirring, for 5 minutes. Remove from heat. Stir in vanilla, then baking soda (it will foam up). Pour over popped corn and nuts; mix well to coat. Place in oven for 1 hour to 1 hour and 10 minutes. Stir every 15 minutes while baking. Cool, break apart and store in a tightly sealed container.

This recipe turned out great. Jim loved it. It makes two large zip lock bags full and is crunchy rather than gooey. We loved it.

Saturday Sunshine

Only one ice time on Saturday and after the game Hayze went to the Rycrofts to play and Destiny and her Dad went for a ride. It was a perfect December day for a ride.

[december 6,2008]

Sunday Snow Storm

This turned out to be a great day for the kids to get out and play in the snow. Ringette was cancelled so we stayed home and all three of my kids played out in the snow. [the third being Jim of course]

[december 7,2008]

Our little Lilly, she is so photogenic.

The Scenery in our yard was amazing. I took a ton of pictures but really none of them did the "winter wonder land" any justis.

In anticipation for the falling snow.

The back window of my Avalanche.

I thought it looked so cool with the falling snow and white trim of snow all around it.

Hope you enjoyed some of our December journal , check back for more entries.

2008-12-07T10:23:00.002-07:00

While I was blog searching I came acrosse this great poem and had to share. This is totally how I am feeling and in need of some girl time.

and now a holiday wine song.....:)
umm..hmm..
.oh.. once upon a time in the Queen's City..
there was a group a fair ladies whom were very pretty...
they drank wine like water and laughed and sang...some sweetly..some w/ a twang..:)
they mastered board games..and danced a lil'...most succumbed to intoxication and acted quite silly!!
they devoured yummy homemade treats...and swore off food and alcohol for the rest of the week!
YAY WINE NITE 08!!!!!!!

This reminded me of the wine tasting party and pictionary games we played in October here at our home.
I had to share.

2 batch

2008-12-05T08:05:00.006-07:00

Well, as I said in my last post, Stacey brought projects on both days. This is what the second day project looked like.

[click on photo to see bigger, if you want the recipe]

I have to ask some of you bakers out there, have you ever added "parowax" to any of you recipes and if you have why.? I must admit I was a little nervous adding wax to a pot of perfectly good choc. My roll in this great tasting, great looking treat was unwrapping the camels (which were the soft Werthers) The camels were so nice and easy to open compared to the original style. I highly recommend this brand when making these.

I didn't give you the recipes for the cookies that we made in the last post but if you are wanting them just let me know and I will get them from Stacey.

I have received some really nice gifts in the last couple of weeks, a very large platter that looks great in my office on my round table, some fun cowboy boot shaped patio lites, Lasagna, chili, wine and wine glass, slippers, magazines and books, coffee and a sparkly room diffuser and flowers. How great is that. Funny how a gift can always make you feel better. Thanks everyone for the pick me ups.

[This is the coffee and room diffuser I received.]

[how cute is that?]

Letter to Santa

The children did their letters to Santa on Wednesday night. Destiny colored and decorated and erased and started again for about a hour. Hayze, wanted to use the computer, he typed a 3 line letter, ending in I think I have been good! Jim mailed them today.. I guess we will see what the old boy thinks.

Have a great Friday.

December Happenings

2008-12-04T14:50:00.014-07:00

Well I continue to be at home recovering and feeling quite well. I have had a wealth of friends calling, writing and dropping in. I have found myself doing just a bit to much on days but have went back to relaxing and pain killers to ease the pain. I got my stitches out yesterday and that makes a world of difference in how I feel as well.

I am very lucky that my hobby is my pictures and computer. It feels good to do a few things today. I am going up date you on some of my pictures from the last two weeks.

This is the picture Maureen took for me after dad and Jim put the new hand rails up downstairs. It will be great for guests and us to have the new rails up. I actually haven't been down to see them yet, but thanks to the beauty of technology, I have seen them and so have you.

Maureen and Stacey were sweet hearts the other night and washed little lilly for me so that she could spend more time with me on our bed.. she doesn't like her bath at all.. Look at Mo, I don't think she likes lillies bath either.

This is a picture of my princesses. aren't they so cute.. Lilly is so fuzzy now that she is clean.

Lilly is wearing a build a bear crown for "jasmine" from Aladine. ahhhh!

Stacey visited both Monday and Tuesday, both days bringing stuff to do.

Monday she brought two double batches of cookie dough for us to make cookies.

Ginger bread cookies, and sugar cookies.

Ginger Bread Cookies

I helped roll balls.

A little tip: When the cookies come out they look like this.. tap the pan firmly to get the air out. This will make your cookies stay nice and chewy.Did you know that there is a difference between "ginger bread" and "ginger snaps"? I didn't understand the difference until Stacey explained that ginger snaps are the hard ones, the stuff you would make the houses of. These were ginger bread and nice and chewy.. so great.

Sugar Cookies

This is the cookie mix that Stacey had brought for the sugar cookies.

Cut the dough into Christmas shapes.

We froze these. We will decorate them before Christmas..I got sore before we finished.. Will share the completed cookies when we finish.

Healing

2008-11-29T11:09:00.002-07:00

I got home from the hospital on Thursday afternoon and I am doing well.
Thanks to everyone for the well wishes, cards and gifts and phone calls.
A big thanks to my sister in law Maureen for all the care in the hospital. You made that experience so much better.. sorry about having to sleep on the cot. My Dad and Wendel came down as well. On Monday at the hospital I had my own body guards. Maureen, Wendel, Dad and Jim. It was great to have them all with me and even the OR nurse commented on how lucky I was to have such caring family.
Wendel went home Tuesday and Mo and Dad went this morning. I am going read and rest today. I am home alone for the day while Jim is running around with the kids. I can't go to far, just small walks around the house and then I am resting.. small steps every day.
I am currently sitting in the best thing I could think of to sit in while I was lying in bed so uncomfortable last night, my reclining lawn chair.! I got Jim to bring it in for me this morning before he left. I must say it feels pretty good... I can't do the stairs for a while.. so this is the next best thing to a recliner.

I'll be home for the next couple weeks, please call or come by and visit.

loved it..!!

2008-11-23T20:49:00.002-07:00

16 of us went on Friday night to the long awaited "twilight" movie.

I really enjoyed it. Out of our group only two had not read the book and one said that she did fall in love with Edward. We were so thrilled after seeing the movie we were all a bunch of giggly school girls.. Not to say that there wasn't a couple of "cheesy" parts that your imagination from reading the book was way better.. (the glitter)
Over all the group loved it.. and listening to all the love crazed teenagers giggling and screaming seemed to and to our stories at the end of the night. I do feel that I need to watch it again, in a more quite setting to appreciated it in a more personal way..heheh..
over all 8 out of 10..

I go in tomorrow to the PlH hospital in Calgary for my Surgery.. so I will be taking a little blogging break. Have a great week.

In preparation

2008-11-18T20:59:00.003-07:00

Not much to report, I have been finishing up my Christmas shopping on line and doing a couple of Christmas project that I can't share because they are Christmas presents. I have yet to start my Christmas/December journal and I am quickly running out of time to put it together. My surgery is next Monday and I feel like I am nesting and wanting to get all my cleaning done and things organized before that day. I have got as much as I am going to do with outside lights around the house and I will do some decorating Thursday to the inside. My dad and brother are coming for the weekend and My sister in law on Sunday. It will be nice to have it all done prior to them arriving. My sister in law (Mo) is staying for the week, and for that I am really thankful. I have no idea what to expect and she is a nurse and will be great to have with me.

Hayze has a hockey tournament in Strathmore this weekend. It will be great to have dad and Wendel here for that. Destiny has a ringette tournament in Lethbridge so Jim is taking her there and Jim is going to a Rodeo in Taber. Another weekend in the life of the Stevens family..

So, no baking, cooking or crafts to show you and the only cute shopping I have done is for gifts.. so again, no sharing at this time.

I will leave you with this picture of my sleeping beauty.

bug

2008-11-15T09:03:00.004-07:00

I have been having some weird dreams lately. And this morning I decided to get up and figure out what some of them are suppose to represent.
My last night dream was about an old acquaintance that has been dead for years, he died again.
Weird, I know! I am typical not a big dreamer, so that was freaky.
The Other night I dreamt that I had bugs in my hair. which is weird with being a co-owner of a hair studio, that would be disastrous. I couldn't find really anything about someone dying again, but this is what I found out about the bugs
Bug
To see a bug in your dream, suggests that you are worried about something. It is symbolic of your anxieties and/or fears. What is literally bugging you? Consider also the popular phrase "bitten by the bug" to imply your strong emotional ties or involvement to some activity/interest/hobby. Alternatively, the bug may be representative of your sexual thoughts.
So that made a little bit of sense, I am a bit nervous about my upcoming surgery.. not sure about the sexual thoughts part. Have a great weekend, Hayze and I are off to Cochrane today and Jim and Destiny are off the Cardston for a rodeo today. tomorrow, more of the same.

bags and more bags

2008-11-12T20:50:00.007-07:00

The past weekend was a extra long one for our family. With Remembrance day falling on a Tuesday the kids had the Monday off too. We had ringette games, hockey games, birthday parties , a couple sleepovers and a craft market all jammed into the 4 days. I think that everyone had a great time.

Hayze scored his first goal of the season on Tuesday in a game that ended up 2-1 for the other team. Great watching and I think the kids did great.

Got the decals changed on my Truck today, it was to late to take pictures when I got home tonight but they do look very nice and professional. I finally took my mom's detailing off from Heron Drilling, that was a mental game for me. I had help and some good company while I took them off today so that made it a little easier.

Millarville Market was really great. A little chilly for Destiny and some of the other woman but over all it was great. I bought a couple of Christmas gifts and a fabulous purse .

I bought it from a company called Fibres of Life They are a local company that practices "fair trade" These great felted bags are made in Nepal. You should really visit the website for other cute ideas. They do business at the Calgary Farmers Market on the weekends. This actual bag is not on the site but comes in a variety of colors with a great selection of panels for the front. I really can't say enough on how cute it is.. and the amount of compliments I have gotten is amazing. ( no I am not selling them, just love it.)

Stacey and I are however taking orders on these beauties. We are going to import a line of bags from Germany. We thought they would be great gifts and they would retail very well. The response has been amazing. If you are interested in anything that you see on the site let us know and we will be sure to order for you. The initial order will be our likes unless someone special requests, and we want your feed back.

(please click picture to view the website)

----------------------------------------------------------

Please plan to attend this amazing event if you live in the Strathmore Area.

december family journal

2008-11-10T13:41:00.003-07:00

I am going to do a December family journal inspired by these two posts Ali Edwards December Journal and Amy's Chirtmas Journal.

I hope that you will do something like this, this holiday season to remember this special time of year and to reflect on for years to come. It can be as detailed and as simple as you would like it. Enjoy the process and please share your journal and ideas with me.

What I did today

2008-11-06T22:28:00.006-07:00

This morning I was awake at 5am, excited about making some birthday invitations for our friends Jayse and Kadin. I wasn't sure what I was going to do and I wanted them to be special..
I finally thought myself back to sleep until 7am, got the kids on the bus and got to it.

This is what I came up with.

After I completed them, I took them to Costco to be printed on 4x6 photo paper. They turned out nice and the boys were thrilled.

FYI, if you need any photo printed right now Costco has a sale on for .10 a picture. The photo lab was busy but what a great savings if you have a lot to do. You can also upload to Costco.ca and pick up at a later date.

Tanya came with me to the city. I was on a mission to buy a new dresser.This is the one I liked and bought. As much as Jim hates putting together Ikea furniture, it was a substantial savings and it does look great.. He got it together in 2 hours.

Tanya and I both bought this bin for recycling. It looks really cool.

That was my day, other than watching Grey's Anatomy and having a family supper, what better day can you ask for.

Hope you like the new format. If there is something that isn't working or something I should change please drop me a note.

A couple more halloween pictures

2008-11-01T15:53:00.002-06:00

Happy Halloween

Our Family, just arrived at the Rycrofts for a night of trick or treating

The Rycroft Family

Ethan getting ready for the big night.
Rodeo Clown

Great idea we seen at Brenda's.

This was in a dimly lit room...Califlower as a brain in food coloring..

Scary.......

Copied Challenge

2008-10-31T08:23:00.012-06:00

Good Morning everyone. Well I have to do some work this morning but fortunately my accounting program needed an update and I had time to do some blog reading while it is working away on the laptop.. ( I am on our family computer)

Any way, I was looking at this blog that I found after looking at Amy's blog.. (you can click on the side to see hers)I seen a simple challenge that she had been invited to do.. So I thought I would try it.. She was asked to go to her picture files, Click on the 4Th file, opened and click on the 4Th picture I was a little nervous, I have a ton of crappy pictures on my computer that, one day I will take the time to sort out.

But today... I got "cute"

Destiny's Grade two indoor shoes. Such a big reminder of how my kids are growing.

Halloween

We attended Sacred Heart Academy Halloween Dance last night. The kids loved running around and dancing with all there school buddies. It was from 6-8 and we arrived at 7pm .. how perfect was that. Getting ready sometimes is half the fun, and a hour with all that screaming is enough . Stacey and I worked until 6pm last night so Jim brought all of our kids to Bangles after hockey practise and they all got ready there and then we ordered take out and left to the dance from the shop.

Getting Ready

Captain "James Sparrow"

Some Rapper.. dude.!

This is the best type of costume for Hayze. He hates dressing up and is totally uncomfortable with it and with in minutes the costume is off.. Even last year, he was a "Burnco employee" and the hard helmet and coveralls were off with in minutes of arriving at the dance because he wasn't comfortable with how he looked.

Dad and his kids.. He is so proud.

"Bella".. Well my little Vampire anyway..

I had to get the shadow. isn't this a great punk outfit..

Kadin and Jayse were both Cards.

Leaving for school this morning.

we did it all over again..

And we will do it again when they get off the bus tonight, back into town to trick or treat and then to some friends places.

2008-10-28T23:20:00.003-06:00

Our girl and her horse.

Was looking at one of my Favorite websites tonight and of course

one thing led to another and I was editing another photo..

thanks to the Pioner woman for her "actions" that I downloaded to use with my Photoshop.

Good Night..

P.S. if you have stopped by, please leave a quick comment so I no you were here.

The rest of the pictures

2008-10-27T07:40:00.009-06:00

Better late than never. More of the pictures I promised from the kids in the park this fall.

I thought I would use this post to catch up on sharing some photos and happenings that I was hoping to blog about in the past. As we all know time to quickly gets away from us and we don't get half of what we want done, let alone the "fun" stuff.

Ok.. now my computer is not allowing me to upload any more pictures so I will just answer a couple of questions that have been asked.

1. Why so many cow pictures.? ( click on the bull on the side to see thanksgiving pictures)

a: because that's what we do when we go home. We spend an afternoon out on the Saskatchewan prairie looking at cows and enjoying the scenery. I guess that has become a tradition.

2. What kind of camera do I use?

Keep in mind I am amateur with a lot of try, my equipment is with me were ever I go. ( the word out is that I am a little poparotsey) and I love my hobby of "pictures".. taking, editing, scrapping, displaying, making video's all of it .. I love it.

a: Canon Rebel XTi, Lens: Canon Zoom Lens EF 75-300mm This camera also comes with a lens: Canon EFS 18-55mm. I also have a Kodak Easy share 10x zoom which gives me 38-380 mm (equiv.) I love it too, it is more of the one I can through in my purse..

3. Hysterectomy?

a: I know I just kind of threw that in there on my last post. I am having surgery Nov 24 and will be in the hospital for about 4-5 days. Why? A long list of girl related crap.. I (and my family) are looking forward to this all being behind us. Any info that anyone has would be greatly appreciated and any extra hands to help get my kids to the rink will be helpful during the weeks following. (just thought I would throw that in there)

I guess it is going to let me add more pictures now.

The harvest of fresh tomatoes at my dads

this is just 1/20 of what he had under every bed and under blankets.

I had thought I would learn how to can them, but simply ran out of time,

as I always do when I go home.

I did make some fresh Salsa

I used fresh tomatoes

white onion

one small hot pepper

a green pepper

cilantro
I don't like it hot so that was it..

I made some Brochette too..

I used fresh tomatoes

garlic, and more garlic

the whites of green onion

olive oil

cilantro

feta cheese

I served it on broiled sour dough bread and garnished with the greens of the green onion.

goodness!

Last picture to share with you. This is my cousins daughter Arlee. Isn't she as cute as a bug. I love this picture of her. It was taken at Uncle Norman and Auntie Phyllis 60th anv.

Bangles Fun

2008-10-23T10:30:00.004-06:00

Well I was trying to take pictures of the shop yesterday so that I could ad some to our web page. I am not happy with the quality of the pictures and don't think that I am getting the right "feel" to them. I will have to do some research on lighting for dark spaces.
I did however get some staff photo's that I know they are just dieing for me to share with everyone.

Another great day at work..

A couple of inspirations

2008-10-21T21:59:00.005-06:00

Well I have so many pictures that I wanted to edit and post.. I simply have not got around to it yet. It you click on the picture of the bull on the side you will see some unedited/uncut photos of my Thanksgiving weekend.

I bought a new monitor yesterday and I have got that set up. This is very exciting. Once I get it collaborated with my computer my pictures should look a little better. Ya... I get really excited about computer stuff and paper stuff.. so... today was a great day. I made up the new sales tracking book for the shop and Lisa (stylist) has a book binder that she brought in. Wow.. my lucky day. I was so excited when the book was done I could do nothing but gaze at it.. Lame, I know. I have so much stationary and note pads that I now use them as props in my studio/office. I guess there is worse things to be addicted to.. Thanks Lisa for the use of your binder.

Old Monitor and messy desk.

New Monitor and decluttered, dusted and organized desk.

How often do you dust were the cords are? Don't look, but I bet next time you do, you too will find a dead moth or two.

Seeings though I didn't have much to share, I wanted to share some links that some other bloggers have shared that I thought were really neat O..

Tanya Recommends: Quick Snaps
Saxx Performance

Amy Recommends: Gourmet Mom On the Go

I have recently found out that I will require a complete hysterectomy next month. Marlene recommended this site to me hystersister

Well that is all the info for tonight.
Have a look at these sites, there is definitely information from a lot of different topics.

Comment soon.

RANDOM.ORG - Die Roller

2008-10-17T11:22:00.000-06:00

RANDOM.ORG - Die Roller

Draw Winner

2008-10-17T11:20:00.004-06:00

Well I rolled the dice to get the number of the person that won the book.. I rolled an ten..
congrats to Michelle B.... I thought that being there was less then 12 comments dice would be a fun way to do it. If you would like to try it yourself, try the link above.. Random.org is where I got the dice from.
Michelle I will get the book to you ASAP.. The only request I have is that you make and share some cookies.
Thanks to everyone for the great feedback and comments..

Fall desserts that people liked are: Apple Crisp, any thing mixed with apples and Cinnamon, pumpkin muffins, fresh baked bread, choc. chip cheese cake, and pumpkin cheese cake.

I would love some of these recipes. please share them with me so I can try them too...
send them to this email. twink@myipplus.net
Thanks again to everyone for playing my little game.. I love the comments.

It's about Us.

I Have moved into my new blog.

halloween 2009

give away and reuse WINNER

Fun Country Riders Banquet.

Give away and reuse

Karen's Wedding

Thanksgiving Weekend

It Is In The Eye

Lefsa

Bringing Home the Hay

Really Looking

Ready to Arrive

Cutest Helper

Weekend full of arenas.

Crazy Hair Day

Cowboys

Count Your Blessings

Peachy Friend

Ingredients

Directions

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

3876

Friends and Family in Bloom

the beginnings

Back To School

22 days

Weekend Complete

Still nothing

Things I NEED to share

Camping

I have a new love(s)

Happy Canada Day

there's a mouse in the house

Time to Reflect

Finally

One last post of Phoenix

Day 4

200 post

Day 2

Day 1 of our Phoenix Holiday

Yard work 101

***LUCKY***

Bored shepards

Fantastic Weekend

Good Friend

Learning Together

A Challenge On the Horizon

Movie night with a Friend

A Great Post

The end of the year

Nail biter

New pole

Easter Weekend

Happy Heart

More Hockey

Nice to Know

amazing body art

Big Sexy

what can I say

a couple more pictures from our trip

Honduras, now Home

Winter Holiday

prairie wonder

what a whoot!

Sunday Gourmet

Boys and their Toys

Christmas In the Rockies

Week long Celebration

A little "shop" therapy

mini update

LUCKY