It's that time again!

They make me heart happy!

Unfortunately, this is pretty much the only thing that made it to planting in my garden. But only because they planted themselves. No garden this year. Just too busy doing other stuff. We'll have pears and walnuts. And eggs. :o) So it wasn't a complete loss. OH...and big pumpkins!

Since my camera broke, I feel like I've had nothting to blog about. But I'm going to sit down and bring you up to speed. Without pictures. My camera is in being fixed so I guess that's reason enough to post.

Ashton and his team has done so well with football. Up until this last saturday they had only lost one game. The game on saturday was a battle for the number one team to beat with playoffs. But they lost. Barely! 1:30 left to make a goal. 8 yards from the endzone....but the other team held them back. They boys played really well that day. They now have to continue winning until they face this team for the championships.

My big giant pumpkin is still connected to the vine. I'm not sure that it's growing anymore. But we're going to wait a little longer. Maybe at least until the vine dies. It weighs in at 71lbs. and measure 59in. around. Not huge, but not small either. The second largest pumpkin weighed in at 34lbs. That one is still definitely growing!

With canning and harvesting this year. I bottled: Tomatoes, Dilly beans, Salsa, and Pears. I still am waiting on my grapes to sweeten up to make jelly with. We have dried potatoes and apples. My next canning attempt will be applesauce.

In the last 3 months, Jared has lost 30 lbs. His method was exercise and smaller porportions. When Ash has his football practices (3times a week) Jared would just walk and run around the field for the 2 hours Ash would practice. I'm really proud of him. He also goes out on some nights with the kids and runs. It's fantastic for me, because he wears them out right before bed and makes nighttime routines that much smoother.

The road construction in front of my house is even worse than it was before. (I didn't think that possible) But the road has been since torn up and there's a lot of dirt ALL the time. And cars are now coming (after construction crews go home) and peel out in the dirt. Really bugs me! They are also leveling the lane where they want to extend the freeway lane and it's like THISCLOSE! It's less than 100 meters from my doorstep! With winter months coming up quick, I know that crews will work less, therefore prolonging it all. OR...if i'm lucky. Take 3 months off while a beautiful blanket of white covers up all the ugly.

Kid update: Mykael, I believe, has settled into junior high nicely. Parent teacher conferences showed that as well. Jaden is living up his last year of elementary and "ruling the school". Ashton incorporates football into EVERYTHING. School work, recess, cleaning the house, running with dad, and constantly tries to talk his little brothers into "playing" with him. Eli LOVES preschool. He got into the program they have at the school and his teacher adores him. I have to say his paintings are really cool! Dylan had a hard time adjusting to loosing Eli to school, but quickly got over it when he realized it was just him and I.

I feel like I need to say, Merry Christmas and Happy New Year now! So I'll just end it before I get any more cheesy.

Oh! and my Last Supper cross-stitch...I'm still working on the table cloth! (Once every few months!) So it doesn't look any different from the last picture I posted of it....forever ago. I was hoping to have it done by the same time I started it...November. Not going to happen. I'll just be more realistic and shoot for finishing it within 2 years!

Jared and the Giant Pumpkin

Sometimes when my husband gets an idea, the best thought I can describe to you, that pops up into my mind is "here we go again." Because I have a dreamer of a husband. And sometimes they don't really pan out the way he originally plans. But thinking back now, I could say the same for myself as well as a few others. Some might say, "That's life".

So when my husband decided to plant 3 small "giant pumpkin" seeds in the rocks in front of my house I "pa-shawed" him and went on with my business planting sunflowers. Those little seeds did NOTHING all summer long, and was starting to think that they were duds. Then one by one a single little sprout popped up in its own individual spot. So cute. So pathetic. To tell people it was going to be a "giant" was kind of a joke.


But a joke it no longer is. Those little seedlings have made their presence known. And my sunflowers too!!! :o)

It's already over 100lbs. We're going to weigh it tonight to see how much for sure. So stayed tuned.

*ok, so he weighed it and it's only 70lbs. But Still! 70lbs! I look at it like a pregnancy. You gain the most the last trimester. Since we have a good two months left, bring on the weight!

And it IS a pretty color huh? I hope it doesn't fade as it "stretches" to larger porportions.

Now that summer is officially over (for the kids) I can do sort of a re-cap, So here goes.


Garden is doing fantastic!!! Cucumbers are endless. They're the "skinless" kind. But taste just as good.


Beans are doing the best! Every week I'm getting a bigger bowl full than this one. So I have blanched and frozen till they are all done, and then I'm going to go crazy with making dilly beans. I'm still looking for a good recipie if any of you out there have one.





We've had some unusual rain storms this summer and the gutters have flooded PLENTY. On this particular day, Dylan ventured out to play in the water. The other two quickly followed suit.

You can't tell, but for some reason they only wanted to wear jackets and underwear. Whatever works, I suppose.

Mykael started Junior High! And for Gym class she needed clothes. SO I took her to D.I. (equivalent to a second hand store) to find something that would work. Requirements were white t-shirt with name on it and shorts. We found two white shirts for $2.00, the running skirt for $3.00 and the pants for $2.00. I wanted to do something cute with her name but didn't want to go overboard, but didn't want to go with the traditional magic marker. Walmart had these iron-on letters for $1.00. She didn't know if it had to be first and last name so I put both. First name on the front. Last name on the back butt area. I thought it was cute. And she even went along with the sparkles on the gray set.

Jade and Ash had thier first day yesterday and looked mighty fine I must say.

Pictures that Mykael took. I like what she sees through the lens.

This is my favorite. I like the focus on the yellow flowers in the background. But I doubt thats what she was going for, it just happened.

This is Aspen. And this is how she sleeps at night.

I found this chrysalis a little over two weeks ago. I've researched to find out what it's going to be but I'm still unsure. I thought it was a moth but moths have "cacoons" that look like white wrapped sacs, and this looks a like butterfly "chrysalis". BUT...moths take up to 8 weeks to change where as butterflys only 2. This little guy is still wrapped all up nice and cozy. Or maybe it's dead. I don't know.

An elderly lady in my ward had a birthday recently and it was suggested that a cake be made for her. I of course jumped on that and this is what I came up with. I REALLY wanted to play with the flowers, so I borrowed a friends fondant tools and had a blast. Cute stuff.

Garden 2010

At the beginning of the year, I was stressing big time how I needed to plant a garden this year. To the point that it would wake me up in the night and I would just think about all that would entail in puttin one it. We didn't plant one last year so the crab grass just grew in and it was like there was never a garden. I know I've expressed my hatred with crabgrass and how hard it is to get rid of. I've accepted the fact that it's just going to be the grass I have around here and it's actually not that bad with it's green and lush. Till not as soft as Tom's grass but I can't walk on it with barefeet.

Anyways, we rototilled it so we could actually pull out the grass and spent day after day after day after day......etc weeding all the grass out. Actually Jared did a majority of it, but there quite a few family weeding nights that took place.

FINALLY we got to the point of planting and started planning out the layout. Jared wanted to attempt growing a Giant Pumpkin so he planted that in the rocks out front. Three plants and one watermelon. They are doing well so far, but by the time harvest comes, I don't know if he'll have the giant pumpkin he's planning on having. Definitely keep you updated for that.

We planted regular peas and snow peas. These are my snow peas. The regular ones are pretty much done.

Jared found purple beans and planted those. SO glad he did cause the flowers are beautiful and the beans themselves look pretty cool. The bummer part is that when cooked, they turn green. So you have to eat them fresh to enjoy the color. They taste just like a regular bean.

I think I had 12 tomatoe plants varying in roma's, cherry, and big beefers. Should've given them more space. I only had 3 cages and was going to buy more, but never got around to it. It wasn't until I went out and they were growing into this giant mound of tomatoes that I decided to separate them. We bout these 1x2's and designed these "cages". Next year, I'm going to do something taller and more supportive. But it's the trial and error that cause growth and learning.

I've been praying for a good sized pear crop because last year was pretty sad. Only got about 2 boxes worth. And this year is proving to be bigger. Not as big as I hoped, but still big. Blessed for whatever I get! Unfortunately the tree has become diseased (not affecting the fruit) but to get rid of the blight it has, will result in a major tree trimming. Like stumpy trimming. (at least that's what Jared was told to do.)

Ash and Eli looking for bush beans. I'm canning these suckers into Grandma L's Dill Beans. YUM! I thought the purple beans would look super cool in the jars but not going to happen with them turning green in boiling water.

Banana peppers. They are doing so well! We didn't know what to expect from them taste wise, but think of a sweet yellow bell pepper.

I'm hoping for a fatter grape this year because I've been more deligent and watering them lots. If not, I'm not worried about quantity. They never let me down.

A little watermelon. So cute. We have about 4 watermelon plants planted around my property a cantalope, and some other melon. At least Jared didn't go crazy like he did that one year!

Tomatoes all caged up. Don't use chicken wire. (I was experimenting) I'm going to have to cut these ones loose when they turn! So I staked them with the wood for when I do have to pull them. They'll still be supported.

Cucumbers. These are going CRAZY!! I've got more bloosoms than what I know I can use. So this will be interesting. Perhaps the kids will have a cucumber stand this fall.

Of course my sunflowers are growing, but this time in places they planted themselves. I've kind of just gone with it and mowed around them in turn making these cool little "cul-de-sacs" where I can put a chair and chill in private. FUN. Next year...It's going to be a maze!

Not pictured in my corn. I don't really need corn, but I planted for decorational (is that a word) purposes.

Stay tuned for harvest! SOOO excited!

Rags to Riches

I really hate clutter, which ironically plagues my life. I have lots of motivation but I lack the drive to actually accomplish it on a more permanent basis. But on certain days my drive exceeds my motivation and I actually get something done.

Case in point. Our "fire pit" was getting a little out of control and even a little bigger than what was previously decided upon. (actually I don't think there was a set size, but I've since decided that we should've. I didn't want to loose more of my backyard than I already had.)


So I remedied that with the help of this fantastic Cabela's Fire Ring.

Next I'm gonna get small rocks to place around the dirt. It'll look real purty.

And yes, I did this in ONE (read: uno, single, 1, une, odeen, Yi, ein,...etc.) day!

Burn Baby Burn

Alright, I think I'm past the weird funk I was in for the month of February. And from what I've heard...I wasn't the only one. Here's hoping for a fresh start with March. Just gotta get past this white stuff and wait for the spring flowers to spring forth. Can't wait! (although I DO know the importance of water.)

So today I decided to get a bit of "yard work" done. I've been battling crab grass for as long as we've been in this house. I HATE IT! It's ugly, poky, and hard to get rid of. Every year, it "dies". Or at least the grass above ground does and makes for dead stuff that is hard to get rid of when the new sprouts. I'm not into power raking, but I AM into fire! It's quicker than raking and more fun! I just stink like a fire pit when it's over. SO...that is what I did for my "yard work". I torched the back yard!

Isn't it ugly? The new grass has to come up through this junk just to make an appearance.

I was surprised that I allowed it to burn as much as I did. But I know that after this "rain/snow" storm, spring growth will be ready to burst. SERIOUSLY CAN'T WAIT!

I decided to do it in two sections. That which was not burned today will be burned another day. I promised Ashton I would wait to burn it so he can witness it.

You're next baby!!! It's going to be AWESOME!

Enchanted?

I'm thinking this particular vase may be enchanted. (Or perhaps a personal message.) Weird things happen when flowers are placed in it. Not complaining because it has been somewhat entertaining to see what goes on.
 I got these roses for my anniversary on Jan 4. They were gorgeous! Each one was perfect and held it's shape as it slowly died. Not one sagged.

But then, THIS happened! They started to sprout. And even as I write this, they are still on my table, growing strong. Sprouts are bigger. Stems are a good healthy green. The flowers... Still dead. I've used this irony on a personal basis. Giving me the perception of something that is supposedly dead or dying and no chance of revival in it's future. But was proved once again by something so simplistic that there IS a higher power that is in control at all times and ALL things ARE possible. NO matter how the dire circumstances. Lesson learned.

*I was asked if I thought they would grow flowers. No, I don't think so. They need pollinating for that. If they'll just grow roots, I'll stick 'em in the ground outside and should get buds in a year. HOW COOL WOULD THAT BE!?!?!

And as promised, here are the Iris that made a second go-round this year! The "other" plant that I was waiting for to open, turned out to be the exact same variety. Which I knew could happen. But still happy I got to see it twice this year.

Well I sure showed me, didn't I? I get so bold as to tell you I have the ability to blog whenever and where ever I want and couldn't be stopped (or shut up). Sorry for renigging. One excuse I have is that my thought process no longer exceeds more than a sentence worth, thanks to facebook. When stories used to come to me before, I always thought "totally blog worthy". Now it's, "audrey feels like being lazy today."

Lots of blogs I've come to enjoy are turning their screens off (metaphorically speaking) and I'm sad to not have something to distract myself from the stresses of everyday life. And realized that I was no different. In a way I had abandoned my blog when I knew there are great people out there reading this insignificent blog (THANK YOU!!) As much as I really have nothing to contibute to your life, you can still read my rantings if its a place for you to escape. Promise! I've grounded myself from facebook till my thought process recovers.

First off, I wanted to tell you that if you've been wondering, Eli has just made known to me, that the moon is between his big and (index?) toes. I'll let you know when it is moved back to original orbiting position.

This week the weather dropped drastically in temperature and there's a crispness in it that notifies me (personally) that fall is just around the corner. That and school starts on 20th. Wow! Where did the summer go?! Oh yea I do know... mileage and gas. Loved seeing everybody, didn't love the countless hours of kids screaming in restrained seating while wishing I had the superpower of "blink travelling". Someday. Someday.

Also, I didn't plant a garden this year. HUGE regrets. Because I honestly thought we wouldn't be here for harvest so didn't see the point. Right now people are canning their beans and picking nice big squash and zuchini. Thank you friend for sharing a little of your "fruits". I have one tomato plant from mothers day and I have made sure it was happy and fruitful. Which it is. My pear tree had decided to take a "break" this year because there is but only a handful of fruit to pick. Last year branches were breaking and thinning needed to be done with all the fruit it sprouted. Its been really nice eating the pears my family helped can. Let this be a lesson to us all. Johnny apple seed and migrating pioneers planted gardens knowing they wouldn't benefit from the labors. But others did.

On a random topic, but not old. One of my fish is sick and I've gone to great lengths to treat it/all of them. Nothing has changed so I have to go get something else to try and fix it. Pray for him/her. Thanks to Eli's fatal attraction to fish I need a new sucker fish cause my tank is D.I.R.T.Y.! Pray for Eli as well.

That's going to have to be it for now, I don't want to push my luck with stretching my thought process. Injuries? No thank you.

Until next time.

It's that time of year again..

I will try not to let the flowers take over my blog this year......

But I'm not going to promise anything!