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Tuesday, March 29, 2011

Monument Lake

Last week after hiking around Garden of the Gods the kids were really excited to go fishing. The night before we had gotten licenses and the rods were loaded in the back of the car. We got there after lunch and as you can see, several other people had the same idea, but we found a spot just a little off the center of the lake, pulled the car right by the edge, and let them fish. My dad, who barely likes to fish, was a great grandpa, helping them get situated, though his line kept having problems. I think he only got to cast about three times. He is so patient!

One of my least favorite parts of fishing is hooking the bait on, especially worms. In fact, I don't do it. Its the duty of a fisherman/woman to load their own hook. Here my girl isn't too excited about it, as her brother wholeheartedly embraces the opportunity. . .
but she did it herself, with bright pink fingernail polish on. She's a true fisherwoman!
It was a beautiful day, a little windy, but clear and bright. Unfortunately, no fish were biting for us.
As the day went on, Little Buddy grew impatient. He had asked earlier in the day if we could stay until dark, but after half an hour, he felt differently.
Two hours after we arrived, we packed everything up and headed out. Just as we were about to leave, we saw two men pulling out a big one. I rolled down my window, and asked them what their secrets were. They said, "Just lucky," but I have to think it was more than that. They said it was a 20 inch rainbow trout, and it looked BIG to me. I felt bad my children didn't get to catch anything, but seeing the size of that one gave us all hope for next time.

Sunday, March 27, 2011

Personality

I've told you about my lack of direction for the great room. Should I get a plant? How to bring it out of stark neutrality? Do I get curtains?

Well I found the answer, without even looking. I was at a store getting a couple of replacement plates for ones that broke, and as I wandered the store, there was a rug that I just knew immediately was right for my room. It matched all the pillows I already had, and the edge of the rug was the same color as my sofas. Like my mom says, "When its right you know it, and you have to get it or it won't be there next time."

While it may be hard for me to make some decisions, this one was super easy, because I just knew it was right. It gives the room a personality now. It needed color and pattern and a way to tie in the blue stone on the fireplace, and brown sofas, and the red and orangey accents I have around.

So I moved the great room rug to the dining room rug and its perfect for that room, not competing with the rug in front of the front door. Then I moved the poppies closer to the poppy picture, and now the dining room table feels better with the apples back on it.

And, the red chair, was just what I needed to bring in more seating without blocking the outside views and because it swivels, if there is something great to see out the windows, its easy to just turn and look. So, I'm happy that the room is reflecting some personality after two months of feeling unfinished.




Garden of the Gods

What's more appropriate than one of Heavenly Father's most beautiful creations to post on Sunday? This is about twenty minutes from our home. Its called Garden of the Gods. Just west of the city of Colorado Springs, you turn behind some hills, and there it is. It used to be on private property and in the early 20th century, the man who owned it died, and declared in his will that it be given to the city so all that came here could enjoy it. What a marvelous gift from the Lord and from a man!

Enjoy . . . .

This a view of Peak's Peak from Garden of the Gods.
Here is the plaque thanking the man who gave it to the city.
Trying to give you some perspective, MyGirl is five foot six.
Another Pike's Peak view and some of the trees surrounding this area.
There were a lot of pieces of rock that looked like they would fall, so precariously they are perched, but for now, they are steady.
Fun places to explore,
especially with your grandparents.
Amazing how may worn areas there are. In one of the holes we could see a nest with some pigeons living there.
While most of the rocks are red, some are definitely whiter.
I thought this picture looks like Little Buddy is sitting on the foot of a giant.
Another amazing space, just carved out in the middle of the rock.
Truly a place of beauty and wonder!

Friday, March 25, 2011

Food

I'm talking about food today.
My parents are here. We are busy every day on outings and instead of being frugal and pack lunches, we go out. Every DAY!

Fortunately, I've found salads and healthy choices along the way, but yesterday I just really wanted a burger, and we were at Good Times, so why not? Everything they use is fresh, the meat has no antibiotics, the rasberry lemonade is fresh squeezed and has real raspberry pieces in it. I had no intention of passing that goodness up and so I got the burger with mushrooms and swiss cheese - delish!

Then there was the party planned for watching the BYU game. (Nail-biting and then sad, but that's old news now.) For our party, everyone decided it was going to be: Papa Murphy's pizzas, sodas, another green salad, and dessert - S'more pizza (chocolatey, marshmallowing, grahamy goodness!)

And, tonight, my parent's last night here, we all planned on eating at the Texas Roadhouse. Mike hasn't been with us all week at all our lunch stops, and he loves their prime rib and so does my dad, so we had to go. And, those melt off the bone ribs were calling my name!

Earlier this week I was fitting into the size smaller jeans I can't always fit into, and they were less snuggly than normal, with all our hiking and walking. I'm afraid if I tried them on tomorrow things wouldn't be so good.

So, officially, I am back in healthy mode. Its time for my monthy menu planning and I'm ready. Its a challenge to keep with it, and I've learned that I don't expect myself to never enjoy yummy things (sweets, red meat, etc.) but I also know that I feel better inside when I eat healthier. And, I feel better when I walk more, so back to the treadmill I'll go next week.

For now, I'll just say that we have had many culinary experiences this week, and I've only cooked a few meals. Hopefully I'll be able to get back in that mode again too, and when I'm feeling deprived of the Yum stuff, remember back to this week, and how undeprived I was!

Thursday, March 24, 2011

Monument

Saturday we went on a hike close to home. We started in some forest then were in scrub oak. That is a plant that has lost most of its leaves, but has a few crisp brown oak leaves on its branches still. The path was sandy and a bit challenging to walk in.
Then we were on a fire road. This was in the middle of meadows and beautiful forests. We saw several people walking with their dogs and a few riding horses, but we were just walking. Its definitely more arid than Maryland, but not so dry that its Las Vegas either. Its a good mix of vegetation. The weather has been nice all week. Sometimes windy, but we've scheduled outdoor activities around it. This day was perfect!
This is the monument we were looking to get to. Here we were only about fifteen minutes away from it. In reality, it probably took us between 45 minutes and an hour to hike there from the car. It definitely just comes out nowhere . . . trees then a big rock. There are a few other rock formations similar to this against the hills and mountains but this is one of the few that is just in the middle of the forest. It is why my town is named Monument. Its high enough in the foothills of the mountains that we could look out on our town.
Here is my dad in front of us. We've had such a good week with he and my mom. Its hard to hear my parents talk of getting out of breath or feeling the signs of age. I don't ever want them to get so old that they leave us, and am counting my blessings that they are still able to hike and explore and have fun with us.
Here is the moument when we finally reached it.
And this one below is on our way back. This was a good hike. I'd do it again. Other things we've done this week are gone fishing, hiked Garden of the Gods, gone shopping, gone to a movie, gone to lunch almost every day, played a lot of games, visited, cruised the area, and enjoyed our time together at home. My dad agrees that just looking out our great room windows is a joy. We really do love living here.

Tuesday, March 22, 2011

Guest Room

Welcome to the Guest Room. . . platform bed, denim bedspread, small trunk nightstands and "God Bless America," picture by Susan Winget. The room used to be painted DARK grey. Now its our standard "Rafia Cream," and much more peaceful.
The star coathooks that used to be in my scrapping area are now here. You'll see a theme here shortly.

This is the tray we put out for our guests. Gotta have lotion and liquids for the dry arid climate we live in. And a treat and some reading material are always fun.
One coat rack is on the wall. I put the larger clothes rack now in front of the chinese checkers gameboard, but in this photo its there because there are large boxes below, heading out to my dad's car shortly after he arrived.
Inside these cupboards hold all my scrapbooks. . . . packed full! My children need to start taking theirs or I won't have any room to hold any more.

These are the plants on the side table. I just got the flowers for them yesterday so I haven't even brought them downstairs yet. MyGirl is doing that as we speak. Anyhow, a little greenery is needed down there, and I love Cowgirl's first boot from when she was five years old. I only have this one, and thought it was a good use for it. Can't wait until Cowgirl can come and see it in person.

Sunday, March 20, 2011

Sunday

I love Sundays. A day of rest is just exactly what I need, and yet I find I am still busy, just doing different things, and these are what I love about Sundays.

I make a nicer breakfast for my family than just milk and cereal boxes. Not huge, but something better. Today was omelets with mushrooms, leek, tomato, honey ham, or cheese. They were made to order, and I loved making them for whoever wanted one.

Today I had a presidency meeting which was productive, kept to an hour, and these woman I work with are wonderful! Love them!

I have my parents here this week, and it was fun to introduce them to the nice people I have met here.

Whatever I fix for dinner, I try to make it something that everyone likes and not use it to try out new recipes. I want the meal to be successful to set the stage for the rest of our time together that night at home. Today I made salmon for dinner, which is always a treat, with asparagus, corn, and risotto, the only rice dish I can eat successfully.

We always have a special dessert on Sunday. Today's was angel food cake with fudge swirl ice cream and thawed berries over top. YUM! Isn't that a great tradition???

I talk to my relatives. Today to my oldest son. Tomorrow my oldest daughter. Her phone broke and she's getting her new one tomorrow. Can't wait. Its been a long week, without catching up with her. And, how fun to talk to both my parents at once in my own home this week - way better than the phone, for sure!

We often play board games and just relax in the evenings. I love this time. Its unstructured, conversation is often meaningful, and it feels like quality family time.

I love going to church. I need the reminders, the music, the feelings, the opportunities to learn and mostly to serve. It has profoundly impacted my life and I am grateful I live in a country where I can worship how I please.

Its a day I usually stay dressed up all day. I'm not opposed to changing out of Sunday clothes, and sometimes I do, but most of the time I stay dressed up. I remember being a 19 year old who worked every Sunday afternoon after our morning church, and as I changed out of my skirt and into my blue jeans I felt something leave me. It always made me a little sad. I only worked at that job for 10 weeks, but apparently those affected me a lot because to this day I personally still feel a little sad when I change into blue jeans on Sunday, so I don't hardly ever. Maybe something more casual, but can't remember when I last wore blue jeans on Sunday. After those ten weeks I have been so grateful to have the choice to wear something nice instead of what I wear the rest of the week. (Mind you, I won't judge anyone else on this, but its how it makes me feel that I'm talking about here.)

Now, while I may stay dressed, I am not in heels for long. I love coming home and changing into my slippers for the rest of the day too, at least until I am bringing children somewhere that evening for their spiritual betterment. In my slippers it means I am relaxed and comfortable, and that is good.

I love the quiet. We do watch TV on Sunday. I know for some families this is taboo. Again, I won't judge anyone else so please don't judge me. But for the most part, I don't watch much, and usually, now that my children are older, I can usually find time to read from a spiritually enlightening book, often scriptures, and just mentally plan and prepare for what I know is coming ahead in the week. In the hustle and bustle of everyday life, I need this time to "gear up."

The Lord is so wise to require this by commandment. I know I for one surely need it!
I love the Lord for giving us this day. Praises be to Him always!

Saturday, March 19, 2011

Just a Quick Note

This little hallway is one of the favorite parts of my house. Its my organizing center, hidden from the front door, and yet right off the kitchen. I keep 12 file folders, labeled, so when I need important papers, all I have to do is pull out the folder, look through it quickly, and voila - ready. I remember my painter telling me what a great place that would be for an art niche, and I thought to myself, why I would put a great piece of art where nobody sees it? Beautiful art should be shared. And, since I am a practical person, having a house of order makes me feel happy. The 12 labels are:
School Info
Church Directory
Bills
Scouts/Trek
Menu/Recipes
Coupons
My Calling
Receipts
Invitations/Announcements
Calendaring
One with a small spiral binder in it so when I need to write something down, I've got a place to hold those important household notes, like which paint color is where.
And one is blank, you just never know when you need something new to find a place for in your life.
And, I wrote everything on the labels in pencil, so when life changes, I can too.

I'm so much enjoying a simpler life, and being organized helps it to stay simple.

Wednesday, March 16, 2011

Basement Hall


This is the basement hall. Its fun for me to have a place to put all these photos. It does feel a bit claustrophobic, its true, but still, I like it. Its the other part of my WHY. I want to stay close to the Lord so I can be with these precious people forever.

There's now a picture of the D.C. temple at the very end of the hall, above the shelf where the four generations page is. It just made sense - these are who I am sealed to, thus a temple represents them. Its a 16 x 20, so it feels right.

I finished the guest room today except for some branches. I'll post more on that soon. Had to get it all ready for my parents coming in 48 hours. . . can't wait. They are cute. My dad called today with an excuse and then basically said he's just calling because he's excited to come. We're excited to see them. Its been since early Sept. Six months is the longest I think we've ever gone without seeing them, except when they were on their mission, so yes, this is a long time, and we're looking forward to showering them with love!

Tuesday, March 15, 2011

Remembering my WHY

After all the posts of my house, you probably think I'm obsessed with home dec. But the truth is, I'm glad that part of my life is about over. I've still got several pictures I need to make decisions on, but this one is a keeper. I don't think this frame does adequate justice to the picture it holds, so I will probably switch it out, but it is one of my very favorite pictures of the Savior. I noticed when I started decorating that I put up the things in my home that were up most recently in my last house, that the stager recommended, because I knew they would look good, and they do, like the flowers and mirror to the left. But, she had me take down most of my religious and family personal items, and I realized that without them, my house is not really my home. I need to look at a picture of the Savior Every Single Day because I need that constant reminder when I turn the corner that He is WHY I am here, WHY I am doing what I do. Without Him, why would I get up to drive to seminary, why would I pray with my children, why would I be so concerned about what they learn, and how they are doing? Why is my relationship with my husband so important to me, why do I gladly give my time away to go to the temple or to bring in a meal or to try to be more patient once again? Because I know that Jesus is my Savior. Literally. And this is what I promised Him I'd do. The covenants He and I have made are really my WHY, and I want this picture to be reminded of them every day of my life.

Talking with my children this week about the sad, hard things happening to many in Japan, I have reminded them, that we all will have hard things in our lives at one time or another, and that the saddest to me, is that many of the Japanese people do not know that Heavenly Father has taken their loved ones back to Him. They do not know that suffering can bring us closer to Him. They do not know that when they trust Him, He will make things all right in the end. They do not know the power of the Atonement and the healing that can come from Jesus Christ, that cannot come from any other source. Those without Hope are the ones I ache for the most. In all the sad things in my life, I have been blessed to know that there is someone who knows better than I when life seems so unjust. Someone who perfectly loves me and that I can always turn to in my most difficult times. That is Jesus.

I like to look at this picture and imagine that I am the girl sitting at his feet, listening to and watching His every word, and that the boy standing next to the Savior is me too. Because like all God's children, I know that He listens to me intently, and I know that if I was that close to Him, He would put His arm around me too, and I could tell Him anything. Somedays I wish I could be that close to Him now. Until that day comes, I pray to never forget our covenant and to always make good on my promises.

Monday, March 14, 2011

Basement Family Room

Basements hold a lot of memories for me, and many of them are unpleasant, because my earliest memories are of unfinished ones. From the way a musty one smells, to all the work required to bringing one from unfinished to finished, I just don't want to go there again. So, when we were looking for a ranch home here, a finished basement was a requirement. We found a couple of beautiful homes, that had nothing to do but move in, but they had unfinished basements, and we just couldn't bring ourselves to buy them. They were also more expensive than this house, so it was a double-edged sword there. Anyhow, I just say that of all the work in this house, the basement required the least, just new carpet and paint. Big jobs, still, but they were already being done every where else, so those just made it nice for me. Figuring out where stuff goes, that has taken the most work in the basement. So, without further ado - here is the family room. It holds a lot of stuff. It should really be called the great room for it holds a lot of different titles - music room, craft room, weight room, and family room. Good thing its big!

The music room

The organ part of the music room is at the base of the stairs, the piano and other instruments back onto the stairs. There is a column between them. From the living area, the organ is directly right.

Another perspective, and you can also see the cupboard that holds both music and games. If it doesn't fit in there, we don't have it anymore.

The main living area plus you can see the weightroom behind it.
This is a carefully used basement - many purposes for one big room.

Another perspective. This is the only TV we have in the house now that works. Still debating whether I put one upstairs in the great room or just one in my bedroom.

The craft area. Yes, its packed solid, but I have to say that since the only TV in the house is right there, I can work on my projects while listening to what everyone else is listening to, and I'm enjoying that.

Saturday, March 12, 2011

The Kitchen

My parents are coming in a week, then my children all come home.
MyMike wants us to start inviting all the people who have invited us to dinners so far, so that makes four hostessing duties on the horizon, and I'm not really done with the kitchen, but for now, welcoming is more important than fabulous design.
Besides, I'm still unsettled about the Great Room. It needs a minimum of some plants, and a little more something to give it some Life, but not sure what.
Anyhow, like I say, its more about the people and loving them, but at least the house is getting usable and more comfortable each week, so its progress.

In the kitchen I'd love to have new countertops - black honed granite, I think. It looks like soapstone, but is more durable. Maybe even a Caesarstone in a matte black finish. . . haven't studied it much, but know replacing the chipped ceramic tile and sink and old faucet are on the horizon, but not in my budget until after the pre-mission expenses are paid up. For now, though, its quite usable, even without an island which I'm used to, but find I don't really miss. Here you can see its close proiximity to the dining room and that you can see into it from the front door - motivation to keep it clean! For the decor on top, I'm still loving the red flower plates, and LittleBuddy really wanted me to use his ceramic pots in the decor, so there they are in white.

This is actually what you see most from the front door. . . Find Joy in the Journey. . . I say it to myself everyday, no matter how I'm feeling, but especially when I'm discouraged about something. There's not time when its needed more than when things are going wrong. I'm glad its come from the mouth of a prophet of God. I can trust that if I live by those words, things will be okay in the end. I've been thinking about the families in Japan who have had such a great tragedy thrown upon them without warning. That makes everything in my life look small. What do I have to ever complain about? Nothing. Find Joy - its an attitude choice for me. And, how hard it would be to be in their shoes now, and rebuild after such loss, and what if you lost a family member too? Hard things. I am sad for them and pray there will be little ounces of joy they can find anyhow, in their hardest of journeys. Sometimes when things are really bad, I think at least the Atonement covers this too. The healing only the Savior can provide is sometimes the only comfort in life there is.

Back to my tour. . . sorry I get so sidetracked in my thoughts.

This is also like a butler's pantry. Its not attached to the rest of the kitchen countertops. It faces the back entry from the garage, so it regularly gets used to being unloaded upon. As you can see here, my tools for hanging pictures are on the countertops now. And, that little peek-a-boo window? Not sure what its for, but its just another way to bring in more light and gives me snow check, as the grill is what in front of it, and collects easily when its snowing.
Here is the view behind the greatroom wall. My phone station, and the organizer on the hall/wall behind it help me to have a place to keep things together, without having to expose them to everyone in the great room or at the front door.
This is my largest countertop area. Its my prep area. My knives are in the small drawer next to the fridge and I find that to be very convenient. My pot holders are just left of the oven in the drawers and baking utensils left of that, so I don't have to walk far to access all my tools. However, because it is in the corner, I could use an under-counter lap, but my overhead lighting is plenty bright, so I don't really need it, just like that thought.
Here is the new chalkboard I recently got. I've put dinner menus on it and today it has a quote that I want my children to remember - "Whatever we think we are, we become." MyGirl has been giving me quotes lately too, for part of a challenge from YW, and I find we both just make up how we feel about something. Its similar to the words others have used, so I don't think the ideas are original at all, but I'm not giving a source when I just pull it out of my head. If it is attributed exactly to someone else, forgive me. Nothing intentionally meant to decieve here - just to inspire. Anyhow, I like that this little chalkboard has a heart on it as well as a place to hold the chalk. And, Amour, seems the perfect theme for a kitchen.
Last but not least a close-up of the little area of the butler's pantry, and the Bon Appetit above the pantry drawer. So, that's the kitchen, except for the sink area which is so ugly, it really doesn't warrant photos, but like I say, that will be changed out eventually.