Wow! have the months flown by or what? Talk about blog neglect! Good thing I am my only reader! I can't believe it's a new year already. Wasn't it just summer? I haven't even cleaned up the trailer from Farmboy's last hunting expedition! (But don't tell anyone ok?) Well, a new year has begun, and I have lots of fun projects planned, but actually doing them may not happen. A long, long, time ago, I wrote about a project I was going to do with the old window from the front of our house. It was one of those great ideas that take forever to get around to. Plus the spot I was going to put it needed to be used for something else, and on and on. Anyhow, I finally got it finished. What do you think?

It is hard to tell, but there is a little bird on one of the branches, At Christmas I put a little cardinal on the branch. I would like a saying also, but haven't come up with what I want yet. So it's still a work in progress. Hopefully this year we can get some crown molding up in this room. We have a big project planned, that will eventually include a fireplace.. I can't wait! I'm willing to live with the mess just to have a cozy spot in front of the fire. Sometimes winter is just too long! My plan is to do better this year with the blog, and try to get some projects in also! Have a great New Year, and decorate something!

All she wants to do...

I have really neglected this blog, it's more like a "blob"! It seems like my life has spiraled into a raging tornado. When summer arrives I go into "camping mode" all I wanna do is camp, camp, camp. (reminds me of some lyrics...) Unfortunately, I must work, weed, work, supervise the watering and mowing (j/k) work, (not kidding), do laundry, work,.... anyways the list goes on. Even though getting ready to camp takes effort, the end result is so worth it! At one of our camp outs, these little butterflies were soaking up the sun. There were hundreds of them, and when their wings were open, they looked like little blue flowers. (as soon as I would get close they would all take flight, so it was hard to get a pic) The creek was chattering nearby, the breeze was scented with pine, the foil dinners cooked in the campfire tasted heavenly, and the view from that great 4-wheeler trail was spectacular!
Another weekend we were joined by our son and his friend (also considered a son), and Farmboy's sis and her family. The boys got up early to fish, and all had their limit within a few moments. Later, we went for a ride, and saw dozens of deer and an entire herd of elk. We made dutch oven cherry chocolate cake, um, yum!, so delicious, and just enjoyed one another's company. I can't wait to go again! I am so enjoying our little trailer! Camping is elevated when you have a comfy bed and a shower. Oh, and lights, toilet, fridge, popsicles, warm water, screens, and did I mention showers, toilets, and a comfy bed? I love to camp! (especially in the trailer)

A few weeks ago, I had the opportunity to go visit my Grandfather, and my kids were able to come also. My son brought his fiance to meet great-grandpa too. What a fun trip. We haven't all gone on a trip together since we moved to Cache Valley. (7 years ago. Really? has it been that long?...) It had been that long since my son had been to see his great-grandpa too. Grandpa lives in Reno, and will be 92 in August. We carved out some time to go to Lake Tahoe, and yes, the water is still cold. (in case you were wondering about the whole "global warming" thing.. not affecting the lake, yet!) Whenever I think about Lake Tahoe, I always think of the first time I saw Bear Lake. You drive through a beautiful canyon, with pine trees all
around, the scenery is beautiful, you come to the crest of the hill, and you can see the lake, and WHAM! all the trees disappear! I have always thought that Bear Lake was mis-spelled... it should be "Bare Lake", especially if you grew up going to Tahoe!! (If you have never seen Lake Tahoe, the pines are right to the beach, so you can imagine my shock at seeing a totally bare lake!) Don't get me wrong, Bear Lake is great, I was just really shocked the first time I saw it! Well, I have about rambled myself out, time for bed! (gotta rest up for more camping!!) TTFN!

Mother Nature is at it again!

Well Spring has sprung...a leak! Our weather is so amazing. We lost another tree in the other night's storm, We have actually whined spoken to the city about these trees because they are "mostly dead". The city claims that it is UDOT's problem, because they are on the highway side. This is what they looked like after the wind.

The branches came down right on the highway! Cars stopped every which way, and several people pulled the branches out of the road. Luckily nothing was damaged. An officer came by, and called for a front loader to come push them out of the road, and that is how they ended up on the lawn. I spoke to the city about removing the rest of the tree, and they said to call UDOT. Udot told me that the trees were planted by the city as part of the "City beautification project" (did they have those a hundred years ago?, just askin'???) and that anything behind the curb and gutter (what's that?) was the city's problem. I told him that the city already told me that they didn't own anything big enough to remove the tree, but basically I guess it's MY Problem! The city did come and pick up the branches this morning which I am grateful for. But I wonder what to do with a hulking "mostly dead" tree in my yard. Not very attractive yard art! I wonder if I were to hang something offensive all over it how long before the city removed it? Any Ideas??? suggestions for offensiveness?? (The mostly dead one is on the left).

I am just glad that farm boy finally got the rest of the tree that came down last summer cut down. It would have come right through the house during this last storm, it was leaning towards the house and that was the direction of the wind! What a blessing! The yard sure will be different this summer, Only 1 tree left to shade the back yard, and it doesn't do a very good job. I miss those big trees. Oh well, we planted a few new trees, so in 20 years we will have shade again.

My nest un-emptied. I no longer have an office and the "piled with junk" desk is back in the front room. Dang! But I love having my kids around, and will put up with the desk stuff in the meantime... It won't be too long before I have an office again, on the other hand, a guest room would be nice too! I guess the main thing about life is that it changes! Trees fall down, kids move in and out, neighbors and ward boundaries move here and there, change happens, whether we like it or not. Change keeps life interesting, that is for sure. Enjoy the changes in your world! TTFN!