Note of Thanks!

Dear Darlings:

Thank you for the visit, yummy treats and note/drawing of love you shared with us yesterday for Grandparents Day. It was a joy to our hearts and brought smiles to our faces. May your thoughtfulness bring a blessing upon you.

Love always,
Mom

Welcome November

click image above to go to link

I've been enjoying the blog Jones Design Company
for the past several months and thought I'd bring it to your attention...
especially since the November givea*way looks rather fun
and you may want to enter.

My dear AZ is feeling rather cool
and blustery today which is abnormal
and I like it!
I'm even sporting a long sleeve shirt!!
November will be fantastic.
I love, love Thanksgiving and all things that turn one to
g r a t i t u d e .

Fun Times

Yes, August, yesterday reaching the 113* record temperature and I'm having fun!

That's due in part to FAMILY here in town, I know,

who comes to ARIZONA in August?!?!

Well, Andy is here this week for business and we went shopping - Last Chance - and to dinner after his work meetings and then out to Trevlyn's for such a fun evening. I love it when I get to observe my darling children interacting, laughing and telling stories. Pure JOY.

Linny and Jared left SLC this morning and will be here in time for a family dinner and then we're all going to see a movie. Just more JOY.

Today I put this together...easy, easy and tastes oh so good-Rosemary Oil.

Get yourself a small bottle of extra virgin olive oil (evoo). I like several brands but I also make sure I purchase oil in a glass bottle not plastic. Take the little plastic "plug" out of the bottle and add five 4" sprigs fresh, cleaned rosemary and 3 cloves peeled garlic (to 2 c. evoo). I slightly crush the garlic as I peel it and that just lets more of that garlic infuse into the oil. Don't crush if you want less garlic flavor but really, can we get enough garlic!?!

Let this concoction "brew" 10 to 14 days then take the rosemary and garlic out of the oil. Keep covered and refrigerate. Try brushing this on toasted crusty bread or toss 1 tsp. of oil with 1 pound of cooked red potatoes. I love this as a dipping sauce or over pasta. Great also in a vinaigrette.

And let's talk about growing your own fresh rosemary. Very easy. I have two pots of rosemary in the kitchen so no shortage there and it looks delightful growing on a window "ledge".

Even though the "kids" have flown the coop and are adults, I'm still wanting fresh-baked cookies awaiting them. These are a old favorite called "Cowboy Cookies". It's basically an oatmeal/chocolate chip cookie.

I made this batch with mint chocolate chips that I found last week when I reorganized the food storage cubby. Maybe I'll smuggle a bagful into the movie tonight.
Off to get my 2 loads of laundry off the clothes lines (solar drier), folded and put away. Have I ever admitted to liking to do laundry? I DO! And let's face it, the machines do the work.

Feeling full of gratitude.

Happy day, msk

I KNOW I am not the only one that has a washing machine that "eats" socks.

And I try so hard to not have this happen.

Being thankful for a warm day in November.

Happy day, msk

Cuz I'm Leaving on a Jet Plane. . .

I'm leaving Cindy, Jody and all their wonderful family today.

I'm leaving the gorgeous fall leaves

(the photo below was taken as I walked along Division Street Wednesday

after a fun day with Cindy).

I'm leaving beautiful farm visitas.

I'm leaving sisters laughter that I feel right to my bones.

I'm leaving . . .

but taking blessed memories until we are together again.

With a grateful heart, bye.

Happy day, msk

March 5, 2010

A little catching up is due. My weekend trip to SLC turned into over a week. I had such a great time house and puppy sitting for A2K (Andy and Annette K.) while they were on vacation. The new puppy Javi (pronounced Havi) is a big, delightful Newfie (Newfoundland). Her mommie weighed 170 lbs. so she will be a big girl! Our walks were fun and different. She would decide to just stop and lay down wherever, even in snow. She's a good dog and her only mischief was discovering the toilet paper fun. She trailed it out the bathroom, down the hall and into the living room. Dori and I got a good laugh over this.

I enjoyed family dinners each evening with Dori, Linny and Jared. Their delights with old family "comfort foods" made me feel good. I love being with my kids.

Home to sunshine, walking my own precious Kirby and dead-heading all the annuals. If you know me you know that is one of my delights. This morning I found the first blossom on one of my 2 little lemon trees. Here it is...especially for you sisters. Come visit and inhale!!! Geranium in background.

Yesterday I had a fun afternoon shopping with Skippie. My heart swells with appreciation for the reconnecting to my cousins a few years back. Tammy and Paul were down last week from Oregon - they along with Skippie and Garry and I had so much fun tooting around Cave Creek together. I just loved Tammy's oohs and aahs at the Southwestern architecture, decorations and desert. The desert floor has that wonderful spring carpet of green that lasts a short time but is so pretty.

Counting my blessings and expressing gratitude. Love and prayers.

Savory

Yesterday I spent time in the kitchen, one of my favorite places, and put together some holiday giving. I'm fearful that my neighbors and friends may be disappointed.

NO SUGAR

NO CHOCOLATE

NO DUSTING OF POWDERED SUGAR.

Would this disappoint you? It's okay to be forthright here. Notice I didn't say to be honest since I know you are.

I have fond memories of Mom making this during the Christmas holidays and loving it. She made a change though and I'm not sure why. Lacking was the wheat chex and in its place were Cheer*ios. She also used mixed nuts and I always dug for the cashews and almonds. Since I have bags of leftover "waffle" pretzels from Linny's reception and chocolate fountain I used those instead of the stick variety and just plain old peanuts. The Cheer*ios seem to soak up that spicy mixture and are little nuggets of goodness.

Also yesterday I had the blessing of helping with the singles ward Christmas dinner. I was blown away by the sweet friend-planners work and effort. Talk about magnifying yourself in a calling!!! The room was decorated to the hilt, the menu was chicken Alfredo with Penna pasta, meatballs in marinara sauce with spaghetti, crusty, toasted baguettes with garlic butter, gorgeous and delicious salad with pomegranates, mangoes and sliced almonds, mint brownies, apple pie and homemade ice cream. The kitchen was a fun, harmonious buzz of action and chatting.

Many of those great young adults stayed after to help with the rather large take-down and clean-up. Blessings await those that serve and give with such goodness and I'm so happy to get to know them.

Today is a beautiful, sun-soaking-on-my-back morning. I'm washing a few loads of the floor length table cloths from last night so the drier that is usually dormant is humming in the background. I look up from the table in the kitchen to enjoy a glimpse of the ginormous tree all decorated in memories, glitter and shine. My heart swells with happiness as I recall many vacation ornaments, created ornaments, made at school or Scouts or church ornaments and gift ornaments that have decorated our home. I realize my many blessings and am reminded to be prayerful for others that have needs, heartaches and loss. Sending you my love, gratitude and prayers.

Offerings of Gratitude

Since I am unable to post much and no photos may I just direct you to sweet Trevlyn's blog to see a few wedding pictures. Okay, I was able to load a picture. I'm sure you'll want to click on it to enlarge (silly, vain me). The above photo is not complete without Jesse's family but they were loved and misses.

My but we had a grand time with the grooms dinner at our house/backyard, wedding at the Mesa Arizona Temple, reception in dear friends Kathy and John's backyard (much appreciation) and then Halloween. We've had an endless party...and I have the mess to prove it. The gratitude I'm feeling for all the dear family and friends that worked so hard to help almost overwhelms me. Sisters Cindy and Jody and nephew Ben flew in from Oregon, Jesse from Pennsylvania, Tyler from Boston, Dori from Utah, and Andy and Annette and grands drove down from Utah. Jared and Linny drove from Utah, and Jared's family came from Washington, Florida, Nevada and Mesa. It was a fun, big group.

Dear friends from church were such food/kitchen help, Noelene and Kent, Audra, Amy, Sandi and Walt, Sandy and Darrel, Kimberly, Sue and Matt. Decorating helpers Claudia and Robin. How can I ever thank you enough!!!???

Dori is my last one home and she flies back to Utah today....along with her laptop.

Now for the clean up which I do not mind at all. I'll do all of it with gratitude. 3

Thanks Trevlyn

Dori called me over to her laptop...yes, I'm still without a working computer...and what a fun surprise Trevlyn made for me. I can't even remember when that photo was taken. I've read your most kind and thoughtful messages and please, please know they made me so thankful and happy. You are wonderful to have taken the time. THANK YOU ALL.

The wedding and reception went so very well. We are still in recuperation mode. As if a daughters wedding isn't enough to be thrilled over but the addition of my most loved family flying in truly put it over the top. This was the first time in 12 years all 6 of our children have been together. I could almost not contain my JOY!!!!

Dori leaves tomorrow with her laptop so don't know when I'll be posting again. That's life. I'm feeling blessed and loved so all is well. Sending out love from an extremely appreciative heart.

I'll Give The Sign

I'm in the final week prior to my OREGON vacation. There are a lot of emails going back and forth regarding plans and happenings. One big happening and it has a date change is our dear Mandy's daughter Hanna will be having her surgery on July 1st. I mention it so we can all be united in prayer in her behalf.

One thing I notice often in my travels is the service men and women in the airports. I know I've shared this before but I just love it so much I'm sharing again. You can be sure if I see any service personal I will show my thanks.

It is not about politics.

It is about service.

It is about gratitude.

Flabbergasted . . .

. . . and that's putting it mildly. I came home to find this gorgeous basket of flowering plants as a thank you from dear friend Nancy R. It's really extreme in it's size and beauty.

But don't get me wrong.
I greatly appreciate it though it's more than I deserve.

I look at it from every side and direction with admiration multiple times a day.

I'm trying to take such good care of it so it will last the maximum.

I don't think it's expected to send a thank you for the thank you've been given - so I hope this is appropriate. Thanks Nancy. I'm just loving these flowers/plants and it's just a testament to your kind and generous heart. With love.

Treasures

Dear Cherished Friend: You are a mystery to me but oh how you are appreciated. SLK found the bag full of sweet oranges you put on our porch yesterday and what a treasure they are. I immediately peeled and ate one-delicious, juicy, vitamin C packed and loved. THANK YOU. What an angel you are.
And for some reason I thought you'd want an updated photo of the inhaled narcissus. What a greeting they are also on the front porch. Do people still use the word porch?

Wishing you a happy day. Wish I could share oranges with all you loves in the cold climes. We'd peel and eat them on the back patio in the sunshine surrounded by blooming flowers and bees buzzing in the French lavendar.

And Trevlyn is having a givea.way here if you're interested in wi.nning a cute doll.

Loverly Day

Popping in to let you know of my delight in antibiotics and how good I feel-finally. Most thankful. I've loved the sunny week, Rubio's fish tacos with Skippie and Garry, thanks again, delightful picnic with Trevlyn and Tessa and the English Bulldog that ran through our picnic with glee - he was rather a bull in a china shop so to speak. My African daisies are thick, healthy and starting to bloom, photo soon and the narcissas on the front step draw me in daily to inhale...yes, I inhale ... fragrant flowers!!! Wishing you a loverly day.

12.12.08

Me and my big mouth!!! My sweet, young friend Angela has been having a 12 day's of Christmas giv*eaway at her blog. I love her jewelry and have been entering daily. Sister Jody also started entering and wouldn't you know she won a pair of earrings. I jokingly made a big fuss and said since Angela was my friend Jody should let me wear one of the earrings. Yesterday, in the mail were the earring's Jody won. She contacted Angela and told her to mail them to me. I'm crying with gratitude and a bit of embarrassment. Like I said, me and my big mouth. And I obviously have no shame since I put them on this morning to photograph for you and show you all my morning face, age spots included. Thank you Jody and Angela. On this day of our ward Christmas dinner/party, when I am so busy and anxious that I've remembered everything, that the ham is not dried out and that the program goes well, I'll be wearing my earrings and feeling special and loved.

Espressing Gratitude

I shared a little something about the benefits of gratitude over at Butte-iful Sisters. Go ahead and visit there if you have just a minute.

Thankful For. . .

. . . Earthy, wooden bowls of ripening pears on the kitchen counter,

. . . and savory brown onions that make me cry but add such flavor to dishes,

. . . yet another gift from KMS, a darling custom SNICKERDOODLES sign.

. . . not to bore you about another morning walk with Kirby but while doing so: chatting with a neighbor who was wearing a jacket and when I tease him about it declared he is a desert rat, neighborhood chorus of howling dogs in response to a siren, green winter lawns to admire, birds chirping loudly, and cool morning temperatures. I certainly have a lot for which to give thanks. This is just a shortlist.

Sunshiny Heart

I've tried to approach November, the entire month, as a celebration of giving thanks. Sometimes our lives are easier than at other times, that's the reality of life. I hope you will join me in daily, repeatedly finding much for which to be thankful. Dig if needs be. I hope you will count my love for you as one of your blessings. Mom