Let's Celebrate!

May 31, 2008


So, after the great bee adventure, Rooster and I celebrated with a "Chocolate Chip Cherry Garcia Ice Cream Sandwich." Yummy! We have had more fun finding uses for cherries this year. Go HERE for the recipe for Homemade Cherry Garcia ice cream, it is wonderful. I added 1 t. of cherry extract and semi-sweet chips which for me put it over the top. We had made cookies earlier that day and the combo of the ice cream and the cookies was perfection!

Bees

May 31, 2008

This arrived in our willow tree on Thursday, I called the Farmer and asked for help. Next thing I know these guys (below) were parked in my front yard...on the new grass that we have been working so hard to get up.

Here is Rooster watching the other fireman attempt to remove the swarm of bees from the tree with the high pressure fire hose, hummmm, isn't there a better way to deal with a swarm of bees? Anyway, two days later, the bees have returned. Not only is the swarm in the tree again...they are dang mad this time. Can't say that I blame them.
*yes, that really is our city fire engine. We just pray that nothing we really care about catches on fire!

I Can't Wait

May 31, 2008

This is where we are going....in one week...yes...I can hardly wait another day much less another week! We are headed to Mazatlan for a much needed rest on the beach. This is where we will be staying (above)
This will be the view from our condo deck (literally). We need to rest a little, to eat alot:), (not really, but I am sure that we will) and to just listen to the beautiful ocean sounds. It will be wonderful!

An Afternoon At The Farm

May 28, 2008

A late afternoon ride to the farm is a lovely thing! The men are all gone for the day, the sun is low in the sky, and the Farmer isn't too stressed when the day is nearly over. Saturday Rooster, the Farmer's Mom, myself and the Farmer enjoyed a late afternoon visit to the farm.
We built a reservoir a couple of years ago to help with irrigation, and it has become a very fun place to hang out! Fishing, swimming, grilling....all activites enjoyed at the farm. This is the Farmer's Mom (above) she is a wonderful person and a very good friend!
This is a sight that makes the Farmer (and his wife) very, very happy! The first peaches of the year! With the hope of many more to come.

Another Great Apron

May 26, 2008


I LOVE this apron! Actually I am loving most all aprons right now. The Apronista is the place to go for great apron ideas and to meet the talented people who make them. Now, to combine my two obsessions..cupcakes and aprons...I ordered cupcake material today to make an apron! (hehe) I will post a picture when I get it done.

Refreshing...

May 26, 2008

I found this recipe today, I haven't made it yet but it looks incredible! Perfect for a summer evening. Growing up in AZ, I am a huge citrus fan. The Farmer is a lemon lover, so I am sure he will love this!


Lemony Lemon Cake

1 pkg. lemon cake mix
1 pkg. lemon instant pudding mix
4 eggs
¼ cup oil
1 cup water
1 (6oz.) can frozen lemonade, thawed
11/2 cup of confectioners sugar

Combine cake mix, pudding mix, and eggs in bowl; mix well. Add oil and water; beat until well blended. Pour into greased 9 X 13 inch cake pan. Bake at 350 degrees for 45 to 50 minutes or until cake tests done. Cool for 5 minutes. Combine lemonade and confectioners sugar in bowl; beat until smooth. Pierce holes in cake with fork. Pour glaze over cake. Enjoy!

Happy Birthday to "The Farmer"

May 24, 2008

Today is the Farmer's birthday! He won't be too happy that I am dedicating this post to him...he says that he has now reached the "age" where birthday's aren't that important. Well I disagree! Life with the Farmer has been amazing! We began our journey together 23 years ago, and will celebrate our 20th anniversary this year. I feel as if I have known him always, and I think I have:) I think we have loved each other from the very beginning of time. We have shared so much happiness, a bit of sadness and some very difficult times together. It has all been bearable because he was there. He said during one particularly hard experience that he felt "we were two kids having an adult experience." I think we have felt that on more than one occasion. I love him for is wisdom, for his stability, for the way he loves our kids. I love him for his dedication to everything he does, church, family and community.
I love him for the way he loves and lives life! We are constantly on an adventure with this man....
I love him for the way he loves me. For the way he cares and guides our family through these life experiences, that we said we would share together.
Happy Birthday to my Farmer...I have always loved you...I will always love you...thanks for the journey and more than anything...thanks for being my best friend.

Lunch Company

May 23, 2008


The Farmer has invited some men to lunch today. This is good fun for me, I love the preparation. It will be a manly menu...meat and potatoes with all the trimmings and a yummy dessert to finish.
*Lunch was great! Great company (our Area President, Elder Mickelson, his wife, the mission president, his wife and two sons.) A few more than I had been told....but we had plenty of food. Great conversation... a lovely afternoon!

I've Decided....

May 23, 2008


We are farming the wrong thing!!! The wind has just been terrible. Ususally by this time of year it has ended, BUT noooooo, not this year. My garden is suffering, actually all of my plants and flowers are suffering. My house is filled with dirt, and I am just plain tired of sweeping my porch 25 times a day! Just think.....a wind farm....cold wouldn't be a problem, nor would rain, nor would hail. We wouldn't have to spray for bugs or even weeds. Hummmmmmmm what are we thinking???? All you would need it ...WIND... and yes, we do have more than enough of that! I am telling "The Farmer" right now!!

p.s. don't you just love Father's and Son's Weekend? My men are leaving today.....looking forward to so girley fun:)




A Trip Into Mexico...

May 22, 2008


I thought it would be fun to document what a trip into Mexico entails ...check back for all the fun details.....

The Party...

May 22, 2008

The Rooster invited a few friends over for a pizza party during lunchtime to celebrate the big day.
David and Rooster, cousins and great friends
Boss...waiting for a small morsel to fall to the ground.
And the fun and games begin! Happy Birthday Rooster!

Happy Birthday To Our "Rooster!"

May 22, 2008

Today is the big "11" for the Rooster! So I thought a little tribute was in order. Rooster is our "well adjusted 3rd child" or he is also our youngest, he fits into a couple a spots and has the characteristics of all. He is a darling boy and has been from the start. He is very loved by his brother and sister who couldn't wait for him to arrive. The above picture is in the hospital, when they got to meet him for the first time. He was my biggest baby...almost 9 pounds and came with the cutest dimple in his chin. His Dad named him Rooster, because he would wake up in the morning when the sun came up. The name stuck and the whole town knows him as Rooster, even the people who own our neighborhood store call him "gallo."
Rooster has been my little partner, always close by. He loves to be at home with me. He loves to be anywhere if his family is close by. He likes to have his friends at our house rather than going off to play. His is very kind and thoughtful and seems to know when your day was hard or you are just feeling a little sad. He is loved by all who know him for his kindness and just plain sweetness. The Mom thinks he is a pretty special.
He loved his chupon and kept it for a very long time.... he called it his "chupie" and had quite a collection before he gave it up.

He is a great friend, and loves his cousins like brothers. We are so grateful for our Rooster...life would not be as sweet without him. He has been a great blessing of comfort to his Mom, through some very difficult times. He has a special gift for people and a great mission on this earth. We love you Rooster!

More Reasons To Be Grateful!

May 20, 2008

This is right where The Boy was sitting in the car, the spot with the most damage.
On the way to one of the farms, Kelly noticed the car from Jordan's recent accident, and decided to stop and look. He came home in shock, amazed that The Boy is alive and well. The Boy and I went to look at it on Saturday and well words just don't describe first, the condition of the car and second, our profound gratitude for the life of The Boy. It was a bit much for him, I am not sure if he really was ready to see the car. He was surrounded and protected, there is not other way he could have survived.

The Solecito

May 14, 2008

We bought this land 5 years ago, 50 acres to build a house on. When we got it, it wasn't in very good shape. A lot of dead trees and no well. Five years later it is just beautiful! We have our trees layed out for the driveway and the pecan orchard planted. We hope to break ground very, very soon! All of our businesses have the word "Sol" somewhere in the name...this land is the Solecito - the little sun.


A Must Have

May 14, 2008


And so, I bought this today!
I think it will come in handy

Vanilla Cherry Ice Cream

May 14, 2008

2 c. heavy cream
1 c. milk
3/4 c. white sugar
1 T. vanilla
2 c. fresh cherries, pits removed
and cut into half.


Combine cream, milk and sugar. Mix until sugar is dissolved. Stir in vanilla and cherries. Chill for one hour before freezing in ice cream freezer. Pour into ice cream freezer and churn according to freezer directions.

*I have a counter top ice cream freezer that I love and it works great with this recipe.

A Harmless Little Berry...???

May 14, 2008



Harmless? well, you would think so wouldn't you?? Cherry season has begun in our area. Yesterday was the day! They arrived. I love cherries and started to think of everything I could make with them. Certainly jam came to mind, then....ice cream....then....cobbler....then.....cookies. You see where this is going don't you?!

The Beautiful Cherries

Harmless enough......

hummmmm can you say decatant and Naughty?

An amazing fresh cherry cobbler....of course it needed just a little cherry ice cream to top it off.

Harmless??................I'll let you be the judge!

This is What Happens....

May 14, 2008


When one of the "Darlings" (and her cousins) gets the Mom's new camera, just to "see how it works!" hummmmmmmm

The Darlings!

May 12, 2008

"Queen" - "The Boy" - "Rooster"

Happy Mother's Day!

May 12, 2008

I am extra lucky...I got to celebrate Mother's Day twice! In Mexico, it is "Dia del Madre" and is always celebrated on May 10th. And we celebrate again the following Sunday. Convenient isn't it!:) I loved Pedaling's post on Motherhood, "Raising Children, is like being pecked to death by a duck" you should really check it out. It is true and wonderful! She is such great writer.

Motherhood has turned out to be something quite different than I thought it would be..I am sure it has for all of us on some level. It didn't ever occur to me (before I started my family) that having a healthy baby is a miracle. Having a pregnancy without major problems is a miracle. Having three (not the 6 I had always hoped for) was a miracle. I have sorrowed at the loss of the two children that I so longed for. But what I have learned is gratitude for what I have! It has been an amazing ride, these children of mine. They live life with such passion and energy and joy. They are an example to me! Together we have laughed, we have cried, we have experienced many firsts together and we continue to hope and dream together. They are my dearest friends as well as my children! I am greatful for them each and everyday. I LOVE THEM!

(the three roses are from my garden and the picture is by Queen)

The"Boy" and His Bass

May 12, 2008


What more can be said? The Boy loves a good Bass!
He fishes every afternoon, what a life!

The Uses of Adversity

May 9, 2008

When I attended Time Out a few weeks ago, this book was quoted by one of the speakers. The quote that really spoke to me was "The gospel of Jesus Christ is not insurance against pain, It is a resource in event of pain, and when that pain comes...and it will...rejoice that you have resource to deal with your pain." The book is short but wonderful! I highly recommend it.
Tonight Kelly and I "mourned with those who mourn." A sweet young mother who is facing some extremely difficult challenges. Pain like I do not know. How grateful I am for "resources" to help sustain us in painful moments. How wonderful it is to "bear one another's burdens" when needed. Many have helped carry my burdens a time or two, I consider it a privilege to help carry another's. In Mosiah, the characteristics of members of Christ's church are outlined. The thing that touched me, and has so many times, is after the qualifications were listed, the crowd was asked, "Now what have ye against being baptized?" and "They clapped their hands with joy, for this was the desire of their hearts." Do I always clap my hands for joy when someone needs me to help bear their burden? Do I always clap my hands for joy when the mourning need my support? Do I always live in unity with those around me as a follower of Christ?
Just a thought for me to think more about...

A New Dooo!

May 9, 2008

AAunt Bethany is working at a darling new salon called "Blossom." Queen was in need of a little "work" and Aunt Beth was happy to help out!
Thank goodness for trips to Mesa, Thanks Aunt Beth! It is a darn cute cut and style.

Excited!

May 7, 2008


I am thrilled! Kelly got me this camera for Mother's Day! I have wanted a good camera for such a long time. The trick will be to learn all about it. Kelly actually has the artistic eye. Every picture he has taken is a piece of art. I don't come by it naturally...but I am willing to learn. If you have any suggestions, my photo friends, please help me out:)

Fortune Cookies

May 7, 2008


I thought our most recent fortunes were pretty fun!

The Dad - "Soon you will encounter a whole new world of opportunity."

Sounds good to me.

The Mom - "You are entering a time of great promise and overdue rewards."

Now that is a keeper, don't you think?

The Boy - "The world will soon be ready to receive you talents."

He thought that was so true, :)

The Queen - "You will bring sunshine into someone's life."

That has already come true

The Rooster - Just has too many to choose from and couldn't make up his mind.

A Great Book

May 6, 2008


A great book! A short but very worth your time book! I loved it!

Oops! I Forgot I Was Tagged!

May 3, 2008

Sorry Jan! I had great intentions and well............... I'm not finding a great excuse at the moment. So here goes:

1. pick up the nearest book
2. turn to page 123
3. find the 5th sentence
4. post the 5th sentence on your blog
5. Tag 5 people

The book is - These Is My Words
Here is the 5th sentance - "I kinda like the way the cold air smells and the way everything sounds early in the morning in the winter."

Me too! That is a true statement for me.

Now I will tag -
1. I'm So Funny
2. Rachelle
3. Kim
4. Cedar
5. Pedaling

Have fun!

Livin' it Up!

May 3, 2008

We are on somewhat of a little family vacation....the boys are fishing and the girls are shopping! Does it get any better than this?? We will be home on Monday and I will update then. P.S. the best part of the vacation is actually that Kelly's cel. phone doesn't work in the mountains! Horray!
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