My Dream Cruiser....

My Friend Pedaling inspires me! She loves bikes. She loves to ride them. And she seems to be quite good at it too. Right now she is preparing for a Triathlon. She got me to thinking about biking too....and this would be the bike. I have taken it on a test ride, and it is a must for me! And yes, I will need a basket too! *Sheila here is a quote for you to help inspire you while you run "...but then I started running, I started dreaming. It couldn't be helped. The mind works as hard as the body does during exercise. It knows it's role during these lonely interludes - to inspire, analyze, and fantasize." Bart Yasso, My Life On The Run
Good luck training...it is hard, but it is worth it!

This Is Where I Found The Boy

So.......remember the previous post about how strict I am???? Would you please take a look at these guys?? The Boy and Little Rooster saw some guys racing small gas powdered remote control cars, outside of our hotel and decided to go watch them. Turns out it is the band "A Bullet For My Valentine"???? Can't say I have heard of them, but then again that doesn't mean too much. So after researching them on the Internet...The Boy decided a picture would be fun. Hummmmmm, I am going back to the strict idea not being a bad one;)

Strict is a good thing!

Oh Dear....

It had the makings of a trap from the moment we drove into town Monday morning. There is was, the most darling shop I have seen in sometime. The only one of it's kind in this town. I announced to The Darlings...."Look Darlings....it is a CUPCAKE shop!!!!!" to which I heard..."oh Mom, you have a problem..." So I then realized, it was not the right time to explore the darling shop...but I saw the CUPCAKES through the window...and they were beautiful! And they were calling my name;) So when the Darlings were safe at Basketball Camp, I returned to the CUPCAKES. This beauty became my friend right away, it's name is Pink Lemonade.....it was fantastic!!
Just thought I would give you a closer look......isn't it lovely??!!

If you are in the El Paso area, the shop is called

CELEBRATIONS

and it is worth the visit...they have little mini cupcake samples everyday;) Like I said...

IT IS WORTH THE VISIT!

Strict....To Be Or Not To Be...That Is The Question

The Boy above, announced to me, last Saturday morning, that I am just too strict! Here is a little history. The Boy is a very responsible young man and hates nothing more than to see his Dear Mother upset. Shame on me, right?? for allowing him to see me in many different emotional states. Anyway, something happened to the dear boy, the day he turned 15. He is, as The Farmer says, trying to "spread his wings" a little. The Farmer is a very calm peaceful man. He is the picture of stability. He never gets mad. He rarely raises his voice, basically there isn't much that upsets him (just more reasons why I love the man). His wife, on the other hand, can be a little too passionate about life sometimes. Back to The Boy....so he doesn't think the Dear Mother needs to know his every move anymore, and it bugs him if I even ask. So I calmly explained to this boy of mine, that for safety reasons I must know everything he does and where he is at every waking moment of the day. That is a good reason right?? And The Boy is not happy...he tells me I am just too strict. And then I shed tears on The Farmer's shoulder and tell him that our "little boy" no longer needs me like he once did, and it is breaking my heart. Oh that Farmer....he promised me that everything will be just fine and if I allow The Boy to "stretch" a little, he will not feel the need to "over stretch."
This is the word that comes to mind....This is actually The Boy's shirt. I am trying to find balance in this new experience. And how do I do that? I feel the need to hold tight, but ask myself, is it for me I hold on or is it for him. And I guess it is for both of us. He isn't ready to make his way alone...and truthfully he knows that. He is just testing himself as well as me.
And so, for the moment, he remains under my watchful eye...maybe a little too watchful, at least to him. And I search for balance...

Little Rooster And The Farmer

Preparing for the pumpkins is hard work and pretty dusty...that was before all the rain came down. Now the tractors can't even get into the fields. Rooster is what you might call a "Gentlemen Farmer." He rides along in the tractor, he often needs a soda break, and if it gets too hot, he heads back to the truck to cool off. The pumpkins are progressing well. The rain doesn't seem to have caused any damage so far. And the little guy is still full of hopes and dreams. Thanks to Sheila, I have learned to do mosaics....thanks for the tip!

Thank You Again...Sweet Diva!

Another fun award from THE PURPLE DIVA Thanks so much! She enjoyed the post called "THE PURPOSE OF THE APRON" and you know me I don't need much encouragement to appreciate an apron. To my darling brother Ben...sorry...I know you have heard entirely enough about aprons....even though, you will continue reading the blog won't you??? Hey and another thing my darling brother Ben...I still love you even if you don't leave me comments;)

Out Of The Loop....Because Of The Hoop

I have felt a little "out of the loop" with my blogging friends the last few days, honestly I have missed communicating with you all! I am out of town again, this time at basketball camp with The Darlings. I am sure you are wondering about the pictures of Mr. Jordan....my intention is this - certainly ONE of The Darlings can rise to the challenge, RIGHT??
I loved watching Michael Jordan pay the game, as did the rest of mankind. I don't play, not since I was much younger anyway and even then I wasn't that good. But growing up with a Father who was a coach meant I was pretty familiar with the game. And I learned to appreciate the game. The Farmer and I had the chance to see Michael Jordan's final game with the Sacramento Kings a few years ago, and I must say I was in heaven!
And so....a Mother hopes and dreams...that one of her Darlings might learn a move like this at basketball camp this year. And if they don't...I will just ask for my money back;) Thank goodness a Mother's love is unconditional, don't you think?

I May Not Be Who You Think I am....

This quiz came from my dear blogging friend Pedaling, it was so much fun, but I did find out that I don't know her as well as I thought I did. We did grow up together, BUT, it has been a few years, so I hope she will forgive me;) If you have a minute, take the quiz...It's fun! (scroll down to find the quiz.)

I May Not Be Who You Think I Am.... 1) What is my nickname for The Farmer? Honey Mi Amor Tiny Farmer

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War and Peace Know No Borders....

• This past week, we were invited to a birthday party for a friend of our in a little town close to where we live. We call it Old Town or The Pueblo. It is a wonderful little town full of artists who have come to Mexico to learn about and live the culture of these people. I met a really fantastic artist name RAECHEL RUNNING who is here to photograph the many different elements of this place and the people. The following words are hers. I was so touched when I read this because she has captured my feelings completely. These are some of her pictures as well. You will love her work...visit her at RMRunningphoto. Our community has been through alot the last few months, but I like Raechel have chosen not to focus on the tragedy, but the wonderful things that we are so richly blessed with by living here. Check out her link in her words below, it is an amazing photo documentary of the recent sad events that our area has faced. Thanks again Raechel...
  
  War and peace know no borders.
  What is a balloon? What is a photograph? We make them, add our thoughts and wishes and let them go into the sky.....These images were from the Peace March of the local school in Casas Grandes in April just before I returned North. Spencer called me to let me know and I ran out of the house with my apron on and camera in hand barely making it as the children,teachers and parents rounded the corner. An ocean of whiteness and beautiful brown faces; Everyone dressed in white; It was a one of the most beautiful acts for peace I ever witnessed. All the balloons were wishes for peace to return to our community.Our world. At a given moment all the balloons were either popped or released. A few wishes for a different world rose upward making a constellation of dots and disappeared into blue. When I feel overwhelmed with my thoughts on these issues I think about these children and the hope for a more peaceful future. Sad but true I can not deny the truth of what's happening along the USMEXICAN Border; I feel the weight of it in my community, the place that has become my heaven on earth, and is the place I tell people I've come to know the finest examples of how to be human beings; I am constantly in awe of the "Familias", the beauty, the love I see everyday; The trust given to me whether photographing or just being offered to hold a strangers beautiful baby; The way I love and feel for the people of my pueblo. The world is being rocked by violence; still. The drug wars continue and the world still isn't safer or better after all these years of the War on Drugs; Good GOD! What are is happening? I have chosen to not photograph aspects of this WAR...because I want to show something different-that is LIFE affirming, beautiful, and not stereotypical. I do not want to bring attention to myself from the good bad guys, or the bad good guys; I have seen in these past few months more funerals in my town...the last one over a thousand people came and lined the street with cars and everyday people mourning the death of someone's beloved who was shot down. He came from my pueblo and was said to help many people; I can say that I saw he was loved greatly by the community. So I comfort those brothers, and young homies, and older sisters,and mothers, who do not understand this war...I can empathize with their loss; I offer only my consolations, a hug, a soft touch on the arm...Loss, and death is a universal emotion, whether violent, accidental or natural. We suffer in the living and are at the mercy of the unknown. I begin to ask myself do I photograph this now?? Is it my story to tell ? My reasons to avoid shooting it are obvious and yet it is essential; So when my dear friend Jason who helped me move to Casas Grandes last year sends me this link he stumbled across I had to pause and see my beloved world through another set of eyes; This is a powerful moving set of photographs like none other I've seen;I feel compelled to share the work and this aspect of the power and truth of photography and why we need courageous photographers who tell us these stories. Seamus Murphy: Mexican Frontier town falls to Drug LordsWe live on; Life in Casas Grandes continues; We get news from those who come to visit, or who change their plans to stay away because Mexico is "dangerous" and people are afraid; Yet it is pastoral, it is a simple and good life I've come to know, and I have only encountered kindness....the rumors fly around; and partial stories unfold to much of our disbelief; I just know that once I pass the zone I am in the land that has captivated and inspired me; I am still in love with this country and the people here. I have avoided telling this part of the story. I think of all the images we're inundated with; are there really more people in the world who want to know what Britney Spears is wearing and her sad family life? I think of the Minutemen on the border, I think of men,fathers and sons crossing the desert for a job in the USA .I think of wildfires in California burning and polar bears dying; I think of all the money being spent to 'keep us safe" as more sky scrapers and indoor ski resorts are built in Dubai, and gas prices go up and up.... What in the helk IS Going ON???? So there are photographers and writers who hold a mirror and show us something more about ourselves and our world; Why these images/stories aren't on the main yahoo page and Jessica Simpson and American Idol are, leaves me shaking my head in wonder. No wonder the world goes numb. Photographers and writers are my hero's because they inspire me to wake up ! To see the pain, the suffering, the beauty and the common threads between people; When you SEE truth how can you close your eyes?? Revisiting these photogrpahers work give me courage to look deeper. Does the work of these amazing human beings make a difference in a world gone mad?? Does it matter? Do you stop taking photos or telling stories that are important? No. You go out and do your work; follow those lines that life leads you to; Where will the lines of my own work lead me? What will I see the next time I cross the borderlands? Ojala Quiere y volver.... If GOD wants I will return.....
  

Relish...

This is one happy Little Rooster....read on to see why

Today was SWEET RELISH day! I have been planning this for some time...we had run out. Little Rooster can hardly live with his SWEET RELISH. He smothers what ever he may be eating at the moment, in SWEET RELISH. It made the Mom feel so tender that the little man loved her relish so, until she realized that the key word in all of this is SWEET! The boy is a sugar addict! Anyway he was pleased to see the relish being made today.
48 pints later...we have our supply. Some friends from Albuquerque stopped by this afternoon just to say hi. Nina quickly said "I had no idea that people still bottled food, that is something I saw my Mother do in Serbia when I was a little girl." Was that a compliment??? I am not sure. It was a fun and rewarding day at our house. SWEET RELISH now lines the shelves of our pantry, and boy does it look pretty! Little Rooster can sleep well tonight!

Little Roosters Favorite Sweet Relish

24 large cucumbers - unpeeled

8 large onions

8 large bell peppers - green

1 large bell pepper - red
*grind all above ingredients and drain juice. I have an attachment to my Kitchen Aid that is a food grinder, it works great. After juice is drained put into a large stock pot then add:

1 T. tumeric

8 T. salt

4 t. mustard seed

8 t. celery seed

1 t. ground cloves

10 c. sugar

1 1/2 qts. apple cider vinegar

*Boil all ingredients for 20 minutes. Hot pack in sterile jars. Process in a steamer for 10 minutes.

A Tribute To Our Ivory

I mentioned that last week was a very difficult week for PreShie...Our Mama Dog died on Thursday morning, and PreShie was the one that got the call from our Vet. I happened to be on the phone with her when the Vet. called and shared alot of tears with her over the phone. She was the only one home, other than the sweet lady that helps in our house, and it nearly broke her heart. We have had Ivory, the Mama Dog, for several years. She was loyal, and very protective of the Darlings. She exercised with me every morning for many years and was a great companion. Our house is quiet and sad with out her...We still have our Daddy Dog, Boss, but even he seems lost with her.
The Darlings are doing a wonderful job caring for the puppies. Every three hours they make sure that they are eating. The Boy takes the night shift and Rooster and PreShie take the day shifts. The puppies are growing and getting fat. The Mamma Dog that has adopted them is really doing an amazing job. The Vet. checked them out yesterday and said that they look great. PreShie came home they other day and said that The Farmer's Mother told her that the Prophet Joseph Smith said that the animals that we loved on earth would be with us in heaven...PreShie is banking on that!

Purpose Of The Apron...

I don't think our kids know what an apron is. The principal use of Grandma's apron was to protect the dress underneath, But along with that, it served as a potholder for removing hot pans from the oven. It was wonderful for drying children's tears, And on occasion was even used for cleaning out dirty ears. From the chicken coop, the apron was used for carrying eggs, fussy chicks, and sometimes half-hatched eggs to be finished in the warming oven. When company came, those aprons were ideal hiding places for shy kids. And when the weather was cold, grandma wrapped it around her arms. Those big old aprons wiped many a perspiring brow, bent over the hot wood, stove. Chips and kindling wood were brought into the kitchen in that apron. From the garden, it carried all sorts of vegetables. After the peas had been shelled, it carried out the hulls. In the fall, the apron was used to bring in apples that had fallen from the trees. When unexpected company drove up the road, it was surprising how much furniture that old apron could dust in a matter of seconds. When dinner was ready, Grandma walked out onto the porch, waved her apron, and the men knew it was time to come in from the fields to dinner. It will be a long time before someone invents something that will replace that 'old-time apron' that served so many purposes. REMEMBER: Grandma used to set her hot baked apple pies on the window sill to cool. Her granddaughters set theirs on the window sill to thaw. They would go crazy now trying to figure out how many germs were on that apron. I don't think I ever caught anything from an Apron.

*Thanks Shauna

Oh How I Love The Purple Diva!

This is from The Purple Diva....Did I mention that

I Love her!?! Thanks Diva!

My First Culinary Award!

Scout Camp provided many new experiences this past week, even for me! On Friday, the last day of camp, there was a Dutch Oven Cobbler Cook Off, something that they do each year. I have never cooked in a Dutch Oven...how hard could it be ...right?? Before we went to camp on Wednesday we stopped and got all the necessary items for the competition. Remember, I have never cooked in a Dutch Oven, neither has The Farmer, or anyone else that was with us. We heard through the grapevine that the secret ingredient was cinnamon and so we made sure to take some. Our cobbler was Dublan Peach Cobbler with lots of butter (I think that is why we won) and a little cinnamon. The other troops that we competed against were so kind to give us little tips and help us through the cook off. It was alot of fun! We placed first in the Dutch Oven Cobbler Cook Off! And for me that made scout camp worth while:)
Here is "Team Dublan". The Farmer and Little Rooster. Scout Camp was a great success...we left with tons of merit badges, a car load of dirty boys, and some really tired leaders!

PreShie

I love her! This is PreShie. I have been blessed! I have always known that,(in regards to her) but I have been so touched this week with her strength. She has had a hard week. It has been very emotional and stressful. I will write about that later. Anyway, because I have been away, she has had to deal with some challenges without me. I am sorry about that PreShie, but I am very proud of you! When she was born, the lady I had helping me in our house thought she was perfection. And so did we! Right away she was nicknamed PRECIOUS. It stuck. Now we call her Presh or PreShie. That is who she will forever be. She is beautiful! She is talented! She is a wonderful photographer! She looks just like The Farmer...really she does! I cannot image our life without her. I love you my PreShie...I am sorry you had such a rough week...Thank you for choosing to be so Strong!

Another Day In Paradise

These are pictures that I took yesterday afternoon. I rained most of the afternoon but let up enough for me to visit the scout camp and check in on the boys (and men). This is the hotel I am staying at...I LOVE IT!!
This tree is literally 50 yards from my room, on the edge of the golf course. I ran right past this tree in the morning, came back in the afternoon, after the storm, and this is what we found. It had been struck by lightening. There was bark everywhere. It was really a sight.
Here is The Farmer with a chunk of bark to show the boys back at camp. You can see how incredibly beautiful this place is, the golf course is in the background.
Rooster and the gang did their 5 mile hike yesterday and came through town. They took a little rest and this is where I caught up with the. They were having such a great time! Good thing they had their rain ponchos on...it was raining.
Here's little Rooster with the burnt bark that The Farmer saved for him. He thought it was pretty interesting.

Quilt Giveaway!

Check out this wonderful give away at Old Red Barn Co. It is a darling blog and this quilt is amazing! If you are a quilter you will really appreciate it.

My Version Of Scout Camp...

This is where The Farmer is....
He is with these fine young men...
This is where I am.....
Looking at this from the window of my room...

Eating some incredible food....

Checking out some darling shops...

Reading some great books.....

Running in the beautiful mountains....

oops....did I mention that the hotel is haunted???

I love this town...I think I said that about 20 times yesterday.

THIS IS WHAT I CALL SCOUT CAMP!!

The scout camp where The Farmer and the boys are, is fairly close to where I am staying. So this morning I set out on a run/hike to meet the men at camp. Five miles or so later, I was loving my run/hike, but had not come upon the camp. I returned to the hotel. I will try again tomorrow:) The mountains are incredibly beautiful, it has been raining in the afternoons. Today there was thunder and lightening. It made me feel sorry for the scouts...for a minute...actually it was The Farmer I was feeling bad for. Scouts like that kind of stuff...right? I thought I would get some great pictures today, but because of the rain it didn't work out. Hopefully tomorrow.

The Diva Tagged Me!

The PURPLE DIVA tagged me! I am not too fond of tags, BUT I do love the PURPLE DIVA, and so here I go with 6 things about me that are boring or quirky. 1. I am obsessed with aprons. I know that you all know that by now....I think about them, I make them, I wear them, I search for fabric to sew them, I LOVE THEM!
2. I am consumed with cupcakes! I think about them, I eat them, I read about them, I bake them, and according to The Farmer...I talk about them way too much.
3. I really love Gel Pens. Just check the bottom of my purse. I have a couple in every color known to man. One of my sisters-in-law just discovered this about me and was a little concerned...(hehe) I store that I send all of my business samples from sells these delightful pens and so if you must know...I buy one everytime I go to the store...EVERYTIME!
4. I need a full pantry. When things start getting a little low, I feel nervous. And usually a quick trip to El Paso gets me straightened out again. Not sure why I feel this way, can't say that I have been hungry at any moment of my life..BUT...I do need a full and organized pantry.

5. I LOVE JEWERLY! If you know me well....then you already know this, but you forgive me right??!! The Farmer likes to quote scripture when I NEED another piece of jewerly....something like "tinkling things and bells and chimes"...I quit listening awhile ago....anyway but he is kind to indulge me. Every piece has a little something special about it, a memory attached. It's kinda of sad I know, but jewerly speaks....and I listen. A few years ago I partnered in a silver jewerly business, which was heaven for me:) I traveled to a town outside of Mexico City to purchase the jewerly that we sold, let me just tell you...It was sheer bliss for me! SHEER BLISS. Hey, I should have named the company Sheer Bliss....

6. I have a fixation on clocks! Come on over...you will see. I have two that chime at the same time...amongst many others...does this mean I am pre-occupied with time? I really do have way too many clocks...but I love them all!

So as you can see...I am easily obsessed, and easily entertained. So now I would like to tag, JEN, JAN, BOBBIE, and MEGHAN. Can't wait to see what you all confess:)

The River Came Down...And The Farmer Got Stuck!

It has been raining for several days now. Not just a little rain, but serious thunderstorms every evening. It is beautiful....and we need the rain....BUT....the mud....oh the mud! Yesterday the river came down. Our river doesn't run year round, so when the rainy season starts it begins to flow. It came down with a bang. It has flooded many areas...one being the property where were will be building our home. The backside of that property is attached to the river, which I might add makes it beautiful and provides a great place to cook out.
This is where I exercise most every morning(along the banks of the river)...when it is not raining...and when it is empty there is a 10 foot drop from where this picture is taken to the bottom of the river.
This is The Farmer's truck...he is stuck. Notice the tractor behind him ready to pull him out. He went to the neighbor's farm to check out their flooding and OOPS! It was a little more wet than he thought. I was on our property checking out our flooding and was happy to take pictures to document the moment! *Another tractor got stuck trying to get The Farmer out* He came home wet and muddy and thought my kitchen floor would be a great place to start removing the muddy clothing....hummmm
This is where the actual break in the border happened at our neighbors farm. Their entire farm is under water. You can see how the river has swelled, remember there usually isn't water in the river. Notice the trees in the river, they are huge cottonwood trees. The flooding has drawn quite a crowd.