Picture of the Day

We found this wonderful science lesson outside on one of my Mom's Iris. This spider had adapted it's colors to white and pink to blend in with the shade and colors of the iris. (If he didn't adapt then he had some superior knowledge of where he was supposed to live.) Then, this unsuspecting honey bee flew in to get some nectar and was captured by said spider. We came in at dinner time; the spider didn't appreciate the flash photography so he dragged his kill underneath the petals for more privacy. It was a great learning experience for the girls.

Picture of the Day

My help meet

We are having a fun time on our vacation, but I am already exhausted! I truly believe that old adage, "you need a vacation from your vacation". Time just seems to run away from me more than usual. Last night we went for a walk and ended up being gone for an hour. By the time we got home at 7:30, I did not make my 8:00 bed time. Baths, hair, teeth, scriptures, chapter books and prayers took another hour! We are all just dragging today. I had to wake the girls up to get ready for church and leave by 8:00am to get into Stake Conference in the Valley. Now,I am struggling to keep them reverent and calm on the Sabbath. I just am looking for a small moment to be quiet and feel of the spirit of the day. I think that the Lord knew something when he declared that man needed a help meet. I need my husband. I am not as efficient, happy, or useful without him to help me get the things that I need; spiritually, physically, and emotionally. Husband, I love you and miss you! Happy Father's day!

Picture of the Day

Some really great friends of ours in Chewelah have opened the "Straw Bale Bread Co."
It is a bread and soup shop that they run out of their out building. Bill built their house in the straw bale style. Straw style housing is efficient, sound proof and more resistant to earthquake and weather damage. But, the point of this post is the delicious food that they are making. Tuesday through Friday they are open and serve fresh bread, made with healthy ingredients and no oil, dairy, or eggs; and the most delicious pastries I have ever eaten. Blueberry scones filled with cream cheese, berry and chocolate scones, and ooey, gooey cinnamon rolls, and daily soups with unlimited fresh bread. Linda also makes homemade granola that is to die for. Here is the Olive-Rosemary loaf that Grampy bought this morning. It was warm and the parmesan smell mixed with rosemary was absolutely tantalizing and made me slobber like a St. Bernard. Yum!

Picture of the Day

At Grammy and Grampy's House

Picture of the Day

Sarah took it upon herself to instigate family scripture study this morning.

Picture of the Day

We went downtown today and rode the carousel, fed the ducks, fed the garbage goat and followed the tracks in the mall. Thank you Auntie Deborah! Catherine and Sarah tried out their running poses with the Bloomsday runner statues.

Picture of the Day

Picture of the Day

This is Walker a little pine beetle that we found on the Jensen's front porch. Sarah quickly crawled into my lap after discovering him, but Cat followed him around and named him and got very upset when Sarah wanted me to squish him. We have a rule that if bugs are living outside where they are supposed to be, we don't squish them, but Sarah is all in favor of breaking this rule. So here is to Walker, who hopefully will never find himself inside the house and under Sarah's shoe.

Trip to Washington

Well, I made it up to Spokane again. We took it a bit slower this time and did two 11 hour days instead of one 14 hour day and and 8 hour day. The girls have wisened up to the drive and were very aware of how long it was taking to drive up from AZ. I have decided that while we are here, I am going to try to do a picture a day. Here is yesterdays. Sarah was playing dress up with her Jensen cousins and turned into this ferocious leopard.