Formal Dining Table

Some friends of ours were getting rid of their formal dining table and knew we loved it, so they offered it to us first. Isn't it gorgeous? The pictures don't do it justice, you'll have to come see it.

Back to Life

It has taken me the full week and a half that I have been home to get back into the swing of things! I have definetly felt like I was off of my groove. Hopefully now that we have had a week where everything has gone according to our new schedule, we can zip into our routine and I can function. I am being released as the ward music chairman, choir director and chorister today and I have to admit I am very sad about it! It has brought me such peace at a time when I really needed peace to quiet the storms in my life. I am loathe to give that up, but when the Lord calls, do I really look at him and say, "Do I really have to"? Not exactly the most mature thing to do. I hope that soon I can come to love my new calling as much as I have learned to love my former calling.

Summertime in Arizona

We are back from our three week trip to Washington. It feels both good and kind of sad to be back. I have really enjoyed sleeping in my own bed and cooking in my own kitchen, but I really miss that feeling of comfort you get going home to the house you grew up in. The girls and my parents had a great time and I think we are being missed. Cat and Sarah have truly loved being able to do everything with Grammie and Grampy and I was a fifth wheel. Dad picked raspberries almost every night with the girls because they loved it so much. They ate popsicles, ran through the sprinkler, picked vegetables from the garden, played hopscotch, jumped rope, rode bicycles, went swimming and on and on and on. Cat and Sarah took swimming lessons and both passed with flying colors. The big highlight was that Grampy taught Catherine how to ride her bike. We were so proud of her. We had such a good time and loved being with my parents so much! While we were there I had my 10-year high school reunion, and went to two of our friends weddings. Landan married Melinda in Spokane, Wa and Leif married Alexis in Portland, Or. It was a great trip!

Summertime in Washington

And so it begins...

Well, I am off to Washington for 3 weeks. This weekend is my 10-year High School reunion, the next is a wedding and the first weekend in Aug. is a wedding. I am so excited to get going, but there is so much preparation in order to be gone that long. So, I will not be around for a while, but there will be a slew of pictures and stories when I get back. Merry Summer!

Cross over much?

I saw this clip of Daughtry doing "Poker Face" by Lady Gaga and loved it! It just goes to show that a great song is a great song, whomever chooses to sing it.

Sarah's Tap Dance--turn off my blog music first

Please remember these are from dress rehearsal.

Cat's Ballet Dance

Please remember these are from Dress Rehearsal

Cat's Tap Dance Video

Please remember these are from Dress Rehearsal.

My Canning Exploits

Pickled Beets

Pickles

Tomatoes

The Trifecta of Canning Goodness

I bought a water bath canner and learned how to use it in June. I watched a friend do beets and thought I can do this. I made beets first and they actually turned out, so I broadened my horizons with dill pickles and tomatoes. All of the cucumbers, dill and tomatoes came from my very own garden. I am very proud of myself!