Tacos and Spaghetti

When I left home, that's all I knew how to cook.


These kids will not have that problem.


Amy let them help her make homemade-from-scratch Italian gnocchi Tuesday. (Not only did I not know how to make it, I didn't even know what it WAS till my adventurous-eater children introduced me to it. )


Aubrey love to "roll it to me" on the gnocchi paddle.

Tyler tries his hand at rolling.


I wasn't a big fan of gnocchi at first, but they are starting to grow on me. As Amy says, "It's all about the sauce." These were served with homemade pesto sauce and meat marinara sauce. Yum.

Maddie Starts School

I cannot believe my youngest daughter is an eighth grader.

She is growing up way too fast for my taste. Next year she'll be in high school!

(She probably won't appreciate me posting a photo of her in her dance workout clothes!)

But I am happy to see that she is growing into a beautiful, obedient, happy young woman.

Have I mentioned how incredibly blessed I am?

When the Cat's Away...

Okay, okay. I know most of you would expect the "mouse's play" to be more exciting than this, BUT when MY husband leaves town...yes...gasp...I let the dishes and the clutter on the counter go...and...gulp...I stay up till midnight and ...I...well, I...SEW!

I had some new and exciting quilt magazines and I knew I didn't have time to make a quilt, but...


It doesn't take long to cut a few flannel strips and sew them together.

And it IS my good friend Georgia's surprise baby, Macie's, 2nd birthday today. I thought she might enjoy a new baby and a doll quilt to go with it!


I had six fat quarters of brightly colored flannel and some plain white fabric. I made a tiny little (one-inch squares) four-patch pattern.

Maddie asked, "Mom, how can you make a quilt for Georgia when Georgia [master long-arm machine quilter] does all your quilting for you?" I answered that I knew it was a bit like "taking home-grown tulips to the queen of the Netherlands" but I was doing it anyway.

When Macie looked in her gift bag she got a big smile on her face and said, "It's a baby!" Just the reaction we were hoping for!

Old, Gold Friends

Ever heard the song "Make new friends, but keep the old. One is silver and the other gold."??

This is Maddie and her "old" friend, Anna B., who lived across the street from us during 2000-2002.

This year-plus was a "golden" one for Maddie and me. Because of 9-11 (NOT golden) we didn't have any work for three months (not so golden either.) But consequently, I didn't have many Jetco responsibilities. My "surprise baby" was in Kids Klub preschool and had a bevy of little friends. We continued summer swim classes through the winter and I had time to sit under the bubble at the pool and watch her swim. Anna and Maddie could run across the street and play Barbies together without a formal play date. I got to talk to my car pool moms everyday in the shade under the preschool trees. Time seemed to slow down a little and be more enjoyable. I took time to enjoy my family and my blessings. This year will always hold a special place in my heart.

One day, Anna's mom, Melinda, and I discovered that we had coincidentally bought the same $5.00 clearance sale dress at Wal-Mart. Maddie and Anna were thrilled! When Rebecca's mom, my good friend Kimberly, went to take advantage of the sale we told her she HAD to get the green dress! She came back with one for Julie too, and the "quadruplets" had a great time "confusing" their preschool teachers this day!


Anna, Maddie, Julie, and Rebecca 11-2001.

Anna's family only lived here just over a year and then moved to Henderson, but we have kept in touch. They spent the last two years working for the American embassy in Costa Rica and are now on their way to Washington, DC for a year, then on to Latvia!

Last night we had a multi-family FHE in BC with Anna's family. It was so great to visit with them. We love them so much, and lots of BC girls still harbor a "secret" crush on Anna's big brother, Luke, who is, according to Maddie, now quite a "hottie!"

I couldn't let the evening pass without recreating the infamous Kids Klub picture. We should have planned ahead and had them all dress alike!!


Anna, Maddie, Julie, and Rebbecca 8-17-09.

Jam Jewels

Yesterday, the postman came to my door and rang my new doorbell. (It's chime is totally obnoxious, by the way.)

I was expecting him. We were waiting for pencil sharpeners from Oriental Trading to finish the School Kits we made at Humanitarian Wednesday this week.

The mail carrier brought the pencil sharpeners.. But he also brought an unexpected surprise!

A package from my Cowgirl-Queen friend in Wyoming.

A totally unexpected, early birthday surprise! I was so thrilled. I was even more thrilled when I opened it and saw what it was. (See photo above.)

I made a card and wrote the Cowgirl-Queen a thank you note that didn't begin to express how grateful I am for her gift and her friendship.

I then realized I didn't have her address on my computer. I had two mission addresses and two BC addresses, but no Wyoming address. So, I wrote her this email. (A copy of which you are reading in this post!)

Then, I realized that of course there would have been an address on the box in which came the unexpected surprise.

So I put on my shoes, got a flashlight, and went out to the recycling bucket. There it was!

But I sent her the email anyway.

I wanted to immediately open the jam and eat some on toast . But it is so pretty, I think I'll just let it sit on my counter for a while.

Thanks for totally making my day, Sylvia. Watch for a proper "thank you" in the mail!

We're Not in Kansas Anymore, Toto, but...

Sunday afternoon, July 12, a tornado passed through town.


Okay, maybe not a BIG tornado, but it was at least a very large dust devil.


It didn't do a lot of damage. Except on Foothill Court.


One building on Foothill Court received some damage. Lost its roof to be specific. Yep, exactly ONE building. Good old number 702.


Parts of that roof blew all down Foothill Ct.


Did some damage to the neighbors' cars.


Yes, that IS a a bent Mercedes emblem. Do you know how much it costs to replace a bent Mercedes emblem??? You do not want to know...


Note: Did you know if the "forces of nature" damage your building your insurance will cover it? If the forces of nature cause parts of your building to damage your neighbors' vehicles, your insurance will NOT cover it?? THEIR insurance must cover it.

Note #2: This is not a good way to make friends with your neighbors.

All's well that ends well. (Still working on that part, but I have high hopes!)

So Much to Do, So Little Time...

Why does daily life have to interfere with all the fun I want to have? Why do I have to work when I just want to play? Why does my kitchen floor look like it could grow a garden if I don't mop it once (or twice) a day? (Which NEVER happens!) Why do I have to work in the office when I want to watch English movies and embroider cute quilt squares? Why do I have to do laundry when I want to scrapbook or put photos in albums? Why is there no more money when there are so many cool things to buy? Why do I have to scrub toilets when I'd rather watch "The Closer?" Why do I have to sew school bags for Humanitarian Services when I'd rather create a "Betsy Buttons" doll or make a Raggedy Ann dress? Why do I have to vacuum when "Moda Bake Shop" is calling my name? Why do I have to do dishes when I what I really want to do is go swimming? Why is it always work, work, work???

Since we HAVEN'T had paying work for seven months, I think I have learned some serious lessons about the value of work and that people NEED to work to feel good about themselves. I was going to write a post about that very subject, but instead...I am whining about the WORK I already have to do. What is my problem??

Today I'm going to be grateful for my work. And I'm going to go do some. More. Have a great day!