I'm overwhelmed

with gratitude for the unanimous vote in my favor.   

Believe me, there will be cupcakes forthcoming.  

And now to what I've been doing.  Setting up the snack bar for our Bunny Hollow Bed and Breakfast, which opens up officially tomorrow.   My time would probably be better spent cleaning the house for our honored guests, but this was a lot more fun.

 This was a fun little project.  I bought a roll of chalk board contact paper.  Then I used a punch to cut out the labels.  Then each guest can have their own glass with their name on it.  I thought it would just be a one time thing, but the label stayed on through the washing in the dishwasher.  The writing washes off, but the label is re-usable.   

We can't wait to spend time with our girls.  

Ok, I need some

reinforcement here.

Gary swears that this is the solution to a doorknob that was jammed and had to be broken open.   Instead of a new doorknob, he thinks a beveled chisel is the perfect solution.  All you have to do is remove it and set it aside while you use the shed.  Then, when you are done, all you have to do is put it back in very strategically so it holds it.

First of all, in the summer I go in and out of the shed many times a day carrying things in and out and, so it is very inconvenient.  Second of all, it has "Redneck" written all over it.

If you love me, and ever want cupcakes from me again,

you will all vote that we get a new doorknob. 

  YES, A NEW DOORKNOB!

no, the beveled chisel

Gary and I are sitting

in the dark, in the family room, reclining in our chairs, watching TV, and typing on our computers. (Gary just asked me why we don't sit in the dark more often)   Natalie left awhile ago, after having dinner and visiting with us. When it was time for her to leave, we both tried to get up to have a family prayer and give her a hug goodbye.  Both of us moaned because our bodies hurt.  Poor Natalie.  She just laughed and said, "You guys are getting old."

But life is good.  

Yesterday

I told Gary that today was a "get the house and yard in order" day.  And that is what it has been.  Gary was at the school putting together something for Drivers Ed until about 3, but then he came home and went to work.  We are both very tired but also feeling productive.

When I gave Gary the warning yesterday, he said that if we were going to work all day today that we should go to the movie.   So we did.  And instead of dinner we ate a large container of popcorn, which was my favorite part of the movie.  Let's just say that I was pretty oblivious about what was going on in "Oblivion."

Celebrating with Natalie last night . . .

 Retro Apron for our Retro Girl

 Runner finished 1 year later

29 years ago today . . .

our daughter Natalie was born.  That was a very happy day in our lives.  And the 26th, when she was flown in to us, was an even a happier Day.   We are going out to dinner with Natalie and Trent tonight to celebrate her birthday.

Here is a real live fairy tale I wrote about her 4 years ago.

So here is my fairy tale: 

Once long ago, about 25 years ago to be exact, there lived a family with a Mother and a Father and two beautiful princesses. As the family tried to grow, they lost two little daughters, Annalee, first, and Emily two years later. The little maidens were both still at birth. There was sadness in the home, but also gratitude for the two little princesses that already occupied the home.

Then one day a Knight in Shining Armor (otherwise known as Uncle G) approached the mother and father and inquired if they would want to adopt a child into their humble home. Of course Mother and Father were delighted as they awaited the birth of the baby, which was to occur in about two months time. They did not share the news with many in the land until the appointed day, as they did not want to set themselves, or others, up for disappointment should the miracle not occur.

Then one day, they got the awaited call. The valiant birth mother had given birth to a little girl and loved her enough to give her as a Gift to the family. The news of the birth was Joyfully received! The one day old infant would be magically arriving (by air) that evening at 8:30 pm in the arms of the Knight in Shining Armor!

There was pandemonium in the land! The princesses were pulled out of their schooling and told the news! Friends and Family rejoiced. Grandparents away on a journey quickly made their way home! Diapers, carriage seat, bottles gathered!

The anticipated hour was soon upon them. Family gathered awaiting the magical arrival. As the Knight descended with his bundle of joy, the family crowded around. The stewardesses alighted from the flying chariot to see who the lucky family of this little miracle would be. (All of this was of course pre 9/11). Princesses were beyond joyful, as they debated what they should call their new little sister. Champagne was offered by the delighted stewardesses, who were amazed by the Knight flying in with that the little child. Champagne was denied, as the knight and family did not drink alcohol, but the gesture was greatly appreciated.

The third little Princess completed the humble palace home of the family. There was Lght in the eyes of the Mother again (as she was told by a friend, who said it had been missing for awhile). The Father was surrounded by his princesses and feeling like a King. The twoPrincesses felt more like mothers to their little princess and took great delight in choosing her clothes and laughing at and watching her every move. (A fight wherein they were both tugging at her for ownership, at 2 days old, was also recorded in the videos of history)

Years passed, and the little princess grew into a Beautiful youngwoman, who was kind and loving and caring to her family and those around her. She brought light, drama, and imagination to the humble palace home. She blossomed with many artistic talents and the voice of an angel, though her fairy godmother and others in the kingdom often have to remind her of those gifts and implore her to use those talents more. She is beloved among the land and a special aunt to the new generation of prince and princesses that dot the continent and appreciate her for her game playing skills.

The Tale has not ended, as no doubt there are still many surprises ahead (perhaps even a handsome prince?). But whatever the future may hold, there is no doubt that the miracle will continue to grow and live . . . 

Happily Ever After 

One week from today

our annual Bunny Hollow Bed and Breakfast Girl's and Gary retreat begins!   Misty and Tiffany will fly inn within a couple of hours of each other.  Many thanks to the husbands and kids that sacrifice and survive without their moms for 5 days.   And Natalie is taking Friday off, so we have lots of fun ahead.

Naming our home "Bunny Hollow Bed and Breakfast" when we have guests, was a very logical decision.   The reason why is that our bunny, Cotton, was housed in his very own room for about 10 of his 12 1/2 years.

I look back and think I must have been crazy.  Really.  But I won't ever admit that to Gary.

Natalie and Me almost 10 years ago with our bunny.

I almost forgot to blog.

But I remembered just in time.   (Yes, that's all folks)

An enjoyable evening

at Charlene and Greg's.  They serenaded us with their guitar and ukulele.  A fun time as always.

I've had this cute

little fabric needle holder for 6 months or so.  My sister-in-law, Lynn, showed it to me and let me borrow it to copy.  I finally did it.  Hers is the maroon one, and  is much more cute details but I just wanted to get the basics.

Pretty cute and easy and would make a nice little gift.

My sewing bag.

I love this bag.  I keep all my needles and almost empty spools of thread in it.  Anytime I need to do any hand sewing, this is what I grab.  Today while riding in the car, I brought it along so I could bind the runners I'm working on.

It was my grandma Hall's bag.  We called her Gran.  I don't remember her using it, as I was only 9 when she died, but when Mom gave it to me she told me it was Gran's.  Gran died in 1964, so that makes it at least 50 years old, but probably a lot older than that.   It is one of my favorite things, not only because of the sentiment, but also because I just love the color and design.

  

I've been riveted

to the news watching the apprehension and finally the capture of the Boston Marathon Bomber.  I awoke this morning to the news that the older one had been killed in a shootout and the other was still on the run. That was after they had killed another man and injured another. Today the whole city of Boston was on lock down while they searched for him.  It had to be very nerve-racking to them.  The suspect was finally found hiding in a grounded boat behind a home.

It is amazing to see the procedures that were used to track them.  With the multiple cell phone photos, videos, and store security cameras, they were able to identify who the bombers were.  The news kept making the point that even a few years ago we would not have had that kind of ability.  All that, in addition to the manpower going door to door canvasing the neighborhoods, was pretty impressive.

It was wonderful to see the joy of the people and how they applauded for the law enforcement personnel who worked together to ensure the capture.   It helped me feel a pride in our country and an appreciation for those who put their lives on the line for us.    

We went to the movie

"42" this evening.  It is the story of Jackie Robinson, the first black player to play on a regular Major League Baseball team.  It was an excellent movie.

By the time I was old enough to hear about and understand race issues,  it was the 60's.  I remember seeing the news about segregation issues that dealt with busing and schools on the news.  But Utah was not a hotbed of controversy, since we had very little diversity at that time and I was not exposed to racism.

That is why it absolutely amazes me that, just 10 years before I was born, there were segregated restrooms, hotels, restaurants, and just about everything that was public.    It is hard to take in.  I've obviously lived a very sheltered life, but I would hope that even back when it was socially acceptable to be racist, that I would have felt it was wrong.   Yet, as is displayed in the movie, if you are brought up to believe a certain way by your parents who you trust, it would be hard to change what has been made a part of you.  So, I guess I should also be amazed that in such a short time we have made so much progress.   I would hope that our common humanity will always win out.

It's project time

in the family room.

It's kind of sad when a table runner I partially made for Natalie, for her birthday last year, still isn't done.  Her birthday is next week, so it is a matter of pride that I will finish it before then.  In the meantime, I've pulled out all of my other unfinished sewing projects while I'm at it.  I have about 15 DVR'd Studio 5 shows that I want to watch, and I only have the DVR in the family room.   So, that is where the mess is.

The funny (or not) thing about it is that I'm almost done with it and it has only taken me a few hours.  Yet, it has been sitting here for a year.  Tucked away in a drawer.  Out of sight, out of mind.

Oh, but it feels so good to finish things that have been unfinished.

  

When Gary came home

the other evening, he commented on the cupcakes.  He said I had only made a "mini mess."   He was right.  I had only tripled the recipe instead of 6 timing it.   It felt like just a mini mess to me, too.

Every once in a while both Misty and Tiffany will send pictures and say something like Tiffany did here:  "I feel like you today -- 5 timing my banana bread!!"

What can I say, other than what I said to Tiffany after she sent the picture?   

Insanity is hereditary.  

Sorry girls.

It seems so

sad that there are people who want to hurt or destroy.  I've been feeling pretty down since hearing about and watching the reports of the bombings at the Boston Marathon.  Then I saw a segment that highlighted 26 runners from Newtown, Pennsylvania who were running on behalf of those who lost their lives to a gunman.  This has to feel like a double whammy to them.    It is hard to understand.    

Retro Hairstyles

Natalie is becoming an expert at Retro Hairstyles.  She really has a knack for it.  She is also becoming quite a cook.  When she came over this evening, she made us some wonderful paninni sandwich, which was very nice since I was home all day sick with a cold.

Anyway, back to the hairstyles.  This is her today:

 With Grandma Anderson's Scarf

She is doing a weekly hair challenge to try 1 new 

hairstyle a week.

Here are some from the last few weeks. 

She's beautiful and sweet.

I wish I had

thought to take a picture of Ian and his family this afternoon.  We went up to Ian's baptism in Salt Lake and he was so excited and couldn't stop smiling.  I haven't seen Angie and her cute girls for a while and they were there, too, as well as Charlene and Greg.  All of the kids are always so loving.

To top that off, I was able to see Stephanie's new one this morning, too.  She is so cute and so little.  I'm sure Mom and Dad are looking down at all their descendants and "getting a kick" out of all of it.

Today I had a reminder about not

judging by appearances.

I was standing in line at Costco (imagine that).  The line was long, so I had plenty of time to observe the lady in front of me.  I just saw her from the back, but from that viewpoint she appeared to be very poor and/or unconcerned about appearance.  She was wearing an old looking house dress, a sweater that was misshapen  and grey hair pulled back not very neatly. I guess the best description would be that, from the back, she kind of looked like Granny in Beverley Hillbillies (if anyone remembers that show).  

Then she turned around and she saw the primrose flowers I was buying.  Her face lit up and she said, "Oh, aren't those beautiful flowers".  She had a very melodious voice and her face had a radiance about it.  She told me the story of friend who had moved into a new place and was feeling alone.  Her friend awoke the next morning to find that someone had anonymously planted primroses outside her window and that it had made such a difference for her.  

That was the end of our conversation, but as I observed her interaction with the clerk, I saw that she showed that same bright attitude to him.  I was humbled and amazed at the same time.  And also reminded that you really shouldn't judge a book by its cover.

Today I had the

honor of spending time with these two adorable girls while their baby sister, Zoe, was born.  They were so good.  And, I've never seen anyone more organized than my niece and their Mom, Stephanie.  She had a 20+ page manual with a table of contents and labeled pictures.  She also had videos of how to give Andie her medicines and feed her through her stomach tube.  I would have been very nervous to do it without such good instructions.

Both mom and baby are doing great and Dad is now home with his two oldest sweethearts.

(Bree knows how to mug for the camera and Andie laughs at everything)

Camelot Moments

I was reading an article by Brad Wilcox today.  He was Misty's 6th Grade teacher as well as one of Gary's students.  I've always enjoyed his perspectives, as a speaker and a writer, because he always seems to look at the positive.  He definitely built up Misty and all the students he had in his classes and instilled confidence in them.

In this article he was talking about "Camelot Moments."  Like the line from the musical that says, "Don't let it be forgot, that once there was a spot, for one brief shining moment, that was known as Camelot."   He relates that to our lives.  "When you get down and feel like everything is falling apart, remember the Camelot moments.  That may help you maintain a long-term perspective and keep on going."  

He quotes President Hinckley as saying, "I know it isn't easy. It's discouraging at times,sure.  Aren't you glad it isn't just fun all the time?  Those valleys of discouragement make more beautiful the peaks of achievement."

I also liked where he related an experience with his wife, who is a nurse.  He was complaining about all the ups and downs during his days as a teacher.  She said, "Brad, when you get hooked up to the heart monitor, you don't want to see a straight line.  That's bad news.  It's the ups and down lines that let you know you are alive."

Reading this got me thinking about "Camelot" moments.  I've had many in my life, though one in particular comes to mind.   That was when we adopted Natalie.  After having our two stillborn daughters, Annalee and Emily, I felt a great loss but I also gained a greater gratitude for the daughters we had.  I viewed them with a different perspective and never took the blessing of having them for granted.  And then when Natalie came into our lives, it was pure joy.   It was a completion.  A Camelot Moment, as Brad Wilcox would say.

I'm grateful for Camelot Moments in my life.  I need to do a bit of attitude adjustment to think as President Hinckley did, and feel glad that it is not always that way.  Or be grateful for the downs on the heart monitor.  I tend to look at problems as, well, problems.  Not as opportunities.

Lots of food for thought.    
    .
 

I saw this cute idea

 today on facebook.  I will definitely be trying this.

Breakfast Cupcake

I don't know the original source, but here is what it says:

This is a really easy dish to prepare, and it looks so darn cute! It is also a great dish to serve on a buffet table because each serving is completely self-contained and can just be picked up and popped on a plate.

1 20 ounce package pre-shredded hash brown-style potatoes
2 large eggs, lightly beaten
4 tablespoons flour
1 small sweet onion, coarsely grated
2 thick slices deli ham, chopped into small bits (about 1 cup)
1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
1 dozen eggs, scrambled*
chives for garnish
Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F., and lightly spray a 12-cup muffin tin with non-stick cooking spray. Mix the first eight ingredients together in a large bowl. Spoon potato mixture into each prepared muffin cup until about 1/3 full. Gently press the potato mixture down in the middle and up the sides of each cup. Bake until golden brown, about 25-30 minutes. If the nests have puffed up too much in the center, scoop out a little with a teaspoon. Spoon a few tablespoons of scramble eggs into each nest and top with chives.

 — 

We were lucky

to see Hyrum play many games while we were in Missouri.  And, of course, Harrison is the official bat boy and an integral part of the team.

 But, sadly, Jackson was only able to pitch half a game and had to stop because of pain in his back.  I suggested to Misty that she call Ed, our unofficial family chiropractor, to get some advice.  Ed went above and beyond.  He talked to Jackson and had him do different movements and describe how it felt.  He suggested what the problem could be, and sent him exercises and suggestions on what he should do and what he shouldn't do.  He suggested Jackson go to a chiropractor, and the chiropractor agreed with what Ed had said.

Wow, what a difference it made.  Jackson was diligent about doing what Ed suggested.  It has been hard for him not to play for a week (or more) but it has made such a difference having Ed's advice.  (He listened to Ed like he wouldn't have listened to novices).  

It is such a blessing to have family and friends share their time, training, and expertise.  Now I want to pay it forward and share my experience with baking with Ed.   I'm be waiting to hear what form that should take.      

After dropping us

off at the airport, Misty sent a text.  She wrote:

We got in the car and Hyrum said,

 "Now I feel all lonely." 

Yes, we know how you feel, Hyrum.  But, it is softened by the fact that we will get to see all of you again in a few months.

 

Last day for ballgames and

Getting comfy ...

Movie and game night

Complete with snack bar and shake maker.

After a hard day shopping at Walmart,

We feel ready for a massage and Marshall is ready to play.

Easter Festivities

on the farm.