Woven days....

Manti Temple

We're working as Coordinatiors in the temple again, and it keeps up busy and blessed. 

We are trying to work on more of our family history, and do ordinances for our ancestors. We are nearing the 2000 persons mark for our personal family names that we've done in the past 12 months.

(This is an older picture of our son and his wife)

On that note... our youngest and his wife have added to our family.

We have another Grand! 

His name is Charlie, and he's now 6 months old, and perfect, of course :)

Tucker and Timber

The pups have grown up. We take them on daily walks up the mountain trail, or near the creek trail. 

Otter Creek Resevoir

More camping trips are in our future, to one of our favorite places.

I've been freeze drying a ton of stuff; things to take with us camping.

 This week, I freeze dried cream cheese. 

Clear Creek Canyon.
Going on a ride through the canyon is a frequent event.
We like to stop and view the many petroglyphs and pictographs along the way.

It is amazing how quickly time passes... 

I've especially noticed that time flies as I'm getting older.

I hope to blog more and have a small record of everyday life .

Attitude of Gratitude:

Daffodils blossoming, working in the yard, day trips. 

 

~ Heart Smiles & Daily Life ~

~Hello friends~

Can you believe we are nearly halfway through March? 

Time flies!

Another beautiful scene from one of our daily rides. 

We take a ride nearly every day, and more and more I find myself reflecting on how very blessed we are.

For some time we looked to move to St. George, and we never could find what we wanted there. 

We took our conundrum to the Lord, and that is how we came to live here in beautiful Southern Central Utah. 

Heart Smiles.....every day.

We enjoyed the last of 'the fruit guy's oranges.

 I reserved the peels in order to make more orange vinegar. 

Orange vinegar makes a great all-purpose cleaner.

A fun new kitchen gadget. 

I've made cheesy stuffed cornbread waffles and served them with chili.

We gave all of our kids a Stuffler for Christmas, and Santa brought one for my sweet husband and me. 

It's been fun making different stuffed waffles and trying out new combinations.

Nutella and strawberries is one of our daughter in laws favorites.

Barn quilts are quite the trend around here and have been for a bit. I have yet to make one, but it is on the list for a springtime project. I have all of the wood and the paint and as soon as it's warm enough to set up on the patio and paint, I'm going to get one made for our garden cottage.

The one above is on the front of a cute little cottage near us.

As always, I adore and seek out old houses. 

This house is in a neighboring town and the trim work is so beautiful on this house.

I always reflect on how happy the original homeowners must have been to build their dream home and of the heart smiles that would have been enjoyed... the pride of ownership and beautiful craftsmanship.

Finally, a big old heart smile.

Meet 'Baby Moosey'. Our sweet dog, Rowdy, is almost 14. He's a good old dog and sweet as can be. He has a collection of 'babies' and knows each one by name. 

He left Baby Moosey next to my nightstand, smiling up at me, and it warmed my heart and made me smile. I sure love that old dog of ours.

He's provided us with lots and lots of heart smiles.

Today, we will go to the packing place to pick up our son's beef order. 

Finish our rotational food storage prep. We have been putting grains, sugar, and other long-term storage items into mylar bags, then into 5-gallon buckets, and finally a gamma lid. 

Wishing you all heart smiles.

 

~ Reasons to smile ~

Spring crocus.

Sweet flowers gently remind me of warmer days on the way.

A fresh wreath is a cheerful welcome.

Shiny and clean windows.

The windows on this side of our home had some serious hard water on them! I saw a thing about professional window cleaners using acid~ as in a toilet bowl cleaner, and 0000 steel wool. 

Previously, I had tried vinegar, window cleaner, magic erasers, and even a polishing compound (which actually worked okay, it was just very labor-intensive, and didn't completely eliminate the hard water spots).

I poured some dollar store bowl cleaner into a little spray bottle, misted the window, and working in a  circular motion cleaned the windows. Then I sprayed clear water on the window to wash off the cleaner and finished up with a clean cloth. 

Very, very impressed with the results! 

I used the same method, without the toilet bowl cleaner for the inside glass surface on the oven door; it looks amazing!

We took another day trip to St. George.

We live in the southern part of central Utah, so a quick trip to St. George is a nice day trip and we enjoy the ride there and back, shopping and going out to lunch. 

As always, my sweet husband loves to see palm trees.

 He loves palm trees....for they make him think of warm weather, summer, and beaches.

He lived in Hawaii for a time as a teenager.

Lovely rides in the car.

 There is so much beauty where we live, and I never tire of going for a ride in the car with my sweet husband.

This evening a storm was just beginning to clear. 

We received around six inches of snow with this storm.

We're working on our food storage. We have a packing place where we can purchase meat in bulk. 

Currently, we are paying $5.00 per lb. for steak, roasts, etc., and $3.00 per lb for extra, extra, lean ground beef.

On this order we bought a case of ribeye steaks, and a case of ground beef.

A 'thrifted' phonograph. 

Actually, a friend in town has an Airbnb, and she and her husband are giving it a refresh.

She offered us this old phonograph, and I was happy to accept.

The nice thing about being a person that appreciates old things, antiques, unique finds etc., is that anytime someone is wanting to re~home an item, I get a text or call. If I can't use the item, I am happy to try to help find a new home for the item. 

It's nice when things that have lots of love and life left in them can be re~homed, and not discarded in the landfill.

 

I have a Victrola that is a reproduction, and therefore I have a nice collection of vintage vinyl and a few new records.

I've not tested this out yet, but will soon.

Her husband told us that it works great, and he also is looking through his record collection to find some oldies for me that he told us a patient of his gave him (he's a retired doctor).

I love the music from the 40' especially..... Bing Crosby, Jimmy Dorsey, Glenn Miller, and of course the great Ella Fitzgerald too, just to name a few.

As promised, this is a picture of the pioneer-era stone cottage that was mentioned in my last post.

You will notice a doe on the left side of the picture.

It is a lovely cottage.

~ Welcome Springtime ~ Today's top 10

 Spring is officially here, though the weather isn't cooperating, at all. 
We have clouds, rain, and wind with snow forecast for the mountains. 
I'm staying indoors and out of the cold and soggy weather today. 
The pictures in today's post are from a trip we took a few springtimes ago to St. George.  
The cacti were all in bloom and the colors of the blossoms simply amazing.

 Today I cleaned off the kitchen hutch, rearranged the dishes on the hutch. I also cleaned out the china cabinet, rearranging the dishes in there as well.
We've made tremendous progress in sorting and packing and downsizing. 
All in all, we painted two rooms, and installed wainscot in one room, a new light fixture in another room.

The kids have been here to sort through all of our
'get rid of' stuff and they have taken what they want.

Tuesday, my sweet husband took the day off of work and took me out to lunch and shopping. I was getting a bit of burnt out of dejunking and sorting etc. and needed a day away.

Today's Top 10 ~~
             Listening: to the rain
             Eating: a  piece of cranberry/white chocolate toast.
             Drinking: water with lemon and yep.. a diet coke!
            Wearing: pajamas...they are soft and cozy.
            Feeling: Happy and positive. This is going to be an epic summer!
            Weather: drizzly and cloudy.
            Wanting: A sunshine filled day with warmer temperatures.
            Needing: To get outside and work in the flower beds and borders.
           Thinking: About sweeping off the front porch and adding some fluffy pillows/decor.
            Enjoying: A warm and cozy fire.

All Around the Cottage

 Brr... we woke up to very Autumn temperatures this morning!
Just 50 degrees as we went for our morning walk, then as the sun came up, it warmed to 52 degrees.
I changed out the writing on the mini chalkboard to reflect the weather changed. Previously, it had "Sunshine" printed on it.

 Sunday, just inside the entrance doors to the church, some kindly soul had left a few boxes of juicy plums and a "Free" sign. 
On the way out of the church, as we left for home,  I bagged up a few plums, and also a few green beans that were offered as well.
My first thought was to dry the plums in the dehydrator, however, the plums were very ripe and clingstone, so I changed my mind and made a batch of plum jam.

 On the island, is the middle section to a thrifted bakers rack that we bought at our favorite thrift store this past weekend.
I am giving the entire rack a makeover, including chalk painting this drawer section. 

 Enjoying cooler mornings, and evenings. 
Peaceful country and meadow views.

 Copper colored sunset skies.

 The meadow is preparing for winters sleep. 

 How many more weeks will the hummingbirds be around? As the mornings become crisp and cool and the nights become longer the hummingbirds are feeding quite heavily. Around 10 hummingbirds feed all day at our two hummingbird feeders. 

Classic movies are a favorite of mine, and I just ordered a few more for our collection. Bell, Book, and Candle with Jimmy Stewart. Some of my favorite Jimmy Stewart movies are: It's a Wonderful Life, Rear Window, & Mr. Hobbs Takes a Vacation just to name a few. 

All Around the Cottage this week :
~ Continue working on borders and cutting down perennials and pulling out leggy plants.
 ~ Cut and dry chives for winter use.
~Finish library book and return.
~Finish bakers rack
~Sand and paint the little chair
~ Start transitioning seasonal decor to Autumn decor
~Look for and buy two new recliners
~Sew up two toss pillows.
~Stain and seal old wooden ladder

Attitude of Gratitude:
 ~Thankful for my ol' toe healing. I knocked the toenail off when I ran the door over my foot. I learned to get my feet out of the way, but I still prefer to be barefoot, even though wearing shoes would be a much safer way for me to go!
~Feeling grateful for a full pantry and freezers. I feel that we're ready for Autumn and eventually winter.
~Thankful for the nearby Farmers Market. They even had a few pumpkins.. oh happy day!




                                               

A Most Perfect Day

 Monday night the clouds gathered, and the pitter~patter of raindrops began to fall on the giant leaves of the hostas.

 Cloudy skies and rain are most welcome. It has been a very hot and dry summer, with little to no rain.
A thunderstorm was sorely needed.

 As the clouds thickened and thunder rolled deep and low across the valley, my heart did a happy dance. 
Rain, glorious rain!
Rain continued throughout the night, then in the early hours of the day, we had a slight break in the storm.

 Tuesday morning dawned with more clouds gathering around the valley and across the mountains. 
A promise of another stormy day; a most perfect day.

 Across the meadow, clouds over the mountains, and gathering thickly. 

 I walked around the yard, checking downspouts and making certain that anything that could blow around was buttoned down and storm readied.

The cozy view outside the kitchen window. 
An impending storm.
I searched the candle cupboard, and pulled out a Yankee Candle called " Spicy Pumpkin". 
I lit candles and turned on accent lights and a few lamps. The entire house glowed with a most lovely light and I shut up all the windows as the rain began to pour down. 
It rained most the day. Dark cloudy skies, and thunder rolling across the mountains and valley. 
I almost made soup... as it felt so nice and cool. 
I watched Midsomer Murders... again. 
It was a Most Perfect Day.
Today, we are looking forward to more thunderstorms. I think it's going to be a lovely day, but it would be hard to beat the feeling of Autumn that yesterday had.

~ Attitude of Gratitude :
Feeling beyond thankful for the rain, thunder, and even the wind that prevailed yesterday and the night before. So much smoke from fires and stale air was scrubbed out of the skies.
~Grateful that I am blessed with a thrifty manner. I bought candles for Autumn when they went on clearance this past spring. Saving money while enjoying the scents of Autumn are a perfect match!
~I'm so grateful to live where there are four seasons, and just when I thought I couldn't handle one more day of endless heat, smoke, and crunchy grass, Heavenly Father sent us rain. 
He knows me so well! He blessed us with a taste of Autumn and a remembrance of better days ahead.

~ Monday this and that....

New dishes, in Autumn colors. 
Walmart had a set for four on clearance for under twenty dollars. I bought them online.
 I'm so looking forward to cooler temperatures.
Looking forward to Autumn thunderstorms.
~ Pumpkins, crunchy leaves, cool mornings, and hot cocoa.

This past week was a whirlwind. 
Our son and his adorable family were here for a few days. 
After almost six months apart because of the military, he was able to reunite with his darling wife and sweet baby boy.
We too hadn't seen him or his family for nearly six months, and we too were so happy to be reunited. 
Hugs all around!
They are gone now, and we miss them already so much. 
Though now they are just a few days drive away, so it's better now to know that we can see them more often.

Life goes on, and there are household chores to be done today. 
I put some pears in the dehydrator and will do chives later on this week.
Laundry is getting caught up.
Text to our kids are going out, and there is a quiet peace in my heart that all is well.

An attitude of gratitude:
~I feel so thankful that we were able to travel not once, but twice to the Salt Lake City International airport in safety.  It's a two-hour trip, one way for us, and on the second trip up to pick up our son, we had winds and rain to contend with that made it nearly impossible to see the lane lines. Prayer and faith saw us home safely.
Nearly 3:00 am, we pulled into the driveway. As soon as we all got into the house, the rain came down so hard that the rain gutters looked as though we had turned on a firehose.
~So grateful we had a chance to see our son and daughter in love, and our Grand. 
~Feeling thankful and hopeful for the rain that is in the forecast for this week.
~Grateful to have the good health and strength in order to work in the borders and prepare them for winter. Cutting out leggy plants, weeding, trimming perennials, etc. 

* Seriously*?

 It's been said that as we age, time passes more quickly.
It is certainly true in my case. 
I cannot seriously believe it has been so long since I last blogged!?
Busy days that meld into weeks, that meld into months, and before I knew it, time flew by.
 To be frank, it's a little, or a lot frightening how quickly time flies by...

 Nearly a year ago, our youngest son got married. We have a 'new' daughter in love.
 They are head over heels in love and looking forward to celebrating their one year anniversary at the beginning of next month.

 Liam. He is our very heartbeat. 
He just turned one year old! 
It's true what everyone told me... being a grandparent is the absolute best!
As one of my sweet friends told me..."makes you glad you didn't kill your kids when they were younger, doesn't it"! 
Yep. 
Grands are the best!! 
After waiting for our eldest son and daughter in love to have kids, the six-year wait was SO worth it!

 Summer is just cruising along. It's been a hotter than usual summer.
We recently celebrated Pioneer Day, here in Utah. 
The day our state celebrates statehood. 
We decided to get up into the mountains, away from the heat, and to get close to the water. 
  Here in the valley, we are on water restrictions.
We are allowed to water twice a week.

 Of course, the sunflowers don't mind the heat and lack of water.
They just continue to grow happily along... blooming and adding sunny yellow to the borders.

 Most of our flowers are fine with the drought.
That was all part of the plan when we planted nearly four years ago. 
Can it really be that we've lived here at Mill Hill Meadow for just over four years now?!

 The master bathroom makeover was high on my priority list, tho it has taken four years for me to actually dive in and get it completed! 
 Finally took the time to get it done this summer, and I'm so happy that I did.

 Sure enjoying the charcoal countertop and the white vanity.
Black and white accents can easily be switched up for a new look down the road if we so desire. For now, the simple cottage look is perfect.

 Do y'all remember my friend that owns the cute old gas station/shop? 
This summer I spied this cute 'married' hutch in the shop and bought it for our dining room.
 Decked out in the Bee dinnerware that I've been collecting for a few years now.

 Still doing a lot of thrift shopping. 
I love a great deal and the thrill of a great find!
Recent finds... the 'thankful' sign. It's quite large and perfect for Fall decorating, but really I could display it all year long.

Another find; this giant rustic frame. 
Soon to be fashioned into a large chalkboard. 
It will replace the cupboard door chalkboard that I've had for years. 

Have a happy day.

Attitude of gratitude:
 Feeling thankful to have overcast skies this morning, as it will make cleaning out borders and flower beds a more pleasant task.