I Love Spring Flowers!

Sorry to those of you who have gotten snow this week. We have been enjoying 80 degree plus weather, playing in the park, having picnics, and even running through the sprinklers. And the sights and smells of beautiful flowers!

New Camera

I got a new camera for Christmas. I got a Canon PowerShot SX120 IS. It is not a fancy SLR or anything, but it is pretty fun.

I took these pictures at my parents house after Christmas. They had some cool icicles hanging down from their roof, and the trees were beautifully covered with snow.





It has a great 10x optical zoom, which has been great to get pictures like these from the other week at a local park's nature exhibit.

A hawk:


An eagle:


A bear:


Bison and elk:


I can also get shots like this, without even stepping outside! :)


PS--This blog has been a little neglected lately. I have been blogging a bit more faithfully on my other blog, so make sure you visit me there, too!

Merry Christmas!

"At the focal point of all human history, a point illuminated by a new star in the heavens revealed for just such a purpose, probably no other mortal watched--none but a poor young carpenter, a beautiful virgin mother, and silent stabled animals who had not the power to utter the sacredness they had seen. Shepherds would soon arrive and later, wise men from the East. Later yet the memory of that night would bring Santa Claus and Frosty and Rudolph--and all would be welcome. But first and forever there was just a little family, without toys or trees or tinsel. With a baby--that's how Christmas began. It is for this baby that we shout in chorus: 'Hark! the herald angels sing Glory to the newborn King! . . . Mild he lays his glory by, Born that man no more may die; Born to raise the sons of earth, Born to give them second birth' ( Hymns, no. 209)."
--Jeffrey R. Holland, "Without Ribbons and Bows", New Era, Dec. 1994, 6

Happy Thanksgiving

Getting the most out of Pumpkins

Last night we carved our pumpkins.

I always enjoy carving pumpkins. One of my favorite parts of carving though, is getting to eat the seeds. If you have never toasted pumpkin seeds, you should! They make a yummy snack!

You basically want to cook them slowly until they are crispy. I don't think I do it the same every year, but this is what I did this year. I put a bit of oil and seasoning salt on them. Spread them out on a cookie sheet. Bake at 250° for about 40 minutes (stirring half way through). Then turned up the heat to about 350° for another 20 minutes or so. Once they are slightly browned and crispy, they are done! Enjoy!

Another thing we have done the last couple years, is carve out some of the inside flesh, cook it, puree, and freeze. Then we can make pumpkin pie or some other yummy treat later on!

Things That Make Me Smile

• fall colors
• fog
• rain
• rainbows
• flowers
• baby giggles
• baby toes
• music
• making music
• hearing my 3 year old sing all day
• hearing my husband sing to my boys
• taking long warm showers
• listening to the logic and stories of my 3 year old
• watching my baby scoot all over the floor
• flowers
• watching my boys be sweet to each other
  
• getting good deals and bargains
• snuggles and cuddles and kisses from my boys
• going fabric shopping
• going fabric shopping while my husband makes dinner and dessert, feeds the boys, and gets the boys bathed...

I'm sure I could go on, but that will do for today!

Wow, It has been awile!

I have really gotten out of the habit of blogging lately. I have been keeping up with my family's blog, so grandma's can see pictures of my boys, but this one has been a bit neglected.

Besides just being busy, I have been trying to decide what I want to do with my blog, trying to decide what my blogging "niche" is. I will still post on this blog random thoughts I have about life and motherhood. I have also started another blog.


It will basically be a log of all the projects that I do, both my projects and projects I do with my preschooler. My hope in sharing is that I can inspire someone else's creativity. If you stop by, leave me a comment, and don't forget to subscribe to my feed!