HookRugOwl

HookRugOwl that my lovely Mom made for Anola (my niece).  Mom spend endless hours hooking this rug hoping that Anola would like it.  She never mentioned how detailed it was just that it was taking a long time.  She wanted to get it to her before Chrismas 2012.  She did.  This is such a work of love and I am so proud of my Mom for her talents. 

Spring brings newness

I like tulips in their early stages as well as when they open

Smiling faces of spring = daffys

The Newness of Spring is always welcome after the grayness of Winter..

Early morning sun/shadows of the neighboring tree..

Early shoots of the thornless blackberries...

The curlywillow in the early morning sun..

Forsythia shines in the shade of the curly willow..

Strawberry plants springing to life...

This month has gone to the dogs......

We have opened the doggie hotel for several of our friends and family dogs... We have enjoyed their company and the love they bring to our lives. 

Keanna has been with us for a month already. Her Mom is on holiday in NY.

 Molly (b) and Wally (f) came for 10 days. Their owners went on holiday to the Oregon coast.

Trixie is here for only a few days = Her people went to visit a sick family member in Walla Walla, Wa

Happy Anniversary to us!

37 years. Feb 22nd.

This year we were on the road for work.  Perfect! The food was paid for, the room was paid for and the whole day went smoothly.  What more can you ask for! 

Dinner was at Steve's Steakhouse in Richfield, UT. It doesn't get much better than that for a steakhouse in a  small town. 

RIP Aunt Marion...

Marion w-her brother Bob

August & Kate at their home (3501 W Summitview, Yakima) with 3 of their children.  L-Elizabeth, Cntr - Bob and in her daddy's arm - Marion.

Marion on her 100th day Mar 6, 2011

 

On Feb 5th my Great Aunt Marion passed away peacefully.  Being 1 month short of 101 she was an amazing woman.  Always positive. Always smiling. Always gracious. Always loving.  She was my maternal G'ma's younger sister.  She had 2 brothers that lived to adulthood and 2 that died in their youth.  She was raised in Yakima, WA but lived most of her adult life in Seattle and Marysville, WA.
Aside from suffering with macular degeneration in her later years and a stroke after turning 100, she was healthy to the end.  I should live so well and long.  RIP Aunt Marion!

January doings

I always have the best intentions of following thru on a project I want to do.  But as you can see, I haven't done so well with my Project 366 (it's one more than normal due to 2012 being a leap year).   I keep trying to stay focused on the project - honestly.  I do take pics. I do get projects started. I do see things outside but I just don't get them posted... 

Here are a few of the things I have done in January 2012.

Hung clothes out on the line in the middle of winter - more than once...

Still working on the reading table..

  Got a bit done on the hat (maybe done for the winter of 2013...

Went on a work related road trip to Central WY...

 Love seeing these magestic arms waving to us as we drive by..

The sunsets are not as amazing as AZ's are but they are spectacular anyway...

 

Took my Mr. out for a little afternoon treat at Gardner Village...

Tatting is an needlework art that is very intricate... (the owner of the shop makes these)

Rode the lightrail into downtown to visit the Family History Library to research a new branch of my Family Tree - the CYR's.  Go figure, my nephews current squeeze is a CYR and our lines connect back at my 3rd Great Grandmother - his 4th.

 My January cookie = White Chocolate Raspberry chips from Prepared Pantry. Thank you Connie!

Started a project of love for Feb...

Homemade Thin Mints

Homemade Thin Mints–Crackers to Cookies

To make these babies you will need two ingredients – yes ONLY two ingredients!

• Andes Crème de Menthe baking chips
• Sleeve of Ritz crackers

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

1. Pour the baking chips into a microwave safe bowl and heat in 30 second intervals. Between intervals pull the bowl out and stir the chips. Continue to do this until all of the chocolate is melted into a creamy goodness.
2. Dip the crackers into the chocolate one by one.
3. Use a fork to remove the crackers from the chocolate and let the excess chocolate drip off.
4. Place on was paper to cool

Now you just have to decide what you are going to do with the cookies. Eat them up for yourself or give them as gifts. These are so easy and quick – they would make perfect last minute neighbor gifts… if you can stand to part with them!

Birthdays...

     If I could be anywhere and everywhere I would share a bit of joy celebrating every ones birthday with them personally.   I would bring you a cake, some candles and a little gift.  But for the time being...  
     I just want to say . . . . .                Happy Birthday!

to all my friends and family members who are celebrating their birthdays this year.  And even to those who don't like to celebrate.  I was feeling a bit centimental just now and wanted to pass it along.

Projects and smiles

Starting a new knitting project

The latest reading material from the library.

A warm January day accomodated hanging clothes out on the line.

Finished a pair of knitted slippers to keep my sisters feet warm on a cold winter day.

Made some cookies a BFF sent me.

A smile from the Mr. to warm the heart on a winter day.

The uniqueness of a curly willow makes me smile.

       These are the first of my 365 photos.  I know it sounds simple for someone who carries her camera around in her pocket all the time to take enough pics for a project like this.  It requires discipline to get them out of the camera and onto the web.  I am working on the discipline.  Till next time, smile you might just be on my camera.

Project 365 2012

I wonder if I can keep up with a photo a day project.  I think I'm going for it.  It will start soon.