Thrift store find...

Yesterday while I was out and about running some errands, I made a quick stop at the thrift store. I didn't really think that I would find anything but I was wrong. I found this:

Now I know it may not look like anything wonderful (and it's not) but I knew that it would work great in my recent makeover. And speaking of my makeover, it's about ready for it's reveal. Check back this next weekend when it should be ready to go.

See you then.

Happy New Year and a look back....

Wow, is it already a new year? Where did the last one go? Join me in a look back at some the highlights from our year:

- Sierra gets her cast off after 8 weeks (foot surgery from November 2008)

- Jake particiaptes in his last Pinewood Derby - watch out boy Scouts

- Alexis competes in her first dance competition - ended up doing a solo dance - brave little girl

- Sierra participates with the youth from church on a pioneer trek. She didn't make it the whole way because of her prior foot surgery, but was a real trooper.

- Took a road trip to Utah to see family - got to spoil Kaden - however he did break out in a rash so we sent him back to his mom.

-Visited Great-grandma Wright who had recently celebrated her 91st birthday.

- Jake played both basketball and flag football

- Carl and Paula both started new jobs this year.

Not too many highlights but enough to keep us very busy this year.

Check back soon (hopefully) to see the makeover we did after Christmas.

We have not fallen off the face of the earth....

Things have been so busy around here that I have hardly had time to breathe let alone sit down at the computer and update this.

Just a quick run down of what has been going on around here:

Jake started basketball so that takes up two nights a week with practice. He has played two games and his team has lost both. The first one was pretty sad 40 to 6 was the score. Yeah, we don't talk much about that one. This last week was better - only lost by 5 points. Final score: 19 to 14. I took my camera to the last one to get some pictures but the battery was dead. That has been my luck lately.

Alexis just keeps busy with her normal stuff. Nothing new there.

Sierra is officially a driver (with a learner's permit that is). She is pretty excited about that. Now we just need to get in those driving hours.

We got snow last week but of course it was gone by noon. It doesn't stick around very long.

We have been busy working on Christmas projects and getting ready for the season.

A couple sights from New Mexico

Just thought I would share a quick picture of something that I get to drive by everyday on my way to work. I kept forgetting my camera so I didn't get to take one when the leaves were at their best. But it's still a pretty sight.




Plus this one is so typical for around here. Only the newer neighborhoods have the cluster mail boxes. I love seeing the mailboxes all lined up along the road - like in this picture:

Apple Cider Syrup

One of the things I like about fall is the apples - canning apples, apple pie, and this apple cider syrup. This is from a friend of mine, Katie, who is a great cook. I included it here so you won't have to go find it.

So, stop by her website here and check out all her wonderful recipes. Then, go make some of this today, you won't be disappointed.

Apple Cider Syrup

3/4 cup sugar
1/4/ cup brown sugar
2 Tbsp. cornstarch
1/2 tsp. cinnamon
1/4 tsp. nutmeg
2 cups apple juice or cider
1 Tbsp. fresh lemon juice
1/2 tsp. vanilla
1/4 cup butter

Mix sugars, cornstarch, cinnamon and nutmeg well. Add apple juice (cider) and lemon juice. Bring to a rapid boil for 1 minute, stirring constantly. Remove from heat and stir in butter and vanilla. After use, store refridgerated in a lidded container (canning jar works great). Use within 1 week.

**Try topping with chopped apples and/or pecans.

Balloons Aloft

Yes, it's that time of year again already. I love to see all the balloons up in the air at the same time. Throughout the year it's not uncommon to see a few up every weekend. But who wouldn't love to see this on a daily basis?



This is what we patiently wait for all year long - the skies filled with balloons and the chill in the early morning. Well, ok, maybe we don't wait the for chill but when the balloons are up, we know that fall is here.