Peanut Butter cookies topped with Hershey's Kisses.
Oatmeal chocolate chip cookies.
Hershey's Kisses.

At our local grocery store, I found some really cute Christmas decorated felt stockings for $1 each! What a buy!!!

I made cookies to fill them. Tomorrow I'll visit some friends and share these goodies.

We're off to the church Christmas Party in a little bit... but first I'm making homemade pizza for supper.

You know you're in the country when...

You're traveling down the highway looking at the multitude of black angus cows grazing in a passing field with snow covered mountains in the background... and you don't get into an accident.


It's so cold here today! -19!!!

A new day!

Must be about 3 inches of snow out there today. Got a few more inches of that light fluffy (still broomable!) snow. It's a very cold day here in the single digits... Burrrr....

Several weeks ago when the cold hit, I made up quilt curtains out of that warm window stuff. It's like having a warm winter jacket for your windows and doors. I made one for the drafty front door and one for the back hall entry way. It is soooo much more comfortable in here!

Does anyone make Pizzelles for Christmas? Can you recommend a pizzelle maker for me?

snow...

The snow is falling in fine snow flakes. If I was back home in Massachusetts, this type of snow would accumulate into mounds requiring snow blowers and shovels to remove.

But, here in northern Wyoming... it doesn't seem to amount to much. I've got my broom ready to sweep the walk when it's all done.

This is my 3rd winter here. My first winter was very dry and at times cold. Last winter, we had a light blanket of snow throughout most of the winter. This year seems to be much the same.

My husband (he grew up here) says that when he was growing up there would be feet of snow. But the weather seems to have turned more mild and dry since then.

Massachusetts has been hammered since I left in Fall 2003. I sure don't miss all that shoveling!

I do miss the homes all bright with lots of Christmas lights and decorations.
I do miss going into Boston to see the window displays. Downtown was especially pretty this time of year.
I do miss the earthy pine smell of pine bows lining the pews of the Congregational Church that I attended when I was young.
I do miss those Pizzelle cookies that my Italian neighbor used to make at Christmas time.
I do miss all the Christmas Parties at my neighbor's homes.
I do miss going to Mom and Dad's for Christmas Eve. We'd enjoy shrimp and fish chowder... and all kinds of wonderful food.
I do miss Aunt Shirley's New Year's Day Party with all that yummy food and being surrounded friends and family.

OK, let me wipe my tears and gain my composure here. I guess that I miss home at this time of year.

But, I still DON'T MISS SHOVELING!

Again...

I liked Dreamer so much that I took my 11 year old to see it this afternoon. Just the 2 of us. I had him buy the snacks-he had to calculate how much money would be needed and pay the cashier.

Later he held the door for me to go out of the theater and we walked arm in arm to the car.

We just enjoyed a bowl of my leftover Turkey soup. The longer it sits the more tasty it gets!!!

The next showing is at 7pm. I'm going to take my 7 year old now. Just the two of us...

This movie is a keeper. I definitely want a copy of the DVD when it comes out.

Dreamer...

Went to see the movie Dreamer tonight. It was sooo good. A wonderful family flick. Think that I'll take the boys to the matinee to see it tomorrow.

I left the theater thinking... am I dreaming big enough?

You know you're in the country when...
Went to the local grocery store yesterday. A cashier opened as I was waiting in line to checkout. As she was running my groceries through, she noticed a bag of stuff that was not given to the previous customer.

She was thinking out loud when she said, "Now was that Cindy Smith or Joleen Lindon? I know that it was one of them."

* * * * * * * * * * * * *

On Wednesday we finally cooked up our Thanksgiving meal. Just a small turkey. Today I'm simmering turkey rice & vegetable soup on the stove and I have homemade sour dough bread that's just about done cooking.

The house smells soooo good. Wish I could share!

Just spent an hour sweeping the snow out of our "in-process" house.

We had such a scare yesterday...

Our town Christmas celebration is tonight. The town is providing turkey and ham. The North side of town will furnish salads and the South side will bring deserts.

I'm off to the grocery store.

Woke up to a dusting of snow. Everything's all white.

As I walked Aaron to school we were noting all the tracks in the snow. Gosh we have a lot of rabbits here!

The calves in the pasture were not too happy this morning. They were crying out for something to eat!

I spoke to a friend yesterday. Shoot the crud is going around again. That terrible flu stuff. She's got it, actually her kiddos shared it lovingly with her.

Traveled to Cody this afternoon. Past lots of grazing cows and horses.

I love how the afternoon sun hits the Pryor Mountains in the afternoon. They turn almost a purple pinky color, just gorgeous! Purple Mountain Majesty!!

For the past few days the Pryor Mountains have been hidden by thick low grayish clouds. Today with bright sunshine, the snow capped mountains seem to be glistening.

It is a good day!

Wyoming thru the eyes of a Massashusetts city girl:

The cows are grazing in the pasture.
The sheep and mini horses are down the street.
I miss the maple trees!
Large Cottonwood line the streets.
I heard an owl hoot.
The neighbor's black angus cows got out again.

Oh Oh... traffic jam...
The cowboys are moving the cattle across the highway.

Just back...

Just back from a craft fair in Powell Wyoming. There were some really nice things there. One gentleman had cottonwood bark carvings of Santa Claus, bird houses... what detail!

There were so many people there that you could stop to see the exhibitors! And that's something for Wyoming!!!!

I had my boys and my neice with me. They had their own agenda which didn't always jive with my own!

Next year I'm going to go at lunch time and avoid the first thing in the morning rush!

Question of the Day...

My 7 year old was snuggled up next to me this morning when he asked...

"I wonder how Santa Claus can go down those chimneys, you know, the ones with the pipe that runs down the middle?"

What an observant little guy!

Happy Thanksgiving!!!

Hope that you have a wonderful Thanksgiving!

Busy Mom just shared with me her recipe for Fudge Pie. Hmmmm. A chocolate lovers piece of Heaven!

Good morning! Greetings from northern Wyoming, cowboy country. It's really, really, chilly here this early morning. Just a little above 20 degrees. Crispy!

There is snow on the tops of all mountain ranges. It looks really pretty!

A friend here in town gave us 3 dozen fresh eggs the other day. Sure makes me want to raise my own chickens. They taste so good, so much more flavor than store bought eggs.

Didn't get my pumpkin pies baked yesterday... that's on the agenda for today.

I'm also going to get started on my Christmas cards. I love to receive them and love to send lots of them out! It's a tradition to keep in touch with friends. I was actually hoping to pop them in the mail by Friday...

If you're traveling with little ones tomorrow, don't forget to check out that Storynory.com site for some free downloadable stories to take along. How fun!!!

Just finished canning the last of my garden tomatoes. 5 more quarts of sauce! That makes about 55 quarts in total! That's a lot of tomatoes!!!

I even saved some fresh tomatoes for our Thanksgiving Day meal.

Did you go check out storynory.com?

Was over to Busy Mom's blog just a bit ago. She shared a link to storynory.com, a site that features FREE ipod downloadable stories for children. This is awesome!

I imagine these wonderful stories playing as we travel about countryside of Wyoming and Montana. We spend a lot of time in our car. It's an hour to our nearest Walmart and 1 1/2 hours to Billings for Home Depot and Red Lobster... and most importantly... Costco!

I'll be processing the last batch of tomatoes today! We'll have some fresh garden tomatoes for Thanksgiving, but the rest will be safely tucked away into my canning jars for enjoyment later this winter.

Thoughts of next year's garden:
I'm thinking that I'd like to grow sweet potatoes next year. I love sweet potatoes!

Harry Potter...

We stood in line for an hour, then waited another hour inside the theatre for the newest Harry Potter movie.

A few of my dear blogger friends have asked my oppinion of the new Harry Potter movie. I have to admit that I did enjoy it. But... if you have young children, you may want to do a preview run before taking them.

It could be scary for little ones, especially when Harry is dueling with Valdemort (did I spell this right?).

In case the week gets really, really busy...
I want to wish you a Happy Thanksgiving! May you travel safely. May you enjoy the gathering of family. May you eat lots of delicious food and not gain one pound!

Harry Potter TONIGHT!

Just about time to walk little guy to school. It's pretty cold here this morning. I'm not sure that it's even 30 degrees as of yet.

My Christmas Cactus is blooming! I picked it up as a Christmas markdown last season. I've always loved the beautiful blooms of this plant. In my back hall, severely neglected by a lack of water... there it was with beautiful pink blooms.

We're going to see Harry Potter tonight! The boys have been counting down the days. Are you going to see it?

Tomorrow the boys and I are exhibiting my photo postcards. You should see the $$ in my son's eyes! We'll just see how it goes! It will be a good lesson in entrepreneurship.

Good morning. I'm just back from walking my little guy to school. A beautiful dusting of snow covered the ground.

We saw bunny tracks along the way and had fun making our own crazy tracks.

I'm waiting for the water to boil so that I can have some Peppermint Ginger tea( I just pop a couple of these tablets into hot water... hmmmm.) My ears are still cold!

Thanksgivings food traditions...

It is so cold today!! I think that my bones are even cold. Worked with Rich most of the day today on our new home.

I heard that the old theatre in Cody is replacing their wooden seats. I'd love to have some for our media room. I left them a message earlier today about it.

Hey, what are your plans for Thanksgiving? I can't believe that it's next week!!! We'll be local, surrounded by Rich's family eating turkey and the traditional yummies.

What is typically served for your Thanksgiving Day meal? Leave a comment and share!

We have:
Turkey
stuffing (I love pepperide farm stuffing!)
mashed potatoes
squash
carrots
cranberry sauce/jelly
green bean casserole
fresh veggie tray
deviled eggs
rolls

apple pie
pumpkin pie
cherry pie

Oh my! I'm getting stuffed already!

It's Tuesday...

It's Tuesday, but it feels like Monday because the kids were off from school yesterday.

The sun shining bright this morning. Sure hope that it warms up nice today! A big improvement over the wintery weather of yesterday!

I made 18 quarts of Salsa last night. I'm actually coming to the end of my tomato supply. Whew! My pantry is overflowing with yummy canned tomato stuff.

We're getting ready to for a craft fair this Saturday. We're going to be exhibitors! The boys like to sell my photo postcards... so we're going to give it a go....

They are budding entrepreneurs! I thought this would be a really good experience for them. Matthew can be in charge of the $money$ and Aaron can do "promotion."

Matthew wants to raffle off one of my 8x10 framed photos. Probably a sunset photo... Hmmm... we'll see how that goes...

I'm waiting for my photos to come in. I ordered them thru York Photo. Would you believe that they print digital photos for 10cents each without a pre-paid plan? That's the best deal that I've found!

OK... Who ordered SNOW?

Yes, winter has arrived. It's snowing. Looks so pretty.

Guess we won't be working on the house today, though.

My ripening tomatoes are crying out...
Salsa sounds good.

Keeping the Cold OUT!
It was pretty cold here on Saturday night. The furnace was pumping away... The front door and hallway were so cold. There was a nice breeze blowing right through that door!

So I grabbed the warm window stuff that I had purchased last winter with great intentions...

I proceeded to make a very simple curtain to cover the inside of the front door. That worked so great that I then proceed to do the same thing for the back door and one of the windows. It's made a huge difference in the comfort of our little cottage rental!

My Father-in-Law... an update...
We were to see my father-in-law after supper tonight. He has made amazing, absolutely amazing progress. He's no longer in Billings. Thank goodness because that 180 mile trip each day for my mother-in-law was a killer!!! He's at our local care center for a few weeks for continued therapy.

He's walking now and is a "warmer" version of his old "gruff" self.

I just can't get over how far he has come in a few short weeks. What a blessing!!!!

Been de-cluttering...

Oh it feels so good to de-clutter!

It all began when there wasn't room on the pantry shelves for my newly canned tomato sauce and salsa. Look how organized my pantry shelves are!! All thanks to my hubby who has excellent organizational skills!

Then my office/sewing room was next. Wow! What a difference!
My desk still needs a lot of work though!

Tomorrow I'm going to a class at Northwest College Cody campus. I'm going to learn all about selling on eBay. Fun!

Thought that I'd learn all about it because my parents want to get into selling their antiques online... and maybe my mother-in-law might want to sell some of her collections of "stuff." And I have these printer cartridges from my printer that just stopped working... that maybe I could sell???

Return of the red ripe tomatoes!

Saturday cooked more sauce from my abundance of tomatoes. Canned 18 quarts!

Looked at my tomatoes today and decided that I'd better get back to work... lots more ripe ones. So my Vita Mix blended up more yummy tomatoes. Got another stock pot full of sauce and still another sink filled with clean tomatoes...

My pantry needs to be rearranged again to make more room for canned tomato stuff.

We're having homemade pizza tonight. It's a favorite at my house.

I've been having fun on ebay. Just bid on this book on Square Foot Gardening. It's about doing gardening in 4x4' raised beds. Supposed to be easier than the traditional row gardening... It sounds interesting. Thought that I'd read about it.

Yes, I'm already dreaming about my garden for next year!

Busy Saturday...

Hi there. Rich and I went to see the movie, The Greatest Game Ever Played. I really enjoyed it. Would be a good family movie.

Made bacon and eggs for the boys this morning. Matthew is off to the farm to help sort pigs. Rich will be heading down to the house to finish building walls. Maybe Aaron will go with him to help.

I'm teaching the women tomorrow at church, so I've got to get my lesson all together. Also on my agenda is to can up the sauce that has been slow cooking all night... And help Rich with the walls this afternoon...


Busy Saturday!!! What's on your agenda?

Red Ripe Tomatoes

You know all those boxes of tomatoes that I've been posting about?

Well... the majority of them are red... and ripe... and ready to be processed into something yummy.

I've got two stock pots full of sauce simmer... with NO END of ripe tomatoes in sight!

Good morning...

Well, thanks for stopping by. Take a seat at my kitchen table. Would you like some hot cocoa or some herbal tea? Happy Friday!!!

Excuse the dishes... they seem to just keep growing not matter how many times they get washed.

I think that I'll have an Energy drink this morning. I need a boost. Maybe you'd like one too? Rich has been working me pretty hard on that house. We moved a pallet and 1/2 of that heavy chip board yesterday. Things are coming right along, though! We'll have to celebrate when the roof goes up!!!

2nd floor is almost all framed up. Hope to finish it today. Come on by for a visit!

Not as cold out today. Should be quite nice by this afternoon.

We're all getting our hair cut at 1pm today. We are all turning into hairy beasts! Especially me!! I just can't stand it another day!!!!

I'll be heading out the door in a minute to help Rich push up the center wall in our new home. It's so exciting to see our home coming together.

My mother-in-law was by last night and gave us an exciting update on my father-in-law. He walked yesterday with the help of a side walker. He is finally able to move his right leg a bit. This is a momentus event!!!!

Happy November!
Here in northern Wyoming leaves are falling off the trees covering the ground. Large 100 year old cottonwood trees reveal their many branches reaching high up in the sky. The air is crisp and filled with aroma of burning wood. Late afternoons between 2pm and 4pm are the warmest part of the day... then the sun drops down for the night at 5pm.

Just back from a nice walk. The weather is so different from yesterday. Nice warm sun... didn't even need my winter jacket this morning.

Rich and I will be off to push up some walls at the house in a bit.

I had all of 3 trick or treaters last night. I guess that I was thinking about my previous life in Melrose, MA when I bought those 3 bags of candy. We used to run out!

Advice?

I've listed my very first product for sale on ebay. Yup, this is my first time! Was pretty easy actually.

My parents have an antique business and I wanted to learn how to do it... so that I can help them get started.

Anyone got any sage advice?

Booo ya!

My littlest gremlin woke up bright and early this morning... ready for the Halloween Day to begin. He's going to be a gremlin and Matthew is going to be an army guy.

The elementary school costume parade is this afternoon. I'm in charge of bringing Aaron's gremlin/devil fork to complete his costume. It's so fun to see all the kiddos dressed up! Yes, I'll have my camera in hand for lots of pictures.

Oh... speaking of pictures... I attended a women's business expo on Saturday. The keynote speaker was Nancy Hill. She was wonderful! What an inspiration! She was the pioneer of the scrapbooking industry!

Have a fun Halloween!!!

Help!

Good morning!

I'm just back from a crisp walk to school with Aaron and my niece, Jennifer. I headed out in my winter jacket, hat, mittens, and scarf... but it really wasn't too bad out there. It's warmer than yesterday.

My niece had some allergy testing done the other day. Poor thing is allergic to Wheat, Corn, dogs & cats, dust.... and "soo ya". What the heck is "soo ya?" She said, you know... "soo ya sauce... and soo ya beans." Oh... SOY! OK!

She's so sad... that... they're will be no more pizza nights... no more bread...

Anyone out there got a good pizza crust recipe that uses grains other than wheat? Or even a good recipe for bread without wheat?

What NOT to do...

Filled up one sink with tomatoes, was soaking dishes in the other. Rinsed out a water bottle for Rich. Headed down to the house to have lunch with Rich.

Returned hmmm, maybe 1/2 hour later to the sound of running water.

Ummm...

Running water and pools of standing water in my kitchen...

Ummm...

Water running down the gas pipe into the basement bedroom... into Rich's dresser...

OK... I swear that I shut the water off before I left! Honest!
Turns out it was left running just a little bit.

Well, the floor got a good wash!

I sorted through my boxes of tomatoes yesterday. I filled up my two kitchen sinks with water and a squirt of Basic-H. Got them all cleaned up... Blended them up in my Vita Mix...

Several hours later, my stock pot was full with yummy sauce. Made some pizza for supper.

Canned 11 quarts of sauce last night.

Tonight is meatballs with pasta.

I have yet more tomaotes to process!

You know you're in the country when...

Your brother-in-law calls frantically looking for your husband needing help with a pig that just gave birth...

Black Angus cows appear in your back yard for an afternoon snack after getting out of their pasture...

You have so many tomatoes ripening tomatoes that your the making of tomato sauce becomes a weekly occurance!

Practice Your Flute!

The middle school requires that all the students participate in band and choir. My 6th grader is studying the flute.

Flutes are tiny instruments that fit perfectly in backpacks. They don't weigh too much or make loud head-splitting noises (most of the time, anyway).

"Matthew have you practiced your flute today?"

110 minutes each week is required... or you fail...

"Matthew, your recorder is not your flute... get back to practicing!"

Oh, there's my nephew Joe, who's in 8th grade practicing his saxophone, outside. He actually sounds pretty good!

And Matthew is coming right along... "Matthew, your practice time is not done..."

Green, Greenish-Redish, Red...

I started sorting though my multitude of tomatoes (boxes on boxes). I've been going to do this for a few days... maybe 7 or so... But today, I noticed a funky smell... so... the sorting took on a bit more priority(it wasn't even on my to do list for today!).

I can't believe how many beautiful ripe tomatoes I have. I'm in the process of making salsa for the first time. It's a messy job! Just got my tomatoes prepared. Lots of chopping and dicing of onions and peppers still to be done. But NOT tonight!!!

How can it be almost lunch time already?

Shoot I'd better get off the computer and get some stuff done like:
-folding laundry
-hanging the jeans out on the line
-washing yet... more... laundry...
-sweep the kitchen floor
-and vacuum the living room!

Well, I have gotten the dishes done... my least favorite task.

I came across this apple oatmeal bar recipe in my father-in-law's farm paper. It looks pretty good. But will it pass the kiddo test?

I've been wondering why I'm so tired today....
My little guy crawled into my bed at some time during the night saying that he had a nightmare. Poor guy!!!

I managed to get back to sleep when suddenly I was smacked in the face with his arm, ouch!
Then I got too hot... but couldn't get any covers off... I was surrounded!

Better go to bed earlier tonight!

Think that I'll put a roast in the crock pot for supper.

OK, I'm getting off now! I really am going to go take care of that laundry...

Service Engine Soon...

Oh man, just replaced the transmission in my van a couple months ago.... And yesterday that darn Service Engine Soon light came on.

OK, took it in because the oil needed to be changed anyway. I figured some sensor had gone as we've got 109K on our 1999 Dodge van. Well, yes indeed. The CO2 sensor went out... $233 for the repair.

I think that it's time for one of those new snazzy hybrid deals that gets a gazzillion miles per gallon.

Arrrggg...

Have I mentioned that tomatoes are taking over my house? I still have about 4 or so more plants covered up in my garden. Covered... and chock full of beautiful greenish tomatoes.

Yup... tomatoes under my kitchen table. Tomatoes in my front hall(boxes upon boxes)... We even have a tomato partition in the kitchen.

Problem... the tomatoes turn red... then need to be turned into something yummy... Will today be the day that ripe, red tomatoes turn into Salsa?

The rooster crowed...

Fall is pretty here. But I do miss the gorgeous color of fall in New England, but as I was walking around town after walking Aaron to school, I took note of the beauty around me.

The wide open countryside is dotted with the green of farm land, the yellow and orange of various trees... mostly cottonwood. The sweet smell of processing sugar beets lingering in the air... as I neared home a rooster was announcing the day.

I'd like to have some chickens in the near future. I know nothing about keeping chickens... but I think it would be such a great project for our family. I can see the boys selling fresh eggs. And I can see the chickens running around the yard.

What I can't see is... how my 2 mouser cats would react to chickens running around... cleaning the chicken coup... plucking feathers of older chickens whose day "has come."

There are a bunch of people around town who have chickens... I guess that I'll have to glean some info from them.

And then there were 3011!

Thanks everyone from Mel's awesome blog for coming by for a visit. We hit 3000 today!

It's a coolish, supposed to be in the 70's kinda day here in northern Wyoming. Just fed Rich and our helper Darryl. Had to heat up some soup to go with sandwiches to warm them up.

We pushed up 2 walls today, east and west... the long walls. I'll be posting pictures of our house progress in just a bit. We're almost there!

The kids are off from school today. Hunting holiday I think.... (I'm sure that this only happens in Wyoming!). Matthew's and his cousin are helping out at the hog farm today. Aaron got to go on a field trip to the corn maize in Billings, MT today.

The Check Engine Soon light came on in the van today. Shoot... we just put a new transmission in it... what now???? I hope that it's just some sensor that needs to be changed.

Anything yummy cooking at your house for supper?

A special thanks to all you of who came over from Mel's blog for a visit!

I'm pleased to report that my father-in-law was doing so much better yesterday! He seemed to enjoy having the boys there to visit. We may go back on Sunday afternoon.

It's a beautiful day here in cowboy country. I've been out in the garden picking more tomatoes. We've had the plants covered to protect them from frost during the night. I'm actually taking a break! Another 2-5 gallon buckets are filled and 2 big boxes. AND... there's still more plants covered up. I'll have to tackle that on Monday. Whew... Now... where to put them?

I started to clean out my wild flower spot too. Looks much better. Still have some pretty flowers blooming. They're yellow and orange. Sorry that I don't know their names.

Off to Billings...

Just got back from walking Aaron to school. Can't feel my face. Sure didn't feel that cold when we started out. Supposed to get up to 70 today.

The boys are out at 12:15 today. So, we're going to head up to Billings, Montana to visit Grandpa at the hospital(they've moved him from the stroke unit to the rehab floor-a very good sign!), then go get Halloween supplies. I'd love to go to the zoo too! Hmmm... we could do that first then visit Grandpa then go to Walmart....

Rich has had a helper the past couple days. Come on over to my house blog for more on that...

Has anyone seen the movie Flight Plan? Is it any good?

2900 visitors!

How long will it take to reach 3000?

Invite a friend to come by my 'kitchen table blog' for a visit. May even have some fresh zucchini bread to share!

Gathered up the pulled tomato plants this morning with my brother-in-law's help. Still some corn staulks left to pull.

Supposed to get warmer today than yesterday, although doesn't seem so this morning. I plan to get some more tomato plants pulled and fill another couple boxes with tomatoes.

I may be canning tomatoes all winter!!!! I have boxes and boxes of green tomatoes!!!

Once I pull all the plants, I'll get Rich to till the garden spot for me... or maybe I'll attempt to man that big tiller myself. We'll see! Sure is a strong one. I watched it pull my big strong brother-in-law around the yard this spring when we were getting ready to plant grass.

I'm planning my garden for next year. I would love to grow enough veggies and do enough canning so that I don't need to purchase veggies from the store. Oh man... they just taste soooo good!

Tonight I'm going to make some meatballs. Wanted some yesterday but didn't get far.

Well, I'm going to get back to work. A company that I work with just came out with this supplement for people who get sick every fall & winter. If that sounds like you.... you may want to check this stuff out!

The horses are back in the pasture. It's neat to see them running around. There are also 2 calves rooming around.

I was out in the garden for a bit this afternoon. We've had our tomato plants covered with old blankets. I picked a whole box of tomatoes. I try to get to one or more plants each day so that I can get them all picked before the real cold weather comes.

Got some tomato sauce simmering on the stove. We're having spaghetti and meatballs for supper tonight.

It's a beautiful sunny day here! Sure hope that we have enough more of these to get the our house enclosed.

Sad News....

My father-in-law had a stroke on Friday. Tests have revealed that he's also had several untreated heart attacks. He's still in the hospital. They're doing tests to see if he needs heart surgery.

So much to think about... Please keep us in your prayers. Thanks.

Canning Beets this morning...

My friend gave us 3 grocery bags full of red beets. I decided to tackle bag #1 this morning.

I had never canned beets before today. They sure make quite a red mess!!!

Just a few minutes ago, there was a knock at my front door. I said, "Oh NO! I'm not dressed!" I was still in my robe because I had started this beet job early this morning. Anyway, it was my mother-in-law bringing by part of her apple pie that she made yesterday. She has an apple tree in her pasture.

I'm waiting for batch #2 to come up to pressure...

I've found this really neat site for canning. It's especially good for us newbies. Here it is: http://www.paulnoll.com/Oregon/Canning/index.html

Burr....

Monday and Tuesday were rainy... snowy days. Good to have some sunshine

I've finally turned on the heat. It was so funny... Matthew was sitting on the couch on Monday when he asked, "What's that noise?" We were all quiet for a bit... When I said, "Matthew... that's the furnace running!"

We've a couple nights of frost. Note to myself: CLEAR OUT GARDEN BY 9/30, next year!
Lots of green tomatoes still on the plants. My father-in-law covered a whole bunch of plants on Monday evening, thankfully! I picked all the fruit off the ones that didn't get covered late yesterday.... that was about 5 gallons plus several boxes.

There's tomatoes that are ready to process. Got to sort through the boxes under my kitchen table according to almost ripeness.

My neighbor came over yesterday with 3 grocery sacks of beets. Better get those processed too! And she asked if I needed any canning jars! Well, I've been spending a small fortune on canning jars... so YES! THANK YOU VERY MUCH! WHATEVER YOU'D LIKE TO PART WITH, I'LL GLADY TAKE!

Lots of work processing garden yummies. But oh, how wonderful it's all going to be this winter! Shoot, I might end up with enough tomato sauce to last a couple years!

The sun is shining. Thanks Dad for sending some of sourthern New Hampshire sun and warmth. We got it.

More canning!

I have this wonderful tool for making tomato sauce! Last year, I did it the traditional way... that was a lot of work!

This year I invested in a Vita Mix. Oh my do I love this thing! Tomato sauce has become very easy! I wash up my tomatoes using this awesome cleaner stuff. Then plop as many tomatoes as I can into my Vita Mix. Whiz it up... dump it into a stock pot and make my sauce... or tomato soup or picante sauce...

So, I just finished canning 8 more quarts of tomato sauce.

I asked my son and niece to pick some tomatoes for me this morning but what ended up happening was that all the carrots got picked, and cukes, and corn. (NO TOMATOES, BY THE WAY!!!)

I'm almost finished canning lots of carrots too! 14 half pints and 2 quarts... really wanted to use pint jars... but had run out!

Guess that I'd better take a look at the corn next.

It's date night Friday. We're getting ready to head out to see Just Like Heaven and maybe catch something to eat in town. Have you seen it yet?

We had a frost the other morning. The cucumber plants have all died off. Lots of green tomatoes still, though. We need about 3-4 more weeks of growing season to get them ripened up. Guess that I'll just have to pick them green and box the till they turn red.

Beautiful sunny day here today!

I'm just back from working with Rich on the house. We got out early this morning, got most of the measuring done for the floor joists which will become the 2nd floor. For more on the house, come on by http://www.howsthehouse.blogspot.com.

I've got chicken rice soup simmering on the stove... Do I want to make some bread to go with it? Hmmmm...

More tomatoes are turning red from the ones that I picked earlier. Time to make some more....??? hmm... maybe some salsa this time.

Sure miss your comments! Did you know that you can click on comments and leave me a little blurb?

A little cool today...

It's a drizzly cool day here in northern Wyoming.

The house was a little cool too so I turned on the oven and made some Zucchini Bread. This is my father-in-law's favorite zucchini bread recipe. The house smells just wonderful!!!

It's funny... the cool days just brings out the baker in me... I was even thinking of making some chicken soup and rolls.

Rich is off to work on the house. He'll be putting up the floor joists this up coming week. For more on the house visit the house blog.

I was out for a walk around town after walking my little guy to school. The fall flowers are just beautiful!!

Last Saturday we attended a home show in Powell, Wyoming. We entered lots of contests... generally we never win! But not this time!

We won a ton of sand stone. It's going to make a beautiful patio! I envision it going just outside the day light basement door and maybe the full length of the house for a nice patio. Yes... we will need to purchase more than the ton that we won... probably 4 more tons!

Have you been by my house blog? We finished framing the 1st floor! I'll be posting more pictures hopefully tomorrow.

Tonight we have a Harvest Dinner put on by our church at the town park. It's a beautiful day for it. My boys requested that I make my "special" desert.

Spent yesterday canning....

I went through another two cases of pint jars yesterday. I made picante sauce and tomato sauce... then got it all canned in quart jars.

Then our very generous neighbors gave us 4 bags filled with corn. Wish that I had taken a picture of the boys, my neice and I shucking and cutting the corn off the cob. That gave us 16 pints and 1 quart of corn.

It's a lot of work to can, but I have to admit that I'm really enjoying it!! Guess that I'm thinking of eating these garden yummies in the midst of the winter.

There's still more carrots to be pulled and beans to be picked... and lots more tomatoes to ripen up!



Just updated the house building blog. Come on by for a visit.

More Garden Yummies...

This morning I walked my little guy (Aaron) to school through the fog. It was such a foggy morning that I thought for a moment that I was no longer in Wyoming but on the sea shore back in New England!

After my walk around town... I went straight to the garden. We had 2 good days of rain... so the garden was ready for some picking.

Here's what I picked:




Then I got my ripest tomatoes all washed up using this stuff. (Imagine being able to clean your house... your kids... AND YOUR GARDEN PRODUCE with the same cleaner!) Then I put my tomatoes into my Vita Mix (I love this thing!). After my tomotoes were turned into a wonderful juice.... skin, seeds, and all... I poured the juice into my big sauce pan and cooked away.

In my first batch I created the most delicious tomato soup... canned that into half pint jars. Next I added italian seasonings to create a wonderful sauce for our homemade pizza... or for pasta.

Wish that you could have smelled the wonderful aroma floating through my little cottage house.

Later in the day I canned 3 quarts of green beans. Haven't done anything with the assorted peppers yet. I'm thinking that some Salsa is in order. Do you have a good Salsa recipe for canning?

Hey, how have you been? Oh... come on by my house building blog. I've just update it with more pictures.

Canning... canning...

I'm amazed at the large garden on the side of our house. We're growing: Corn, Tomatoes, Yukon Gold Potatoes, Beets, Carrots, Peppers, Cucumbers, and Green Beans.

It's just done so beautifully. I've spent the day picking carrots and green beans... and a few tomatoes. Well, actually... it's the canning part that's taken all afternoon. But now we have some garden yummies perserved for the winter.

There is nothing like fresh canned veggies in the middle of the winter!

I decided to bite the bullet this year and by myself a pressure canner... OK it was on sale... It's a really good investment if you're going to have a garden.

Canning veggies is new to me. So is gardening! This is my 2nd summer as a country girl! I grew up in the suburbs of Boston. Now we're enjoying country life in a little town in northern Wyoming.

Ahhh... I'm a little pooped now! But very happy with my progress!

Day 2 of school...

We were all up at 6am this morning. The boys had breakfast then we had scripture reading and family prayer. The kids were out the door by a little after 7.

It feels like we're already in a routine.

I even got out for a walk today!!! Has been a while. I'm getting really out of shape. My goal is to go for a morning and evening walk.

"See" you later!

Kids are back to school...

Hi there. Been way too long since my last post.

The kids went back to school today! My elder son, Matthew, went to the middle school for 6th grade. I waited with him for the school bus... camera in hand. Yes... me and all other kids... I was the only mom there taking pictures... making sure that he got on the bus OK...

We have a brand new elementary school here in town. Yes, I made sure that my little guy found a place for his bike and got into school OK... and took pictures of him and his buddy.

Sigh... it's a happy and sad day all at the same time.

Do you remember those twinges of sorrow when you first child went to Kindergarten? I've been experiencing some of those today... only my boys are in 2nd and 6th grade.

I think that it's because Matthew has gone to middle school with the whole changes classes thing... and he's taking the bus... and...

So, I made peanut butter cookies for my guys. They'll be home pretty soon.

Off I go to get some vacuuming done. Tomorrow I kick start my business with lots of calls. I'm sure that I'll feel more normal then.

Weeds and Kids...

When I first moved to Wyoming from Boston, I asked my mother-in-law... "What grows good out here?"

Her quick reply was... "Weeds and Kids..."

And I laughed....

Well, as I write this entry... I'm all drippy with sweat... I've been weeding my raspberry and stawberry patches...

Oh my goodness!!! I've pulled 3 wheel barrels fulls of weeds so far. We've got this terrible weed here that looks like a morning glory and actually has pretty little flowers. But! You pull them up and they come back with a vengence!

I've decided that weed pulling is the solution to many problems...
need some exercise... PULL WEEDS
feeling a little down... PULL WEEDS
got a headache... PULL WEEDS
got something troubling you.... PULL WEEDS

There you have it! Oh yes... the Kids part... they love it here in the country!!!! And I love having them here!

Time to sip some Performance on my garden bench and read a bit before the sun goes down!

It's a lovely day here in northern Wyoming. It's been in the 80's with a lovely breeze.... Reminiscent of Fall actually!

I've got my supper simmering on the stove. Black beans and rice. It's a favorite with my family.

The garden is producing more cucumbers than 3 families can eat!!! Guess that I'd better learn how to make pickles. It's fun to give the cukes away to families without gardens too.

Ring the bells...

I was walking through my garden and there... hidden... were two ripe red tomatoes(this is the bell ringing part)! I'm about ready to slice them up and enjoy... all myself! OK, would you like a piece?

It's a rainy night. A wonderful rainy evening. We sure need this rain. Been real dry here for about a month. Thank goodness for our irrigation water. It's what keeps this dry land green with vegetation.

I'm also greatful for the cooler temperatures of this week. It was in the 100s last week! This week in supposed to stay in the 80's... much better house building weather!

The boys are enjoying the last days and weeks of their summer. Each day some time is spent at the "property" moving dirt or lumber for Daddy... then there's the pool... and the summer Enrichment program... and just hanging out with friends and cousins.

The kids go back to school on Aug. 23rd. I've scheduled hair cuts. Next will be clothes shopping... and oh yea... school supplies...

This is totally off the subject...
I have one sample left of this instant firming serum stuff. It's sitting here on my desk. I use it around my eyes and lip line. Now that I'm 40... I'm paying more attention to those little wrinkles!!!

Would you like it? Fill out this thing and write "Send that last sample of Enfutox to your blogging buddy"... and I'll send it along! Sorry I have only one left!

Garden yummies....

Rich came in with a bucket of cukes and green beans yesterday. I'm going now to pick some more beets. My father-in-law has been picking red tomatoes the past couple weeks now. I've only gotten one red one so far... but there will be lots soon.

Well, time to get the grill going. I'm going to grill some chicken... and enjoy some fresh garden stuff for supper.

It's been 100 degrees today, so we're just about melting. Oh... big news on the house.

Went to the Park County Fair

We sure had a fun time yesterday at the Park County Fair.

We got the boys bracelets so that they could go on all rides as many times as they wanted. Then there was all the yummy food. We found the most delicious egg rolls there. Rich is considering going back today... just to get some more.

After going to the fair we decided to go see the Willy Wonka show. It was OK...

Today... the guys are back to house building. Come on by here for an update.

My nephew Joe wins the Steer riding!
another picture by Toni

Aaron & nephew Joe on Paint at the rodeo
another picture by Toni

Aaron's Primay float-remember the 50's. Aaron is the cook!
another picture by Toni

Matthew's baseball float-champs 2nd year in a row!
another picture by Toni

This was so cute! Our town museum put this together... complete with Outhouse and laundry on the line.
another picture by Toni

The Relief Society Float "Memories are Stitched with Love"
another picture by Toni

Pioneer Day in my little town...

It's been forever again since my last post....

We've just had our big town Pioneer celebration on Saturday. I'm always amazed at the magnitude of what goes on here in this little town.

I was in charge of the Relief Society float this year. My first ever time. We took a 35 foot gooseneck trailer and transformed it into a Quilting memories extravaganza complete with treddle sewing machine and lots of beautiful quilts. I'll post a picure soon.

Anyway, the day started with the Fun Run. Rich and I were up pre-dawn to set up. Almost 100 people participated... then I was off to make sure that my float got to it's designated place complete with my beautiful quilt queen ladies.... climbing up on the trailer in a dress is not easy!

After the parade it was onto lunch in the park where 350 hungry people where fed BBQ beef or hotdogs. I helped serve while Rich collected money.

Then it was rodeo time!!! Can't miss that!!! So, we all sat in the hot sun and watched our nephew win the steer riding. Way to go Joe! He was so handsome in his cowboy attire complete with chaps, hat, and a pretty shirt.

Family time next as we gathered at sister-in-laws home for BBQ. John made roasted ham and turkey in his roaster on wheels. It was delicious. We sat and visited a while then...

It was time for the Talent Show. Now this is my absolute favorite part of the celebration. There is so much talent here. My favorite number was by a gentleman who grew up here but moved east. With his guitar he sang a song about Wyoming's open spaces... his own creation... it was very moving.

I forgot to mentioned that this was an "all school reunion" too. I didn't go to school here (remember I'm a transplant from Massachusetts... a city girl... gone country!) but I sure did enjoy visiting with everyone.

Which brings me to today... Monday...
Time to dismantle the float. Quilts to fold up... sewing machines to return. Pin to undo... skirting to be removed... chicken wire and lathe which support the skirting... Then we'll be done...

I'm melting... help!

You can tell that I'm into full swing with summer time stuff... as I haven't posted since last week. Sorry!!

Oh my goodness is it hot today. Got up to 100 something.

Aaron and I spent the afternoon at the town pool which was nice except the water was pretty warm.

I've been chasing hoses around my yard and garden... not minding the spray of water to cool me off. My baby grass in growing in real good. My father-in-law put down a combination of grass seed and oats... the oats grow up faster and shade the baby grass as it gets established.

The garden is blosoming with lots of little tomatoes and tiny cukes and raddishes.... coming up is the corn, carrots, peppers. The Yukon Gold potatoe plants look fantastic... and are now flowering.

Matthew and Rich are just back from an overnight scouting trip at the gateway of the Yellowstone National Park. They're both exhausted! Too much fun like canoeing... and rifle shooting... and I'm not sure what else!

Hot already!

It's pretty warm here already at 9am!

We've haven't had any moisture for about a week. My grass is getting mighty thirsty. It's a part-time job just keeping the grass watered... and the garden! My corn was looking a little wilty yesterday.

My heart goes out to the people of London... to those in the community impacted in any way by those acts of terrorism and to those who have been injured. It's just heart wrenching...

Time to get the watering started!

We had a fun 4th of July. Went to Cody for the day. Watched the parade, then headed off to Rich's cousin's for a family BBQ. In the afternoon, my sister-in-law and I went downtown to the crafts fair.

I managed to purchase 4 pieces of pottery to add to my collection, a jar with lid, a utensil jar, a picture, and a flower vase. I like the cobolt blue pieces and the earthy brown colors too!

We're making progress on the house. Stop by here for a visit.

So... how was your 4th?

We're overdue for a fun day!

We'll be off to Billings, Montana this morning. We'll be taking the kids to the zoo.... Haven't been to the zoo since last year. It's a beautiful day... should be fun!!!

I posted lots of new pictures from our cement pour of the basement floor on my house blog.

OK... I'm going to try to sneak in a walk this morning before all my indians wake up!

That wonderful red in the hills is called Chugwater.
another picture by Toni

Horse Shoe Bend near Lovell Wyoming
another picture by Toni

Another cement pour...

Tomorrow is another BIG day! We pour our basement floor bright and early.

I'll take lots of pictures of the event.

Parade...

We were to the Lovell Mustang Day Parade today. The kids came home with tons of candy! Way too much candy actually!!!

Poor Matthew didn't do such a good job putting on his sunscreen. It's going to be a tough night for him!

Last night's incredible sunset at 9pm.
another picture by Toni

Big news!!!

On Tuesday 6/28, we'll be pouring the basement floor for our new home. Watch my other blog for more details!

I setup my office outside this morning. It's a beautiful day!

Got to share this with you... we all need a good laugh to get our day going...
I was getting lunch ready for the boys yesterday. Aaron (age 7) had just gotten in from summer school. When he sat down to eat his lunch... I asked him the usual question... "Did you wash your hands?"

His answer...
"Mom... I took a bath last night!"

I'm going!

Good morning. I'm getting ready to go for a walk. I did get up early this morning, thinking that I'd get my walk done in the cool of the early morning... but... got to reading my email (there's this awesome cruise promotion for my biz that caught my attention!).. and... all of a sudden it was time to get everybody up.

Shoot!

Aaron almost missed the bus to summer school this morning. We got to the bus stop at 2 minutes before 8am... the bus is NOT supposed to leave until 8am... Anyway, Aaron did get on!

He's got to go to bed earlier tonight. Actually, both boys SHALL go to bed earlier tonight. It's just so hard to put them to bed when it's light out till almost 9:30pm!

OK... Now... it's almost 8:30... I'm REALLY, REALLY going for my walk NOW!!!!

Ball games.

Going to be a hot day in the high 90s here.

Well, last night was Aaron's last Tball game for the season. We so enjoyed watching the kids play. How exciting it is to see the kids progress... hit the ball... catch the ball... and work together as a team.

At a game recently, Aaron was playing 3rd base when a ball came right at him. He used his body (probably NOT intentionally!) to stop the ball then threw it to the picture. You should have seen the surprised expression on his face!

Matthew's team is leading in the league. They've finished the regular season and are now in the play-offs. Tonight is the 1st play-off game.

Afternoons are getting really hot here. Thank goodness that the humidity is low. I can't stand the humidity back east!

OK, time to get to work. Hit the comment link and tell me how your summer is going.

It's a beautiful sunny day here!

Good morning! It's just gorgeous here today. A true warm summer day.

I'll be heading off to church program in a little bit. We're tying a whole bunch of quilts for Humanitarian Aid.

A beautiful day!

It was just gorgeous here today. I've been getting up early the past couple days and getting out for a walk first thing... before my family is stirring!

All around town are beautiful irises and wild roses and peonies. We've had so much rain recently that the flowers are just breathe-taking!

Did you see this flower picture? As I was walking out of the hair salon last week... I just had to take that picture! My hair person owns her own shop... and has beautiful landscaping all around!

Tomorrow, I'm going to take my camera with me as I walk around town... and take lots of pictures.

How have you been? Click on the comment button to leave me a message.

Billings... Ball game...

Rich and I spent most of the day in Billings, MT today. We went for lunch together... It was nice to get out.

Tonight, Matthew had a game. His team's been doing really great... but tonight was a loss. That's OK... keeps them on their toes.

Now, what to make for supper???

OK, I'm 40 now...

Thanks for your birthday wishes!!!

We're off to pour cement for the basement walls. A big pump truck should be on it's way... and the cement company called early this morning to ensure that the pour is still on...

It's a bright sunny day with lots of blue sky and it's very still.... perfect cement pouring weather!

Visit this blog for an update later today.

Tomorrow's the big day!

Come on by for a visit.

Lots of rain brings beautiful flowers!
another picture by Toni

This is my last day...

of being 39 that is... The last day of my 30's... I am no longer... 30 something...

Big sigh...

I made chocolate cupcakes with chocolate frosting with little multicolored sprinkles as decorations. There are yummy. A little mini celebration of the end of my 30's I guess...

My last days as a member of the thirty something group...
In 4 more days, I'll turn... (drum roll... please...) 40! Yes... 40!

How can that be? How can I be turning 40? OK, I'm in denial!

Luckily on my birthday, we'll be pouring cement for our basement walls... and the day will be very, very busy!

We had another rain storm today. My neighbor called to let me know that our county had a severe weather warning... Good thing because I generally don't catch the news.

Luckily the worst of the storm blew by us... but we did get some nice moisture.

On Saturday, my father-in-law and the kids put down some sod on the north side of our little house. Sure is nice to have some grass! And the grass seed that was put down a few weeks ago is beginning to sprout!

The garden is way... over due for some weeding...

I've been outside quite a bit the past couple weeks and have the best suntan ever! The sun is very different here in Wyoming. I always used to burn in Massachusetts.

baseball... house building... gardening... and biz calls..

We are so busy! We're building our new home (ourselves!) Come on over to our house building blog and check out the pictures! The boys have baseball practices and games... it seems like every night!

I've been helping out at the house, making calls for my growing business, watering the soon to be lawn, and huge garden. The watering alone is like a part-time job!

Wow! It's 8am and my house is so quiet! We had the boys up late helping us at the house.

I'm torn... do I get some dishes done... or get some calls done for my biz while it's quiet...

Two little indians... Aaron & Colton. Kids are so good at mixing fun and work. Here they are playing in the mud!
another picture by Toni

We are dilligently working on our new home. It's a family project. I've just posted new photos on that site.

Got to get caught up on dishes today... they seem to be taking over! I was doing so good too!

We just had a hail storm with a great gust of wind...
all the forms for the basement walls of our new home have been blown down.

I just want to cry...