tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-51801672380463900022024-03-06T01:51:09.740-07:00It's A Briggs LifeLife and times of the Briggs'LaurelKhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06188674384372498073noreply@blogger.comBlogger75125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5180167238046390002.post-17422729555732119202012-10-19T11:39:00.000-06:002012-10-19T11:39:04.175-06:00Lightbulb moment on lighting<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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KNOW YOUR LIGHT SOURCE!
When you paint know your light source or type of light that you will use for the room, or if choosing exterior paints, take the sample outside and look at it.
The above picture is from this months BHG mag. Love there paint sample page. This months was picked for me. Those are my kind of colors, no grays of various shades of gray, rich color is what I like.
Now the two pic are obviously of the same page, however the one on the left is taken in direct sunlight and the right side is taken with fluorescent overhead lights, which is what you will find when you are in the store choosing colors, so take those chips and if they offer it usually there is a small light box that has 3 types of light colors that you can switch between. USE IT. However an even better choice, buy a sample of the color or colors you want and take them home and paint a patch.
When we painted our former house prior to selling it, I would go outside Home Depot with the little swatches and see if I liked the color in sunlight, I bought about 6 different colors and the back of my house had 3x2 sections painted in the different colors. I looked at them if full sun, cloudy and dusk to see if they still worked. You would be amazed at the changes that occur. Now indoors you still want to look at it with the light source that will be used in the room but also, like a bedroom what does it look like with just a lamp on, is the color still what you want. Color creates emotion, color heightens emotions. Think of the use of the room when choosing your color and also maybe the lighting needs to be changed, change the lights first so you have your light source.
Back to the two pics at the upper left hand side is color called Lion's Mane from Olympic. In natural light it is much more toffee than yellow, in fluorescent lighting it's more yellow. The Cachet Cream by Sherwin Williams, is a pale creamy caramel in natural lighting. In fluorescent, it's off white.
Lighting can completely and totally change the color of the color you have fallen in love with and the mood you want. Seriously who has not fell in love with a color swatch and carried it around in your purse, just to look at it?
LaurelKhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06188674384372498073noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5180167238046390002.post-80822682327819960212012-04-25T13:10:00.001-06:002012-04-25T13:10:52.377-06:00Kinda forgot about stuffOkay, there are probably more days that I forget about things than I want to admit. Something comes into the brain, and I think, Oh I can do that (pick one) later, tomorrow, tonight, after this that and the other thing...blah blah blah. Instead of writing this down, yes it has come to that, if it is not written down the probability of completion drops dramatically. Or just plain drops completely off the radar. Today it beeped on the radar and I acted.
Then I look at the last post and think, "crap" how could I have gone that long. Easy peasy is how.
So today I got my trusty planner out and wrote down. Time for some construction on the blog. So tonight after working on the construction of the chicken coop, I will start the blog construction. I have high hopes.LaurelKhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06188674384372498073noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5180167238046390002.post-13798155886840410772011-10-18T20:05:00.000-06:002011-10-18T20:05:03.638-06:00Pumpkin EnchiladasI originally found this recipe on Cacique USA's website, one of Aaron Sanchez's recipes. In his recipe he used butternut squash, so I figured I could use canned pumpkin since I was on a pumpkin the first time I made it. The enchilada sauce is now the standard sauce in our house, stopping after the salt, for the sauce.<br />
Sauce:<br />
2 oz butter<br />
5 T flour<br />
2 c beef broth<br />
4 T chili pwdr<br />
1 tsp cumin<br />
1 1/2 tsp garlic powder<br />
1/2 tsp salt<br />
1/2 tsp cinnamon<br />
pinch of nutmeg<br />
1/2 tsp brown sugar<br />
1/2 c Crema Mexicana <br />
<br />
Filling;<br />
10 oz chorizo (pork or beef) ground beef can be used<br />
1 can pumpkin puree<br />
<br />
doz corn tortillas<br />
1/2 pkg (5oz) Queso Quesadilla or monterey jack shredded<br />
<br />
To make the sauce: melt butter in saucepan and whisk in flour. Cook for 2 min. on medium heat, stirring constantly. Slowly whisk in the broth. Add remaining ingredients, except Crema Mexicana. Bring to a slight boil and remove from heat and let cool slightly and add Crema.<br />
<br />
Cook chorizo according to pkg instructions and drain well. Add pumpkin puree to the chorizo.<br />
<br />
Lightly coat bottom of a baking dish with the sauce, the assemble the enchiladas, spread sauce on tortilla, add filling and cheese, roll and place in dish. When all are assembled, spread remaining sauce over enchiladas, sprinkle cheese on top. <br />
Bake uncovered at 350 degrees for 15-20 minutes, until cheese is browned.<br />
EnjoyLaurelKhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06188674384372498073noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5180167238046390002.post-83719971043968680122011-09-18T18:40:00.000-06:002011-09-18T18:40:22.899-06:00Mmm Queso.I printed a coupon the other day for Velveeta's new Queso Blanco. Well we love queso in the Briggs house. So a white queso sounded yummy. I went against my coupon policy of using a coupon on regular price. Since it was bought at WalMart I figure I'm okay. <br />
Started with sauteing onions and garlic in a little butter. I chose butter, because sometimes I feel like olive oil flavor comes thru to much. Anyway, can I just say that the smell of cooking onions and garlic is heavenly. Love that. Anyway wanted to cook sausage in it, however on the quick trip to the freezer I could not find sausage right off, so I went with ground pork. Added additional garlic and onion seasoning since I was using ground pork and not some mild or hot sausage. Now one of the things I use alot for seasoning for Mexican flavor is taco seasoning. It already has most of what I want. For this I did add extra cummin and chili powder. I made a roux and added some Mexican creme to it, added that to the pork mixture and added white cheddar, monterey jack, and the queso blanco. (I also added some of my bottled salsa.) I realize some people don't like fake cheese, personally I think that's hooey. Velveeta makes any cheese sauce very, very creamy. <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglx5a1RSOORvH7bWsaT9pa1PY0u1B1CXfk79egYyOL-DEOKS1YO3ai_2wlnUl-tov1ZyT0cMnTgWONuma8QxmffPDMDFPgnuRm5NaQuFvYogpCv2C30f8ByS2Ta7gpuBoMb7J38c_rpbKm/s1600/IMG_0442_1330.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="200" width="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglx5a1RSOORvH7bWsaT9pa1PY0u1B1CXfk79egYyOL-DEOKS1YO3ai_2wlnUl-tov1ZyT0cMnTgWONuma8QxmffPDMDFPgnuRm5NaQuFvYogpCv2C30f8ByS2Ta7gpuBoMb7J38c_rpbKm/s200/IMG_0442_1330.jpg" /></a></div><br />
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Back to the Queso Blanco. Total success even with ground pork and not sausage. It was a meal all by its lonesome. I cannot wait to try it with sausage. MMMMMMMMMMLaurelKhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06188674384372498073noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5180167238046390002.post-61699088120735690762011-08-25T21:22:00.003-06:002011-08-25T21:28:29.824-06:00A MUST HAVE, Your very own Elf!Last year I joined the wwww.100daystochristmas.com community. An amazing website that helps you plan for not just Christmas but Halloween and Thanksgiving. It is really amazing, and simple. Countdown to Christmas takes you thru the Fall Holidays and Christmas, with a daily task that prepares you and allows you to do all that you want, accomplish what you want and ENJOY! Can you imagine? Well this year it is even better, the creator of 100daystochristmas and listplanit.com (that is a whole other post, hmmm I will have to think about that) anyway, she; Jennifer Tankersley has created an ebook that is interactive with her sites. I had the wonderful opportunity to review her e-book. First let me tell you, you MUST check it out. <br />
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"A Daily Dose of Inspiration & Motivation for a Meaningful Holiday Season Based on previous years here at 100 Days to Christmas,this eBook is a journey that begins on September 16,and leads you step-by-step and day-by-day toward a peaceful and meaningful holiday season."<br />
<br />
Now, let me tell you why this is brilliant. <br />
The ebook is like having Jennifer, aka your own ELF, with you, giving you a little nudge in the right direction. The breakdown is an assignment 6 days of the week and then my favorite part is the Weekly Workshop, which is a chance to catch up on something you want to do, or maybe one of the daily countdown tasks. That weekly workshop I love, and if you didn't get a task done, you can get back on the countdown track. Seriously, it's like having your very own Elf. She has thought of EVERYTHING, this doesn't just get you ready for Christmas, but Halloween, Thanksgiving, even a reminder for voting. All of it. It really is brilliant. Most of us love Christmas, and want it just so. We want the Holidays to have meaning, we want our children to have memories that are meaningful, or carry on Family Traditions, or create our own. However, life happens, we don't get this done, or we forget until the last minute and then its hustle rush and panic. Why do we do that to ourselves? The daily tasks are broken down to make getting things done into a step by step process that do not require the entire day to do. Even better right? Like I said, your own Elf. Who would not love to have an elf to assist you. You can and the price is one fast food lunch, and trust me on this, you will enjoy it more, not to mention 0 calories. $4.99 will put it on your Kindle, Nook or PDF for your computer. Then sit back and realize that getting ready for the Holidays can be simple and you can enjoy it also! <br />
Finally, thank you Jennifer for the chance to review your ebook. You are amazing. Also, thank you for creating 100daystochristmas, last year was so much easier than past years. I enjoyed the Holidays more and the preparation was enjoyable. Can you imagine? Yes I can, and I am excited for this year!<br />
www.100daystochristmas.com/100-days-to-christmas-2011-ebook/LaurelKhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06188674384372498073noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5180167238046390002.post-64933844324146066422011-08-25T20:14:00.000-06:002011-08-25T20:14:36.100-06:00I think I missed something.....I believe its called Summer. What happened? I mean I know its been hot, so its been summer, but I have done NOTHING. Okay that is not right, I have not done anything I have wanted to do or get done. This is what I have been doing, building fence. Almost every weekend, and if we are not building fence, we are trying to get stuff caught up around the house. Then when we don't go build fence, the sewer line breaks. Oh that was so much fun. However, I am married to Superman and he fixed it for a less than $150 bucks! Seriously! He is amazing! Then the next weekend comes, and building fence it is. 100 acres of land to fence. UGH.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgt76ZZyENg6gUr0vZKnT-z6yXSXQigS8uW_TNm1qGWGWfCI4F2jlnh-HnEmNERqNG8ibzrEVA5NbV_nCJ6mgAcjKAxkQks8vXEzHnrSeJU6imBiKnsN-9UdI3OWsxSEQ6vxF_UVV5n4RNo/s1600/photo.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear:right; float:right; margin-left:1em; margin-bottom:1em"><img border="0" height="200" width="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgt76ZZyENg6gUr0vZKnT-z6yXSXQigS8uW_TNm1qGWGWfCI4F2jlnh-HnEmNERqNG8ibzrEVA5NbV_nCJ6mgAcjKAxkQks8vXEzHnrSeJU6imBiKnsN-9UdI3OWsxSEQ6vxF_UVV5n4RNo/s200/photo.JPG" /></a></div>The next generation learning the ins and outs of running a post pounder on a tractor! <br />
So forgive me and give me a little time to get caught up!<br />
LaurelKhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06188674384372498073noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5180167238046390002.post-41367876733933367002011-05-11T10:02:00.000-06:002011-05-11T10:02:02.975-06:00Money Money MoneyOkay, I like thousands of others out there am hooked on TLC's Extreme Couponing, I mean come on, we all want to save money.<br />
I remember years ago, reading about people that did this and thought, its not possible for me. For awhile my grocery store (WINCO) did not accept online coupons, so I never used them. A few years ago that changed, so I would sort thru the online coupons for stuff that I bought on a typical basis and printed those. Once and a while I would use a coupon from a magazine or such. I did not subscribe to the paper, still don't. <br />
However, after watching this EC, I gotta admit looks intriguing. Now, I do not want to be an exteme couponer. I do no want 50 bottles of mustard on the shelf or 93 bags of croutons, or even 150 nighttime sleepaids. However, if I can save 30% I would be thrilled. Not that we have an outrageous grocery budget anyway, but if I can save some money, sure. Well I starting blog stalking, and then signing up on coupon websites, etc. A couple fav's; The Krazy Coupon Lady, she is the one who dumpster dived with her son and pregnant friend, while looking quite stylish!!<br />
I also like Jessica Hacker, Fabulously Frugal, she was another TLC EC, from Idaho. We Use Coupons, Mr. Coupon has some videos on there, that are pretty informative. Finally A Thrifty Mom. Most of these sights do the legwork for you, other than the prices are not always the same, especially Target. However, they let you know what coupons from the papers and online sources are and the deals to be had. Now, this means alot of coupons, which starts to get a bit overwhelming, then while reading KCL's book, "Pick Another Checkout Lane, Honey" (love the title!) she mentions, still throwing away about 50% of them or sending them in for the troops, cuz they can use expired coupons, cool. Anyway, that made me feel a bit better. <br />
I will admit to frustration and yes this does take time, lots of it. But you will not find me at the store at midnight to get a deal. I'm just not the type, although I will get up at 4 am to go shopping on Black Friday. Priorities people!<br />
I will also admit to having scored a few deals, bodywash for 4cents a bottle, free bodywash, and free deodorant. Very cheap razors, shaving cream and exrta blades. Again, I will also admit to frustration, anger and alot of what the $*%&(#* am I doing! However, I think with time this may abate. Although, the checkers are making comments about how the number of couponers has increased dramatically because of TLC's Extreme Couponing. Some stores are evening limiting items or rewards and the like. Walgreens seems to be the spot for alot of the frustration. Why, the really do get some amazing deals, plus the register rewards are good.<br />
So after a month of this, my opinion? Coupons can save you money, but they also can change your eating habits, come on, how many of these people bought those oriental noodles? Have you looked at the ingredients and the nutrition facts, check those out. Really, besides Halloween how many candy bars do you need at one time? Dog treats, when you do not own a dog????<br />
Buying diapers in advance, so someday when you have a kid, you will be prepared?<br />
I am watching the grocery flyers more, to see who has the deals. Fred's this week has Tillamook 2lb bricks of cheese for $3.99 a pound, with a coupon for a dollar off $2.99 a pound. Even at my ever faithful cheap WINCO, they do not have that price. I have a pantry and have a decent supply of staples, there is room for improvement. So I am working on that, and boy would I love some cheap toilet paper!LaurelKhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06188674384372498073noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5180167238046390002.post-705030805082992492011-03-11T12:10:00.000-07:002011-03-11T12:10:03.378-07:00Taxes or DeathThere is some saying that nothing is life is certain but death and taxes. Not encouraging is it.<br />
Well that is what I've been doing, is taxes, since its that time of year. Can I tell you a secret? <i>You have to keep this quiet</i>, but I have a brother who is a very capable CPA, but do I let him do my taxes, no, I do them. I like pain. This is another one of those things that I am stubborn about, I can do them myself. With lots of phone calls and e-mails between us. He just laughs at me and gives me the answer I need. <br />
There are things that occur no matter what, and this is one.<br />
So I spend weeks, working on it, put it away for a few days, go back to it. Then when I am done, I put it away again, come back in a couple of days and review it all over again and then set it down AGAIN. After a day or so, I return to it and finally hit send! Then I do the happy dance, it is done!!!<br />
Now i can take the time to get back to projects. Another happy dance!!LaurelKhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06188674384372498073noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5180167238046390002.post-1903764893844334662011-02-10T14:07:00.003-07:002011-02-10T14:53:04.221-07:00Buyers remorseOkay throughout my life, there have been a few times when I have had buyers remorse. My Kirby vacuum is the biggest. I know, I know, they are great vacuums, but I really don't want to have a work out when I vacumm. That thing is HEAVY. Not only that, put everytime I get the stupid thing out, all I think of is dollar signs, okay, dollar bills going up in smoke is probably a more fitting description. So currently the thing sits in storage and I use a Dyson, which by the way, I LOVE. So easy, no bags, lightweight and moves around furniture so smooth. Also it was a third the cost of the stupid Kirby. I had some remorse when we bought our latest house, but I got over that, that was because it was a foreclosure and we put a couple grand into the thing before we even signed papers for it. Plus the payment. It was an adjustment. I know I have twice the house, twice the land, but still it was an adjustment, but We love the house.<br />Anyway, on to the real reason for this post. My cellular service is with Verizon, and my phone is currently a Blackberry Storm (fist version) and I LOVE IT. Until the last few months when the "uncaught exception" errors are so frequent that my phone spends more time rebooting, than I use it to call. Since October I have been looking at new smart phones, the hubs has a droid. Its a nice phone, just not nice to me, EVERYTIME I touch the thing, something goes wrong, not to mention, it is soooo sensitive that he butt dials me and others, all the time. He is getting better. So in my search I have looked at something besides a droid. My Dream, is that Blackberry comes ups with a droid/iphone version of their own. But alas, BB seems to have ignored Verizon, they have come out with new phones but not for Verizon. Well since the iphone has FINALLY come to Verizon, I thought, well maybe that is what I am going to do. So I started looking at the iphone, and asking friends, family, my boss, what they think. Its mixed, get a droid, get a iphone. I repeat, BLACKBERRY you could save me, and you watch in like 6 months they probably will come out with something. I just cannot continue to live with this phone the way it is. Even the Verizon people are no help, even BB support. <br />Verizon announced the iphone was coming and I signed up for the info, and since I was ready for an upgrade, I would get early pickings. However, the first time, I DID NOT get up a 1am and order one, and by 7 the next morning, you couldn't. Well the next online chance would be the 9th, again at 1am, oh wait, not 1am, but 1:01 AM. I set the alarm. It scared the freaking #$%& out of me. I shut it off and thought, nevermind, who needs this. Rolled over, well the hubby gets up, not feeling well. So I figure, well I'm awake now, so grab the laptop and log on. Not really paying attention, CUZ its freaking the middle of the night, and I like my sleep. I clicked on the first box, added a case and checked out. Saw the e-mail to confirm, shut the laptop off and went back to sleep. Two hours later I wake up thinking, you did not order the 32gb did you. YEP you did, so you spent an extra 100. Great. Okay deal with it in the morning. <br />I have talked with Verizon, I can change, cancel if I want to. I do not even have the phone yet, and I'm in remorse. WHY?<br />1- Learning a new phone, is like learning a new computer program in chinese. I no like.<br />2- COST<br />3- Learning a new phone, is like learning a new computer program in chinese. I no like.<br />Yes, I know I am repeating myself.<br />4- What if Blackberry does come out with my dream storm????<br />I will wait for the stupid phone to arrive and then see.<br />My hubby called to tell me I could just go to the Verizon store and get it. No thank you I will wallow in my buyers remorse for a bit longer, thank you. Stubborn.LaurelKhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06188674384372498073noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5180167238046390002.post-68714626872933127832011-01-05T21:35:00.002-07:002011-01-05T21:55:01.346-07:00Happy New Year 2011Here we are the start of a new year. At the beginning of a new year we reflect on the past year and ponder the new year.<br />Reflections are good, its good to review and recollect. We had a good year. Every year is a good year, to recollect the year as good is my choice. Despite hospital stays for Caitlin; appendicitis, and Chris; horse accident,it was a good year. We are healthy despite the previous mentions. We are enjoying our life. Our life is good. This year Chris and I will celebrate 25 years of marriage. Wow, and it has been great. Caitlin will be eleven years old. She is a blessing that we are so very grateful that she is our daughter.<br />We accomplished a few projects in the house, but time was against us with getting everyone healed up. Anyway, this year my hope is to accomplish a lot more. <br />I have some furniture that needs to be refurnished, rooms to paint and style. Rooms that need to be organized. <br />I will start small. I have a small red nightstand that needs to be sanded and painted. I look forward to the new year, the new possibilities. Let's see how the turn out.LaurelKhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06188674384372498073noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5180167238046390002.post-68262666538893929082011-01-05T21:30:00.002-07:002011-01-05T21:35:06.994-07:00Where have I been.......Here, seriously I have. My intentions where good. Really. <br />My thought is, I will do that tonight. Then tonight comes and goes and its another tonight.<br />My shopping weekend was so great. We shopped, we made truffles and toffee. We laughed, we talked and we shopped. It really was great. I have two great women as my best friends! I am very lucky.LaurelKhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06188674384372498073noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5180167238046390002.post-9985789919914386552010-11-16T11:12:00.002-07:002010-11-16T11:23:37.610-07:00Retail Therapy, an emotional experienceOkay this Thursday, I leave for Utah for a weekend with two amazing women. We attend craft fairs, shop at stores like World Market, Taipan Trading, rarely do we step foot into a clothing store. Coldwater Creek in Jackson, Wyo, being the exception. Although this weekend we are going to a pajama outlet. Sounds very fun. This years weekend is at Wendy's house and Wendy is single, so for Carrie and I this is pure heaven. No children needing/wanting/demanding/acting out to get attention and no hubby feeling neglected and wanting to run away from the antics when good friends get together. We are also making chocolates this weekend, YUM YUM YUM. We will stay up late talking/laughing for hours on end. During the day its nothing but shopping! <br />After the weekend, I come home exhausted but rejuvinated by my weekend with friends!<br />Better than a spa any day!LaurelKhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06188674384372498073noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5180167238046390002.post-78852480747581763182010-11-08T12:52:00.004-07:002010-11-08T13:14:58.807-07:00Black FridayOkay since I'm looking at a couple of inches of snow outside and it has not stopped, I'm most definitely getting in the Christmas mood. I mean I listened to Christmas music this morning, Straight No Chaser, love those guys! Also this weekend I was doing a little online shopping/price checking on some things and checking out gottadeal to see who's ads they had up for Black Friday. I noticed that some stores are doing online deals earlier. This has started to be a trend in the last few years online and in store, get you in sooner and spend more money. Does not necessarily mean the earlier sales are the better deal, although last year I did buy some things at Shopko a few weeks before Black Friday, that where on sale for BF, but the sale earlier was better. You never know. Most stores will let you take the items back or show the receipt the morning of BF and get the difference back in credit. <br />Years ago, I used to sign up for a ladies black friday email, who lived in Utah who literally spent Thanksgiving day going over the ads and comparing to her price book, created by her. She then would let you know what things where really good deals, what was a steal and what was not to be in a rush for. She no longer does this. Now I know the prices on the big ticket items I'm after for Christmas, so when I do go over the ads, I know if they are a steal, deal or no big deal. Now, there are always things being on sale that I was not thinking of, which gottadeal usually has some reference to if its a good price or not. Honestly it pays to know your prices, or otherwise it is very easy to get caught up in the excitement of Black Friday. From what I have been reading, from news, articles, columns, blogs etc. Very few deals going on now are the best deals, which is fine, I hate to think I might have spent more than I needed to, which I can honestly say, is very very rare for me. I love to shop, but I love a great deal and I love to not overspend! Anyway, just some thoughts on Black Friday. Now back to some Christmas tunes, and wondering if its going to stop snowing.LaurelKhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06188674384372498073noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5180167238046390002.post-2152002621720020872010-11-07T18:28:00.002-07:002010-11-07T18:41:03.131-07:00Sunday EveningSunday evening is not my favorite. It reminds me that my weekend is over and in the morning it is back to work. We had some really great weather for November in Idaho. Upper sixties on Saturday, and low sixties today. NICE. It also comes to an end tonight, next week I think the high is mid forties. <br />We thought we would get an estimate to have someone come install the outdoor lights on the house, since we have a pretty steep pitch. Besides the house is two stories. Anyway so far we have only got one estimate and can I just say, HOLY COW that is a lot of money. So not happening. File that under "good to know" nothing will be done, but good to know. I did not get any fall bulbs planted, which means next week I get to do the planting in cold weather. My fault. <br />Thanksgiving is coming up pretty quick, which means Black Friday! Looking forward to that. Only a week and a half until the girls shopping weekend. YES!<br />Still so much to get done before winter hits, have not had much time for projects. Will need to try and fit one in here. I have a couple of old doors that I have plans for. Fun.LaurelKhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06188674384372498073noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5180167238046390002.post-84701123668713574462010-10-26T14:27:00.003-06:002010-10-26T14:43:53.372-06:00It's in the airI can feel it, and not just because its only 34 degrees outside with 20mph winds. Winter is coming, which means CHRISTMAS! Yeah, I'm like a 5yr old when it comes to Christmas, the excitment, can't sleep at night, is it here, is it here kind of excitment and not for presents, okay yes I like presents, but really what gets to me is the feeling. I've peeked at a few catalogs, okay fine, they are dogeared and marked, and I've checked online to see if it really speaks to me. Christmas is my holiday and not just evidenced by the numerous totes that could fill a storage unit but instead take up just about one side of the garage, but by my obsession with all things Christmas. I love to shop, I love to decorate, I love to bake, I love to eat, I love to just sit late in the evening staring at my Christmas tree in all its glory with some Christmas music in the background, like maybe Donny Osmond singing Mary Did you Know? Or Straight, No Chaser singing just about anything, or Amy Grant, or okay the list is long, the cd's are numerous, but the music is important, the peace and contenment that I find at the time is worth more than any gift. That's what I love about Christmas. Now it's only 60 days away, which is hardly anytime at all, but I will not decorate before Thanksgiving, except to get the light up outside. I'm strict with the no decorating, each Holiday deserves its own time. I do not listen to music yet, although when I'm driving to Utah to my girlfriends for the annual shopping weekend, I do listen to it then, this is usually the weekend before Thanksgiving, so I give in then. After Thanksgiving, its like Santa's workshop comes alive. <br />Truly I blame the weather for getting me going.LaurelKhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06188674384372498073noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5180167238046390002.post-67035700951425534822010-10-20T19:34:00.002-06:002010-10-20T20:23:13.534-06:00Catch UpWOW! It's been awhile. Lots of "Life" has been happening. First the freezing and canning continued. Did get peach and raspberry freezer jam made. Even made a small batch of raspberry/huckleberry jam. Huckleberries were like gold this year. The peach jam was made late at night with the help of this little German lady known as my mother. Thanks MOM!! <br />I made another small batch of salsa, this time just a bit hotter. I also made 2 1/2 pints of pepper and onion relish, like H & D's. Not bad, just a bit spicier than the original and not as spicy as the hot & spicy. Happy medium. I have to admit its been kind of fun. Also during the peach freezer jam, my Mom made a batch of her spaghetti sauce for the freezer. That is my husband's favorite gift for Christmas from my Mom. <br />More updates, State Fair, 4-H, no placement ribbon for Caitlin, she was disappointed but she and the hubs won goldfish at one of the games at the fair, and 4-H was forgotten.<br />School has started and we have parent-teacher conference tomorrow night. Her weekly updates look good, and the grades are pretty good, except for Language arts, that one is a B-. We have some work ahead.<br />My husbands stepfather went into the hospital (ICU actually) for an aorta aneurysm. It had not ruptured, thank heavens. However, they are getting a second opinion from a specialist in Utah. Basically should he have surgery to put a mesh casing along the vein to keep it from bursting. The surgery is extremely high risk. Not doing anything but treating with medicine could mean he could be going along and it bursts and the likelihood of survival is very slim. Not encouraging. Lots of prayers. <br />With that, are fall plans will be adjusted. My hubby will be stopping at his Mom's to feed their cows and the rest of the critters, then come home to do ours. Then during calving season, ugh, that will make for some very long days and nights, but we do what needs to be done. I worry for the hubs, hoping he will be healed completely from the horse episode to handle all of that. Too many unknowns right now. <br />This is part of life, trials and struggles come and we deal. Just as the joys that come our way, its a package deal, the good with the bad. <br />I stand behind my thinking of boring is good!<br />Now for what is on my plate next. Lots of projects, furniture, small projects, fabric. The list is endless but I'm very excited.LaurelKhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06188674384372498073noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5180167238046390002.post-68913749191035170892010-08-19T13:07:00.002-06:002010-08-19T13:37:55.770-06:00LifeBusy August and its barely half over. But being barely half over means school starts for Caitlin the 1st of September. Yesterday I got her registered for 5th grade. This will be her first full year at Southfork, hope its better than last year. Moving into a new school mid-year was really hard for her. Let's hope this year is good. I was disappointed with the registration, it was very chaotic. JE did such a better job, I'm sure this year was no different. Anyway its done, and she is ready for the first day, kinda. We have to put in for a deviation on transportation, since we are both at work, she will go to Grandma & Granpa Henman's after school. For the most part that works well. She needs to try harder to get her homework done, instead of go watch t.v. I think we are done with the school shopping other than a couple pairs of shoes. She thinks she can wear my shoes, "they fit" just because there is another inch or two of space does not mean anything. Sorry, but I do not share shoes. I'm funny that way. <br />Last weekend I made and bottled 24 pints of salsa, whew that was one long day. But I'm glad to have it done. I have not "canned" anything for years. I mostly freeze, but this was good. I think I will freeze some corn this weekend, we love corn, and I am not a big fan of canned corn. I don't think too many packages, mostly still on the cob, a few packages of cut corn also. Looking forward to getting some peaches and raspberries, so I can make some more freezer jam.<br />Tuesday I had to go into my dentist, back molar causing me pain. They had done some temp work on it, with thoughts of root cannel next. However the tooth was in bad shape when they did the temp work, it was even worse when I went it. It's just slowly deteriorated, so since its in the back and the root canal would help but just for awhile til the tooth completely came out, I went for the yank it out now. Which they did. So now I'm hurting. Yesterday was a liquid diet, gag protein shakes. Today is a soft foods diet, pretty close on the gag, with lots of Motrin for the pain. If I could have I would have stayed home yesterday and today. This is just miserable, but short handed in the office, so I work. Hopefully I will feel better tomorrow. <br />We need to get our camper ready for labor day weekend, that's a chore. Not a trip, just taking it up to the farm for the labor day weekend campout with Chris's family. No biggie, but do need to have the camper ready. Perhaps this weekend along with everything else that keeps getting put off. YUCK. Need more hours, days, weekends.<br />Oh well, its life and I love mine.LaurelKhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06188674384372498073noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5180167238046390002.post-12306593330380905642010-08-10T15:10:00.003-06:002010-08-10T15:44:54.121-06:00Just the EverydayWe got all the school supply shopping done. We had to run into Wal-Mart one Saturday and I had the list, so we started and finished and came in under budget. I mean we only have one child so it really is not a huge thing for school supplies. We also pick up extras, the price is always the best, then the extras get stored in a school tote for use as needed. Works well for us. Caitlin has been going thru her closet very slowly. What still fits, what is worn out, and what she does not wear, never liked gets put in a pile. Sometimes I wonder if I shouldn't sell them on e-bay. Is the pay-off worth the effort as opposed to just giving to someone you know needs the clothes. Still thinking on it right now. Have done some online shopping for school clothes, love online shopping, always find a coupon, so those packages should start showing up. I am much more restrained this year than in the past. Probably tired of all the stuff that gets put in the give-away pile.<br />I have been purchasing produce thru Bountiful Baskets for quite a few months, one of the many benefits that I am realizing is even if I know we are not going to get something eaten right away, I can do something with it. I have made numerous batches of freezer jam, but small quantities, like just a few pints. Do you know how nice that is, to just do a small batch, instead of flats of fruit. This weekend I'm getting tomatoes, 25lbs. Not a small batch, but oh well. Going to do the majority in salsa, a very small amount in Pepper & Onion relish. All will be canned. Long time since I've done that. That ought to be an interesting day.<br />Today, Caitlin is at Lava Hot Springs swimming with the cousins. She loves when she gets to go with my brothers family. She gets the fun and chaos of a large family. She should be dog tired tonight. Glad she gets to spend the time with them. <br />We really have not done much fun stuff this summer. Sometimes that is just the way it goes. We finished 4-H horse, not on a great note. She showed in halter with her horse, then was practicing on the track and her horse freaked and ran off with her on, she held on, but it scared the daylights out of her and not in any mood to do anymore. Chris said no that was it. Not worth an accident. She did get a blue ribbon on her Idaho History project, her rag rug. So it goes now to the state fair, which she is really excited about. I also got a couple of ribbons for my pictures, one blue and one white. Kind of fun to do. My nephew Quinn got two blue ribbons for his art. Pretty cool.<br />Have not finished any projects in the house, which frustrates me greatly. My motivation never seems to make in the door when I get home after work. Need to work on that. Have been playing with my Cricut machine. Fun stuff. I see lots of vinyl words on my walls in the future. <br />School registration is the 18th of this month. Caitlin is not at all excited. I hope its a good year for her, last year was a struggle, with transferring not quite mid-year. <br />Well that is the everyday and yes it is our everyday. Its a good everyday, and I am content with that.LaurelKhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06188674384372498073noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5180167238046390002.post-54207454869828656192010-07-27T10:37:00.002-06:002010-07-27T10:59:45.718-06:00JulyWow July is almost over. Sometimes I wonder what happens, cuz I really don't remember much. <br />A good part of July was taken over by Chris's horse and rider going their seperate ways adventure. Couple days in the hospital, and then being home. Chris is the world's worst patient, always has been. I learned this early on in our marriage, we had been married 6 months and he had to have his appendix out, so a week long stay. It was awful, he hates hospital food, I can agree on that, but if that is all then go hungry or get over it. Or in Chris's case order Domino's Pizza and the Doc decides you are healthy enough and go home. Anyway, this time, because of the injury he couldn't get around well, still looks like an 80 year old walking. 4-6 weeks for the injury to heal. He went back to work after a week and a half. Has physical therapy 3 times a week. Fun stuff. Caitlin is a couple weeks away from the fair, she is entering her Idaho History project from school which was a rag rug that she made with the help of my Mom. She won Best Project at school! She also is in Horse 4-h so has her horse to enter. <br />School supply lists are out, although school does not begin until Sept. 1st. I love school shopping. Its so much fun. Since we only have one child its not to hard financially to cover. Now as Caitlin has gotten older, she is sharing her opinion on clothes, and Target is no longer good enough. Now it's the mall and those stores. Now Old Navy is fine, but Aeropostle gets pricey. So that is limited, plus as expected her opinion differs from mine. So I don't quite enjoy the clothes shopping as much. Also we have not been as successful in teaching her the value of a dollar, so price does not quite register. I think this year we will do a budget for her, and that is the amount that is spent and see how she does. Maybe that way she will see how her dollar goes further in different stores. I remember my parents doing the same thing when I got around her age, I think one year I got two pants and 3 shirts, cuz of what I wanted, the rest was make due. We shall see. Somedays I really think uniforms would be a good thing.<br />Well on to August, lets see how that goes!LaurelKhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06188674384372498073noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5180167238046390002.post-6393542682813342382010-06-17T14:50:00.002-06:002010-06-17T15:00:09.972-06:00ShoppingOkay, I love shopping. I mean I truly love to shop. Now the only thing I hate about shopping is the inevitable returns. This week I had two returns. Tennis shoes and a baby outfit. Its so annoying to me to have to return something, I mean I do better than that, but alas I did not. The shoes for my daughter fit right now and she has no room. I took them back, they did not have her size, so do I wait or buy an alternate. I went with the alternate. $20 bucks more, 15 minutes in line, and showing I.D., what is up with that. Anyway, then I bought a summer outfit for my niece's daughter. Needed a size up on that which puts into the 24mos, or 2T size. Now when my daughter was that size I never really got the 24mos or 2T size. Did not see much difference. Anyway, got that exchanged also. I really do not enjoy returning things, I mean it could almost turn me off of shopping. No probably not.<br />Looking forward to dinner tonight, my hubby is making "his" spaghetti, we have a couple of different versions, tonight is his. Love it when he cooks! Really love it when he makes spaghetti. MMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMLaurelKhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06188674384372498073noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5180167238046390002.post-3187491642792364742010-06-08T09:59:00.004-06:002010-06-08T10:16:15.716-06:00Time goes by<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpZg4rArKjNA8FC4T2OE3ukDWH6VjFWPSv-arMThhlpRrCIcF8KUwPN9zXHpunWA3eQS7NjwwuF75TIr5A7pT0NACq_jAGcR28QZw6SZLExO6huMZ0XxeFOccxsK7Owmp-gQ3L1H0RKk7B/s1600/IMG00165-20100607-1053.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 150px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpZg4rArKjNA8FC4T2OE3ukDWH6VjFWPSv-arMThhlpRrCIcF8KUwPN9zXHpunWA3eQS7NjwwuF75TIr5A7pT0NACq_jAGcR28QZw6SZLExO6huMZ0XxeFOccxsK7Owmp-gQ3L1H0RKk7B/s200/IMG00165-20100607-1053.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5480436397374319042" /></a><br />Wow, time has passed since I was here last. I never realized how much time one child in school can take. I do not want to think about more than one, and since I have only one, I do not have to. Idaho History project took up alot of time. Caitlin made a rag rug with the help of Oma. She won "Best Homemade Project" and was very excited about it. She can also enter her project into the county fair, which she is going to do. School is now out and we made it. Now her time is spent playing. I want that life. She is taking Horse 4-H and seems to be enjoying that. One of the neighbor girls is also in it, but she is a year ahead, same age, which is hard for Caitlin, you know only child needs to be able to do everything and at the same level. <br />All of our cows have calved. Yeah. Seem to be all doing well. <br />Right now we are working on Caitlin's party this weekend. She turns 10 on the 15th. So we are having a party, and who knows if its going to be rainy or not. So we make double plans. We are having a Luau, on a very small scale. Hawaiian Pizza is as close to Hawaiian food as we are getting. Thinking of also having some carnival games. Working on that today. That would work best for outside, but who knows.<br />Today is nice weather, no rain, YIPPEE! Looking forward to the weekend.LaurelKhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06188674384372498073noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5180167238046390002.post-42987083570802238162010-04-06T10:55:00.002-06:002010-04-06T10:59:03.596-06:00Spring is OverWoke up this morning to over 7 inches of very heavy wet snow, and the wind blowing. It's April 6th and the conditions where so bad they called off school for the county. It took me 45 minutes to get to work for a drive that is normally 20 minutes. Fun stuff, I want a snow day!<br />What fun the weather in Idaho is. <br />Its depressing actually, I think I need a vacation. I think I might work on that.LaurelKhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06188674384372498073noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5180167238046390002.post-32482341510456213252010-03-17T13:08:00.002-06:002010-03-17T13:18:29.015-06:00A bit of spring<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEC8cMpJXK2AUCgud8SimJi2OrIlmX6-h0FIlUJDs9xSYIWsFjTBK3j90cGVXCBkigY6AjhHUqJSeFvzlAzvYcnBbAI1Q4u6554OGwAYd9Dz7nW-ECoB8HE0w2hjdIXwPNPEb8HE1gVnnq/s1600-h/Vegetable_Garden_Royalty_Free_Clipart_Picture_090419-153797-559048.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 100px; height: 62px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEC8cMpJXK2AUCgud8SimJi2OrIlmX6-h0FIlUJDs9xSYIWsFjTBK3j90cGVXCBkigY6AjhHUqJSeFvzlAzvYcnBbAI1Q4u6554OGwAYd9Dz7nW-ECoB8HE0w2hjdIXwPNPEb8HE1gVnnq/s200/Vegetable_Garden_Royalty_Free_Clipart_Picture_090419-153797-559048.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5449684206978003058" /></a><br />Okay I got a bit of spring today, but not because of the weather, although it is nice outside, but I think we are back to rain/snow mix Friday.<br />My bit of spring came in the form of starting seeds. I love flowers, and gardens, and since I get to start fresh at the new place, I thought I would start my seeds indoors for a good start. Not that this is a new thing, by any means, it just gets me excited for the possibilities out there. The vegetables I started are Tomatoes of course, eggplant, pumpkin, watermelon, and sweet peppers. Most of the flowers can be direct sowed, so only a few I started indoors, like; Nasturtiums, Delphiniums and Hollyhocks. Today I'm just soaking the seeds to jumpstart their germination. Tomorrow or the next day I will plant them in seed starter trays and in a couple of months, when we have the hopefull last frost of spring, they will be planted outside.<br />Not all my flowers will come from seeds, I will still hit the garden centers.LaurelKhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06188674384372498073noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5180167238046390002.post-86521326960386786312010-03-12T14:57:00.002-07:002010-03-12T15:04:10.713-07:00I want springFirst off let me say that I love winter, love snow, lots of it. However once March hits I want it gone. I start thinking gardens and flower beds. So of cours since it is March, I'm ready. We have had some days, that toy with me, make me think okay its getting closer, then it usually snows the next day, just to remind me, that I am not in control. <br />The house we have now, has lots of beds, but since we bought it in late November, I do not know if there are many flowers. We did see the house in late summer just briefly, but there was only one flower in bloom. <br />I think the beds have good bones, so I get to add the color, which works well. We have so much pruning to do, not looking forward to that. I mean LOTS. All the beds have curbing so its even better. There is no garden though, so plotting where that will be, I'm thinking several raised beds in the back not to far from the patio door. Then off to the side, a bed for corn and such big space needs. I really enjoy laying out the plans for new beds. Now if the snow would just melt!LaurelKhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06188674384372498073noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5180167238046390002.post-83832984092669419202010-02-25T12:44:00.004-07:002010-02-25T13:18:28.600-07:00Surviving my child's hospital stay<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieVa8Z8UCYXzd4w-Bz4-ScDeO-43Rn2dlozpOu5lH8pQ_devMxpZj9SCH34uVb0iE1YiRL4WaShed-AeNcyxkbbnzBeVPS4Eu8Mg3czW2WGTKCguB_wE7XRWYkQ6NAcfzLjK4wTxNxmGzP/s1600-h/IMG00063-20100222-1642.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 150px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieVa8Z8UCYXzd4w-Bz4-ScDeO-43Rn2dlozpOu5lH8pQ_devMxpZj9SCH34uVb0iE1YiRL4WaShed-AeNcyxkbbnzBeVPS4Eu8Mg3czW2WGTKCguB_wE7XRWYkQ6NAcfzLjK4wTxNxmGzP/s200/IMG00063-20100222-1642.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5442277724803399762" /></a><br />Always in the back of my head there has been that little thought/panic of what will happen the first time Cait stays overnight in the hospital. What will I do. Well, we found out this week. Last Thursday night, Caitlin had a fever, that Tylenol did not help, but by morning all gone. Friday and Saturday she was fine. Sunday she woke up with a stomach ache. She ate a little breakfast, not much then said she was so full her stomach hurt. So we figured here we go, stomach flu coming on. So she worshipped the porcelain god numerous times, and the usual 7-UP, Gingerale, Coke or Peppermint Tea did not help at all. Lots of pain, tired, slight fever. So we did a little research online, and came up with appendicitis, but she had so few of the symptons that we thought, maybe not, let's wait. So Monday morning we woke up and decided to keep Caitlin home. She said the pain was less, but still curled up on the coach. She also said the pain in her stomach was now lower. We decided, that's enough off to Community Care. The Doc took blood, which considering she had not eaten for 24hrs and drank very little was not a fun thing. The took a urine sample, her temp was normal. He said, I think she might have appendicitis, but she is having less pain, which is the opposite, and was hungry. But he thought we should take her up to the hospital for a CT scan to be sure. So we decided Rexburg would be the quicker ER to get into for the scan. They had to put an IV in, which was awful, they had her arms wrapped in warm blankets to increase blood flow. Finally they got it in after one failed attempt. So hard to watch your little girl cry and you cannot make it better.<br />They put the stuff into the IV and then we had to wait for two hours before they could take the scan, and she could not eat or drink anything. Miserable time. Chris gave Cait a blessing with my nephew Riley. Finally we had the scan done and the Doc saw the results right away and yep her appendix was big fat and juicy, ready to burst, if it had not already and it needed to come out right away. So shortly after they where rolling her into surgery. I have a very brave little girl! One of the worst parts was the nurse going over the living will crap, that had me in panic mode. I could not think of that. I thought I would loose it, but cannot do that in front of your child. So we waited in the waiting room by the day surgery suites for her to come out. It took the doc 15 minutes to complete the surgery, regular surgery, not scope, that would have taken longer. Anyway the appendix had not burst thank goodness, but needed to come out. Then they came and got us cuz she was having a hard time in the recovery. She had no clue what was going on, still foggy and crying her eyes out, hyperventilating. That about killed me, trying to calm her, and she still fuzzy and not knowing what was happening. Finally after 20 minutes we got her calmed and could go back to the room. She slept a little. Chris's mom came to see her. Brought her flowers and a teddy bear. So she stayed for a while and visited, my folks would come the next day and my mom has been staying with us since she is out the whole week. She finally could have a liguid diet. Which she said was great, thought the beef broth was so good, tells you how hungry she was.<br />Chris left to go home at ten and I stayed. Not much sleep, when they check every 1 and a half. But she was doing so much better. What a tired little girl. We finally got to bring her home late Tuesday afternoon. She had been doing so good. Still in some pain, but no fever, no sickness. Me, I'm so tired, and hope that I do not go thru that again anytime soon, so much stress and worry. So hard to see her in the hospital bed, but she is so brave and did so good. She has been working on her schoolwork so she is not behind. I think she is starting to get a little stir crazy from being inside. This is good, it means she is doing very well. I'm very glad it is over and all is well. Hate sleeping in hospital rooms. Hate the food, but the nurses get an A+, so awesome! Kept Caitlin in videos, and DVD's, jello, milkshakes!LaurelKhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06188674384372498073noreply@blogger.com2