Holiday Weekend

Well, I guess I did it again, didn't I? I disappeared for yet another holiday away from computers. Can you believe that I'm online everyday, several times a day, and yet (it would seem) that none (or very few) of my relatives are online... at least not the ones I go to visit. If they are online, it is with a land-line, not a wireless connection. I guess I'm just not the dedicated blogger that goes to a library everyday to make posts... sorry!

We went to Lander for the weekend. Stayed with my grandparents.


Played cars / trains / blocks.


Practiced Checkers (I just taught Frank this month).


Visited my Aunt (who cracked a whip for four-plus hours, while we cleaned out her guest / junk room). Also visited with my Uncle (who was very appreciative of all our hard work). No picture… what was I thinking? I got pictures of everyone but them and evidence of the hard work (guess I was too busy... oh, that's right!... WORKING!) Sorry!

Visited my Cousin (who had nasal, pollup-removal surgery on Good Friday)…

...and his family...


Got a good dosing of Churchy stuff (from each household). We're heathens, you know... we don't go to church every week. We don't even "have" a church of our own... yep, that's me and my hoard, just floating out here in Godlessness, doomed for eternity. Anyway, when we go to visit, we also go to Church... keeps the peace and gives us the opportunity to have discussions on beliefs with our boys. Here we are post church...


Tom was a little embarrassed about the "Hawaiian" Shirt I packed for him. I kept telling him it was clean, it was wrinkle-free, and it was Pierre Cardin, so, it was okay. He didn't buy it, which, quite honestly surprised me. I thought the relaxed, but clean and neat, shirt would be right up his Church-Going-Feelings-Alley. Laid back and relaxed. Here, but not really. Oh well! Next time, I guess I'll pack his dress shirt, tie, slacks, and dress shoes... all last worn about four years ago and pretty much guaranteed not to fit! :P


What else?

Talk about being laid-back! Get a load of Jack!!!

Hmm..., what was it?


Oh yeah!

We hunted Easter Eggs!


That pretty much sums up our weekend!

I hope you enjoyed yours. Our weather was beautiful and the break to visit family was good.

Early Morning Time

On Monday I started going over to the Family Rec Center to do some of my exercising. On Monday, Wednesday, and Friday I now wake up around 5:30 to go before Tom has to leave for work. What then, of course, must happen for me is that my body will start to shift to this time schedule... up early (and soon to bed early). I've never been one who could easily "sleep in" just because it was a different day of the week... my body (and I read it's best for bodies) likes to go to sleep and get up at the same time.

This morning, I woke feeling refreshed and awake at 6:36 (I know it will move up closer to 5:30 the more I get up at that time). Instead of crawling back in bed and just laying around, I grabbed a workbook (Excuse Me Your Life is Waiting Playbook by Lynn Grabhorn) and journal, as well as my robe and some water. Then, I went and snuggled into the couch to do a little self-reflection. I got 30 minutes to myself before I heard anyone else stir. It was quite delightful.

The way I've ordered my life is to spend time cuddling with my boys and hubby each morning. Part of why I haven't allowed myself to get up and do "my own thing" was because of the cuddle thing. Well, this morning, when I heard them getting around, I just closed up my books and went in for snuggling with them. It was a good way to do it.

I am glad to be carving out some time for "me" when I'm at my best... in the morning. Often I feel like I'm trying to "steal" time for myself after the boys are in bed, but that's really when I too need to be in bed. I've always been an early-to-bed, early-to-rise kind of person.

Also, last night, just before bed I wrote out today's list of things to do today. I feel so much calmer knowing what I wanted to accomplish. You know how at the end of the day you'll think "I didn't get ____ done?" Well, by writing it down when I was thinking it, it helped give me a focus and a reminder for today.

Here, on the first day of Spring in Wyoming, we've been having rain showers mixed with snow flurries. I am so happy to see the ground wet, but not white, and the sky gray, but producing rain. It gives me hope for greener times ahead. Hope you all have a great day!

High Altitude Cooking / Baking Adjustments

My Aunt's have had a cabin in the mountains since before I was born. It's actually the only "place" in my life that has remained constant. I've noticed that when I get there, I'm often sleepy and able to rest. I'm still pondering if I rest there because I instinctively know I can, if I take myself there when I "need" some downtime, or if it's some combination. I digress.

My Aunt Ginny was a great cook. Over many years, she gathered information for adjusting recipes to cook / bake at high-altitudes. Since I now live at a high-altitude, I was given these little treasures of info on my last visit. Now, I'd like to share them with you.

• Increase flour 2 teaspoons per cup.
• Increase liquid 1 Tablespoon per cup.
• Decrease leavening agent 1/8 teaspoon per teaspoon.
• Decrease sugar 1 Tablespoon per cup.
• Decrease shortening 1 Tablespoon per cup.
• Increase baking temperature 10 degrees.

When I ask about the source, I was told that this info was discovered by trial-and-error or that it was gathered a piece at a time, Here-and-There. I hope that they help you sometime.

Back to Task

Just thought I'd let you know that I'm getting myself back to task. The three things that come to mind are:

1. Exercise and Healthy Living
2. Pattern Design and Publication
3. Routines, Schedules, and Law of Attraction

I am working out Plans of Action for each of these areas and also implementing them, like, yesterday! Literally. I started implementing them yesterday!

Yay me!

Kids Art

I feel a little slow to get up-and-running with blogging again... but, since I do enjoy it and the trail of life it gives me, I am chugging away at it.

I've been meaning to give you a tip... you know how kids' art seems to multiply and grow and grow? Well, I put up my favorites, but then, I stash other pieces (right under my cutting mat at my multi-purpose workstation.) Then, when I'm sending something to a friend or family, I have a piece of child's art handy (as in, I don't have to wait for a custom piece to be made (and dry) before sending my item out). I just snatch a piece of artwork from under my mat and include it in the package / envelope. I also use them for wrapping gifts. This is just a little something that makes my life easier (no guilt about throwing away art and I get to share it with people far away).

Quilting Projects I’ve Seen

I recently came across two patterns online that look fun, fast, and easy. They are both online tutorials. Take a peek, maybe you'd like to make one of them (from the scrap bin?)

The Future's So Bright Quilt by AmandaJean of Crazy Mom Quilts. Here are the specific instructions for making it.

The second one is SUPER SCRAPPY and FAST... Scrap Strip Squares by HappyThings.

Please send me a picture if you make one of these cute quilts!

I'm Back!

Just thought I'd give you a little warning that we are FINALLY back from three weeks of travels. You can expect me to begin posting again regularly... and also, a new feature has been requested, which I am working on... recipes.

I'll be back online again soon...