A New Truck

Dad got his brand new pickup .... and a mustache too!

(Oh the adventures we'll have with this!)

Halloween with the neighbor kids.

Not sure who the rabbit is, then Michelle Swilley, David.

Diana Nault? Donna Martin, Lori, and unknown ghost.

David got a brand new bike for his birthday! 

Birthdays and Puppy Tricks

Happy 9th Birthday to Lori!  

and another fun shaped cake!

Looks like it was a garage party!  

And another Easter Cross at St John's Lutheran Church.

Still orchards out there, we aren't sharing facilities

with another church yet.

Teaching a new dog new tricks!  Shake, Buffy, Shake!

Looks like we cemented some rocks into place around

the little garden area.  And we still have those flamingos!

Birthday Cakes

When it came to birthdays, Mom always went "all out" 

with a cake!  She was very creative and crafty!

There was always some kind of theme

from the cake to the decorating to the games played!

She had this little "book of tricks" on how to do these

sort of creations, and it was always a treat to be able to

look through the book and dream about next year's cake!

Baker's Coconut Cut Up cakes:

Life was a bit more formal "way back when."

We wore dresses all the time!

Even Moms who came to help with the party 

were dressed in dresses as well! 

How did us girls survive all those skinned knees

without pants to cover them?

And, of course, Mom's home made cakes

meant we got to lick the beaters!!

Celebration Week

Dear Dad .....

Celebrations – August 2, 2013

This was my birthday week, and with things kind of crazy around here, well, the celebrations were kind of spread out....

When I arrived home on Weds, the house smelled Oh So Delicious!  And I thought "whaaaat???"  because the candles I have around are kind of beach smelling, but this - this was something baking!  Turns out my son had hoofed it over to the grocery store and bought the ingredients needed to make a cake from scratch!  Yes, that's right, scratch!  I was really impressed that he could do that.... and I gotta tell ya, that cake was smooth and delicious - way better than the kind you get from a box mix!   (And yes, of COURSE it was chocolate.... hehehe)

Thursday is our night to go to the library, to run any miscellaneous errands, and then treat ourselves to a no-cook night, usually at Taco Bell.  But because its "birthday week", I opted for Chipotle's.  And if you've never eaten at one of their restaurants -- you need to!  I always get a bowl, not a burrito.  This tasty dish is filled with Lime Rice, their specially flavored roasted chicken, sour cream, guacamole and two kinds of salsa.  I think it's fast becoming one of my all time fav things to eat!  (And if I'm going to be a regular customer supporting them, I checked, and yes, they are on the stock market for investors.  They have gone from $60/share to $400/share in the past 5 years.  Hmmmm. Wish I knew then.... )

And now, here it's Friday - the day to put your feet up, sip a cool beverage and chill out for a while -- I wonder if Sadie will be cooperative and allow me to do that!?!?!  hahaha  crazzzzy dog  

Happy Weekend!

Age of an Eagle

Dear Dad .....

Age of an Eagle

Today I turned 54 years old.... and yeah, I'm ok with it!  So many women fret about their age, and all the things that come along for the ride -- extra pounds, wrinkles, the way your body doesn't function the same way it used to --- but for the most part, I don't moan about my age.  It is what it is, and I can't change it, nor can I wish it be something else.  I never even fudge about the number, because what's the point?

With all the hard work and exercise I've done, I opted for some portion control and had a double chocolate fudge cupcake, much like the one pictured here.  I should have taken my own picture -- but I scarfed it down before I could think about!  And yes... it was heavenly!!!!!   (If I'd bought an actual cake, I'm sure I would have eaten the whole thing! hahaha)

Otherwise, it was just an ordinary day for me.  Work was busy, then I hit the gym for my 2 miles, and headed home for a crunchy chilled salad.  (When it’s hot, cooking just doesn't interest me!)   I've had a few phone calls from friends and family with Happy Wishes -- always real nice to hear from everyone, so thanks to all of you!!

The old age of an eagle

is better than the youth of a sparrow.

-Greek Proverb