My Calendar Pages Made

Little Lester and Johnnie

 Alfred and Me - My best friend all through my youth.

 Me and my Taffeta Dress my mom made me wear.

 Me and my parents on a boat trip to Catalina Island.

 Walter Lee Keith - My Dad

 Mom's best friend and cousin Genevieve

 Johnnie, Alfred and Larry

 Johnnie, Alfred, Larry and Mom.

 My big brother Johnnie

Mom, Alfred and Me

 Mom, Susan, Larry, Alfed and Me and my ringlets.

 My sweet brother Larry

I decided to finally get my calendar pictures done. They are sent to Simply Scraps so now I just wait anxiously for them so I can put them in my calendar. I kind of wish Lori would do a new set and sell them to us. Then we could have new ones for this year.  It was fun to use these old pictures of my family. I was so blessed to have these family members especially my mom. She was my best friend all my life. Can't wait to see her again.
I also went for a walk around Janna's property. It takes me 15 minutes to go around the edges because I have to back track and find gates. So I did it twice with the dogs and the cats following me.

Then I went to the Post Office to send Harrison's sweatshirt back to him. I'm such a flake. I forgot to sent it after I told Amie I would. Senior moment, that's it, I'll blame it on forgetfulness.
My visiting teachers came tonight and I had made homemade bread so I gave them each a loaf. I love to make homemade bread with my very own ground wheat.
Now I'm done for the day and I'm ready for jammies and putting my feet up.
Grateful Statement: I am grateful for these cute little animals that I get to live with. These dogs are so loyal. Molly is always by my side. And these kittens are so cute following me everywhere I go. Heavenly Father is so good to me. He knew I needed animals to keep me company.

Sweet Sabbath Day

Janna and Tommy have spent Friday, Saturday and Sunday winterizing this farm so we don't have broken pipes when the cold days come. They also worked some more on the roof of the barn to get it enclosed so when the snow flies it will be dry in there. It looks so much different now with the roof on.
Bailee, Austin and I went to church and I must say it was wonderful. We had an excellent lesson in Relief Society and Sunday School. I just love church. I love learning about what Heavenly Father wants me to do. I love getting to know more and more of the sisters in the ward. I love sitting by Ila and knowing she has problem and troubles but just keeps on smiling and doing her best. She is a 75 years old widow and looks so much younger. She is so spry and funny. She inspires me to do better. I love to watch Bonnie, the Bishop's wife, take care of all the sisters in the ward. This Sunday she took care of the 4 tiny little kids of the Machen's who were speaking. She is always mindful of what people need and so willing to help. That's a few of the things I love about my new ward.
Austin made us pancakes for Sunday dinner. We colored them orange so they would look like a pumpkin. He is quite the chef.
Grateful Statement: I am grateful for the Gospel and the direction it gives me in my life. It is my compass. It keeps me going in the right direction. I love it!!!

Organizing Some More

Yesterday I made white wheat bread. I baked two loaves and froze two loaves. I am going to figure out how to do this. My recipe makes 4 loaves and I need to freeze two so I can bake them later. I put them in the freezer and then read on the internet that they keep rising in the freezer and you should put them in the pans to freeze. Oops. But I will just bake it on a cookie sheet. They froze very well.
I also cleaned house and made biscuits, eggs and gravy for dinner. We are still trying to use eggs. The chickens have started to lay less so I'm sure I will be missing fresh eggs soon.
Today I organized all my albums. I can't quite figure out where I want them. But I will move them later if I don't like where they are. I just had to look through a couple of them. My grandkids where and are the cutest things on the planet. They were so very little.
I also worked on organizing my sewing stuff. I have a few quilts to make. Then I went to the store and made Potato Soup. It was delish. I'm so glad my dad taught me how to make it oh so many years ago. Well that's been my last two days and as you can see I have a great time doing whatever I want.
Grateful Statement: Today I am grateful for the opportunity I have to spend my days doing what I love. I am blessed...

Baking, Baking, Baking

I started this day off making the Oatmeal Fudge Nut Bars for Bailee and then Tommy wanted some Oatmeal Cookies (his favorite). I went visiting teaching to a new sister so I took her a plate of goodies. Then I came home from visiting teaching and made the Pizza Dough for Janna. Then it was time to make dinner. I used up two boxes of Hamburger Helper we had laying around. It was quick and easy.
I took the kids to YM/YW and some of the neighborhood kids too. And before I knew it, it was time to go get them.
I spent the rest of the evening watching "The X-Factor". I like American Idol much better. Now it's time for bed.
Grateful Statement: Today I am grateful for my kitchen. I am grateful that I am able to cook up fun things and that I enjoy doing it. It's fun to have the time and lots of people that appreciate my cooking.

Fabulous Pizza Dough

Today I made my practice batch of Pizza dough for one of Janna's Probitioners. She is a young girl that is on probation and her mom is having a hysterectomy. It's her birthday and her mom won't be able to do anything because she will just be getting out of the hospital and so I'm going to make the pizza crust for her using her mom's recipe and she will be able to put the topping on for her birthday party. I tried it out today and it was delish. It reminds me of a roll dough. I had to scald mild and add butter and water and yeast. I kneaded the dough in my Kitchen Aid for about 5 minutes. I rolled it out a little and put it in a deep dish pan and baked it for 7 minutes. I put sauce, Pepperoni and cheese on it and everyone loved it.  So it's my new dough. Tomorrow I will make it again so Janna can take it to her.
I also have to make some desserts for Bailee. Her Beehive class will be taking plates to inactive members of the ward. So I'm going to make the recipe I got from Judy called Oatmeal Fudge Nut Bars. Bailee just loves them. She said it was her favorite dessert of all the one's I make for the kids.
I did change my sheets today and washed all my laundry. I had to go grocery shopping to get some dog food for Molly and milk for the kids.
Now it's time for a little TV and then to bed. I had a hard time sleeping last night so I am ready for bed.
Grateful Statement: I am grateful for the opportunity to help one of Janna's Probationers. She is Heavenly Father's daughter and He loves her. I hope it helps her to feel better about herself.

Putting Tin on the Barn

Saturday Janna worked on the barn putting the tin on the roof. She is afraid of heights no less. I'd be on the ground. Someone gave her some tin and it was enough to do one whole side. So now it is half closed in.

 We also put my quilting frame together. It is so complicated for me. Thank goodness I had the directions. The quilt on it is Janna's that she sewed together a few years ago. I think it's time we finished it.

 Here is my sewing machine corner. It is fun to be able to mend things and sew again.

This last week was pretty much the same. Cooking, cleaning, laundry, etc. I may have a once every week journal. It just seems to be the same everyday. But I guess it's my life and so I need to record it in my journal.

Bailee and Austin went to church with me today. Janna worked on the roof so she could finish it off before the rains came. Bailee had a presidency meeting after church and she was meeting with the Bishop again. She got her Temple Recommend so she can do baptisms for the dead. By the time I went to pick her up at 4pm it was really raining. Austin made waffles for us for dinner. They were yummy. Now it's time for me to say good night and go to bed.

Grateful Statement: I am grateful today for my two grandkids that are so willing to go to church with me. Heavenly Father knew I needed them to go to church with.

Mowing Our Little Lawn

Today the sun came out and warmed us up a little. I just can't believe how fast winter arrived. Tommy went out and mowed our little lawn for the first time. The man is an utter genius with lawns. He can make them grow so good. He made it just in time, because in the late afternoon it clouded up and down came the rain.
Janna had the day off so we went to DI and took a bunch of stuff. Then we went to Winco so I could buy some bulk walnuts. I need to make brownies for Janna so she can take them to her office and I was almost out.
I came home from that and started organizing all the stuff we brought in from the garage. Mostly scrapbook albums and sewing stuff. I'm glad I have it in the house. Now I don't have to worry about something happening to my albums.
I made beans and  cornbread for dinner and after dinner Janna brought over two pair of jeans that were way too long and I hemed them. I told Tommy that it reminded me of Studio City when I sewed for money. All the teenagers would bring me their jeans to hem. I have hemed many a pair of jeans. I'm glad my sewing machine will sew through all the layers on the sides. It's been a wonderful sewing machine. I love my Viking!
Now it's time to relax and watch a little TV and do my dishes during commercials.
Grateful Statement: I am grateful for the talent I have to be able to sew. I can't wait to start making some pretty quilts.  I am truly blessed!!

My Messy House

Janna was written up in the Jefferson Star. Her office moved to a new location and the reporter was there when she was moving boxes in. So now she is famous...

Saturday Janna, Tommy and I went through all the boxes in the garage and brought all my scrapbook albums, sewing stuff, and 4 boxes of photos in the house. Now my house looks like a tornedo hit it. But that's my job next week to get it all organized. We put up my sewing table so now I can sew. It took me forever to find the right bolts for the legs on the cabinet. I just knew I had the right ones but they really belonged to my quilting frame. I finally figured it out and now I'm in business. I was so tired by the end of the day I slept like a log. John called me to say hi. It was good to talk with him.
This morning Janna, Harley and I went to church. When we walked in two of the girls in Harley class just grabbed her and had a big group hug in the aisle. If only everyone was welcomed like that! After sacrament we were going to take her home because she didn't want to stay and we figured we'd take what we could get. We were going out the door to our car and here came Chelsea and grabbed Harley up and took her back into class. Now that's the gospel at it's best. They brought her home after church. She likes to go with her friends.
We spent the rest of the day just hanging out. We worked a little more on the garage and Tommy brought in some old cabinets for his work bench. Now it's time for me to go to bed.
Grateful Statement: I am so grateful for Chelsea today and the love she showed Harley. What a fabulous girl. As I sat in church today I was just filled with love for the Bishop and his sweet wife Bonnie. I am finally home in my ward. I am learning to love these people.

Snow, Snow, Snow

It has been snowing since Thursday and cloudy all week. I think it's a little early for snow but evidently nobody listens to me. Bailee and I went to Winco on Thursday shopping. The kids are out of school Thursday and Friday so there teachers can go to school to be better. That's what they tell the kids anyway. We spent almost 2 hours in Winco. I am now buying bulk. It's so much cheaper. I bought 2 lbs of Fetticini pasta for $2.00. It was half the price of boxed pasta. I also bought chocolate chips bulk and spices. Bailee and I had fun comparing prices and getting the best deal. By the time we came out of the market it was snowing hard. This is what it was like by the time we got home. Burrrrrr!!!

 Here is Harley taking her goats into the barn so they can get dry and have shelter. She got two flakes of hay and let the goats out of their pen in the front of the property and they followed her to the barn. How cute is that.

 And Austin went outside and started making a snow fort. The snow was wet so it rolled up easily. He had so much fun.  What a kid.

 Bailee carved her pumpkin and put a candle in it. I had to come over and go into Janna's bathroom so she could light a candle in the pumpkin so it would glow in the dark. It was pretty spooky but of course when I took the picture my flash lit up the whole bathroom.

 And I finally learned how to freeze eggs. I tried it like someone on the internet suggested. I put it in Ice Cube trays but I couldn't get it out. So I got some baggies and broke two eggs in each and put them in a bigger bag and into the freezer and I know it works because I thawed out a bag and made cookies and it worked perfect. So now I'll have lots of eggs to use after the chickens quit laying for the winter.

Tommy and I went into town today and I got a shelf for my TV in my little scraproom. I'm putting my TV up high and my sewing cabinet underneath. So Tommy will hang it for me soon. Then I can unpack all my sewing stuff and start sewing. I need lots of things to do in the long winters we have in Idaho. That's my catch up post. Now it's time for bed.
Grateful Statement: I am grateful for my warm little house so I can stay warm when it is snowing and blowing outside. I am blessed.

Catching Up

Monday was a long day for me. I was missing my Utah kids and it was cloudy which is always a challenge for me. But I managed to get through it. I talked with Kathy my "Bestie" as the kids say. It made me feel so much better. How does she know when I need her to talk with. We are going to do some serious canning when she comes up to visit. Black beans are on the top of the list.
I went to Broulim's and bought soup for my pantry. I'm doing it slowly and surely. It feels good to start organizing my stuff.
Today I woke up to rain and cloudy skies but it didn't bother me at all. I did laundry, gathered eggs and made potato soup. It was so yummy and I roasted vegetables in the oven for Tommy for lunch. He finished my closet for me so I can hang up my sweaters and jeans.
I called my Visiting Teaching partner to arrange when she would be able to visit. Now I will call our sisters and set it up. So I did accomplish something today. Yes, Mr. Dean, mom does work most of the time. Now I'm going to watch the X-Factor and then go to bed.
Grateful Statement: I am grateful for the rain today. I know we need the moisture and I have to have a better attitude. Heavenly Father gives us what we need.

Fun Day Celebrating Amie's Birthday

This fabulous day started with a 6am breakfast before going fishing in Island Park. Notice Harrison measuring everything out. He is so responsible and good to check everything. These kids were so excited to go with Uncle Dean fishing.

 Amie, Harley and Hannah went to Island Park later to join the family. I watch the afternoon session of conference while they were gone.
Harley managed to catch a tagged fish. She was so excited about it. I so love these grandkids of mine. I can't believe how big they are all getting. Amie took my little camera with her and snapped some pictures for me.

 Dean, fishing in his waders. Doesn't he look like a real outdoorsman. I love this son of mine.

 And (Drum Roll) he caught a fish. Now that's proof that he is a true outdoorsman.

And Harrison will not be out done by his dad. He caught this big one and I think he caught some more. Now Dean will have to come up often and take him to Island Park fishing.

Harley and Hannah are driving grandpa pickup and dragging the pasture where Janna is putting in an arena. They were so funny just driving around in a circle.

 And the miracle of the day, Grandpa going to the Priesthood Session with Dean and Harrison. Aren't these just the most handsome guys. Three generations of Ingram's.

 Grandpa and Harrison posing for Amie so she could take this precious shot to the two of them.

 And then while the guys were at the church Hannah did her mom's toe nails. They really had fun using these stamp things to put flowers and such on there toes and fingernails.

After they got all done with this we all met at the Texas Road House to celebrate Amie's birthday. The food was delish they sang to Amie and she sat on a wooden horse and wore a cowboy had. She was so cute. Janna video taped her with he iphone and put it on facebook. We really had a good time.

Then it was time to go home and have chocolate ice cream cake from Cold Stone. Amie opened her present from Dean. He got her a sewing machine because she wants to make a quilt. Then we were all so tired we went to bed.

Grateful Statement: Today I am so grateful for my wonderful kids and grandkids. They truly are the light of my life. I am so blessed to have them.