Anniversary Weekend

It's our Anniversary weekend away! We celebrated our 6th Anniversary with a weekend in the mountains spent at my company's mountain house in Silverthorne, CO. We invited the entire family along to enjoy the beautiful 5 bedroom house with us!

We enjoyed the first day/night to ourselves...shopping at the Outlet Mall, relaxing at the house playing pool, watching TV, and soaking in the hot tub. It was nice to be away, feel relaxed and enjoy the quiteness of the beautiful Rocky Mountains!

My sisters joined us with the kids and we had even more fun playing games, shopping (again) and we even ventured out for a nice walk/hike...unfortunately it started raining when we were only about 100 feet from the house so we turned back, but not before snapping a few photos!

My parents joined us for one night too...we had dinner together, baked cookies and played games. It was my hope that everyone could escape for at least one night to enjoy this wonderful gift with us!

So, HAPPY ANNIVERSARY my Love!

I Love You!

Freezing Peaches

It's that time of year...Fresh Peaches!!

Every year I try to pick wonderful peaches at the grocery store and am always disappointed when I get home to find a less that ripe peach to bite into. Well, ever since my sister told me about it, I now order my peaches from the "Peach Lady" and anticipate August/September every year!

Usually I split a box with my Mom but this time I made it a priority to purchase a whole box (25 pounds) and freeze some to enjoy the whole year through!

So, at my first attempt to freeze my own peaches I decided to document this occasion with some colorful pictures that will leave your mouth watering!

Peaches!

Necessary ingredients, storage bags
Step 1: Wash, then boil peaches for 20-45 seconds
Step 2: Immerse boiled peaches in ice water for several minutes
Step 3: Remove fleshy peach skin...it should literally just fall/peel off!
Peeled Peaches ready to be sliced!Step 4: Mix juice of choice &"Fruit Fresh"Step 5: Add liquid mixture to sliced peachesStep 6: Place desired amount of sliced peaches in freezer bag and cover with liquid mixtureStep 7: Remove Air, Seal and Label bags ready for freezer!And it never hurts to have a little help eating the leftovers!!

The Produce Poser

Yes, that 's me...that's what my mom called me when I told her the tale of my watermelon.

I was at the grocery store the other day picking up a few items for dinner when I was drawn by the wonderfully bright colors of the produce department. Now that I'm in a contest to lose weight (more on the in an upcoming post), I have been craving fruit like you wouldn't believe. I love summertime and the delicious melons that are on display...they just call to me. My daughter is the same and can demolish cantalope, strawberries, blueberries, raspberries and yes, watermelon as quickly as I can give it to her.

During this particular trip I decided to splurge on a small-sized seedless, watermelon. As I approached the cardboard bin where they were kept another lady was also suveying the selection. I thought to myself, "how does one go about picking the perfect, sweet, ripe watermelon?" I wasn't sure - I usually just go for one that has a nice shape and looks pretty. Suddenly the lady standing there with me began picking them up and knocking on each of them until she found one she liked. So, I too began knocking on each one I picked up to view. What was the point? What was I supposed to hear? I felt silly knocking on the melons and wondered if others were looking at me wondering what the heck I was doing or maybe they were thinking (just as I had) that I must really know something. I finally settled on one - not completely sure if it was going to be ripe and I went on my merry way.

To my luck, it turned out to be a perfect pick...but rest asurred that since that trip I have researched the right way to pick a watermelon so as not to be a "Produce Poser" again!

Picking a Perfect Watermelon:

Things You’ll Need:
- Knuckles

Step 1: "Knock" on the watermelon.
Step 2: Listen for a hollow, empty sound. It should not sound solid or dense.
Step 3: Knock on as many watermelons as you wish. Select the one that has the most hollow sound.

08/08/08...Welcome Sweet Brody Boy!

Welcome to the world Sweet Brody Boy!

At 4:38 pm Brody Osborne was welcomed into the world by his very loving family! He is perfect from head to toes...our God is SO good!

Sons are a heritage from the Lord, children a reward from him.
Psalm 127:3

Loved by his parents...

Loved by his Mom...

Loved by his Dad...

Loved by his sisters...

Big...

and small...

Loved by Grammy and PaPa...

Loved by Grandma...

(we missed you Grandpa!)

Loved by his Aunts...

We are so glad he is finally here! We've waited a long time for this sweet little one to bless our lives, fill holes in our hearts, give us hope as well as understanding. It never ceases to amaze me what a miracle the gift of life is. God's creation is beyond our wildest dreams and this little life has already blessed us beyond measure!

Aunt "Mamie" & Uncle "Pokes"

(check out the time stamp...I didn't really post it at that time I just thought it would be cool!)

Cleaning-up

The other day I was trying to teach Kenzie about "cleaning-up". I asked her to put all of her toys in the basket. Well...she heard "in the basket" but might have missed what I said was supposed to go into it because I turned around to find this:

What a silly-goose!

Southern Living At Home...Take TWO!

I've been a Southern Living At Home consultant for almost SIX years and let's just say it hasn't been the most productive... I love the company, what they promote, the women, the friendships and of course the products!!

As life got busy, I put my participation with SLAH on the backburner. Well, I'm excited to announce I have the new Fall Catalog for 2008 and sales start August 1st! The products are amazing, the catalog is beautiful and it's time to share all of this with you!

I would love to jump-start my home business again and host parties! It is my goal to do several parties between now and next January...that's where I need your help! If you are interested in seeing the new products, gathering your friends together and having a good time (and possibly earn free products) you need to contact me today!
If you live near the Denver, CO area and want to host a party...let me know. You also have the option of a Catalog Party that only requires you to gather orders from people you think might be interested and you get all of the benefits of those sales without the hassle of hosting a party in your home! Contact me today...our beautiful line of products await you!

Getting Crafty...

Not that I have spare time on my hands but lately I've felt the need to test my "craft" skills...

I crocheted this baby blanket for a friend. It took me 1 week to complete start to finish and of course I completed the last round the morning of her baby shower...nothing like cutting it close! Whew! It was made using "Baby Bee" Sweet Delight baby yarn in the shade, "Little Princess" (bought at Hobby Lobby) I love how it turned out!! I hope she and her baby love it as much as I love the blankie my sister made for Kenzie!

I also made her some (girl) Cloth-Diaper Burp-Cloths...but gave them to her before I got the chance to take pictures. I have another (boy) set ready to be made and will post those pictures once I do!

Close-up Detail...

Next, I moved on to sewing...I made this wonderful Reversible Tote, and matching Zippy and Diaper/Wipes Pouch from a beautiful (girly) fabric from one of my favorite stores, Denver Fabrics. (This place has the potential to make me poor - unless of course I start to sell my bags...hmmmm, I'll have to work on my skill as these were my first!)

...It was the perfect carry-on bag for my trip to Minneapolis last week!!

I am now very excited to start my next set of Reversible Totes using this fabric (enough for 2 bags - one to keep & one to give as a gift??)

...and these fabrics (enough for one more reversible bag)...

If you feel inspired...Happy Crafting!!