The Best is Yet to Be

Where's the snow?

2012-02-01T15:02:00.000-05:00

January is over, and I miss the snow. Where is the snow? Oh, yes, I remember, it’s in Seattle, WA, Oregon, Utah, and other states. From my previous posts, it’s evident that I LOVE SNOW. I’m beginning to worry that I won’t see any in my yard this winter. I prefer my snow in January, but I’ll take it right up to April. So come on snow, show yourself.

My daffodils are 8" tall and almost in bloom!

Even my tulips think it's spring.

End of an Era

2012-01-12T15:45:00.001-05:00

An era has come and gone. Nineteen years ago when my first grandchild was born I purchased a nice wooden changing table and put up in my (large) laundry room. I filled the shelves with diapers, burp cloths, ointments, thermometer, nose-suction bulb, even small toys to distract a baby having his diaper changed. I had every size of diaper, including pull-ups. I had small blankets and large ones. It all fit nicely on the two roomy shelves. And when the grandchildren or nieces and nephews visited from out of state, my changing table was ready for them.

But now…….yes, now. Now the youngest grandchild that lives in town is three years old. She’s passed even the pull-up stage. So I felt it was time to make a change and reorganize. I found that the changing table fits nicely into the laundry room closet, so I cleaned the shelves bare and put it in there. Next I turned it into a wrapping center, holding tissue paper, wrapping paper, bows, boxes, gift bags, etc. But I’m a little bit sad that our diaper-changing years have gone for the most part.

What’s that? Yes, down the road if we have a quiver full of great grandchildren, I’ll pull the changing table out and turn it back to what it was originally purchased for.

Cleaned out baby changing table

This plaque reminds me of what it is really all about; it stays

Bare spot where changing table used to be

My new wrapping closet

Ta-da!!

Christmas in Tennessee 2011

2012-01-02T19:35:00.000-05:00

Christmas activities from the first of December to the end of December

Our Christmas gift to each other was this outdoor Nativity - It's beautiful in daylight or night

Attending Emma's School Orchestra Concert

Emma plays the violin

Afton, Lydia, Josh, and Claire decorate our tree this year

We are pleased with the results

Attending Tanner and Sydney's piano recital

Hosting the Empty Nester's Christmas Dinner

Attending Carter's School Band Concert - Carter on Percussion

Hot chocolate after Christmas caroling

                   Josh, Lydia, Ben, Afton
                                                                                                          admire Polar Express

Traditional Nativity Pageant

Traditional Christmas Eve Photo of the women - me and my girls

Knowing Trey will be on his mission for the next two
Christmases, we took lots of pix with him

Lunch at Aubrey's with Allie and Trey

This pix slipped out of
place, and I couldn't
get it back--kitchen table
setting for our
Empty Nester's
Christmas Dinner

Christmas Candy

2011-12-19T21:31:00.001-05:00

I think making Christmas candy is one of the best traditions our family has. It has passed from generation to generation, picking up new recipes along the way. Some of my favorites include:

Bessie Thorpe’s Fudge
Double Decker Fudge
Peanut Butter Cups
English Toffee
Caramels
But today, I needed to come up with something really fast. I needed something with color to fill in a space next to the fudge, so I whipped up Cinnamon Hard Tack Clear Candy. It’s the easiest of all the candies to make. Here’s a tutorial, if you care to try it.

Mix all together in a heavy pan: 3 1/2 cups sugar, 1 cup Karo Syrup, 1 cup water, stir to mix and then don't stir it again. Bring to a boil and cook until it reaches the hard crack stage (300 degrees). Use a candy thermometer.

While waiting for this to happen, spread tin foil on a cookie tin.

When the mixture reaches the hard crack stage, remove from heat and gently stir in 1 tsp. cinnamin oil and several drops of red food coloring--more or less depending on the color of red you want.

Pour the entire mixture evenly onto the cookie tin and let cool completely.

Then sprinkle powdered sugar over it with a sieve.

Now take the heavy end of a table knife or a hammer and crack the cooled candy into pieces.

I love this nativity set my sister, Kathy, gave me years ago.

Other ideas for flavors and colors: green, licorice; blue, anise

Thanksgiving 2011 Remembered -- a Pictorial

2011-12-11T21:59:00.002-05:00

Here are some random pictures of our 2011 Thanksgiving. I think the only picture I didn't get was one of our annual talent show, but trust me, it was great with singing, violin, piano, and summersaults--to name a few of the talents. Of course, there was the feast and the traditional free-throw basketball contest. I love Thanksgiving and this year was extra special as our grandson, Trey, made a quick trip home from BYU to be part of the tradition.

The gang's all here

Claire and Lydia enjoy eating at their own little table

Fruit salad--a favorite of cousins Emma and Sydney

The kids' table

The women.....and girls

Trey takes his turn to try to win the free-throw contest

The men's free-throw challengers - - It's tradition

Grandma Thorpe's Recipe for rolls - yum!

Lori's Etsy Shop Give Away and November Roses

2011-12-02T21:14:00.000-05:00

Lori has a great give away from her Etsy Shop, and I’m trying to enter every way I can for a better chance at winning, but you can do the same. Click here or below to enter and see what a great selection the winner gets to choose from.

http://ammeandneb.blogspot.com/

I meant to post these pictures while it was still November, but somehow November slipped away from me. Don’t you just love having roses in November? Mine bloomed right up to the very end of the month and still have a bloom or two---even with freezing temps in the night and snow right around the corner.

Tennessee November Roses - Picture taken the end of November, 2011

Give away pie winner............

2011-11-25T09:53:00.003-05:00

Sharlene's Cranberry-Apple Pie

Our winner in the Pie Give Away is Lisa. Congratulations and may you enjoy every last crumb.

After reading the comments, it struck me that none of my own children mentioned the Cranberry-Apple Pie being their favorite. Hmmmmm. I’ve been making that pie for 43 years. I guess it’s just me and my hubby that love it. As promised, however, I’m giving you the recipe. Try it, you might just love it.

Also, I found it very interesting that most people liked “homemade” pies. Lisa, if you’d prefer a homemade pie, I’m glad to do that or you can choose your favorite pie store and choose from their wonderful selection.

Sharlene’s Cranberry-Apple Pie

Makes one 9” pie

First: make pie crust of your choice

Next: prepare the filling:

Cook: 4 cups (1 pound) fresh cranberries in 1/3 cup water over low heat until berries burst (about 7-10 minutes) Stir several times

Combine: 2 ½ cups Sugar and 1/3 flour; blend into cranberries

Add: 2 cups chopped apples (about 2 medium to large apples)

Heat: to boiling stirring and mixing

Turn: hot filling into pie shell; sprinkle ½ cup blanched almonds, if desired; then criss-cross strips of pie dough for a lattice on top

Bake at 400 degrees for 25-30 minutes

Enjoy!

Pies----give away!

2011-11-18T11:44:00.001-05:00

Did anyone see the “Parade” article (Nov. 13) on pies?! My mouth has been watering ever since. I can hardly wait for Thanksgiving pies. I love pies---all kinds. My mind went floating back to eating Blackberry –White Nectarine pie from Three Babes Bakeshop in San Francisco. I wonder if they'd deliver one of those to TN? Traditionally I make a Cranberry-Apple Pie and Pumpkin pie for Thanksgiving. But pies of all sorts and flavors arrive to our house on Thanksgiving Day. It seems one of the daughters always makes a chocolate pie. In celebration of pies, today’s giveaway is a gift certificate to be used to buy your favorite pie. And if you don’t like pie, why not buy one for someone else? Or, hey, you could even buy a cake. Go here and here and here to wet your appetite.

Leave a comment and tell me your favorite kind of pie. The winner will be announced on Thanksgiving Day—in celebration of pies. Oh, when I announce the winner, I’ll also include my recipe for Cranberry-Apple Pie.

Hiding

2011-11-09T21:18:00.003-05:00

In our 23 year old home, we have many favorite spots that the grandchildren enjoy when they visit. We have a secret passage—fully finished with carpet and lighting going from a bedroom to the bonus room. I’ll blog about that another time. We also have what we call a cubby hole in Joel’s old bedroom, and then when we built some bookshelves and cupboards in the family room, we accidently created another hiding/play place. We had to leave one cupboard space totally empty because of the furnace air return there. The younger grandchildren will crawl inside and we pretend we don’t know where they are. We call out for them, and then finally, they burst out and say, “Here we are!” It’s just a nice place to chill when one wants to get away from it all. While most our grandchildren have hidden from us in this favorite spot, I don’t have a picture of all of them. But here are a few.

Let's start with the cubby hole in Joel's old bedroom:

Lydia readies the cubby hole - 2010

Almost ready for company

All set - Cousins Lydia and Hale - 2010

Now let's move downstairs to the favorite hiding space in the family room:

Cousins Koen and Josh enjoy playing - 2005

And why not push plastic cards into the hiding spot?

Cousins Claire and Josh approach the hiding spot - 2005

Cousins Claire and Josh are set - 2007

This pix of Afton and Lydia shows the hiding spot as found in the family room - 2010

Girls just wanna have fun - 2010

Cousins Lydia and Lincoln - 2011

And finally: Lydia and Afton just a few days ago - 2011

**Coming soon: The secret passage from bedroom to bonus room.

Heartland Film Festival

2011-10-29T16:31:00.002-04:00

To the best of my memory we have never attended a real Film Festival until this month. We were free and the festival was within reasonable driving distance from Knoxville, so we took advantage of being able to see our son Brad in action at the Heartland Film Festival in Indianapolis. We were only there two days, but it was a great, educational experience, and we got to see some wonderful films---feature length and shorts. Brad’s film that made it into the festival was “Drum Beats.”

OK, Brad is our son, but hey! He is one fantastic film guy, and he very aptly fielded questions during Q&A as well as participated in the Q&A discussion of the film-makers panel of three which was held Monday evening. Thanks for the memory, Brad. Here’s to all film-makers. Thanks for enriching our lives.

Feature Films we saw:
1) Much Ado About Nothing, by Brandon Arnold (friend of Brad’s)
2) Mulberry Child by Susan Morgan Cooper

Shorts we saw:
1) The Country Club, by Jace Freeman
2) Drum Beats, by Brad Barber (our hero)
3) Gild, by David Yarovesky
4) The Girls and the Fox, by Tyler Kupferer
5) Dreamgiver, by Tyler Carter
6) Two Life, by Paul Symons
7) Le Jeu Des Soldats, by Lorne Hitser

Ready to go see some good films!

Brad and fellow panel members receive their instructions.

Q&A after "Drum Beats" was shown.

Time for one more film

Hospitality Center for filmmakers (and their parents) at the Canterbury Hotel

Check out other films Brad has made and shown at film festivals here.

The Dahlquists visit Knoxville

2011-10-20T23:20:00.002-04:00

Lincoln with cousins Emma, Ben, & Sydney

Lydia and Lincoln in FR hiding place

Two little boys from Utah came to visit us this month, and they brought along their parents, Cara and Will. It was so much fun to pull out the bouncy seat for Spencer (age 4 weeks), and even borrow an infant seat for car rides. We had a tiny baby in the house who slept in the same crib I slept in when I was a baby. Oh my, we love babies. We’re beginning to see what being great-grandparents will feel like in not too many more years. Spencer’s brother, Lincoln, had the energy every two-year old has and every parent wishes they had. Both were delightful, and we enjoyed their parents, too. Here are pictures of some of the stuff we did. We miss them already; can’t wait until we find occasion to visit them across the country so many miles away. We wish they lived right here in the heart of Knoxville, TN.

Emma takes her turn to hold Spencer

My turn!

Spencer (in stroller), Will, Cara, Sharlene, Lincoln (other stroller) enjoying Market Square

Lincoln and Afton
Hooray for someone younger
than Afton

The Great Smokie Mountains

Russ and Lincoln

Will, Lincoln, Spencer, and Cara

Spencer, Cara, Will, and Lincoln in the Sunsphere

Lincoln joins the cousins singing group

Russ, Sharlene, Cara holding Spencer, Will holding Lincoln - State Line in the Smokies

Spencer sleeps in the same crib I slept in as a baby

Lincoln greets us each morning at breakfast

Everyone's here except for Trey, Allie, and Afton -- Good times!

Grandparenting

2011-09-23T16:40:00.003-04:00

I’ve been a grandparent since 1992, and anyone who is a grandparent knows the absolute overpowering joy that comes with that role. I used to have a plaque that said: “If I had known how wonderful grandchildren are, I would have had them first.” I can’t even find adequate words to describe the joys of grandparenting.
However, I have tried not to blog about specific grandchildren because I’m always afraid I will accidently favor one or the other. Writing too much about one and perhaps leaving someone out. But since it’s September and Grandparents Day was on September 11 (it’s always the 2nd Sunday), I’m sharing this picture of me, Russ, and our 19 grandchildren.

Our Grandchildren - July 2010

We have many, many, many pictures of them all about the house. I’ve even devoted an entire corner of the kitchen counter to displaying their pictures.

Various family members have given me nice “sayings” that express how my husband and I feel. Here are a few:

Since Trey was my first grandchild, his parents got to decide what I would be called, and they chose “Grammy,” which I love. We are Grammy and Grandpa.

Just one quick story that reminds us all how truly wonderful it is to be a grandparent. Our 2^nd youngest grandchild, Afton, slept over one night. She slept soundly in her little toddler bed upstairs. Because our bedroom is downstairs and we wanted to be sure we would hear her if she needed us in the night, we plugged in the baby monitor. We didn’t set an alarm for the next morning, knowing Afton would wake us up. We expected to hear crying or even shouting to us to get her up the next morning, but instead we woke to the most beautiful sound in the world: Afton singing. Yes, no annoying alarm clock, no yelling child, just this sweet, sweet voice of an angel singing one song after another. We jumped up and ran upstairs to give our little angel a big hug and “good morning.” Grandchildren! We are blessed.

_________________________________________________________________________________
President Jimmy Carter first declared Grandparents Day as a national holiday in 1978. Who knew? For more information, go here.

Also, if you want to see what I published about grandparenting in the magazine LDS Living, you'll find my articles in the March/April 2007 issue, page 26, "Over the River and Through the Woods, Staying Close to the Grandchildren." And in the November/December 2006 issue, page 70, "Traditions for the Grandkids."

The winner is........................

2011-09-10T09:29:00.002-04:00

Congratulations to Lydia who has won our give away. I thought it was quite ironic that someone going to school for the very first time (kindergarten) won the back to school give away. And as a thank you to all those wonderful comments from the rest of you, I’m sending each of you a little something. We loved reading all the comments. They were so telling into the personality of each child. Happy School Days! Here's that Target commercial one more time. I could watch it every day.

Note: Lydia is even wearing her school T-shirt.

Congratulations, Lydia!

School Daze Give Away

2011-09-02T14:15:00.002-04:00

Joel’s comment on my last post reminded me that it is probably time for another give away. But, sorry, Joel—it won’t be an air fare and football tickets—no can do. However, September always reminds me of the beginning of school, even though most kids start in August now a day. So in honor of all those cuties going back to school, this give away is for kids. Any child up to the age of 18 may enter. If you don’t have a blog account, ask your parents to enter you in the contest listing your name. If I don’t know where you live, leave me a contact (e-mail, phone, address, etc.) in case you win.

In entering, please list what your favorite part of school is this year. If you’re a pre-schooler and just learning to talk, that’s fine, just let Mom or Dad know what you like best about pre-school and they'll do the rest.

From a random drawing, the winner will receive a $30 gift card for Target. I LOVE their back to school commercials. This one is my favorite.

Contest ends FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 9 at 6 pm EST. Oh, I'll also throw in some Silly Bandz.

Here are some “school-daze” first-day-of-school pictures from our family archives:

1973 - Troy's first day of Kindergarten

1975 - Lisa's first day of Kindergarten

1976 Joel and Julie join Lisa and Troy for their First Day of School Picture

1977 - Joel joins Julie- first day of Kindergarten; Troy 4th grade; Lisa 2nd grade

Getting off the bus: Julie had a good first day

1976 - First Day for Lisa and Troy

1979 -First day of School....Troy in 6th, Lisa in 4th, Julie in 2nd, Joel in Kindergarten - I love that Brad and Lori are in the stroller being part of this photo shoot. I also loved that I had four children all attending the same school: Bancroft Elemnetary. You have to look closely, but Lori is in that stroller--about 4 months old

1981 - Lisa, Joel, and Julie on the First Day

In 1982 we moved to Knoxville and Brad started Kindergarten - First Day pix - Five in School

1984 - Lori's first day of Kindergarten; Brad & Joel

1986 - Joel - First Day of School

1986 - Brad & Lori's First Day of School

1987 - Brad and Lori's First Day of School

1988 - Joel & Brad - First Day

1988 - Julie and Chester - First Day

1989 - First Day: Lori, Brad, Joel, and Julie

It's beginning to look a lot like..............

2011-08-23T22:26:00.000-04:00

A while back I blogged about the sad fact that my state of Tennessee was listed as fourth in the most over-weight state. Since that time, I’ve found some pretty nice rankings for my state and city of Knoxville that I’d like to pass along.
How about being ranked number five as a “Best Value” city?! Pretty good, eh? And Nashville was ranked number three. These rankings were published in Kiplinger’s Personal Finance Magazine. Their rankings were based on the city that provides the best value, based on low living costs, strong economies and great amenities. Not too shabby.

If it’s team spirit you want, nothing beats the University of Tennessee football season. Now that UT classes have started and the local schools are into their second week, it’s “Football time in Tennessee.” Orange decorates our stores. At first glance, you might think it’s Halloween, but it’s the big orange rolling through town getting everyone ready for a season of UT Football. Yes, it’s beginning to look a lot like football in Tennessee. Go Vols!!

And after all, we are the volunteer state, so we must be good for quite a few things.

One more thought: “The game of football is beginning to gain a foothold in Knoxville,” the Knoxville Journal, November 20, 1891

Our stores are well stocked...........................

Neland Stadium seats 102,455 - Go Vols!

Bowled over...............

2011-08-08T16:37:00.000-04:00

The first plan for the back-to-school party this year was to go miniature golfing. But when the temperature was 98 the day before the party, with a promise of more hot, humid weather, we switched to bowling. I think it was a hit and much cooler. School starts August 15 in Knoxville, TN. When does it start where you live? Hope the air conditioners are tuned up and running when they kids arrive on the 15th.

I forgot to take pictures of the kids eating their super-duper homemade sundaes back at our house. Another “cool” idea for a hot day.

We're ready to bowl!

Don't forget your school supplies!

Happy Back-to-School!

Visiting the City by the Bay

2011-07-29T17:13:00.019-04:00

“I left my heart in San Francisco…………..” I really did leave a part of my heart and soul in the Bay area. We lived in the Bay area for 14 years---5 in Sunnyvale, and 9 in Walnut Creek, while Russ worked in downtown San Francisco. We’ve been gone for 29 years now, but all those wonderful feelings came flooding back as we returned to “the City by the Bay.”

Golden Gate Bridge

Troy and Dan are the best hosts ever and really outdid themselves on this trip. I wonder if Troy logged how many miles he put on his car from driving us to see everything. Here’s a small sampling:

A Giants baseball game against the LA Dodgers

Touring homes for consideration for a 2012 family reunion – The Broderick House is my favorite
Trip down the coast to Monterey, Carmel, Costanoa, dinner at La Costanera at Half Moon Bay

Exploring Cavallo Point at Fort Baker, across the Golden Gate Bridge, Sausalito

Viewing Sutro Baths and Sutro Heights (and Cliff House) and walking along Land’s End—always viewing the ocean from wherever we were.

Drove us past every famous and important landmark in San Francisco

Entering the AT&T Baseball Stadium ------------- Dodgers win 1-0

Troy, Dan, Russ, & Sharlene - Giants fans

And while driving in Troy’s Prius was the best, we did take advantage of the great public transportation in SF. We also walked, and walked, and walked so as to see things up close and personal and to reach the most wonderful little ice cream shops. Bi-Rite Creamery and Smitten—two favorites. Also enjoyed a wonderful pie bought at a little stand at the back of an alley and around the corner. Too many wonderful eateries to list them all. Dinner at Dan's parents', Jill and Dan Sr., proved as delicious as any time we ate out.

Lombard Street---Troy, Sharlene & Dan at Monterey---View from Sutro Heights

Dan, Troy, Brad, & Russ view City from Alto Plaza --Troy & Sharlene walk at Land's End

But the trip would not have been complete without a visit to the old homestead - 1523 Wicklow Court in Walnut Creek. We also drove by the Bancroft Elementary School (where most of our kids attended), the shopping center across Treat Blvd., Heather’s Farm (favorite park/swimming pool), and attended church at our old ward. We were thrilled to see so many friends from the ward that were still there. Saturday night, we went out to dinner with Carol and Burt Pett, Janna (Pett) DeLange, and her daughter, Kiley and husband, Jeff. We were treated by Burt and Carol to a wonderful Chinese dinner at Jade Garden. Good company, good food, forever friendships.

1523 Wicklow Court, Walnut Creek

Dinner with good friends, the Petts-------Dinner with Dan Sr., Jill, Noe, & Siobhan

Bi-Rite Creamery -----------Blackberry White Nectarine Pie

La Costanera at Half Moon Bay--------Plant Organic at Pier 3

So much I could say about this ideal vacation. Perfect weather: 72 degrees and clear blue skies and did I mention the SURPRISE?! While standing in line for yet another ice cream, we heard someone from behind us ask if he could crowd in line with us. As we turned around to see who made this request, we were totally surprised to see Brad standing there with a big ole grin on his face!! Brad had arrived in town (unbeknownst to us) to attend a business meeting, so he and Troy arranged to have him surprise us—literally walking up to us from hiding behind a bush. From there it was talking non-stop, eating our ice cream and more walks around the “City by the Bay.”

Russ, Brad, Troy, & Sharlene

Once again, I “left my heart in San Francisco.”

GIVE AWAY WINNER

2011-07-16T22:09:00.001-04:00

Drum roll……………… Soni Levenseller is our winner. Congratulations to Soni and also congratulations on living in one of the skinnier states. Her comment:

"Here in Oregon our favorite- darnright horrible, but OHHH so delicious!- unhealthy treat is Red Robin french fries dipped in ranch dressing!!!Yummmmm....... "

Thought this cartoon in our local paper was too good not to include. May none of us move to the front of this line.

Weighing in..........

2011-07-08T12:53:00.009-04:00

“Obesity rate above 20% in 49 states” – that was the headline in our local paper today. And what makes me really sad is my own beloved state of Tennessee is listed 4th in the ranking for the most obese adults. I must confess: although I’m not officially obese, I am not slender and could always lose a few more pounds it seems. So I’m part of the problem.

Top 10 Sates in percentage of obese adults:
1. Mississippi 34.4
2. Alabama 32.3
3. W. Virginia 32.2
4. Tennessee 31.9
5. Louisiana 31.6
6. Kentucky 31.5
7. Oklahoma 31.4
8. S. Carolina 30.9
9. Arkansas 30.6
10. Michigan 30.5

Bob Greene, health and exercise guru, said:

“Stop comforting yourself by stuffing down your feelings of sadness, regret, fear, and frustration with cheeseburgers, pizza, pie, and potato chips.”

With that in mind, I’ve got my next giveaway. How about a healthy choice? How about a $30 gift certificate to Subway? And if you live in a state that is NOT in the top 10 most obese states, then let’s make it $40.

From a random drawing, the winner will be announced on Saturday, July 16 at approximately 9 p.m. Eastern time. Good luck and watch those calories. To enter, leave a comment telling what state you live in and your favorite unhealthy treat.

Grandchildren Church History Tour 2011

2011-06-19T16:47:00.013-04:00

Our Grandchildren Travelers

Emma, Jonah, Connor, Tanner, Sydney, Ben, & Silas

Kirtland Temple Grounds in Kirtland, OH

-------------------------------------

In 2009 Russ decided we needed to take our grandchildren on a church history trip to Kirtland, OH, and Palmyra, New York. We put that plan into place and took grandchildren Trey & Allie Sexton and Carter & Jared Langford in April of 2009.

We just got back from our second trip. This time we took seven grandchildren: Emma & Ben Cruze, Tanner, Connor, & Sydney Sexton, and Jonah and Silas Barber. This required renting a 15-passenger van in order to hold the nine people and all our luggage.

We were blessed with beautiful weather in the 70’s and it only rained once, while we were sleeping. We had no van trouble and nobody got sick. It was just about as perfect as it could be.

The pictures tell the story best. In Kirtland we toured the church history sites including the Whitney Store and the Kirtland Temple. After Kirtland, we took a day to see the Niagara Falls and walk across the bridge near the falls to Canada. We particularly enjoyed the IMAX film about the myths and history of the falls. To get the children across the border, we had to have either a passport or an original birth certificate, and also a letter from their parents giving us permission to take their children into another country. All very official. I’m not sure the children even understood the seriousness of this.

Last on our list was visiting the many wonderful Church History sites in Palmyra, New York. We visited the Hill Cumorah, the Smith family cabin and home, the Sacred Grove, and the E.B. Grandin building where the Book of Mormon was first published. The Sacred Grove was the highlight of our visit and we all enjoyed its special spirit.

When all was said and done and we were safely home, we looked back and were amazed at how well the children did—traveling 1,700 miles in four days and going on tour after tour, watching film after film, and getting very little sleep. Thank you, grandchildren. You’re priceless. Thank you, parents, for trusting us with your children.

--------------------

Silas, Ben, Jonah, Tanner, Connor, Sydney, Emma - Kirtland Temple

Our rented 15-passenger van - One of our hotel rooms in Kirtland (Connor, Jonah, Tanner)

Russ and Sharlene in Translation Room above the Whitney Store -where grandchildren are seen

Connor, Emma, & Tanner in the USA - Sydney, Jonah, Ben, & Silas in Canada

Running into Canada

Viewing Niagara Falls

Learning how the Book of Mormon was printed at E.B. Grandin

Hill Cumorah Angel Moroni Monument - Grandchildren in the Sacred Grove

Tanner, Emma, Silas, Jonah, Connor, Sydney, & Ben in Sacred Grove

---------------------

If you'd like to visit some of these places, here are some resources:

Kirtland Temple, owned by the Community of Christ Church: http://www.kirtlandtemple.org/

Palmyra sites: http://www.hillcumorah.org/
http://www.visitpalmyrany.com/

Niagara Falls: http://www.niagarafallsusa.org/
http://www.niagara-usa.com/

Summer highlights

2011-06-06T22:20:00.009-04:00

I was actually born a blonde. I was even blonde as a three-year old. But by grade school and on to high school my hair was a natural brunette. First half of marriage—still a brunette. Then in my mid forties, the grey appeared. First I covered the grey with a matching brunette. Now in my mid-60’s I am advised I should go lighter. Thus, the highlights. In these pictures, you can actually see a mix of grey, brunette, and my beautiful new highlights. Slowly going back to my birth-roots: a blonde.

18 months old - 1948

1950--------------------------1954

1956

1962-----------------------------1965

September 14, 1967

The summer highlights of 2011

Let the roofing begin................

2011-05-28T10:10:00.008-04:00

It’s beginning to look a lot like “roofing” in our neighborhood. As a result of our April hail storm , it seems almost every home needs a new roof—ours included. Some people have hired their roofers and the signs are everywhere. Here’s a sampling of some of the signs we see each day as we go for our walk. Yes, we need a new roof, too. I wonder what our roofer’s sign will look like. Oh, and the advertising fliers and cards continue to show up on our door knob, steps, in the mail box, and some are hand delivered to us as we go walking.

Some people are using the same roofing company, but these are some of the choices

Men at work on one roof----some of the fliers and cards we received

Visiting the Beautiful Northwest

2011-05-14T15:17:00.015-04:00

We feel very lucky to have relatives that live in the greater Seattle area. It means we have a reason to visit there often. This year we expanded our trip and included a first-ever Verne and Bessie Thorpe children’s reunion.

Our first few days were spent with Kathy in Monroe. We enjoyed playing board games every chance we got. Kathy and I took her dog Teddy for many walks and went to the fantastic tulip fields in Mt. Vernon while Russ did some household jobs for Kathy. Kathy’s daughter, Wendy, hosted the Easter dinner gathering at her house. We enjoyed great food and company.

Next came two nights at the wonderful Greenlake Guesthouse Bed and Breakfast near downtown Seattle. The children of Verne and Bessie Thorpe gathered together and enjoyed all the amenities of the Bed and Breakfast, as well as the beautiful park and walking trail around Green Lake. Just hanging out together and reliving memories from childhood and talking about our rich heritage was wonderfully wonderful. Russ and I presented each sibling with a beautiful Legacy Family Tree. We were inspired by the Legacy Family Tree our daughter, Julie, gave to us at Christmastime.

Finally, we spent our last five days in Federal Way with my sister, Tamara. My brother Randy joined us and together we all worked on many house projects and enjoyed some good food at Roundhouse Pizza and Azteca.

The pictures below tell the story best. Thanks, family, for a wonderful visit in beautiful Washington.

Easter Dinner at Wendy and Dave's ------------ Tulips at Roozengaarde Gardens

Tulips Fields at Mt. Vernon, WA ---------------------a close up shot

Dinner at Ivar's Salmon House on Union Lake ----- Breakfast at our B&B

One of the lovely rooms at the B&B ---One course of our breakfast prepared by our hostess

Playing the Thorpe/Brown Trivia Game -----Sharlene & Kathy love the B&B robes

View of beautiful Green Lake - - - - Kathy and Randy enjoy a snack in the Sun Room at B&B

Sharlene presents Randy, Tamara, & Kathy with their Heritage Family Trees

Close up of the Verne & Bessie Thorpe Family Tree

It's less scary when.....................

2011-05-06T22:26:00.010-04:00

Yes, it’s less scary when you are 2,000 miles away. We were vacationing in Seattle when the storms and tornadoes hit our southern states causing extreme damage and many deaths. We who live in Knox County were lucky to just have somewhat minor damage. Many broken trees, windows, blown off siding, etc. Hail (the size of golf balls) damaged some of the wood trim on our home, ripped through 10 of our window screens, shredded our canopy, tore off rain gutter parts, pulled the post away from our fence and other minor stuff. When we think of what could have happened, we feel lucky. Our prayers and thoughts are with those who were less fortunate. Since we were away our children checked on our house and reported the damage and checked for leaks inside. We’re all waiting for insurance contractors to check our roofs. Many will need replacing. Tomorrow (Sat.) members of our ward, including my husband and sons-in-law will travel to Chattanooga, TN to help with the clean up there. They were hit harder than we were. I’m borrowing pictures my daughters took of the hail so you’ll have a visual of the hail.

Lisa holds hail in her hand with the gathered hail on her decking in the background.

Carter, Jared, & Claire add ping pong balls to show comparison - Lori holds hail from her house.

DAMAGE TO OUR HOME (NOT COUNTING THE ROOF)

This was a beautiful Hosta plant before we left town; now it's mostly torn to shreds.

It's hard to tell, but if you look closely, you'll see many hole in the screens. We will be replacing 10 window screens and we haven't checked the side windows yet. Guess we should do that.

Pre-Easter surprises--and not.

2011-04-20T17:55:00.013-04:00

Just days before Easter, I found the most wonderful surprise in my mailbox: a package from Cara, Will, and Lincoln. (notice how cute those three bunnies are in the card) I was totally, totally surprised. What a sweet surprise and when I say "sweet" I do mean sweet. Cara sent some of her favorite Easter treats: Cadbury creme eggs, Cadbury mini eggs, and Starburst crazy beans. Thanks Dahlquists!

Easter Treats from the three Dahlquists

The next surprise was when the fertilizer man fertilized our front and back yard on the very day of our annual Easter Egg Hunt. What to do, what to do. Didn't really want to hide eggs in grass covered with fertilizer. Fortunately, Lisa said we could hold the hunt at her house, and it turned out very nice. Thanks, Sextons.

Traditional photo shoot required before the egg hunt

And they are off and running---------Our six granddaughters pose with baskets full of eggs

Now, a few things that were not a surprise: Sydney traded money for chocolate. She and Allie both came away happy. Allie and Carter found their own corner of the yard to sort out their candy and money.

Allie swaps chocolate for money----Carter and Allie sort out the goods

Just to make sure everyone had enough sugar I baked cookies with lemon frosting and sprinkles

The History of Swings---a pictorial

2011-03-24T16:46:00.023-04:00

I remember the swing set that I grew up enjoying. When I had my first child my parents were determined that I should also have a swing set for my little ones, so they presented us with it as a Christmas gift in 1970. These were the metal type that usually had a glider included. Well our first swing set moved from Sunnyvale, to Walnut Creek, but when we traveled 2,000 across the country, the swing set stayed behind. But a new one was purchased soon enough, and Russ built a super fun fort. When we moved 2 miles, we didn’t bring the swing set, but we did bring the fort. Even before my first grandchild was born, I knew we needed to have swings again. After spending Grammy days with Trey (first-born grandchild) looking at swing sets, I knew we needed one in our back yard. I would take Trey and push him on the swings that were set out as floor samples. So I talked to my husband Russ and told him I knew we needed swings in our backyard. While at Lowe’s, I also found a nice slide that could come down out of the fort, a climbing rope, telescope, steering wheel (accessories for the fort), and yes, SWINGS!! Russ built an A-frame extension to the fort and hung four swings/bar/rings. As we went from one grandchild to many, the swings were in constant use. And actually, the swings were used by my own older children. (see pictures) As the number of grandchildren grew and grew, I realized, I needed more SWINGS. It took me about a year to convince Russ. Finally we bought more swings, and Russ once again, extended the A-frame, adding two more swings. I’m in heaven when I see six grandchildren all swinging at once, with the familiar squeak as they go back and forth, higher and higher. Take your time and enjoy the pictures as you review the “history of swings.” One picture was taken of a young man asking Russ permission to marry his daughter.

April 1954 - Richard, Kathy, & Sharlene backyard swing set in Provo, Utah

Summer of 1971 in Sunnyvale, CA --- Troy and Lisa enjoy swing set

Aug 1974 - Lisa and Troy husk corn by swing set ---- Walnut Creek----Feb 1974 - Julie & Lisa

July 1975 - Julie and Lisa swing on my old swing set in Provo--Sept 1976, in Walnut Creek, Joel enjoys glider

Summer 1981 - Brad and Lori in Walnut Creek

Spring of 1984 - Brad, Julie, and Lori look cool -- S. Monticello in Knoxville swing set

June 1997 - Trey and Allie on new swing set in backyard of Butternut Lane home

August 1997 - Lori and Scott, followed by Scott asking Russ permission to marry Lori--and of course this important discussion took place at the swings -- Butternut Lane Swing Set

July 2003 -Cousins Hayley, Dillon, and Mali from Washington visit the Langford and Sexton grandchildren

October 2003 - Grandpa with the Knoxville grandchildren

2008 June - Jared, Carter, Claire ---July - Lydia, Grandpa, Josh, Emma and Ben

Two more swings = a total of six - Connor takes his choice - Oct. 2008

October 2008 - Grandchildren

2008 Oct - Sydney leaps from swing

2010 May - Sydney pushes Afton in baby swing --- 2008 Dec - Grandpa pushes Andrew

2010 April - Grandchildren at play ---2010 July - Silas, Hale, and Koen visiting from Utah

2011 March - Emma flies as Lydia watches

Afton and Lydia are amazed as Emma walks down the slide - 2011 March

Spring Clean

2011-03-11T22:17:00.004-05:00

I actually love spring cleaning. I love the feeling of everything starting over – just like the flowers and trees – a brand new, clean beginning. How’s your spring cleaning coming? I’ve just barely begun, but I’m excited to continue on with each project. My husband is less excited.

I washed all my husband’s sweaters and have them bagged and put away. I also noticed that some of them are over 10 years old and perhaps need to retire.

I cleaned out my medicine cabinet and found these pills dating back to 2001, but most were between 2004 and 2009. Tubes of this and that were thrown out, too.

HELP! This closet is begging me to please get started on it.

Spring give away WINNER!

2011-03-06T13:18:00.005-05:00

Congratulations to Shahara—our winner. Your Spring bulbs will be sent to you this week. Thanks to everyone for naming your favorite spring flowers. I was surprised to see so many different “favorites.” They all make Spring perfectly beautiful!!

Our Daffodils after the storm.

Edit: I found this cartoon a few days after I posted the giveaway, and it just seemed to fit perfectly with my theme, so I'm sharing it now.

Spring is almost here give away

2011-03-01T19:26:00.005-05:00

OK, it’s officially still winter, but tell that to my Daffodils! They’ve had just enough warmth to spring out of the ground and give me encouragement. Spring is just around the corner. To celebrate a new season (coming soon), the winner of this give away will receive a nice assortment of spring bulbs—a nice mix of Daffodils, Tulips and perhaps some Hyacinths. Some can actually be planted now and others may need to wait until fall. Make a comment and tell me your favorite spring flower. Give away ends Saturday, March 5th at midnight (EST).

These pictures were taken during a thunderstorm with a tornado warning.

Nothing is going to stop Spring from arriving.

The gift of self

2011-02-21T11:58:00.006-05:00

OK, this is the last post about the year of turning 64. I made a very mild request to my son-in-law, Allen, to sing the Beatles' song "When I'm 64" to me for my birthday. But that's kind of a big request, especially since Allen wasn't familiar with the song and I honestly didn't expect it to happen. So when we were all gathered and after opening gifts, I was totally surprised to see Allen bring out his guitar from the closet and sing "When I'm 64." All my sons-in-law are great! But I just wanted to say thank you on my blog for this gift of self from Allen to me.

I took this picture to remember the event:

He still loves me..........

2011-02-15T15:04:00.006-05:00

A week later and he still loves me. Hope everyone had a very Happy Valentine's Day!

Turning 64 -- will you still love me?

2011-02-07T15:42:00.007-05:00

My daughters took me out to lunch to celebrate 64 years!

When my husband turned 64 seven years ago, I pulled out the Beatle sheet music “When I’m 64” and played it for him singing every word—over and over. I so enjoyed it, that I was excited to be turning 64 this year and renew the song. Of course, it’s really a man that should be singing it his true love, but here I am singing it to Russ again.......all week as I celebrate 64 years.

“When I’m 64” trivia:

It was written by Paul McCartney (but co-credited to John Lennon) and released in 1967 on their album “Sergeant Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band.” I love that it was released in the year that I was married to my true love. I like this version of it.

It actually is supposed to be a younger person singing about years later when he turns 64, but I find it just as appropriate to sing it when one is actually 64.

McCartney wrote it when he was only about 16 years old. Amazing! Supposedly he put lyrics to it in honor of his father’s 64th birthday some time later.

Julian Lennon, John’s son, recorded a version of this that was used in 2002 commercials for Allstate insurance. If you want to hear Julian’s version go here.

It was used in the Robin Williams movie “The World According to Garp.”

I’ve always been a Beatle fan. My teen-hood was during their most popular years. So this week I’ve turned 64 and it feels good and Russ still loves me!

A bed is a bed is a bed

2011-01-19T11:16:00.019-05:00

Lori’s blog inspired to me post about another “bed” in the family. This one is about 40 years old and still in use. (frame, bed, mattress, and box springs—all original) It was purchased in 1970 for the then 20-month old Troy. His sister, Lisa, was due to be born and needed his crib. To guarantee that Troy wouldn’t fall out of the new big-boy bed, we put it in the corner of the room with the head board opposite the end wall, and then used a side rail. It worked great.

When Julie came along, Lisa graduated to the twin bed. And it continued down the line: Julie, Joel, Brad, Lori. Disclosure: Lori, being the baby of the family happily stayed in the crib until she was approximately 3 ½ years old. We just put the side to the crib down and it looked kind of like a day-bed. But once Lori graduated to the bed, she stayed with it well into her teen years. We did change out the head board to make it more “teen-ish.”

Lori - 1987

1981 - Walnut Creek - Brad leaps to the "bed"----------------1984 - Lori in her new big-girl bed

And then there were grandchidren----When Lori moved on to a queen-sized bed, our sweet original bed became the grandchildren’s bed and continues in use today, as demonstrated by Lydia and Afton.

We have no plans of putting this bed out on the curb. Great-grandchildren, it will be right here for you.

Original tags still in place; spots and stains from 40+ good years of use

Note: The mattress stains are covered with a good mattress pad, as well as a comfy egg-carton and we’ve heard no complaints from the grandchildren.

It's a Wonderful Life

2010-12-31T18:54:00.016-05:00

We are blessed: Christmas in Tennessee and Christmas in Utah.

We had to let a few traditions go in Knoxville, but went with the most important: The Christmas Pageant, held early before we left on the 16th of December. We are so impressed with the participants. They get better and better every year. Trey took the part of the donkey for the first time this year. That’s a sign of his growing up. He turned 18 this month. Then we packed our suitcases and headed west.

Having never been away from home on Christmas, we flew out to Utah with a little apprehension, but our sons and their families made us feel like it was the most natural thing in the world to spend Christmas with them! We split our time between Lehi and Provo. At both homes we had our own private bedrooms, fantastic meals and more treats than we could count. Christmas stockings were even provided for us at both homes.

Here’s a rundown on our Christmas festivities in Utah—that accompany the pictures:

Seeing the lights and nativities on Temple Square
Going on the “Christmas Candlelight” Tour of This Is the Place Pioneer Village
Seeing Andrew in his school Christmas program
Attending the Mormon Tabernacle Choir and David Archuleta Christmas Concert at a special simulcast in the Tabernacle
Watching the Lehi grandsons while Joel and Jenica had a little two-day vacation
Touring Welfare Square with Joel and Jenica’s family
Watching the Provo grandsons while Brad and Susan went shopping and to the movies
Attending the Carl Bloch art exhibit at Brigham Young University
Enjoying two fresh snowfalls - one being at least 10 inches
Seeing the old Provo Tabernacle after the fire
Seeing Brad and Susan’s new home for the first time
Seeing new furnishing at Joel and Jenica’s home
Participating in a second Christmas Pageant with the Lehi and Provo grandsons who were also excellent participants
Christmas Eve dinner at J&J’s and Christmas Eve Advent at B&S’s
Watching the both families open their gifts Christmas morning
Christmas Day brunch and dinner at B&S’s
Many a night of getting all together either in Provo or Lehi with the families
Visiting other friends and relatives: Russ’s sisters and families, my brother Randy and his family, Cara, Will, and Lincoln (all are doing well after a very scary year), Sue and Ramon Sanft, lunching with Sue and Shahara, and visiting with DeeAnne (Barker) Higley after not seeing her for 40+ years.

We did get stuck overnight in Cincinnati on our return flight, but we had a great time and agree: “It’s a wonderful life”

View from "The Plaza" -----------------Posing after Andrew's Christmas program
at Temple Square ----------------------Both sets of grandparents

Touring Welfare Square in SLC with the Lehi Barbers (and Jonah's friend Jake)

Let it snow, let it snow, let it snow!!!

Temple Square Lights

Cara, Lincoln, and Will at their new home....................Sharlene with Sam and Andrew

Lehi Barber family and Provo Barber family touring the "Candlelight Christmas"

Christmas Pageant in Knoxville, TN

Christmas Pageant in Lehi, UT

Three things leading to Christmas........

2010-12-08T10:23:00.012-05:00

(1)Thanksgiving marks the beginning of a month-long celebration of family and all that is good. Some of our Thanksgiving traditions were started long ago when as I child I went with my family to my Uncle Howard and Aunt Rae’s home for Thanksgiving every year. Uncles, Aunts, cousins, and our Grandma and Grandpa Brown would all be there, too. Our numbers usually reached 40+.

Some traditions that carry on are the basketball free-throw shoot out, with hard cash being the prize for the winner in all three categories: Woman, children, and men. To see pictures of the winners, go to Lisa’s blog. The other Brown tradition is the family talent show.

(2)"Fiddler on the Roof" and a trip to Market Square in downtown Knoxville. We went with Julie, Allen, Lisa, and David. We first browsed the open market shops and looked in on the ice skating in the center of Market Square. Next came a yummy dinner at Café 4. But the main event was the stage production of “Fiddler on the Roof.” We had great seats and the production was flawless.

Dinner at Cafe 4-----------------------By the lights on Market Square

(3)Empty-nesters Christmas dinner. We hosted and think it went well. Good times; good friends. After dinner, a rousing round of “White Elephant” gift exchange took place. And so now it’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas---we had tiny little flakes of snow that gathered for a nano-second on our decking.

Snow (?) arrived the morning of December 7

And the winner is.................

2010-11-27T21:16:00.004-05:00

ALLIE SEXTON has won the drawing for an item of her choice at http://www.etsy.com/shop/ammeandneb

Congratulations, Allie.

Thank you to everyone who left a comment---a thankful one, a funny one, a thoughtful one, a clever one. They were all great. And a big thank you to those who posted on your Facebook.

I'm grateful to all of you and hope you all had a fabulous Thanksgiving Day.

Allie with her cousin, Sam

It's your choice..........

2010-11-19T21:57:00.007-05:00

All month, I’ve been reading blogs where people are talking about all the stuff they are thankful for. As I read, I admit, I get a little choked up and say to myself: “me, too.” I think of myself as a naturally grateful person. I don’t take anything for granted. My THANKFUL list is endless.

So I’m having a giveaway to show my gratitude for all my blessings. I think I’ve come up with a great giveaway and something a little unique.

Whoever wins this drawing gets to pick one item from my daughter, Lori's shop at http://www.etsy.com/shop/ammeandneb as their gift from me. Go to the shop and chose the item you’d like. Purchase it from the site and let me know what you’ve chosen. (The shop owner will let me know, too.) I will immediately put a check in the mail to you (or if I see you on a regular basis, I’ll give you cash). Items in that Etsy shop range in price from $5.00 to $39.00. So “it’s your choice.” If you don’t see anything there that you like, perhaps you’ll see something that would make a great Christmas gift to give this year. The drawing ends at 8 p.m. EST on Saturday, November 27.

To enter, please leave a comment. If you also mention this on your Facebook, your name will be entered twice. If I don’t have your address, please leave your e-mail address so I can communicate with you if you win. The check will be in the mail as soon as you’ve chosen your gift. Here's are some things the owner of the shop made for me:

Here are some cute pictures of the shop owner from her younger years:

Lori's older sisters were thrilled to have a baby sister after three brothers.

Always the center of attention

Days of California living

Photo-shoot for free

2010-11-10T14:15:00.012-05:00

Will, baby Lincoln, and Cara

I've been thinking it's time for a giveaway and I'm still thinking about that. Meanwhile, my 'lil sis has one going on here: http://dahlquistphotography.blogspot.com/

I want to spread the word so one of you might be the recipient of her talent. If you don't live in Utah, you can use it as a gift for someone who does. Christmas is right around the corner.

The give away is for a one hour photo shoot and includes a quality CD with a minimum of 15 images. I've seen her work, and she is really good and works well with children.

Here's two really old pictures of Cara. She's not a mermaid, but I love this picture of her and Will in costume. The other picture was taken way back in 2004 when Cara was just 16 years old. She and my niece, Brandy came for a summer visit.

In mermaid costume--------In the Smokey Mountains with Russ, me, and Brandy

THIS and THAT

2010-10-28T21:35:00.006-04:00

THIS is what we had for dinner tonight—straight from the garden. Fresh peppers, tomatoes, and zucchini stir fried with onions and garlic on top of hot brown rice. It was perfect. Hope we can keep the veggies producing a little longer.

Fresh from our garden

THAT is what I found in my rocking chair this morning. It’s the same rocking chair that I rocked all six of my own babies in, and now Afton (grandchild #18) rocks her baby doll. We decided we needed more one-on-one time with our youngest grandchildren in town, so when Lydia was just a one-year old, we started our “Tuesdays with Lydia.” (Coined the phrase from “Tuesdays with Morrie”) So naturally when Afton turned one, we started our weekly days with her. It’s heaven, a little bit of heaven on earth.

Afton rocks her baby doll

The hills are alive with color...........

2010-10-20T22:35:00.009-04:00

I love Autumn! I used to think spring was my favorite season, but ever since moving to Tennessee many years ago, autumn (or fall) has jumped ahead in the line-up. For one thing, after 4 months of sweltering heat, it just feels extra good when the cool, crisp nights arrive. But it's really about the color. No where on earth is there more beauty than in Tennessee in the autumn. If you visit here in the autumn you might want to check out the Great Smokey Mountains. Here's a sampling of the colors in my neighborhood:

This is standing in my sideyard looking down the street.

Another view from the back yard-peering over the fence

Trees that belong to my neighbors ...........beautiful!

This is a close up of my Dogwood Tree.

Come visit us in the autumn and see the beauty for yourself. The hills are alive with color!

Sisters by birth, friends by choice

2010-10-06T21:01:00.023-04:00

Me and my sister in our younger years growing up in Provo, Utah

My sister Kathy, the closest sibling to me in age, comes to visit me in beautiful East Tennessee every year. We usually shop, eat, walk and talk. This year, we (Kathy, me, and Russ) took in two excursions.

First: the famous “Virginia Creeper” trail through the beautiful Virginia Mountains. It was misty and a little rainy, but we didn’t mind in the least. We had the entire trail to ourselves. We peddled from the trail head at Whitetop Station to Damascus, mostly “downhill” on the 18-mile trail. The beauty of the trial cannot be described adequately. It was amazing. The only problem in the least was our sore bottoms. My daughters warned us, and we chose bikes with padded seats, but oh my, our behinds were mighty sore by the end of the trail. But we would do it all again. It was that great.

Second: we had heard of the Titanic Exhibit. There is one is Branson, Missouri and one here in our neck of the woods in Pigeon Forge. We thought it might be a nice exhibit and headed out, but we were 100 times more impressed with it than we first imagined. We spent 3 hours going through the tour. No picture-taking allowed inside, but we saw amazing things and heard amazing stories. We highly recommend it.

Then almost before my Sister’s visit began, it was over. We took Kathy up to Kentucky to spend a few days with her Louisville friends. Thanks for coming to see me, sister!

Sharlene, Kathy, Russ---we begin!

Parka is a billowing........................................................ Russ dons a rain poncho

"Oh, my sore behind!"

Sharlene and Kathy outside the Titanic Exhibit

Sisters by birth; friends by choice

1940 – The Year Greatness Began

2010-09-14T10:48:00.015-04:00

Today, September 14, my eternal partner of 43 years turns 70. I am more in love with him today than the day we married. He’s the one I’m growing old with. He’s the one who holds my hand and says “the best is yet to be……”

I like making lists. I’m a “list” type of person. Helps keep my life ordered. So here’s a short list of some of the reasons I love this man. This I do to honor him for his 70 years well-lived.

1) He is retired from full-time employment and yet works tirelessly serving others. Some examples of his serving:

-He helps a friend remodel a 40 year old home for this friend’s son. He’s been there working about one day a week for several months now.

-He fixes screen doors, hangs pictures, builds shelves, paints (yes lots of painting), and many more “handy-man” jobs for his daughters and sons-in law that live in town. And when he goes to Utah, he does the same for his sons.

-If anyone is moving in or moving out, he is there working side-by-side the 20 and 30 year olds. He’s usually the first one there and the last one to leave

-He volunteers to help anyone who needs help, whether it is yard work, house work, building, repairing, he’s the man

-He volunteers for community service and serves on two committees for the town of Farragut

-He unloads trucks at the Bishop’s storehouse (a job for a much younger man)

-He researches and does genealogy for others, as well as his own family

2) He spends lots of time with his grandchildren---not just babysitting, but taking them to baseball games, and other fun things

3) He is honest, faithful, pure of heart, and loves his God, family, neighbors, and friends

4) He treats me like a queen and honors my womanhood

5) He has supported me in everything I’ve ever tried to do whether I was good at it or not

Oh, yes, and what I like best of all is that he is so modest and unassuming. This post will no doubt embarrass him to no end. Happy 70th birthday and may you have many, many more birthdays to celebrate the wonderful man you are. Here’s a few snapshots of this amazing man.

Six year old

High School Pictures 1955-1958

Captain of the Baseball Team

Serving a mission in Argentina 1960-1963

Love of baseball - holding Troy before playing in a baseball game - 1968

Russ Trying to grow a beard while attending Utah State - 1973

Serving as Bishop of the Oak Grove Ward in Walnut Creek, CA

Russ the Engineer with Ash and Landy 1983 - Bechtel

Towards the end of his nine years as Stake President - celebrating the church's Sesquicentennial at the World Fair Grounds - July 1997

Elder Robert D. Hales, Sharlene, Russ - day of his release from being Stake President - November, 1998

Babysitter extraordinaire - 2000 -------------------My true love - pix taken 1999

September 14, 2010

September beauties

2010-09-01T11:38:00.011-04:00

If anyone needs peppers or tomatoes, come see us. And in another two weeks or so, we'll have our second batch of Zucchini ready. Yum! Many flower blossoms are edible too.

Surprise at a cemetery

2010-08-25T22:39:00.006-04:00

I recently made a trip to Scott County to search out Sexton geneology information. To my surprise I found that one of our living Knoxville family members already has his name on a tombstone. Look closely at the middle column, third from the bottom.

Shown above is the back of the gravestone for David's grandparents, Oswell and Rema Sexton, in Botts Cemetery in Scott County.

Posted by Dad

$40 Target Gift winner announced

2010-08-16T12:28:00.008-04:00

Susan Krueger-Barber is the winner of our back to SCHOOL give a way. Her comment:

“A history lesson in honor of my husband and SCHOOLhouse Rock: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CvH7ySQi37E”

Congratulations and may you enjoy every shopping moment at Target. A gift card for $40 is being mailed to Susan today.

Thanks to all of you who participated. Loved all the comments! All were very clever. :)

Back-to-school in August?

2010-08-09T12:03:00.005-04:00

We old folks often say: “I remember when………..” But it’s true; we do remember when school didn’t start until after Labor Day, a more appropriate time. Anything before September just seems outrageous and wrong, and yet, for most of our own children’s lives and definitely our grandchildren, it’s been back to school in August----even mid-August for those in Tennessee.

I started a tradition when my own children were school age to have a big party the week or so before the kiddies were to go “back-to-school.” So naturally that tradition kept going once I had grandchildren living by me who were school age. It started out small with just Trey and Allie, but it’s grown and grown. The type of activity changes through the years. Here are a few pictures from “some” of the “back-to-school” parties we’ve held. Starting with the most recent one.

And hey, we haven’t had a giveaway for a long time. So make a clever comment including the word SCHOOL, and you may be the winner of a Target Gift Card so you can buy those school supplies. Everyone is welcome to enter---you don’t have to belong to the Barber family to enter. Here’s hoping the air conditioners don’t break at the schools this month. This giveaway will end Monday, August 16 at 12 noon. School starts in Knoxville on August 17.

Everyone who attends the party goes home with a

gift bag full of school supplies

2010

2009

A few of the party-goers: Allie, Emma, Jonah, Carter - 2005

Part two of Barber Family Reunion

2010-07-29T14:58:00.021-04:00

Here are a few more pictures, as there were just too many to limit to one post. After all, it only happens once every two years. Thanks to you children who shared some of your pictures that I used in my last post.

Grammy, Grandpa and Afton by pool

Cake Walk: everyone going the right direction except for Afton

Gathering to bless baby Sam - July 4th

34 people are in this pix - Watts joined us for this special day

Thanks, Brad, for sharing the blessing pictures.

And then there were 33..................

2010-07-19T12:47:00.041-04:00

The 2010 Barber Family Reunion was held in Knoxville, TN. The three west coast families joined the three east coast families making a total of 33 of us. We did so much and had such a good time doing it that Russ and I were totally exhausted as we fell into bed each night around 1 a.m.

Here’s a quick rundown of planned events: boating and swimming at Langfords, professional family photos (which were actually much easier than we anticipated), basketball, softball, golfing, family talent show, watching the World Cup, dinner in the park, “4th of July” parade, performing for the residents of NHC and visiting with them, eating in and eating out, blessing Susan and Brad’s baby, Sam, celebrating Brad’s birthday and Cruzes’ anniversary, doing Dan’s original cross word puzzles, and trying our hand at family and ancestor trivia. The last day was the big event: doing the Virginia Creeper. See Lori’s blog for a great replay of that event. Throw in some movies, free time, more swimming, sprinkler parks, paper games with 14+ playing, visiting, laughing, wonderful food---home made and not. Plus---Russ put together a Barber Family recipe book and presented one to each family. The Cruzes designed this year’s t-shirts and we thought they were just perfect.

Here’s just a small sampling of the photos from this year’s reunion. Perhaps a few more in next post.

Clever Reunion Tees (all names included)

Three-on-three basketball

Boating at Langford's

Time out for eating dinner

Cool pool at Langfords

Softball at the park

We've got talent?

Singing "America the Beautiful" at NHC

Dinner at Peerless

Celebrating America and Brad

Virginia Creeper 17 mile bike ride

Lydia and sleepy Hale in tagalong

Grandchildren are given certificates of achievement by Grammy and Grandpa. Some grandchildren are missing from the above picture.

Here's our professional picture taken at Portrait Innovations ... with all 19 granchildren

A sad day in June

2010-07-10T19:43:00.011-04:00

There’s this huge Elm tree in our neighbor’s yard. It’s about 25-30 years old and rests against our fence---offering wonderful, cool shade from early June through the fall when the leaves begin to fall. Our swing set/play fort, etc. is just a few feet from the fence that divides our yards and so we’ve enjoyed year after year of our “neighbor’s shade.” The tree is huge and so much a part of our yard that we’ve almost felt the tree was ours. But on June 30, we lost our tree. Our neighbors cut down “our” tree. Yes, it was a very sad day at our house. We snapped pictures of the workmen as they fulfilled their duty. We are sad. No more shade. I guess we’ll have to plant our own tree. But by time it’s big enough to shade the swings for our grandchildren, they will be all grown up. Sigh.

Wonderful shade given to us by our neighbor's tree -- the "before" pictures:

The work begins and the tree comes down.

Our neighbor's tree is totally gone as shown in this picture. We are sad. ):

I Often Go Walking

2010-06-27T19:30:00.004-04:00

Hydrangea grow prolifically in the south. We should have bought one 28 years ago. But instead we bought our first one three years ago. That first year, we had a few sparse blooms. The second year, we did not really see any blooms, but this year. Voila! We have bloom after bloom. They are so beautiful, I cut some stems to bring indoors. We also have a pretty pink one, gifted to me by Julie. It bloomed for the first time this year and is a beautiful pink. We hope it grows up to be as fruitful as our purple/blue one. I've always had a love affair with flowers and flowering bushes. I wanted to post about a billion pictures of the many varieties of flowers in my yard, but Russ restrained me.

My favorite primary song has always been, "I Often Go Walking." I'll just post the words to that song. That will suffice.

"I often go walking in meadows of clover, and I gather armfuls of blossoms of blue. I gather the blossoms the whole meadow over; Dear mother, all flowers remind me of you.

O mother, I give you my love with each flower to give forth sweet fragrance a whole life-time through; For if I love blossoms and meadows and walking, I learn how to love them them, dear mother, from you."

Thank you, dear children, for singing that song to me over and over and for gathering flowers for me. Even today, I receive flowers from my children. Brad accompanied himself on the guitar and sang the song to me this Mother's Day. I will never outgrow the love of flowers and that song being sung by my children or grandchildren.

Hydrangea Bush in our backyard

New little pink Hydrangea in front yard

Cut stems brought inside for our further enjoyment

Hydrangea blossoms up close

The Birds

2010-06-14T15:12:00.010-04:00

I guess it should come as no surprise that birds love our big pillars. They’ve been building their nests there for years, as long as we’ve lived in this house. It’s high up; it’s protected. While we enjoy these cute little creatures, their poop has been slowing destroying our front porch. I guess it’s the acid that eats away at the cement if we don’t get it washed off immediately. But with so many birds, sometimes we are neglectful.

I took pictures through a screened window last week. In one of the four nests there are five, yes, count them, five baby birds. As I watched in fascination, all five little mouths would open wide the minute the mother bird flew anywhere near them. It reminded me of my grandchildren—when I walk by with candy in my hands. I have to admit, the quintets are so darling that I’m forgiving of the mess they make on the porch.

From the two upstairs bedrooms and bath room, we can view all four nests, and it’s delightful.

Quintets (in Nest #1)

Nest #2

Nest #3

Nest #4

The mess below

Strawberry glitch or strawberry fields forever......

2010-05-28T11:26:00.009-04:00

OK, in Tennessee strawberry picking and May go together like peanut butter and jelly. For years Russ has gone with the Sextons to pick strawberries. Early on, I would then make the jam, pies, etc. But when Russ retired, he not only picked the berries, but helped me make the jam. We’ve done this so many years that we’ve pretty much memorized the recipe and are in perfect sync. We smile, we chat, and the jars and jars of jam look beautiful all lined up on the kitchen counter.

This May, however, we (the experts) goofed!! We’d like to perhaps blame each other, but we both went along with the mistake of adding twice as many strawberries to the batch than what is called for in the recipe. So this year we have strawberry syrup. Russ has discovered that it tastes just fine when “poured” on his peanut butter sandwiches. We sent a jar home with our daughters, since they eat more pancakes and ice cream than we do. Anyone need some strawberry syrup? We’ve got plenty.

Thanks goodness we still have quite a few 2009 jars of jam in the freezer. Hope they last until May of 2011 when the strawberry fields will beckon.

2010 Strawberry Syrup and 2009 Strawberry Jam

Grandparenting 101

2010-05-18T13:03:00.015-04:00

Grandparenting is wonderful. On many occasions we’ve had the opportunity (and sometimes challenges in our older age) to keep grandchildren in our home under our watchful eye and care while their parents take off on a vacation. We feel honored (and blessed) that these parents trust us. I mean, this is precious cargo they leave in our care. They trust us to keep them safe from harm and accident, to feed them, to discipline them (which we rarely do), to get them to their activities, to make sure they do their home work, brush their teeth, take their medicine, etc. So it is with a great deal of trust they drop off children of all ages and count on us to do it right while they are gone.

Oh, and don’t forget the “spoiling” – that’s part of a grandparent’s duty to their grandchildren.

We’ve kept grandchildren in our care from one day to 10 days. Each time, it’s a very sweet experience. Here’s a look back to some of the “sweet” experiences. This is just a sampling and does not include all years---but it gives a variety of scenes from around the kitchen table to attending an activity during the time they are with us.

Caring for Jonah, Silas, and Koen in Utah - February 2007

Caring for Trey, Allie, Tanner, Connor, and Sydney - April 2008

Caring for Carter, Jared, and Claire - June 2008

Caring for Silas - June 2008

Caring for Emma, Ben, Josh, and Lydia - July 2008

Caring for Tanner, Connor, and Sydney - February 2010

Caring for Carter, Jared, and Claire - April 2010

Caring for Emma, Ben, Josh, Lydia, and Afton - May 2010

Winner + 2

2010-05-08T12:52:00.008-04:00

Since we had the largest number ever of entrants for this giveaway, we decided to award “surprise” prizes for the first three winners. I even used random.org to choose the winners. Drum role:

1) Ben: Dan-de-lion!!!!!!!!!!!
Wow a dande lion!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

2) Hale: "um, red, i mean um orange, green, blue, and white, and blue i think again, i think. i think blue and white and orange and green and blue again. that's what kinds of flowers i like."

3)Koen: "uh, tulip."

Ben, Hale, and Koen

CONGRATULATIONS, BOYS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! (I learned that from Josh and Ben)

MAY DAY GIVE AWAY

2010-05-01T09:47:00.007-04:00

As a child I would pick flowers from my family’s garden, (with my mother’s permission) and tie a ribbon around making a bouquet and deliver these bundles to widows and grandmas or anyone I felt could use some flowers. My best friend, Kathy K., and I would do this every May Day. In honor of a childhood memory today starts a giveaway that is just for children. Any child under the age of 18 may enter. Only one entry per child. The child may be 1 month old to 17 years old, but just one per child. Just leave a comment with the name of a flower in your comment. The prize is a SURPRISE! It will be something especially picked out just for the child who wins. This giveaway will run until midnight (EST) on May 7. Good luck! And if you want to give someone some pretty flowers from your yard, go right ahead. It’s a wonderful tradition.

Spring into Summer

2010-04-26T14:18:00.002-04:00

During the winter months our thermostat is set at 65 in the daytime and 60 at night. Needless to say, the house doesn’t really warm up much. I’d like to say we do this totally out of our concern to conserve the world’s natural resources. But I must confess that we also like to pay less for that fuel, as well---so we keep things cool. We put sweaters on, one or two if necessary, and the house remains cool---or cold.

This “cold” house makes it difficult to make yeast rolls or bread because of the “rising” factor. So now that spring is here and rolling on into summer, the house is warm. No more igloo clothes and calisthenics to keep warm. It’s time to make bread and rolls to my heart’s content. No problem rising in the sun-kissed window ways.

Springtime in Tennessee

2010-04-19T14:13:00.008-04:00

Earth Day is April 22 and the very first Earth Day was in 1970. So we celebrate 40 years. What are you doing this year to celebrate Earth Day? Want to talk with your children about Earth Day? Here are some resources:
http://www.earthday.org/
www.epa.gov/kids
At the library:
“Every Day is Earth Day: A Craft Book,” by Kathy Ross
“Just a Dream,” by Chris Van Allsburg
“What’s It Like Living Green?: Teaching Kids, by the Way They Live,” by Jill Ammon Vanderwood
“The Day the Earth was Silent,” by Michael McGuffee
“Girls Gone Green,” by Hirshfield

In honor of Earth Day, I share what my yard looks like this Spring.

Pink Dogwood tree out front

White Dogwood tree out back

White Dogwood trees in the side yard

Candy Tuff in the side yard

Front yard beauties

Close up of Primroses

Close up of pansies

This cartoon came out in our local newspaper, The News Sentinel, in honor of our green Spring. It's by our editorial cartoonist, Daniel Proctor. (It's just a big patch of green.)

I Love to See the Temple................

2010-04-13T15:02:00.005-04:00

On Saturday, April 10, we attended the Nashville Temple with our three daughters and their husbands.

It's amazing how hard it is to schedule this with 13 grandchildren needing to be tended while we are all gone. The Nashville Temple is a three-hour drive from where we all live. But with the grandchidlren getting a little older, we hope to do this more often.

Childhood memories came flowing back of when our girls were "little" girls and singing the primary song, "I Love to See the Temple."

"I love to see the temple. I'm going there some day, to feel the Holy Spirit, to listen and to pray. For the temple is a house of God, a place of love and beauty. I'll prepare myself while I am young; this is my sacred duty."

Winning

2010-03-30T16:06:00.004-04:00

I’ve entered many giveaways on blogs here and there, but lately, I’ve come up lucky. First, I won one of Lori’s fantastic “Snitch” T-shirts. Haven’t decided which lucky grandchild gets this great Tee.

Then just recently I won Cara’s fantastic giveaway. She posted random thoughts about herself every day for a week. To enter you just made a comment that somehow related to her post. So you could actually enter seven times. What I loved most about her contest is that I learned so many new and interesting facts about Cara. Some were sad, some were funny, but all were very interesting and telling. Then look what I received as my price--these are some of Cara's favorite things.

Anyway you stack it, it's all good! Notice that I tore into the Cadbury Carmel eggs immediately.

What's not to love?!

Book Club surprise

2010-03-23T20:48:00.017-04:00

I turned 63 in February. It was not exactly a milestone. Just an ordinary birthday year—kind of in between the biggies—like 60 or 65. So I was totally surprised when my three daughters came up with a gift that made me feel like it was a milestone year.

Over lunch I received this gift:

I chose the book: The Help by Kathryn Stockett

Then on March 19, we gathered our books, having all read it, and headed to our cabin, which ended up being a very, nice, new condo just on the edge of Sevierville. We ate our dinner at Chop House in Pigeon Forge, but relaxed back at the condo to do our official book club. We snacked on cookies and candy and spent well over an hour discussing, digesting and enjoying.

We all loved this story set in 1962 Mississippi. It paints a vivid picture of “the help” in relationship to their bosses. We all agreed that one thing we especially liked was Ms. Stockett’s descriptive writing. Just excellent. The final paragraph on the book’s jacket sums up the book:

“In pitch-perfect voices, Kathryn Stockett creates three extraordinary women whose determination to start a movement of their own forever changes a town, and the way women—mothers, daughters, caregivers, friends—view one another. A deeply moving novel filled with poignancy, humor, and hope, The Help is a timeless and universal story about the lines we abide by and the ones we don’t.”

My Favorite quote from the book:

"All I know is, I ain't saying it. And I know she ain't saying what she want a say either and it's a strange thing happening here cause nobody saying nothing and we still managing to have us a conversation."

The next morning, Lisa fixed us smoothies and Lori baked three kinds of muffins for our breakfast. We drove home in beautiful sunshine and felt it was a success. I highly recommend it to anyone who loves daughters and books. Thank you daughters: Lisa, Julie, & Lori

What's for dinner?

2010-03-17T17:54:00.004-04:00

When my children were little, I used to fix many things green for dinner on St. Patrick's Day. The famous green Jello salad, green beans, etc. I also would color the milk green and the rice green.

When I discovered that I enjoyed it more than the children, I stopped doing it. But this is what would be found for dinner on St. Patrick's Day long ago.

I have even colored bread green, but I didn't have time to bake bread today, so Russ just got the enjoyable green-colored rice and milk with the rest of his dinner tonight.

Did I mention that I also made this colorful table cloth? Happy St. Patrick's Day!

I'm in love...............

2010-03-10T17:38:00.011-05:00

Yes, I’m in love with Momofuku's Milk Bar. It began when Russ and I went to New York City with Brad to the Emmy’s. We took in all the touristy attractions in NYC.

One of my favorites was the Momofuku’s Milk Bar. When Brad, Russ, and I visited Momofuku’s, we ordered three different cookies and three different slices of pie, and ate every crumb of them with great zeal and pleasure. I’ve been in love with Momofuku’s ever since.

So, I was naturally thrilled when Kelly (from Live with Regis and Kelly ) went to Momofuku’s to learn how to make one of their most famous cookies, the “Compost Cookie.” I was glued to my television set and savored every moment as if I were there myself. The chef, Kristina Tosi, whom I had talked to briefly during our visit in September was there and took Kelly through the process step by step. I talked to that same chef right there in that same establishment---so it’s kind of like I’ve talked to Kelly, too, right?

Well, I went to the Regis and Kelly website and copied down the recipe for these wonderful cookies and then baked them. I was so pleased with how mine turned out that I mailed off some of them to Brad, since without him, I never would have discovered my new love------Momofuku’s. I’m in love.

Compost Cookies made by me

Our Visit to Momofuku's Milk Bar in New York City ~ September 19, 2009

Memories Preserved

2010-03-01T08:50:00.010-05:00

Russ has put together this post.

As I have been helping Joel type old Barber Pole entries, I was reminded of many memories that would have likely been lost without the Pole. Enclosed are a few of the entries from the early years and a couple of pictures of our family back in 2002.

May 2001 - An early Barber Pole Banner

Lisa and David (January 2000) – We were excited to get a snowfall last week. It came on a Saturday and we enjoyed a glorious day of sledding and snowball fighting. Church was cancelled the next day and Lisa had some explaining to do to the kids when they heard her say “Yeah!” upon hearing the news of no church.

Troy (January 2000) - January has been a busy month full of change. It was fun and a chore to move into my new place. Willi, Brent, and Caesar generously lent a hand on a dreary Saturday to get all the big stuff over here. The main roadblock we ran into was my smallish elevator which prevented the 88 inch sofa from arriving to the 8th floor. So I’m sitting on the floor for now and shopping for a new one shorter than 85 inch.

Brad (September 2001) - Finally, at the end of my travels, I saw my Susan again. I missed Susan so much I thought I might die at any second sometimes. I’ve never missed anyone like I missed her. I tackled her at the airport and the whole experience of seeing her again was just as good or better than all our daydreams about it. She never ceases to talk about how impressed she is with the barbers and cruzes out here which have been good enough to not scare her off completely (yet) as well as with mom, and the whole family she hasn’t met yet but heard about. I think everyone will like her.

Apr 2002 - Family at Brad and Susan's wedding

Julie and Allen (April 2002) - We’ll start out by talking about the biggest event of the month, going out to Utah to celebrate in the union of Brad and Susan. Leaving Jared behind was hard, but definitely the right decision. When we reunited with him, he was all over his big brother; the two kissed, hugged, danced, laughed and ran together. Leaving us parents wondering why we had even come back.

Lori and Scott (June 2002) - This month also marked Emma’s first endeavor in lying. For a few days in a row, the same scene repeated itself every naptime and bedtime. We would tuck her in at the normal time. We would hear her in her room, singing, kicking the wall and in other ways not sleeping for about 15 minutes. Next she would open the door and prance out with a happy declaration, “I had a goooood nap. And I woke up!” No way, can’t fool us, sister. Back to bed. “But I had a good naaaap…” Another example of her growing mistruths..
Lori: “Emma, please put that toy away.”
Emma (defiant): “No!”
Lori (threatening): “What did you say?”
Emma (complying): “I said, ‘sure’!”

Mom and Dad (July 2002) – I asked Allie what her favorite vacation was. Her response: “Hilton Head.” I said, “Oh, yes, I bet that was lots of fun." Allie thought for a few minutes, and then said, “Grammy, you were with us, right?” I said, “No.” She quickly said, “Then no-way, that was not my favorite. It couldn’t have been if you weren’t there.” She thought some more and asked me, “Were you there on our BYU vacation?” I said, “Yes.” Her reply: “Well, then that was my favorite vacation.” She’ll make a good politician. But mostly she is just a sweetheart that wants to make everyone feel good. And she certainly brightened my day!!

Sept 2002 - Family at Gathering in Townsend

Joel and Jenica (May 2003 – one of first classic entries that became the monthly “Overheard at our house”) - Finally, here are a few random quotes from our favorite precocious preschooler:

- Explaining why Jenica is not able to carry him somewhere: “I’m too deep for you mom.”
- Blurring honesty and orneriness: “What happens if I don’t want to tell the truth, do I juss have to be honery?”
- His eyes having got used to a dark room: “Dad, I can see in the dark now, I got confused to it!”
- Completely unexplained but oft repeated question about the Langford’s bathroom: “Is that the Neurall’s bathroom?”

May 2001 - Just how much does Dad make?

Candycandycandycandycandycandy..............

2010-02-15T11:47:00.003-05:00

It’s not just for breakfast any more. We have a winner for our candy giveaway! Lori is the grand winner and will be presented with a plethora of assorted candy. Since candy is just such a sweet idea, I decided to take the giveaway a little further. So I drew out three more names and those three people will receive the “favorite” candy they listed in their comment. Here are the three additional winners: Cara, Lisa, and Will.

I hope each of you have received your favorite candy from someone who loves you. My sweetheart gave me a lovely box of assorted chocolates from Bradley’s. Got to love that man!!

Candy Mania

2010-02-04T22:44:00.005-05:00

A look inside "Bradley's" Chocolate Store

Just say the word candy and my mouth starts to water. Put chocolate with it, and I’ve got my keys and am out the door to buy some really good chocolate candy.

Candy Trivia Quiz:
1) Who was the candy bar “Baby Ruth” named after?
2) What has been one of the most successful longest running advertising campaigns in history?
3) Why are Hershey’s Kisses called “Kisses?”

Other Trivia:
1) The first candy was consumed by cavemen, who sought honey in beehives.
2) Chocolate was introduced into Europe by the Spanish after having enjoyed the “hot drink” (the original meaning of the word chocolate) in the company of Montezuma.
3) By the mid 1800’s there were over 380 American factories producing candy.
4) During the 1920’s in the USA over 40,000 different candy bars appeared and either became a big hit or disappeared into obscurity.

Now to answer those trivia questions:
1) The Baby Ruth candy bar was named after the first child born in the White House, daughter of President Grover Cleveland in 1891. Little Ruth died in 1904. (FYI – The candy manufacturer strongly denies any association with the famous Yankee ballplayer, Babe Ruth.)
2) Wrigley’s Doublemint, introduced in 1914. Gum advertising campaigns utilized all sorts of double images from double violinists to double talking comedians. The most famous were the twins, which actually began in the late 1930’s and continues today.
3) Hershey’s Kisses get their name from the sound and motion of the machines that produce them. It looks and sounds as if the machine is kissing the conveyor belt as it moves along.

More interesting facts:

The most popular American candy bar introduced in 1930 got its name from a horse—Snickers.
In 1896, a candy was introduced by Leo Hirshfield and carries his daughter’s nickname—Tootsie.
The Three Musketeers bar was originally introduced in 1932 and was three separate bars featuring chocolate, vanilla, and strawberry nougat covered in chocolate.

Since all ages love candy, every member of your family may enter this contest and may the winner share their prize. Each person must list their favorite candy bar in their comment. Don’t forget!
The prize: a wonderful plethora of assorted candy.

My corner of the world............

2010-01-27T14:58:00.009-05:00

January always means “scrapbooking” for me. Last year, I was scrapbooking two years worth of photos (2007 and 2008). So right now just doing the year 2009 seems like it should be a snap, but January is almost over, and I’m only about half way through the year 2009. So I spend my days tucked away here in my little corner of the world---scrapbooking.

I’ve been scrapbooking all my life---long before it became popular. And even though I enjoy my photos in their neat little electronic files, and have made “books on line,” I still just have to scrapbook a family photo album each year.

Checking with Wiki, here are a few fun facts about scrapbooking:

Did you know that Mark Twain was an avid scrapbooker?? He dedicated Sundays to enjoy his hobby and had 57 different scrapbooks that he sold through Montgomery Ward catalog.

The peak decade for scrapbooking was 1880-1890. Magazines of the times included articles on what to include in your scrapbooks.

I don’t know who said it, but here is one last quote on the subject:

“Scrapbooking today comes in many forms. Traditional books, computer scrapbooks and family web pages. Scrapbooking a fad?? I don’t think so. It has been around for centuries. The popularity comes and goes, but one thing is for sure, scrapbooking is for all generations! Remember that when you're scrapbooking, and think of whom in the future will see your book and how will they scrapbook?!”

Doing the NYC photos - September

Paper, borders, decales, stickers, etc.

I Aim to Please............

2010-01-09T21:47:00.003-05:00

Every once in a while I like to have a “blind” giveaway. I call it that because no one can see it coming. It’s a giveaway that no one knows about. To kick off the New Year, I’ve drawn the winner’s name from all those who commented on the Nativity Pageant post. And the winner is: Joel. Your Target gift card will be sent to you within the week. Enjoy!