Pickin in the Pines

We took advantage of the weekend and went to Flagtaff for the Bluegrass Festival called "Pickin in the Pines". Erin and Liam tagged along. Erin's favorite guy was playing and she was so excited to see him. (Sam Bush) It was a lovely day in Flag. Nice and cool! A real relief from the heat of Phoenix. I wore my purple cowboy hat to get into the swing of things. Although I think tie dye is the real thing to wear for these events! There was an overload of tie dye there. Liam loved dancing. There was a section set up for dancing on either side of the stage so it was fun for him to be included with the other kids and people. Nice getaway!

The fruits of my Labor!

I decided that I really wanted to learn to make jam. I acquired all of the supplies last year but was too scared to try it on my own. Well, this year I bit the bullet and went for it! This is my second batch of raspberry jam and it is so cool! I was so surprised that it wasn't as hard as I thought and I didn't even burn myself or break anything. I'm excited that I can do it! I am anxious to do peaches next! Woohoo! for me!

Labor Day Weekend!

We enjoyed a nice Labor Day weekend with some of our Ward families in the cool pines of Pivot Rock Canyon camping. There were about 10 families who came and we all enjoyed playing and visiting in the coolness of northern Arizona. It did get a little warm in the afternoons but at least it was not 110! We took two tents. Why you ask? Well it was just by chance that Carl threw the backpack tent in the truck at the last minute. Good Thing! We started to set up the full size tent that sleeps 3 or 4 people when we discovered that the ring for staking the poles was missing. That's what happens when you loan out your camping stuff to your kids! Carl was aware that it was loose the last time he used it but I guess when Doug took it last it came completely off and he forgot to tell us. I'm glad that Carl had the thought to throw in the smaller tent. We had a nice air mattress that filled the whole inside but it was the most comfortable night's sleep that I've had in a tent! Yes I did take a nap in my nice recliner camp chair. How can you resist grabbing a snooze with the nice cool breeze and the sound of birds. It was so fun to share the area with our Ward friends. We shared movies, treats and even had our own Testimony Meeting on Sunday morning. It was wonderful! We really hate to get back to the heat and back to work. At least it is a short work week!

New style!

I have been trying to get in style a bit. I really like the ruffly look and high heels. I have not usually been so interested in style much before but I really like the ruffles. I don't like high heels either because they seem to make me feel off balance. Haven't worn them in a while. Well I found these cute, cute shoes and I needed some Sunday shoes. They have about a 3 1/2 inch heel that's sort of a wedge look. I especially love the ruffle on the toe and the peep toe style. I'm still looking for just the right pair of peep toe red shoes! What do you think? I actually have been very comfortable wearing these.

Colorado Vacation!

Carl and I were able to get away for a ten day vacation to our favorite spot. The wild flowers were still spectacular even though it was well past their optimal blooming times. The weather was perfect. Showers in the afternoon daily and cool breezy days! I even had to wear my jacket a few times because it was chilly! We drove up to Pitkin and Tin Cup and of course stopped at our spot - Cumberand Pass - to take our yearly picture. We sure missed having our family though. Almost everywhere we went we remembered something that we did with the kids when they were growing up! It was great to be together almost continually for that time but we did spend a little time apart. I had an 80 minute massage one day and then I went white water rafting on the Upper Taylor River one day. Pretty much the rest of the time we were together. It is great to be with my best friend, my husband! We look forward to retirement in a few years yet. Sure hope we can get our family to go next year. It will be our 20th year of going to Colorado.

Colorado!

We finally got to come to Colorado this year! Weren't sure it was going to happen this summer before school started but all things worked out so we have at least 10 days to enjoy the cooler weather and beautiful scenery and for Carl to fish! The Columbines are spectacular this year. I love to see the lovely flowers on the mountainsides and in the wonderful planters all around town. It has been overcast and rainy since we arrived. Today there is supposed to be a real storm this afternoon so we have planned to go to Crested Butte to the movies at the Majestic Theater and have hot chocolate! We certainly wouldn't be thinking of that in Arizona! Carl described his feelings yesterday as we arrived at Spring Creek for some fishing - Euphoria! Hope you all are feeling some euphoria in your lives!

The Craft Room!

Ben and Shanae have moved into their new house and we are now able to fix our craft room. Woohoo! It's a nice long room and there is plenty of space for Carl and I both to have some room to work on our individual projects. I'm sure there are still a few other things to put in there but we have a start. I'm excited to get going on some sewing and other projects. I would love to have it all matchy-matchy with shades of purple, lavender and grays but that will come. At least I have a nice work table to spread out whatever project I want to work on - Genealogy, sewing, scrapbooking, stamping or whatever! I'm loving the prospects!