The end of another year--2012

Well, I have neglected my blog for quite a while and I need to write something before the year ends. It has been a crazy one, to be sure! January started off with a bang! Our house was hit and my car totaled, we finally got our house fixed sometime in April, with a whole new facelift. The summer was another scorcher here in the desert. Fall, (did we have a fall?) was still pretty warm. We had 3 grandkids baptisms this year and that was pretty awesome. My husband has had a few odd jobs here and there, but nothing steady yet. It was an election year, too, so he got to work for one of the candidates (Romney)...going door to door, passing out literature and encouraging folks to vote.

Christmas came and went so fast, I still can't quite believe it was here at all. For Thanksgiving and Christmas we were blessed to be able to spend it with our children and grandchildren that live around us. Fortunately, tho, during the summer, our oldest son and his family came for a visit from Alabama. Boy, how quick the kids grow up! Thanksgiving, our daughter & son-in-law, that live in Utah, were able to spend Thanksgiving with us. I am truly thankful for the internet that enables us to keep in touch with our family via Skype, Facebook, and emails.We have come along way...

I'm hopeful that the new year will bring many blessings and good things to us and our family. I also pray that the economy will turn around for the better and people will be able to find jobs, keep their homes, and our country can heal from all the tragedies brought on by natural disasters and crimes that are unspeakable.

One of my favorite quotes says it all: "...fear not. Be of good cheer. The future is as bright as your faith." --President Thomas S. Monson

Happy New Year to all my family and friends--near and far! May God bless America and keep it the land of the free!

More things I've made. A Thanksgiving banner; baby gift: receiving blanket, burp cloths, & changing pad; and dish mats for friends, family & myself.

Homemade Christmas items for 2011

End of another year--2011

Wow, it's been a long time since I've posted on here! At the near close of this year, I reflect back on the crazy year it has been! A lot has happened in our family--our oldest son, Tom, and his family moved to Montgomery, Alabama, for a job opportunity. My husband turned 65 and is now one of the Medicare set. I have been busy sewing and creating gifts for Christmas (which seemed to be a success) and I'm already thinking ahead to my next project(s), perusing the internet and the many talented crafters' blogs for ideas. My youngest, Cami, and her husband were able to come down for Thanksgiving for a few days and stayed with us. That was a pleasant surprise, but went by way to fast!! I am ready for a new and better year ahead...I am thankful for the generosity and kindness that has been shown to me and my family. I am truly grateful for and blessed to have the best family and friends! I love them all so much!

But, I just want to say that I am thankful for this Christmas season, where we have had the opportunity to commemorate our Savior's birth of over 2,000 years ago. He has truly changed the world! I am grateful for His example, His love, and for his Atonement and sacrifice in my behalf. May each of us remember to be kinder, more loving, and give service to those around us, as He did. It has been a hard year, but I know this next year is bound to be a much better one, in a lot of ways!

Relief Society Meeting on Gardening

Last night we had a wonderful class on Gardening taught by Brandy Simper. She did a great job and gave us a lot of information to help us catch the vision of following the prophets' advice to plant a garden! She brought with her some amazing fruits and vegetables that she had grown in her own garden. I added her link to my blog because it is very informative and has lots of fun ideas and helps on there. We had a good turn out and invited our husbands to attend with us. Our refreshments were cups of chocolate pudding 'dirt' and a veggie tray...simple fare to go along with the theme of the evening. I think that everyone was excited about giving gardening a try! Thanks Sister Simper for sharing your expertise and enthusiasm with us!

Next month Sister Simper will be giving us information on Food Storage. That should be very helpful as well, especially in these economic times.

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Fathers

Even though Father's Day has passed, I will not forget about fathers, especially mine. I have many fond memories of my dad, and I looked up to him...still do. He was such a good example to me and my siblings while we were growing up, and even more after we were all grown. He is my hero, though he's been gone for 14 years now. I remember sitting by his garden with him and having good discussions, playing music with him (he played harmonica and I played guitar) at home and in the Southern Utah Folklife Festival, singing duets in the car on trips or sitting at home, riding in the back of his blue 3-wheel Cushman scooter, and listening to stories of his experiences when he worked on the trails and tunnel in Zion National Park. He was an inventor, hard worker, carpenter, jack-of-all-trades, spiritual giant, great father, and wonderful grandpa! I learned so much from Dad and I knew I could talk to him about anything. I knew he loved me and didn't judge me. Everyone loved him, too. In my estimation he was perfect! He lived an honest life, and was rich in the ways that counted. He died a month and a half short of being 91. I will always miss his infectious laugh and good natured humor. Someone asked me if it was a relief after he died and I told them, 'No!' Just because he was older means that I had him longer to love and share memories with. If anything, I miss him more because I knew him better!  Happy Father's Day to all the fathers, even if it is a belated one!