When you get a minute, make sure to stop by The Apronista for their fun apron giveaway.

You might be the happy winner of one of these…

or one of these…

Oh the apron possibilities!

Psst…pass it on!

We had an incredibly busy, but productive weekend….

Craig and I decided to go ahead and plant a garden. If anything, it will at least show potential buyers how the back area can best be utilized, and in the meantime we will be able to reap the benefits of some delicious fresh produce. We planted nine heirloom tomato plants, two zucchini, one cantaloupe, two pumpkin, two jalapeno, two watermelon, eleven sweet peppers, two eggplants, and two rows of sweet corn.

Craig and I ended up doing the majority of the hard work in the middle of the hottest part of the day, but we got them all planted and watered before the afternoon was over. The little ones were incredibly helpful, and we put them right to work, which they loved. G was so cute as she helped me to plant the peppers in the ground, pushing the dirt around them, and running to get another pepper plant to go in the next hole. N was quite the little digger, and dug several holes himslef. M kept bringing us cold drinks, and was happy to turn the water on and off, and F helped by taking his nap through the whole thing. We did ok with keeping the sunburns at a minimum, but even though I slathered the sunblock on all of us, I got a bit of pink on my face, N on his back and shoulders, and Craig on his arms. All in all though, not too bad, but afterwards I went right out and bought a big hat with the widest brim I could find. I care more about protecting my face, so I couldn’t care less how ugly the hat is, or how goofy I look in it. It’s sun protection, something I need a lot of for all of my future days outside and in the garden (my Grandma C. would be proud).

The kids spent the rest of their time playing in the wading pools we got for them, and pretty much wore their swimsuits all weekend long. I managed to find the boys trunks last week, but have yet to locate the new swimsuits I had for the girls, so I ended up having to go back to the store, and buy them each a new suit. Not an easy task since they’re so picked over now, but mercifully I stumbled across the only two suits left in the store that were the right size, under $10 each, and were cute enough to appease my two little princess loving girly-girls.

I tried out the ‘Pioneer Woman’s’ recipe for ‘Marguerites’, and they were tasty. After the first batch and some thought, I switched out the peanut butter for Nutella, and we love these even more. Hardly even a minute under the broiler and these are done, they couldn’t be faster or easier! The perfect ‘little something’ for a quick fix. And did I mention the Nutella? Yum!

The flowers by the front porch are in full bloom, with the roses as the main attraction, and the purple salvia looking very pretty next to it (you can see the busy little bee working the salvia). It makes for a fragrant and picturesque view from our porch swing in the evenings.

And if you have ever wondered just what we are keeping in our garages these days, the answer is drums. Lots of drums.

Along with a fair amount of amps and guitars too, but most of the space is taken up by drums. This picture doesn’t even begin to show just how big this kit is, and it’s twice as loud as the set D had before these (yes, I have spoken to all of my neighbors, it’s all good). D has all of his band’s equipment set up in the biggest garage, and they practice there almost every day. And yes, I prefer it this way. D and J are the core of the band, and they finally found a great bassist, and a pretty decent singer. You should hear them, biased or not I think they’re incredibly good.

So it wasn’t all that surprising when N began to beg us to set up the little kit we had when D was little. Now N has been spending hours in the garage, practicing his little heart out, and loving every minute of it. The hardest part is trying to keep the other kidlets out of there, they all want a turn on the little drum set, and M has told me several times that he is now in D’s band. It seems to me the best way is to start them young….so far so good.

There is a special exhibit at the ‘Utah Museum of Fine Arts’

that I would love to see. The description of the event-

“Join us this summer for the remarkable exhibition, ‘Monet to Picasso from the Cleveland Museum of Art’. Masterworks by such renowned artists as Renoir, Degas, Monet, van Gogh, Dalí, Picasso and Matisse will grace the walls of the Museum’s first floor galleries from June 23 through September 21, 2008. Monet to Picasso will allow you the rare opportunity to see an extraordinary gathering of work up close by some of the most important European modern masters of the last two centuries.”

Tickets are a little bit pricey, but not too bad really. Craig and I would like to take D and C with us, we think they would both really enjoy it, but we will have to see how we can work it all out. I am seriously dying to go…

We were able to sneak out for a few hours tonight and caught a late screening of Ironman, all thanks to my two teens that stayed home to baby sit. I personally loved it, really liked the story line, and was totally entertained the whole time. I was curious to see how Robert Downey Jr. did in this film (I’m not much of a fan of his normally), and came away feeling like he was perfect in this role, he really did a great job. I have enjoyed so many other comics brought to life on the big screen as a full length movie, and for me, this one really did not disapoint. Anyone else get a chance to see this yet?

Sorry this took me so long to do Korb, but here it is, only a few months after you tagged me…

6 habits/facts about yourself-

1~I am a manner nazi. I once went on a date with a guy that held his utensils clenched in his fist like a baby/toddler does, then he leaned over his plate and shoveled his food right in. I was horrified. It just bothers me. And don’t even get me started on talking with your mouth full, spraying food as you speak, and overly loud chewing noises.

2~When I get dressed, I always put my pants on first, then my shirt. Nothing odd about that…until I tell you that I do it this way so that if anything happened, such as a home emergency with one of my children, or a natuaral disaster of some kind, I can immediately run and get to my kids or wherever I need to be right then. And I figure I have a better chance of putting my shirt on at a dead run than I do putting pants on. If my pants are always on first I have a faster reaction time. You can’t run and put on pants, and yes, I’ve tried. So the next time I’m getting dressed and there is an earthquake, or one of my children is seriously hurt, or someone leaves a bar of chocolate unattended on the kitchen counter, just know that as I make a run for it I will be clothed from the waist down, but there may be a ‘good show’ from the waist up…well, a show at any rate, just maybe not so good…

3~I am really painfully shy, but if I push myself I can appear very outgoing. I struggle a lot with social situations outside of family ones, and find it stressful in large crowds/gatherings sometimes. And I don’t feel any pressing need to have vast numbers of friendships, I am content with the ones I have, although I am not averse to adding to them, I just don’t feel urgent about it. I’m content. Honestly, I have more than enough people living under my own roof that need my constant attention, so right now large numbers of friends would be too hard. I could never maintain the relationships, I would be a crummy friend. So those of you that are my friends right now, you’re it. Now don’t you feel lucky? I didn’t think so.

4~I believe Justin brought sexy back.

5~I can’t sleep on anything except cotton bedding. I can’t stand the feel of synthetic fabrics on my skin as I sleep, I’m really weird about it. I have to have a top sheet first, and then the blanket, I am very particular as to what order my bedcoverings are in when I go to sleep. Also, I keep a small fan in my room and use it year round to circulate air throughout my bedroom. I love fresh, cool air, no matter the season, and I can’t sleep in a hot, stagnant and stale room. And by now you are really starting to wonder why Craig is still even married to me…

6~I have discovered I prefer more modern and contemporary design styles in homes, home furnishings and such, more than I thought I did. I still enjoy some Eccelctic stylings, and some Traditional, but I cannot stand Vistorian in any way. I like clean, linear, simple, natural, and functional. I am really big on functionality. I hate wasted space. And I love certain aspects of architecture. I’m kind of nerdy about it. But then again, I’m nerdy about a lot of stuff, so nothing new there. And that being said, I prefer living in more of a country setting, I am not a city girl at all. And I love the mountains and living near them. I’m going to miss (if we ever move that is…) the gorgeous mountain view from my front porch, it’s just beautiful.

Yesterday, my parents celebrated their 37th wedding anniversary. My Dad still tells my mom how cute she is, even over the phone, and my Mom still loves to just spend time with my Dad, no matter what they’re doing, she just loves being with him. They make a great team, a wonderful couple, and are incredible parents. Happy Anniversary Mom and Dad!

This clamp on “high chair” seat for F has changed my entire world and made my life so much easier. Love it!

This little table and chairs set is the perfect size for the little kidlets. I have since painted it glossy white so that it cleans up in an instant, and looks good anywhere in the house.

At his preschool graduation presentation, M was the Big Bad Wolf in the mini play his class put on that day. Afterwards he walked across the stage by himself, and got his certificate. He misses school already and can hardly wait to start Kindergarten!

F was having the time of his life in the little trailer as N peddled him around on the tractor. This is only one of my Dad’s many ride-on toys he has for his grandbabies.

I finally made F’s birthday cake. I kept it simple. Simple is my favorite.

F, not helping. Oh the naughty!

My newest niece, arriving safe and sound on Sunday. Eliece and Matt are thrilled! She’s beautiful!

The little ones have been on their bikes every day, and the courtyard has been the perfect place for them to ride.

Here they are, ready for more fun. In the evenings, we sometimes take a family bike ride over to the church parking lot so everyone can ride at once.

C, with shorter hair, and a recent obssession with eating fresh fruit. Fruit! I must have fruit!

D is still trying to get into a drivers ed class. They fill up so fast here, it can take weeks just to get on the waiting list. As for dating, there was no waiting. He has already been out, and has several dates more lined up. He’s 16 and I’m not old enough for any of this.

We had a birthday dinner for D today since it was the only evening he wasn’t working this week. Heidi and Gary came with their kids, along with my Mom and Dad. Heidi brought a fun sprinkler toy and enough swimsuits for everyone, for which I was especially grateful since most of my kidlets suits are packed up in storage. The kids played themselves into oblivion while we hung out in the kitchen talking and cooking. I made these yummy potatoes again, as per D’s request, and they were delish, just like last time. Craig grilled the steaks for us, and we also had hot dogs for the little kids and any adults crazy enough to NOT like steak (weirdos). Heidi made her amazingly scrumptious Berry Yogurt Salad, which was devoured and loved by all, and preferred over any and all other foods by F. The ‘tsaty surprise’ that night were the Stuffed Jalapeno’s I made from the recipe on the Pioneer Woman’s blog. We all loved them, and could hardly believe how delicious they were. Gads! What have we been missing?! They were devoured in a flash, and I am going to be making more of these and freezing them so I can just pop them into the oven for the next family gathering.

(*note-the capsaicin in the membranes of the jalapeno peppers can and does burn your skin, so when cutting and gutting the jalapenos you need to wear latex gloves, or after a few minutes it will get very painful. I speak from experience, it’s very, very uncomfortable. It can take a few minutes for the burning to start, but believe me it’s not pleasant.)

So anyways, we ended the meal with a delicious Bavarian Cream cake my mom brought, which was absolutley the best choclate cake I have had in forever. It was more than good. Then the kids were right back outside playing their little hearts out once again. While they were happily entertained (with Heidi and C watching them I might add…) Craig and I took a short drive with my parents to look at some properties and land in a neighboring town. It was so gorgeous there. My parents left for home afterwards and Craig and I headed back to our house, arriving to the kids still going strong, and still playing their little hearts out. Heidi’s kids did not want to go home, and my kids did not want to go to bed, but fatigue finally won out for all of us, it had been a long day. So Heidi loaded her crew up and they set out for home, and I hustled my kids into bed. As for posting more recipes, yeah, yeah, I know, I keep doing this, but hey, I just want to share the goodness all around, ok! I have really enjoyed the time in the kitchen I have been getting, but with the real heat of summer coming, I will be on the lookout for cooler, more heat friendly meals instead. I hate cranking up my oven on hot days, so I tend to turn to my slow cooker and BBQ grill more often. Anyone have any summer/hot weather meal ideas and/or recipes they love and want to pass on, because I’m up for any suggestions!

Today is D’s birthday. So I did the only sensible thing. I went into his room at 1 am and woke him up to take his picture. He loved it. He really, really loved it. He knows that I love him so much that I just had to record this moment in time for him. Right now. Without delay. Besides, how could I post about his birthday without any pics of him on here? What kind of birthday post would this be without pictures of D on it. And today is a big day. My baby just turned 16. So I had to document this momentous day almost as soon as it began, hence the early ‘am’ shots of D. So here he is, in all of his sleepy and fed-up glory. Ready to lob his pillow at me. Wishing I was “not mother”.

Love you son! Happy Birthday

“I was alseep, what do you want mom?”

“My picture? Are you kidding?! For what? Go away!”

“C’mon mom, please!”

“Ok, fine, you win, I’ll smile…now get out.”

Yesterday, I headed over to my mom’s and made dinner. I used this delicious fajita recipe, which I love, it’s so yummy, easy, and a nice change of pace. I made one batch with chicken and one with beef, and I used loads of yummy green, red, orange and yellow peppers, with a giant vidalia onion for good measure. Dessert was from a huge batch of Oatmeal Pecan Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip cookie dough I made before heading in, with enough left over to divvy up so that everyone went home with some to bake later. Sadly, my mixer is kind of broken now so I may be forced to hasten my search for the best heavy duty mixer for my kitchen since I really can’t not have one, it would drive me crazy to try to bake/cook without on. The little ones had a blast playing outside, riding on the various trikes, little tractors, and of course the totally cool orange pedal car. My dad has amassed a large fleet of these fun ride-on toys just for his grandbabies, and is going to have to pave his entire backyard in order for all of them to fit once he moves back into his house this winter. I vote for a paved pathwayaround the perimeter that runs the entire circuit of the yard so the kidlets can ride in the backyard…but that’s just me. Also, I made this yummy tomato soup recipe again the other day, it’s also incredibly easy, yet toally delicious. It goes together so fast, which works for me since our days are just packed it seems. I think I am going to make this tuna melt recipe to go with it next time since I have never made a tuna melt before, yet it’s a sandwich I have heard referred to countless times throughout my life, so I guess now is the time, right? And I don’t remember summer weather quite like this years, with yesterday being quite chilly, and then downright cold. It does not feel anything like June to me right now. Maybe this means a mild summer?