tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-53211192679560623982024-02-18T22:16:23.984-07:00Bloggin' BeansLees Everything Homemadehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05412308537351909314noreply@blogger.comBlogger134125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5321119267956062398.post-36540102962485451542013-01-08T20:10:00.001-07:002013-01-08T20:11:48.941-07:00<div style="position: relative;">
<div style="margin: 0 auto; width: 600px;">
<a href="http://www.polyvore.com/antipodean_steampunk_adventures_want_to/thing.outbound?.embedder=0&.svc=copypaste&id=9361427" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img alt="Antipodean Steampunk Adventures: I want to ride my bicycle" border="0" height="600" src="http://embed.polyvoreimg.com/cgi/img-thing/size/y/tid/9361427.jpg" title="Antipodean Steampunk Adventures: I want to ride my bicycle" width="600" /></a></div>
</div>
<br />
<small></small><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<div>
<small><a href="http://www.polyvore.com/antipodean_steampunk_adventures_want_to/thing.outbound?.embedder=0&.svc=copypaste&id=9361427" target="_blank">Antipodean Steampunk Adventures: I want to ride my bicycle</a> (clipped to <a href="http://www.polyvore.com/" target="_blank">polyvore.com</a>)</small></div>
</div>
<small>
</small>Lees Everything Homemadehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05412308537351909314noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5321119267956062398.post-7530401058574852522010-12-19T17:11:00.005-07:002011-01-03T11:05:00.224-07:00Christmas Choir Concert<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXhtNNb5Iev6eW_gbiw69eF6b_rXkSK1v9EqSWfumrd8gMOY03efI317HZgZFIogYMW-wDbY1-PltTujsE7b6-AOxNUGvvPpgz_n8DzlxHz4j24Za-9JZIzz3JzATHEsP269uFsAmiq6Q/s1600/Gavin+and+friends.jpg"><img style="WIDTH: 400px; HEIGHT: 347px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5552559953138484482" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXhtNNb5Iev6eW_gbiw69eF6b_rXkSK1v9EqSWfumrd8gMOY03efI317HZgZFIogYMW-wDbY1-PltTujsE7b6-AOxNUGvvPpgz_n8DzlxHz4j24Za-9JZIzz3JzATHEsP269uFsAmiq6Q/s400/Gavin+and+friends.jpg" /></a> Gavin and some of his friends<br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEie_t2jvrV6WLd1QL1wS5HQCxXVldEk06S_3i312vnZGL0LvIdNBDh2C3ygeytJVUjNT6gluBQh8AKzqCiieae3vQoLTNM2mZQtiNW5XNz6KlSdgQMEE2MTB7ldWn62gPRnLssdOvtuDVk/s1600/Gavin+singing.jpg"><img style="WIDTH: 390px; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5552559948712274194" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEie_t2jvrV6WLd1QL1wS5HQCxXVldEk06S_3i312vnZGL0LvIdNBDh2C3ygeytJVUjNT6gluBQh8AKzqCiieae3vQoLTNM2mZQtiNW5XNz6KlSdgQMEE2MTB7ldWn62gPRnLssdOvtuDVk/s400/Gavin+singing.jpg" /></a><br /><div>My camera batteries went dead during this performance so I wasn't able to get very much of it. There is a little blurp of Gavin singing one of his favorite songs. This was the first year the choir director had his concert choir sing the "Hallelujah Chorus" and I must say, I was very impressed by those young kids. Again, it's too bad those batteries went dead! (Oh, and in case you might be wondering, Gavin sings Tenor, for now).</div><div></div><div><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dwC4CXh9uZcOXuNJuznKj21hCN7v_y9cBDlY9RgakU9Z8IzwCFPxX8ZmhSxDyZTZwcE7Ri9wcOPljbtlR2Wbw' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div></div>Lees Everything Homemadehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05412308537351909314noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5321119267956062398.post-17901309266075452262010-12-14T13:23:00.005-07:002010-12-14T17:57:11.393-07:00Orchestra Concert<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrtv9069Y0qd2SfLiWsWlJ1rL9EMZ8j7YoFfJ1HZABja-3B_kQcBIUm440uAXWgRzUsaev0IodU2Gzax7X2-c1Zl4D5Vj0blU97FdyjPN3AlTw6fny2oj7QJ_l7wD1IU78w9IqENyABKw/s1600/Nov.Dec+187.JPG"><img style="WIDTH: 400px; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5550637886438939106" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrtv9069Y0qd2SfLiWsWlJ1rL9EMZ8j7YoFfJ1HZABja-3B_kQcBIUm440uAXWgRzUsaev0IodU2Gzax7X2-c1Zl4D5Vj0blU97FdyjPN3AlTw6fny2oj7QJ_l7wD1IU78w9IqENyABKw/s400/Nov.Dec+187.JPG" /></a><br /><div>Allie had her first orchestra concert last Friday. (Gavin also had a choir performance at the University Mall, but I didn't remember to bring the camera...he felt neglected). We were pleasantly surprised at the ability of these 7th graders who hadn't ever picked up an instrument (for the most part) until just a few months ago. "Kudos" to the teacher.</div><div></div><p><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dz_kbkzL8TXYInDe2kNUE188XGRKH0W0KlK_HdRbLOpSWN2RtIUiOgq3epkeSYWI2hqIIOXTHjbHecy1QC7TA' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></p><p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlQxyjOH8Nq4ltTa_Jsqi0TU_PQB9eiphVH_BO5BsaMGKH4gtd_Tr3Csqog2i8T0kWedypS8YxA4N4zKWVgSvrZOmBxDlIwOJ2UTi3tExPDqqeI_ao5TDfr4dD3Ah3sVRTwWUy0nAbal4/s1600/AllieTay.jpg"><img style="WIDTH: 400px; HEIGHT: 338px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5550705971182255138" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlQxyjOH8Nq4ltTa_Jsqi0TU_PQB9eiphVH_BO5BsaMGKH4gtd_Tr3Csqog2i8T0kWedypS8YxA4N4zKWVgSvrZOmBxDlIwOJ2UTi3tExPDqqeI_ao5TDfr4dD3Ah3sVRTwWUy0nAbal4/s400/AllieTay.jpg" /></a> </p>Lees Everything Homemadehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05412308537351909314noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5321119267956062398.post-19720104772328268932010-12-14T12:51:00.009-07:002022-10-20T20:28:45.976-06:00The Ugliest Sweater Award<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjokv5gY-Z1DidM1hXhCKKC6b-2B2jiZ-Gfmm7K-YanOYh-_W0wA46DiVIASdHnPsU_aAsf16uYj4fmBmg_9Ta2CJZZWm4Phyl5EACjZ6EZ_m3U_VoM4TEs5VyxstCzO0oIIZTi6NbM6ec/s1600/December+012.JPG"><img style="WIDTH: 300px; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5550634620845093394" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjokv5gY-Z1DidM1hXhCKKC6b-2B2jiZ-Gfmm7K-YanOYh-_W0wA46DiVIASdHnPsU_aAsf16uYj4fmBmg_9Ta2CJZZWm4Phyl5EACjZ6EZ_m3U_VoM4TEs5VyxstCzO0oIIZTi6NbM6ec/s400/December+012.JPG" /></a><br /><div>I was a "mother-helper" in Allie's english class last week. Funny how it came about actually...I volunteered while under the influence of a sleeping pill and the next morning I couldn't recall a thing about it. I was taken by complete surprise when the teacher replied to my unknown email and thanked me for my willingness to help! (Needless to say, I have asked Richard to keep all electronics and phones away from me after I take my pill at night to avoid any more involuntary acts of service). After I realized I had said I would help, I discovered that my assignment involved dressing up like an old person, an "Elder" from the book, The Giver. I was to wear all black and pull my hair up into a bun.</div><br /><div></div><div>I did the best I could considering I wasn't really in the mood to do it all. I threw on some jeans, a black shirt and my old grayish/brown Finnish sweater (which is about four sizes to big these days). I stretched my short hair into a stub of a ponytail and showed up for duty. When I got there, all the other mothers were wearing black skirts and the mother I was to sit next to had done herself up all model-like so the contrast between the two of us was quite glaring. As I sat there talking to the pretty mom, Allison came in with her class. When she saw me she smiled, but as soon as she looked at my costume, her smile fell off her face. </div><br /><div></div><div>"Mom, WHY did you wear that UGLY sweater?!"</div><br /><div></div><div>"I'm supposed to look old"</div><br /><div></div><div>"Yeah, but that is the ugliest sweater!" At this point her friend scolded her for being mean to her mother. The next five minutes went by as the other classes gathered in and settled down. And as if twice wasn't enough, Allison again embarrassingly asked me why I wore the ugliest sweater I owned. I just laughed because I knew just how pretty I didn't look.</div><br /><div></div><div>I was completely surprised when we were all done and Allison wanted me to walk back with her to her classroom...HAND IN HAND with the Ugly Sweater Wearer!</div><div> </div><div></div><div></div><div>(By the way: I really like my Finnish sweater!)</div>Lees Everything Homemadehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05412308537351909314noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5321119267956062398.post-59492612702471400112010-11-01T20:54:00.005-06:002010-11-10T09:04:10.467-07:00Ahhh...tis the Season!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8NXaD4IE-kgG1YC_u0NOcLC_P2LqK2DtpF-UTZGuSw_uJ9A9D_dw-5iXLV2SlsaQd3yXp-0OTAjAL2UXFJgZBJHsx82drqxDsExu-ZLe_EBWyNQSZzSZwawQCGYZnWOH_oVGcLKb8FNk/s1600/100_4232+copy.jpg"><img style="WIDTH: 400px; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5534783265061096098" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8NXaD4IE-kgG1YC_u0NOcLC_P2LqK2DtpF-UTZGuSw_uJ9A9D_dw-5iXLV2SlsaQd3yXp-0OTAjAL2UXFJgZBJHsx82drqxDsExu-ZLe_EBWyNQSZzSZwawQCGYZnWOH_oVGcLKb8FNk/s400/100_4232+copy.jpg" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgf-ci0pM0VV_EqzCsUd5khuWGbYnYU-buhDv_rZ8W_0Zj9LGp8KDaPLLm45tnH3dfIfLxxbe-GOSwUh0QCPeyraKDoM9r9uquydb9iswJ9c2g3zH6v65zITSRpvddBH7fsWOd8thzH2Gs/s1600/100_4234+copy.jpg"><img style="WIDTH: 400px; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5534783267380834546" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgf-ci0pM0VV_EqzCsUd5khuWGbYnYU-buhDv_rZ8W_0Zj9LGp8KDaPLLm45tnH3dfIfLxxbe-GOSwUh0QCPeyraKDoM9r9uquydb9iswJ9c2g3zH6v65zITSRpvddBH7fsWOd8thzH2Gs/s400/100_4234+copy.jpg" /></a><br />Is it considered child abuse when you send your son to football practice and he continually comes home with blue-ribbon bruises?<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2RkZN2aO25b0kuf2xQX9S-ElIA9LI86D_NeU3SqH3UFwbMf5U850bsQTsJwr6-mcWRZjIBCfuKoHE7zBDQYlRhUDiF7_pGkD1HHTfBZ5gbFLYpu19TVF13VkXdnedIvh7r7_iikiVPQM/s1600/October+2010+093.JPG"><img style="WIDTH: 400px; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5534783259932410098" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2RkZN2aO25b0kuf2xQX9S-ElIA9LI86D_NeU3SqH3UFwbMf5U850bsQTsJwr6-mcWRZjIBCfuKoHE7zBDQYlRhUDiF7_pGkD1HHTfBZ5gbFLYpu19TVF13VkXdnedIvh7r7_iikiVPQM/s400/October+2010+093.JPG" /></a><br />Allie and Smokey taken right after soccer practice. She was trying to get a profile photo she liked for her new Facebook account.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIE6SmCin3J96TJL6iqZhaguIGRHkULjDS3aRa69TZi7hqe5kRvNFgnzo8V2svIi0b4iiUd_Ag91g4mXJ9lVNV2vgrV7zImfJm2pcqV1EXdphKsnnqnuTYCdY9fTwgk-7BQ01ZXx_PMTE/s1600/October+2010+030.JPG"><img style="WIDTH: 300px; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5534783250325627554" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIE6SmCin3J96TJL6iqZhaguIGRHkULjDS3aRa69TZi7hqe5kRvNFgnzo8V2svIi0b4iiUd_Ag91g4mXJ9lVNV2vgrV7zImfJm2pcqV1EXdphKsnnqnuTYCdY9fTwgk-7BQ01ZXx_PMTE/s400/October+2010+030.JPG" /></a><br />This is the only picture I got of "Halloween" and it has nothing to do with the holiday. It was wacky wear day at school and this is what the kids came up with. Slippers on Gavin and Moose socks on Allie. I think they are the ugliest socks I've ever seen and I can't figure out how they ended up in her closet.<br /><br />I love this time of year, minus the Halloween part. (I know, I know...what a party-pooper I am). This year the kids had friends over for night games and then we had our annual Dinner party with the Graves. We had different kinds of pasta with salad and a fabulous dessert. The kids love this tradition and this year it was made so much simpler. We didn't dress up until after they had ordered their mystery food and then while the parents prepared the meal, the kids went downstairs and dressed for dinner. With make-up and three boxes of dress-ups to choose from, it was fun to see what they came up with. Allie ended up in a hoop skirt complete with a fancy dress and every ounce of her face caked in make-up. Meanwhile, Gavin put a cloak with a hood on and called it good. If only I had thought of taking the camera...Lees Everything Homemadehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05412308537351909314noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5321119267956062398.post-61555548874434525642010-09-11T17:32:00.008-06:002010-09-11T18:01:54.862-06:00The Bain of My Existence<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjInIBw45A50qN-zae2NbphhmbaoSpePkG2kujIQtV6g7lj64t58NWeB9U1lhMCjTc7TlLJ5oigl73Ko2l6uhZ8scAGLjANQT0BQ4KL9PTk44bGhb5QxLHpU5ymZ5323nr9hp61H7ZIXXk/s1600/kids+toys+022.JPG"></a> <div>It's been awhile since I went upstairs to the kids' rooms and overhauled them in the sort of way that only their mother can do. After a grueling day of cleaning, I am taking issue with a couple of things:<br /><br />1. Airsoft BB's (Have you ever kneeled on one? Think Legos... They are all over our yard, bright green, white, red, like large plastic fertilizer pellets that never melt away. When Gavin ran out of them during his last airsoft war, he decided to just pick up the ones lying on his bedroom floor to recollect. In one pick-up he hauled off quite a pile and that was before he checked under the bed or in the corners. I found those while I was vaccuuming - after he'd said it had already been done!)<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgElQvhVwQnhpZxcDXdI33B2muIt3vVfjZgyBRPlWRezONeFDYSkBHEqKh20GyQLDUVs1vHasPswvfwIgERVEkA5LGwVtDJcY0okDYG0k_f6xoDghIXZP0my3C_DNPqA8R9ArLtl6NPA_k/s1600/kids+toys+024.JPG"><img style="WIDTH: 400px; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5515809013373910066" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgElQvhVwQnhpZxcDXdI33B2muIt3vVfjZgyBRPlWRezONeFDYSkBHEqKh20GyQLDUVs1vHasPswvfwIgERVEkA5LGwVtDJcY0okDYG0k_f6xoDghIXZP0my3C_DNPqA8R9ArLtl6NPA_k/s400/kids+toys+024.JPG" /></a></div><div> </div><div></div><div>2. Perler Beads (Those colorful plastic beads you make designs with and then melt together. I had a whole refrigerator covered with designs made into magnets at one time. Usually the designs get made and then sit around Allie's bedroom waiting to be ironed. I'm constantly setting them aside to get dinner ready or they have to be carefully moved off her bed and onto the dressers so she can sleep at night. While I was vaccuuming her room the other day, I thought I saw something colorful in the heat vent. Amongst bobby pins, a Scooby-Doo Bandaid, pistachio shells, yarn and who knows what else - I didn't inspect further - I found handful after handful and I still didn't get all of them.)<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKkpuG-XraRKfmPQN7CVRXwPzGxD-iSCXQMP_bOZ3Cek2lwTcvEVFOHTXOzSgUq6M-RQH1QfRpUExLcjz_YWHXU1PFWCZ3pwQgcixPDfkcwzal9Y6Uceffvah3L4s1OqlZN8JZdHFQ6RY/s1600/kids+toys+006.JPG"><img style="WIDTH: 400px; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5515808374620482114" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKkpuG-XraRKfmPQN7CVRXwPzGxD-iSCXQMP_bOZ3Cek2lwTcvEVFOHTXOzSgUq6M-RQH1QfRpUExLcjz_YWHXU1PFWCZ3pwQgcixPDfkcwzal9Y6Uceffvah3L4s1OqlZN8JZdHFQ6RY/s400/kids+toys+006.JPG" /></a></div><br /><div></div><div>And, of course, these things don't like to be sucked up by the vaccuum hose. I try every time only to end up picking them up by hand. Is this something I'll miss when they grow up? I think NOT!</div>Lees Everything Homemadehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05412308537351909314noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5321119267956062398.post-60579423594526422892010-08-02T10:21:00.003-06:002010-08-02T10:27:36.866-06:00Gavin's Bee StingGavin got stung this weekend while we were in Logan fishing at the Shaws. He's just like his sister and dad and blows up like a balloon when he gets stung. Poor kid!<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJbp5L4IvdMhO2WD0zzjC32Y1dg1ODarLH3uw-H-1Tm2btP_-R98El1unMlNe7jnoF5kleiAPnmowuQonoAeijrbDSgPlJ3Irxer4L-_GXX-1FYs6skM_hH6Ux31Bopm7ZviMqL0hbAhc/s1600/100_4029.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJbp5L4IvdMhO2WD0zzjC32Y1dg1ODarLH3uw-H-1Tm2btP_-R98El1unMlNe7jnoF5kleiAPnmowuQonoAeijrbDSgPlJ3Irxer4L-_GXX-1FYs6skM_hH6Ux31Bopm7ZviMqL0hbAhc/s400/100_4029.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5500849854601787810" /></a><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMslShdbrDGVHFFTyoMWY3eil_6ne2Nma1_dEuWo-02teUEfm5shrFU4M6Gxa-qCaoSRyXx1F5xSqD974YEqK3s0Pd1MbmESNS3Ein-WyJpr1B09g5h4WdMBLMa3Ouh-6eORwPzC7zzlU/s1600/100_4027.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMslShdbrDGVHFFTyoMWY3eil_6ne2Nma1_dEuWo-02teUEfm5shrFU4M6Gxa-qCaoSRyXx1F5xSqD974YEqK3s0Pd1MbmESNS3Ein-WyJpr1B09g5h4WdMBLMa3Ouh-6eORwPzC7zzlU/s400/100_4027.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5500849607786630098" /></a><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjp6fmcLkLDY47Pm_biNJBlugoqAMeUy2JAwjYq8whHqEEukIVRsBf1VhZABCzaMxzdvu0Lm-7DJKy3xxvkiwDEqDETgk1hBOzMPLxAIGhdzUU60Lk-ZbEA1pRA1kJblZNPM74aV3lAzPY/s1600/100_4031.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjp6fmcLkLDY47Pm_biNJBlugoqAMeUy2JAwjYq8whHqEEukIVRsBf1VhZABCzaMxzdvu0Lm-7DJKy3xxvkiwDEqDETgk1hBOzMPLxAIGhdzUU60Lk-ZbEA1pRA1kJblZNPM74aV3lAzPY/s400/100_4031.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5500849595095098642" /></a><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjQBRscD-r04NcKKx3vAn-O-9RvWfDyA65jz-7-lMdopcgIRRzBZG50YYRe6K7Pmft-YmGwnUjWb5E66ZCLhTgi_Qm52onIjZNWv7COiYl0etMYHBNCrO-GUUHS37dkv0FpiYYu9rfjLw/s1600/100_4024.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjQBRscD-r04NcKKx3vAn-O-9RvWfDyA65jz-7-lMdopcgIRRzBZG50YYRe6K7Pmft-YmGwnUjWb5E66ZCLhTgi_Qm52onIjZNWv7COiYl0etMYHBNCrO-GUUHS37dkv0FpiYYu9rfjLw/s400/100_4024.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5500849582132774162" /></a>Lees Everything Homemadehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05412308537351909314noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5321119267956062398.post-88326052525983626282010-06-20T23:47:00.003-06:002010-06-20T23:52:18.374-06:00Happy Father's Day!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgd35wQkNjn_zYM9u8-s5G21WKqEl0O5_Ztgq6XlflHIhSuDsIN16wJqt_BQWPLxKze5kqmxSbjLn1HDl7YS8dHLXmulPpKcyn9eYqy19bYczwjkJEsUtEkPi_EP9THzFhcSRzNwMlsUFs/s1600/Father's+Day.jpg"><img style="WIDTH: 400px; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5485100579799189602" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgd35wQkNjn_zYM9u8-s5G21WKqEl0O5_Ztgq6XlflHIhSuDsIN16wJqt_BQWPLxKze5kqmxSbjLn1HDl7YS8dHLXmulPpKcyn9eYqy19bYczwjkJEsUtEkPi_EP9THzFhcSRzNwMlsUFs/s400/Father's+Day.jpg" /></a><br /><div></div>Lees Everything Homemadehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05412308537351909314noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5321119267956062398.post-21682403385818425932010-06-19T22:33:00.005-06:002010-06-19T23:09:19.774-06:00SPONTANEITY...<div><div>The act of being <strong>SPONTANEOUS.</strong></div><div><strong>Spontaneous</strong>: Arising from a momentary impulse; not apparantly contrived or manipulated. </div><div> </div><div>Without any encouragement from anyone else in the family, Richard woke up Thursday morning with a plan to go to Logan for the weekend. No real reason to go, just to get out of town. So, yesterday, without any previous planning, we left the funeral we were attending, went home and changed our clothes. The kids made sure to grab their bare essentials and we were able to fit everything we needed in a large tote. (I didn't bring makeup or anything!) In 15 minutes or less we were loaded in the truck and ready to set out. I am so glad Andrew and DeAnna were okay with us just "dropping in" on them like this.</div><br /><div>Highlights from the Weekend:</div><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdBEn4n1tiTVUIEJ3MFuvEF_pKfD0YnPhV-sN1Q6AoP_Vl2c7PVWfVwcsqPqh_QuC2ltADAU7QDylawisn9xSaVeya5b_PL6zq9eZPuruhap1U2fnwGwCUS6WNrFixyxN3211ngjg8lV4/s1600/IMG_2696.JPG"><img style="WIDTH: 240px; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5484711958558777154" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdBEn4n1tiTVUIEJ3MFuvEF_pKfD0YnPhV-sN1Q6AoP_Vl2c7PVWfVwcsqPqh_QuC2ltADAU7QDylawisn9xSaVeya5b_PL6zq9eZPuruhap1U2fnwGwCUS6WNrFixyxN3211ngjg8lV4/s320/IMG_2696.JPG" /></a></div><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEho-QjUNdrlTmC-PL6RdXQs-dOKfbyOUpCSPucq8bEcVbIvHbRqFrAKAhu5YUHhT62fMLk-zy9harxiUmcFcYJsvq8HEamOUZEu1c_GSaep6QCjxo0wyu5ctGR_5Z2xeu0536-IiNHh_0g/s1600/IMG_2698.JPG"><img style="WIDTH: 320px; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5484711951062397410" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEho-QjUNdrlTmC-PL6RdXQs-dOKfbyOUpCSPucq8bEcVbIvHbRqFrAKAhu5YUHhT62fMLk-zy9harxiUmcFcYJsvq8HEamOUZEu1c_GSaep6QCjxo0wyu5ctGR_5Z2xeu0536-IiNHh_0g/s320/IMG_2698.JPG" /></a></div><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6gcqDuN32gkMpyS5HNpT7-YORwV0NTm36dGL87l4saPgX_GpwxkzwnkZyXdfLWUkxnJdiOAkmeileulyLQN8BGrEoynOSdcoId3SavbH5_obddw5eRsMitZKu1fsYVkOrX4JfgBJvCY0/s1600/IMG_2699.JPG"><img style="WIDTH: 320px; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5484711935305479202" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6gcqDuN32gkMpyS5HNpT7-YORwV0NTm36dGL87l4saPgX_GpwxkzwnkZyXdfLWUkxnJdiOAkmeileulyLQN8BGrEoynOSdcoId3SavbH5_obddw5eRsMitZKu1fsYVkOrX4JfgBJvCY0/s320/IMG_2699.JPG" /></a><br /></div><div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLXobZSmFUk2EFZKCPvveIMEvOPUtbo6J_3IcIN65c5BXTRcSzKsateEAScJjre6ifn88M9SbH-FMo4nt7ieLsaFBcj-XSS_c5yhFfSYM2x27-6T9RZHguTd8YJiAqg2JNurDMWsU_wNw/s1600/IMG_2717.JPG"><img style="WIDTH: 320px; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5484715290286131538" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLXobZSmFUk2EFZKCPvveIMEvOPUtbo6J_3IcIN65c5BXTRcSzKsateEAScJjre6ifn88M9SbH-FMo4nt7ieLsaFBcj-XSS_c5yhFfSYM2x27-6T9RZHguTd8YJiAqg2JNurDMWsU_wNw/s320/IMG_2717.JPG" /></a> </div><br /><div><br /></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmcAcuVolNN8UNC43aGOn3BHfgfw0q5GwIlrhvWWYBcbf77u8ICXQHIgk1vhPMuyD0QbZxYY_SEP-ct4mkrnyNvJUVPZBzYlbcz3J6_cetloq6Dt_AD7NYM00eIP9OMpw_xy-pUT0ujyw/s1600/IMG_2708.JPG"><img style="WIDTH: 320px; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5484715283080416706" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmcAcuVolNN8UNC43aGOn3BHfgfw0q5GwIlrhvWWYBcbf77u8ICXQHIgk1vhPMuyD0QbZxYY_SEP-ct4mkrnyNvJUVPZBzYlbcz3J6_cetloq6Dt_AD7NYM00eIP9OMpw_xy-pUT0ujyw/s320/IMG_2708.JPG" /></a><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxDk4mizX7ksU1B6kMllXnMu6hnN7fxaM2J4JbiG-FpXB7CCmrxi8CvZ3zybGTsU5iyuDaPFzrpfDn2nsOpwh05vJ0cGnYt5oTyxZbUgUlMcOBvCzfVbVCw06wWfn5XZVV2Uku-kiwKYM/s1600/IMG_2703.JPG"><img style="WIDTH: 443px; HEIGHT: 330px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5484715254833374994" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxDk4mizX7ksU1B6kMllXnMu6hnN7fxaM2J4JbiG-FpXB7CCmrxi8CvZ3zybGTsU5iyuDaPFzrpfDn2nsOpwh05vJ0cGnYt5oTyxZbUgUlMcOBvCzfVbVCw06wWfn5XZVV2Uku-kiwKYM/s320/IMG_2703.JPG" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbCHKcHo2GpqxX9IvV9u9nXWL43QIKz81uJEP-DjlC3qLf78WG2GDW2FjnsA1deKMZ1AgDXDUFM7I9V2kQU3nbOSKjYk_XAaRVz8O3ow_jKHniEtZCJZ75ExUw7pcxmyEW30Sgjve3PnA/s1600/IMG_2705.JPG"><img style="WIDTH: 339px; HEIGHT: 253px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5484715275602131042" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbCHKcHo2GpqxX9IvV9u9nXWL43QIKz81uJEP-DjlC3qLf78WG2GDW2FjnsA1deKMZ1AgDXDUFM7I9V2kQU3nbOSKjYk_XAaRVz8O3ow_jKHniEtZCJZ75ExUw7pcxmyEW30Sgjve3PnA/s320/IMG_2705.JPG" /></a><br /><br /><div>The Shaw's farm drops right down onto the bank of the channel that runs passed their property. It was perfect for them to just run down the hill and fish for a bit, while D and I stayed in with Allison and watched a movie. The next day, we went outside and watched them fish while laying on the grass in the shade of the house. The boys all caught carp and catfish out of the channel and had a great time.</div><br /><div></div><div>The next day, they took the local farmers up on their requests and went to thin out Rock Chucks from the nearby fields. This was a first for Gavin and he definately scored on his first try. He won the trophy for the largest beast! (shot right in the head).</div><br /><div></div><div>We also spent time eating. We had Sushi the first night and then ate at the Texas Roadhouse for lunch the next day. The Texas Roadhouse was good, but we are still in awe over the flavor and quality of that sushi!!! It was fabulous. We had about 8 or 9 rolls to share amongst ourselves and those not already on the brave ending of eating raw fish and joined the club of "True Sushi Lovers". This place was SOOOO good! Nice therapy, if I might say so myself.</div></div></div></div></div>Lees Everything Homemadehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05412308537351909314noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5321119267956062398.post-35858967038121365192010-05-27T00:47:00.007-06:002010-05-27T01:47:25.161-06:00The Dream Moves OnGavin has been drawing up Go-Cart designs for the past month. He and his buddy have it all worked out and they got started last week. Here's what they have done so far.<br /><br />Step 1: Show your mother the drawings so she will smile and think you are a cute and silly kid, but not really expect anything to come of that nice sketch of a go-cart.<br /><br />Step 2: Wait a few weeks until mom has almost forgotten about the go-cart plan and call her from a strange friend's cell phone to let her know you are not coming home from school. You have very important business to attend to at Ole' Widower Honey's house (okay, his name is just Brother Honey), but he's expecting them to arrive for their scheduled time.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxqeFLi5kP60TL7TmE5G6NnI6FugphMK0wOZgQ_ywGooqJC76lh497uZ71a1BGu0qK5EK_1xMtmasDZD2ZoWAxshDj8wj1GWUvRkQYYMur2NjOCLlK0qJGObkNCzP2L7Olhw9SlVuc8G4/s1600/100_3710.JPG"><img style="WIDTH: 320px; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5475849636794191234" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxqeFLi5kP60TL7TmE5G6NnI6FugphMK0wOZgQ_ywGooqJC76lh497uZ71a1BGu0qK5EK_1xMtmasDZD2ZoWAxshDj8wj1GWUvRkQYYMur2NjOCLlK0qJGObkNCzP2L7Olhw9SlVuc8G4/s320/100_3710.JPG" /></a><br /><br />Step 3: Make an appointment to go back to Honey's house and go through his collection of old metal junk in his shop out back. At the same time, have your other friends contacting their father who owns a mechanic shop and see if you can spend some time down there before the week is out.<br /><br />Step 4: After you have found the perfect project for scrap metal, realize that you don't want to hurt Bro. Honey's feelings and instead of scrapping the old motor bike you found in his garage, you decide to "practice" on this one before you get into the actual building of the go-carts.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiC_vTMXYVauIhiPzHnrry2rhvwvGzyNmsDX5S9zAryw5j1YYxwM1XJg6X-H3fM0ZvNnkJctCL4ttNLgIdfe06wopa6Im0QB8DoQkSHuPafglRGJOVQKJacfG_YXRFkdvn_LWQMX2F3NQ/s1600/100_3724.enhd.jpg"><img style="WIDTH: 320px; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5475846317994031330" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiC_vTMXYVauIhiPzHnrry2rhvwvGzyNmsDX5S9zAryw5j1YYxwM1XJg6X-H3fM0ZvNnkJctCL4ttNLgIdfe06wopa6Im0QB8DoQkSHuPafglRGJOVQKJacfG_YXRFkdvn_LWQMX2F3NQ/s320/100_3724.enhd.jpg" /></a><br /><br />Step 5: First try to talk your father into letting you store the soon-to-be-fabulous-addition-to-the-garage-toys in your back yard. That will fail miserably. Try tactic two: Call your friend who has nothing to do with this plan. Invite him to join the team of mechanics and share the glory of triumph when it runs and moves at the same time. Oh, and if he says he's interested be sure to have him store the junk at his house.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3Od8v-gMNIAc5Pb2w184LLXJaeX9OwcqFiNJceMq9lW_yawcSW2vEZbkyTZ7PEXzT32bwDdQxn_nPv7T5mejZYwCJ2E6IMEvtVSQv55coafxNxoBJM6VcZd7sA5g9mkF7K-lYxhOI4SE/s1600/100_3723.enhcd.jpg"><img style="WIDTH: 320px; HEIGHT: 288px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5475846309508368642" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3Od8v-gMNIAc5Pb2w184LLXJaeX9OwcqFiNJceMq9lW_yawcSW2vEZbkyTZ7PEXzT32bwDdQxn_nPv7T5mejZYwCJ2E6IMEvtVSQv55coafxNxoBJM6VcZd7sA5g9mkF7K-lYxhOI4SE/s320/100_3723.enhcd.jpg" /></a><br /><br />Step 6: Go pick up Yamaha and bring back to the garage. You know your dad has tools you can use. Once it's cleaned up, you can move it the newest member's house.<br /><br />Step 7: The bike must be cleaned. You'll need four shirts of various sizes out of Gavin's closet to cover your good clothes with his good clothes. He doesn't mind sharing, he knows his mom would never care about grease on good shirts. She's real good and turning things into rags!<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiM-25l1kBDhM-5TOEXsEyODatLm17K0cIYJdROhVOCeXfD0wn6VnSrsa4wH1eaQncVRSKNY8I8ZYd34HjO7Rep9_sAFTe1_JxlGPFuSI3Uwur1dECfwnK8EWHRL6cMTx9sOz_g-JIk6_Y/s1600/100_3720.enhcd.jpg"><img style="WIDTH: 320px; HEIGHT: 281px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5475846296523701826" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiM-25l1kBDhM-5TOEXsEyODatLm17K0cIYJdROhVOCeXfD0wn6VnSrsa4wH1eaQncVRSKNY8I8ZYd34HjO7Rep9_sAFTe1_JxlGPFuSI3Uwur1dECfwnK8EWHRL6cMTx9sOz_g-JIk6_Y/s320/100_3720.enhcd.jpg" /></a><br /><br />Step 8: Tell your sister you'd like her to make some lemonade for the gang. They're getting pretty thirsty with all this work.<br /><br />Step 9: Gather the tools and start scraping decades of dirt from the frame of the bike. Be sure to use mom's butter knives on the real hard to get grunge. And go ahead with using her favorite food container (you know, the one that gets used whenever there's a meal to be brought to someone else or a treat brought to a function) as a bucket for greasy, grimy, used to be white rags.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIcDJVELzMcxZ3yceJzkHLg7XWmJroj9G8jtNV4gCNqeUARawpguanWc_ZbcM-JhWzt7x5blxAfSrp8KD9hBn7Bgzm7r6wJocRt1vMFj5wbclABXWWL_zZzGnN-DuafwdbJqT03dhivJI/s1600/100_3732+copy.jpg"><img style="WIDTH: 320px; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5475846325485123410" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIcDJVELzMcxZ3yceJzkHLg7XWmJroj9G8jtNV4gCNqeUARawpguanWc_ZbcM-JhWzt7x5blxAfSrp8KD9hBn7Bgzm7r6wJocRt1vMFj5wbclABXWWL_zZzGnN-DuafwdbJqT03dhivJI/s320/100_3732+copy.jpg" /></a><br /><br />Step 10: Be proud. You are on your way to freedom from oppression and on a journey to independence. This project is the gateway between boyhood and manliness. And hopefully as a man, you won't think your mother's butter knife will be your best tool option next time!Lees Everything Homemadehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05412308537351909314noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5321119267956062398.post-35138518527616380892010-05-27T00:39:00.003-06:002010-05-27T00:46:59.032-06:00Wednesday's Word: GrundleGRUNDLE: A fine word used when one wants to indicate an excessive amount. It gives the listener or reader a beautiful depiction of what "a lot" might look like. In a sentence: Wow, you have a grundle of cards in your hand. That grundle looks as if it might win you the game. Oh, my. You won. If it weren't for that grundle, you'd have lost for sure.<br /><br />Use it in a sentence...go ahead...do it. You know you want to.Lees Everything Homemadehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05412308537351909314noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5321119267956062398.post-61958316402716222512010-05-09T22:52:00.003-06:002010-05-09T23:04:31.863-06:00Happy Mother's Day!I had to say a few words in Sacrament Meeting today. (I say "few" because I was the last speaker of 8 women. Do you think I had any time left to speak? I had about -4 minutes when it was my turn which was perfectly okay with me). The couselor in our bishopric asked all the former RS presidents of the 4th ward to talk about service and then wanted to end with the current pres. The first speaker shared a story I thought was cute and I figured since it's Mother's Day I'd share it with you.<br /><br />When her daughter was about five, she came to her and asked if they could go to Grandma's house. Her mother said, "no, they had ironing to do." The five year old asked her mother if she would <em><strong>pretend</strong></em> to be the grandma and they could talk and play as if they were at grandma's house. <br /><br />So, they did and after a while of talking back and forth, the child started to get a little silly. Pretty soon the mother stopped her daughter and told her to quit the silliness. With her hands on her hips, the five year old looked her mother straight in the eyes and said, "Now Grandma, you're startin' to talk like a Mamma!"<br /><br />Her message to all of us today was to remember to be "grandma's" more often and not too much "mamma" all the time.Lees Everything Homemadehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05412308537351909314noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5321119267956062398.post-43237422764252174312009-11-19T23:07:00.009-07:002009-11-20T09:47:06.893-07:00The Innocence of a Child<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgwl8VMOJnlYG_FD9KDiSTtoKuqjYVBXN8fXCxBdei3pa1rMQg7S8SvqTiHe7bshKhmDptLgADtVdPxjJof38fWrb8fxybNEIFRtaVN5t8v1Tnl7wOHk9U-BoOc-mZMWazR0GoNeY2XFA/s1600/100_2729.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 400px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5406068677672831858" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgwl8VMOJnlYG_FD9KDiSTtoKuqjYVBXN8fXCxBdei3pa1rMQg7S8SvqTiHe7bshKhmDptLgADtVdPxjJof38fWrb8fxybNEIFRtaVN5t8v1Tnl7wOHk9U-BoOc-mZMWazR0GoNeY2XFA/s400/100_2729.jpg" /></a>I was at my mother-in-law's house on Monday helping her with a few household things and we got to talking about the economy and how rough it has been on so many of us. She was very sweet and kindly offered to let us live with her if we ever had need to. I don't foresee that in the future, but it's always nice to know you have loved ones who will help you out during those inevitable crunch times. <div><br /><div>The drive home left me with a lot of thoughts and I considered how our lives would change if we ended up needing to stay with Grandma for a few months. When the kids got home from school, I asked Allison what she thought about moving in with Grandma Bean. Immediately I heard Gavin holler from the other room, "No Way!" (He has no problem with Grandma, just the thought of living <em>anywhere</em> other than here). I asked Alli again what her thoughts were. She sat there for a minutes and then asked me if she would get her own room. I assured she would have the middle room upstairs. She mentioned it might be too small to fit all of her stuff in it, but she continued to ponder. She considered, "Grandma might need a lot of help. She will need me to take her groceries upstairs for her and I might even miss some of my school". I asked her what her final thought on the matter was and her response came through a very solemn and concerned face, "Sure, mom. I can move to Grandma's, but I would miss you guys SOOO much! <span style="font-size:85%;">(<em>on the verge of tears</em>)</span> Do you promise that you'll come and visit me everyday?"<br /><br />I was so shocked by her reaction...I quickly went through the conversation to see where the misunderstanding had come in. Then I looked over at her sweet and willing face, gave her a big hug and promised her that I meant we would all move together and not to worry because we weren't going anywhere. <div></div></div></div>Lees Everything Homemadehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05412308537351909314noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5321119267956062398.post-22651309897674313202009-10-30T00:11:00.004-06:002009-10-30T00:15:18.307-06:00The New Emma...FABULOUS!!!!!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXrtleeY1wkeSn1tPkRPwVkLtbJ5Q-4BThl2OzJEG7T_mbeMAHfjkMIYV0UI0rJwItOGMY1DHxyT4DWgATrrRe073NIDQOGNBNq6i0mZJ7Xgb7bYzOGZ352trLMyEdg03gtA55JqnHkzw/s1600-h/emma03_0012.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 95px; height: 52px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXrtleeY1wkeSn1tPkRPwVkLtbJ5Q-4BThl2OzJEG7T_mbeMAHfjkMIYV0UI0rJwItOGMY1DHxyT4DWgATrrRe073NIDQOGNBNq6i0mZJ7Xgb7bYzOGZ352trLMyEdg03gtA55JqnHkzw/s400/emma03_0012.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5398271987883215154" /></a><br /><br />It's exactly midnight. I spent my entire evening finishing this series and I LOVED it! There are six episodes and if you are a Jane Austen fan, I guarantee you'll enjoy them all. I liked the Emma with Gwenyth Paltrow, but I choose this version over the previous one. There is more time to develop the characters. Watch it soon and tell me what you think!<br /><br />This is the only place I have found that has posted this series, since it has only recently been broadcast in the UK on BBC. I can't wait until we have the DVD available!<br /><br /><a href="http://tudorphiles.ning.com/video?page=2">Videos - Tudorphiles</a>Lees Everything Homemadehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05412308537351909314noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5321119267956062398.post-8748583854957747842009-10-14T15:05:00.004-06:002009-10-14T15:35:50.914-06:00No More Spankin'sWe have trouble "encouraging" Allison to keep her room clean. She can have it completely cleaned up and the next day it looks like a tornado hit it. I honestly don't understand. We have tried just about everything. We have threatened extra jobs, groundings, and this last time Richard said he'd spank her for <em>every</em> item left out. Yeah, that didn't really stick because he's developed a hatred toward spanking his kids. Well, this afternoon inspiration came to me. She can pick up dog poop. There seems to be a never ending mess in her room and we have a constant supply of "punishment".<br /><br />So, that's exactly what she got to do today and after her little experience, I think we found a cure to a her incessantly messy room. She came in from outside completely grossed out. <br /><br />It's been raining the last couple of days and well, you can imagine. In the process of cleaning up, the bag broke on her and covered her hand and arm. She came running in and practically poured liquid soap all over all exposed skin, while freaking out about the liquid state of the mess she was cleaning off her arms. Poor thing...I was no support. I just chuckled inside and thought to myself, "this is definately going to do the trick!"<br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYO-gQlGlKG9GmVZYyvsoEsD4BiTA_Cz4NsFe2Fy_1pRafJoVnTx7UV2uvecCaUnl-M1zfYlnAtvoyaDbdRKJlKsmnf62QpXp3F_UZNitvhrEgR6pThk75AX0IRC8GnYu4DPe3kRxMPGQ/s1600-h/K0QCAWHJKZGCA63OGP1CAD6F0IBCANEX6F1CA3F9IVYCAFB5QZ5CAEJJDKACAYCDS2VCA0087XQCAZZH1SDCA63Y59YCAW8CZCTCANS2I4DCASEAL40CAO4VBLQCANWEUHDCA2SRZAYCAC5L997CABLZPQT.jpg"><img style="WIDTH: 133px; HEIGHT: 110px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5392569784248627586" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYO-gQlGlKG9GmVZYyvsoEsD4BiTA_Cz4NsFe2Fy_1pRafJoVnTx7UV2uvecCaUnl-M1zfYlnAtvoyaDbdRKJlKsmnf62QpXp3F_UZNitvhrEgR6pThk75AX0IRC8GnYu4DPe3kRxMPGQ/s400/K0QCAWHJKZGCA63OGP1CAD6F0IBCANEX6F1CA3F9IVYCAFB5QZ5CAEJJDKACAYCDS2VCA0087XQCAZZH1SDCA63Y59YCAW8CZCTCANS2I4DCASEAL40CAO4VBLQCANWEUHDCA2SRZAYCAC5L997CABLZPQT.jpg" /></a>Lees Everything Homemadehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05412308537351909314noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5321119267956062398.post-37315940105079001422009-07-28T19:36:00.002-06:002009-07-28T19:40:06.387-06:00I Think This Is Gonna Be Good!I just learned of this and am terribly excited. Check out the link to the new BBC's production of Jane Austen's <em>Emma.</em> Tell me your not as ecstatic as I am!<br /><br /><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FjPMEopKtDs">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FjPMEopKtDs</a>Lees Everything Homemadehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05412308537351909314noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5321119267956062398.post-73881006464826044792009-06-26T15:35:00.012-06:002009-06-26T17:16:52.181-06:00It's Marketable...MaybeAllison had this great idea..."let's make REAL fruit snow cones and sell them on the street corner!" Her mother said "no" to the street corner, but "sure" to the making of snow cones. She chuckled to herself when she thought through the process of how much work it would take to get enough juice to make even one snow cone. Allison's original idea included bananas, but when it was explained how you can't juice a banana with a citrus press, she moved on to other fruit.<br /><br />So, here's what happens when cousins get together on a "hot" (70 degrees) Seattle afternoon.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiN1xeQRBxemdKhCRCCr0yTvDF2QrNB4pGZDpHwZ3PO5ivhJhyphenhyphenh58whqBhrKXTGWB8iMrXYT-5fWcBHFham3Jg2G7Bcw9JHiMyq7PDlbrWBAenU_AiXsGutBWtaMfblj6j90ox2rHbJ1Ng/s1600-h/P6260989.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiN1xeQRBxemdKhCRCCr0yTvDF2QrNB4pGZDpHwZ3PO5ivhJhyphenhyphenh58whqBhrKXTGWB8iMrXYT-5fWcBHFham3Jg2G7Bcw9JHiMyq7PDlbrWBAenU_AiXsGutBWtaMfblj6j90ox2rHbJ1Ng/s400/P6260989.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5351754053727536946" border="0" /></a><br />Mushing the watermelon with a citrus juicer because the blender was off limits.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0Mv916QBv6MecE6nwhyezFXPL34Uz4-o70ago3xsFSbYbLp8_JNHiV7uoBq__qpMsQZuSD6_gykLfN_g24ST_lXM66TN_3MfiZI2MP_VjssXXPx4EpQFEPTmdfL9GxyE25YaN_d1wopA/s1600-h/P6260990.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0Mv916QBv6MecE6nwhyezFXPL34Uz4-o70ago3xsFSbYbLp8_JNHiV7uoBq__qpMsQZuSD6_gykLfN_g24ST_lXM66TN_3MfiZI2MP_VjssXXPx4EpQFEPTmdfL9GxyE25YaN_d1wopA/s400/P6260990.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5351754049739046226" border="0" /></a><br />The goal: nine, not ten, snow cones.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifc3DN6gIKjZZSoYZtYQQXJD-SAZ6IKrOj6eki8fKPZTSE__Qp68brqFVFxVjZLLT4cqiy0FR5Ye2_eT3-1iq_Za35oNzjitY9L-wNnttQSxi2KO3Mokp94Sk4XVJL00VyJl72QSTS6oM/s1600-h/P6260995.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifc3DN6gIKjZZSoYZtYQQXJD-SAZ6IKrOj6eki8fKPZTSE__Qp68brqFVFxVjZLLT4cqiy0FR5Ye2_eT3-1iq_Za35oNzjitY9L-wNnttQSxi2KO3Mokp94Sk4XVJL00VyJl72QSTS6oM/s400/P6260995.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5351754048084032994" border="0" /></a><br />Awestruck by the perfect cone-top created by Gavin with a kitchen funnel.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjd8NyRwXRL8pjIXY7irIOOdNoQtmH3py6Lus0r1m_AqHs2pH1FKeWYPzcIxBcg2RmJeBiWDCIRoj6CFCQa-1GgXujUEe9sjy7DtVEYXK25P_zSczKv6FqmCsidtBagB9GWcx6ww8rBj1k/s1600-h/P6261005.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjd8NyRwXRL8pjIXY7irIOOdNoQtmH3py6Lus0r1m_AqHs2pH1FKeWYPzcIxBcg2RmJeBiWDCIRoj6CFCQa-1GgXujUEe9sjy7DtVEYXK25P_zSczKv6FqmCsidtBagB9GWcx6ww8rBj1k/s400/P6261005.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5351754044482964162" border="0" /></a><br />Yup, folks. That's almost half a watermelon and nearly an hours worth of time.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGIgJJIisH8-Fiar_frNfjVwTOy86_5VKaJSxsu4Hb6xixQAn3QjDb4Dwi-fB4YXEcbB6CV1pCLTDKUJlHqaDOQCciRTlY-hqqGll933pmYQE3FY1eWt47fb6l29TZHrMJwCv5LS09qjc/s1600-h/P6261010.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGIgJJIisH8-Fiar_frNfjVwTOy86_5VKaJSxsu4Hb6xixQAn3QjDb4Dwi-fB4YXEcbB6CV1pCLTDKUJlHqaDOQCciRTlY-hqqGll933pmYQE3FY1eWt47fb6l29TZHrMJwCv5LS09qjc/s400/P6261010.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5351754036953086434" border="0" /></a><br />Grapefruit proved to be much harder than watermelon and Josi looks...well, done.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNC6iZNqLWUBqvxKBtVzAJ4LbTCN3deODGtwPN5LQcyxdWDhyphenhyphenMsik9xCgChBF_D91QRMHPCuNt_tDlcR4ksgjMh4iUb1CFiO4lVESvU6KBU-czMtNWpDaM3R1B5OTZbxkIY7U1NY8WVeU/s1600-h/P6261013.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNC6iZNqLWUBqvxKBtVzAJ4LbTCN3deODGtwPN5LQcyxdWDhyphenhyphenMsik9xCgChBF_D91QRMHPCuNt_tDlcR4ksgjMh4iUb1CFiO4lVESvU6KBU-czMtNWpDaM3R1B5OTZbxkIY7U1NY8WVeU/s400/P6261013.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5351754631865774850" border="0" /></a><br />They roped off the front porch to inhibit any toddlers from entering the work zone.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjE38xPWI5-80RT_e31gzUiKEC03RVBTnSQg0ss5BLBEREtxQOgA3q_ViWMQ4RTXy2dj_vhzrfn6oMlDyxXT4P4MHhZJPhcuRPjbxt9Qtv0Snw8bNlHIfo2dkiuBI9FHp_Axwu-D8MMrIY/s1600-h/P6261015.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjE38xPWI5-80RT_e31gzUiKEC03RVBTnSQg0ss5BLBEREtxQOgA3q_ViWMQ4RTXy2dj_vhzrfn6oMlDyxXT4P4MHhZJPhcuRPjbxt9Qtv0Snw8bNlHIfo2dkiuBI9FHp_Axwu-D8MMrIY/s400/P6261015.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5351754635348490482" border="0" /></a><br />Each snow cone was hand selected and flavor was carefully added with a turkey bulb syringe.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh70WBI7SGLi1m8J6LG477_krSeJggiQarxci5O4INHXFakYlW9vGxr62fr8AelpyfDADFUwF34YdQb8pzVK7RR-n6c1MA_RLRh0WG7WxzwVv50lFjCYOtSd3qGv0AzzyM4-pp_1AYDxh0/s1600-h/P6261017.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh70WBI7SGLi1m8J6LG477_krSeJggiQarxci5O4INHXFakYlW9vGxr62fr8AelpyfDADFUwF34YdQb8pzVK7RR-n6c1MA_RLRh0WG7WxzwVv50lFjCYOtSd3qGv0AzzyM4-pp_1AYDxh0/s400/P6261017.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5351754638844669634" border="0" /></a> <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsEPUfgnndGpSqHF9oeIwx81F-n79OQE3HpZOO1vdqgy8ym682QnXX1nIK7FD4pwkIDuXUKOcr-qrasTCGmQsLDOyAZMXE0ITyAVMfZnnh3SCy3-Wsg2i4jw5YcL5qKlTZicd37KMdVns/s1600-h/P6261017copy.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 264px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsEPUfgnndGpSqHF9oeIwx81F-n79OQE3HpZOO1vdqgy8ym682QnXX1nIK7FD4pwkIDuXUKOcr-qrasTCGmQsLDOyAZMXE0ITyAVMfZnnh3SCy3-Wsg2i4jw5YcL5qKlTZicd37KMdVns/s400/P6261017copy.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5351754943420961234" border="0" /></a><br />There you have it. Three flavors to choose from: Grapefruit (pretty sure that is more than the "one" grapefruit their mother said they could use), Lemon/Lime Gatorade and Watermelon.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_fzGc9Wez8o82t40zpdIwRP8878gx6qPqMOJuRAAJSz7ulHF2-wwMEJVRlzp_rvo_BPvgef03xu776VWE1EGxuYSdo2Np2iFVDHuPQHacgrfdrUtfG74QbF3j-dl2pbdanUI3fyHhtB4/s1600-h/P6261020.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_fzGc9Wez8o82t40zpdIwRP8878gx6qPqMOJuRAAJSz7ulHF2-wwMEJVRlzp_rvo_BPvgef03xu776VWE1EGxuYSdo2Np2iFVDHuPQHacgrfdrUtfG74QbF3j-dl2pbdanUI3fyHhtB4/s400/P6261020.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5351754648727182770" border="0" /></a><br />After 3 hours of work, they are finally ready to eat! They offered one to the mother, and after sampling them, she'd have to say they were the kind of good only a labor of love can enjoy. (And an hour later, the mess is still on the front porch).<br /><br />- You might have to zoom in to catch Duncan's expression. He had already eaten his when I went to take the picture. He still wanted to be in the photo so he told me he'd pretend he still had something to eat. This was his re-creation of the experience. Priceless.Lees Everything Homemadehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05412308537351909314noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5321119267956062398.post-24134395905578610782009-06-26T14:32:00.008-06:002009-06-26T15:00:35.598-06:00Shed No More<span style="font-family:arial;"><span style="font-size:100%;">While I hang out in Washington enjoying my nieces and nephews and visits with Jenny and Todd, Richard stayed at home. I think he'd rather be with us, but couldn't take a whole week off of work. To bide the time, he decided to tear into our summer project - the removal of the old, original shed is the first step on the list.<br /><br />I can't imagine the exhaustion since I am only part of this transition via email and phone. Gavin and Allison helped a bit the first day, but then we left for Seattle and Richard finished the rest. I believe Ben Bird came over to help him get the roof off, which, </span></span><span style="font-family:arial;"><span style="font-size:100%;">apparently,</span></span><span style="font-family:arial;"><span style="font-size:100%;"> was the only thing holding the walls up. When the roof came off the walls jiggled like jello.<br /><br />We are hoping to use the brick to make an outdoor fireplace and in place of the shed there will be more concrete poured to expand our patio. The walls were actually two brick thick...I think my fear of not having enough brick for our project is dispelled.<br /><br /></span></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYMIZ309sYq-O4ZIRW4MjpnadDw0K6o27hjrkFfSs2DKVxzgvUHWqeZW-Ds8Jt8uKyXf4IzTcD9Tk9H9kMLY5-9pk91qnOgwYebEaHa3Jz1YFaXzc_nbaA9QUmouZEpbwOmfiwfBfP4zs/s1600-h/100_2597.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYMIZ309sYq-O4ZIRW4MjpnadDw0K6o27hjrkFfSs2DKVxzgvUHWqeZW-Ds8Jt8uKyXf4IzTcD9Tk9H9kMLY5-9pk91qnOgwYebEaHa3Jz1YFaXzc_nbaA9QUmouZEpbwOmfiwfBfP4zs/s400/100_2597.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5351739687367662946" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjq9ek0D8TNgf2cO-PKtHMO3hMPD_bCy5jiUhXNrvuQQ0RCmvUfsEH7zcCGZuqRySia9RQyvUkQ9VTQadbD4kIThUy8-BlpG8gDIhy5OODmPiRmBpVifrcUgTGTwEsGaTEhng31EjpznNg/s1600-h/100_2589.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjq9ek0D8TNgf2cO-PKtHMO3hMPD_bCy5jiUhXNrvuQQ0RCmvUfsEH7zcCGZuqRySia9RQyvUkQ9VTQadbD4kIThUy8-BlpG8gDIhy5OODmPiRmBpVifrcUgTGTwEsGaTEhng31EjpznNg/s400/100_2589.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5351739692051802402" border="0" /> </a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4ObR3Hxz1COd6whGyBMmWByOdRvUW1uHz852jjvqZ_PPf3C838dPouc0CcA5lb-fGHIaIqMN0B3p47GEQjVQTAqnvt5KtnFivW2QYgqVKeCC_J6PFR9i1ySuLeeUiQSzQGUq5bQZRzwo/s1600-h/100_2592.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4ObR3Hxz1COd6whGyBMmWByOdRvUW1uHz852jjvqZ_PPf3C838dPouc0CcA5lb-fGHIaIqMN0B3p47GEQjVQTAqnvt5KtnFivW2QYgqVKeCC_J6PFR9i1ySuLeeUiQSzQGUq5bQZRzwo/s400/100_2592.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5351739699741906322" border="0" /></a><br /><br />We removed some boards and discovered there were windows behind them. Very cool. We are guessing they are probably original, which would date them back 100 years or so. The number of wasp nests were amazing! The old coiled metal looks like it might have been used to make a wagon wheel rim...who knows, I'm totally guessing. Maybe it's not too far fetched considering the family who built our home were Blacksmiths and we found the tool that might have been used for wheels.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMGOZlbQq5UayPoF0OeFOO7JZ1pw3Zi2SmhK9nssSpJjVav8oiPGdGXczyi0Lz73n5GTIIYgt7EaRaVaHG70l2i6tYY13Yk5Gj-BRzW3uw2hII_ePSzM3liDvvTQjNM0DIs5N8emFQsH0/s1600-h/100_2601.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMGOZlbQq5UayPoF0OeFOO7JZ1pw3Zi2SmhK9nssSpJjVav8oiPGdGXczyi0Lz73n5GTIIYgt7EaRaVaHG70l2i6tYY13Yk5Gj-BRzW3uw2hII_ePSzM3liDvvTQjNM0DIs5N8emFQsH0/s400/100_2601.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5351740389072011810" border="0" /></a><br /><br />The lilac bush is very old. Richard tried to chop it down a few years ago and it just grew back. We are hoping to take starts from it and make a hedge of lilacs to separate the patio from the backyard and new shed.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPMu_WyEMrqfv1YgsO5TRpyNXTXSs8Ccf9Tnsw3_vKR98_L6LeNlE3_HYyHOVFruNi5jVqR5VFMekN_v9OEFuOfokwtRlpeAFTXXAUhkWOwDPPYO_FRFVgBWrrxKpoFk0FAo4v3vGLqxQ/s1600-h/100_2603.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPMu_WyEMrqfv1YgsO5TRpyNXTXSs8Ccf9Tnsw3_vKR98_L6LeNlE3_HYyHOVFruNi5jVqR5VFMekN_v9OEFuOfokwtRlpeAFTXXAUhkWOwDPPYO_FRFVgBWrrxKpoFk0FAo4v3vGLqxQ/s400/100_2603.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5351739697830125730" border="0" /></a> <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgn3scfZIZlL45xa5qOSvHgS1D5Sgz8lNbXMNUsydWRmO4V64axy-mwIM0o57KXD_SslU31H-YEmt8maYBgF7H4GyFGzbqXJQEHcNg-dGE7pbm5fmSs59hDXPleMhpjqM0pDwXwUMQy4l8/s1600-h/100_2604.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgn3scfZIZlL45xa5qOSvHgS1D5Sgz8lNbXMNUsydWRmO4V64axy-mwIM0o57KXD_SslU31H-YEmt8maYBgF7H4GyFGzbqXJQEHcNg-dGE7pbm5fmSs59hDXPleMhpjqM0pDwXwUMQy4l8/s400/100_2604.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5351740384538205986" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><span style="font-family:arial;"><span style="font-size:100%;">Maybe we'll use some of it for a path, or wall...or something decorative. That's more brick than I thought there would be!<br /></span></span>Lees Everything Homemadehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05412308537351909314noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5321119267956062398.post-71282864207853690882009-06-03T23:23:00.003-06:002009-06-04T01:14:17.248-06:00iNSOMNIA hELPWhat is insomnia good for? Absolutely nothing!...except perhaps blogging. At this particular moment, it beats Spider Solitaire, again. If only this insomnia bout would leave my brain functioning on a somewhat normal level so I could formulate my thoughts for a blog entry.<br /><br />As many of you may have noticed, I have fallen off the Blogging Band Wagon. I think I fell so long ago that I am no longer even choking on wagon wheel dust. My feeble attempts to stay connected through this medium get weaker and weaker and yet, I still hear a distant sound that calls to me from my blog page beckoning me to do something with all it's wasted, outdated space. So here's what I have to say while I wait for my sleep "enhancers" to kick in.<br /><br />California Speed. The card game my daughter and I are currently hooked on. She talked me into it last Sunday and we have played every day since. It's nice because I try my hardest to win and she still kicks my trash 80% of the time. She giggles a lot.<br /><br />Robert's House. Currently, my son is lending his muscles to his uncle for some home repair projects. He left last Sunday with a quick goodbye and a big smile. As he walked out the door I hollared for him to call me when he gets homesick. I waited for his call that very night. I waited the next night and the next. Finally, today<em> I</em> called him. Oops...he was too busy and he didn't remember. Uncle Robert works them hard for the morning and then they spend their afternoons watching movies and eating at buffets for dinner. When I talked to him today, I mentioned he should call me before he went to bed that night even if he didn't miss me, because I missed him. 11PM. He called. We were almost sleep. Now I am on my second round of trying to get my brain to shut down.<br /><br />Relief Society. I spend one hour a day and that's it. I can't do anymore. If the Bishop needs more he's going to have to bring down the powers of heaven and ask for a miracle. Now that I have set my guide, I am still trying to abide by it or if I am obeying it, I'm trying hard not to feel guilty for not doing something more. Oh, and I just got the new changes in Visiting Teaching taken care of and Richard informed me tonight about another family who's moving. It's not too bad, it just zaps the hormones right out of me. Ask Richard how he feels about that.<br /><br />Hormones. Levels are too low to be considered hormones anymore, they are more plasma and flesh. I love that I am no longer breaking out like a teenager, but feel the insomnia and hot flashes might go away if I could get these babies back in sync. So, here goes another trial run at what works best with C's body!<br /><br />Yard Work. Overdone, overestimated and overpaid. It appears nobody wants to work for nothing no matter how bad the economy is looking. We need a lot of concrete and fast. The weeds are making us looney and we simply don't have time for them. However, the garden is already the apple of our eye. We still have our fingers crossed hoping the little green shoots coming through the ground are actually going to bear fruit of some kind. We over-planted watermelon if anybody is interested.<br /><br />Allison. Grew 1 3/4 inches during her fifth grade school year and she is only one size behind me in shoes. Ahhhhh! Not too mention and maybe I shouldn't, but we had to upgrade some of her undergarments to accomodate for growth. This is not happening. NOT happening. My baby is entering her last year of elementary school.<br /><br />Gavin. He's The Man. That's all he requires and it's easy really. All we must do to get him to function in our family and do the work that needs to be done is to stroke his already, rapidly growing ego, by telling him "He's the Man". He smiles and does what he's told. Seems pretty simple to me. Do you think there are going to be any long lasting effects from this method of parenting? Guess we won't know until it's too late!<br /><br /><br />New families moved into the nieghborhood. Nice people. All of them. They like yard work and green seems to be their favorite color for a lawn too. They should fit in nicely. PLUS, they all go to church every week. I hope our goo goo's and gah, gah's over functioning members didn't scare them away.<br /><br />The more I site the MORE i FEEL RELAXED. tHIS bLOOGGING HAS BEEN JUST WHAT TEH dOCTOER ORDERED. i THINK MY BRAIN IS FINALLY FUZZY ENOUGH FOR DREAM LESS SLEEP.LDFFKKKKKKKKKK JFFFFFFFJFFFFFLS FJJF EJ JF AS ....................................My legs feel like jello when I stand up and my up wants to be flat on the ground. I think they're working.Lees Everything Homemadehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05412308537351909314noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5321119267956062398.post-76772105243597113892009-04-21T09:05:00.004-06:002009-04-21T09:15:32.709-06:00I LOVE Spring!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKUPsXJz_tVlzcs-OM5WbFpASRWy31v7yewvHBQ3-QBUq35BgQ66DgjWRTRJxVBDYHRGWb9HVKdOcZb3vtAlj2wn0G5seeVKLAeWGF937ANnePoBB-M7BQyd3mF_pdtUd21gf5yxr0-9Y/s1600-h/075.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5327162910126007234" style="WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 204px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKUPsXJz_tVlzcs-OM5WbFpASRWy31v7yewvHBQ3-QBUq35BgQ66DgjWRTRJxVBDYHRGWb9HVKdOcZb3vtAlj2wn0G5seeVKLAeWGF937ANnePoBB-M7BQyd3mF_pdtUd21gf5yxr0-9Y/s400/075.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfVkfsKFpnk9ejil3rq0uasrp4p4mBf6EEMzOmFd369LmVGpQEmS44-8UblqkRYntvCWCikY_1AJPxhOw3RoZkG5zNUKGyld4H7hgmlWox465Eh5X6Oa7ZGM7QRAEYuL9v_uMSWtZ_ZUs/s1600-h/083.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5327162906878043698" style="WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfVkfsKFpnk9ejil3rq0uasrp4p4mBf6EEMzOmFd369LmVGpQEmS44-8UblqkRYntvCWCikY_1AJPxhOw3RoZkG5zNUKGyld4H7hgmlWox465Eh5X6Oa7ZGM7QRAEYuL9v_uMSWtZ_ZUs/s400/083.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-nbXq5M6Xmz1bDC1In2r-ZWISk9YkJqHGCL_P5VmkI2VJxxb_VKWbR08BZjyHFJiYL8xFqr82D10PBY97rFHZ3e3yCN126yV9fPdTISa7VF2u5FQgMrOopF-osECNr2SYzXETrjsOIq8/s1600-h/080.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5327162903819910178" style="WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-nbXq5M6Xmz1bDC1In2r-ZWISk9YkJqHGCL_P5VmkI2VJxxb_VKWbR08BZjyHFJiYL8xFqr82D10PBY97rFHZ3e3yCN126yV9fPdTISa7VF2u5FQgMrOopF-osECNr2SYzXETrjsOIq8/s400/080.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfBimZm6u4k7qfja8YcC4RAYPGT-kGoNIU7V6NSjoN58VL5mL3Li-ehFN81JLiWlbsYkzw4QaqMwW7Pv5ZLjZxx-fqU8CqIc8ZWbwwHi3_bMFCMtoZ_CXbAc48ImyzxF8BqQ7IYbijyug/s1600-h/078.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5327162894935491218" style="WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfBimZm6u4k7qfja8YcC4RAYPGT-kGoNIU7V6NSjoN58VL5mL3Li-ehFN81JLiWlbsYkzw4QaqMwW7Pv5ZLjZxx-fqU8CqIc8ZWbwwHi3_bMFCMtoZ_CXbAc48ImyzxF8BqQ7IYbijyug/s400/078.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><div>After a long and yard-work filled summer last year, I wasn't really in the mood to plant bulbs. Despite the overwhelming desire to cozy up and hibernate for the winter, I bought 250 bulbs of all sorts. I didn't enjoy the work then, but I am fully enjoying it now! </div><br /><div></div><div>We also planted about ten new trees last fall, just before the frost came. The excitement over our baby bloomers is almost embarrassing. Richard and I walk the yard almost every day to check on the new fruit trees and goo-goo over the daffodils! </div><br /><div></div><div>What is it about Spring!? Whatever it is, I love it!</div></div></div>Lees Everything Homemadehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05412308537351909314noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5321119267956062398.post-382302567139192552009-02-17T08:34:00.002-07:002009-02-17T08:43:02.647-07:00FINISHED!!!After 4 weeks, 1 day, 21 hours, and 39 minutes we finally finished our bathroom (aside from a little touch-up painting to be done on the baseboard and walls). I am so excited to have my bedroom back! It's been a construction/war zone for way too long.<br /><br />We love the new bathroom so much, we're thinking of sprucing up the other one as well. Not quite the same overhaul as the other, but maybe we'll replace the sink and faucet, re-grout the tile and have the tub re-glazed. Not too much since we'll probably end up re-designing that bath into a half-bath/laundry room. We have re-done every other room in the house, it seems a shame not to do something to the only room left to be messed with.<br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmRCgiFINxk1deQXRjHDvhl6AWiu0oFeqrtPMujbfoEFnlCaKz9UvX_GOHzzfDZ7sWo4lbiH6qbnzmyvU711G_5AaOWoYi22tzO2KOMOAcb8GRegGT1e2p13LrlKTVXU0_enJobjZvzoo/s1600-h/100_2350.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5303790576466574226" style="WIDTH: 300px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmRCgiFINxk1deQXRjHDvhl6AWiu0oFeqrtPMujbfoEFnlCaKz9UvX_GOHzzfDZ7sWo4lbiH6qbnzmyvU711G_5AaOWoYi22tzO2KOMOAcb8GRegGT1e2p13LrlKTVXU0_enJobjZvzoo/s400/100_2350.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYj7GBPnUKI542S9gN-umLDWwCiQjjZwkNx-qb8dxtMRgi5zvWCVaxj0Ry01r0RwjakAPq4dXRcJsl6glgALMZ-Lj1sqLWzT7Kn18sLehstaHoYZt_ZWCWaxPXvkuGscInMnK_0415dFY/s1600-h/100_2351.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5303790581408919458" style="WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYj7GBPnUKI542S9gN-umLDWwCiQjjZwkNx-qb8dxtMRgi5zvWCVaxj0Ry01r0RwjakAPq4dXRcJsl6glgALMZ-Lj1sqLWzT7Kn18sLehstaHoYZt_ZWCWaxPXvkuGscInMnK_0415dFY/s400/100_2351.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAGdVG9z0RJ7JHkK-pvEr3sQmWoaWQL1uyJBfKYzpPQ3r6_PCFVCDPV28TcHdBCHs_EJHu17o2rPTw3FG6lb9SICoSSXz7gqdNrXyoldStvITvE636pQgo6xvckXWOrDyJMVAg0p5FVX8/s1600-h/100_2345.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5303790573285002610" style="WIDTH: 300px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAGdVG9z0RJ7JHkK-pvEr3sQmWoaWQL1uyJBfKYzpPQ3r6_PCFVCDPV28TcHdBCHs_EJHu17o2rPTw3FG6lb9SICoSSXz7gqdNrXyoldStvITvE636pQgo6xvckXWOrDyJMVAg0p5FVX8/s400/100_2345.JPG" border="0" /></a> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQNsdSBaiub0bMvdyhCeZtb-7U4RWVA7TXpbnNl2oJxXXMHKDgZYh8qNcMMWmH4mw4kcdKqho9x1_MWqiYfXC2STVLjSsOBtjQE2rqMKH0EVDA9EfLB6OP92U41lGZ0FK2xnlHIaEZ9jg/s1600-h/100_2344.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5303790566457955794" style="WIDTH: 300px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQNsdSBaiub0bMvdyhCeZtb-7U4RWVA7TXpbnNl2oJxXXMHKDgZYh8qNcMMWmH4mw4kcdKqho9x1_MWqiYfXC2STVLjSsOBtjQE2rqMKH0EVDA9EfLB6OP92U41lGZ0FK2xnlHIaEZ9jg/s400/100_2344.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgk6Wv4CJiBmx49O_lYAga9KthYQSQ7Kg_JkIucrZJQgjBXHHt8MGeHy0yR3DQK73t_-ti0IMMKdd2xXT1_VxGtETZGD5b0RcIlxBDB6DQwzfyiWqCjo-A7Rb7-8vVbDlzYFuY1FNU5Bfs/s1600-h/100_2349.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5303790571683148866" style="WIDTH: 300px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgk6Wv4CJiBmx49O_lYAga9KthYQSQ7Kg_JkIucrZJQgjBXHHt8MGeHy0yR3DQK73t_-ti0IMMKdd2xXT1_VxGtETZGD5b0RcIlxBDB6DQwzfyiWqCjo-A7Rb7-8vVbDlzYFuY1FNU5Bfs/s400/100_2349.JPG" border="0" /></a>Lees Everything Homemadehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05412308537351909314noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5321119267956062398.post-29727089947101535292009-02-16T12:01:00.001-07:002009-02-16T12:41:16.096-07:00Title Page<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixwXECPfkVM41dIKV7WW_TX3pGVEg5KM8Iw8Bndi8pGkbUjzZCEH8xfXM_I3S2bx72ZpQRj0JaTwGgClv1kf1-gMLK_CzMCuau_DxB0GSRXxd7bPli800JVY7d3f8rNZYjK-_V9pmEsbo/s1600-h/Jackson+Title.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixwXECPfkVM41dIKV7WW_TX3pGVEg5KM8Iw8Bndi8pGkbUjzZCEH8xfXM_I3S2bx72ZpQRj0JaTwGgClv1kf1-gMLK_CzMCuau_DxB0GSRXxd7bPli800JVY7d3f8rNZYjK-_V9pmEsbo/s400/Jackson+Title.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5303472730942263842" /></a>Lees Everything Homemadehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05412308537351909314noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5321119267956062398.post-74569643350734432992009-02-13T20:28:00.004-07:002009-02-13T22:12:41.470-07:00I've Been Bit By the Bug!In my de-stress from the Bathroom Construction Zone, I have found something fun to do. I'm trying my hand at very simple. It works for now. I am just excited to have "booked" a whole trip worth of photos. It's been nearly eight years since I could claim that one!<br /><br />(I am taking the photoshop class from the city's community school, but I have yet to learn a whole lot more than what I already had learned from online tutorials and a sister with great tips. Next week's class will be on Quick Masks, which I know nothing about - so I'm really looking forward to that one. And I signed up for the advanced class which I'm sure will teach me a lot of new techniques and know-how. The instructor is very good and knows A LOT.)<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiju2b9585LrYs5zckeUq62eUvK7wN9KSI3eLpjfQY9aqXyALIIFVZG8JZgzkrqrCnx1MgPGdyoiFSH_YM3GlG9sryC7P4XJ3rGcRIQRiDA9bFF-RZ2cTbPJiCefYO5n8LkAX-LN6IK-8c/s1600-h/Weekend+Getaway.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiju2b9585LrYs5zckeUq62eUvK7wN9KSI3eLpjfQY9aqXyALIIFVZG8JZgzkrqrCnx1MgPGdyoiFSH_YM3GlG9sryC7P4XJ3rGcRIQRiDA9bFF-RZ2cTbPJiCefYO5n8LkAX-LN6IK-8c/s400/Weekend+Getaway.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5302490565651845922" /></a><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZdFbhkj6K3qm357LjFcPTQqxx8DKGyFLN0DExC0b1IEuLrujH7eVwtjiijDm8_sMAwLESD9AZOBOO41zrMnqgBEbLo92f1zSSiTzvoc010uYTXUT1a1EKYAU_1J5SCLSKbxLS9r7DkI0/s1600-h/Yellowstone+National+Park.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZdFbhkj6K3qm357LjFcPTQqxx8DKGyFLN0DExC0b1IEuLrujH7eVwtjiijDm8_sMAwLESD9AZOBOO41zrMnqgBEbLo92f1zSSiTzvoc010uYTXUT1a1EKYAU_1J5SCLSKbxLS9r7DkI0/s400/Yellowstone+National+Park.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5302490560680246722" /></a><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNcinLvA4HYGPDhKG9RRwxXZYzQMplSc6cSYv-m1QZbRT54UM2X6JBpjk1molBW6kKeEWVlDO2lr-2VGMyJCC0uWjXKd1BuFFRYJTggxC21C65AmsfOypbMzCraUzQj3Byvf0yqSGbRuc/s1600-h/Idaho+Falls.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNcinLvA4HYGPDhKG9RRwxXZYzQMplSc6cSYv-m1QZbRT54UM2X6JBpjk1molBW6kKeEWVlDO2lr-2VGMyJCC0uWjXKd1BuFFRYJTggxC21C65AmsfOypbMzCraUzQj3Byvf0yqSGbRuc/s400/Idaho+Falls.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5302515509847948386" /></a>Lees Everything Homemadehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05412308537351909314noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5321119267956062398.post-22578004559856660942009-02-10T19:16:00.005-07:002009-02-10T19:30:57.278-07:00A New Layout or TwoI have been taking a Photoshop class and it has inspired me to do a few layouts. Keep in mind, these layouts don't represent the typical digital scrapbooking you'll find on the web. You'll find more than one photo on these pages and not much by way of ribbons, buttons, flowers, swirlies, lace...(the list goes on and on), but they were fun to do regardless.<br /><br />Here are some from our trip to Jackson Hole and Yellowstone. We went in October of 2007 with my parents and spent most of our time taking pictures. It was gorgeous!<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhA7vo-vgk2OKJvQuMxjgoMc3ynPpHgtroEzZEfWIVC4sRiUyE6SR_apCqgkX6nG_ktMPuNkJr-ag6yWqTsJs1lVfyI0uj-LQ-qGUbbe-KRpWvP7NLA39bP1jHGQcN3SDzvjIPXmH7Me8A/s1600-h/Picture+Perfect.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhA7vo-vgk2OKJvQuMxjgoMc3ynPpHgtroEzZEfWIVC4sRiUyE6SR_apCqgkX6nG_ktMPuNkJr-ag6yWqTsJs1lVfyI0uj-LQ-qGUbbe-KRpWvP7NLA39bP1jHGQcN3SDzvjIPXmH7Me8A/s400/Picture+Perfect.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5301359068309663522" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxKRL6zieUwb12BxBw8FUveR6C_z4diCfiae9diIIhdRgByGBxKVLKWAxC7ck0mJtq9xSeRS889X8jKVOtUVyg3TfyDo3ynb66etgtoOtV8QvJYsyRbJ_Mr0iQx3zGe91AujI-SLop9wc/s1600-h/Star+Valley.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxKRL6zieUwb12BxBw8FUveR6C_z4diCfiae9diIIhdRgByGBxKVLKWAxC7ck0mJtq9xSeRS889X8jKVOtUVyg3TfyDo3ynb66etgtoOtV8QvJYsyRbJ_Mr0iQx3zGe91AujI-SLop9wc/s400/Star+Valley.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5301358599336346082" /></a>Lees Everything Homemadehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05412308537351909314noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5321119267956062398.post-25675870923766156022009-01-28T08:33:00.007-07:002009-01-28T08:54:49.022-07:00Political Candidate In The Making<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjY8KD_oV4-gM2-jaFoie1Bteh-4GLlM2-4bClA3Z_z8pAfi4GexZ-kkuZFnn9X84aFFe4kGl40jEhPwMYL8dBL6JFjMHQ74uv6g3k_EQVNNFrdty5GK9IFlk8zeI5VzgJoAy7X7RTXswM/s1600-h/340x.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5296369412021681234" style="WIDTH: 257px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjY8KD_oV4-gM2-jaFoie1Bteh-4GLlM2-4bClA3Z_z8pAfi4GexZ-kkuZFnn9X84aFFe4kGl40jEhPwMYL8dBL6JFjMHQ74uv6g3k_EQVNNFrdty5GK9IFlk8zeI5VzgJoAy7X7RTXswM/s400/340x.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEii_rWoTe0SZDf4PsVREjGecKksjRG58fWwDiBEFIxGI4GI3GCPZHvREBvtXxZLZaCraKv5NYbqr98dLP_bpONwDKctJt7HhLo2unEVVvBjKX8uVutyQuKEG7cu7vZehSKc0pr6TpuBTUE/s1600-h/9177594.jpg"></a><br />Last night we watched the Governor's State of State Address. I was so impressed that my kids actually stuck around and listened to what he had to say. I couldn't help but think about how old they're getting and the new stage of political awareness they were heading into. (I'm sure the sandwiches I was feeding them and the fact that the tv happened to be in the kitchen where they had to stay to eat those sandwiches might have had something to do with it, but I still got the feeling they were actually listening to what the governor had to say.) <br /><br />Then, at the peak of my Mother Pride, Gavin matter-of-factly pipes up during a moment of delayed applause..."They took a while to finally clap on that one...they're faking it." And from that point on, throught the rest of the address, he deciphered whether or not each applause was sincere or not.<br /><br />At least he got something out of it...Lees Everything Homemadehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05412308537351909314noreply@blogger.com2