Grandma's "C"

The other day I was sitting in my jewelry studio and there was a discarded piece of wire on my desk. It had a loop in the end and then it kind of curled around. Looking at the piece of wire, I was reminded of how my precious Grandma would write my name. She would loop the top of the "C" and loop at the bottom.

I took that discarded piece of wire, and formed it into my Grandma's "C". I hammered it into shape, added a crystal quartz rondelle to the bottom, and oxidized it. This is what Grandma’s “C” looks like.

I have always attributed my creative nature to my precious Grandma who nurtured it in me. She is the origin of many things good and right in my life ~ primarily my mother, but for many other qualities as well. When I wear my Grandma’s “C”, I will be reminded of her inspiration to me, her profound faith in God, and the beauty that comes with age.

Muah Grandma!

Breaking up is Hard to Do

You know the song - - - oh didn’t you just swoon to Neil Sedaka? I still see him just like this:



So, I am going to be starting a remodel on my house and I got a few bids. I really liked one contractor. I think I even bonded with him (in a contractor/client sort of a way). Anyway, when the third bid came in substantially less than my original contractor, I felt horrible. But hey, that extra money would come in awful handy when I am also trying to get windows installed.

I called the contractor and the conversation went something like this:

“Hi Boris (okay, not his real name – I made it up), this is Cindie.”
“Oh Hi, Cindie. We sure are anxious to get started on your kitchen!”
“Ya, about that. So I have decided to go with another bidder.”
“What do you mean another bidder? What did we do wrong?”

Cue Neil Sedaka

I actually found myself saying, “Oh Boris, it isn’t you. It's me.”

Geesh, breaking up with a contractor is just about as bad as breaking up with your boyfriend!

Father's Day

What a great opportunity this year to spend Father's Day with my daddy. It was a quick weekend up and back to Boise, but priceless in the time that we spent together. Saturday we went to the movies and saw the new Star Trek movie. My mom was a good sport and went along. She never quite "gets" why the Klingons and Romulans have to look "weird". Okay Mom, that is Star Trek... they are aliens..... Anyway, Mike and Shelly and Mom and Daddy and I got into the theater with our ginormo trough of popcorn, two cokes and candy that Shelly smuggled in (sorry Shell, I ratted you out.) For those of us who are true Star Trek fans you know what I am talking about here - - I thought it might be difficult to jump from this:



















to this:






















Ummm you know, not only did I jump ~ I kind of leapt - - - ya, it worked.

What a great time! We went from that movie adventure to a groovy time (man I haven't said that in a long time) at home laughing, playing games, and just all around silliness.

Sunday brought a yummy barbeque with the entire family to celebrate the dads. My two brothers who are incredible men and fathers...






And then my daddy. The perfect example of a father. He is a godly man of honor, integrity, and humility. Besides being able to fix ANYTHING - - he also makes a mean potato salad.





I love you Daddy!

Muah!

Draykin - He Fick it!

Okay so I know that title sounds a little strange...but that is Maycie speak for "Drayton, he fixed it!"

So the other day I put a lovely 13x9 of brownies in the oven and put the timer on for 35 minutes. Thirty five minutes later I wasn't smelling any of that eewwwy goooey chocolatey luciousness.... Ummm no. The oven had heated up to maybe 90 degrees. The stinkin oven broken. . . .again. . .

Now this isn't just any oven. This is a circa 1961 General Electric brown beaut. Check this little darlin out:



Well.... so Jake took the lower element out and sure enough.... electrical issues.... again.

Cue rescue music.

Ashley calls Drayton, and along comes Mr. Rescue with his tool belt. I know girls... hold onto your seats.... a boy and his tool belt.... Okay, well he wasn't actually wearing the belt - it was sitting on my kitchen floor. ANYWAY, Drayton to the rescue. He fixed the oven. Now what do you think he can do about THIS stove... circa 1961 too...




Thanks Draykin!

Muah!

Mr. Ginormo

So there I was watering my hanging flower pot, picking off the dead blooms, just basically minding my own business. And what before my wandering eye should appear? A prehistoric monstrosity of a dragonfly, trying to blend into the greenery. Okay – nice try Mr. Ginormo ~

Ashley was kind enough to photograph Mr. “Leave me alone I am drying my wings.” I was way too freaked out. Good grief I almost deadheaded him!

Okay I am going to go faint now....

Cherry Cheesecake Crunch

1 cup quick oats
1 Super Moist yellow cake mix
2/3 cup butter cut in small pieces
1 (20 oz.) can of cherry pie filling
1 (8 oz.) package cream cheese (softened)
2/3 cup powdered sugar
1 egg
½ tsp. vanilla

In a bowl, mix together oats and cake mix. Cut in butter. Spray the bottom of a 13x9” pan. Pat 1/3 of the dry mix in the bottom. Bake at 350° for 15 minutes. Remove from oven.

In a bowl, whip together cream cheese, powdered sugar, egg, and vanilla. Spread over the top of the cooked crust. Top cream cheese mixture with the cherry pie filling. Pour remaining dry mix evenly over the top of the cherry pie filling. Bake at 350° for an additional 35-40 minutes.

Serve with whip cream or vanilla ice cream.

Variations:
Apple pie filling, strawberry pie filling, or mixed berry pie filling. Can add ½ c chopped nuts or ½ c toasted coconut into dry mixture.

Raining Flowers

Once a year in my back yard it rains flowers. It especially rains flowers when Uncle Jake and Maycie Jean are involved. It kind of goes something like this… “ Uncle Jake, up!”

















“Look! Flowers!”

“Pretty!”

It's raining flowers!

















“Maycie you have flowers all over in your hair.”

“Tip toe through the tulips”

You totally thought of Tiny Tim…. I know you did…. And if you didn’t…. you should have!