Gardening and Bulbs

This weekend our neighbors, the Woods, and us built a garden in the back yard. We mapped it out, removed rocks and tilled it. In the tilling process we found more rocks (oops) and some bars buried deep into the ground. Needless to say we did not get the bars out- so matter how much digging and pulling we did- so we put a steel pipe, also found in our yard, over it and we are going to plant a squash or something there, that will look beautiful draped over a steel pipe (haha). We bordered it was the rocks and wood we found in our yard and we are excited for spring so we can start planting. We built it now so that will be soft and ready in the spring, we are planning to get some type of fertilizer (manure or mulch) so put over it through the winter.

Because I was already covered in dirt I decided to plant my bulbs. My front flower garden has been so sad and pathetic this year. I got plants but they mostly died, due to the dry direct beating sunlight, and so it just looked like a dirt/weed garden. I am determined not to repeat that disaster this year. I bought 90 daffodil bulbs at Costco (great price for a lot of bulbs) and traded some of them with the neighbors to get some tulips bulbs. In total I think I planted about 80-90 bulbs in the two gardens by my front door. I am really excited to see what happens in the spring; I got a pack of daffodils that would grow all spring, summer and winter.
(I was going to take a picture of the bulbs- but until they come up...it's just dirt!!)
So those have been our cool outdoor projects. They do not look like much now but we preparing for better weather, even though the bad weather hasn’t even gotten started.

A simple reason I love Ben...

Ben is CREATIVE!!

The other day Ben decided to make a big breakfast. Instead of making sausage and pancakes he made sausage pancakes. They were unusual but kind of good.

Before work oneday I asked Ben if he wouldn't mind making the bed. He went in the bedroom, said he made it and then went to work. When I went back into the room this is what I found...

I must say it is a VERY creative way to make the bed!!

Man, I do love that kid!!!

New Beautiful Art

I saw one of my friends, Michaella's, art at this Fine Arts thing I went to last Saturday. She took some holiday pictures for Ben and I a couple years ago but landscapes are her passion and she is FABULOUS. Here is her etsy page and one of her pictures- you should check it out because she really is amazing!

Musical Bliss

I love when Ben sings. He has an amazing voice and he sang in advanced choirs in high school and one semester in college. He sometimes sings in the shower but doesn’t sing in front of people anymore, I am constantly telling him that he is hiding this great talent under a bushel. The other day on the way to the Newson’s he was singing Les Miserables in the car and it was fantastic. When we got to his parents house I told Rachel and of course the pressure ensued to have him sing for Rachel, Nedra and Ron. After a lot of pressure and a lot of coaxing he relented and sang (Rachel just happened to have the music so she accompanied). He sounded great and because he messed up a little, he sang it again. Then Ron sang a piece from the Phantom of the Opera, he has a very good low booming voice. Then they made me sing a duet from Les Mis with Ben. I was so nervous, I don’t really sing in front of people, especially people with formal musical training. But we sang it and then they made me sing another and another and another. I loved it. After I got started I was no longer nervous and I just wanted to keep trying. Rachel then graced us with her amazing voice. It was such a fun night of pure musical bliss.

Speaking of musical bliss, on Saturday night there was a Stake Night of the Arts. The gym was full of artwork, quilts, photographs and statues done by members of our stake. Some of them done by people I did not even know had artistic talents. Then they had a concert with singers, pianists, violinists and much more. It was so wonderful to hear all the talent and see how spectacular all these people were. I didn’t feel like I was at a Stake Arts Concert at all, I felt like I was at a real grand concert (like those we used to go to when I was a child) and I loved it.

Caramelled Apples

Yesterday we had FHE with Mom and Dad and we made Caramelled Apples. We had three toppings; chopped nuts, crushed Oreos and Mini Reeses Peaces. We stuck in the sticks and then started dipping. The caramel was so thick and sticky. We ended up with nine delicious looking caramelled apples. We then noticed that we had a thick layer of caramel still in the bowl, so we ate it! Dad made a caramelled banana, which was delicious, and then we ate the rest with our fingers. I felt like a little kid scooping the caramel up and sucking it off my fingers. Needless to say we were kind of sticky. We then went to play games and when we went back to the kitchen we found that the caramel had all melted OFF the apples (good thing we had put them on wax paper or it would have stuck).


What we learned:
- Our apples were sweet and so was the caramel so it became too sweet after a while. Next time use green sour apples.
- We think the caramel fell off because it didn’t get cold right away. We think if we had cold apples it would have worked better- maybe have the apples sitting in ice water before dipping.
- Even Caramelled Apples with melted off caramel are REALLY GOOD!

Before the meltage.

Caramel Covered Banana

After the melting...

Time Out for Women

This weekend I went with some ladies in my ward to the Time Out for Women. Time Out for Women is kind of like EFY for grown women hosted by Desert Book; it is filled with uplifting talks, Christian musicians and a whole lot of sappy. When it first started I was considering running out of the room because it was so estrogen filled and a little more than I could handle. However I made myself stay and it turned out good.

Friday night we had two speakers (Mary Ellen Edmunds and Heidi Swinton) and Dallyn Vail Bayles was our musical presenter. He toured with Phantom of the Opera and Les Miserables. Most recently he was in the new Joseph Smith movie and has been writing Christian songs for years. He was very good and brought the spirit with his music.

Some of the interesting thoughts from Mary Ellen Edmunds the night included:
- A rose is a rose from the time it was a seed. When looking at the rose you would never have guessed what great things would come from it. We are often seeds!
- We are not ‘Adults’ of God, we are Children of God! We need to humble ourselves and be teachable.
- When you know who you are Satan can not make you forget who you are (and therefore miserable)

Heidi Swinton talked a lot about CHOOSING to Become like the Savior. She wrote President Monson’s biography and has a very deep and personal relationship with the Prophet. She told stories about how President Monson does not hesitate when receiving a prompting from the spirit and that by doing so we can be the answer to another’s prayers. It was great hearing all the stories about President Monson and again affirming in my mind and in my heart that he truly is the prophet of God.

Saturday there were many more presenters (Mariama Kallon, Emily Watts, D. Kelly Ogden, Merrilee Boyack and Emily Freeman) and Hilary Weeks was the musical presenter. Hilary Weeks has put out many CD’s about motherhood and Christianity. In preface to one of her songs she talked about being positive in our lives. In the song she talked about when it rains and storms we can cuddle up with loads and chocolate and hide in our homes or we can go out and dance in the rain, meaning we can hit life’s trials head on and be glad for the knowledge they are supplying us with.

Some things I learned from this day (I do not remember which was said by who):
- “If we complain about life, it is only because we are thinking about ourselves” – The happiest people serve, the negative/complaining people are self centered.
- Heber C. Kimball: “ I am perfectly satisfied that my Father and my God is a cheerful, pleasant, lively, and good-natured Being. Why? Because I am cheerful, pleasant, lively, and good-natured when I have His Spirit.”
- You don’t cheer down, you cheer up- there is probably a reason for that direction!
- Don’t just enjoy happiness but produce it. Elder Maxwell said: We can have a bad day but still have a good life!
- The Gospel means good news, not bad news. We are not on this earth to be comfortable we are here to learn.
- How could you become what you are not thinking? You accomplish what you think about.
- What is almost? ‘I almost read my scriptures.’ ‘I almost said my prayers.’ ‘I almost went to church.’ No, you need to get to the point where you are not living on almost’s but on absolutes and are altogether committed
- Pray and Ask- “What is the most important thing to do today?”

It was a great day and...to add a little flavor. There was a bad storm outside and all the power died right in the middle of the second to last speaker. The speaker walked off the stage to the middle of the huge auditorium and spoke loudly (shouted) the rest of her message. The crew finally got batteries for a mic and we had a little more amplification. They were going to have the last speaker just give her testimony and then close the meeting and during her testimony the lights came back on. It might seem like a simple thing but she was able to give her talk, which was great, and we were able to finish the conference. It was a testimony that Heavenly Father was aware of us. That we kept going and the power was restored so quickly so that we could hear the messages and feel the spirit.

Although it was VERY sappy it was a very good weekend and I am glad that I went and got to participate.

W.O.W Children's Museum

The WOW Children’s Museum is truly amazing. It is a small building in Lafayette Colorado full of child centered creativity, imagination and education. There is a pirate ship, a music room, an art room, a wind room, a science room, a stage with puppets and costumes and a dance studio with costumes and tap shoes of all sizes. There is a bank, a store and a train station all made for children to learn and experience life. There are life sized link-in-logs and a bubble maker that traps a person inside. There are so many wonderful things, each with an educational description of how/why/where type answers.
In the past two weeks I learned about the museum and went three times. I first went while babysitting. Then I went with Erica, Alice and Evelyn. Then I went with Becky’s three oldest Melinda, Jacob and Alex. Each time I was able to learn and do more things- it is made for children but kept me (an adult) interested and having fun for hours. I really love this place and am happy I found it.

This is a picture of Erica's kids after the WOW Museum. They were pretty tired.

181st General Conference

Last weekend we had General Conference. I love General Conference. I love going to the church and watching the Prophet and Apostles teach on the big screen. I love taking notes and having my whole mind and body filled with the spirit. I love that every time it feels like the speakers have prepared exactly what you need to hear, that they comfort your specific burdens and that they bear testimony straight to your soul. This conference was no different.


I am grateful for the opportunity I have to hear the words of God through his latter-day Prophets , Apostles and witnesses.

Mormon.org

The church (The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints) has been in the news and media lately; both for good and not so good reason’s. I have always found that people get their information about the church from other sources but the church. A new awareness project (mormon.org) has been started by the church to educate people on who Mormon’s actually are.

There has been a website started that helps inform people about our values (standards of living), our faith (gospel principles) and our members (the many people throughout the world that make up our church). I have loved looking around this website; reading the church’s statements of the things I believe (they have the words for things that I can not describe but can just feel) and I have especially enjoyed the videos. The church has asked the members to fill out profiles about them, so that people can get to know who the people behind the name “Mormon’s” are. They then make short 5 minute videos on some of these people. It is so great to hear the stories of conversion and faith from these people of different cultures, races, countries and experiences. I have spent hours (not exaggerating) watching these videos and perusing this website.

To get this website out there to the masses the church has started an aggressive media effort. They have put these short video’s on TV (I actually saw some on hulu) and have made billboards and other media efforts to let people know where they can find information. At first I thought it was kind of ‘in your face’ but as I have more closely looked at the website I see the inspiration that has come through this website and these media efforts.

The church told us that this might increase member missionary experiences and it has. I have been nervous about this idea (because, as I said above I am not very eloquent with my words, especially when emotions are involved) but I have been studying Preach My Gospel, Conference Talks, the Scriptures and other sources. I had the opportunity to talk with some people about my faith and to really bare a fervent testimony of what I was saying (and I was so confident and calm that the spirit was there). It was so empowering.

If you haven’t looked at this website- DO! If you haven’t made a profile- DO! It has really made me more aware of who I am and what I believe.

Here is my profile!!!

Stones Recipes Blog!!

I am always asking my family for recipes to help me make good food and gradually turn me into a better cook. We started a family cooking blog and it has been WONDERFUL. You should all check it out and comment or add recipes of your own.

FYI

I just posted a lot, with many pictures, so it went over to "Older Posts"...if you want to see it all!

13 Mile Bike Ride and History Tours

While Ben and I were in Leadville we went on a 13 mile bike ride through the mountains. First I must preface by saying a 13 mile bike ride on level ground in Louisville would be hard for me. But go up a couple hundred feet in elevation and then add mountains; it was pretty hard until we got the hang of it. There were times we had to take a ‘water break’ because my thighs were spasming or my butt hurt to bad; but through all the hard times we had exponentially more good times. With all we learned, all we saw and the satisfaction of biking 13 miles we had so much fun. And we found that after the first 5 miles straight up there was a lot more down hill and gradual inclines that were much easier and less harsh on our untrained bodies!

This is the view of Leadville from the ride. It is such a cute and odd mining town but it is very happily situated!

It is beautiful in the mountains this time of year; the colors are changing, the air is crisp but still warm, there is a light breeze and it smells of pine. Leadville (where we were biking) is an old mining town from the 1800’s. There is a new mine there, the Climax mine (where Mat works), which has revived the town. We went on a bike ride up in the mountains around Leadville and got to see many of the old deserted mines from the 1800’s. It was amazing and a little unbelievable that these mines were created and operational. Back when the world was not half as advanced as we are now; they had pulley systems, drills, smelting processes and advanced underground architectural stability.

We stopped at one of the most famous mines, where there was a tour about the history. This was the site of the Matchless Mine and Baby Doe’s cabin. Taber was one of the wealthiest men in the United States back in the 1800’s because he struck silver in Leadville, CO. He built and ran half the town with ample amounts of money (even in today’s world) and was also a great political leader in Denver. He left his wife Augusta (a scandal in those days) and married Elizabeth Doe, commonly known as Baby Doe. They had two daughters, Elizabeth and Silver Dollar, and then lost all their fortune because the worth of silver plummeted. Mr. Taber died shortly after leaving Baby Doe and the girls with nothing. They moved into the small cabin at the Matchless mine and soon after both girls left their mother for bigger better things. Baby Doe lived in this cabin for years until in her late 80’s she was found frozen to death on the cabin floor (it took over 20 men to dig the snow away from the door of the cabin to find her). It was very cool to learn this history and to be able to see the Mine and all the tools and things that went into it.

Ben standing in Baby Doe's Cabin. All the furniture was her's and all the pictures are of the history of the mine and the town.

Matchless Mine and Baby Doe's cabin

That afternoon (after we rested our aching behinds) we went to the National Mining Museum in Leadville. This museum exceeded my expectations (which sadly, were low). There was dioramas showing the evolution of mining, rooms that made you feel like you were underground with life like wax miners, there were hundreds of minerals and stones on display and descriptions on what they were used for. I must admit that the wax statues were a little scary and I jump and screamed out a couple times while rounding a corner. It was so interesting to go through this museum and put together some of the things we saw on our bike ride.

This is what the new mine, Climax, mines. There is a whole room dedicated to this mine, the history of Leadville and the uses of Molybdenum. Try saying Molybdenum 10 times fast!!

I have many more useless but super interesting facts about the Taber family and the mining process, if you ever care to know. It was such an adventure and so cool to learn this history. I am so glad we went and so happy that we had this time together.

Birthday WEEK!

I turned 25 this year. I know to many it does not seem like a lot but..25! I am not a quarter of a century old. And for some reason I think odd number's make me feel older.

I did not just get a BirthDAY this year I got a BirthWEEK. Because of busy schedules the Newson’s did a big Birthday Breakfast the Monday before (Sept. 19th) my birthday. We had Stuffed French Toast, bacon, a delicious egg/hashbrown casserole, fruit and OJ. For dessert I got a cake of donuts with candle’s on top. It was so delicious!


Throughout the week I went shopping with Mom and got some new cute cloths. On Thursday, my actual birthday, Mom and I went shopping and then went to Erica’s house. We went out to lunch and had some girl time. (Thanks Rich for taking the girls!)

For my birthday I asked Ben to give me an adventure! We left Thursday (after Ben’s final Softball Game at Crocs- yay Ben!) and headed up to Leadville to visit Mat and Andi. We spent Friday biking, taking historical tours and going to museums (more on that later). Friday night we went to Turquoise Lake and had a fire with hotdogs and smores. The leaves were so beautiful and when the sun went down we got to see some shooting stars (and what we think was a falling satellite).

Family Picture..without Mylie because she was...

Up in a tree!!

Saturday we work up and went on a hike to a ghost town. The hike was 4 miles round trip but we decided to go up a little further and see if we could find the abandoned mine- so I think it might have ended up being 6 miles. It was so beautiful up there just making my love of autumn more concrete. The ghost town was cool and the old buildings were exciting to go through!!

Saturday night Andi and I went into town (Silverthorn and Frisco) for the Women’s Broadcast. On the way we stopped at some outlets and after at least 20 pairs I found a pair of jeans-yay. And even better, they were marked down to $6.00- how can you beat that? The Broadcast was great (they fed up cheese cake in the middle of it) and I loved President Uchtdorf’s talk.

And of course we played games every night!!! It was so much fun to go up and see Mat, Andi and the kids. We defiantly had adventures and got to spend it with family!! It was a great BirthWEEK!