Learning...

My sister and I did a trade. She was wanting to get rid of all her beads and beading accessories and I was one day wanting to acquire such a set. She wanted Mary Kay make-up which I could supply. The trade was a done deal.

For months now I have been saving beading magazines. Mostly for the few designs I have seen in there. What I want to know is how do I get the really cool images I see in my brain to actually take fruition in a set of earrings, necklace or bracelet? Am I artistic enough for such a venture? Could I be good enough to actually make some money at it? Would it be too hard on my eyes/hands over time? These questions keep plaguing me. I have every intention to sit down and try my hand. But when? Not this week. Maybe not even next week.

In the meantime I will reread these said magazines and look at the beads I currently have. It's definitely not like a quilt where you can imagine the finished product in your mind as you work on it. The images I see in my mind are simple and beautiful. I lack the know-how to get to the finished product.

Wish me luck as I learn new things. Maybe I will be good enough that you just might find a little something from me in your Christmas stocking this year.

Peeling. Slicing. Shredding. Oh my!

You know that song from ABBA called the "Dancing Queen?" Replace that with "Canning Queen." I feel like I have been in the kitchen Monday - Thursday all day and about an hour today - probably because I was! I finished the pears, peaches, tomatoes sitting on the counter and worked my way through all the zucchini as well. It has been a very productive week.

Wednesday's, Thursday's and today's productivity yielded 26 quarts of peaches, 5 peach pies in the freezer, 4 quarts of tomatoes, 24 half pints and 5 pints of shredded zucchini pineapple, 2 quarts and 1 pint of the juice used to make the zucchini pineapple and 5 quarts of pears!

Monday's productivity yielded 50 quarts of pears and 6 pints of zucchini salsa. It's nice to be able to sit down and take a break now. Next week I need to be out in the garden getting corn, carrots, potatoes and pumpkin. Whew!

September 2009 Boy Scout Court of Honor

A couple nights ago the boy scouts in our ward had a court of honor. They don't have one regularly like the cub scouts have pack meeting each month. The boys earned various awards at this court of honor - mostly from summer camp. Thanks Russell for taking pictures!

Donovan receiving his awards. He earned: Family Life, Indian Lore, Forestry, Archery and a partial Astronomy. Good job!

This is Christopher's first court of honor. He was able to attend summer camp as well since Russell was there. He earned: Fish and Wildlife, Forestry, Mammal Studies, Indian Lore and a partial Nature. Good job!

Patiently waiting. It's so nice to see all these young men in their uniforms.

Pondering.

The first day of school has arrived!

Donovan's first day of school was the 9th. He's a big 8th grader now and is on his last year at the junior high! How did that happen?

The first day of school has arrived on a foggy day at the coast.

Michael is all ready and not so excited for the 3rd grade. He thinks school is a waste of time because it cuts into his play time. Ah....to be young again...

Nephi is ready and very excited for 1st grade and everything that entails. Especially his very own lunch box!

Christopher was not excited about his picture - but is super excited about the upcoming school year in 6th grade! Almost all the kids in his primary class are also in his school class. How cool is that!

Our morning ritual. We always wave to each other as the boys go down the road to the bus. See you this afternoon! Make good choices! :) Love you!

You do "BEET" all!

This alien life form is the largest beet from our garden! It filled 3 jars when I was canning beets the other day. If you want to know more about canning beets - go to http://candaceskitchen.blogspot.com/2009/09/canning-beets.html .