Le Potpourri-A gathering of good things

For over 20 years I have been a member of a club
called "Le Potpourri". It means a gathering of good things.
We all have such diverse pesonalities, but when we get together
good times and good things are definately on the agenda.
We have about 20 members and meet once a month for fun
and every now and then something educational. Our youngest
member is almost 50 and I can't say how old our two oldest
members are or I may not be here to ever blog again! Each
Spring we get-a-way to St. George for our last HOORAH until
we meet again in the Fall. About half of the members go.

Like I said, diverse pesonalities; but oh so fun! We do get
a bit crazy now and then.


This is Roylene, our cute hostess who lets us
stay in her condo. While there it looks like a
twister hit it. Before we leave we all work
together and WA-LA! It looks like a home again.


One of the first things we do is head to Walmart to buy us
all matching p.j's. Over the years we've had some fun ones.
One time a lady saw us all gathered around a rack and she
came over to see if there was a blue light special. After I
snapped this pic a employee told me that I was not allowed
to take photos in their store. Oops!

This year 12 of us went. We had air mattress city going on.
We stay up late so Dawn had a bit of a hard time getting her
beauty sleep. Oh well, she's cute enough don't you think?

At night we watch movies and stitch. Everyone brings projects
from home to work on. This year Beth, one of our committee
members was determined to make eveyone a watermelon
hot pad.

TA-DA! with the help of Juanita and Kath -mission
accomplished.!!

Kathy bought fabric and Diana helped her make
this cute whack and stack table topper. Now she
just needs to add borders. Aren't the fabrics cute!

Sometimes we need a break from stitching and play greedy.
A wild and crazy dice game. Don't they look like a lively bunch?
Could be that it's because it's going on 1:00 in the morning.

During the day we shop. ( Betty and Marilyn)

And Shop. (Jeanne, Roylene, Beth, and Betty


And Shop. (Diana, Me, Kathy, Betty, and Beth)

And Shop. (Roylene and Beth) Believe me I could have

posted alot more shopping pics. Sometimes I was so busy

shopping that I forgot to take pictures.

Fri. we went to yard sales. (Deb, Diana, Dawn, and Juanita)

Oh what treasures we find! (Dawn, Deb, someone wishing

they were in our club, Betty, and Kathy)

Diana cheering us on to find more, more,

more treasures!

This year we went to the movies and saw "Letters

to Juliet" definately a chick flick! We got to shoot

an arrow (in celebration of the new Robin Hood)

If you hit the Bulls-eye you got a free combo meal.

Just watching us all try to shoot was entertainment

in itself. Actually though, Deb did win. She shot after we

had all moved on to the Juliet wall and we didn't get

to see her shoot. Darn, would have loved to see it!

Signing on the Juliet wall.

The committee had fun projects for us to make.

Jeanne is making a cute flower pin.

Deb working on the watermelon pincushions that they had

already pieced for us. We just had to sew them and stuff them.

Aren't they so SWEET! They also made us cute plate stands

to display them on. Two thumbs up committee!

Some of us are quite proud of our completed projects!

(Me and Diana)

Look what else the committee did. Pampered us with facials.

Dead or Alive? They look so relaxed it's hard to tell.

Juanita and Kathy prepping for their facial.

Marilyn - "ready or not, here I come"

After our facials we headed to the pool for some fun aerobic

exercises. Kathy couldn't get enough of the circle.

Connie snapped a fun pic of us in the pool, but

it turned out too dark. Here's a hint of what we

looked like posing for it. Not sure if we were

the ugly ducklings or the beautiful swan.

Remember, beauty is in the eye of the beholder.

One thing I can tell you for sure is that I love

these ladies. You couldn't find a more beautiful and

fun bunch of women anywhere! Can't wait till next year!!

Childhood Relived

Yesterday my youngest daughter Kylee and her husband came over to watch the Jazz game with us. They have only been married about a year and a half. They lived with us for 6 months while they looked for a home to buy. We thought that we had sold our home in Highland so I brought home some of the things that I had left in it. Among those items were Kylees toys from when she was a child. I put them in the closet of the spare bedroom, which is where Kylee and Dustin slept when they lived with us. I thought that would be a place where the grand children could get them to play with. In doing so I found some items that Kylee and Dustin had left behind when they moved out. When there was a commercial during the game I asked Kylee to go see if there were any of those items that they wanted. When she went upstairs to check she was gone for quite a long while. Finally, she arrived down stairs. I asked her what took her so long and did she want any of those items? She replied, "Sorry, I really didn't get to look, I was too busy checking out all of my old Barbies.This morning I went up there. The closet door was opened and when I looked in I had to smile. Remember, this is Kylee; my NOT girly girl. But, oh how she did love her Barbies. I think it's great that we all still have a little bit of kid in us. Hey, aren't there times that you would just love to do nothing but play with Barbies all day? What a great Mothers Day gift! Just knowing that your children have fond childhood memories would make any Mother happy!

Project Run-A-Way

You've heard of project runway? Well, at our house we have what I call project run-a-way. My hubby is very patient because I always have a honey-do list a mile long. Especially, since Spring has arrived, (sortof). I know however, that I have to pace myself and not spring it on him all at once. For example, I bought 3 bird houses that I want placed on poles out in the garden. Last Tues. I stained the poles. When he arrived home from work I said, "look what I did today, do you think we could dig the holes and get them in tonite?" He replied, " I'll see, I don't know if I'm in the mood to dig holes." Then I reminded him that he was going to be gone this weekend and me the next. He then replied, "I'll do what you ask, and if I can't do that then I'll do what I want." This is a new saying that someone at work told him. I think that he may be using it quite often. Sure enough after dinner, shovel in hand he said, "let's go dig the holes and get the posts in." Step 1 was now complete. I was hoping that we would be able to get the birdhouses on the poles the next day, but it was raining. Thursday, he ran away to go fly fishing. The house is awfully quiet and I miss him. However, I know that after renewing his spirits; You know what I mean, being one with nature and all. He will come home a new man and ready to tackle step 2 of project birdhouse. This is just the beginning of my honey-do list for the yard. But, thank goodness that there are alot of streams and plenty of fish to be caught. I really don't mind as long as we can run away now and then together! Hope the fish are biting. It was a week later before we got the bird houses on the poles. Now project birdhouse is complete. Can't wait to plant some scarlet runner beans and Morning Glory vines to grow up them. I hope some little birdies decide to call them home. Now on to the next project.

Interpretative Hiking-Cacti, Facti

Hiking in the Arizona desert


From the top you'll get a birds-eye view



This hike is suited for all family members




Remember, never hike alone! (Jann & Shultz)



Always follow the buddy system

Don't be a bloomin idiot!

Always STICK to the trail.

Beware of strange things lurking in the bushes!

"Which way do we go?"

"Are you sure it's not this way?"

"Where am I?" Caught over a barrel.

Too tired? Let someone carry you.

If you get lost, don't lose your head!

Don't stay in the desert too long or you'll start looking like this.

And end up like this.

Hope you got the 'HOLE' picture!

Orange you glad that you went on this hike?

My hubby and I have went on a few hikes while vacationing in the Arizona Desert. One morning as we hiked the Starr Pass Trail I noticed that the cactus seemed to be talking to us. I thought that I would share the interpretations that we received. Hope you get a chuckle or two.

Texting is for the Birds!

This sentiment would surely brighten anyones day.

I love this messagee the bluebird delivered.

A close-up to show a bit of the details.

The writing on the back of this one simply says, " Your card

received. Was so glad you had not forgotten me. With love.

The poem on the front is so sweet!

This one was sent from Chicago to Wisconsin. It reads, "Leah

and I were so sorry you and Bernice couldn't come here for the

holidays. Hope you can come some other time. Love Helen

These made the perfect garland to hang below my NEST

letters. I love it!

In February my hubby and I went to St. George. He had a two day conference. While the guys were in meetings two friends and I did a little shopping. One of my favorite stores is Urban Renewal, located on the blvd. It's a consignment shop that doesn't carry just your run of the mill items. Alot of it is vintage and it is so fun that you could browse in there for hours. What a treasure I found, antique postcards! There were so many to choose from but I finally decided to limit myself to the bird and a few blossom ones. One of them was dated 1906 and another 1921. Some of them had hand written messages on the back. As I read them it brought a smile to my face. Their sentiments were very simple but ever so sweet. My daughter, Kylee strung them into a garland for me and then I adorned them with a few embellishments. I love them and the messages they delivered. The other day as I walked past it hanging from my cabinet thoughts
began to run through my mind. I couldn't help but think that soon sending postcards and letters could be a thing of the past. Texting has changed our life! Sure it's very convenient, and it saves alot of time having to call or write people. As for myself, I am NOT a texter. At first I refused and hated the idea of the whole thing. I know that I am a bit old fashioned. Then one day I decided, "oh well, maybe I should learn." Kylee was going to show me but she said that it was too hard to do it on my phone. Right then and there I decided that it wasn't meant for me.
So as far as I am concerned-Texting is for the birds!!

Pickers Paradise

My picks-an old sprinkler (wonder if it still works?) and a childs apron. When Daniel, the owner of the Star Mill saw my apron he told me a childhood memory of his about a farm boys first trip to the city. It's a memory he will never forget and now I won't either. It made us laugh!

A week or so ago my friend, Diana told me about a show on the history channel called "The Pickers". It's about two middle aged men who travel back country roads looking for treasures. If they see an old building or barn they just stop and tell the owners that they are pickers and could they look around. Then they will barter with them and try and get them to sell. The people they meet are a breed of their own. They are so fun and that only makes the show much more interesting. As my hubby and I watched it for the first time he could tell that I was just like a kid in a candy store. By the time it was over he was convinced that when he retires that I am sure to have us on the road being "PICKERS". I have to admit sounds like fun. This is my new favorite show. Yesterday the Star Mill Antiques reopened. Romping from building to building and searching the yard is the closest thing to being a true picker. Except for here you know that everything is for sale. You can do some bartering. My husband calls him the 'junk man'. As my friends and I arrived you could feel the excitement in the air as the 'hunt was on'! Also, just visiting with the employees is a hi lite of our day. One of my friends is battling breast cancer right now and just being there was such good therapy for her. In fact, she was so busy visiting with everyone that she didn't buy a thing. I think that has to be a first for her. For the last few years I have been collecting old sprinklers. I think I only have three or four. I displayed them on the top of my potting bench. When we build a new playhouse I think I would like to put them on a shelf. I found a "SWEET" one and a cute little childrens apron. Sure to be a playhouse hit! I know that picking isn't for everyone, but for those of us who love it, what fun! My mother-in-law use to say that she didn't like old stuff in her home because it just reminded her of hard times. She did however like that I loved it. Remember, one man's junk is another man's treasure. Hope to go picking again soon!

Winner, Winner, Chicken Dinner

This is the yard stake Shaleace won. Attached is a pkt. of Sweet Peas for her to plant and grow up it. If you look close, you can see there is a bird on it. I've kindof had a bird fettish for the last 3 years. It all started when I bought my large N E S T letters.

My Aunt Viola, (right) hard at work doing dishes. Did you notice, aprons and pearls. You've got to love it! I remember her always wearing an apron. My cousin Betty has given me a few of hers. In fact, I think this may be one I had in the playhouse. Going to have to check that out. I haven't been able to find a pic of my mom or mother-in-law in an apron. I love old aprons. Whenever I see them at yard sales or antique stores, unless they are too pricey, I have to pick them up.


The next give -away will be an apron. Pink roses on a brown background, sweet combination. I'm sure it will look much cuter on you! Just have to ask, "Does this apron make my belly, I mean butt, look fat?" My original post said, "You can definately tell that I had removed my bra for the nite. Those puppies don't stand up and bark like they use to." After getting a few astonished comments from fam I deleted it. I thought about it and oh, what the heck If we can't laugh at ourselves getting older then we're just too darn old to have fun. So I reposted it and am saying, this is who I am. A bit of a jokster now and then if I embarass you I'm sorry!



It's never too late to be a winner! My neice Shaleace was the last comment on my Luck of the Irish post and it was her name that was drawn out. Shortly after I decided to do a give away I new exactly what it would be. I have been told that you should plant your Sweet Peas on St. Patty's day. J.F.Y.I. you can replant them in May for Aug. blooms. These are among my favorites that I have to plant every year. I had picked up a cute weathervane yard stake so I decided to give it away with a package of Sweet Peas for the winner to plant them to grow up it. Shaleace has a large yard and loves to plant flowers so I am sure that she will enjoy her winnings. I wanted to post a pic of it with the winner, but she lives in Mendon, near Logan, so it'll be a week or so till I get it to her. Till then, I will post a pic of just it. I will be doing a give-away in May in remembrance of my sweet mother, mother-in-law, and Aunts who all wore aprons from time to time. It's a cute little pink and brown number. I will be doing the drawing on Mothers Day. If you leave a comment anytime between now and then you will be included in the drawing. Remember, if at first you don't succeed-try, try, again!

Off to buy that corned beef for a green dinner and then going to plant my Sweet Peas. I soaked them over nite for faster sprouting.