Good Morning Vietnam!

Vuong Duc Binh and his wife

Their homeland

They call this fruit beautiful girl

flower of New Year

Angel Hair

This post is dedicated to one of my followers Vuong Duc Binh and his wife who live in Vietnam. I have no idea how he stumbled across my simple little blog, but I have enjoyed conversing with him from time to time. Last August he sent me some pictures of flowers and vines growing on his homeland. As I anxiously await the arrival of Spring, (I even have a count down on my chalkboard that I am marking off the days), I can't help think about him and his wife and wonder if flowers are still blooming there. Do they have a cold season, or is it always warm? The pictures that he sent reminded me of a tropical paradise. At times I have wished that I lived somewhere warm where I could garden all year long. But then every Fall I find myself a bit worn out and actually looking forward to putting the gardens to rest. I wonder, do they have to tend to their plants all year long or does mother nature do it for them. Just something to think about while I await the arrival of Spring. Daffodils are a comin!!

p.s. Don't forget to leave a comment on My "Luck of the Irish" post so that you will be included in my March 17th give-away!

Luck of the Irish

I have a friend who has 108 followers. After inquiring as to how she obtained so many, she said "just give something away." How true, we all love winning. As I thought about this and with St. Pattys day on it's way I decided that I was going to give it a whirl. So I will be doing a give away on March 17th. Not sure what it is going to be yet. My passions are gardening, quilting, antiquing, and decorating. There is a good chance that it will have something to do with one of those. If you want a chance to win you need to become a follower and leave a comment. I'm excited to start the hunt for a give away prize! Who knows, it may be a D.I. treasure. What ever it is start leaving those comments so you can have a chance to win. I think this will be fun and if it's a success I am going to do give aways every now and then.

Patience is a Virtue!

Growing up I always remember my mother saying "Patience is a virtue"whenever us girls became impatient. It's a quote that I found myself saying to my own children quite often. Now I am saying it to my grandchildren. This time of year I myself become very anxious for Spring and have to recite this quote in my mind periodically. As I thought about it this week my mind wandered to some of the things that I do to pass the time until Spring arrives. I thought I would share them with you.

1. Browse through garden books and get ideas of projects I might want to do in my yard. Being in a new house, there are many. Again, PATIENCE I know that I can only do a little at a time. Actually, that is half the fun. Contemplating the next project.

2.Order plants or seeds that are a bit unusual or different than what I normally have. I have my favorites that I have to plant every year. This year deer resistant plants are on the top of my list.

3. Occassionally I take a stroll around the yard to see what little plants have started to poke their heads out. Yesterday I noticed a few of my daffodils are coming up, YEAH!

4. Just getting out and raking or pulling a few little weeds seems to give me a lift. Ya, I know crazy! There's just something about getting my hands into that dirt that rejuvenates me. Blame it on my parents.

5. Decorate my home in Spring colors. This year I've done a green, black, yellow and pink thing. Each time I enter into my great room the colors seem to brighten my day. One of my dear friends brought me some pink tulips and I love them!

6. Take a mini trip to somewhere warm. Off to St. George for a few days. I definately think this will do the trick.

With love from me to you

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Now that February has arrived Valentines Day will be here before we know it. The first things that come to mind when you think of this holiday are chocolates and bouquets of flowers. I am not a chocolate lover and I would much rather have flowers growing in my yard or pots (must admit a pretty bouquet now and then isn't too shabby), but I LOVE Valentines Day! Is it because my fourth child was born on Valentines Day? Definately a plus! He's always been a sweetheart. Is it because the dominant color is red, and I love red? That could have something to do with it. Is it because I have a sweetheart of a hubby? That certainly is nice. Is it because we always have a fun Valentines dinner? Always look forward to that. Or, is it because it's another holiday I get to decorate for? Helps to bring cheer during the cold winter months. As I thought about it, I'm sure it's a little of all of the above. So I wanted to share my Valentines decor with you with love and say "HAPPY VALENTINES DAY!" from me. Hope you share it with someone you love!

p.s. I also think that knowing Spring is just around the corner is another reason why I love Valentines Day!

Blast from the Past

Die-Hard Dustin wearing shorts and Karrah doing the old
slide on your coat trick.

Kylee

Dalan and Jordy

He flew thru the air with the greatest

of ease. Not too bad for a 58 yr. old!

Taylor-a bit blurry, but so cute!

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Paityn loved every minute of it!

grandaughters, Taylor, Paityn, and Jordyn

The girls, Nichole, Karrah, Kylee, Jann, and Tracy

Go mama go!

Karrah-Wheeee!

Last Saturday the fam had a sledding party in celebration of two of my grand daughters birthdays. Taylor turned 11 and Jordyn turned 9 on the 17th. Just a block away from our new home is a famous spot called sled hill. I never knew it existed until we moved here. It must be Alpines best kept secret. We had an absolute blast! It had been quite a few years since we had been sledding and memories of my childhood days ran rampant through my head. Growing up we lived at the bottom of a double hill. When ever there was a big storm they would block the road off entirely. My memory is that it was blocked off almost the entire season. Now, this could be wrong, because you know how childhood memories are-a moment sometimes seemed like a life time. Any way, we would sled that hill forever. If you were able to get going fast enough you could make it down both hills. Quite an amazing accomplishment. I don't know why, but we never seemed to have gloves or mittens. I remember always wearing sock on my hands. We would stay out until our fingers and toes were literally frozen. Then when we did finally go in and our hands and feet would start to thaw we would just cry because they hurt so bad. I remember running them under warm water. Oh those were the days. Now they always keep those hills plowed and they wouldn't dream of blocking the road off. Thanks for the good times!

Resolution or Repetition?

Well, the new year is approaching rapidly and as usual I have been comtemplating my resolutions. You've heard that old saying, "You're not getting older, you're just getting better"! Well, when it comes to me that is not the case. There are 4 resolutions that I have made for the last three years that I will be repeating this year. I just can't seem to get them right. I'm trying hard to make this part of my daily rituals, but for some reason always come up short.
Here goes: #1. Lose weight. #2. Eat more healthy. #3. Exercise daily. and #4. Read my scriptures regularly. Yes, I realize that #'s 2 and 3 would help me accomplish #1. It seems that I start out pretty gung-ho, but then before I know it I become just slow. Slow that is at keeping tabs on my resolutions. Well, as you know, they say the third time is the charm. Too bad this makes four. Ha-Ha! Oh well, all is good and at least I'm trying to resolve something. And when I do go to meet my maker, I may not be thin but I'll definately be happy.

Tis the Season

Tis the Season. How is it that it goes-to be Jolly? Sometimes we find that just a bit difficult after hanging all that holly. Why is it that we do this to ourselves? I love Christmas and actually do love decorating for it, but why do I have to have so much? This is a question that only my psychiatrist knows for sure. Mmm, I forgot I don't have a psychiatrist. At least it's a bit comforting to know that I am not alone. People everywhere share this addiction. Last night Shultz and I saw a house that I swear had lights on every tree and bush in their yard. It was absolutely gorgeous. If the inside of their home looks anything like the outside, then WOW! Really though, all this for only a month or so. And then think of all that storing of it. Oh well, I've got to quit analyzing it and just enjoy! Hopefully we don't let the true meaning of Christmas get lost among all that tinsel.
I'm going to post a few pics and hope that you can enjoy a bit of Christmas at our house. Our door is always open. Well, best get back to wrapping those gifts.