Spring has sprung... sort of

I thought Spring was coming.  I got a new flower bed started on the south side of the house a few weeks ago. I planted Glad bulbs and Begonia bulbs.  The Glads are coming splendidly!  But so far no sign of the Begonias. Last week I planted Impatients and Violets.  Very colorful and pretty. I am very excited for them! All I have left to plant is Columbine and Lupine.

Yesterday we planted the garden.  Our garden is HUGE! It was a long day and my legs are sore today from bending over so much. We planted three varieties of peas, bush beans, yellow summer squash, green summer squash, banana squash, spinach, swiss chard, cucumbers, giant pumpkins, beets, sunflowers, zinias, and corn.  All that is left to plant are the tomatoes and peppers (still too cold for them), another rotation of beans, jack-o-lantern pumpkins and baking pumpkins, and a few more rotations of corn. I told you- it's huge!  I can't wait to start getting fresh veggies!!! This is the soonest we have gotten the garden planted in years. Then last night it started to rain.  This morning- it hailed.  The mountains are solid white! I live in Nevada- what kind of weather is this?!?! It is almost June. We should have Spring by now! I am enjoying the rain, though.  I love rain! The snow not so much.

Today was a big day!  Mitchell gave his farewell talk. He is leaving in a week and a half for Madagascar, French speaking. He gave a great talk.  He is so strong and so ready to spread the gospel! I am excited for him.

My mom got a phone call this morning from Heather.  Both her and Gunnar are really sick and she wondered if we could take Avi for a few hours so they could get some rest. A miracle!!! I think this is the first time Heather has left her- ever. A few minutes at Disneyland while she was on a ride doesn't count :-) Heather was a bit of a wreck when we took her, but she slept the whole time we had Avi. They both looked like they felt a bit better after we brought her back. We had so much fun with her.  She loves to chase Sophie so she was quite tired when she went home. We sure will miss this cute little family when they leave!   I tried to put a video on of her, but it won't load :-( If you know how to load it, I would love to know! Instead a picture will have to do:

Christmas Treats

These are two of my most favorite Christmas treats ever!  Hope you enjoy them too:

Chocolate Philly Fudge
4 c. sifted powder sugar
1 8oz pkg cream cheese
4 1oz. squares unsweetened chocolate, melted
1 tsp. vanilla
Dash of salt

Gradually add sugar to softened cream cheese (I use a hand mixer), mixing until well blended.  Stir in remaining ingredients.  Spread into 8" square pan.  Chill several hours or overnight.  Makes 1 3/4 lbs.


Creamy Caramels (from Taste of Home/Marcie Wolfe)
1 c. sugar
1 c. dark corn syrup
1 c. butter or margarine
1 can (14 oz.) sweetened condensed milk
1 tsp. vanilla extract

Line an 8 inch square pan with foil and butter/spray with pam; set aside.  Combine sugar, corn syrup and butter in 3-qt. saucepan.  Bring to a boil over medium heat, stirring constantly.  Boil slowly for 4 minutes without stirring.  Remove from heat and stir in milk.  Reduce heat to medium-low and cook until candy thermometer reads 238 degrees (soft ball stage), stirring constantly.  Remove from heat and stir in vanilla.  Pour into prepared pan.  Cool.  Remove from pan and cut into 1-inch squares.  Wrap individually in waxed paper; twist ends.  Yield: 64 pieces

Fall Fun

These kids had lots of fun in the piles of leaves in our backyard.  They would cover each other up and then have me come outside- they thought they were hilarious when the jumped out and "scared" me :-)

More Cakes

Birthday Cake

Birthday Cake

Final Project for my class- first time putting a full floral spray on a cake!

Crazy Idea

About a month ago I had a crazy idea- I was going to re-do my bedroom.  I was sooo excited for it!  I got the wall color, packed everything up/moved stuff into Angie's room, planned everything out and was going to be done within a week.  Oh, why did I ever think that was possible?!  Wallpaper wouldn't come down, bathroom shower broke (which induced redoing the tub and sinks= no time for my room). Then we had company and Stake Conference.  Next curve was the garden- everything was ready to come off!  So after work time was spent freezing corn, canning beans, and freezing/canning/making jam with the peaches.  We still have salsa, beets, and pears to do.  Throw in a trip to get wood, a Young Single Adult activity, Grandma Elmer falling- taking her to the ER to get her dislocated hip back into place (don't worry, she is fine now) and I had one heck of a busy month!  And what did I get done in my room?  Walls painted, furniture sort of moved back into place.  That's it!  I thought I would be done by now.  I still have to unpack some boxes, move shelves, find fabric, and make it look pretty.  Oh well, there is always next month, right?!  I will post some pictures if when I get it done.