August 4 - Alia
What's the best thing about summer birthday's? WATER! Alia enjoyed a day in the sun and pool with friends, Ben, and Emilee. A Pinata filled with candy was over-the-top, smackin' sweet fun! This little girl turned 6 years old today. Can't believe my Alia Bear is growing up so fast!
August 5 - Storm's 'a Comin' -- hurry up!
Kelsey's final project this year before she starts school. A hutch for her sewing room. I love the soft gray tones and dark glaze she used. It is going to be beautiful, as usual. She's a perfectionist when it comes to any kind of project.
The sky drew dark and the clouds started to gather. Kelsey finished her project just in the nick of time!
I took this shot from the back deck when I got home. You can see the rain come down in a solid sheet on the horizon. I love the way the clouds look and I love the view from my deck!
August 6 - Surprise!
It's official... a baby boy! This is the announcement Audrey and I created to announce the gender of the baby. We are all elated! A boy for Ben! This makes their family complete.
August 10 - Family History Search
One of my favorite General Conference talks last October was by Elder Quentin L. Cook, of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, entitled Roots and Branches. Here is an excerpt from his talk.
Is it any wonder why the youth of today were preserved to come to earth at this time! They are so quick minded and technology comes so easy. They were prepared in pre-earth life for this day! I am in awe of my grandchildren and their use of technology. Even little Emilee, at 23 months, can turn on a kindle and play a game. Amazing!
August 11 - Oh deer!
It was in the middle of the night, around 2:30 a.m. I woke up and couldn't go back to sleep. The moon was extra big (Super Moon) and the night sky was as bright as early dawn. I got up and looked out the window to see... a deer! Then, two. Then, three. They were lying comfortable on top of the rocks above the driveway. They have eaten all my tulips and creating havoc on our young fruit trees. I like having them, but they are destructive and can be quite a nuisance.
August 12 - Ogden LDS Temple Open House
I went to the temple open house with Audrey's family today. It was beautiful, as usual and the colors of soft blues and greens were soothing and inviting. I enjoyed the spirit and I especially enjoyed watching the kids's awe and wonder on their faces as they went from room to room. When we entered the Celestial room, Alia's face lit up like a sun beam. With a surprised expression and "ooooh and ahhhh", she said it was light and pretty. I am sure she could feel the spirit and how it must feel to be in Father In Heaven's presence. All all, it hasn't been too long ago that these little ones were in His presence! There was a definite presence of light and truth in the temple, especially in the Celestial room.
Kelsey's family and I went to the Ogden Temple Open House the week before. We ate ice cream at Farr's Ice Cream Shop across the street. It was the perfect treat to the end of a very nice evening.
Another front tooth goes missing!
Alia's front tooth was dangling in the picture above. And, it didn't take much coaxing for it to come all the way out. Now I can sing All I want for Christmas is my Two Front Teeth! Hope she's up to grandma's singing!
August 13 - A Milestone!
Dave and I have been married 20 years today. And, it's been quite the adventure! He is still in Germany so we were not able to celebrate. But, that's ok... we celebrated the last six months touring Europe. What can get better than that! The pictures above were taken in two of my favorite countries. Ireland and Holland.
August 14 - Squash for Breakfast
I can eat squash for every meal. Because I love it! I like to add mushrooms and some lemon pepper. Yummm!
August 16 - Four Seasons on the Farm
There is a large space on my wall on the main level family room. I wanted to fill the space up with the perfect picture. I looked at Deseret Book for one, but couldn't come up with something that I would love there. So, I got this brainy idea and thought how cool would it be to display the four seasons of our orchard there.
How my picture wall came to be:
1) I went through my pictures and found some I thought would look nice. I edited them and
put them on a flash drive to take to Imaging Depot, my favorite photo store, in Layton.
2) I measured the wall, both length and width to determine what size to print them at.
3) Met with a pro at Imaging Depot and ordered my prints on wrapped canvas, 24" x 30".
4) One week later they were ready for pick-up. But... the store manager brought them to me.
He lives in Logan and I was right on the way. Lucky me! Oh... they are so beautiful! The
manager was so excited to show them to me. He was as thrilled as I was.
5) I bought some hangers, measured for correct placement, and put them on back of the prints.
6) Today, I started to hang them. Mike and Audrey came up the next day to help me get them straight... thanks a bunch!
I need to re-order Spring and Fall so that the pictures are all vertical. It will make a better impact.
I was anxious about Dave seeing them. I wasn't sure how he would react to my photos, greatly enlarged, and hanging across a large expanse of a wall. First time he saw it... loved it! That made me so happy.
As soon as I get Spring and Fall re-ordered in the correct orientation and get them hung on the wall, I'll post it.
I also took a picture of a grove of trees, in the Netherlands, edited it, and had it printed in a 20" x 30". My intent was to make it look like the Sacred Grove. And, that it does! I picked out a custom frame from Hobby Lobby for it. It is just beautiful! The manager raved and raved about it! They said I must have had a very good camera. Nope... just a point and shoot!
Everyone who walks into the house and sees those large pictures hanging across my wall, thinks they are professional store bought pictures. They make quite a scene and conversation piece. Everyone loves them!
I could used to having my own art in my house. I feel so talented (feeling proud and accomplished!). Oil paintings, photos....
August 29 - First Day of School
It was 33 years ago that I sent my oldest child out the door for her very first day of school. Kindergarten.
Now... she is on her way out the door again. This time Kelsey is in a doctorate program at the University of Utah. When she is finished in three years, she will have earned her DNP (Doctor of Nursing Practice) and FNP (Family Nurse Practitioner).
She will have endless options upon completion of her degree. She can teach at the University, practice in a clinic with General Family Practitioners, work in community health, work for the government, and even start her own practice.
When Kelsey sets her mind to something, she does it! She is confident, persistent, and professional. I am very proud of her. I am exited to be her first patient!
Kelsey has a good family. Chad, Makaela, and Brayden will be pulling together, supporting, and sacrificing to help their wife and mother get through the next few years. It will be quite the accomplishment for all of them!
It is tradition to stand in front of the house for 1st day of school pictures. She wanted to wear RED today. After all, she is a UTE! Smile Kelsey!
August 30 - Farm work
Time is running out. Dave is headed back to Germany in the morning. Over the last week he has worked hard and diligently on the farm.
Cultivating. It's nice to have those weeds knocked down!
Irrigating. I love it when the pond is full to the top.
Cleaning up. Whoops! He got a little too close to the rock and pulled it from it's place.
Picking peaches. Dave delivered some big, beautiful Rosa's and Alstar peaches to Kents. Too bad they won't be getting any more this year. I won't be doing that. I'm depending on a couple of reliable customers to pick their own. So far it's worked out great.
August 31 - Christmas Journal Jar
Today I got out the Christmas Journal Jar Kelsey made for me a few years ago. I have no pages left in the book she gave me, so I started an on-line book for it. Thanks to Kelley for the know-how on setting up a template for the book, I'm in the business of writing Christmas memories again. I love Christmas and I like to write, so this was very enjoyable and relaxing for me today.
It felt good to laugh today. Kelley and I were messaging each other back and forth on facebook about the instructions of setting up the template. She said "call me, I'm home". Dugh! I did. And we had a good laugh! We get so caught up on facebook that we don't even think to talk in person. That was good reminder of how important it is to interact in person. I enjoyed my long conversation with Kelley. I need to do that more often!
Jewelry Armoire
I can't stand the word re-purpose, but I guess that's what you call my new jewelry armoire. I found this beauty at Second Chances, an Antique Shop in Brigham City. It was built in the early 1930's. I've been wanting a long mirror and I needed a place for jewelry, scarves, gloves, wallets, etc. This armoire was perfect. I just had to make some adjustments for it to fit my needs. So, first of all I took it to my wood man, Ellis Planing, in Ogden. He customizes anything and everything. He is a little pricey, but his work is high quality.
Shaniel's beautiful house plant sits on top.
I had him convert the left side of the armoire to house my jewelry by installing hooks and pull-out drawers. I hardly wear any of the jewelry, but now I can at least admire the pieces when I want! I have jewelry from my entire adult life, some of my mother's jewelry, some of Shaniel's jewelry, and special finds. I have watches, bracelets, necklaces, earrings and pins, among other treasures.
The right side has the original bars that I hang my scarves over. He put in hooks to hold purses, and added shelves for my church bag and camera bag.
The middle door has another pull out shelf that holds my temple bag.
The small bank of drawers on the front contains gloves, glasses, wallets, handkerchiefs, and odds and ends.
After the wood man got through with it, I took it to my paint lady, Jackie, in south Willard. She paints everything exactly like I ask. She is amazing!
I lined the drawers with felt and filled it up!
It cost me around $1200, which included the original price, the custom wood work, the painting, and the felt.
I love my new jewelry armoire!
Some things you just have to keep the same. I kept mom's necklace, grandma Bentley's handkerchief, and my beautiful little angel that Makaela made me, in mom's porcelain trinket box. It sits on my nightstand next to the bed.
Guest Bedroom
I love, love, love my new guest bedroom. I found the headboard and footboard at Second Chances. Love that shop! My paint lady painted it white and then distressed it. I bought the new bedding at Shopko last month on the first Wednesday. Yep... I get a Senior discount there (55 is the magic age!).
I put the antique desk, grandma Bates' picture and her dresser in there. Now, I just have to buy the curtains and I'm all set!
I got home from Germany a little late for planting or buying flowers. Luckily, I had a thoughtful daughter (Amie), and a thoughtful customer.
Amie groomed my Geranium, which I have had since moving into this place. I can't believe it's still alive! She also planted some impatients and petunia's, in pots, and placed them on my front porch. She also planted some wildflowers in the old toolbox that sits in the flower bed. Shaniel always planted wildflowers in her front bed, and Amie thought I would really like that. I love it! I was pleasantly surprised to see some zinnia's come up... my new favorite flower!
When I first got home from Germany, I saw a beautiful pot of blooming flowers sitting on the porch with a note attached from a customer that owns and operates a greenhouse in Davis County. He was anxious to do business with me again.
Seeing the flowers on the porch made me so happy. It felt so good to be back home.
Yutaro
It sounds like a video game or something like that. But it's the name of Kelsey's foreign exchange student from Japan. He came for the month of August. He is 13 years old and is an only child. He spoke very little English, but managed to keep a smile on his face and was willing to explore our Western culture. He made breakfast for the family one day and gave them some really cool gifts. Brayden and Yutaro spent a lot of time drawing. But I think Yutaro's favorite activity was watching t.v.
Beauties
Month in Review
Happy Birthday!
What's the best thing about summer birthday's? WATER! Alia enjoyed a day in the sun and pool with friends, Ben, and Emilee. A Pinata filled with candy was over-the-top, smackin' sweet fun! This little girl turned 6 years old today. Can't believe my Alia Bear is growing up so fast!
August 5 - Storm's 'a Comin' -- hurry up!
Kelsey's final project this year before she starts school. A hutch for her sewing room. I love the soft gray tones and dark glaze she used. It is going to be beautiful, as usual. She's a perfectionist when it comes to any kind of project.
The sky drew dark and the clouds started to gather. Kelsey finished her project just in the nick of time!
I took this shot from the back deck when I got home. You can see the rain come down in a solid sheet on the horizon. I love the way the clouds look and I love the view from my deck!
August 6 - Surprise!
It's official... a baby boy! This is the announcement Audrey and I created to announce the gender of the baby. We are all elated! A boy for Ben! This makes their family complete.
Ben and Emilee had fun dunkin' Oreo's today at grandma's house.
August 8 - Rachel and boys
.JPG)
My niece Rachel, Patty's daughter, lives in Santiquin, Utah. Today, she and her two youngest boys spent the day with Audrey. Audrey helped her work up a budget plan. Before going home, she an Audrey came to the house for a short visit. It was fun seeing and visiting with her.
My niece Rachel, Patty's daughter, lives in Santiquin, Utah. Today, she and her two youngest boys spent the day with Audrey. Audrey helped her work up a budget plan. Before going home, she an Audrey came to the house for a short visit. It was fun seeing and visiting with her.
And the kids had great fun playing and running wild around the house and yard!
August 10 - Family History Search
One of my favorite General Conference talks last October was by Elder Quentin L. Cook, of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, entitled Roots and Branches. Here is an excerpt from his talk.
What a great time to be alive. This is the last dispensation, and we can feel the hastening of the work of salvation in every area where a saving ordinance is involved.
The role of technology… has been accelerated by the Lord himself… However, we stand only on the threshold of what we can do with these tools. (President Howard W. Hunter, November 1994).
The leadership of the Church has issued a clarion call to the rising generation to lead the way in the use of technology to experience the spirit of Elijah, to search out their ancestors, and to perform temple ordinances for them. Much of the heavy lifting in hastening the work of salvation for both the living and the dead will be done by you young people.Makaela attended Youth Conference over the weekend and learned the basics of doing family history search. With the help of grandma (that's me), she was able to add a story and documents on g....grandfather Gideon Bentley on familysearch.com.
Is it any wonder why the youth of today were preserved to come to earth at this time! They are so quick minded and technology comes so easy. They were prepared in pre-earth life for this day! I am in awe of my grandchildren and their use of technology. Even little Emilee, at 23 months, can turn on a kindle and play a game. Amazing!
August 11 - Oh deer!
It was in the middle of the night, around 2:30 a.m. I woke up and couldn't go back to sleep. The moon was extra big (Super Moon) and the night sky was as bright as early dawn. I got up and looked out the window to see... a deer! Then, two. Then, three. They were lying comfortable on top of the rocks above the driveway. They have eaten all my tulips and creating havoc on our young fruit trees. I like having them, but they are destructive and can be quite a nuisance.
August 12 - Ogden LDS Temple Open House
Alia, Emilee, and Ben
Kelsey's family and I went to the Ogden Temple Open House the week before. We ate ice cream at Farr's Ice Cream Shop across the street. It was the perfect treat to the end of a very nice evening.
Another front tooth goes missing!
Alia's front tooth was dangling in the picture above. And, it didn't take much coaxing for it to come all the way out. Now I can sing All I want for Christmas is my Two Front Teeth! Hope she's up to grandma's singing!
August 13 - A Milestone!
Dave and I have been married 20 years today. And, it's been quite the adventure! He is still in Germany so we were not able to celebrate. But, that's ok... we celebrated the last six months touring Europe. What can get better than that! The pictures above were taken in two of my favorite countries. Ireland and Holland.
August 14 - Squash for Breakfast
I can eat squash for every meal. Because I love it! I like to add mushrooms and some lemon pepper. Yummm!
August 16 - Four Seasons on the Farm
Pictures of I picked out for my wall
There is a large space on my wall on the main level family room. I wanted to fill the space up with the perfect picture. I looked at Deseret Book for one, but couldn't come up with something that I would love there. So, I got this brainy idea and thought how cool would it be to display the four seasons of our orchard there.
How my picture wall came to be:
1) I went through my pictures and found some I thought would look nice. I edited them and
put them on a flash drive to take to Imaging Depot, my favorite photo store, in Layton.
2) I measured the wall, both length and width to determine what size to print them at.
3) Met with a pro at Imaging Depot and ordered my prints on wrapped canvas, 24" x 30".
4) One week later they were ready for pick-up. But... the store manager brought them to me.
He lives in Logan and I was right on the way. Lucky me! Oh... they are so beautiful! The
manager was so excited to show them to me. He was as thrilled as I was.
5) I bought some hangers, measured for correct placement, and put them on back of the prints.
6) Today, I started to hang them. Mike and Audrey came up the next day to help me get them straight... thanks a bunch!
I need to re-order Spring and Fall so that the pictures are all vertical. It will make a better impact.
I was anxious about Dave seeing them. I wasn't sure how he would react to my photos, greatly enlarged, and hanging across a large expanse of a wall. First time he saw it... loved it! That made me so happy.
As soon as I get Spring and Fall re-ordered in the correct orientation and get them hung on the wall, I'll post it.
I also took a picture of a grove of trees, in the Netherlands, edited it, and had it printed in a 20" x 30". My intent was to make it look like the Sacred Grove. And, that it does! I picked out a custom frame from Hobby Lobby for it. It is just beautiful! The manager raved and raved about it! They said I must have had a very good camera. Nope... just a point and shoot!
Everyone who walks into the house and sees those large pictures hanging across my wall, thinks they are professional store bought pictures. They make quite a scene and conversation piece. Everyone loves them!
I could used to having my own art in my house. I feel so talented (feeling proud and accomplished!). Oil paintings, photos....
August 29 - First Day of School
It was 33 years ago that I sent my oldest child out the door for her very first day of school. Kindergarten.
Now... she is on her way out the door again. This time Kelsey is in a doctorate program at the University of Utah. When she is finished in three years, she will have earned her DNP (Doctor of Nursing Practice) and FNP (Family Nurse Practitioner).
She will have endless options upon completion of her degree. She can teach at the University, practice in a clinic with General Family Practitioners, work in community health, work for the government, and even start her own practice.
When Kelsey sets her mind to something, she does it! She is confident, persistent, and professional. I am very proud of her. I am exited to be her first patient!
Kelsey has a good family. Chad, Makaela, and Brayden will be pulling together, supporting, and sacrificing to help their wife and mother get through the next few years. It will be quite the accomplishment for all of them!
It is tradition to stand in front of the house for 1st day of school pictures. She wanted to wear RED today. After all, she is a UTE! Smile Kelsey!
August 30 - Farm work
Time is running out. Dave is headed back to Germany in the morning. Over the last week he has worked hard and diligently on the farm.
Cultivating. It's nice to have those weeds knocked down!
Irrigating. I love it when the pond is full to the top.
Cleaning up. Whoops! He got a little too close to the rock and pulled it from it's place.
Picking peaches. Dave delivered some big, beautiful Rosa's and Alstar peaches to Kents. Too bad they won't be getting any more this year. I won't be doing that. I'm depending on a couple of reliable customers to pick their own. So far it's worked out great.
August 31 - Christmas Journal Jar
Today I got out the Christmas Journal Jar Kelsey made for me a few years ago. I have no pages left in the book she gave me, so I started an on-line book for it. Thanks to Kelley for the know-how on setting up a template for the book, I'm in the business of writing Christmas memories again. I love Christmas and I like to write, so this was very enjoyable and relaxing for me today.
It felt good to laugh today. Kelley and I were messaging each other back and forth on facebook about the instructions of setting up the template. She said "call me, I'm home". Dugh! I did. And we had a good laugh! We get so caught up on facebook that we don't even think to talk in person. That was good reminder of how important it is to interact in person. I enjoyed my long conversation with Kelley. I need to do that more often!
Jewelry Armoire
I can't stand the word re-purpose, but I guess that's what you call my new jewelry armoire. I found this beauty at Second Chances, an Antique Shop in Brigham City. It was built in the early 1930's. I've been wanting a long mirror and I needed a place for jewelry, scarves, gloves, wallets, etc. This armoire was perfect. I just had to make some adjustments for it to fit my needs. So, first of all I took it to my wood man, Ellis Planing, in Ogden. He customizes anything and everything. He is a little pricey, but his work is high quality.
Shaniel's beautiful house plant sits on top.
I had him convert the left side of the armoire to house my jewelry by installing hooks and pull-out drawers. I hardly wear any of the jewelry, but now I can at least admire the pieces when I want! I have jewelry from my entire adult life, some of my mother's jewelry, some of Shaniel's jewelry, and special finds. I have watches, bracelets, necklaces, earrings and pins, among other treasures.
The right side has the original bars that I hang my scarves over. He put in hooks to hold purses, and added shelves for my church bag and camera bag.
The middle door has another pull out shelf that holds my temple bag.
The small bank of drawers on the front contains gloves, glasses, wallets, handkerchiefs, and odds and ends.
After the wood man got through with it, I took it to my paint lady, Jackie, in south Willard. She paints everything exactly like I ask. She is amazing!
I lined the drawers with felt and filled it up!
It cost me around $1200, which included the original price, the custom wood work, the painting, and the felt.
I love my new jewelry armoire!
Some things you just have to keep the same. I kept mom's necklace, grandma Bentley's handkerchief, and my beautiful little angel that Makaela made me, in mom's porcelain trinket box. It sits on my nightstand next to the bed.
Guest Bedroom
I love, love, love my new guest bedroom. I found the headboard and footboard at Second Chances. Love that shop! My paint lady painted it white and then distressed it. I bought the new bedding at Shopko last month on the first Wednesday. Yep... I get a Senior discount there (55 is the magic age!).
I put the antique desk, grandma Bates' picture and her dresser in there. Now, I just have to buy the curtains and I'm all set!
Love the pillow cases I bought in Ireland at the famous Blarney Woolen Mills.
Flowers
I got home from Germany a little late for planting or buying flowers. Luckily, I had a thoughtful daughter (Amie), and a thoughtful customer.
Amie groomed my Geranium, which I have had since moving into this place. I can't believe it's still alive! She also planted some impatients and petunia's, in pots, and placed them on my front porch. She also planted some wildflowers in the old toolbox that sits in the flower bed. Shaniel always planted wildflowers in her front bed, and Amie thought I would really like that. I love it! I was pleasantly surprised to see some zinnia's come up... my new favorite flower!
When I first got home from Germany, I saw a beautiful pot of blooming flowers sitting on the porch with a note attached from a customer that owns and operates a greenhouse in Davis County. He was anxious to do business with me again.
Seeing the flowers on the porch made me so happy. It felt so good to be back home.
Yutaro
It sounds like a video game or something like that. But it's the name of Kelsey's foreign exchange student from Japan. He came for the month of August. He is 13 years old and is an only child. He spoke very little English, but managed to keep a smile on his face and was willing to explore our Western culture. He made breakfast for the family one day and gave them some really cool gifts. Brayden and Yutaro spent a lot of time drawing. But I think Yutaro's favorite activity was watching t.v.
Beauties
And they just happen to be my granddaugthers
Nicole, Tianna, Tera, Savanna, and Morgann
Courtesy of Amie Sorensen Photography (daughter)
and Morgann Donaldson Editing (granddaughter)
Month in Review
Happy Birthday!
3 comments:
Awesome pictures! I love the armoir and guest bedroom! I can't believe I did not come to look at either of them when I was down last week! Guess I better come back down.
I do need to come see all your changes and additions. I'm not sure when though, it gets harder and harder to get away. I enjoyed talking to you too and the laugh. And yes we should do that more often.
Loved all your posts. The Jewelry Chest is beautiful.
Post a Comment