A Perfect Date

Some time ago, a dear friend sent me a cartoon showing an older couple perusing a bookstore.  Her attached note said that this was how she pictures me and Mountain Man years from now.

I laughed and laughed because it's so true.  I'm trying to remember the last date with my Beloved that didn't include a trip to a bookstore or a library. (Hmm...is this why I've been accused of being spoiled and having "only child" tendencies? :))

After a busy audit week, Mountain Man was exhausted, so I wanted to plan a date that would be relaxing for him.

We packed up the books, added some beach towels, and went to the park.  Two hours of birds singing,  tree leaves rustling, blue skies, and uninterrupted reading!

Mountain Man actually ditched Walton for P.G. Wodehouse's short stories.  (Where did we get the Wodehouse book but on one of our dates....a surprise find at a used bookstore.:))

Jedediah is such an easy-going baby.  He was content the entire time at the park.  Perhaps he was in wonder at the GRASS.  Or the QUIET.  

The view.....

Jedediah knew just how to enjoy this date.  But see the sunlight on his face?  This Mama forgot just how quickly babies get sunburned.  The voices echoing "Bad Mother" in the back of my head won't allow me to post a picture of his face post park visit, but everyone at home, with chuckles and shaking of heads,  reminded me that the white around his mouth is in a perfect pacifier pattern.  

The rest of the date?  Great discussions about what we've been reading.  A chair massage for Mountain Man.  An unexpected but delightful find at the used bookstore where Mountain Man gets his chair massage (now don't assign selfish motives to me, please), a Teale nature book.  A delicious lunch at Mimi's during which sweet baby boy slept the entire time.  And, of course, a Coke Icee for Queen Mom.  

Love,

Family Photo Shoot 2010~The Gentlemen

Saturday was tons of fun.  We packed up some picnic goodies and headed to one of our favorite spots in the mountains.  God was so good to let us get all of the pictures done and finish eating our meal before the rain came.

It's been over 4 years since we had studio pictures done of the children, and I really wanted new ones.  So, we decided to do it ourselves.

We took pictures of all the girls together, all the boys, Dad and sons, Mom and daughters, and then family pictures.  I can't believe we forgot to do all of the children together without Mom and Dad, but we did.:(

We usually do our annual family photo in October, but we decided to get it done now since Scribe will still be recovering from surgery around that time.

Here are some photos of the gentlemen.

More to come....

Father and Son

Just a moment,

Seize the time.

Gift from God,

Son of mine.

Take A Guess

Can you guess what we were doing Saturday afternoon?

Here's a clue.

An Attentive Ear

"If an earthly king were to issue a royal proclamation, and the life or death of his subjects entirely depended on performing or not performing its conditions, how eager would they be to hear what those conditions were!  And shall we not pay the same respect to the King of kings, and Lord of lords, and lend an attentive ear to His ministers, when they are declaring, in His name, how our pardon, peace, and happiness may be secured?"

~George Whitefield

The So-Good-You'll-Never-Eat-Canned-Again Hot Dog Chili

Yep.  That's what Mountain Man said....canned hot dog chili....banned.

Of course, I like it because you cook it in the slow cooker. :)

Chili Coney Dogs

1 lb. ground beef
1 can (15 oz.) tomato sauce
1/2 c. water
2 T. worcestershire sauce
1 T. dried minced onion
1/2 tsp garlic powder
1/2 tsp. ground mustard
1/2 tsp. chili powder
1/2 tsp. pepper
dash cayenne pepper
 8 hot dogs

In large skillet, cook beef over medium heat until no longer pink.  Drain.  Stir in the tomato sauce, water, Worcestershire sauce, onion and spices.

Place hot dogs in 3 qt. slow cooker; top with beef mixture. Cover and cook on low for 4-5 hours or until heated through.

Enjoy!

99 Allegros for just $1.99

Wow!  This is a great deal from Amazon.  Over nine hours of beautiful music for just $1.99.

99 Allegros

First Reading Lesson

....from Miss Boo's first reading lesson yesterday. I don't remember learning being this fun.

Well, now it is, and so is the teaching. :)

Weekly Rewind 8/15-8/21/10

Well, something is in the air because for the first time in the 12 years we've lived here, I'm suffering from allergy symptoms....yes, itchy eyes, runny nose, tickling in the throat, etc.

Could it be these?

We're back to our walks, and our roads are lined with gorgeous sunflowers.  To live in the desert, we sure enjoy bursts of color from the many wildflowers.  Mountain Man spent hours this weekend getting most everyone's bikes in shape, so now they're able to ride while some of us walk, and the children are super-happy about that.  "Getting bikes fixed" was actually an item on their summer list....pretty simple, huh?

Here's the reason it's hard for some lovelies around here to get out of bed.  Jedediah   makes for some sweet cuddlin'.

~PRAISE!  My Mom will be able to visit while Scribe has his surgery.  This was an answer to prayer, and we're so thankful to God for making a way for my Mom to be with us.

~Jedediah had his 2 month check-up, and he is doing great!  Whistler captured this sweet shot.

And this one.

Lovely Boo's favorite phrases this past week...."I can't wait to learn to read, " and "I can't wait to be a Mommy."

Another project the guys finished this weekend was the shed.

I'm so pleased with it, and I can't wait for the guys to tackle painting the house next year.

And just when you thought it was safe to play in the front yard....

the rattlesnake shows up.  He didn't last long, though, thanks to Little Big Man and Scribe.  The BB Gun and the sledge hammer were quite effective.  Surprisingly, this is the first rattlesnake we've seen this summer.

And these were the skies last night.

The heavens declare the glory of God.....

Parting thoughts from my reading....

"How many perish by reason of vain learning in this world who take little care of the serving of God.."

"And he is truly learned, that doeth the will of God and forsaketh his own will."

~Thomas A Kempis

Love,