Enjoy it while you can!

I love our yard in the spring!


This is the view out our family room window!

These flowers are pretty in April.

Who doesn't love tulips?

This beautiful tree is what I see out my bedroom window.
(Almost makes me want to sleep outside!)

Ahhhhh.....spring.

Soon we will have to deal with:
snails
drought
weeds
gophers
heat
grasshoppers
other annoying insects
and
crab apples
(What a price to pay for one week of beautiful pink blossoms!)

My spring garden is pretty all by itself (thanks to nature).
But....
The rest of the summer we have to work hard to keep things healthy and green!



Here's to summer gardeners
and the hours and hours you spend making things beautiful!
(I'll drive out of my way to pass by a beautiful yard!)
Thank you!

My "trash to treasure" project

Today I rescued this old picture frame from my own donation pile.
I had been planning on taking a big sack of things to the D.I. (Goodwill)
but,
since I have seen so many cute "trash to treasure" makeovers, I took the challenge and decided to re-purpose it instead.
The glass was broken and it was pretty sad looking.
After a few coats of white paint, a sheet of textured scrapbook paper,
a few little scrapbook accessories, and some pictures from my computer,
I now have a fresh new wall hanging!

(Cost: $2.99 for the cardboard words, $.75 for the scrapbook paper, both from Michaels)
It was fun!
Thanks to Katie and Ken for helping me!

It made my day! ....and.... A Link to a fun photo alphabet.....

I had a great chat with Maddie, our little granddaughter, on the phone tonight.
(She is about 20 months old.)
In the middle of our conversation which consisted of
("Grandma", "Maddie", "Grandma", "Maddie" "Grandma")
she started singing "The Happy Working Song" (at least the first two measures).
Guess what her favorite movie is?
"Enchanted"!

I know I'm prejudiced, but it was so CUTE!
(Now, let's just hope nobody was listening to me singing it back!)

Liz, Maddie's mom, made a fun photo alphabet collage today with her friend Kaylyn.
It is pretty amazing.
Click here to see more of it.

Today's thought...AND a great blog for grannies (and parents)

"If I had a flower for every time you made me laugh
I'd have a garden to walk in forever."
-unknown

(I stumbled across this quote, but I don't know who said it and I can't remember where I was when I found it. Sorry I can't give credit.)

Also....
My friend Liz has a fun site where she shares ideas for families.
It's called Grandmalizzieshouse.com
She is a great school teacher and has a lot of experience with children.
Go visit her fun site.
(You can subscribe to her free newsletter.)

Have
a
great
week!

My desperate attempt at being creative.....

I enjoy checking out my favorite blogs each evening
as I unwind from the pressures of the day.
I LOVE seeing all the bargains people find and then the great transformations that come from a can of spray paint or some cute fabric. (I wish I'd thought of that!)
I drool over all the tasty looking dishes and recipes.
I envy the cute before and after decorating projects.

I appreciate the organizational ideas.
I admire the creativity of so many bloggers.

But.....
I haven't done anything "crafty" in quite a while.
The neighborhood yard sales have come and gone -without my presence.
All my projects are unfinished (or not even started).
I'm too tired to run out and take any clever pictures.

After pondering for quite a while on what I could share (to do my part)
I came up with this little idea.
Just so you know....
I did NOT spend any money.
I reused things I found in my house.

The whole idea came about a few years ago as I was feeling the need for more giving and less spending during the Christmas season. We decided as a family to make each other one gift that didn't cost more than $1.00. I decided to recreate some puppets. (When the kids were younger I had made a set, but they had long since been destroyed.) The puppet clothes are made from old slips, towels, and scraps of fabric. I pulled apart some old jewelry and buttons for decoration. Even the panty hose were my old ones.

I think my family enjoyed my gift!

(The next year my husband made the stable
and my daughter Katie made the puppet on the right.)

We even had a Christmas Eve puppet show (behind the couch).

The show wasn't very spiritual since everyone was laughing so hard,
but maybe in a few years when we have more grandchildren......

The puppets and the puppeteers have changed a bit.....

But it was a fun idea!

Easter Sunday.....Day 4

Easter Sunday:

We enjoyed attending our church service today.

Family and friends gathered around our dinner table.

Laughter filled the room.

We are truly blessed!


We hope all of you had a nice Easter!


(This 4 minute video has a great Easter message.)

None Were With Him
by Jeffrey R. Holland

Spring Break ......Day 3

Day Three:
We jumped in the car, traveled a few hours, and spent a fun day with our family in Idaho.
There were some great decorated egg creations.



The rain waited until our Easter Egg Hunt was over before it arrived.



We ate delicious food.

And....
we hung out with some amazing people (like Aunt Mardene)!

It was another great day!

Spring Break.....Day 2

Today was not a "fun" day off.
However,
I got a lot done in the yard.
(My arms are evidence- you should see all the rose bush pricks!)

I took some before and after shots, but my camera isn't cooperating right now.
Hopefully, I can post some pictures later.

I also managed to have TWO good visits with friends
and
I spent some quality time watching H.G. t.v.

Day three should be more exciting.......

Spring Break- Day 1

Today I spent a fun day with my sister, Linda.

We enjoyed lunch at The Olive Garden.
(The side dish of Alfredo sauce was heavenly with the bread sticks-
since we're not counting calories today! )

We had fun walking through Hobby Lobby.
(I refrained from buying anything.)

We toured a really cute model home.
(They wouldn't let us take any pictures!)

I bought these cute towels at a fun store called the Rock Loft.
I thought I might make some pillows out of them.

I also dropped two of my daughters off at the airport for their Spring Break trip to San Diego and hosted my niece Joanna and her hubby Eric as they prepare to fly off to N.Y. tomorrow.

It was a good day.

(By the way, it is really hard sleeping in when you are used to getting up early!)

Spring Break

Top Ten Reasons Why I Need a Spring Break!

10. Time to get a respite from job stress.
(Yes, I can be more patient with people....)
9. Time to catch up on sleep
(by staying up late and then sleeping in)!
8. Time to get to some of those odd jobs
(like the ones that just keep getting moved to tomorrow's list).
7. Time to catch up with an old friend
(0r a young one).
6. Time to see a movie
(so I can join in on the conversation with coworkers).
5. Time to do some yard work.
(I know there are some spring flowers hiding there somewhere).
4. Time to travel or see some new and interesting things
(even if it only means visiting some place local).


3. Time to enjoy and appreciate the beauty of spring blossoms
(Visit some place like Thanksgiving Point Tulip Festival)
2. Time to sit and do absolutely nothing
(just because I can)!
1. Time to spend quality time with the people I love
(my family)!

Have a great Spring Break!

Yeah!

A great weekend...!

President Thomas S. Monson (center) , President Eyring (left), and President Uchtdorf (right)

We had an enjoyable weekend listening to our church leaders
as they conducted the semi-annual general conference from Temple Square.
The weather was perfect.
The advice timely and inspiring.
The music was beautiful.

I LOVE our CHURCH!

Happy Birthday, Julie!

Today is our little sister's birthday.
Happy Birthday, Julie!

She grew up to be a great lady!
(And a pretty nice sister.)

(Thanks for the picture, Kelli. I "borrowed" it.)

Thanks for the fun memories!
Love you,
JoAnn

Photo funnies

Ever wondered what you would look like if you were famous (or infamous)? Or if you were someone else?
My friend Megan had this link on her blog today and I must admit I had a really good chuckle as I played with some of the choices. Check this out.
Click here

Thanks for the fun idea, Megan!