Birthday Wishes...

Happy Birthday ...Happy Birthday to you!!!

It seems every year we are away for Ben's birthday...... this year before we left Canada, we had an 'Unbirthday' Party for all the 'kids' whose birthdays we would miss...and Ben missed the party!!

Not sure if we'll get to talk to you today...so just in case this post is for Ben... we are thinking of you and remembering some of our great times we had with you last year....

Edmonton Weekend April 2013

Remember the days you and I spent with cousins in Okotoks...
and that fish you caught:)
Makes me chuckle when I think of the fun we had cleaning it!!!

Your brother, cousins and you at Galaxyland ....

The race you ran  in Edmonton.

Helping pops with the deck in July!

Walk thru the Legislature grounds in August

Fishing in Montana...

and the trip to Yellowstone National Park!

Helping lay our sod

Taking a snooze while pops shingled the roof:))))

Tying flies....

We love you...and look forward to more great times together this year!
Hope you have a great day!!!

Projects

Life here in the south is busy...but I still find time to do some crafty things....

I just completed toque number 3...I hope to make 3 more...
.................... they will be Christmas 2014 presents....

On the note of toques.... there are a lot of people down here who have know idea what a toque is.... Maybe it is just a 'northern' word??

I also started on my Christmas Ornaments....click here for more on these ornaments.

I'm down to only making 5 this year...and I have one completed!

We have had a very warm January  and are enjoying every minute of it!!... It is hard to believe January is coming to an end....

Waldo's BBQ

A friend told us about Waldo's in Mesa

 and their deep fried corn on the cob...

Have you ever tried deep fried corn on the cob?....
Might not be good for you, but it is delicious!!

Just a note...don't go there unless you are HUNGRY...

They serve the drinks in Quart Mason Jars...
and you start off with delicious hot Corn Bread...

Entrees...come with 2 sides...that are unlimited...
plus you can switch the side each time...
so if you like you can try every side they have....

It's a great place to visit....

Once a year!

Weekend Reflections

Weekend Reflection:

I stand in awe of all God has done. 

Help me to see His glory in nature, in other people, and even in myself. 

Allow me to treat others by valuing their excellence, because He does.

Linking with

Red Desert Barn...

It's not often you find such a cute barn....complete with Saguaros

It was such a neat little barn I couldn't resist snapping a couple shots!!

Weekend Reflections

Yuma Wetlands....

4:40 PM a beautiful afternoon!

Amazing how fast....

5:43 PM

The sun goes down

5:50 PM

6:10 PM
Reminds me of life.... and how quickly LIFE goes... 

Linking with 'Weekend Reflections"

Linking with Weekend Reflections

California Sand Dunes

Spent some times just climbing the dunes with the grands....

They are always changing...

Great fun!!

Old Plank Road

In the early 1900's these roads were built for vehicles to cross the sand dunes...

Very little of the road is left....

For more information on these roads click here!

Inspired Sunday

Country Churches

 When we head south...we take a back road in Montana. 

It's a quiet country valley road...

Each time we drive it... this little church catches my attention!

I wonder if the church is still used?

 

On this same drive we pass this church in one of the towns ...

 it looks like it is well taken care of and still in use!

Linking with...

Yellow Pom Pom Tree...

We spotted this tree...

A closer look .... 

 And it is full of adorable pom poms!!

Click here for information on the Huisache Tree

Date Shake...

 Since we have been coming south...we make a couple trips a season the the Date Farms to enjoy a Date Shake. 

I have watched them being made and thought I should try to make them.

I chopped up approximately 2 cup of dates.

Cooked them slowly in water....adding a little at a time...

 just enough to make a soft paste of the cooked dates

 I added about 3/4 cup of cooked dates to approximately 4 cups of vanilla ice cream. 

I used my smoothie blender to mix it ..it needed a bit of liquid 

so I added just enough coconut milk to make it blend

 The shakes were delicious!!!..

 I have to say that they taste just as good...maybe even better than the ones we buy....

So...now when we get company.... we'll go to the Date Farm to  buy the dates..

and come home and enjoy the shake on our patio:)