Dedicated to My Children

Family Tree

This is Brian's rendition of our family tree.

 

 

From the Weekend

Happy 3rd birthday to Abigail!  Last year she was not interested in the gifts at all.  I thought it would be different this year, but after opening one gift, she had had enough.  Her Dad coaxed her and helped her open the rest of the gifts. 

They always know there will be a new book from Aunt Katie!

 

 

Cole was very interested in the gifts!  Look familiar, Megan?

 

 

Enjoying some reading time with Dad.  A warm thumb and monkey - does life get any better for a two year old?

Harvest Salad

My basil plants did really well this summer.  It is a good thing because the grasshoppers enjoyed it as much as we have!  Here is a healthier twist on a potato salad that I just tried - a good way to use up basil.

Roasted Pesto Potato Salad

3 pounds medium-size red potatoes
1/3 cup white balsamic vinegar
1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil
1/2 teaspoon sea salt
3 garlic cloves, minced
pepper as desired
1/3 cup shredded Parmesan cheese
1/4 cup finely minced fresh basil
1/4 cup toasted pine nuts

Place cleaned potatoes in large microwave-safe bowl; cover with lid or plastic wrap.  (I used a Pyrex 3-qt. casserole dish with lid and it was the perfect size) Microwave on HIGH 10-12 minutes, until potatoes are tender.  When cool enough to handle, cut potatoes in halves or quarters and place in a large bowl.

Whisk together vinegar, oil, salt, garlic and pepper; pour over potatoes and toss lightly to coat. (I started out using half of this mixture, waited and then added a little more.  In the end, probably 3/4 of the dressing.)  Cover and refrigerate until ready to serve.

Just before serving toss in cheese, basil and pine nuts.

Later today . . .

We got our weekly Davis County newspaper today and this recipe was in it.  It seems like the other paper left out an important step in the recipe.  After cutting the potatoes into halves or quarters you are supposed to spray them liberally with olive oil spray and then roast them on the grill over high heat for 5 to 7 minutes, turning occasionally.  When I made this the other day I was a little confused at why the title said "roasted" when there was no roasting involved . . .

It's a Jungle Out There

I try to go down to the garden every day.  I read in an article that it is good to check on your plants and keep an eye on them to notice disease or pests that you would want to control.  Oh, weeds, too.  No pests so far this year other than the grasshoppers.  They like basil but have been kind enough to munch more on the one in the front flower bed.  The one in the garden shows little sign of their nibbling. 

It has been so hot this summer.  My tomatoes became a jungle and I could not see into the cages or walk around the plants anymore.  So today I did some pruning.  Major pruning.  Not my favorite job.  I feel so itchy when I am done.

But I can now see into the plants and even the back fence of the garden.  But the best part of this task was that I found tomatoes hiding that were ready to be picked. 

 

The jungle zucchini plant with 20 inch wide leaves.

 



The cantaloupe that is raiding the green beans, corn and climbing the fence.

 



Scorching The Books

This was the headline on this morning's paper.  It has been a very hot summer.  I am out tending the garden until the sun comes up and then I am good for maybe 30 minutes.  At the most.  The corn likes the heat.  The zucchini like the heat.  And so do the cucumbers.  The tomatoes don't enjoy the heat and neither do I.  Last winter when I normally complain about the snow, I committed not to complain once.  We are in a drought situation and we needed that snow to grow gardens, plants and our yards.  And I did not complain at all.  But I have done my fair share of whining about this weather.  However, being inside has been fine because I have been busy sewing.  I raided my stash and made these skirts for Abigail. 

 

 

I'm afraid the sewing will have to be set aside for awhile.  We have a peach tree that is tempting the birds.  This heat makes me grumpy and I am in no mood to share those peaches with the pesky birds!



Lily's Blessing Day

Sunday was a wonderful day as we spent time with Bonnie's family for Lily's blessing. 

 

 

I love these pictures of the newest cousins in our family, born just four months apart.

 

 

Emory loves her feet! 

 

 

Abigail is a tiny girl, but she looks so big next to her new sister and cousin.

2nd Birthday

Happy Birthday to Cole!  Water fun, presents and chocolate cake.  What more could a person ask for?

 

 

 

 

Smithfield Visit

 

This is the quilt I made for Lily.  I put the label on it

and we took it up to Smithfield today to spend some

time with them.  I love the pattern Bonnie chose and

I love it even more with Lily sleeping on it!

 

 

 

Abigail and Grayson are very entertaining.  They like to spend time in Lily's chair.

 

 

 

 

A wonderful day!

Introducing . . .

Our newest granddaughter, Lily Marie.  We were so grateful for her safe arrival last week. 

 

 

Electrifying Abigail

What happens when you romp around on a Love Sac?





Big hair and lots of giggles.

What has her attention on the television?

 



 

One of my favorite speakers!

 

Three Months and Counting

Emory passed the three month mark last week.  She is a healthy, happy baby.  You would never know what a rough start she had to her life.

She is tiny and even the newborn size dress I made for her blessing was too big.  The sleeves were very puffy. 

Puffed Sleeves

I love Anne of Green Gables.  I'm not sure how many times I've seen it; it never gets old for me.  I laugh at the same things and cry at the same places each time I watch it.  I love the part where she gets her new dress from Matthew - with the puffed sleeves she longed for.  She loved those sleeves.

I just finished my third baby blessing dress.  I loved making each of them - except - for the teeny-tiny puffed sleeves that went into a very teeny tiny hole.   But I do it for the same reason that Matthew did it for Anne - love.  Pure and simple.  I love these little granddaughters who have come into our family.

Abigail Rocks!

A couple of weeks ago we had overnight guests.  Bonnie and her children spent the  night while Joe was out of town.  Abigail's new favorite toy is a container of river rocks.  I have some in a glass tumbler on a table in the living room.  But the extras are in a plastic container in the closet.  She loves to play with them and make arrangements. 

 

Later on that day we were getting ready to go somewhere.  Abigail had her coat on and then suddenly disappeared.  When Kevin went to look for her this is what he found.  A purse and cell phone - what more does a girl need!

 



Sunshine and Smiles

It finally feels like spring.  We have sunshine and blue skies today and there are daffodils poking through.   Emory brought her own sunshine this morning!  What a great way to start the week.

 

 

Thursdays with Cole

Cole and I get to hang out every Thursday morning.  Today when I went to pick him up this is how he looked.

      
Yes, they are pink boots which his cousins Lizzy and Abigail wore.  He loves to play outside and puts them on first thing in the morning.  I started laughing when I saw him and he was laughing at me.  It will be nice when the snow is gone and we can put the winter clothes away for good!

California

Two weeks ago we were in sunny California.  By their standards it was a little cool, but sunshine and 55 degrees felt pretty nice to us.  Ross turned 8 on Groundhog Day and was baptized on February 9.  A milestone for us - our first grandchild to be baptized. 

 

 

 

Ross has started to play flag football and we were able to go watch his game.

 



 

 

 

Despite the fact that it was a little chilly, our play day was at a beach in Ventura.  They have a playground there and it was so nice to see, hear and smell the ocean again after so many years.  The kids had "early out" that day and it must have been a tiring day at school because it wasn't too long before this was the view from the back seat of the van.

 

 

 

We celebrated Ross' birthday while we were there.  Alas, he is no longer a Jazz fan.

 

Benson the pirate man, digging for booty

 

 

 

We really enjoyed our visit and the chance to be with Ross on his special day.  Thank you Popes for providing us with so much joy and entertainment!