Finding Beauty in the Ugly Weather

About 7 miles from here is a little junction called Telocaset. This is where they recently installed all the wind turbines. It's a bit higher elevation than here in town, so the weather can be drastically different from our weather here in town. So, my sister and I went out and took some pictures of the frozen fog, the wind turbines in the fog, and found something positive when the weather outside was ugly.

The fog had frozen ono the edge of the road sign in the direction the wind was blowing. This is the junction of Telocaset and Thief Valley Reservoir.

This gate alongside the road really had a build up of frozen fog

The wind turbines looked very pretty in the fog.

The ground looked like coral on the bottom of the sea...the fog had frozen in drops.

This is the bridge you cross before the junction. The rail line passes underneath. I thought this was a pretty parting shot.

MEMBERS WANTED: PLEASE READ

So, for about the past 8 years, I have been doing online surveys for one particular company. They send me an email when there is a new survey, it is usually about a new product that is about to come out. Sometimes, depending on your answers to the survey questions, you are sent a free sample of the product to try then get back to them with your results. You are usually given about a week to complete a survey after you receive the email, and it is completely above board and legitimate. I receive a check for $3 for each completed survey. Now, I know that doesn't seem like a lot, but when you only spend about 10 minutes doing something at your computer, then forget you did it and are surprised by a check in the mail a week or so later, it comes in real handy for those spendy coffees, or allowance money for the kids. Cassie, you could save yours up and buy something you've been eyeing for awhile. Katie, you could purchase scrapbook supplies with yours. Anyway, you get the idea.
So, the point of this blog is, the company sent me an email today and wants me to recruit new members. You cannot "refer" someone just any old time you want to. It's by "invitation" only and this is your invitation. I don't get any benefit from signing you up...there is no pyramid scheme or hidden agenda here. So, girls (and boys, if any read this blog) if you are interested, please email me at r2k2@eoni.com with your email so I can forward you the "invite" where there is a link to their homepage to fill out your registration form. I know it's not a great amount of money, but it's tax-free and you would be surprised how much of a treat it is to get that check in the mail and it gives you a guilt-free reason to spend a little on a treat for yourself, and the time involved is little to none.

FUN PHOTOS

I found a website I really like called Picnik and I've really been enjoying
making some collages, some scrapbook pages, etc. Here's just a
sampling of whatI've been making. I find it SO calming to sit here
at the computer and "play" after the kids have went to bed and my husband

is watching some crazy show on the Biography channel.

Our friends Robert & Krista Ray at our Sledding Party

Our friends Matt & Shelly Hammond at our Sledding Party

Our friends Rick & Michelle Hammond at our Sledding Party

Steve & Me at our Sledding Party

My husband taking a lunch break during Elk Hunting this last Fall

MY LITTLE CRAFT PROJECT

First, I have to say THANK YOU to Cassie for the inspiration to become creative and make gifts instead of spending money to buy them. We're on a VERY limited budget right now, so this works in more ways than one. Cassie, you inspire me greatly, not only with your crafts, but as a mother, a wife, and friend. I look forward to reading your blog every day.
So, my girls attend "Friday Night Book Club" every week where they have treats and juice, they read books and do some simple craft projects. A local lady has taken this on since her children have all graduated and left home. She loves kids and they love her. Anytime somebody has a birthday, she always throws a birthday party for that individual. This past Friday, it was a birthday party for a little girl who used to be our neighbor and her mom was my daycare provider. So, I wanted to give her a special little gift. I got home from cleaning a friends house at 4:00, and Book Club starts at 6:00. I didn't know if I was going to get this pulled off, but it did work. I have TONS of jeans with holes in the knees, jeans that have been outgrown, etc. So, I put them to use:

I made a simple small denim multi-purpose bag. I used squares of different

shades of denim, and cut a pocket off a ridiculously short skirt I acquired

somewhere and would never wear in public. I sewed it on with raw fabric around

it so as it frays, it will look more and more "distressed"

The back was pretty basic...just the squares of different shades of denim

I used the waistband of a pair of my husband's jeans to "finish" the

top rim of the bag. I turned it wrong side out so the

"Faded Glory: Relaxed" tag showed on the side of the bag.

For the handle, I used more of the waistband of my husband's jeans,

mostly for embellishment, but also so she could undo

the strap and connect it to something if she chooses.

When I took the finished product to Book Club, all 25 of the kids wanted me to make them bags like this. They take books home each week, then return with it the following week to get a new one. So I told all the kids to ask their parents to send any old worn/grown out jeans with them to the next Book Club and I would make bags. They only take about 2 hours per bag but multiply that by 25 and I might have pulled all my hair out before I'm finished. But, the birthday girl was very pleased with it, so guess that's all that mattered. HAPPY BIRTHDAY MISS EMILY.

A LITTLE FREE FAMILY ADVERTISEMENT

So, I seriously doubt many people read my blog, but for those who do, I wanted to post a little "plug" for my sister's Bed & Breakfast. I developed her website for her. You can visit it at www.anotherplaceandthyme.com She is also a licensed massage therapist and does all kind of neat things from hot rock therapy, to parafin dips, to deep tissue massage, etc. Their little cottage really is so cozy, it makes you not want to leave. We spent Christmas Eve in the cottage, with the girls in the house sleeping in their favorite place: the floor of Britta's (their cousin) room. The cottage was so quiet and peaceful, we ended up staying Christmas night, as well. The only drawback for us being family and staying there is that I got to clean it for the clients who ended up being 2 days behind schedule due to the blizzard weather we had. Anyway, if any of you need a fun little trip and choose to stay overnight, my sis's B&B is top notch. Of course, I'm a little prejudice, but I've slept in the bed, I've ate the food, and I've "experienced" the "experience". And if you're going to make the trip, make susre to schedule a massage of some sorts to accompany your stay in "this little slice of heaven on earth". If you are a golfer, the Buffalo Peak Golf Course is less than a mile from my sister's place and is considered to be a very good course. Anthony Lakes is not too far away, so in winter, you can ski or summer brings out beautiful scenery up around that area. If you like to fish, we have Pilcher Reservoir, Wolf Creek Reservoir and Thief Valley Reservoir all within about 20 miles. There is a lot of history in this town and neat houses to drive by and look at. Wallowa Lake is about an hour and a half drive with plenty of pretty scenery, a tram, go carts at the Lake, and you can stop at the Bronze Foundries in Joseph on your way through. Hot Lake is about 8 miles away from us. They are slowly restoring it, and so far have a little gift shop and some informational displays set up. We have a wonderful little botique shop called Aggies that any shopper will enjoy. There is a Museum here in town. La Grande is 15 miles away and they have a pretty nice bowling alley, a go-cart track, and batting cages with a wonderful restaraunt inside. So, if you decide to come this direction for a "break", give my sister a call, and make sure and give us a holler as well.

The Cottage, all decked out for Winter

This is just a sample of what you'll find for breakfast
waiting at your door in the mornings, if you choose.

Doesn't this picture just make you want to get a massage now?

This is the cozy, comfortable bed.
There is also a small loveseat that folds out into a twin bed.
GIVE IT A TRY, YOU MIGHT JUST FALL IN LOVE

MY PRIDE OVERFLOWS

I just have to post again these two totally handsome young men who have chose to serve our country in the United States Air Force. Kyle (younger of the two--on the right) is currently stationed in California at Vandenberg Air Force Base in Special Forces. Ken (the oldest of the two--on the left) is currently on his 3rd deployment overseas and we hope to have him back on American Soil sometime in February. The entire family is SO very proud of these two boys and can't wait to see them again. Thankfully, we can talk to Kyle pretty regularly. Ken's phone calls are pretty limited and his internet service is intermittent, but when he does call, he talks to Momma first and if there is time, Dad and possibly some siblings get a chance to say a quick "HI-BYE". We pray for their safety everyday and think of them regulary. My girls have this picture on their bunk beds, so they can kiss their cousins good-night every night and stickers that signify the Special Forces that Kyle is part of. Both boys were home for visits recently--Ken arrived on Labor Day Weekend for 3 weeks and Kyle arrived on Halloween for about 3 weeks. Kyle gave us one of his berets that he no longer uses. It is in a protective plastic sleeve, proudly sitting on top of our refrigerator where it is safe and visible on a regular basis. I guess there's not much more I can say other than reiterate how VERY PROUD I AM OF THESE TWO BOYS and so glad they are my nephews. Come home safe, Ken and be safe boys. We love you, miss you terribly, think about you and pray for you daily and you get goodnight kisses everynight from your cousins.

WHAT TO DO WHEN THERE IS A BLIZZARD OUTSIDE

So, on the first day the girls were supposed to start back to school after the Christmas Break, we got notice last night that we had a blizzard on it's way. I have learned to take these "predictions" with a grain of salt because in our little corner of Northeast Oregon, it can be snowing big flakes one moment, sun shining and melting the next, then raining cats and dogs. Well, of course, this is the one BIG time the weather gods that predict our weather were right. It started snowing late in the night and by school time this morning, both our doors had knee-high drifts, and we had a LOT of snow. The wind was howling and the drifts along Main St. were outrageous. Needless to say, school was cancelled, which didn't bother the girls in the least. So, we decided to make use of the new little silicone baking cups their dad sent them for Christmas. I had mixed up some cupcakes to make for our sledding party and had batter left over, so we made cupcakes after digging out our driveway to make a necessary trip to the local market and cleaning up clothes that had dried from the sledding party. Here are the girls making their cupcakes and their finished products.

Miller filling her little baking cups

Nanna (not quite so sure of herself) filling her baking cups

THE FINISHED PRODUCT....YEAH!!! This is where Steve comes in! :-)
I have NO idea why this picture automatically rotated itself and I can't make it turn back around....but you get the idea.

SLEDDING PARTY

A bunch of our friends all convoyed up to a local summit that is a popular sledding spot. We had the biggest inner-tube I've ever seen. It was over 9 ft. tall when you stood it upright. Somebody brought a can of Pam no-stick spray and slathered the bottom of it and boy, did it fly. There were about 10 teenagers who loved gathering 4 or 5 at a time and heading down the hill. Most often, one or more fell through the middle and the tube mowed right over top of them. Some of the little kids were pretty brave and went flying down the hill on everything from metal round sleds to small inner-tubes to plastic sleds. We had a bon fire, a propane burner to make chili and hotdogs, then hot chocolate and marshmallows. We all had sodas, stuck in the snow that ended up half-frozen. There were a couple snowboards, one adult size and one child size. We found out that our oldest daughter is quite the little natural snowboarder. She was having a blast. Keanna was scared to try the sleds until I went up and went with her. So then she decided it wasn't so bad, but she stuck to the smaller hill. We were all cold when it was all said and done, and several of us finished off the night sitting around the fire, but we ALL had a BLAST. Can't wait to do it again.

One of smallest warming with some cocoa Steve & Keanna taking a break

The big tube making a trip down the hill Everyone gathering around to eat

The tube on the way to the summit...this pickup is a FULL-SIZE, LONG BED, DOUBLE-CAB pickup and it looked TINY with this giant tube tied on the back. The tube came from a skidder and when it stood up, it touched the top of the canopy at Les Schwab

Some of the couples that were with us took a quick break from the fun to pose for a quick picture. It might not be completely obvious, but we were all having fun....just cold.

Steve & I

Matt & Shelly Hammond

Rick & Michelle Hammond (Matt's son--this couple orchestrated this whole shin-dig--MANY THANKS!!!!)

Robert & Krista Ray

"The Teenagers" hanging out at their own bonfire (you know, it's not cool to hang with the parents!!!)

MY GIRLS ARE GROWIN' UP

I've noticed lately that my girls are growing up...way too quick for this Momma's liking. I'm glad to see their response everytime I ask for a picture...they instantly snuggle up and put on a good show that they get along and love each other. The "love each other" part I fall for. The "get along part"...not so much. But, they aren't bad kids...just typical siblings so close in age. This was some Christmas finery they received so I wanted a picture and thought they turned out cute. Just had to share....

CHRISTMAS, PART 2

My parent's plan to be with us for Christmas got changed when on the 23rd, they got a call that my Dad's mother wasn't expected to live through the Holidays. So, they raced through, dropped off presents for the kids, and made their way to Vancouver. My sister and I fretted the entire day, as my brother was killed in a car accident on Christmas Eve and between worrying about my parents being killed on those TERRIBLE roads they were encountering in the Portland area and my Grandmother passing away during Christmas and having to brave those terrible roads ourselves. As it turned out, Grandma left the hospital and is back in her assisted living facility with a family member staying in her room at all times. So, my parent's came back through on December 29th, and we got to watch them open their presents from all of us. Also, Kamille (my oldest) had wanted to do a "secret santa" so we all went to the $1 store and bought one thing per person. We wrapped them, drew numbers, then did the gift exchange where #1 picks a gift, then #2 can steal their gift or pick their own and so forth. That was more entertaining than anything!!!! My husband was sure glad I stole his rose petal shaped soap! I believe both my parents were relieved to be headed back home, and glad that for the time being, Grandma is better. SO, they were both acting a bit goofy, which is rare and we caught some of it on film. Thought I'd share a few pictures to just prolong a great Christmas a wee bit longer. Thanks for the good laughs, Mom & Dad.

Mom with a potholder on her head

Dad with his chocolate cigar

Everything Dad got that would fit in his pocket
went there for safe keeping

Mom borrowed Britta's pocketknife to make the present
opening easier..she looks dangerous with that thing

Dad got a remote controlled
helicopter which was his favorite

Mom stole my rose petal shaped soap in
the gift exchange...look at that smile!

Keanna chose her favorite
spot on Boo's lap being silly

Dad's new hat with built in
flashlight on the brim

My sister and I gave mom and dad 2 HUGE boxes
loaded with home canned goods we labored over
this summer. My sister's dog Delia made herself
at home in the box, licking the jars trying to get
any little left behind morsel she could find.

A RARE SIGHT AROUND HERE

It's become painfully obvious that our 10 year old is starting to "outgrow" the cuddly stage. She'll always be the first to offer up a hug to anyone who even remotely looks like they need one, and she's quick to offer up words of love, but she just doesn't "plant it" and hang out on anybody's lap much anymore...especially Steve. So, I captured some special pictures that will serve to help this momma hang on to something I hate to see come to an end.

You know, as I uploaded these pictures, I realized that part of the reason she doesn't sit on our laps much anymore is she is just getting too darn tall...she definitely takes after Momma in that department. She's just like me--all leg. And we've certainly noticed recently that she's just growing leaps and bounds. Basketball starts soon and she just keeps ranting about how much better she'll be this year because she's "SO MUCH TALLER"!!! Oh, to have life be so simple and measured by such small victories.