Living the Dream

Oops, I'm a little late in my every-other-month posting!  : )

We are turning our backyard into an orchard, apparently. We already have an apple tree, two peach trees, and an almond tree. Plus there are grape vines and blackberry bushes. All but the almond tree were put in by the previous owners. Yesterday I purchased two pear trees, two apricot, and a cherry, along with four blueberry bushes. The garden will be going in next week. I'll never have to make a meal come harvest time - the children can harvest their own!


Even more importantly, we'll be learning about preserving. I've never canned in my life. But I have dehydrated, and I think that might be healthier. Either way, I look forward to enjoying the bounties of our own backyard throughout the winter months.

I love the book Laddie by Gene Stratton Porter. The example of family unity, work ethic, and self-reliance is incredible. I learn more everytime I read it.

My Stick Family from WiddlyTinks.com

No Need For an Alarm Clock

We have it on good authority that if you bang your head on your pillow ten times right before you go to sleep, you'll wake up ten hours later!  William has been using this technique to get up at 6 am to read his scriptures.  Maybe you should try it...

Fun in the Sun July 2010

Lyman, Oliver, and I hiked Fergusen Canyon early one morning in mid-July.  It was beautiful!

All the Jones grandchildren had a tea party in Spokane -with matching dresses and bow ties!

Fun times at Temple Square with Dale, Emily, Melanie, and Beatrice

This is near the Provo River in the Soapstone Basin.

We tried to go to Donut Falls, but it was being blockaded.  So we hiked to Lake Solitude instead.

We're still hiking.  Still reading lots and lots of books.  Oliver has been crawling for 2 1/2 months and thinks it's time to start walking.  Amanda earned a trip to the Zoo with her potty sticker chart.  William jumped off the railing next to the stairs onto the tile.  Thankfully he didn't try to jump down the stairs!  Gwen is swimming every chance she gets.  DJ is mowing the lawn - yay!  I'm in Cub Scouts again.  Lyman installed some sprinkler updates.  Until next time...

No Soliciting

Last week I decided I had had enough of door-to-door salesmen!  I started looking at Amazon for a "NO SOLICITING" sign.  I liked the painted wood ones, but figured I could make my own.  So that was my plan...

Today, the doorbell rang at 5pm.  It was a young man selling "No Soliciting" signs.  I laughed!  And I bought one.  And, hopefully, that will be the last salesman to darken my door!

This is not the sign I bought, but I like it!

Amanda is 3!

Happy Birthday, Amanda!

For The Birds

We spent Sunday afternoon underneath the apple tree.  It was glorious!  We enjoyed watching a family of hawks, with the two babies learning how to fly.  We noticed how quiet all the other birds were while the hawks were above.
Later, there was a bird in our living room that needed some coaxing to get out.
There is a bird's nest in the bricks under our mailbox.
I can only use half my clothes line, as the half under the maple tree tends to get bird droppings on it.
And yesterday, there was a robin under the kitchen table, having a feast!
We had a little chat yesterday about the importance of keeping the doors closed...
This morning, three of us were awakened at 4 am by the clamor of birds in our backyard.  yawn