SUNDAY FUNDAY!

Sunday's are for family gatherings, watching the game on the tube, and this particular Sunday, carving pumpkins! Hard work creating that perfect pumpkin .... look at that concentration!

Ruby's masterpiece!

All on display at dusk .....

And what is a Halloween pumpkin party without a birthday celebration! We've been so busy with work, practices, appointments, soccer, and life in general that we just had to tuck Michelle's Birthday in to our day as well! 🎉Happy Belated birthday Michelle! 🎉

Until next time ..... Godspeed

PUMPKINS! PUMPKINS! WE GOT PUMPKINS!!

Last weekend we decided to head off to The Patch in Woodland, WA for our annual search for that perfect pumpkin. And to our surprise, the weather was perfect, too! Just warm enough for a sweatshirt and no muddy patches or a drop of rain in sight! They had a great selection of pumpkins to chose from, hot apple cider, and pumpkin bowling! It was a nice way to spend the afternoon with the kids and granddaughters. 🎃

Until next time ... Godspeed

Fall ball has come to a close ...

It seems the season just gets started and then its over ....

Fall Softball is always way too short. Just as the bats start to get 'hot' its time to put the equipment away until spring. Makayla had a very good season doing what she does best behind the plate. Had to give my new Nikon a workout with the different settings and just fell in love with the sports mode and those lenses! Took 100's of shots over a tournament weekend and just love how these turned out! 

Always focused and ready for the next play! Yeah, she knows how to keep the runner on first base "honest" 😉 In the end, the girls finish third in this tournament and were very pleased with their game play. Great team!

Until next time ... Godspeed

SURPRISE!

Well, we did it! Meet our new Cozy Cottage!

A little backstory .... we went to Cabela's to find a tent that fit over the back of our Yukon so we could venture into the great outdoors. We found one we liked, but it would have to be ordered so we got the necessary order numbers and headed home, or so we thought!

We had been researching travel trailers but didn't think our vehicle was large enough to tow one. Just for the heck of it, we stopped in a sales floor on the way home. We knew exactly the one we wanted, knew this place didn't have that manufacturer available so it was just a "let's see what else is out there on the market." Lo and behold, the one requirement we had .... a murphy bed that folded up into the wall exposing the sofa underneath .... was right there on the lot!  Three hours later, we were the owners of this! Isn't she pretty! She is just enough for our very first travel trailer and we couldn't be more excited!

August 5th, 2017

Let the adventures begin!

Introduction ....

I honestly cannot believe that I haven't blogged about this little darling until now! Pepper was born November 26th, 2016. From the moment  we saw this wobbly, little ball of black fur with white hair on the tips of her toes at four weeks of age, we knew she belonged here with us! On January 13th, 2017 we were able to meet up and bring her home! At first she didn't want to leave the carrier, but in time she ventured out and took a look around.

**That face just melts my heart!**

Our granddaughters got a puppy for Christmas as well, and we were excited to have Pepper meet Jynx. That very next day we made that happen. Being only four weeks apart, they instantly made friends, romped around the house, stole each others toys, played in the snow (see video) and it was then we knew we were in for some fun adventures! 

And although I swore "NO DOGS ON THE COUCH!" as you can see, that didn't last very long with Pepper. 😊

And that "whittle" tongue .... STOP IT!! 💟💟💟 Be still my heart!! 💟💟💟

And just for giggles, here is a size comparison about a month later ..... Skylar, Jynx, & Pepper. Just like our human babies, why can't they stay small longer? 

Now, 4 1/2 months later, Pepper is housebroken (YAY!!), has chewed up numerous toys, and created a bad habit of making HOLES in our CARPET! She may be a sweetheart, but its time for THAT to come to a halt cause Momma's not happy! 

I'll be back on occasion to update and get caught up, in the meantime, leash training is definitely in order! My shoulder can't take much more pulling. 🙁

Godspeed

A FIRST!

Sometimes we just have to step outside our comfort zone and go for it! Today I did just that and made four loaves of Artisan Bread from scratch! Love, love the taste but just couldn't afford all that goodness from the bakery section. When I found this very simple recipe, I figured why not, the only thing I'd be out was some flour and 99 cents worth of yeast. But then again, the skeptic in me thought it was waaaaay too easy! ;)

Homemade Artisan Bread 

• 3 cups lukewarm water
• 1 1/2 tablespoons granulated yeast
• 1 1/2 tablespoons kosher or other course salt
• 6 1/2 cups unbleached all purpose flour
• cornmeal for pizza peel (optional)

1. In a very large bowl, add your flour, yeast, and salt.

2. Pour in your water and stir until combined, just a few minutes.

3. Cover your bowl with foil or greased plastic wrap for 2-5 hours. 

4. Divide your dough into 3 loaves with a knife. Cover each loaf with flour and form it into a ball.

5. Lay onto a baking sheet with a silicone baking mat or onto a pizza stone sprinkled with cornmeal. Let this dough rest for about 30 or so minutes.

6. With a sharp knife, slash the top of each loaf into 3 lines or a criss-cross pattern. This helps let out some steam in the dough. If you don’t slash your bread, the bread will most likely make it’s own tear somewhere during cooking.

7. Preheat your oven to 450 degrees and add a small pan filled with 1 cup of water on a lower rack for a water bath. Bake for 30-35 minutes.

8. Place your baked bread on a baking rack to cool.

SUCCESS!! I will just say it was so EASY, tastes just as good as the bakery shop .... chewy crust with moist inside .... and can either be eaten with or without butter. It was FABULOUS!! 

From now on, I'm stepping outside that box more often! 

Godspeed

Welcome 2017!

As we rang in the New Year, we had a nice little snow fall in the area. Since we were puppy sitting the fur babies, we had the chance to get them out and play for a bit, that is until the fireworks scared the dickens outta them! Once we got everyone settled back down, we toasted the New Year and counted our Blessings.

Weighing the good with the bad, the good definitely came ahead. We were Blessed with some really great memories of our trip to Southern CA & Disney, the kids found the house with space inside and out that they desperately needed, and our kids & grand babies are happy & healthy! What more could you ask for! :)

So onward & upward from here to make 2017 an EPIC year!!

Godspeed