Granola Models

Okay, not really modeling granola but, this morning I made homemade granola. Oatmeal, pecans, coconut, butter, and honey baked in oven 300 for 30 minutes. I added chocolate chips and dried cranberries when it cooled. Kevin wanted to know it you eat it like cereal with milk or if you have to eat it dry.

I started stringing beads into jewelry. 

 Here is Alea modeling a creation I styled for Lindsay, a lovely young lady that works in my office.

 Kevin took it upon himself to declare it Nerd day at his school. This is what he came up with. He was bouncing around this morning powered by granola anticipating his friends participation. I thin one of his friends came to school dressed like a Hippie.

Catch Up

Hi, remember me. It has been a month since my last post. I have not forgotten you. Life seems to get busier and I get more tired.
I have gotten half of my RRCB sewn together. I love the way it is coming out.


I did finish the quilt made from a Bali pop. I got it to my DSIL in time for Christmas.

We not only got a new septic tank we also got a new leach field.

We are having a lovely February, The children spent the day playing out side.

Today we started athletic season. The Orient Express run was sponsored by the Sunrise Rotary today. Eric, Alea and I ran the family fun run mile. Next year my goal will be to run the 4 mile. I would have attempted it today but my excuse was that I would run/walk with Alea. She beat me and I ran the whole time.


After race refuel.

We walked the neighborhood today selling Girl Scout Cookies. A good couple of hours and the rest of the exercise.

Alea Turns 9

My darling daughter turned 9 recently. She chose to celebrate her birthday with one special friend and make a day of it. We started the day with a basketball game. The girls had a short 5 week season. Their team won the end of the season tournament. She has decided that basketball is her favorite sport.
She chose Perkos for lunch. Not because she loves the food so much but because they sing and give the birthday person a piece of pie or ice cream.


We went to Walmart to cash in her gift card (thank you grandpa Don). Choosing a birthday gift for your self is a long and agonising process.

We next saw Tangled, a 3D Movie. That was pretty fun. I was not sure it was worth an extra 4 dollars each for the glasses but what the heck, it was a treat.Our plan to see this movie next.
Alea and Candace had a lot of fun playing with the birthday gifts.

Every year the kids request that I make them a worm cake. usually I cut it a part and make a worm out of the bundt cake but I assured her this is a worm cake, it just looks like a doughnut.All they are really interested in are the gummy worms anyway.

Happy Birthday Alea!

No Sewing In Sight.

There is no sewing going on at my house as of late. Summer is in full swing, well school starts this week but we are still in summer mode. We are triathlon-ing. Kevin and Alea participated in Tri for kids. and I did another sprint triathlon. I don't know if a triathlon that takes 1 hour and 47 minutes is considered a sprint but there it is. I decreased my time by 6 minutes this time.

Kevin has been asking me to go fishing for a couple of years now and I have tried to explain to him that we are not "fishing people" and he should go with his fishing friends. Well I got to thinking about that and decided it would not take to much to become "fishing people" so a trip to Walmart ensued. Two rods and a box of tackle, whalah.... We are fishing people!

We went from the above fishing hole, New Malones to below to Pinecrest lake in the same day.
We have spent several lovely days here fishing, swimming and diving off rocks. Summer has been fun and now, back to school.

Kevin Turned Ten

Kevin turned ten. A great time was had by all. We rented the community pool and had it all to ourselves.
Here is Kevin with my cousin's son Nicolas. He is 5 and thinks the world of my kids. He is a great little guy.




We did another triathlon last weekend. this time Kevin, Alea and their friend participated. I did too, and still fit in my wetsuit. Don't worry I did not include that photo.

This event took place in Rancho Seco California. It is the home of a non operating nuclear power plant. See the towers in the back. This is the cooling reservoir for the plant. Kinda creepy hu?


They are the 2 in the back. They rode and ran together. So much for racing.
A proud girl finishing her first triathlon.
He still loves his Mommy.

De Young Field Trip

The Girls , my Mom and I went to see the Amish Quilts on display at the De Young Museum in San Francisco. What a neat exhibit. Too bad they don't let you take pictures in there. You can however purchase the book. My mom and I went into the exhibit and the girls went straight to the tower to look at the beautiful city and the water. When I made the girls go into see the quilts they each picked Tumbling Blocks as their favorite independently. I think they liked the 3D effect, I know that's what caught my eye. This is probably the most recognized quilt, It is one of my favorites.

This is the observation tower view.

Mother of the year...NOT

Sunday was a day that I was being a bit selfish. I woke up early and got to work on my Chocolate stars quilt. I will probably call mine something about stars and diamonds because the diamonds are the first thing that hits y our eye. Maybe I should have switched the color selection. But, I digress. I finished piecing the top and pinned it. Lost in my own little world DD#1 (12) asks, "aren't we going to church today?". With a heavy sigh, "I think we will stay home today, will that be OK?"came out of my mouth.Later, with a nice day looming and some errands needing to be run, grocery shopping, friends birthday party, and the girls asking if we could play tennis,... guilt got the best of me. I took them to play tennis and romp in the great outdoors. I sat in the car and read. I told you I was not "Mother of the year".
They were happy and I was happy, all was good.Then I got some quilting done. Now, all was good.

Open House

This week the elementary school had an open house. The kids always love showing off their stuff and classrooms.

This is Alea's 2nd grade class, She was the teacher and her brother and sister were sitting on the carpet in-front of her. Maybe we have a teacher in the making.
This is Kevin with Mrs. Thompson. She is the neatest lady who really gets the kids to do their best. I think she is partial to our Kevin.
Nicole is the one who absolutely made sure we had Open house on our calendar. She loves her teacher Mr. Williams and is always coming home with stories about him.

Weekend Wonders

This weekend was opening day for softball. Here are my stars. Nicole is playing a team called the Crush and is pretty competitive. Thankfully the coach is really good with the girls but the classic line came from my lips. "There is no crying in baseball".Alea you may recognize from opening day of baseball a couple of weeks ago. Now is her debut in softball. Good thing she is young and has lots of energy!
Speaking of young and lots of energy, I competed in a triathlon this weekend. Just to let you know I am old and I used up all my energy by the time I got to the run. Run a little, walk a little, run a little. I realized that if I walked too much it would take way longer. I am going to have to train a little better for the next one. Maybe next month. I don't know though. It is a 1000 yard swim in a lake. I don't have a wet suit. A 12 mile bike on hills and a 4 mile run. Excuse, excuse. Maybe I will just get over it and get out there.
It sure does feel good to finish.

Ponytailable?

Today was a busy day. It started after school with a hair cut. My DD has the most tender head I have ever seen. A ponytail is standard equipment for Nicole. Every few years I can talk her into a cut (or insist on one).
She wasn't sure, but is pleased with it because it is still ponytailable.Then there was a baseball game. Go A's

Boys at the skate park.

And softball practice.