lefty & fifty-three

V Ball

2012-01-22T09:37:00.007-07:00

It's Cougar time!

It is going to be an a w e s o m e season

for the men's volleyball team this year.

They are in the

click here:This is the latest

(if you are not a fanatic follower)

Here is the 2012 roster

Here are some photo's from

last nights game against USC.

The "swede" was cheering both nights for the cougars...

(maybe I have converted him over...not chance of that...)

but, he does want this volleyball team

to become national champs!

Here is what the

reports are on the team:

May the battle stay strong

for these mighty athletes!!

Polish Chandelier

2012-01-14T10:23:00.012-07:00

You ask; "What is a Polish Chandelier"?

I have never seen one nor heard of this until I saw it on

Oh Happy Day blog

Here is another version click here

I admittedly loved it and knew that I had

to make a version of this for Dallas' room.

With the creative talent of daughter Katlin, we took

our inspiration from this piece that she made several years ago,

(it ended up in Dallas bedroom over her headboard)

3 hours later we designed

this chandelier for her bedroom.

ours is a bit colorful....

Dallas was suprised and like it alot!

we used several different materials for this:

1. felt

2. tissue paper

3. straws

4. crape paper

5. silk flowers

piękny, kolorowy, zabawa

(translation from Polish to English)

Beautiful, Colorful, Fun!

The Egg Money Quilt

2012-01-01T22:03:00.011-07:00

Whew...

after three years, I finished my first "quilt of the month" quilt.

I took this 8 month class down at the local Cotton Shop

here in Provo, Ut.

I had only made a Christmas wall sized

quilt before taking on this project.

(this was before I started working full time)

Quilting is not for the impatient person.
Quite frankly, I never thought I would have
patience to do this art form.

First, you have to love fabric
Second, you have to love sewing
Third, you have to be a good mathematician
Fourth, you have to have good design
~
I have learned and matured into all four.
~

Below is an "EGG MONEY" Quilt-
A 1930's Vintage Sampler

If you want the pattern and the
origin of egg money quilts click here.

Here are a few of my favorite blocks.

The quilting was done on a machine by my cousin

Joanna, she quilts for a living.

Here is her blog.

I was very interested in quilting in my twenties but,

I had to wait until my daughters were

raised before I could start this hobby.

On to the next one and the next one...

Leisure Adventure

2012-01-01T21:14:00.002-07:00

Decemeber 30-31

Here is what the "swede" and I managed to

do before the New Year 2012.

We drove to Torrey, Utah, stayed the night

at the luxurious Days Inn and got up early at sun rise...

...to venture the back roads of Capitol Reef National Park.

(main entrance sign.)

back country (off road) entrance sign.

One of the hundreds of views within the park.

We crossed this river to get to the rode to

take us into "no man's land".

The only other living, breathing thing

we saw were cattle grazing everywhere.

Up out of the ground...(temple of the sun)

...Out of the ground came (temple of the moon).

That tiny spec is the "swede" standing on the

edge of gypsum sinkhole.

(ok, this was very large and deep and scary!)

Nothing like a good old fashion scenic road trip.

On our way home we took the exit to

Goblin Valley State Park.

( I was trying to be scary)

It was the oddest thing...seeing toad stools

pushing up from the earths floor.

The weather was clear and brisk,

a fantastic day for late December.

Below are a few quotations I really like:

President Franklin D. Roosevelt:

"There is nothing so American as our national parks.... The fundamental idea behind the parks...is that the country belongs to the people, that it is in process of making for the enrichment of the lives of all of us."
George M. Wright, Joseph S. Dixon, and Ben H. Thompson, Fauna of the National Parks of the United States, 1933.
"But our national heritage is richer than just scenic features; the realization is coming that perhaps our greatest national heritage is nature itself, with all its complexity and its abundance of life, which, when combined with great scenic beauty as it is in the national parks, becomes of unlimited value. This is what we would attain in the national parks."
-On to the next adventure....

The Day After Christmas Party

2011-12-30T09:24:00.006-07:00

It was the day after Christmas and all through my house

we were cleaning and cooking for :

A Party of Hill Cousin's...

We had a festive Mexican dinner of tamales, rice,

beans, enchilada, chips, salsa, salads and yummy desserts.

(sorry my pictures did not turn out of the food.)

..in this picture,(left to right) is the youngest grand child Ally,

Jeana(my sister)Nina (a cousin) and my father.

Cousins: Leslie, Angie, and Gary

Here is my Uncle Sheril (my mother's twin brother)

He is the patriarch of our Hill Family.

Cousins: (left to right) Jeff, Kara, Diana, and Von

More cousins: (left to right) Tracy, Liz, Nicole, Adam and baby Evie

Aunts and Uncles: (left to right) Aunt Ann, Uncle Sheril, Aunt Kathy,

Uncle Richard, Aunt Vicki

more cousins...Christopher, Tracy, Mark and my dad

I could not have asked for a more special time to eat,

drink, and mingle with all these wonderful people.

I love them all...(and all those that weren't present!)

The Christmas Card

2011-12-21T20:00:00.000-07:00

It's time to get the Christmas card ready and mailed out.

Every year this is a love-hate thing with me.

This is really the "swede's thing...

He loves to micro manage this undertaking and frankly,

- more power to him-

Dallas' friend took these photo's last Sunday when

there was a heavy thick fog hanging

over our yard, it was in the mid 20's!

I think it added to the imagery.

Wishing you all a heavenly/earthly

MERRY CHRISTMAS

From

Joel, Melanie, Katlin, Ariel & Dallas

DeVry Holiday Lunch

2011-12-18T09:13:00.013-07:00

Recently I posted on my Facebook status,

that my company holiday party would be a potluck luncheon.

I think my post came over as negative, not that I was disappointed

that we were not going to a restaurant or some activity to

celebrate the season, it was because the mood in

the office had taken on a very somber atmosphere.

I wasn't sure if this lunch would be a happy one?

But thanks to Sarah, who is positive and

a happy person, our luncheon outcome was successful.

Sarah is our campus Career Service Director,

she is the one who helps students find

a job in this "hard to find a job" environment.

Here is the set up of our lunch.

Appetizers, salads, potatoes, ham, roasted chicken, desserts.

Can you tell by this picture the

different personality types I work with?

Here is the Sandy, Utah DeVry University Staff (minus one).

HaPpY Holidays!!

Table Top Tree

2011-12-14T08:31:00.007-07:00

The inspiration for my table top tree came

from a recent Martha Stewart segment.

This Birch tree was made by one of

Martha's craft directors; Hannah Milman

I love how she used the Martha Stewart "Woodland" line of ornaments.

She had availability to fresh moss..

(living in Utah, I don't have that available

to me in the nurseries this time of year.)

~~~~~~~~~

This is how is how mine turned out.

A few months ago the swede and I

found a downed Aspen,

we used a log from our cuttings and I gathered

blue spruce limb and red berries from my dad's yard.

We drilled holes in the trunk and anchored it to a base.

I found the tin planter at a thrift store for $2.00

The bulbs around the base are narcissus(paper whites).

~~~~~~~

The picture below is a star I made out of

milled wood sticks glued together.

I hot glued juniper limbs on it to give it a more earthy look.

Tis the Season!

Christmas Past

2011-12-05T21:57:00.006-07:00

It is fun to look through old photo's,

you just never know what you'll find and when you

do there is more to the photo than just people's pictures.

This photo is circa: 1963 (or there about.)

It looks like Christmas time.

This is me and my siblings playing a game

(on the left back-notice I am picking a bowl of nuts)

(check out the back right of picture to see the game)

SKUNK

SKUNK was played with these instructions:

DESCRIPTION
Each player rolls two dice as many times as desired during a turn, earning points
equal to what is rolled on that turn. A player passes the dice at any time. If one
skunk is rolled, then points earned on that turn are voided and if two skunks are
rolled, then all accumulated points from all turns are voided. Penalty chips are a
part of this game too. The first player to get 100 points or more wins.

I must have been around 5 or 6 years old.

I don't remember playing this game...but I love looking at

the fabric of the table cloth and the awesome

wallpaper we had in our home.

I hope to post a few more nostalgic Christmas photo's.

Return to Reality

2011-11-29T22:18:00.012-07:00

My trip to Houston over Thanksgiving was really relaxing...

with crafting, cooking, shopping, decorating, zooing, and

playing with the three adorable grandkids.

I think I haved landed...

(Houston airport)

Special day "zooing" with grandkids

we ate really bad pizza and stuffed our faces

with cotton candy and dip n dots

Aubry and kids

Finn wanted a Daisy bebe gun for his Christmas gift.

(guess who bought it for him?)

He also picked out the LSU pillow pet that he is trying to mame.

Farren loved her Christmas shirt...

we made together the headband while I was there.

After our Thanksgiving feast we

skyped the "swede" and Ariel back in Utah.

(can you see Ariel with her mouth wide open?)

Great memories...can't wait until next year!

I am grateful...

2011-11-23T19:02:00.002-07:00

...for everything

(Kate Greenway Illustration)

May you feast in good health & comradeship!

Sunday Dessert

2011-11-13T20:56:00.004-07:00

This what I made today to celebrate "Pre-Thanksgiving".

Brown-Bottom Butterscotch Cashew Pie

Click above to get the recipe.

I served everyone a small slice, this is a rich flavorful dessert.

ENJOY!

Deep in the Heart-Texas Bound

2011-11-09T17:09:00.000-07:00

Busy sewing this week because....

I fly to Houston to see my three little munchkin grandchildren!

Not sure what I am going to bring to

FINN (he is 10 yrs old now)

the girls are getting these dress-up skirts

I picked up the Christmas tree skirts at the Dollar Store

and found the other items in

my sewing room.

(loads of stuff there..)

Total cost: $3.00

I gathered the the tree skirt added a ribbon sash around the waist,

sewed rick rack and tinsel on the bottom.

I added little red pom poms for the berries on the holly skirt.

When I get there I hope to make them each a head wreath.

I have packed alot of fun things to do with them.

Keep watching because I will be blogging.

Adobe Halloween Event

2011-10-30T11:13:00.026-06:00

On Friday, the family and I attended the annual

Adobe(Omniture) Halloween Event.

Katlin is now up with the executive branch.

This event has become bigger and better each year

although, is is amateurish, it's

great to see how

creative the different departments can be.

The community comes out in full force and

dresses in full Halloween costume.

The Safari Girls

Dallas and friends

Joel(AKA) Steve Jobs

The belated Steve Jobs

Tess, my niece aka

Jessie and her son..

Reily.. aka..Woody

Adobe's different department plan and execute

their "theme" for this haunted event.

"Where The Wild Things Are"

Story time:

Dr Seuss

**I found these little green people

somewhere between Harry Potter and Toy Story.

Harry Potters:

Wizzard room

Toy Story:

Katlin as Barbie and Ken was a tad gay.

Alice in Wonderland

-this dept spent the most money.

It was located outside and had elaborate

scenery and decorations.

Corn Maze:

I give this one the award for original scare.

There were over 5,000 attendees,

ice cream cones, cotton candy, popcorn, and of course

buckets full of candy!!

HAPPY HALLOWEEN!!

Yummy Pumpkin Donuts

2011-10-23T11:36:00.007-06:00

The aroma will "stir your senses",

while these donuts are baking.

My caramel apples for 2011:

toppings are:

Roasted pecans chopped,

Dark chocolate,

Crushed Oreo and chopped roasted peanuts

Toasted coconut.

Halloween

is only...

day away......

Weekend Warriors

2011-10-21T10:09:00.009-06:00

I have thought that the "swede" and I should be on the HGTV show;

"Weekend Warriors"

We are "do-it-yourselfers"

Call it.. crazy, call it.. frugal, call it..a challenge,

call it..validation..

call it whatever you like...

This is our latest project:

The re-face of our 1994 home

Check out the right corner

poor construction of materials left the

face swollen, mushy and peeling paint.

The face front had this look just a little to long and so

with some heavy pleading before the winter weather hit

I got the troops aka ....Joel F, Me and the swede together,

we began to make lists of materials

that were needed to begin this project.

We demoed all the pressed board, chair rail and

other decorative pieces down to what you see in this picture.

(windows were left intact)

Here is is the other side of the house

(my kitchen window)

We papered and taped all the windows

primed twice.

The swede doing his balancing act

painting the completed face lift.

3 finished coats of paint.

The guy knows what he is doing, did I mention that

one of his many talents were at one time in

his life, a professional painter.

I was his "spot person" while he climbed two and half stories.

He literally developed huge muscles moving that

tall ladder from one side of the house to the other.

Here is the finished results

Beautiful..

-the challenge was met, -the savings on labor...priceless!

Now on to the next...of many projects...!!

Halloween Retro blog

2011-10-01T16:39:00.008-06:00

If you are a child that grew up in the sixties and seventies

you will love this Halloween Blog, check it out.

I have had many people ask me if I am going to have

my Halloween party this year..

I keep telling myself that:

1. decorating inside & outside of

house for this event takes days.

2. food prep- a day

3. making a costume- a day

4. games and party favors- a day

_______________

"I just can't do it this year"!

(and so I will disappoint my friends and their children.)

I am going to take this day off

and celebrate

preparing a frightful meal and anticipate all the

little ghouls that will ring my doorbell.

Oooh..Scarey!

2011-09-30T08:24:00.013-06:00

My inspiration for my Halloween Dolls

Children love Halloween and so do

my three monster grandchildren.

"Boney Bonnie"

"Little Skelly"

( doll on a hang man's noose))

"Red Eyed Rudy"

Too much blood!

They are flying to Texas on a witches broom!

I am

Wired

I am

Strange

I am all about Halloween!

A Fab Friday

2011-09-22T13:52:00.010-06:00

I really celebrate on Friday's because...

I have it off every week from work!

What a bonus that I have been given to work a 4-10 work week.

This one is going to be a

Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious

Capital Theatre in Salt Lake City

Dinner at:

Then cheering on the:
at LaVell Edwards Stadium!

Pretty Fun..? :~)

What is so special about today?

2011-09-22T09:00:00.000-06:00

Today is the Earth's Equinox

An equinox occurs twice a year, when the tilt of the Earth's axis is inclined neither away from nor towards the Sun, the center of the Sun being in the same plane as the Earth's equator. The term equinoxcan also be used in a broader sense, meaning the date when such a passage happens. The name "equinox" is derived from the Latin aequus (equal) and nox (night), because around the equinox, the night and day have approximately equal length.

...not to be disappointed..

2011-09-11T18:36:00.019-06:00

(loss of the cougars to the longhorns)...

but I am getting happy again...

in fact,

I am preparing for the first BYU football

home game this weekend.

The swede and I hiked to the Y.

(this is a moderate to strenuous hike)

Warning:

...if you are coming from sea level to hike the Y...

beware..

self shot photo-"Sitting on the Y".

View of home sweet home from the Y.

View of Cougar Stadium

This year's team is slated to be one of the

"most talented".

I can't help but cheer enthusiastically

for this fast and reliable

running back..

JJ DI LUIGI
#10
POSITION: Running Back
HEIGHT: 5-9
WEIGHT: 185
CLASS: Senior
ROSTER YEARS: 2007-2011

We will be there to cheer on the "independent" cougar's

Yep...I love this season of the year!

All in an Hour....

2011-09-03T13:38:00.008-06:00

You can take this for what it's worth...

To me....it was fast motion.

All in One Hour this Saturday morning.

-Made crepes for Dallas

-Attended to Ariel

(she is at home this weekend recovering

from wisdom teeth extractions)

1.Refilled her liquids/ice bag

2. Dispensed her medications

3. Called & talked with her Doctor.

(she needed advice on her pain relievers.)

4. Made her a fruit smoothie

-Answered the door to a salesperson selling ACT/SAT tutoring software,

I listened to the "Spiel" and said;

"no thanks".

-Finished making a pasta salad I had previously

started yesterday.

-Mixed together a batch of double chocolate cookies.

~~~~

I am amazed that I was fairly calm and kept it together, well,

not so fast........

I had to blog about it!

Have a great Labor Day weekend!

Melanie Swenson - Living Well video

2011-09-01T23:04:00.004-06:00

I entered a video contest at work for a chance to win an airline ticket.

The contest theme was based on Devry's "Well Living" initiative.

Active healthy living.

So this is what the swede and I have been working on

and posted it on YouTube and sent to Devry...waiting to hear the final outcome.

I'll Let you in....

2011-08-31T10:00:00.000-06:00

On a secret that the "swede" and I are are up

to this week.....

We are putting together a 28 sec video, so that we can win

a free round trip ticket to somewhere...

Cross your fingers, say your prayers, wish me luck,

I will post it on

when it is complete.

At work..

2011-08-20T12:56:00.012-06:00

I am approaching my second year working for

DeVry University/SLC/Sandy, Utah Campus.

My position there is OSC (Operations Support Coordinator)

We are one of 98 campus' across the nation.

DeVry Inc. owns:

We are a culturally diverse campus.

We are a United Nation.

I am amazed that small Utah would have so

many students filtering into it to attend school.

I work with 17 co-hearts; advisors, campus dean, career service,

academic, financial, marketing, presenters

(not to mention the many professors.)

and of course the students!

I still commute 33 miles each way.

I work a 4-10 schedule

Monday-Thursday 9 am -8 pm

So my days are really long....

My life until Thursday evening is all about work.

This year....(get ready...I am going to do a little bragging...)

I was a recipient of FY11 Devry's

Ron Taylor Award

For:

Excellence Performance.

The Ron Taylor Award Recognition Program rewards individuals

who have gone up above and beyond their normal job functions

while exemplifing the DeVry TEACH values.

Not bad for a lefty-fifty something woman!!

...yes, I did receive a financial reward.

On the trail again

2011-08-12T05:47:00.013-06:00

Summer for me is about being outside and enjoying Mother Earth.

She has shown to me her love for Utah by the

incredible mountains, rivers, streams she created her.

The "swede" and I took a long weekend and drove

the loneliness highway in America 55 to

Great Basin National Park

on the border of Utah and Nevada.

We set up camp..

(we're minimalist)

Hiked to Lake Teresa and Lake.....

Viewed the night sky at an astronomy program.

We viewed Saturn, the southern triangle

and over a million cluster of stars.

Took the guided tour thru Lehman Caves.

( highly recommend this event while visiting the park.

Forded streams, creeks and rivers...

Meditated and gave thanks for the

endless beauty we encountered.

Witnessed and touched one of the oldest living tree's in the world...

(Bristle cone pine)

Check the date of this tree's birth

Hiked to Wheeler Peak/Baker Peak

(we hiked a total of 10 miles)

If you want to learn more about GBNP click here

The car is packed and we are off to

Diamond Fork Canyon to hike and camp at Mt Nebo!

Montage of Family Summer Vacation Final Cut

2011-08-04T21:00:00.001-06:00

Reflecting back on this summer vacation with all my

family maybe a life time experience I may never have again.

(who knows right)?

Here is a montage and the final cut of that summer fun

Farren on my decorated 4th of July bike.

We went to the Provo Parade.

WE SURVIVED the PROVO RIVER (after shot)

The "swede" took great video of us all...riding the lazy river.

I will have to post that video when he has finished

editing it and posting it on YOUTUBE

These next three pictures were taken on a hike to

Stewart Falls up in Provo canyon.

Weeping rock (Zion National Park)

This picture is not a movie screen set..it's the real McCoy!

Aubry, Katlin, Dallas

(Ariel missing from pic. She had to go back to work)

Our night visitor that kept me awake

and not wanting to scare it away.

(you know what I mean?)

Posing in the Zion narrows.

Farren, Todd, Dallas

Duran in one of her only photo's smiling on this vacation.

Experiencing the red rock (Zion)

Farren and Aunt Dallas

Finn on his "four wheeled" friend

Farren out for a leisure ride and a "four legged" animal.

Family adventures take 3

2011-07-25T22:45:00.005-06:00

It seemed like an endless agenda of:

Adventures in Utah

with the Fielding family.

The three musketeers mid way to Stewart Falls

(up by Sundance resort)

Good thing we took this picture before the hike ended.

They were Happy Campers in this photo.

The "Swede" and Finn

Take a look at all the snow pack-it was just starting the melt down.

Finn & Farren standing next to an ice bank

The brave soul's that made the 2 mile hike.

(it was cold up there.)

Stay tune for take 4..... :)

Yee Haw..ATV Ride

2011-07-12T08:09:00.000-06:00

I had the most fortunate time watching the three grand kids

while the "others" went on an ATV ride

down into one of Zion's many canyons.

Take a look at how fun that was for the dirty gang!

More to Come

2011-07-08T11:10:00.009-06:00

Excuse me while I post some very fun and adventurous

activities that the family had while

the Fielding's were here in the Beehive State.

Ma & Pa "Kettle"-Swenson

we borrowed the Isuzu and loaded it so full

We looked like we were homeless.

Nightly campfire..we loved our s'mores...!

A magic moment with the grand kids.

("weeping rock" hike in Zion Na'tl Park)

Girls camping.......(never again!)

Because it's the 4th!

2011-07-04T06:00:00.000-06:00

When preparing for this very celebrated day in the

small town of Provo, Utah, I can't help but reflect on my

childhood and the many summers my family and I spent here

watching the parade, picking cherries at my aunt & uncle's home.

Climbing the Y on the mountain side, running around like a crazy

girl yelling and screaming

"Happy 4th of

July"

while waving multiple sparklers in

the air.

If this does not inspire you to

bake this patriotic delight click here

Did you write down the instructions?

Family Camp

2011-07-01T17:25:00.005-06:00

This was a very special summer of FAMILY togetherness!

The Fielding group came up from the lone star state

to the visit us in the Rocky Mountains.

Our first adventure was Zion National Park

(one of my most favorite places )

Todd, Aubry, Finn, Farren and little Duran with the swede and grandma.

We charted this vintage 1960 Mercedes Benz Unimog

to take us in the Zion Outback .

Our guide wanted us to hike to this tree that had

been hit by lightning but was still thriving.

We were all very sore after this incredibly bumpy ride, it was fun,

I'm not sure I would do it again.

Stay tuned for more of our Zion adventure.....

When family comes to visit...

2011-06-17T19:08:00.007-06:00

I have waited for this vacation and family visit

for several months now.

The day is finally approaching.

I have been so busy with work, gardening, that I have procrastinated

getting my home ready for Aubry & Todd to arrive

with three active kids.

The "swede" and I have always wanted these kind of occasions or

holidays to be magical for our children and now

the tradition passes to the grand kids.

Mr."swede" is daily going thru memorabilia

that he has "preserved"

over decades, only now to discard it in the trash!!

The main room in our basement has been the resting places (RIP)

for at least dozens of boxes of STUFF!

Ok....... I am guilty too.......

My "project" room is getting a deep clean and new organization.

(my motivation is to not leave my daughters and their spouses

with hours, days, months of going through a lot of C_AP!

-fill in the blank...

So...here's a toast to the Past Memories of Decades of Life!

Middle age "Crush"

2011-06-12T21:24:00.014-06:00

How many women have a husband that suggest going to

a movie knowingly that their wife has

a deep seeded "crush on the actor that is

starring in the movie??

Only the "Swede"........

We went to:

Owen was at his very best in this flick.

He was so engaging to watch and to laugh

with in this VERY Woody Allen show.

My daughters tease me that I have this allure for him,

but it is really quit simple,

Owen Wilson is:

1. Cute in a surfer dude way..

2. He is a romantic..

3. His naivety is real..

4. He is who he acts..

5. The best lips and nose...

~~~

I loved him in:

"The Big Year"

with Steve Martin & Jack Black

(a must see comedy)

Seriously, how can you not look at

this cowboy and not smile?

Marriage in Missouri

2011-06-05T14:03:00.005-06:00

I can't believe that one week I ago I flew

to KC Missouri for my niece, Brielle's wedding.

It was a lovely outdoor wedding in the misty rain.

Kurt her new husband cried when she walked down the aisle.

Maybe...(baby sister) Allison will be the next one to marry?

Allison & Greg

Love my nephew CODY

The Terry Women

Cake cutting event

Mom (45 yrs old) & Daughter (22 yrs old)

Wow.. what beautiful women!!

it started to rain...

2011-05-22T13:14:00.008-06:00

..and then it POURED!!!

Or better yet;

"it never rains, it just pours"!

This is how life has been at the "lefty fifty" household.

1. the swedes PC totally crashed!

-had to buy a new MAC book $2,500

2. the swedes car would only accelerate to 20 mph

-new parts: $700

3. my car's transmission went out...$10,000 to fix everything

-I bought a gently used Volvo x60, $10,500

4. swede backs into my new car...

-no estimate on the cost to fix it

5. swede needs root canal

-$400 to fix

6. swede cracks crown after root canal

-$400 new crown

7. rental home in California needs a new water heater

-$550 to first fix the leak...

-then $1,150 to install new one.

Just blogging about this makes..

my head hurts!!

I decided to put on my

And be......

The Octogenarian..

2011-05-15T11:40:00.009-06:00

This is one of those monumental life experience that you

know in time will happen, but the reality is

you can't believe it happened.

My dad turned 80 this week.

(the swede turned 57 on the same day.)

(notice his jeans and blue converse tennis shoes.)

I try every year to make him a card or gift that is uniquely him.

This year I cut a matte in his name and sized, printed, cut pasted.

These are pictures of him in his later years and

the things he enjoys doing.

He loves strawberry rhubarb pie! Sweet..

Have a healthy and memory filled year ahead dad!

Living in... Mother's Day

2011-05-08T12:15:00.008-06:00

How could I not post today!

I am my own woman and my mother.

My mom, Sharlene was a talented, strong independent woman

who taught me all the good characteristics that I possess.

She left this earth with a great legacy of determination to

be successful in living with health obstacles that

we may encounter with our imperfect bodies.

I still and will always cherish her.

I found this quote that says exactly how I view my mother;

A daughter is a mother's gender partner, her closest ally

in the family confederacy, an extension of her self.

And mothers are their daughters' role model,

their biological and emotional road map, the arbiter of all their relationships.

~Victoria Secunda

Me and mom in 1978

(the day of my first marriage)

Mom and me celebrating my 40th birthday

(1998)

~~~~~~~~~~

Here are my "BONUS" Mother's.....

Left to right: Juana (Dalton) Terry & Margie(Smith) Swenson

Thanks for your example and love!

Most of all the other beautiful things in life come

by twos and threes, by dozens and hundreds.

Plenty of roses, stars, sunsets, rainbows, brothers and sisters,

aunts and cousins, comrades and friends

- but only one mother in the whole world.

~Kate Douglas Wiggin

MAY DAY with a Dance in my step

2011-05-01T14:59:00.004-06:00

I have always been fascinated with this first day of

May and the tradition of the May Pole.

I never did go to an elementary school where we did the

May pole dance, but several years ago when

Dallas was in 6th grade at Wasatch Elementary school,

they did have a May Day Festival.

It was for the children only, but I wanted to join in....

You can click here to read more about the tradition.

MS FOR MS

2011-04-30T18:47:00.008-06:00

Today I walked with thousands of other Utahan's

to donate our time and money to help

find a cure for multiple sclerosis.

Sara, (whom I work with) her husband lives with the disease.

This is her young family.

The walk started at the Gateway in SLC and we

walked approx 4 miles thru the north end of the city.

It managed to not rain or snow on us

and the event was rather low key.

These are my"DeVry" University commrads.

It was a nice morning, I'm happy I participated!

We can only hope

2011-04-24T21:38:00.005-06:00

That in the resurection Dallas' new 5 week old bunny will live again.

On Friday, I took Dallas to the pet

store to get her a bunny rabbit

She picked out a mini rex with white and tan spots.

We bought a hutch for $130.00, food, toys and brought it home.

Dallas played and kissed and took the bunny with her everywhere

for 2 days and then it died.

end of story....

Mother Earth...I love you..

2011-04-22T07:00:00.000-06:00

I have been a big supporter of Earth Day since 1970.

That is 41 years of really wanting to do my part to

protect, love, reuse, recycle, replenish our beautiful world.

The two images above were the very first

symbols used to promote Ecology Day

Click here to a very interactive website

full of all different kinds of activities

for you and your family to do and learn more about

Earth Day.

Here is an awesome website if you love wearing t-shirts

and want to support environment projects.

here are a couple of examples that I would wear:

I will probably go pick up trash and debris around

my neighborhood and down to the Provo River Trail.

Kat

2011-04-17T11:18:00.008-06:00

We named her, Katlin Kay

(although I fought hard to give her the middle name

of Kate, after my

grandmother, Kate Burch Terry).

She has been known in our family as:

* Caitlin(Kate-lynn)

*Kat

*Kitter Catter

*Kit-Kat

*the "smart one"

*the "rich sister"

-She still holds the honor of being the only

daughter to graduate from college.

-Wreck the most cars

-Have the most surgeries

-the "most creative"

-the "most organized"

Remains "single"

the longest of the sisters.

(that's not hard to do when you only

have one sister that is married.)

~~~

Today

Katlin received her Patriarchal Blessing

click here to learn more

Here she is at 5 years old.

Katlin as a "tween"

(love photographing those un-posed moments)

Katlin with date at winter formal

(she looks like a Barbie doll!)

Her graduation day from -UC Santa Barbara

It was a very nice day with my family.

Announcing Spring

2011-04-11T16:16:00.006-06:00

Here is a very quick way to make a Spring Banner.

The colors are a sight for winter eyes.

I am sending this to Houston, Texas to

three young rascals. I can't wait to see them in

a few months from now!

Everything was bought at Michael's Craft store

except the "Spring" pendents of which I made out of felt.

(this took me about hour and half to put together.)

Can't wait to weed, fertilize and plant my garden!

Spring's Birth

2011-04-08T18:56:00.001-06:00

Click here to see incredible time-released images of a budding POPPY.

Poppies

Mary Oliver

The poppies send up their

orange flares; swaying

in the wind, their congregations

are a levitation

of bright dust, of thin

and lacy leaves.

There isn't a place

in this world that doesn't

sooner or later drown

in the indigos of darkness,

but now, for a while,

the roughage

shines like a miracle

as it floats above everything

with its yellow hair.

Of course nothing stops the cold,

black, curved blade

from hooking forward—

of course

loss is the great lesson.

But I also say this: that light

is an invitation

to happiness,

and that happiness,

when it's done right,

is a kind of holiness,

palpable and redemptive.

Inside the bright fields,

touched by their rough and spongy gold,

I am washed and washed

in the river

of earthly delight—

and what are you going to do—

what can you do

about it—

deep, blue night?

APRIL 2

2011-04-03T19:03:00.007-06:00

You can never tell what the weather will be like in the

months of April & May in Utah.

Here's an example...

This is what I woke up too, this morning at 6:00 am

(back yard)

This what I saw when I looked out onto the driveway..

Wait...

..is that an open sunroof window left open from the 67 degree weather

from last night when the star's were all a-glow?

The "swede" left his sunroof open all night and guess

what he found?

He just laughed and said; "who knew it would snow 10 inches???

We decided to take advantage of this beautiful

spring snow storm and headed up the mountains to:

We put our snowshoes on and headed up the

pristine snow to the back side of Mt Timpanogos.

It was blue skies one moment and then a

cloud would pass over the sun.

All alone on unmarked trails amongst

the pines and aspen trees....(heaven)

For some reason the "swede" and I have to document

our adventures by taking self portraits.

(estoy en mi rostro natural)

I think...I like "bi-polar" Spring!

Car History

2011-03-27T07:00:00.001-06:00

Here is the documentation of :

MY CAR HISTORY..

In chronological order of appearance in

my first life (marriage to Scot)

**yes, I was married before I married the "swede"**

Back from college 1978 Orange VW Bug

Scot owned this car(Porsche 914) when we got married in 1978.

My younger brother totaled it.

We bought this car
(I had dreamed of this car when I was in high school)
soon after we got married
before daughter #1 was born in 1980.

Don't laugh, I drove this car for months(1957 Cadillac)...this was
the color -a light lavender, it was a boat!

Scot brought this car(Fiat) home
and I knew we were poor...
I drove around with 2 kids in this car.

Then he brought this car(Chevy Nomad) home

and I felt like a real

"surf bum"

He saw this car(Pontiac Firebird) in the Auto Trader magazine-

I had no idea that once again

I would be driving a convertible with 3 kids!

I finally pleaded with him to get me

a safe reliable car...volia..the Volvo Sedan

1983

At this point in time, I had become a Southern

California bonefide "Yuppie" chick,

and requested a 3rd seat Volvo wagon.

It was a turbo.

I drove the above car for years until....

the D word happened to me and my marriage.

Scot had bought this truck for our business...and

so the Volvo went and the VW rabbit truck

became my only transportation.

(that was not fun driving 3 children around in it.)

Thus ended the crazy history of my first life car history.
To be continued....

Thoughts on March Madness

2011-03-21T07:00:00.000-06:00

I know what you are thinking......

How can a fifty three year old woman

have an opinion or a perspective on the

NCAA Basketball's March Madness?

Easy... because I love watching and cheering for my home team

BYU

Come on, it's a no brainer to want to see a very talented player like

Jimmer Fredette have success.

They say he is an ordinary looking young man...

But if you have seen him play at least one game,

let alone the 32 I have watched...

you would know that he is far above any old

GREAT player.

He is even mentioned by my favorite sports critic,

Frank Deford on NPR. Listen here

(March Madness: Fans Love The Knock Out round)

Jimmer has been nominated for the P.O.Y. award.

Read here about Jimmer.

Ok, I am sure that by now

you can tell that I have BEEN

"JIMMERED"

**Take one more moment and watch this You tube video

(do you recognize those guys??, was that hilarious?)

"I am proud to be a Jimmerican"

SPRING EQUINOX

2011-03-20T08:00:00.001-06:00

The Persians call it Nowruz (NO-ROOZ).

"New Day"

"New Light"

It is the start of Spring-beginning of a New Year.

click here to learn more...

Here are some of the symbols :

A ceremonial cloth is spread over the table

1. Sprouts-Rebirth

2. Pudding-Sweet New Life

3. Apples-Health & Beauty

4. Dried fruit(lotus tree) -Love

5. Garlic-Medicinal

6. Sumac berries-Sunrise/Good conquers Evil

7. Vinegar-Age & Patience

~~~~~~~~~

I am looking forward to

a beautiful, colorful Spring.

I need more...

2011-03-16T20:18:00.000-06:00

Experience in bread making!!

---------------------------------------------

I feel as though I have missed out by

not refining my bread making skills.

Is it too late??

Several weekends ago..I pulled out my

three ring binder cook book of recipes.

I collect these recipe's from magazine's,

web sites...etc. and came upon this one:

Braided Orange Bread

As I sliced into it, I could tell that it would

be a heavy bread, better toasted.

My family loved it, but I still need to bake a few more

to really perfect the light goodness of a really GOOD sweet bread.

stay tune...more adventure's in bread

making and other "delectable's!"

My Friend..

2011-03-08T08:00:00.001-07:00

Hailey

I meet her at church, I was her teacher.

She was the only girl in an all boy class, so she needed my special attention.

She was emotional and loving

and the boys were very attentive to her.

I liked her from the very start.

Here she is, in 2009 at our class Halloween party

(she picked the cat mask!)

I am not longer her teacher, but we have stayed friends.

Hailey turned EIGHT years old and invited me to her baptism.

After the baptism, I stopped by her home to

give her a gift I had made her.

A flannel pillow case for a GR-8 year old!

I love Hailey and her family.

International Woman's Day 2011

2011-03-07T21:12:00.007-07:00

Did you know by clicking on these web links you could learn

a little more than you already know about women?

Click here

Impressed or depressed?

Click here to have a bit of entertainment.

I'm wondering why we have not made this

a US national holiday?

(oh, I know..the nation would shut down)

Here is the only event listed in Utah

Let me know if you attend an event in your area.

..ahh, the Irish

2011-03-06T09:40:00.009-07:00

As far as I can tell by my genealogical information,

I have NO Irish blood running through my veins.

I saw this on google image and loved it.

It is an Irish Claddagh Symbol.

A friendship symbol.

And so it is... my March header for my blog.

Here are some other friendship symbols I liked:

This one is a tattoo rendering.

If my mother were alive today, I would give

her this beautiful symbol of friendship and love.

CATS

2011-03-01T21:12:00.004-07:00

Only cat lovers to read:

A new blog I just found by Yasmine S.

Cat vs Human

I know she will have a huge following.

I love my brutus,

..and the winner is...

2011-02-28T21:49:00.010-07:00

As our tradition (I say; "traditions can be broken") we enjoy watching Hollywood

flaunt it's phoniness...and so we watch the

"Academy Awards"

We laughed and cheered and were entertained for 4 hours.

We had a smaller group this year, our nieces & nephews are getting married,

having babies, a few were sick with colds

(some just are getting to old and lazy to drive out out night.)

We partied with appetizers and decedent desserts.

The "swede" is my biggest promoter of my entertaining habit

(sickness or whatever you want to call it..)

I am on my game when I am entertaining.

All in all...we ate too much, laughed hard at

James Franco's funny faces

We can't wait until next year for another night

at the...

"Oscars"

You are invited to my...

2011-02-22T21:34:00.008-07:00

4th Annual- 84th Academy Awards Party.

The red carpet is in place

Oscar is patiently waiting...

the chef has been hired...

..more planning to be done.

It started with...

2011-02-20T20:06:00.000-07:00

..this picture, from an etsy clothing store...

the price tag for this dress was $188.00

Fourth daughter, Dallas had been asked to go the the

High School Valentines dance.

Her first real date after turning 16.

____

I decided that this was a dress that I could

make for Dallas and off we went to the fabric store and to forever 21

(that's where we bought the $7.00 top)

The total amount spent on 10 yds. of tulle and notions= $50.00

Dallas has "allowed" me to blog about this.

I couldn't upload any more pictures that were taken that night.

(her date was a fine young man named John).

These are the picture's she selected I use on this blog post.

She is so darling and loved the dress!

..on to the next couture fashion statement!

Love Meter

2011-02-15T08:00:00.000-07:00

I LOVE February, who doesn't?

Find out how compatible you are

with your special someone. Click here to check your love meter.

Below is what the love meter

had to say about

the "lefty" (Pisces) and the "swede"(Taurus)

00000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000

You two will enjoy a sweet, gentle connection right from the start.

You make a great match, as friends, lovers or long-term partners.

You both have highly romantic souls and there's a wonderfully intuitive connection between you. You also complement one another well; Taurus, you can be Pisces's rock, providing the practicality and common sense Pisces lacks.

And Pisces, you open up the Bull to a world of dreams and possibility.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Pretty romantic?

May cupid hover over you and your sweetheart!

The Queen of Hearts

2011-02-13T22:17:00.005-07:00

That is the title I bequeath upon myself.

Sunday was a marathon day of "Valentining" and baking.

This does not count the time in prep of uploading,

downloading graphics, lettering and images that were used in the

production of the custom cards I made for all my staff "buddies" and of

course my daughters, the "swede", and three grand kids.

I have an image to keep up with and at Fifty two (almost fifty three)

it can be down right grueling.

Nevertheless, I love it and it keeps me connected

to all the things I LOVE:

1. People

2. Baking

3. Creating with paper

4. Giving

5. My sanity

(ha...more like insanity..)

This is what I made my 15 office buddies

Sugar cookies

Wrapped up with a customized Valentine.

Happy Valentines Day

Gotta Love Utah

2011-02-09T22:14:00.007-07:00

The swede and I went to the:

--Click on the link below...

to see a snippet of the ski events.

Our giant friend Derek,(he is kneeling in this shot) was

the cameraman on the

second jump during the duo mogul event.

He had been filming the events that week for television coverage.

Derek lives in Newport Beach and was not liking

the altitude and the cold weather.

The Best Investment

2011-02-07T20:55:00.000-07:00

The Best Investment

Take a look and give yourself 5 minutes to make a $5.00 investment.

Why can't I let it....

2011-02-06T18:00:00.003-07:00

GO...

I have been a mom now for 30 yrs. raising my daughters.

Girls are especially challenging.

(if you are a mom of all girls you know what I am talking about.)

I found myself today googling this:

"How To Get Teens to Organize and Clean Their Rooms"

click on link to get the answer...

Then I read this article

After all these years of trying to raise neat and organized children

I am still learning how to pick my battles.

Google Me

2011-02-03T09:00:00.001-07:00

This is what I GOOGLED ABOUT LEFTYFIFTY

Almost half that page are posts and input that I have given

in my blog and other blogs..

On the next page this was there...

Melanie Terry Swenson | Facebook

Friends: Scott Peterson, Dixie Holliman Destromp, Jeri Woodruff Beck, Richard L. Hill
www.leftyfifty.blogspot.com · Add Melanie Terry Swenson as
Friend|Send Melanie Terry Swenson a Message|View Melanie Terry Swenson's Friends ...
www.facebook.com/people/Melanie-Terry-Swenson/1244569627 - Cached

On the next page I found my cousin's blog listed
with leftyfity within the description.
Lola...again: Dog Christmas Stocking

Dec 11, 2010... Melanie's Lefty-Fifty · Nat's Mormon in Manhattan · Nicole's A Little Sussy · Jenny's I live at the circus · Shasta's Shasta n Lola ...
lolaagain.blogspot.com/2010/12/dog-christmas-stocking.html - Cached

Etc..Etc..page after page until I reached page 5.

It's kinda eerie....I'm out there for the world to view.

Happy G-Hog Day

2011-02-02T14:27:00.000-07:00

From The blog "Sweet Occasions" you can make some g-hog cupcakes.

Here's a fun toy to share with others.....

click here for instructions and to print the g-hog.

I guess he did'nt see his shadow today...

does that mean early spring? Long summer?

Sixteen years ago....

2011-02-01T00:00:00.000-07:00

January 31, 1995 was the date that I choose to have my
fourth daughter and last child.
I was 37 yrs old and had not had a child for
more that 10 years previous.

I was working full time and was raising three older daughters.
Aubry was 15 yrs old,
Katlin was 13 yrs old and little Ariel was 10 yrs old.
The swede and I thought that we would wait a
few years after our marriage to complete
our family(we married each other in 1992.)

(OK.. I had to give the "swede" some time and contemplation before
he was really ready to take on a family of his own.)

There you have it, Dallas Sophie made her debut into our world.

She has been the link that has made us the family that we are today.

She was the bond that gave her sisters an incredible love and

nurturing that she still enjoys today.

We invited a very special guest to help celebrate this big day for Dallas...

Blonde hair, grey eyes.... brown hair with brown eyes..

(not sure of that match up)?

The sixteen year old asked me to make her a rainbow cake...

this was my first attempt, it looks pretty amateur but.....

..it tasted really good!

I think she was surprised and happy to turn 16...

Now, on to getting that drivers license!!!

Luxury in the Mountains..

2011-01-29T17:07:00.000-07:00

That is what Deer Valley Resort is.....pure luxury and open space.

If one is to spend money having a great skiing experience, then this

the place of the expanse out doors.

We had friends, the Steve Wynn family fly into Utah.

( you probably have Steve Winn..Wynn, Nguyen..as friends too!)

Greg and Sue Wynn's family of 6 along with Franny Wynn their sister.

We have not skied together

for years, so we took this

fun opportunity to meet up with them on the slopes.

(sorry we had no "kodak moments" with them, only video.)

We skied 7 hours that day with a combined 4 wipe-outs between the swede and myself.

(not bad for a pair of fifty-something year olds.)

I could barely get out of bed this morning.

Is that really a......

2011-01-27T20:01:00.000-07:00

..fiddler on my neighbors roof?

Here is a closer look from my kitchen window zoomed in with camera.

I am not sure if it was the atmosphere that day, but

the next day I looked out the window and he was gone.........

A lesson on: SKIN

2011-01-18T08:00:00.000-07:00

When you reach the age of 25 years old your own skin starts the process of slowing down. It's natural elasticity or better said; the making of the skins collagen(protein) starts slowing down.

I remember when I reached that age how I panicked!

20 year old in this photo.

I have vowed that I will try to do what I can to keep

my skin looking great so that I will not resort to facial surgery.

I am trying to embrace this attitude with optimism.

Now that I am approaching the wonderful exciting age of 53,

this is how I have resolved to keep my

skin looking....hummm..well,not so "old" looking.

I adhere to 10 essential habits with my skin that I will not comprise.

:-)

1. I must have a humidifier going at all times of the day and night

(except when I am at work).

2. Must drink 3-4 glasses of a water type liquid each day.

3. Use retinol capsules daily to help "exfoliate" the dead cells.

4. I have found thru the years of aging that the skin needs to be

sloughed a lot and in order to do this I use a

white face cloth with my morning cleanser.

5. I give myself mini facial manipulations weekly.

6. I eat a tablespoon of tomato paste daily. This has liposone in it

that is beneficial to the skin and helps with circulation.

7. I sleep 8 hrs a night.

(your skin needs the rest from facial

expression, environment and gravity).

8. I use a daytime moisturizer heavy with humectants that will not absorb quickly into the skin and will help my skin look moist.

9. The use of a night time moisturizer helps in the nourishment and'

promotion of "new cell" regeneration

( it's all about "new cell" generation that keep the skin looking younger).

10. Think Young..(although, aging has it's benefits).

OK, you may not know this but I was a licensed Esthetician many moons ago.

well..... off to find the.....

CATTUS

2011-01-13T09:37:00.000-07:00

T oxoplasmosis,

Bartonella henselae....

I suffer from these bacterias periodically.

I bet you're wondering what in the

heck (hell) is that?

I will give you some clues...

It comes from licking, biting, scratching.

It comes from the litter box.

It comes from working in my garden soil.

OK, can you guess who is primarily responsible for this disease?

My cat, Brutus!

It affects my stomach, intestines, and joints and the only way

I can keep it under control is by taking

an antibiotic or sulfa drug.

I know most people wouldn't tolerate this, but,

I have become attached to this "big boy".

He follows me everywhere in the house.

He is usually found on my lap or in my arms.

He can't sleep with me anymore because

these bacterias are hidden in his paws

(that are used in the litter box...get the picture?)

It's just one of those things in life I have to put up with because:

4th Goal Accomplished!

2011-01-12T18:41:00.001-07:00

This is my final Christmas quilt made for Dallas' my youngest and fourth daughter. The pictures below are how I made this "wonky" 9 patch.
It is made out of flannel fabric with a "minkey" back.
Joanna (my cousin's wife machine quilted her magic on this one.

1.1.11

2011-01-01T15:26:00.000-07:00

"Every day you may make progress. Every step may be fruitful.
Yet there will stretch out before you an ever-lengthening, ever-ascending, ever-improving path.
You know you will never get to the end of the journey.
But this, so far from discouraging, only adds to the joy and glory of the climb."

Sir Winston Churchill

What will 2011 Bring??

2011-01-01T15:18:00.000-07:00

At the close of 2010 my life was fairly ordinary.

I discovered even more so, I love hiking and enjoying the great outdoors.

Working has given me opportunities to meet some fun and interesting people.

The drive to Sandy isn't so bad...except when there is construction.

My need to be active is still a positive force in my life.

(boredom is not my friend)

While the swede was gone for four days, I decided that I needed a New Years center piece.

Those of you that know me and have been in my home

know that holidays bring me joy and that I have the need to decorate.

Wishing you.... A Happy Year of 2011!!

Collage of 2010 Christmas

2010-12-29T08:43:00.000-07:00

Here are some brief moments in time of the Holiday Season 2010,

Katlin, Dallas, Ariel.

Ariel's 25th birthday dinner at Cafe Trio

Mom's grave..dad really enjoys sending mom our love

...via setting balloons free.

Celebrating Juana's b-day in December.

The traditional puzzle

(This year, one of Park City, Utah)

(We missed Katlin helping on this one.)

Great afternoon snowshoeing with two men I love.

(the swede & brother Reed)

The family on Christmas Eve.

DeVry women at our Christmas lunch

(look how young they are!)

(Harvest restaurant Thanksgiving Point)

Shopping at "The Gateway"...(Sur La Table)

Four years with these fun and interesting women.

(Bookends -Book Group)

Joy To The World

2010-12-24T16:56:00.000-07:00

Christmas is about the Saviour and his great gift to

the world, his life and his mission and perfect

example of love to all man kind.

Wishing you a very Merry Christmas and a wonderful New Year!

lefty & fifty-three

V Ball

Polish Chandelier

The Egg Money Quilt

Leisure Adventure

The Day After Christmas Party

The Christmas Card

DeVry Holiday Lunch

Table Top Tree

Christmas Past

Return to Reality

I am grateful...

Sunday Dessert

Deep in the Heart-Texas Bound

Adobe Halloween Event

Yummy Pumpkin Donuts

Weekend Warriors

Halloween Retro blog

Oooh..Scarey!

A Fab Friday

What is so special about today?

...not to be disappointed..

JJ DI LUIGI

All in an Hour....

Melanie Swenson - Living Well video

I'll Let you in....

At work..

On the trail again

Montage of Family Summer Vacation Final Cut

Family adventures take 3

Yee Haw..ATV Ride

More to Come

Because it's the 4th!

Family Camp

When family comes to visit...

Middle age "Crush"

Marriage in Missouri

it started to rain...

The Octogenarian..

Living in... Mother's Day

MAY DAY with a Dance in my step

MS FOR MS

We can only hope

Mother Earth...I love you..

Kat

Announcing Spring

Spring's Birth

APRIL 2

Car History

Thoughts on March Madness

SPRING EQUINOX

I need more...

My Friend..

International Woman's Day 2011

..ahh, the Irish

CATS

..and the winner is...

You are invited to my...

It started with...

Love Meter

The Queen of Hearts

Gotta Love Utah

The Best Investment

Why can't I let it....

After all these years of trying to raise neat and organized children

I am still learning how to pick my battles.

Google Me

Melanie Terry Swenson | Facebook

Lola...again: Dog Christmas Stocking

Happy G-Hog Day

Sixteen years ago....

Luxury in the Mountains..

Is that really a......

A lesson on: SKIN

CATTUS

4th Goal Accomplished!

1.1.11

What will 2011 Bring??

Collage of 2010 Christmas

Joy To The World