" GIVE- A- WAY "...and Is It Spring Yet?

Yesterday, the wind blew like CRAZY...see that line of dust blowing along at the base of the mountain. See the cloud above, it has a mouth and it looks like it's blowing the dust about!
All over the state it blew, north of me there were gusts 75mph and more!

So WELCOME to my front porch this morning...we woke up to SNOW!
Poor little bear and just when he thought it was safe to come out of hibernation too!

A nice pelting of snow...for the truck

And for the roads, this is out in front of my home.

It must have been real slick because there were cars going off the road.

A bit on the red rock behind our home too...

And across the road in front, lots of snow on Boulder Mountain last night. I am grateful for the snow, it will make our grass green and bless the newly planted crops here in this dry area.
And yes, I still believe..."Someday my Spring will come!" :)

~~~~~~

"A LITTLE GIVE A WAY"

Each month I am going to give a...SMALL GIVE A WAY...

a vintage apron and a couple of goodies to go with it.

I have about 12 of these vintage aprons and each one is different from the others.
I thought I'd start with this one, it's a cute little pink gingham,
with scalloped edges and pretty work all over the front.

It's different, delicate and cute. It even has a tiny mend at the waist,
that makes me think that it was used and loved by some dear lady.

Along with this little apron I'll send a bag of....

"Dilettante Chocolate Covered Fruit Mix"...

and a pair of pink "Aloe-Infused Socks"...

to make your feet all soft and pretty for
those summer sandals!



This is a quick GIVE A WAY...
I will pick the winner by tomorrow (Friday) night...
I will announce the WINNER on Saturday!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

GIVE A WAY IS NOW CLOSED!
~A WINNER HAS BEEN SELECTED~
(Thanks to all who entered)

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~


You know me...All you have to do is...
Leave a comment!

Good luck...Sending all of you...
ALL MY LOVE

GREAT and FUNNY TRUTHS....(Woo Hoo Wednesday)

(This was in a little local newspaper, I thought it was cute, passing it on to you!)

"GREAT TRUTHS LITTLE CHILDREN HAVE LEARNED"

1) No matter how hard you try, you can't baptize cats.

2) When Mom is made at Dad, don't let her brush your hair.

3) If your sister hits you, don't hit her back. They always catch the 2nd person.

4) Never ask your 3-year old brother to hold a tomato.

5) You can't trust dogs to watch your food.

6) Don't sneeze when someone is cutting your hair.

7) Never hold a Dust-Buster and a cat at the same time.

8) You can't hide a piece of broccoli in a glass of milk.

9) Don't wear polka-dot underwear under white shorts.

10) The best place to be when you're sad is in Grandma's lap.

" GREAT TRUTHS THAT ADULTS HAVE LEARNED"

1) Raising teenagers is like nailing jelly to a tree.
2) Wrinkles don't hurt.
3) Families are like fudge...mostly sweet, with a few nuts.
4) Today's mighty oak is just yesterday's nut that held it's ground.
5) Laughing is good exercise. It's like jogging on the inside.
6) Middle age is when you choose your cereal for the fiber, not the toy.

" THE FOUR STAGES OF LIFE"

1) You believe in Santa Claus.
2) You don't believe in Santa Claus.
3) You are Santa Claus
4) You look like Santa Claus.

" SUCCESS "

At age 4 success is....Not piddling in your pants.
At age 12 success is....Having friends.
At age 17 success is....Having a drivers license.
At age 35 success is....having money.
At age 50 success is....Having money....
At age 70 success is Having a drivers license.
At age 75 success is....Having friends.
At age 80 success is....Not piddling in your pants.

Always remember to forget the troubles that pass your way;
BUT NEVER forget the blessings that come each day.

Now go have a great WOO HOO DAY!
~~~~~~~


Linking to...WOO HOO WEDNESDAY
http://always nesting.blogspot.com

OUR LOVE of POPCORN POPPING....

" At our home, we LOVE popcorn "

When our kids were younger...

every Sunday night (or) Monday night for

"Family Home Evening"...we got the popcorn maker out and popped a HUGE bowl full.

We each had our own little bowl and everyone would dig in and the drink we loved with it was Orange Juice. We would all settle in and watch a movie together...by the time the movie was over, the wood stove had really warmed up the basement family room and everyone was ready to head off to bed.

We did this every week...adding brownies
or some other chocolate goodie

to go with the popcorn.

Our kids always enjoyed this
and half the time the neighbor kids joined in too.

Our children are married now but they still love to pop popcorn

in their homes for their families.
It just adds joy and excitement to

say; "Who wants popcorn?"
And the answer is always a chorus of "I DO! "

This is the popper we have used over the years
we have been through 2 or 3 of these...

I love the way it air pops so light and fluffy!

You can put 1/3 cup of Kernels in a brown paper lunch bag,

fold it twice put it in the microwave for about 3 minutes til all popped!

Or use what ever microwave brand you like...

there are zillions of ways to flavor popcorn.

~~~~~~~~

Here are a few popcorn ideas for you...

(" Chocolate Malt ")....6 T. sugar..3 T. unsweetened cocoa..6 T. malted milk powder. This makes
15 T....Toss 5 T mixture with 1 bag popcorn (store the extra)

(" Apple Cinnamon ")....11/3 cups (2oz.) freeze-dried apples or apple chips...2 T. confectioners'
sugar...1/2 tsp. cinnamon. Makes 12 T. Toss mixture with 1 bag of popcorn.

(" Sweet Chili ")....3 T. confectioners' sugar...1/2 tsp. cinnamon...1 T chili powder,
1/4 tsp. salt...1/4 tsp. cayenne pepper or more to taste...1 1/2 tsp. paprika.
Makes 9 T...Toss about 21/2 T. mixture with one bag of popcorn.

(" Barbecue ")....3 3/4 smoked paprika...3 1/2 tsp. garlic powder...1 1/2 T onion powder
2 1/2 T. light brown sugar...1/4 tsp. salt...1 1/2 T. parsley flakes...Makes 12 T.
Toss 4 T mixture with 1 bag popcorn.

(" Bacon & Herb ")...1/4 cup grated Parmesan and 2 T. real bacon bits ground together...
1 1/2 tsp. parsley flakes..3/4 tsp. sugar..1/2 tsp. paprika.
Makes 10 T....Toss 5 T. mixture with 1 bag popcorn.

(" Butterscotch ")...8 butterscotch hard candies finely crushed...
Toss with 1 bag of popcorn.

~~~~~~~~~

In 1957 a song came out that I used to sing in Primary,
I loved it, we would do actions to it.

My children grew up singing and now their children sing it too,
it's so fun at Spring time...
as well as at any time!

" POPCORN POPPING "

I looked out the window and what did I see?
Popcorn popping on the apricot tree!
Spring had brought me such a nice surprise,
Blossoms popping right before my eyes.

I could take an armful and make a treat,
A popcorn ball that would smell so sweet.
It wasn't really so, but it seemed to be
Popcorn popping on the apricot tree....POP!
(Georgia W. Bello) 1957


I hope you are all out there enjoying Spring time...
~Sending each of you...All my love~

" HUGGING "....is so nice!

Hugging is so healthy...it helps the immune system, cures depression,

reduces stress, and induces sleep. It's invigorating, rejuvenating,

and has no unpleasant side effects. Hugging is nothing less than a miracle drug.

Hugging is all natural. It is organic, naturally sweet, with no artificial
ingredients, it's non-polluting, environmentally friendly,
and 100 percent wholesome.

Hugging is the ideal gift to give someone. Great for any occasion,

fun to give and receive, shows that you care, comes with it's own

wrapping, and, of course, is fully returnable.

Hugging is practically perfect. No batteries to wear out,

inflation-proof, non-fattening, no monthly payments,

theft-proof, and nontaxable, now that makes me smile!

Hugging is an under-utilized resource with magical powers.

When we open our hearts and arms, we encourage others

to do the same thing.

Think of the people in your life. Are there any words

you'd like to say? Are there any hugs you want to share?

Are you waiting and hoping someone else will ask first?

Obey that warm heart-ed impulse...
please don't wait.... Initiate!

I just wanted to send each of you a BIG HUG...
You have helped me laugh and even shed a tear or two
because of the joy your love and kindness has brought to me.

You are each... beyond amazing...
What did I ever do before I knew you?!
Thank you for the "lift" you have given to me,
I love everyone of you, my sweet sisters and friends!

" SPRING TIME.... HEALING TIME "

This is part of Capitol Reef National Park...it is 15 min. from our home.

We went there for a Spring picnic...a day of warmth, peace, joy and healing.

My son in law Michael and me and the dogs...just enjoying nature.

This giant red rock wall rises up right in front of your face,
it takes my breath away every time I go there!

My daughter Lindsey and her husband Michael came for the weekend to help...

they cleaned house went to the grocery store for me. Nothing like a daughter,

when you need a listening ear! (she is due in July)

So many wedding pictures are taken on the bridge,

no wonder, with such a beautiful backdrop!

Cougar loved the 3 foot pile of dried leaves from last Fall...

And he just has to get his belly in water every time!

I loved it too....

We spent several hours here, picnicking ...

Laying on blankets on the grass, in the warm sun...napping~

This is..." The Castle "...everywhere one looks here there is such beauty,

and you're not just looking down on it... your right in it...I love that!

~~~~~~

Is any sick among you?

Let him call for the elders of the church;

and let them pray over him,

anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord:

And the prayer of faith shall save the sick,

and the Lord shall raise him up;

pray one for another, that ye may be healed.

The effectual prayer of a righteous man availeth much.

James 5:14-16

~~~~~~~~~~

Whatsoever thing ye shall ask the Father in my name,
which is good, in faith believing that ye shall receive,
it shall be done unto you.
Have miracles ceased? Behold I say unto you,
Nay; neither have angels ceased to minister
unto the children of men.
Moroni 7:26,29
~~~~~

I want you to know, that I know...I have been blessed.
When I was in the Life Flight Helicopter and had been hemorrhaging
for 5 hours already and my blood count was crashing...I really wondered...
"Am I going to make it!"

My friend Tracey said to me today...
" TODAY'S TEST IS TOMORROW'S TESTIMONY"
I loved that, it is so true for me.

I bear witness to you that...Miracles have not ceased...
God and Jesus Christ are REAL...
and they are very much ever aware of us.

I was given a blessing by the power of God,
and through the great faith, that he has given to me,
and his tender mercies toward me...
I was protected and blessed... that I may now heal.

I am so grateful and humbled... and I so love my Father in Heaven
and my Savior Jesus Christ. I am so thankful for the Gift and power of the Holy Ghost,
he is our constant companion if we allow him to be.

I thank each of you my sweet sisters...
for your advise, encouragement, prayers and your love
that you have so generously given to me.
May God bless each of you, with every blessing that you need.

I am joining...(http://www.alwaysnesting.blogspot.com)
for WOO HOO! WENDNESDAY

AMBULANCE + LIFE FLIGHT + 2ND SURGERY ... Too much in one day!

Tuesday the 13th was a pretty eventful day to say the least! (My daughter took these pictures on her cell phone) I had been feeling really good but I was still just sitting around, taking it easy. I was sitting at the computer when...WHAM...I felt like I had started a period (in a big way). I hurried into the bathroom and tried to take care of it but just couldn't...it was happening more and faster than I could keep up with.

I called my doctor and she wasn't in, finally found someone to talk to...they said to call 911 NOW and get to a hospital. I couldn't get a hold of my daughter and my husband was 2 hours away. Now, I have to tell you that there is a clinic here with one doctor and some PA's and thats it. I called the clinic and luckily the one doctor was there...so I pulled on some sweats and drove myself to the clinic! Shortly after I got there, my daughter Lisa had got the message and she came right to the clinic.

The doctor examined me and said he couldn't take care of the problem...he ordered an ambulance....it took time to get the volunteer driver and EMT's together...they loaded me up and sent me on over the mountain (1 hour drive) to a hospital. Meanwhile, the doctor at the clinic had made arrangements for a Gyno. specialist to be there for me when I got there. My daughter Lisa followed the ambulance with my husband headed to the hospital too.

That was the bumpiest ride ever and I was in PAIN...but the EMT's were really good to me. When we got to the hospital...the Gyno. specialist had been called away for an emergency delivery! They cut my shirt off me and the PA at the hospital tried to examine me but I was so swollen he could hardly do it and it was SO painful. They did a CAT scan on me, that didn't show why this was happening. My blood levels were dropping pretty fast, I had been passing tons of clots along with steady bleeding for a couple of hours or so now. I had hemorrhaged years before with a delivery but it was not as bad as this.
So the hospital called for a Life Flight Helicopter from Salt Lake City (3 hours away) to come get me and take me to Salt Lake City. My blood levels are dropping fast...it took about an hour and a half maybe, and in walked the Life Flight crew.


I felt like I was in good hands now..(and they were so cute too LOL) They took over and got me ready to go. It was quite the thing to be the reason for all this fuss going on...I felt like this wasn't really happening to me...(I'm the gal who walks 3-4 miles a day)..strong and healthy! They were so tender and kind and worked so quick getting me ready to go. Lisa went back over the mountain to her kids and Ron headed to Salt Lake City in his truck.


They wheeled me outside...I remember thinking how beautiful the stars were and what a beautiful bright red helicopter...and to be honest.....I wondered if I would live or die on this flight....they loaded me on and they all got into place. They put ear jacks over my ears because the helicopter was SO loud. They got me settled and covered up with warm blankets and we had lift off.


I think I prayed the whole way...we hit air turbulence and we were shaking....they held onto me to comfort me...pretty soon I could see the lights of Salt Lake City below us...we passed around and behind the Capitol building and landed soft as a feather on top of the hospital.
They wheeled me in just as it was starting to be stormy...some of my children were waiting there....from then on everything was flying...people... doctors...they took me right into surgery to find out and fix what ever the problem was. While I was in surgery Ron got to the hospital, he had driven about 13 hours on this day.

When I came to, my doctor said they weren't even sure what had happened. They went in and restitched and double stitched everything....THEY SAID IT WAS NOTHING I DID.....
either as the stitches were dissolving a tiny corner started a slow bleed or tissue tore loose or.....no one knows what happened.

Perhaps my mission on this earth is not over yet, I felt like through all of this, I was being watched over, protected, helped and blessed...life is awesome!

THE CHANCES OF THIS HAPPENING ARE LIKE ONE PERCENT OR LESS..(and it had to happen to me, a person who lives a 4 hour drive from SLC) My doctor said that she had never seen this happen and the other doctor had seen it twice, ever. I am not in nearly as much pain as the previous 2 weeks, so maybe thats a good sign!

They kept me in the hospital 2 days, my children came to love and support me and those that couldn't called constantly...my blood levels were at 22...they gave me blood transfusions and when my levels reached 29 they sent me home. I am feeling a bit shaky and very weak and tired and they have me on iron pills and I am eating good.... hopefully I will recover now without any further delays or problems!

SO....now you know why I have not been around to say hi to all of you....But I wanted to explain... since I am getting some questions asking where I am and if all is ok. I am still really weak....I will try to come and say hi to you....if I don't get a comment to each of you, please know that I am reading your sweet posts and keeping up with you in spirit. I will get back to posting more and commenting as I feel good enough to do so.

I send "ALL OF MY LOVE" to each of you...my dearest sisters and friends...hopefully we can all quite talking about this...it's getting pretty boring to me! I am more than READY to move on now...to get out there and enjoy SPRING...Yes, it's finally here! XOXO's to each of you!

" OH THE FUN WE HAVE "....

A replica of the bottle caps that were on the milk bottles of my husbands family dairy.

Cloe in the old fashioned farm swing~

Indian pictures...

Lunch outside at the old farm house,

thanks to my daughter Lindsey and hub Michael~

Babes to be bathed...little Ella~

Pictures to be colored...by Emry~

Some of our kids standing around watching their kids ride 4 wheelers~

~Emry~

~Cloe~

~Natalie and Brody~

~2 year old Caleb~

~Kelton~

~Caleb waiting his turn~

...and waiting...

Some of the older grand kids WAY UP on the mountain behind our house~

Our son in law Michael

Brickelle and Cougar

Ron and I and Ella...yes, I look like a ghost since surgery!

Time for dinner....Our kids each took a night to furnish dinner,
it was SO nice!

Yummy pizza!

Kelsey and Brickelle up in the tree~

We had 3 Birthdays to celebrate...

Kelsey's...Tiffany's and Brickell's....FUN

Little sisters Close and Emry...who says we can't make ends meet around here?!

The semi-teens chatting it up in the tree at sunset~

Our family bond fire pit just down the hill from our home.

Tiff keeping our little Zack warm~

We love to have bond fires and sit around and talk

and roast marshmallows and eat S'mores.

Cougar loves to love everyone!

Four days of fun...We sure had a house full of our kids and grand kids!

It was so much fun to just be together and visit and play.

Our kids each were in charge of a dinner and when they all left

they pitched in and cleaned the house too....

I was so grateful because I am still so tired .


Sorry about so many pictures but how do you choose?

Next post is a GIVE A WAY :D