These Turned Out Pretty Well...

Now to see what the Littles think!

Grandma Dee’s Healthier Cookies

Blend:

3 Mashed Bananas (ripe)

1/4-1/3 c maple syrup

1/2 c coconut oil

Add and blend:

2 eggs

2 tsp. Vanilla

Add:

2 c oats

1 1/2  c fine ground whole wheat flour

1 1/2 - 2 tsp. baking soda

1 c Raisins or dark chocolate chips or other chips...

Preheat oven to 350. Bake for 13-15 minutes! Yummy!

A Very Good Anniversary

I am beyond thankful to hear Luke and Jon both express how very glad they both are for this day 2 years ago!

Jon wanted a dad for so many years- and Luke is so grateful to be able to adopt Jon!

It warms my heart to see them together!

So Very Thankful!

  

This picture is typical Luke. He loves us and loves to play!

I am so VERY thankful for Luke! He tries to be the best he can at all times. (and he succeeds so often!) His poor health has been a challenge in so many ways- makes it difficult to get out, stay up late, do many things- but Luke still has his amazing sense of fun and wonderful sense of humor!

I am so thankful for my home, our great abundance of food, clothing, basic necessities, and I am so thankful for a wonderful job with amazing co-worker/friends!

And I am so very thankful for my children and grandchildren! They really are the icing on a delicious cake!

An Abundance of Leaves...

My backyard yesterday morning... Beautiful and horrible all at the same time!

I love my backyard, the trees, the shade in the summer, the birds that flock there, the room to play with my little girls! But this amount of leaves = a lot of work!!!

This is my yard yesterday afternoon- after way too many hours of work...yes, I was exhausted.

But it is worth it!!! All of the work to take care of this yard is well worth the work that goes with it.

Just like life. Luke's illness creates work for us both. Sometimes quite a lot of work, actually. But it is so very worth it to have such a great marriage with such an incredible man!

Teaching is a lot of hard work sometimes- but again, so worth it in all of the great relationships and learning for both my students and myself!

Life is full of that abundance of leaves most days- but it just means that life is also full of the beautiful, tall trees that give shade and attract birds, and give me a place to enjoy my family.

I am so blessed.

My Ash!

From this...

a 'bigger on the inside' kind of spirit...

a giant personality... 

whether sad...

or happy...

always learning...

always exploring...

having so much fun...

a great blessing to me!

Grandma Dee loves you!!!

Making Something Out of the 'Discarded'...

Only 4 more rows- then the edges! I am so excited that the end is in sight. This quilt will be for Charly. As with my other jeans quilts, pillows, pillowcases and backpacks throughout the years, this top is made from other people's discarded jeans. They were full of holes or stains or simply falling apart; no longer useful as jeans, ready for the trash. And yet, they can make something spectacular! 

Just like this beautiful quilt that I was honored to make for a good friend.

I started making jean quilts way back when I had 3 very young children and little (or no) money. I wanted to make them a quilt for their beds but had very little money to make them. I saw a jean quilt made by a neighbor and decided that since I had an abundance of soon to be discarded jeans (as I had 3 children including 2 growing and active boys!) I would also make jean quilts. 

Many years later, I still derive great satisfaction from using things others would discard...

This weekend was The General Conference of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. As I was privileged to watch and listen. I started thinking about my Savior and how he takes those who may be discarded by others and makes something beautiful and wonderful out of each and every one of us!

I am so grateful for Jesus Christ in my life and hope to always follow His example.

Officially Fall!

Yesterday: Great General Women's Conference!

16 quarts of grape juice, 3 batches of salsa, and 2 more pints of tomatoes...

plus potatoes, carrots, green beans and zucchini...

not bad for one so-so garden! Hoping to do even better next year, but this will do!

And ready to get Char's quilt on the frame.

Yes, it is fall.

Plus the 5 year anniversary of bringing Adrienne her dog run- and accepting Luke's proposal on the way!

So glad I said 'yes'!!!

I am so blessed to be married to this man!