Movie Day

Today is a perfect movie day. I have been recording Hallmark movies for the last week or so, and have 4 or 5 on the DVR. So, while I'm doing laundry and baking banana bread, I think I'll be watching them! I'm half-way through one, and have a fresh pot of coffee waiting for me. I think I'll refill my cup, start another load of laundry, and enjoy the day of Hallmark movies!

Bread

I love bread. Unfortunately, my previous attempts to bake bread have not proven as successful as they could have been; yeast and I always have a fight, and it usually wins. I decided to be sneaky, and bought a bread machine. I'm in love with my new bread machine!

Last weekend I made the dough for bread bowls, followed by a sweet bread with honey and cinnamon. We just finished the last of the sweet bread this morning (it made a pretty delicious toast for breakfast!) so I'm now making honey oat bread.

My house smells fabulous, and I didn't have to fight with the yeast or sweat it out through the kneading process! The boys seem to enjoy it, too... although I might have heard a complaint or two about potentially expanding waistlines...

Sisters...

Tonight we had dinner at The Olive Garden... which made me think of Holly since it's her favorite restaurant. That made me think of all my special memories with my sisters - I love them both so much! I wish we all lived closer so we could spend time together, maybe even sister time at The Olive Garden! :)

In honor of my two beautiful, wonderful sisters:

Jenna - I love how logical, empathetic, and devoted you are.

Holly - I love how intelligent, creative, and loving you are.

Most of all, I am so glad you're my sisters! I wish I could be more like each of you... I am proud of both of you, and honored that each of you are a part of my life, sharing with me and being my best friends.

Boys and Guns

Josh, Donovan and Taylor went out shooting at a friend's yesterday. They were too busy with their guns to get many pictures, but here are a couple...

Josh with his newest - a pistol-grip shotgun...

Donovan as he shoots for the first time... Taylor and some friends are gathered around to watch. Of course, they're all waiting their turns to shoot!

The boys had fun doing their "boy" things... and Donovan is already looking forward to his next trip out to use the guns!

Phoenix and Family

I had a wonderful time last week in Phoenix and California with family! Some pictures from my adventures...

Chae and I after our coffee date

Gram and I

Me, outside the General Patton Memorial Museum and West Coast Vietnam Memorial Wall

The view from the top of the Palm Springs Aerial Tram... a 2.5 mile ride up into the mountains; from 75 degrees to snow within 15 minutes!

Me, at the top of the mountain

Doug's piano, on loan from a friend...

And me playing that piano... I loved being able to sit down for a few minutes and play! One of these days I'll live with a piano again...

The trip was short, but wonderful. I enjoyed the family time and the few quiet moments shared with those I love. I love my family!

The Bathroom

Thanks to mom and dad's generosity, we were finally able to buy a matching bathroom set! We purchased new towels, shower curtain, and bathroom accessories. Here they are:

We love the look of the brown, and my favorite color is blue. The combination of blue and brown is nice. Our bathroom now feels so luxurious!

A close-up of the accessories... these are the two jars for holding cotton balls and q-tips. We also got a kleenex sleeve, toothbrush holder, lotion holder, and matching shower curtain hooks.

A view of the entire bathroom, thanks to the mirror. :) I think I need to go enjoy this new bathroom while taking a bath... :)

Josh is a Graduate!

Josh has finished his Bachelor's degree in Computer Science... he did it in two years, while working part-time for the IT department, and maintained a 3.9 GPA. I am so proud of him! :)

I'm not the only one... he received his graduation present from my dad (THANK YOU, DAD!) and used it to buy a shotgun.

Taylor is proudly displaying Josh's new Mossberg 12-gauge tactical shotgun...


The boys immediately changed the handle to the pistol grip.


Josh has worked hard, and is THRILLED to be done. GREAT JOB, JOSH!!! :)
Now we're looking forward to the next phase of our lives...