What do groundhogs know?

Groundhog said spring was still 6 weeks away, but my tulips say otherwise.  Even though they are still completely surrounded by snow, they are trying to make their way up!! Can't wait!

Hiking in February?

Yep. That's right. We went hiking in February.  We left our house with 2 feet of snow on our lawn and drove to St. George where it was sunny and beautiful.  It was a tad chilly to be perfect weather, but none the less we were outside without huge coats and hats and gloves.  He hiked a little around the red rocks. It was nice to get outside and then 4 hours later - we were back to the snow covered Earth - where it continues to snow.  It was a nice break in the whiteness that surrounds us now.

November Wrap Up

Paul's birthday.  Having a summer birthday I have never had to work on my birthday.

This year his birthday was only 3 days before Thanksgiving.   Another year older...

J the pilgrim man.

My family all came and we had a great time together. The weather was beautiful and we had room for everyone to sit in their own chair and not on top of someone else.  Shopping was eventful - and we didn't even brave the 5 o'clock crowds!!  Love this holiday season!  J and I make turkey's and a holiday wreath.

We also made gingerbread houses, and ate a little too much candy.

Now, on to the next holiday!  Love all the decorations and traditions!!  It should be a fun couple of weeks.

Games and Grapes

I had the chance to go to the last week games this week. Once with P and once with E. They were fun games.  The first one was a striped game and we were in the white section. The second was a normal game, so I got to wear my true blue colors. They were only a week apart but it is amazing the temperature drop that happened during the week. First game, I had my tshirt on with a hoodie only the last few minutes. The second game - I was in my hoodie and double shirt to begin with, add a coat and blanket and it was still a bit chilly.  But we won both games and the company was great! (even enjoyed a stale cougar tail.)

When I am not cheering my team on - I am making grape juice! We have a ton of grapes in the backyard. My neighbor told me how to do it and gave us a sample. It was really good and I have decided to give it a try. Funny - because I am not a canner. I haven't canned anything, but grapes are coming out like crazy. It is really good, and I am excited that I made it myself!!!

From Grape Vine...

to Grape Juice.

Yum.  

(Even saved an old bottle, so it looks official.)

DORY CAKE

I made the birthday cake for J yesterday. He wanted a Dory cake from "Finding Nemo"  I made it. For the most part - it turned out pretty good. A couple of weird things (like at certain angles the eyes look crossed) but overall turned out good. 

 

Need to learn to keep my hand out of the flash!!

Chalk the Block

This weekend there was a Chalk Festival that we decided to go and see. There were some incredible chalk paintings.  It took them 2 days to complete. We heard that there was one (which looked like one of the more simple designs)  that took the person 21 hours to complete.   There were some amazing drawings there.  Too bad it rained the next day. Guess that is all part of the experience.

Me and Tinkerbell

 This one is Titled "A Hole to China"  

It looks like they busted through the pavement, and dug a hole and came out on the

other side in China.  

This one is the stained glass window from the end of the movie

"Beauty and the Beast"

(It got dark - quick!)

Yard Work...

Seems like it is a never ending job.  We decided to tackle a couple of the big projects today.  Since the lady before us, didn't take very good care of the yard, we had some clean up to do.  We were originally just going to work on the front yard, but since the rain storm last night, it soften the back fence area, and we decided to go for it.  

Since we don't have a wheel barrow and the neighbors was broken, P thought he was pretty smart in making this (even though I did it about a month ago, he can take the credit - that's ok.)  We hitched up the sleds and got pulling. They worked great, since we could just rake the junk onto it and lift together right into the truck. Maybe even better than a barrow.  

It took 2 loads to the dump, but now it looks great!!!

Without further ado - here is the progress...

The tree in the front yard now looks like a tree!  It looks smaller, in control and I can see and water the other side so much easier.  Also, no more battles when trying to mow the lawn.  (It scratches when you get close!)

Here is the part of the yard between the fence and the canal.  P has big plans for this area back here. They will have to wait till next year, but for now - I can walk back there!!!

Then I got a coupon to a nursery for my birthday.  We went and got this little plant.  It is the green one in the middle.  It hasn't been planted yet, but Monday is always another day.

It was a productive day, so that feels great! (and a little tiring.)