Other People's Blogs

I noticed that I had two different friends start blogs today.  Cora started a cute blog with an initial post on a how to project and Julie started one about taking a break from Facebook.  Then looking at the comments from Julie's I find that my pastor and my friend Jill also started blogs recently.  

It is starting to make me feel like there is a resurgence in the blogging community and I would gladly welcome that.  Blogs to me seem to promote much more self expression than the more prevalent realms of social media (i.e. facebook, twitter... ect.).  Everything is interchangeable, from the backgrounds used to decorate to the type face and placing.   It really lets you see what the person is all about.  Plus blogs let authors get much more in depth with the content that is provided.  

I personally follow many blogs on a variety of subjects like couponing, photography, and digital scrapbooking just to name a few.  

All this talk about blogs is making me think I should update my own, but what to write about?

Home Movies

Just to let you know I still keep an assortment of updated videos at the bottom of this blog.  The latest is the kids splashing in a puddle area.

Who likes humming birds?

Ever since I found out about the hummingbird banding that they do by the San Pedro House I've been itching to go, but the days that they do it and my little calender did not seem to mix.  That is until the banding yesterday.

For those of you who don't know banding is when they capture a bird, take all it's measurements, write down lots of data on it, then give it a little anklette and then let it go.  For hummingbird banding the letting it go is the fun part.

After all the weights and measures, they let the hummingbird have a snack from the feeder and then place it into someone's hand.  That person get's just hold the hummingbird until it is ready to fly off and that person can be anyone who happens to show up to the banding.  I showed up to the banding.  I also happened to have brought Mara and my dad with me.  It was a blast and we will defiantly do it again.

Tim says the next time we should put Mara in her Snow White costume.

Monument Fire (and Garden Fire)

Well the fire is mostly contained now but I did want to share a bit of news... On one of the days when the post wanted to make some fire lines without doing any back burning decided to bulldoze some fire lines.  Well when bulldozers hit a certain type of rock they cause sparks and since they were clearing dry brush away it caught on fire quickly and sparked a totally different fire.  The Garden fire.  I just thought my brothers would like to see how close it came to Mom's house

Day 1/365 Grateful

The other day I ran across this article with a video about this photographer who decided to do a 365 project about being grateful.  I thought that was neat so I think I will do the same.  I hope you enjoy.

This is some coffee my friend Amy got me when we went walking together.  I always enjoy spending some time with her and I thought it was sweet of her to get me a coffee too.

Hormel Compleats Kids Meals a Review

Through SheSpeaks Hormel asked that I try the Compleats Kids Meals and then write a review.  (Actually in the program survey to see if you qualify it asked specifically if you had a blog and if so would you be willing to write a review... I clicked Yes)

Anyways in the mail today came a package of four different meals to try (1) Spaghetti and Meatballs, (2) Pasta and Chicken, (3) Beef Ravioli, and (4) Macaroni and Beef.  They looked kinda neat... like T.V. dinners for small people.  They all had the same directions.  Poke it, throw in the micro for 45 secs and then let chill for a min.

Well with all this variety I let the kids pick out their own meals.  Mara picked out the Spaghetti and Meatballs.    When asked what she thought she said she like it and ate it all gone.

Theresa picked the Ravioli.  When asked if she liked it she said she was being careful and would not burn herself.  Then she continued to eat.  I thought that was a yes.  She ate 3/4 of her bowl

Timmy picked a box and started eating it.  It was the Pasta and Chicken box.  When I actually made it he seemed to like it.  I didn't get any pictures of him though because I was feeding him.  It's hard to do both at the same time.  He ate it all gone.

Overall the kids liked it, and it was fast and convenient.  On the inside of the box it had some games to play as a family and each kiddo got a sticker.  They really liked those.  I'm on the fence as to whether to buy them or not.  I'm not a real big micro dinner girl but maybe when we have a sitter cause Tim and I are going out.  I'll have to check what the price is.  We'll see.

Hormel Foods provided samples ofHormel® Compleats® Kids Microwave Meals for me and my family to try. No payment was given and as always, all opinions given here are fully my own. 

church without walls

Church is not a place of four walls that people meet in on Sunday but a community of believers that stretches back through time to the Church of Acts and far into the future.  It encompasses all believers and should stretch out it's hand to the community surrounding it.  To celebrate we had Church Without Walls this last Sunday at the Park.  Fun times

Later that day I went to my mom's house and took some pictures of her flowers.  I hope you like.

Car Wash

I went and took pictures of the car wash my church was hosting.  It was kinda fun.  Here are the best ones.

Marching Along

Well so far March is going along well.  I got a new camera as a tax return present and so there will be many pictures to come.  The kids had a fun birthday party, Timmy turned 1 and Mara turned 6.  We celebrated at the park with some good friends and family.  Christen (my sis-in-law) made the cakes again.  She did an awesome job doing a Noah's ark cake for Timmy and a Castle Cake for Mara.  (I helped with the castle cake).

After the party we went up to my parents new house in Pinetop.  The kids had a blast hiking all around.  While there we saw Elk, Squirrels, a Skunk, Crawdad.  Plus we saw a Coyote on the way back.  Although the kids favorite part was going to the park and sliding on the slide.  Plus we got to eat at Charlie Clark's, supper yummy.  Mara wants to go back again.

This month, so far

We started this month with my dad's birthday.  Then I went to Mrs. William's Christmas Party.  A cool train playdate.  Bunco with the girls (Lori stole my camera for part of it).  Then a 6 year old's birthday party.  Just in case your wondering what all the pictures are.  Oh, I also got the girls a cardboard castle.

hello 2011

Well another year has started and it seems that normally it is accompanied by sets of new resolutions to do or not do something in particular.  Well why not jump in on the band wagon and make a list of stuff to do this year. I don't know how resolved I really am at these items but I do plan on doing them for at least a month or two.

1.  Well I do not plan on taking more pictures this year.  But I do plan on taking more purposeful photos this year.  To have more planning and forethought go into them before I push the shutter button.  To consider light and background.  Not that I won't take lots of pictures this year, but I want to take better pictures this year.  (F.Y.I. I ended up shooting 3,401 pictures this last year)

2.  Couponing seems to be a popular trend that I'm going to get back into and currently seem to be doing alright.  If I get any supper stellar deals I'll try and let you know.

3.  I plan on getting more sleep.  A well rested Mom is a happier more productive Mom.  In fact why don't I get to that right now.  There are some more things to add but why don't I end here for now and I'll get back to it another day.

Besides, I'm kinda wondering who besides my Mom and Sis-in-law happen to read this.  Leave a comment to let me know.