Stress=Peach Pie

I dont know what anyone else does when they are stressed out but I love to cook or clean. I dont know why but that has always been a good stress relief for me. The bad thing is if I get carried away and there are tons of treats around! My record is a pan of brownies, a cake, homemade bread and rolls and soup oh and no bake cookies! Yikes! The neighbors have never loved me more:) Anyway the reason for my cooking this time is yet another job falling through. Its really hard to be strong when you know you are qualified and yet they keep picking other people! I know I need to keep going and something is bound to turn up or so my mom says and mom's are always right aren't they? Well I had to take a least one day to wallow in self pity and bake a pie! I will be out looking again tomorrow but until then I am going to have some pie:)

This and that and a winner!

I just got back from spending the weekend at my sister Lisa's in Seattle and we had a great time! We worked really hard trying to get our list of things done. We canned peaches and apple pie filling and dried some apples. Lisa has been working really hard on sanding her table and chairs and wanted to refinish them. We got that done then she decided she didn't like the looks of it and got painting it. Its going to be really cute when its completely done. I always have a good time with her and we always eat way too much! Its nice to have her so close though, well 4 hours away:) I am still looking for a job and I hope to hear back about one this week. This has been a huge trial in my life one that I dont want to repeat ever! I have just been so blessed with amazing people in my life who make these trials bearable. Anyway I am glad to have a chance to catch up with old friends and family through this blog. Its been so great to hear your advice and read about your lives on your own blogs. I am so grateful for all of you! I almost forgot to announce the winner of the drawing! Katie Watkins was the winner this time! I will have another drawing coming up soon so stay tuned:)

150 posts, fall and a giveaway

Its almost my favorite time of year when the leaves all start turning colors and the air is cooler. I love fall and the beauty of the earth at this time. The football games and the apples, peaches and pumpkins.I have been living here for 9 months today and it sure has been a roller coaster of emotions. Starting over in a new state and having to constantly worry about work. Its been a challenge and a reward all in one! I have met some really nice people and reunited with some from my past. Its been fun seeing the familiar spots and adventuring out to new places and things. I am so grateful that I can have these experiences. This is my 150th post on this blog and I cant believe its already been that many since my 100th! I am doing another giveaway so just leave a comment and you will be put into the drawing. I am not telling what it is this time but it is cute and fun!I will choose a winner next Monday. Thanks for being my faithful readers and good luck!

And I am proud to be an American where at least I know Im free

This picture has always had special meaning to me but especially today. My grandpa was a Marine and he was at the bottom of the hill at Ima Jima the day they put the flag up. I cant imagine the feelings he had then but I know the feelings I had when I saw this picture. What an emotional day for the USA to witness such horrible things happen. I am so glad that I live in a free country and for those who fight daily to keep me safe! I am so glad for people in my life that have died for our country and I will never forget!

Sarah's Baptism

One of my really good friends and old roommates Rebysue has the cutest family but I am especially fond of Sarah her oldest. She has always told me I am her best friend and it just makes me smile to think that an 8 year old feels this way. I was really sad that I was going to miss her baptism and then cheap airfare came up! I decided to surprise her and her family and just be there at the baptism. I think I did a great job and Sarah was so happy! Her mom has lost 40 pounds isn't she a knockout she looked so great! I was so glad to spend some time with them it was great!

There's no place like home...

This last week I decided to surprise my family and come home. It was my dad's birthday on Wednesday and I arranged with my sister to have my parent's come to a picnic spot in the canyon for a cookout. They were so surprised to see me there my mom even asked if i was a mirage:)We had a great time and had a cake and presents for dad. We were glad to have grandma Joyce and grandpa Keith come up for cake. Grandpa Keith has been going through chemotherapy and has been pretty sick he was looking great that night! It was so good to see my other grandma she was so cute when I saw her she said I couldn't have wished for a better person to see. I also got to see my friend Sue and the 2 kids she tends. It just wouldn't be a worthwhile trip if I didn't get to help with something. My parents were doing corn for the freezer so I got to help out with that. My parent's new house is so nice and peaceful all you hear are crickets at night. Its their own little house on the prairie! I miss my family but its nice they are close enough that I can come and visit.

Hot Air Balloon Festival

We had a really fun air festival in town this last weekend and saw so many hot air balloons! They were not able to launch the balloons on Saturday due to the weather. We were keeping our fingers crossed they would on Sunday morning. After doing some testing with a regular balloon they announced that it was up to the owners if they wanted to do it. There were a few that left but thank goodness there was a brave soul that started a chain reaction! It was really cool to watch the process of unfolding and using a high pressured fan with a motor to inflate them.Check out the ladies hair in the picture where they are using the fan to know how strong it is! Once they did that they would use the flame to really get it as full with air as they wanted then off they went! I had to get a couple shots to compare the size of the balloon to the people on the ground it was crazy how big some were! I will warn you this is only half of the pictures I took! I just couldn't take enough and I cant wait until next year to go. I hope you will enjoy them as much as I did. It was a very cloudy day so it kind of made for a cool background!