Happy Birthday George!

Happy birthday to my dad!  Today he would be 81.  He went by Arlow, his middle name, but his first name is George...because he was born on George Washington's birthday. This is one of the pictures I need to edit in photo shop (on my to do list!).  We don't have a lot of pictures from his childhood, but I sure like to look at them.  I see some of his traits in his children and grandchildren.  Not just physical traits though, he passed on a lot more than that.  I will always be grateful for my Farnsworth heritage.

If you were still here Dad, we would throw a huge party!  Love and miss you...Happy Birthday!

President's day = painting day...

Today was President's day...for me, that means a day off from work!  Dave did not get it off however.  Since Pelco was purchased by a "foreign" company, they do not celebrate "American" holidays.  Joel had various activities going on, so I was basically home alone for most of the day (YAY!) and I worked on my painting project that I started on Saturday.  I have painted rooms on President's days in the past...seems like a good time to do it...the spring cleaning bug and all...so the "Spare Room" which was a bright blue for several years...is now turning grey.  I got two and a half walls done.  Two coats each.  I am liking it!  It kind of looks white at first, but it got a little darker as it dried, and compared to the white doors, it definitely looks grey!  I have orderd grey and yellow bedding and will have to figure out new curtains to match the decor.  Fun!  It will be clean and new!  Organized is another matter...since this is the place for storing all my craft supplies and scrapbooking and sewing.  But I will get there soon!  Because this will also be the "Guest Room" and I have guests coming the end of March!  YES!  Amanda and the boys are coming to visit!!!!  Amanda is my interior decorator so I will have her help me hang stuff on the walls when she gets here.  I will hopefully finish the painting by next weekend.  It's a slow, tedious process when you are doing it by yourself...but I love to paint and I don't mind it taking awhile...

 Today while I painted, these two cuties kept me company, along with Pandora...my Josh Groban/Michael Buble station...  It was a great day!

 These pictures turned out too dark, but the wall behind the computer is a lovely "Filtered Shade" grey.

I will post "finished" pictures after Amanda is here and we get it DONE.

The month of LOVE...

February is the "month of LOVE" as my friend Ruth at work likes to say...and in honor of that...I have been making some things off pinterest to commemorate and share with those I LOVE...First I made these blocks which my LOVING husband cut out for me.  Scrapbook paper and vinly letters and a few embellishments...I like them!  They were super easy and even though they don't look very much like the one on pinterest, they are good enough for me!  Next year I might have to try some red ones, or maybe purple...because I LOVE purple!  I made 6 sets of these out of 2 2x4 boards.  Can we say "cheap!?" 

 Next I tried this recipe...and I LOVED it.  So did most people who tried them!  Family, co-workers, and my sisters at church...they are No Bake Berry Oreo cheesecake squares.  Next year I want to get the mini heart pans (like cupcake pans but with hearts) and shape them.  These are simple and delish!  A berry oreo and butter crust, a berry oreo and cream cheese and cool whip top.  Pretty in pink!

 Last but not least was this little craft...which I really loved on pinterest and wanted to do.  I even had two dear friends come over to make them with me.  I was getting so frustrated and was ready to quit the whole project!  The background, I couldn't get the paint to "crackle" and trying to make those fabric rosettes...ha!  Thankfully, we got together again and Kelly and Donna encouraged me and helped me with their LOVE and I got it done!  Kelly suggested to just sand the background, I LOVE it!  And they made most of the rosettes (I did make some of them and will keep practicing!).  I have enough stuff to make two more of these, but will probably wait until next year's month of LOVE.

The best part of all this LOVE crafting...was my beautiful daughter Ashley coming over to craft with us!  She doesn't usually like to do this kind of stuff, but she had her own crafts she wanted to make off of pinterest...she's not quite done yet, but they are turning out real cute and I will post pictures when she gets them done.  One is a wreath made with red paper roses...it is looking sooooo pretty! Wish I had taken a picture of her actually "crafting!"  It truly was a kodak moment!  :)  But I was all consumed trying to make rosettes!!  Who could think of taking pictures during frustration like that!? I LOVED spending that fun time with her though and with my wonderful friends too!  They are always so good to indulge me in "girl" time and I LOVE it!  Happy Valentine's day!  Share the LOVE all month!

Good Sabbath!

I always think of Fiddler on the Roof and how right before the Sabbath they wish everyone "Good Sabbath!"  My friend wished us that yesterday on Facebook and it was so fun to hear someone else say it!  We truly did have a good Sabbath today.  Dave was ordained to the office of a High Priest by his father.  It is always so special to hear fathers ordain their sons.  We appreciate Terry and Barbara driving down from Folsom to spend the day with us at church.  Bro. Tanner, Bishop Winiecke, and President Dockstader all took part in the ordination.  They are all good friends and wonderful examples!  Dave will be hanging out with some good guys!

 We had our visiting teaching conference in Relief Society and I was asked to give a short talk (I am a counselor in the Relief Society Presidency.)  I was more nervous than usual and I'm not sure if it was because ALL the women were in there so the crowd was larger than normal, or if it was because my sweet mother-in-law was sitting right on the front row!  Whatever the reason, I got through it and we did have a delightful Sunday.  We had rootbeer pork waiting for us when we got home and enjoyed a good meal together.  I am truly blessed to have such wonderful parents-in-law and especially blessed to have their son in my life - a wonderful husband and father who honors his priesthood and is a great example to me.  I am honored to be a McKinney!