Wish list

After reading my favorite bloggers post on her new, loved robotic vacuum, I realized that I needed to start a wish list.  I needed to.  I'm always the one to say, I can do that, or I have a broom I can do that myself, or I can cut my own hair. But that's another story...

Anyway, my hubby doesn't like to give necessary items for gifts.  That is very nice.  I love that about him.  I don't think I'd really love getting a broom for Christmas or Laundry soap (I have made that myself too).  But we mom's are busy and there is so much other stuff to do that wouldn't it be nice to have something to help that doesn't roll it's eyes or have to "go to the bathroom" when it's time to help out?  Wouldn't it?  (Not talking about you B Rex.)

So this is my domestic wish list because yes I have a vacuum, but this one runs itself. 


Hey, I could have put THIS on my wish list...




No.  Instead of putting on my wish list a Vintage car  (driven by Jay Leno?) I'm asking for a much tinier vehicle that sucks up our families dirt. 

Am I crazy?  Maybe my list SHOULD have diamonds and luxury cars on it...

Or diamond cars!!!




I'd say, I little tiny robot vacuum isn't too much to ask for...

#swanvalleyidaho

Have I mentioned that I love Swan Valley?  Idaho is one of the most beautiful places on Earth and we feel so lucky to live here.

Hubby and I went for a drive (and ice cream) last night and had to stop at the corner of Awesome and Beautiful to snap these shots...

 We couldn't get enough.  We stopped right in the road and snapped away.  We were virtually alone except for a crane that flew up from the creek.  That I didn't get a picture of because I didn't even have my camera ready, but trust me when I say, it was stunningly gorgeous.  Instead, I got cows.  They're slower...
Some of these pics, I played around on with my photo editor.  Can you tell which ones?

hooked--Homemade Hook Board

Living in the country means that you can't just drive to the local hardware store to get everything you need to make that DIY project look Pinterest worthy. 

Sometimes that means mismatched screws and repurposed lumber for your project.  I'm just glad that I had screws and repurposed lumber that worked because I'm tired of my bags on my floor.  I need hooks!

 My floor is for my dirty laundry. 

Juuuuuuust kidding...sort of.

Here's the "new" hook board...

Mismatched screws and all...

My 9 year old son asked me if this was the new backpack rack because it had five hooks.

welcome home

Oh my goodness, I haven't posted anything for such a long time.  Did you miss me? 

Anyone?

Anyone?

Well, do I have a LOT to learn about living in the country! 

Caribbean of the West

So you know how I've said I have always wanted to live by (or on) the beach? Well yesterday I had the chance to visit one. Our very own turquoise blue waters with sandy beaches and play in the waves. This is considered the Caribbean of the West.

  I think we were met with the wests version of a tropical storm, but yes, the turquoise water was AH-mazing! 

 

 

If you've never heard of, or experienced Bear Lake, you need to go. Just go. It's amazing. I'm not sure I would have ever made it there if I hadn't had a family reunion to attend.

 

 

We're going back when it's better weather. Maybe for mine and my hubby's birthday next month. Woot!

 

Where the buffalo roam...

I've always lived in one land locked western state or another.

 

Where I always wanted to live was on a beach somewhere...

 

But this place really can't be beat. Just look at this scenery...

 

 

Variation on the theme- Muffin Ma'am--Homemade Banana nut Muffins

I know I've already posted about muffins, but when two of your kids wake up and tell you they both dreamt about banana nut muffins, it's probably a sign. The only problem was that we didn't have any nuts and the closest grocery store is thirty minutes away.

But we do have chocolate covered nuts.

You know where my priorities are.

Momster keeping the summer dolrums away

I have noticed that TV watching brings out the fighting in my kids. I don't know why, but it does.

So I've banned it...(for a week)(and then we'll see)

 

Here's a recipe for homemade play dough that my kids love and is easy and lasts for a long time. Making it is half the fun.

 

Homemade Play dough:

1 cup flour
2 teaspoons Cream of tartar
1 cup water
1/2 cup salt
1 tablespoon oil
Food coloring

 

Directions: Cook all ingredients slowly, stirring until it forms a ball. Cool and knead until lumps are gone.

 

I stir with a whisk and there aren't any lumps to knead out. Also, I divide the dough into 3-4 portions, put them in zip lock bags, add food coloring and knead the color into the dough inside the baggie.

 

This recipe comes from the Cookin' With Home Storage cookbook, but I've seen the same recipe on the Martha Stewart show. And if it's good enough for her...

 

 

So make some homemade play dough today and keep the Momster away...

FJ

I was looking through the pics on my phone today and came across a picture that might or might not be a "sign"...

Do you see it?

 Here, let me help you see what I see...

Valley girl

Went for another drive with the hubby.

This is the most beautiful time of year in the valley. I love it here. Love love love love love it.