And back it...

had a good weekend - crazy as usual with facepainting and grandkids...lol.  But it was good.  We had fun facepainting at Hooper's Tomato days.  They always have an amazing crowd there.

Anyway - at work we get these wellness emails.  Today we got one that said this month is Yoga awareness month.  I've heard that yoga is good for you, and I'm afraid I get stuck on the whole down dog position.  I hate it...ask my hubby, lol.  But this video they shared was just awesome, and wanted to share it with you.  Perhaps it might inspire you...

Busy week here...how about you??

So...  It's been a busy crazy week.  Actually, it's been that kind of a month.  I'm not sure what I'll do when I'm not feeling like a chicken with it's head cut off...lol.  My son is moving to Minnesota this month, and we aren't going to be able to help him.  Bad timing all around...and it makes me crazy.  :(   My hubby has been teasing me that I want to go along and make sure he's tucked in.  Well...I guess this is the first one really moving ...and moving far!  It's not going to be a simple trip to see him, though at least it's not across an ocean... lol

So...today only has one item that's worth mentioning... National Toasted Marshmallow Day!!  That's an awesome day.  Everyone get in your last marshmallow toast of the summer.  It's always a good excuse to have a fire in the backyard...or three day weekend and camp.  I always thought Labor Day weekend was the farewell to summer...

About a year ago, I mentioned a banana Zucchini bread recipe, and someone mentioned they wanted it.  I never did get them the recipe...(I know...I'm dirt mixed with water...sigh) and now I'm not entirely sure which recipe I used.  So...I did find this one that seems familiar - I like the nuts in it.  So, hopefully this will satisfy your craving and use those great aucchinis that everyone else has in their garden but me.  :(

https://cookieandkate.com/2016/healthy-zucchini-bread-recipe/

Have a wonderful weekend and enjoy the end of summer!!!

It's Friday! Happy Dance....

and that means I'm happy!


Although, I'm not as excited as I normally would be because it's going to be a busy weekend and I'm not sure we're going to relax much...
We have a art booth tonight at Layton FEST - come see us!!  and then tomorrow I have a booth at the Eccles Art Center 125 birthday festival!!  I'm most excited for that...I feel that it's a true art venue and perhaps will have more exposure - I guess we'll see.  I've tried to have prints available, but they're so expensive and take so much time!!!  :(   sigh...  Oh well.  And then we have a play after that, so the kids are going to help man the booth and put it down...  that's making me nervous.  I mean...my paintings...                                                     
So...  then Sunday we're babysitting grandkids again (which is probably a every weekend thing for a bit) and that's always relaxing... NOT!  lol  At least we love them and their sweeties...  :)
So...how's your weekend going to go?? 
and just as a side note - I can't seem to get the clips to space up, so I ended up with all this extra space before them...sorry ya have to scroll so much!  I'm working on it, I promise!!

Anyway - to add some silliness to the day, we have to talk about the fun holidays...
Pluto Demoted Day - I think I'm still in denial about this, silly though that may be.  I mean...Pluto has always been a planet!!!  Just because there's a bunch of others the same size, lol...  nothing to do with it.  Why don't they name all those other ones then??  Everyone wants a planet named after them...
Okay - that just begs for the studio C episode:







William Wilberforce Day - What an amazing man.  I need to look up some books on him and read them, but my favorite thing is the movie that was made about him.  Oh, I know it's not historically perfect and accurate, but it definitely gives you an idea about the man and what drove him.  Here's some clips from it:






World Daffodil Day - I don't know why there is a world daffodil day, but hey, I love the flower.  It's wayyy past when they bloom here, so you'd think this would be some time in the spring, wouldn't you??

National Waffle Iron Day - yeah for the waffle iron!!!  I think waffles are some of the best breakfast food...well, anytime food.  Have you tried Waffle Love?  that's the food truck that goes around to events.  They are amazing.  There is also a new restaurant in Station Park that's everything waffle.  I have to say I think it's an interesting sign of our day that we have so many restaurants that specialize.  Especially the little soda joints, but that's another time and another post.  ;)

and last... National Peach Pie day!!  To quote Tom Cruise - everybody likes pie!

But seriously - peach pie is good...I like cobbler better.  I have a friend that makes awesome peach pie!!  It was more like a peach tart, but I liked it!!  now is peach season too, so enjoy them when they start to go!  We had a hail storm the other day, and someone was saying how it knocked half the peaches off their tree...  :(  so sad...

Anyway - there ya have it.  Hope you have a great weekend, and enjoy some peach pie waffles!!  :)

Back to the Job!

Okay folks...  It's the middle of August and I'm already back at work.  What's up with that???  lol   And for a lot of us, having a job is a good thing, and my job (I think I've said before) is one of the best...but I really didn't want to go back this year.  sigh.  My hubby even said I should quit...but I feel like we need to pay off some other things first...so I'm plugging at it.  My poor granddaughter was so upset when she realized how close school was to starting...she thought she had almost another month, lol.  And she's only going into 2nd grade.  :)  Poor thing...didn't have the heart to tell her that she's only at the beginning of things...  Reminded me of Sally in the Peanuts move:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xDOf0gz5Uw4

I haven't done the holiday bit for a while either, cause - hello?  I've been crazy busy!!  Hopefully you haven't needed a reason to celebrate - you have each day of life!!  but in case you've missed them, I've got them again for today.  I mean...it's FRIDAY!!  and that's always good...it's the Ogden Balloon and arts festival in Eden...which is awesome!!  and it's some other fun things - so let's see what we have: 

I Love My Feet Day - Hey - I hope everyone loves their feet!  Your feet can make you miserable if they are miserable!  I don't like to wear shoes.  (I feel like I'm at shoes annon... "hello, my name is Gaynell, and it's been three days since I've worn shoes...")  If I didn't have to wear them for work and to keep from getting frost bite, I would probably not wear them. 

As a result, I have really dry soles and get cracked heels.  I'm always having to slather them at night and wear socks to bed to keep from having them crack open and bleed.  I know - that's probably more than you wanted to know, but I wanted to prove a point.  You need to take care of your feet!  Soaking them in Redmond Clay is also very good for them...skin and circulation wise.  So, anyway - especially if you have a job where you're on your feet all the time, you need to take care of them.  And if you have to wear shoes, make sure they are comfortable and good for you...cost is definitely an issue, but worth it when it comes to a good shoe.  Just saying.

Meaning of "Is" Day - the meaning of 'is'??  what's up with that??  I think some people have waaayyy too much time on their hands...


Men's Grooming Day - ugh.  Why do we need a day to remind men to groom?  It's probably a promotional thing to get men to buy better shavers, or aftershave or get haircuts or something. 
Men - life is short.  If you like to be stylish, be stylish.  If you like to be a natural man and let the hair grow, have a beard.  (Kind of hot in the summer, but ya know).  As long as you take showers, wear deodorant and wear clothes that are clean, life is good, right?  I've seen a LOT of man buns this year...so the growing the hair thing must be popular. (and the same goes for women too...  women's lib or not, lol)

 National Thrift Shop Day - best thing about thrift shops??  They have amazing stuff that doesn't cost an arm and a leg!!  I love thrift shops.  Some of them are a little scary, and some of them are way organized, but they are fun.  Whenever we go visit my brother and sister-in-law we invariably end up at a thrift store.  Partly because she likes antique shops, and sometimes they'll be next door - and partly because she likes to shop that way.  We found my hubby a fun hat in one this last visit because they were working outside all the time and he didn't want to get sunburned on the head.  Just sayin' - go support your local non profit - there's got to be one by ya.  We always go to Deseret Industries, but Goodwill is awesome too.

and so - the food item of the day from the Nibble is National Vanilla Custard Day - YUM!  I am a Big custard fan.  I don't make it often simply because I would eat it all the time if I did.  I don't do the formal bake in the oven kind, that takes too long.  What kind do you like best?

I have to mention the sorrow I feel for the passing of Aretha...she was amazing.  What was your favorite song of hers?  I like this little clip with "Say a Little Prayer"...


and of course...we need some kind of music to get the mood going for the weekend.
Need some Timberlake this morning...and some Piano Guys.




Have a great weekend!!

The End of Summer....

almost.  I can't believe it's the last day of JULY!!  Where has the summer gone??  June was a blink...and July was right after it.  I have also been busier this summer than previous, and my daughter pointedly reminded me that I hadn't posted for 2 weeks.  Well...  I don't think anyone but her has noticed, lol., but okay, so I'll post something.  Geesh. 
It's all good...
So...here's the holiday list for today (from brownielocks and others...) :
National Avocado Day - Yeah!  I love avocados now.  I used to only stand them for the wonder of guacamole, but now I put them in salads, on my burger, yum.  My hubby still has a hard time with store bought ones - he grew up with his grandmother bringing fresh ones off her tree in southern Cal...big huge things that were the size of a softball.  Oh well...they're still good!

National Mutt Day - horray for mutts!!  I don't know that we'll ever pay money for a purebred animal.  We love mutts and how wonderful they are.  My daughter has a mini dachshund and it's supposed to be pure - but she doesn't have papers.  Then we have some kind of chiuaua mix with a terrier, and he worships the ground we walk on.  He's a sweetie.  Got to love those dogs...and I never thought I'd be a dog person!

Uncommon Instruments Awareness Day - so, I don't know why we should be aware of uncommon instruments, but then, I guess it's always a good thing to broaden the perspective.  :)   So...here's a zurna.  It is an instrument common to Turkey, and it's uncommon...

World Ranger Day -  This is a day to raise awareness and praise for those game wardens in Africa to protect the animals at the risk of their lives... or so it says on the website.

National Raspberry Cake Day - This is a good one to celebrate.  Apparently there are lots of versions to contemplate.  I think the best would be a raspberry poke cake for summer.  Don't you??  Nice and cool.... this photo from Taste of Home looks very similar  to what we usually do.  White cake mix...raspberry jello...whipped topping, fridge time...ya - good stuff.  :)

Cotton Candy Day - I'm not a big cotton candy, but I've noticed that if you hand it out, almost everyone will eat it. What is it about spun sugar???  And it gets everywhere!  I've been in booths next to them and found cotton candy everywhere!  If you are one of those fans...they do have it in the stores now.  Is it as good as fresh?  You tell me...

Jump for Jelly Beans Day - Yeah, jelly beans!!  I  have to say though - these are like one step up from cotton candy, right??  I mean, it's once again pure sugar.  But, I have to say, I love the star burst ones!!  Those are the best!  they actually have flavor...  :)  

Well, that's it for that stuff.  
Last night we had a bday dinner for my youngest daughter (you know who you are) and had pizza cooked on the grill.  It turned out awesome!  I'd even froze the dough and had to defrost it.  Everyone made their own, and everyone loved it.  Then we attempted a chocolate strawberry cake.  She liked it...so that's all that matters, right?  It turned out pretty tasty, if not all that great looking, lol.  Have you tried cooking pizza on the grill?  I found some metal tray like things that we put the pizza's on, and they worked great.  Everyone was in agreement - we definitely need to do those again!
had some fun doing some chalk signs for a neighbor who's daughter is getting married.  Haven't done much with chalk markers...but I was having fun with them!!

So - off to other stuff.  Hope you aren't melting...have to say, there are many times that I think air conditioning was one of the best inventions...EVER.  :)  Love me my cool house...
Have a great one!

And Today's winner is...

French fries!  That's right...the only think worth mentioning in the world silly holidays is it's national french fries day.  I'm really liking that...I love french fries.  Dipped in a little fry sauce...or even a milk shake...a nice thick fry - yum!!
😋
It's also supposedly Beans and Franks day...which for those of you who have no idea, that's pork and beans with hot dogs.  I grew up with that one...haven't really had it in awhile.  My family isn't really big on pork n beans.  Probably because I haven't really served it to them, lol.  It's not like my favorite thing...

Going to babysit grandkids this morning - should be fun and entertaining.  4 kidlets under the age of 8 running around a and screaming.  The best way to spend a Friday, right?  :)

Have a great day!

Baby it's HOT outside...

Oh boy - some people just thrive on the heat.  That's why they move to southern states, southern part of states, southern part of the globe, etc.... lol  (well, I guess not too south, that's COLD) :)
But anyway - had a wonderful trip to the coast to visit my bro and his wife - and it was gloriously cool!!!  It never got hotter than 70's!  My hubby offered to let me stay there...but I had commitments here, and came home.  But I tell ya, right after we got home, it got HOT.  I'm not made for these temps, people!  I did much better in Oregon...  sigh.  But such is life.  We are hoping that some time in the future we might be able to join my bro - he's not there right now anyway, he still has 22 months of work, lol.  But I guess we'll see.  Where is your favorite place?  I used to say the beach was ALWAYS my favorite, and then I discovered Island Park, Idaho.  Now it's a tie.  I love the peace...it's generally cooler, and it's just lovely.  And on the note of lovely...  my glads are blooming!!

I don't know why I love them so much, but I do.  I wish they didn't have such heavy heads, half of them end up bent over!  But, they are gorgeous, and I'll be painting them, I'm sure.  Well, at least that's the goal...
So anyway - my whole point in starting this post was I realized I hadn't done a celebration one in a while.  Everyone is posting about how today is Pina Colada day, so I had to look and see what else was up...
Don't Step On A Bee Day - this is a good thing to note.  Who wants to step on a bee?  Why would you have to have a day to celebrate it???  I just don't get people sometimes.  Go figure.  It just makes me remember the childrens song:  "I'm bringing home a baby bumblebee...won't my mommy be so proud of me, I'm bringing home a baby bumblebee...Ouch!  It stung me!  I'm squishing up a baby bumblebee..."  lol

Piña Colada Day - Here ya go - the one everyone else is touting, lol.  I'm not big on Pina Colada's because I'm not a big coconut fan.  ugh.  

U.S. Energy Independence Day - I figure I'm doing my part on this one - we have solar, baby!!  It's so excited to see our power bill at less than $10!!  and this last month we actually had a credit!  I am doing a happy dance.  :)   Now if we can keep that going, it would be nice.  The five adults living in the house with us tend to use a lot of electricity though...so we're ready to cut everyone off at 9pm, lol.

and last...something sounds good to me.  it's National Pick Blueberries day!  we actually drove by a blueberry farm on our way to the coast.  I thought it was cool, I've never seen one before.  I wanted to stop and pick, but we were sort of on a time crunch, so we didn't.  I love blueberries, do you?  I love them in smoothies, in yogurt, in bread, pancakes, muffins...not a big fan of them fresh unless in fruit salad and or in ice cream, but ya know.  We all have our little quirks, right?

have a great day!!  here's a little vid to help with the relaxing and cool thoughts...

Happy 4th!!

To all those who celebrate the 4th of July with us...happy day!!  Hope you have a wonderful day with family and friends.  :)

We're going to breakfast with family, and then I and my amazing hubby are going to be facepainting at a fireworks display. 
It's going to be hot - and crazy - but fun. 

I'm proud of our country, crazy and mixed up though the politics may be...sigh.  But it's an awesome country and I wouldn't want to live anywhere else.  We are free to choose our lives, pretty much, and that's a great thing. An awesome thing!  God has given us this wonderful land, and I am sooo thankful!

Middle of June???

Where has the time been going??  I'm on my third week of break, and it feels like the days are speeding by.  Oh boy.  The weather has been sooo hot...then this weekend a nice storm moved through and cooled us down a little.  It's lovely...  I still can't wait to go to Oregon though... Although my hubby says what's the point of going to the beach if we aren't getting in the water??  lol   Just wait till he sticks his toes in that body of water...ugh!!
Anyway - realized I hadn't posted in a week or so, and figured I'd better get my fingers moving and my brain engaged.  Some days it seems to not want to work, lol.  My brain likes to be a sleep - but I'm working on it.

There's a couple of things to celebrate today...and then I want to talk about a movie we rented over the weekend...  :)

Autistic Pride Day -  we have an autistic son...(I think perhaps two - but that's another issue) and he tries sooo hard to do whats right.  He's a wonderful man, and a real example to all of us how to DO what the Lord tells us.  He started waving and saying hi to everyone he sees about two months or so ago...and he actually had someone pull over and threaten him for doing it.  Why would someone do that???  Anyway...I'm proud of my son.  I don't know why we were blessed with him, but I'm so thankful.  Autism is a strange thing...and varies from individual to individual.  I would never ask for anyone to have to deal with it...but I'm also thankful for the blessing of the man in our life who has it.

International Sushi Day -  Sushi!!  my favorite stuff other than pizza and chocolate, lol.  My daughter introduced us to sushi a couple of years ago, and while I don't like the sushimi type stuff (raw fish) I do love the sushi stuff - especially the spring roll with all veggies!!  YUM.  So...go celebrate the yumminess that is a BIG mouthful, lol.

National Splurge Day - and this is a cool day - I didn't know there was a splurge day.  I think that it would be an excuse for most women to grab the credit card.  I'm suggesting if you have a couple of extra bucks, go buy something!  lol   Don't go into debt for it though...  😇

So...onto the movie I mentioned.  We watched Only Imagine Friday, and while I had wanted to watch it before, we just hadn't gotten around to it.  My daughter brought it home, and oh my!!

If you get a chance to watch this, you need to.  It has some wonderful singing in it, the new actor who plays the part of Bart from MercyMe has an amazing voice!!!  It is not a light fluff movie either.  It's deep and covers serious issues...but it ends SO amazing...and awesome.  We loved it.
a humorous clip...


Official music video...


I remember when this song first hit the radio (that I remember anyway).  We had started a pizza store back in 2002 and this song came on sometime between then and 2004 (when it closed....)  I thought it was so awesome that they were playing a religious song!  and it just spoke to my heart.  I hope it speaks to yours...
Have a wonderful day.  :)

Second week of summer....

and already the days are blurring, lol.  I was going on an errand with my daughter this morning and I was having to ask her what day it was to be sure.  :)

Nothing like living life one day at a time.  I'm liking it.  Last week - my first official week of summer, was awesome.  We've had some wonderful weather, I have to say.  It was a little too warm toward the end of the week, but it cooled down nicely Sunday and yesterday.  Talk about blessed!! 

So - other than that, it's been crazy.  It's funny how the minute you don't have to be somewhere everyday at the same time, other stuff suddenly becomes the focus of your life.
Well...writing has been on the back burner, and I'm going to be working on that.  My daughter reminded me that I hadn't written a post in over a week, so I figured I'd correct that now. 
Apparently today was National peanut butter Cookie day...and I didn't celebrate!  Oh well...that doesn't mean we can't work on it for tomorrow, right?
It was also National Falafel Day and National Jerky Day.  Man...I missed out! 
Well...we had death by chocolate ice cream.  Hope you all enjoyed your choice of sugar, lol.

Last day of school!!!

does that bring back the words of the immortal song of the 70's??  Schools out for summer...schools out for-ever...  I can hear that hard rock in my head...ugh.  lol  :)  
Well, it's last day of work for me for a while, and I'm a bit excited...

We have trips planned, places to go, paintings to paint, people to see...it's going to be crazy awesome.  Hope you have a great time lined up.  

Hope some of that time is at the beach... cause you know...the ocean always wins...  :)

Don't worry, I won't be silent the whole time.  I'll probably be writing more, now that I think about it...  I'll have so much time!!  lol....not.

Well, have a great day!