You have to get real close and try not to scare it!

Shooting it down!

Hauling it away

It snowed A LOT!

Missy got tired while waiting, so she snuggled with the Frosty

Our Tree :) Not Finished but it will do for now!

This year was unlike any other year. Instead of going to the FFA for a per-cut Christmas tree we went out hunting for our Christmas tree. Now before you go and say, now that's crazy or that's in humane don't worry it was none of the above. Here's what you need to do. First, you need to obtain a license to cut down a tree, which to my surprise its only $5.00. Now, make sure you have a gun. This is key to your hunting experience and well getting the tree down. The good thing is is that the trees don't run away on you. Next, get a good group of friends together and head up to the towards Cloverland (Adult beverages may be added here but always have a DD). Now that you've arrived at your destination you need to find your tree. Don't be to picky but also be aware of what you want. I wanted a little fuller one but my husband likes the more Charlie Brown looking trees, he got his tree this year. If you found your tree, get up close and fire away! But make sure that if anyone is with you that they are standing behind you...I found this out the hard way. If there is a man available let him be a gentleman and carry your prized tree back to the truck. It is now ready for your holly!

Our Family: The girls in their Christmas Morning Pajamas :)

This weekend was busy but we had a lot of fun. As you can tell we had time for a few pictures. As you may know I love pictures and was so excited about sending out our first Christmas card...a few hours later I see why so many people stop. I shopped a few sites but you never really know what the real price will be until your about to enter your credit card number. After about three hours and almost throwing my computer across the living room (because I couldn't get my pictures to load) I asked my sister in law what she used for her cards. I was shocked to find out that she used Costco. Even more shocked to see that it was only $14.99 for 50 cards! On other sites they were $1.50 per card, you do the math... I'm too tried :) Anyways, after I uploaded my pictures, some of the above and throughout the year and sat back and looked at my creation. It was beautiful! It took just a few minutes and when I checked out I got 4 little calendars for free too. With tax my grand total with envelopes was $16.60. Bet that Vistaprint! Now to write all the address and keep up with finals...

Hard to Swallow

This is not the way to end your Thanksgiving break! On Saturday I woke up and it was really hard to swallow and I just felt weak. I kept going with my day like nothing was wrong, but it became more and more relevant that there was something wrong. After painting two chairs with my mom and sister I was done for the day. Did I stop? No, I kept going and went to the movies with my best friend, who is pregnant. I was just so excited to spend time with her I couldn't say no. We went and saw the new Twilight movie and felt my body just melting in the seat. As we walked out I noticed I was unusually cold. After we got dinner and went to her house it all hit me like a car. I was beyond sick and I was happy my husband was there to take me home. He drove me home as I had a sweat shirt on, a blanket and the heat on to 90. I'm not a doctor but I think I had a fever. I didn't sleep much that might because my joints were giving me so much pain and my throat just hurt. We woke up early and drove home on Sunday. I tried to sleep it off but finally it went into the doctor and go sent home with antibiotics. I still feel horrible. But of course I can't miss school tomorrow. I miss those days when you could have a sick day and wouldn't feel like you missed two weeks of school. Well, I'm off to bed.

Just a Spoon Full of Sugar

Well, it depends on your point of view. You see...

In every job that must be done
There is an element of fun
You find the fun and snap!
The job's a game

And every task you undertake
Becomes a piece of cake
A lark! A spree! It's very clear to see that...

A Spoonful of sugar helps the medicine go down
The medicine go down
The medicine go down
Just a spoonful of sugar helps the medicine go down
In a most delightful way

(Robin starts Whistling)

A robin feathering his nest
Has very little time to rest
While gathering his bits of twine and twig
Though quite intent in his pursuit
He has a merry tune to toot
He knows a song will move the job along

(Robin whistles a bit with Mary)

For a Spoonful of sugar helps the medicine go down
The medicine go down
Medicine go down
Just a spoonful of sugar helps the medicine go down
In a most delightful way

The honey bees that fetch the nectar
From the flowers to the comb
Never tire of ever buzzing to and fro
Because they take a little nip
From every flower that they sip
And hence ,
They find
(together) Their task is not a grind.

 I have found myself my times in life singing this song. Just today, while going in to the COMPASS test I was singing it. There are a lot of things in life that I don't WANT to do but I feel like it's all about the attitude. When you have a positive out look, not only do other people want to be around you but your happy. On the other hand, when you are negative Nancy, you find yourself sitting alone on a Friday night bitter and anger, wondering why no one wants to hangout with you. It's your attitude. Now, yes its is impossible to be happy all the time, because lets face it, life happens. But, just smiling can help. Just try it. It takes more muscles to frown than to smile. Smiling is also contagious. Let's review: Smile= less muscles, more friends, happy, out on a Friday night. Negative Nancy: frowning= works more muscles, less friends, sad, sitting alone on a Friday night. Well, I hope you can do the math!  If not go into your kitchen and find some sugar :)

Wine and Math

Tonight I'm unwinding with a glass of white wine and a Math test. Well, mainly with the wine part. I've just had a really had start to my week and I am hopping that by the time I wake up tomorrow that its going to be better. Do you ever feel like you can't get a break in life? That every corner you turn there is someone there to stick something into your side? I'm breaking down and I hate fighting but my I grew up in a family of wrestlers so I know how to fight tell the end. I think the hard thing is, is that I know that I wont give up. I want to give up but I wont. I want this too much so I'm going to keep going and keep fighting as hard as I can. Being a disappointment to myself of to my husband is my worst fear or just failure. That work is not in my vocabulary and a part of me hates that. So tonight I'm going to finish this glass of wine. I'm going to finish is test, probably not my best but I know that I wont fail because I tried. I've got more to do here...

Friendship

“A friend is one that knows you as you are, understands where you have been, accepts what you have become, and still, gently allows you to grow.”
― William Shakespeare 

“When we honestly ask ourselves which person in our lives mean the most to us, we often find that it is those who, instead of giving advice, solutions, or cures, have chosen rather to share our pain and touch our wounds with a warm and tender hand. The friend who can be silent with us in a moment of despair or confusion, who can stay with us in an hour of grief and bereavement, who can tolerate not knowing, not curing, not healing and face with us the reality of our powerlessness, that is a friend who cares.”
― Henri J.M. Nouwen, The Road to Daybreak: A Spiritual Journey

“I think if I've learned anything about friendship, it's to hang in, stay connected, fight for them, and let them fight for you. Don't walk away, don't be distracted, don't be too busy or tired, don't take them for granted. Friends are part of the glue that holds life and faith together. Powerful stuff.”
― Jon Katz

This weekend I enjoyed the company of my mother and my new sister in-law. I can't tell you how much I have missed them. The value of friendship can't be measured but it sure can show. I know that I have been in great need of it. I picked a few quotes that I really like enjoyed but also that I agreed with. The last quote was one that I thought was simple but to the point. It states the key rules of friendship and so I have failed, some not so far back. With the move I've failed to stay connected like I use to, I walked away because I was too far way. I was too distracted, too busy, and too tired. I started to fall a part and noticed that I was missing a key part of life, my friends. I've been working on repairing that. It's been hard but I know its worth it. 

Life of a Livestock Trader

Life of a Livestock Trader

It's 6:00 am as he gets out of bed. He's sits on the side of the bed, waiting for his knees to stop hurting before he gets out of bed. I'll take two Aspirin, he tells himself, that will take care of it. But it will only take care of it for a few moments. The young but made old man makes his away into the living room where is wife is on the computer, checking Craigslist for furniture and antiques to flip. This has become her new hobby since her business as shut down. She says this is her new opportunity, but the people around her still see the tire tracks that are left on her back. The man see new ones appearing each day not knowing what to do. Where are these coming from? He is still unsure what to do with himself and how to act around his wife, she had also had brain surgery a few years ago and hasn't been the same since. But neither has he. The young but made old man now sits next to his wife, sipping his coffee watching country music videos on TV. This is how a good morning starts. This is not how every morning use to start. Some mornings started when the semi truck got there to unload or load the livestock. Mornings, sometimes started when you heard your livestock getting attacked dogs or coyotes. Or when it was lambing season and it was your turn to go check for new baby lambs. Morning starts at all hours. This life was all that this man wanted. Just not when this man wanted. He was given this full time job at the age of fourteen. Taking of the family business and taking care of this mother was his new job because his father passed. See that is why this man is already so old at such a young age. His body had done things that that a man should have been done for two life times. He is 49 and his body is telling him he's 65. This man works hard and is gone trading livestock many days of the week still making a living for himself and his family. He's gone sleepless nights. Missed many family meals. Family gatherings. Nighttime prayers. But its been worth it all.  He slips on his work boots yet another day and walks out the door. Who is this man you ask? This man is my Dad.

Fun Finds

I've really enjoyed just going out and finding a great piece. This weekend I had great experience, I felt like I was on the TV show Storage Wars. My husband and I went to the storage auction in Lewiston for the first time and just had a blast. We learned a few lessons. First, it's like on the show, they open up the unit and everyone looks from the outside. This can be a problem or a hidden bonus that you can't see from the outside. Second, make sure that you bring a good amount of money. We didn't thought it was going to be a yard sale setting not an auction so we didn't bring enough the first trip but went by a bank to the second set of units. The average unit this weekend went for $450. But to me was well worth it. Which makes me think, how far behind the people who owned the unit really are and was $450 worth it? To me $450 wasn't even worth a quarter of what some of it was worth. Lastly, have a great time and enjoy yourself. We sure had a great time. It was fun bidding and finding out what people did and didn't get in the units. Although we didn't get the units that we wanted it was still a blast and we plan on going again. Who knows what the next storage auction will bring.

We still didn't go home empty handed. Alex suggested that we go by the Salvation Army and see if we can find anything there. When we walked in I saw a wood piece and was pretty interested in it but when I picked it up it came a part but Alex said he could easy fix it. I took it to the front and asked if there was anything they could do about the price because it was broken. It was my lucky day. They took another $2.00 off, which made my total cost $10.50. I still didn't know what it was but I really liked it. I took a picture of piece and sent it to my mother and she told me that it was a suit rack. When I got home I got on Ebay to see if it was worth it. I was happy to see that my little find was well worth it! The average vintage suit rack in the condition that I have, identical to the one I have is $150.00 so I think I made a good investment. Good find for the weekend!

Not Knowing What To Do

Cry, scream, hit the pillow
Get up and go again
What I do?
Am I doing the right thing?
Cry, scream, hit the pillow yet again.
Get up and do it all again.
It's getting harder.
It's building up
Its swelling up I can feel it
Why can't I make up my mind?
Yet again cry, scream, hit the pillow go to sleep.
Who can I talk to but this piece of paper?
It's getting too hard.
I don't know if I this...

Little Miss Short Cake

Do I want to be your Little Miss Short Cake?

While growing up I was always the cautious one.

Yes, I broke a few bones, got bumps and scrapes but I thought before I acted.

This continued with me as I've grown older.

Everyone saw me overly cautious or even worse goody goody, who never did any thing wrong.

We all know that's not true. 

I am human and have done plenty wrong. 

But to prove myself, I drank in high school.

They still thought of my as a goody goody and I hated that! I am normals. So... 

In college to prove myself, I smoked pot.

                  They still thought of my as a goody goody and I hated that! I am normals. So...

To prove myself, I did things I'm not so proud of.

                   They still thought of my as a goody goody and I hated that! I am normals. So...

I stopped listening.

I think that people see me as a goody goody because of whats inside of me and want to see become a dim light. 

But I'm not. 

I grew up in a Christian home and have a great relationship with God. 

No, that relationship isn't always what it should be but what I do know is that I can listen to him.

He doesn't call me a goody goody. 

Instead he class me, his daughter and has a great love for me.

Last night I found myself in a situation and it made me think. 

A group of lady's have started to call me their "Little Miss Short Cake"

And soon after the conversation so turned to talking about God

It's been interesting that I can never stop talking about God.

In any hard time or in good.

Yes, I get it I am positive but I am human too.

I hurt, I get sad and cry. 

I need friends and want to be excepted just like you. 

So don't look at me like Little Miss Short Cake. 

Hi, my name is Jessica

I DO!

At first I said no way 

But than a year to date I said ok

We went out on a date 

From there on out we both knew we were each others mate

So we set the date 11.11.11

I bought the dress and you got the rings

Next month I will be married for a year. I know that that doesn't seem like a lot but so much has changed since than. I have learned so much just in one year. I thought that school was a lot of work but boy was I wrong! Marriage is worth it but I had to idea how much it was going to change. I had always seen couples together and seen how easy it looks. Again, I had always heard that marriage was tough but I guess that there are so things that until you are in it you really don't know. I can say that I am happily married and it means the world to me knowing that I have someone that is willing to work on with me on matter what. Love me no matter what. Those no matter whats, really mean a lot. It is fun to plan a head but you know I am happy with what I have now. We have each other and are still getting to know each other and are learning to work as a team and communicate. Which is such a big key to marriage.

You Paint and Learn

You Paint and Learn

As I've been showing you, I've been painting. My first piece was a little side table (top picture). I got it for $25 off of Craigslist and thought that it was an interesting piece and would be a great piece to work with. Instead, I think it turned into a learning piece. Being so strapped for cash I just wish I had not spent $25 on it. At first I was all inspired and I really liked it. But after I put the dark wax on it and learned how I don't know how to apply wax I hated it. Well and that I shouldn't have put dark wax on it at all. I wish I had had clear wax. I also learned that I need to listen to myself. Being a new painter of furniture I was unsure of myself and didn't trust that what I had envisioned would turn out. I may repaint it or put it up for sale and see if I get any hits first. Lesson learned. On to the next one.  

Before

After: With Emperor's Silk and Dark Wax

The next project of the weekend was a desk that my husband got for me at a yard sale. The best places for deals, let me tell you! I love how most (I say most because there are some people that price there stuff so high they want to hold ne to it) people have such good prices that you want to buy everything. Good for my house and husband I was unable to go out and enjoy the activities that Saturday, so instead he kept any eye out for me. He did a great job and found this wooden desk for $7.00! Yes, it does need some work. I had to sand it. Work on the legs. Paint the inside of the drawers and the outside but it turned out beautiful! This piece unlike the first, I am in love. It reminds me of barn wood. I am still learning my techniques and they are getting better but my pieces are turning out more and more the way I envisioned them. Practice does makes perfect.

We Wear the Mask

We Wear the Mask

By:Paul Laurence Dunbar

We wear the mask that grins and lies,
It hides our cheeks and shades our eyes,--
This debt we pay to human guile;
With torn and bleeding hearts we smile,
And mouth with myriad subtleties.

Why should the world be overwise,
In counting all our tears and sighs?
Nay, let them only see us, while
We wear the mask.

We smile, but, O great Christ, our cries
To thee from tortured souls arise.
We sing, but oh the clay is vile
Beneath our feet, and long the mile;
But let the world dream otherwise,

We wear the mask!

I find it interesting how the universal question, "how are you" is so bluntly thrown out there. Do people really care?  At the grocery store, when you are going through the check out line, the clerk asks you, " Hi, how are you? Did you find everything ok?" Do they really care? Me being the person being asked, do I want to answer yes just because that's the automatic response? Or do I really think about it and responde with thought and really open up to this random person. Why should I? 

We all can hide behind a response simply by saying yes or no, well most of us. Some are better at lying than others. Some people push take what comes to them and keep going. Others life kicks them down and they stay down. But with their mask they can hid, so they think. They hide the hurt, pain, but also joy and happiness. Some are just numb. We all walk but its whether we choose to take off the mask and talk. To show the real you. But are we too scared? Who will we talk to? Who knows maybe start small and talk to the clerk at the store. Take off the mask the world has given to you. You are beautiful and shouldn't hide behind such a dark cursed piece of paper. That it off the mask and feel liberated. Wear the mask no longer.

Work in Progress

Work in Progress

The addicting habit that I just don't want to kick.

As stated in past blogs I've been recently introduced to Anne Sloane chalk paints. The other night I just couldn't stop! In my life I am just starting to create my real adult hobby's. With adult hobby's you really buy into them. You build your hobby and create it into something beautiful, and recreate it as many times as you wish. As of right now I don't have the space. Therefore I am using my back porch. As you can imagine the tempters and lighting can be hard to work with.  In the morning its way to cold and usually I have class and in it usually gets dark by 7:30 pm. Like I said, the other night I just couldn't stop! I kept saying just a little longer. Even going into camping mode and getting a lantern. This piece has been interesting to work with. Originally it was a forest green on the bottom and on the top and inside it was brown. To give it a shabby chic look it am taking a white over the green and duck egg blue over the brown. The next steps will be to sand over the areas that I want the original paint to come through and finally go over it with either a dark or clear wax. The only thing with the dark wax is that I know that it will change blue to a green and I  somewhat in love with the blue, but it may also look good with the green below if I let it come throw a little. I plan to finish this piece this weekend and start a new one piece which will be either the desk or the linen closet! I just can't stop painting and thinking of other things I can get my hands on. But I need to study for my exam tomorrow. I've been way to focused on my other addictions!

I Love The Smell of Something Baking

Cooking and Baking

As you can tell I love baking and cooking. Today is not going to be any different. I am really inspired by fall, but than again who isn't? I love bananas and I just happened to have a few that are really ripe.I decided to make banana bread. I have a great recipe that I have made a few times but every time I am without a ingredient on the list. This time it was eggs. Thanks to Google I used water, oil and baking powder and it still turned out great. I also didn't  make it into a loaf either, for reason I will explain. For school its always night having something that's easy to grade when you are walking out the door and need something that is already in a good portion. Speaking of portions. My husband loves my banana bread, so much so that he will eat a big chunk of it in one sitting. I am doing this hoping that this will help it last longer. 

The second thing that I made today was a crock pot taco soup. My family likes warm things in the fall and I love that I can throw something into the crock pot in the morning and do my work dinner is ready in the evening. It never seems like I want to cook in the even compared to the middle of the day, I think I'm just tired from the day. Anyways, this recipe is a little different because it calls for beer. Now don't let the scare you, in face it should excite you! Its like you are multi tasking, your eating and having a beer at the same time. But really it just does wonders to the taste of this taco soup. I also use chicken in my recipe, I have done beef but have found that the chicken just taste a little better to me.

Here are this wonderful recipes that I have been talking about:

BANANA BREAD

1 2/3 cups all purpose flour

1 tsp baking soda

1/4 tsp ground cinnamon

1/2 tsp salt

1 cup 2 tbsp sugar

2 eggs

1/2 cup oil

3 1/2 banana, very ripe, mashed

2 tbsp sour cream

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

2/3 cup walnuts, toasted/ chopped

Set over to 350 degrees

Shift together the flour, baking soda, cinnamon, salt. Beat sugar and eggs with a whisk until light and fluffly, about 10 minutes. Drizzle in oils. Add mashed bananas, sour cream and vanilla. Fold in dry and nuts. Bake for 45 minutes to 1 hour. In a muffin pan 20 minutes. 

TACO SOUP

1/2 onion chopped

1 can chili beans

1 can black beans

1 can kidney beans

1 can corn, drained

1 can of green peppers

1 packet of taco seasoning

2 skinless chicken breasts

1 can of tomato sauce

1 can of any beer

1 can of diced tomatoes

Set crock pot on low for 5 hours covered. Remove chicken and let them cool for a few minutes and than shred them with a fork and than return them to the crock pot.

Top with Mexican cheese and sour cream or add chips! SOOOO GOOD!

Crafting = Crack

Originally this was a light brown color, but now it is a rustic duck egg blue!

This is the page I created!

Let me just start out by saying I had a extremely busy weekend, I guess I had to make up for last weekend when I was recovering from my wisdom teeth. Friday night I stayed up tell 11:00 pm creating this two page spread for 8 other lady's. Mind you I don't have a lot of scrapbooking things, other than what I have just received for Christmas which is; a cricket (thanks hunny), scrapbooking paper, stickers, a paper holder. I knew I didn't have very much but over the past year I've bought a few other things but just a few! When my sister in-law called and asked if I was interested in a scapbooking weekend I had no real idea what I was getting myself into. On Friday night I felt OK about my pages but they felt like they were lacking something still (other than pictures). I woke up on Saturday morning at 6:20 am to drive with my mother in-law up to Spokane for the scrapbooking day. Let me just say that we had to leave at this time, it wasn't by choice because we both are not morning people, we were the last ones to get there because everyone else stayed there on Friday night. When we walked through the doors at 10:30 am it was like I was walking into a scrapbooking store but in throw up style. IT WAS EVERYWHERE! There was only 7 people there but it was so overwhelming! From 10:30 am tell 11:00 pm we scraped! From the cricket to the wall! ;D It was fun to see everyone's pages. Everyone brought a page for everyone else to do, just like I did but we were free to put our own spin on it. I had so much fun! I really got my creative juices flowing. Now the only down side was that was still had to drive home at 11:00 pm because we had church and a birthday party in the morning. But we made it. All that to say that even with all this and the birthday party I still wanted to paint! The top picture is a lantern that my mom picked up a a yard sale for a few bucks and I painted a duck egg blue and covered with a dark wax. And I still didn't stop! But don't worry. I will post later what that project is :)

New Found Hobby

New Found Hobby And Loving It

Yes, its true I have a new hobby and just like others its been so hard to get away from and focus on what I have to get done. My mother introduced me to Annie Sloan paints a few months ago but I had painted anything yet myself, until this past weekend.  While I was under the weather from just having my wisdom teeth removed my mother went out and found a really cute magazine rack at a yard sale. She came back and said, "When you feel up to it I would like to show you how to paint with this chalk paint so you can get addicted too." After a few hours and another pain pill I gained enough strength to go outside with my mother to get lesson on how to paint. I learned that this paint isn't like normal paint. It dries really quick! And that the paint changes colors as you add layers. Its really interesting. My mother and I had some great bonding time. For a little bit of the time we didn't talk. I also learned that painting is therapeutic. Focusing on one thing and just getting lost in painting is just relaxing to me. I LOVE IT! I have posted the before and after pictures! ENJOY! Ps. I may have already bought two other larger items to paint :) 
http://youtu.be/RTMqEv85wMw
 

In Pain

Friday morning at 6:30 am I woke up to my alarm. I said goodbye to my husband as he went out the door and for the hundredth time this year told him to be careful at work. I saw the piece of paper on our coffee table stating instructions. No eating 12 hours before. My stomach gave me a deep growl. Wear something lose and comfortable because you may have to wear a hospital gown. HUH! I'll pass.  Brush your teeth but don't swallow any water. NO CHEWING GUM! Ok, I think I've got this. So, I go put on some yoga pants, a gym shirt and a zip up sweat shirt and head for the bath room. As I brush my teeth I keep repeating to myself, don't swallow! Good work Jessica, I did it. I throw my hair up and do a final look in the mirror and than say, who am I try to impress? I take my dogs outside and play with them until my father in-law drives up, he's just 15 minutes late.  Rushing my dogs into the house and into their kennel I almost fall. I am happy to say I didn't, almost being the key word. It has finally come, the removal of my wisdom teeth. We arrive at the clinic and get my iv and there isn't much that I can remember after that. All that I can remember is that after I woke up my IV site wouldn't stop bleeding...sorry for those of you with weak stomachs. When I say wouldn't stop, I am mean all over my arm and on the floor. I was very blessed this weekend to have both my husband and my mother by my side. My grandma even came and sat with me for a few hours on Friday. My first day wasn't a good day. I couldn't sleep, I was in pain and I was numb. The first night I couldn't sleep, so by the second day as you could imagine I was done for. I slept off and on and had ice on my face as much as I could stand it. This is the first time my husband has had the chance to really take care of me. I can tell you he doesn't really like it. He keeps asking me, when will I be back to normal. But on the other hand he is doing a great job of asking what he can do. Hopefully, this dry socket will no happen! I went to the dentist today because I was in a lot pain. But we shall see. Wisdom Teeth...I feel like I could have lived without going through this life lesson.

Family Photo's

As you can see we had family photo's this weekend. Let me tell you this is an interesting time. This was my first time getting my picture taken with my new family. This is the Barkley's. Well also the Hahn's and Isley's as well but the you get what I'm saying. Let me just start out by saying that I love pictures. I love taking photo's and I take my camera everywhere and I am happy that this something that I get to do at family get togethers. But, today was not that day. Today I gave my camera to someone else who bless their heart didn't really know the family. We are loud, we voice our opinion, so be ready. Poor guy I felt like I was correcting him the whole time and I still didn't get all the shots and people weren't looking at the camera. The kids were done in about 5 minutes. The adults had double chins and the sun came out making most of the pictures to bright. This person was not a happy camper. Well I guess I learned for next time. And I am hoping for Christmas that I will get a professional camera:) I've been extra nice this year!

Warm Peach Crisp Cobbler with Old-Fashion Vanilla Ice cream

Peach Crisp Cobbler with Old-Fashion Vanilla Ice cream

I can't tell you how much I enjoy cooking and most of all baking so I am just saying up front I am sorry if I make anyone upset with my postings of food/recipes. Today's recipes comes from my new sister in-law. She makes this a lot for family get togethers. I say this because she is a busy woman but she like to be able to bring things to family dinners. This recipe is so easy its going to blow you away really! Having a party? Just want something to make you house smell like heaven? In the mood for something sweet? Well, that was me yesterday. I went to my fridge and got one stick of butter. Went to my pantry and got one yellow (or white works) cake mix, white sugar, and some cinnamon and put this on my counter top. Now I know what your thinking, what if I don't have any fresh fruit? Well sister, don't you worry because you can used canned fruit or fresh. Yesterday I used costco's canned peaches but I have also used fresh apples. You put your fruit down and than you mix your top ingredients together with the melted butter and YOUR DONE...well almost you have to bake it :) Bake it at 350 for 45 minutes and that is it my friend! Enjoy with vanilla ice cream fresh out of the oven or the day after and just warm it up in the microwave. 

1 Yellow or white cake mix

1/4 cup white sugar

2 Tbsp cinnamon

1 stick of Butter (melted)

*Pour butter over dry mix and crumble over fruit. If you are using apples its about 10. 

Bake at 350 for about 45 minutes

Sharing My Brother

Bethany and I just on Saturday, my new sister!

My beautiful hair! So happy with how it turned out! love it!

My wonderful brother and I. Taken a few years ago but I think it captures how random/fun we are together!

Garret and Bethany got married on September 15th, 2012 at 5:00 pm. I can't tell you how happy I am that they are finally married and that Bethany is LEGALLY my sister :) She has been apart of our family isn't day one and we have so much in common it really is crazy. It was hard having to share my brother at first. Garret is a really fun person just to be around. He is very humorous but also isn't afraid to kick your ass if you make me cry.   He is a three time state champion for wrestling, did I forget to mention that. My last post talked a little about our love for music. That really has always been our one BIG connection other than our mother :) We love the beat and are always excited to share new songs to each other. We use to make up moves to songs on the way to school. I remember there was one song that I just shocked him so much that he didn't believe that I made the moves up all by myself. That goes to show how much I don't dance. Anyways I am so happy for both of them and for their new life together!

We Will Always Have The Music

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We Will Always Have The Music

Music has always been that one beat

Driving to school windows down, screaming our lungs out

That one beat

When we didn’t want to talk to each other because I wrecked your car

That one beat

That crazy look in your eye when you heard a great song

That one beat

Those nights when we danced around the house like crazy..Johnson’s

That one beat

The talks we had about how much we loved each other and that we deserved the best

That one beat

The times that we told each other that we have had enough and want to give up

That one beat

To the times of victory

Here’s to life with that one bond. Now today you add another. But lets not forget the ones in our heads, the DJ’s, that never stop playing. Don’t Stop Believing!

Remember The Day

That day started out like any other day. I had a fight with my brother, he always got to sit in the front seat. My mother dropped me off at middle school and I waved good bye. I was in my second period class when an announcement came across the intercom, "Teachers, please turn your TV's on, this is an EMERGENCY...CLICK." With hearts racing and eyes wide open we watched as reports are keeping us up dated.  Not to long after our principle comes on the intercom again and says, "Teachers, until further notice we are lock down, please explain to your students what is happening." Our teachers had explained to us that since we were so closes to Fairchild Air force Base that we were being threatened. If the terrorist were going to start attacking bases ours would be the one of the top hits because of our bomb shelters (said to have bombs still in them) and combat planes. Everything was happening so fast. My family farm was blocks away from the base run way. I was worried that I wasn't going to see my family again. 

I am happy to say that there was no bombings of any bases. When I saw my family that afternoon there wasn't any fighting. Just fear. Is this is end? Are we OK? Will we recover from this? 

Shortly after majority of Americans turned on Muslims and we almost put them into concentration camps, similar to the Jews. It's crazy how much one group of terrorists can change a out look on a religion. By no means am I saying that what was done was right, what they did had no grounds and no means. In fact it was just a means of power. But the fact is, is that we all will remember 9/11.

 

 

COLOR VIBE RUN! 9.8.12

On Saturday I got up at 4:50 AM and packet my car for not just a race but for a bachelorette party. My I just say I am not a morning person and not very alert without sleep or coffee. Traveling with out either was a risk so I was not shocked when I looked up middle light and saw that I was running a red light just past Alberson's. Hopefully that light doesn't have a camera. I'm my state of shock I run into Starbucks hoping to help clear my train of thought because I am the lead driver of the morning. I am happy to stay I made it all the way to Spokane with out any other traffic violations. The top picture is our before picture, clean, cold, tired but excited to be there. As we line up our adrenaline is rushing as we are being herded like cattle to the starting line. BANG! We are off! Now in the title it says run, but we did not for take in the, we chose to walk and run through the colors. During the 5K race there was purple, yellow, blue, pink and orange. Blue being the worst because they threw it hard core into your face, good thing they gave us sun glasses. Over all we have a blast! I can't wait until next year. 

 

Camp Goodtimes

STOP Right there! These dress are not available in store, I'm sorry. In fact these were made by my mother in-law, she is a wonderful seamstress. More importantly is was taken at the most amazing camp in the world, Camp Goodtimes East. It is a camp for kids with cancer. One of the best quotes that I have every heard was, "Camp is like Disney World for kids with cancer." This is not a boring camp let me tell you that! Let me just ramble off a few things that happen during the week ready ok...Dance, carnival, boat cruise, boarder patrol comes,  swimming, boating, high ropes, camp fire, arts, crafts, rock climbing, sports, Zag Day and the list goes on and on. I can't tell you how much this camp has changed my life. These kids are so strong and amazing and to see how far they have come is encouraging to everyone around them. Camp provides friendships and a bond that in public places people normally mock at or pitty, but at camp, we encourage and build up. If you ever want me to talk for hours just ask me about camp!

What to do with all those tomatoes?

What to do with all of these tomatoes?
This question needs a little bit of a back story. So here I go. Like I said before I just moved to the valley and just started my new life. One of my of my dreams in my new home was to have a garden. Yes, I want to be that woman who doesn't need to buy her fruits and veggies from the store. I want to have a beautiful garden in the back of our yard. Since my husband and I have many other projects going on the garden got put on to next summers to do list. But for this year, we have a small garden in the front of our house. Both of use being first time gardeners get really excited when we are at Home Depot (I mean who doesn't?). We split up and since I am more excited about the flowers I get the flowers and Alex's and gets the veggies and we meet up back after the damage has been done. After we get home I notice that Alex has gotten FIVE tomato plants, two green pepper plants, a pumpkin plant (which didn't live thank goodness), and cabbage. When I asked him why he got five tomato plants he just replied that he really loved tomatoes and with two of us eating them and maybe one or two of them dying he wanted to have plenty. It was very sweet of my husband to be making sure that everyone was going to have enough but you see, I don't like tomatoes. And he had forgotten. Instead of returning them we now have FIVE five foot tall tomato plant trees! I have become very creative with helping them dissipate like salsa, spaghetti sauce, tomato sauce, snacks for lunch. Let this be a lesson made for next year, only plant two tomato plants!
If you are interested in some good quick recipes these are good :)

Salsa:
3/4 cup chopped red onion
1/2 cup minced fresh cilantro
1 (10-ounce) can diced tomatoes and green chiles, undrained (such as Rotel)
1 (10-ounce) can diced tomatoes with lime juice and cilantro, undrained (such as Rotel)
1 garlic clove
Spaghetti Sauce: (Make and put in the freezer)
2 onions, chopped 2 garlic cloves, minced 1/2 green pepper, chopped 1/4 cup vegetable oil 8 cups chopped tomatoes (with no skins) 1 tablespoon oregano 1 teaspoon dried basil 1 tablespoon chopped parsley 2 tablespoons white sugar 1 tablespoon salt 1/2 teaspoon pepper 1 (6 ounce) can tomato paste

Just starting this out

My, name is Jessica Barkley. It's taken a while to get use to a new last name because my maiden name rhymed so well, it was Johnson. One thing I don't have to be so worried about is being confused every two minutes with another Jessica Johnson as it is a extremely common name. I am also new to the area. I have lived on our family farm, in Medical Lake, my entire life. The only things I took with me were my memories and my dogs. Until we have children these are my children. They are border collie papillon mix. Another interesting factor is that they are mother and daughter. In the picture the front dog is the mother and her name is Lilly. Her daughter is in the back and her name is Missy. They are extremely loveable dogs and love to play ball. We have been very blessed and have a wonderful home in the city with a front and back yard for our girls. Yes, you just read that correctly, we call them our girls! One other major thing you may find at my house is Volkswagen buses. My husband has grown up working on vw's with his father and his love for them has exploded in our yard. I'm happy about that friendship with his father not so much of the piles of vw parts that has piled up in my driveway.

*Choose one event from your timeline and write about it.
My freshman year in college my professor wrote on my paper that I was to creative in my writing. That in order to be a good writer I needed to contain myself.
After this happened I went back to my dorm room and cried. Growing up I loved to draw and write poems. My mother let the my imagination grow and I had no limits with my writing. To be told after years that I was to creative it was hurtful, so I shut down. It wasn't until the last semester that I was feeling like I could opening up again and be the creative writer that I once was. I have learned that sometimes with professors they have a wide variety of what they believe are true standards. But I have mine and I am happy with how CREATIVE I write.