To Moab and Back

We're back home now and we had such a great time. Utah is such a gorgeous state, their National Parks are mind blowing and for me a photography wonderland.  I feel very thankful to be able to have made with trip with my family. The Internet was mostly unavailable so we had no choice but to be unplugged and it was really nice as well as a reminder of how much I'm on the net... wow. Here are some more photos of our trip.

1 Our campsite in Moab
2 Monkey
3 Somewhere near Green River
4 Double Arch
5 Dead Horse Point

This morning I'm looking forward to relaxing with a cup of coffee and catching up with you.

Happy Easter!
Jen

Road Trippen Day Three and Four

Our access to the Internet has been a bit of a hit and miss, mostly misses so I haven't been able to post everyday. Here are a few photos of our time spent inside The Arches National Park. This place is unbelievable and completely blew my mind!  I'm so thankful I was able to bounce around the park with my camera and my family.

me and my mama holding up a huge rock (photo by the Bug)

my Bug taking in the view

 my guys in the front of South Window Arch

View out the back side of the Window Arch

out the side view Turret Arch

front view of Turret Arch

Road Trippin Day One and Two

The official kick off of day one 

This time we're hitting the road with the kids and my parents, destination is The Arches National Park in Moab. 

Wooohooo !!! 

Have you been here? None of us have and I am super excited to visit this amazing place and thankful I can do it with my family.  

My travel buddy 

Internet is sketchy and posting is super slow so here is a quick synopsis so far. Day one we drove most of the day to arrive in Mesquite Nevada which is just before the Utah boarder.  We stayed at a casino RV park where I spent $20 bucks on the Wheel of Fortune slot machine. I didn't win but that's okay it was fun sitting with Bug.  It was a good but super loooooong day everyone was tired so it was an early night.

This morning we woke up early and again drove most of the day. Tonight we are just outside of Moab and here are a few shots I got while traveling today. 

I hope you had a great weekend I hope to be back soon to post more pics the scenery is amazing.

Looking up in my hood

 Linked to Sky Watch Friday's here

Camera bag. Knitting bag. Hiking tennies. Sunscreen... Packed.

Day one of road trippin starts tomorrow and I'll be posting everyday (as long as I can get service). I hope you'll tag along for the ride, it should be a fun one.

Happy Friday!
Jen

Busy lil bee...

Why is it when it's time to get ready for a vacation it always feel like there is SO much to do? Darn I think I may need a vacation from getting ready FOR my vacation! I'm not complaining and have been busting out moves checking items off my to do list. I guess I'm just saying I'm thankful for the relaxing nature of last weekend or then again... maybe I should have done more on the list. Oh well, either way it's all good.

Here is another photo from our last trip, I'm reminiscing a bit more and super excited to hit the road again, this time with family. This shot is from Horseshoe Bend in Page Arizona. If you ever get a chance to visit here, I hope you'll go it's an amazing place.  I'm counting the days and starting to pack my camera and knitting bags.

Happy hump day, I hope it's a great day!

Jen

Bud Break and Green Sangria, our weekend in photos

Dinner with the Bug and family Friday night was great!  Good food and good company, I can't think of a better way to kick off another weekend. It was really nice to see everyone and I learned I'm not the only one counting the days before vacation. Everyone is excited and looking forward to our upcoming adventure.

This weekend the Budding began!

The weather was perfect too so I went ahead and transplanted my Heirloom tomatoes, zucchini and cucumber seedlings. Fingers crossed the frost is done.  I'll be harvesting more spinach and my broccolini as the weather continues to warm.

Chance and I went out on trail.

We spent time with friends, old and new and finished the weekend at a local winery where the Music Man played Sunday afternoon. We sat soaking in the sunshine and sipped on green colored sangria. It was relaxing and super fun.

Happy Monday, I hope it was a good one for you.

Jen

Birthdays

What a busy week for birthday's this was. My Mama, Bug and Chancie all turned another year older.

This Bug of ours is now 23. My first born and the first true gift I ever received. One of unconditional love, patience and incredible Joy.  He was such an easy baby too, ate and slept great right off the get go. Even entertained himself easily.  Today he is much of the same. He is easy to be around and everyone loves his company. Super smart, funny  and adventurous.  He's fascinated with science stuff and I love our time together. I'm hoping now at 23 maybe he wont be such a dare devil, we shall see. He is studying Physics and works part time so he's also really busy.

We are celebrating with everyone tonight and I am really looking forward to seeing them.

We found one last candy cane that was hidden. What perfect timing for a birthday treat...

and a video taken by Monkey of how much he loves them.

Since I started this post a friend of ours read here that we were out of candy canes and brought us some so Chancie still has a peppermint stash. Thanks K!

Happy weekending friends!
Jen

What's Growin on....

 

 

 

 

1.  The girls overseeing the watering of the garden.

2.  Red Cabbage

3.  Brussel Sprouts, potato's and a few carrots sprinkled in

4.  Sweet Peas

5.  More Carrots

6.  Broccolini

I've been harvesting Romaine, Arugula, chard and spinach as well. The tomato and Zucchini seedlings are doing great. All but one of the tomato's have sprouted.  About 75% of the zucc's have sprouted and are growing really fast, I hope to transplant them soon. We're in the midst of a warm up so this weekend the cucumbers will be transferred out side. Ohhh I am dreaming of making pickles this year if they do well. Fingers crossed...

I know we don't officially kick off the Spring season for another week but here in our hood I'm saying Spring has sprung.  The sun feels amazing,  the earth is drying out and everything is turning gorgeous shades of green.  I expect the vines will have baby buds very soon as well.

How about you, what growin on over at your place? Have you planted or ordered seeds yet?

Our weekend in photos... Phew was it a busy one!

This weekend there was time spent in town at the Hot Rod Run.                                                              

Aren't these cars amazing!  I couldn't help but do a few composite shots for the event.

This weekend there was rain and a lot of it.

There was also time spent with Chancie and

Monkey at the barn.

This weekend there was time spent shooting local artists and the Music Man's band. This is Ms. L. doesn't she look like rock and roll...

We also spent time with our best buddies so there was good food, good wine and lots of laughter. The rain is gone and the sun is shining again. We sprang forward and once I get used to the time change I'll love it...I do prefer the longer days.

How was your weekend?

Somewhere between Sedona and Phoenix...

Shared in Sky Watch Friday, click here to see more.

while driving through Flagstaff Arizona the snow stopped and the sun peaked out momentarily across the vast valley below just as we approached the summit.   Can you believe it, what good timing we had!  I really like the coloring and texture of the sky here.

In prepping for another road trip in a couple weeks I've been reminiscing and revisiting some of my photos from our last time out on the road. You can see more of that trip here. Road trippin is SO fun, I love it.

We have a super busy weekend ahead and I am very excited. We have more rain, cold temps, friends visiting and an international car thing in town that the music man will be playing at and I'll be shooting.  I'm not to much into cars but these one's are pretty amazing and I hope to get a few good shots.

Happy weekending friends,
Jen

Are you sure there's no more...

We just finished up the last of our candy cane stash from Christmas. At first he didn't know what they were or liked the taste but learned quickly they were a yummy treat. This is Chances are you sure we are out of peppermint face. Well, okay then what else you got?  I'm a treat monster and I'd love anything you want to give me.

When I rescued him I did so knowing I was helping to save one, to make a small difference. Funny how we think we're helping an animal when perhaps they are really helping us.

The Joy this guy brings me everyday is incredible.  I am so lucky and thankful I get to work from home. I take a two hour daily break from my job and spend the time outside.  Soaking in the weather, fresh air and playing with Chance. I always look forward to lunch time, they never seem to come fast enough.

Life is SO good!

Our Weekend...

This weekend the vines received their annual pruning and are now ready and waiting for the Spring season to begin. We could have bud break in just a few short weeks and that is always very exciting stuff around here. 

We spent time at the barn, visited the feed store and drove up north to celebrate my sister birthday.  

On our way we took a little detour to the coast so Jack could go for a swim

and I could grab a sunset shot or two...

There was also time spent in the garden weeding. Like every weekend, the weeds are never ending but it's all good. The girls love them. I was able to harvest some spinach and lettuce. 

My seedling are sprouting and my family room is beginning to look a little like a green house.  I love it and am thankful to be able to get a jump start indoors. 

We had a great time visiting with family and friends. I'm SO happy I got to see our Bug in person.  I miss him.  I talk to him often but I think mama's need to see their kids in person once in while, just to be sure all is well. And it is he is doing great in school and recently got a part time job.

I used our travel time to knit and am now about half way done with the blanket.

Our weekend ended with bellies full of pasta, plan making for the upcoming week and a little quiet time reading.  

How was your weekend?  Is you weather warming?

Happy Monday!

Jen

Faith, Food and Dreams

There is so much that I want to do this year and the year is starting to feel as if it's flying by me. I was starting to feel a little stressed out.  I mean shoot we are already moving into the 3rd month! Silly I know but my mind began to race. Will we be able to make it all happen? Some of it happen? Or will any of it happen?

This week I filled an imaginary suitcase with my hopes, dreams and frustrations and handed it over to God. I know He's got this and I find SO much peace in knowing that.  Though I'm ready to bust out all sorts of moves,  I know it will happen when perhaps not on my time schedule... but His.

I began to think about all we have accomplished over the last couple of years and well... it's a LOT and I am so very thankful for everything we've been able to do. I have no doubt that when the time is is right we'll be able to check off the rest of our items on our goals "to do" list.

After last weekend and all the eating out we did, I needed to balance out.  This week I ate local and tried to consume foods offered mostly from our property.

This week I kept my hand busy and continued to feed my brain. When the timing is right I will be ready.

I wanted to give a shout out and welcome my new readers and say thank you to all of my readers. Thank you for visiting and leaving comments. I enjoy reading them all SO much. The talent, resource and friendships that are made in blogland are amazing. This is such an awesome community!

Sending wishes for a happy and healthy weekend,
Jen