AC in the Summer is Nice

What a great time to photo shoot this good-lookin' guy.  His name really is AC, and he really does look nice in the summer.  AC plays the guitar and had it along with him and strumming when he wasn't smiling for the camera.  I loved shooting with live music!

Timeless

After hundreds of images taken this summer, this one of Amber and Bryce claims my Number 1 place.  It has all the elements I love the most: architecture, shadow, texture, soft light, snowball flowers from my mother's bush, deep colors - all hovering around the sweetness of young love and a restful moment. 

 It's like a photograph that has always been, and always will be.

And in second place . . .

2 Weddings and a Mission

She's called to serve and leaving on a jet plane.

I love this gal/neice, she's lovely, talented, of good

report, and praiseworthy and . . .

. . . and so pretty in pink.

Natalie - the bride

Natalie - the sage-brush, indian-paint-brush-bound

bride

Natalie: the sage-brush, indian-paint-brush, cowboy-

lovin', country-bound bride.

She will add elegance to her new ranching life.

Amber: The Bride

Pictures are worth a thousand words:

The Little Red Barn

 It's almost done!  Cedar shingles matching the house will go on the ground level walls.  The chickens are excited for their posh surroundings, maybe?

 Instructions from eight-year old chicken farmers on how to boil and peel the perfect egg:

• In saucepan, cover eggs in cool water over medium heat.
• Bring to boil and begin timer: 9 - 10 min for small

                                                     10 - 11 for medium sized eggs
                                                     11 - 12 for large sized eggs

• Plunge immediately in cold water to cool quickly.
• Crack egg all over and peel.  Be sure to get underneath the thin, transparent membrane and it will slip off.  If being subborn, use a spoon up-side-down to separate the egg from the shell.  It is false that fresh eggs are harder to peel.  Sometimes you get some 'duds' that just won't give it up, but it's not necessarily because they're too fresh.  These are about 3 hours laid.

 'Summer School' began today.  Saw this idea of a double binder at Utah/Idaho school supply.  They were rather $$, but the idea of glueing single binders together made sense.  I used E6000 glue and they are bound to-ge-thu  fo-e-va.  I really like how they lay and store straight and keep similar subjects together.  These will be for Spelin' and Gramer.  Another set will be for Reedin and Riitin'.  One more for Histery and Si-ance.  Math has its own workbook and won't need a binder.

A Lefty and a Righty.

A truism I found in my reading today:  ". . . no one, if he have a heart, can pass through this (deep sorrow) and not carry sadness in his spirit with him forever.  But he seldom shows it openly; it bides within him, enriching his cheerfulness and rendering him of better service to his fellow-men."  -Owen Wister-

Have Blackboard - Will Teach!

 I've wanted a blackboard for a long time - helps me feel so . . . intellectually progressive.  It connotes the excitement of grammar school learning, wooden yard sticks, and recess time, and dusty fingers and clothes, and tic-tac-toe, and perfect manuscript printing that all elementary teachers seem to have.

 Here's how I did it:

•  Paint a smooth surface any size you please with chalkboard paint.  I used 1/8 inch masonite board from the lumber store. I've seen it done directly on walls too. (mine weren't smooth enough)
•  Follow the instructions on the can.  This one had a 'curing' time of many, many hours, we're talking overnight!  which was the hardest part of this project.  I wanted to begin right away, spelling, doodling, leaving messages, having the twins practice their homework . . .
• We, errrr, Jay mounted it with those thingys that hold thin, inexpensive mirrors to the wall. 

 Now, you can doodle, swirl and goof off freely and without any time constraints on your very own chalkboard.  You can also be the eraser monitor every day if you want.  Or pass on this timeless, happy chore/privelege to the children.  Banging erasers still delights kids - ours anyway.  Now for the golden part of this post.  What you use to write on it will make all the difference for the enjoyment of the board.  Crayola chalk (sorry Crayola - love your crayons, despise your chalk) will not erase very well.  Their colored chalk is even worse, and their color isn't very bright or exciting to use.  BUT, a brand name called Alpha makes a great, highly erasable white chalk.  I came across it at Utah/Idaho school supply store in Orem, and it can be ordered online.  THEY don't make colored chalk that I have been able to find but . . .

. . .these are better anyway.  The colors are brilliant.  This is what we learned while on a Gardner Village trip.  Thanks to super sleuth Keli, who got to the bottom of what they were using in their store.  Chalk Ink is to be found at a Michaels or Roberts craft store. (a bit pricey - $10 for a package of 4).  Besides being clear and easy to read, they have the advantage of not wiping off and smearing as people brush past.  You wipe it off with a wet wipe.

Sometimes friends and family will participate too, like this message board of well-wishes for Kyle and Mark.

Come share a message, or doodle, or idea with us any time!  Oh, and the curtain rod with the hooks are for when we want to change out the school room look by covering it with a wall quilt.