What Happens When You Leave A Dachsund Alone?

THIS!

Otherwise known as: My Once Favorite Chair

The culprit is the one who has Annabelle pinned.

Gabbie has become the bane of my existence.

Too bad she has too cute of a face . . .

If I were a true blogger . . .

If I were a true blogger like so many are these days . . .

my posts would go something like this . . .

I have a really really bad sinus infection and 

I had to go on antibiotics which I hate.

I babysat Grant tonight for awhile while Katie 

worked out and there is spaghetti stuck to my floor

which I am too sick to clean which is fine.

I love the evidence that my favorite little boy

was here smiling at me and laughing and eating noodles.

I would also post that despite my complaining earlier this year about
having to endure 15 more months of public school as a parent . . . 

today I learned that my son is so smart that he doesn't have to 

go to High School for another 15 months.

Because of his Crohn's Disease - public school just doesn't work.

Not flexible enough and so it is time for him to move on - a bit early.

He is getting his GED next week despite the fact that 

I signed him up for two months of classes
so  he would be totally prepared.

Today was his first day of prep.

He aced the pretest so they told him to take the
big test next week and be done.

Why would you go to 15 more months of school

to learn stuff you already know?

He starts college in June.

I am almost officially an empty nester.

With spaghetti stuck to my floor and toys in my bedroom

and fingerprints all over my glass patio door and mirrors.

The wonder of motherhood.

To honor Tanner I am posting my favorite school event picture.
(He doesn't read my blog thank goodness - he would hate me if he saw it!)

Congratulations Tanner on your recent accomplishments.

Second Grade field day.
Gotta love this kid.
He is the essence of what I call a free spirit.

And he is one of my very best friends.

HAPPY 17th BIRTHDAY TANNER!

I FORGOT TO POST MY HAPPY BIRTHDAY

TO TANNER!

He turned 17 on Wednesday the 6th.

So in honor of my amazing, patient, smart,

musically gifted, kind, and very funny son . . .

Happy Birthday!

Of course I did remember him on his birthday -
he got Raybans and Headphones.

I just didn't post in his honor.

Unfortunately Tanner does not like having his picture taken -

so here is one of my favorite older pics of him with his long hair.

I do like the short hair immensely.

More Great Salt Lake

After posting the picture of the Great Salt Lake the other day

we got another snow storm which cleared the air and

presented me with the perfect opportunity to photograph

the lake in it's early spring glory.

Snow in April can be annoying - and beautiful all at the same time.

The Great Salt Lake

I had a dear friend ask me tonight if I had a view of the lake.

I told her I did.
I love watching the sunsets and the island and the water
as it slowly disappears through the hot summers.

So I decided to post another one of my favorite

Great Salt Lake pictures.

Thanks Liz P. for reminding me that there is a lake

out there despite the fact that it has been hidden

in too many dark clouds these past few months.

Occasionally it shows itself and the sun reflects upon its waters -

but let's face it - we have had one long winter.

Hence the 6" of snow outside at this moment.

Hopefully this is what I will be looking at 4 months from now -
only with way more water showing:

August 2010

Oatmeal Lemon Bars

Grant helped me make Lemon Bars on Sunday . . .

And now for the recipe:

(Sorry I don't have a picture of the actual bars - 

my camera died and we ate them before it recharged!)

Oatmeal Lemon Bars

1 1/2 cups butter

2 1/2 cups packed brown sugar

4 eggs

1 tsp vanilla

2 Tbsp Lemon Juice

2 cups flour

2 tsp baking powder

1/2 tsp cinnamon

1/2 tsp nutmeg

2 cups oatmeal

Mix together and bake @ 350 degrees until center is set.

Do not overcook.

Glaze with the following:
1/4 cup lemon juice
1/3 cup cream
1/4 cup butter softened
Powder sugar - enough to make a soft and spreadable icing.

Frost the bars while still warm.
You can add pecans or walnuts if you like.
Good warm or cold.