Alice in Wonderland

Mad Hatter: Have I gone mad?

Alice: I'm afraid so. You're entirely bonkers. But, I'll tell you a secret, all the best people are.

I've always thought Alice in Wonderland a little bizarre  With all the crazy concoctions, nonsense talk, and weird characters. But, every once in awhile, a conversation or quote will hit me just right and an idea will spark. And, this quote did just that!

The girls and I do a Mothers Day Tea every year around Mothers Day. Sometimes, we want to do something that includes everyone in the family. This was going to be that year. We often meet at Thanksgiving Point Gardens to enjoy the Tulip Festival, and it always makes the best backdrop to the best tea parties. I thought and thought how we could include the boys this year. Then the idea came... the Mad Hatter! Many thanks to Pinterest, I had the tea party put together in no time! Making the invitations is always the most fun... and everything else is formulated off that alone. We made Mad Hatter Hats. We made Eat Me finger foods and desserts, and Drink Me concoctions. It was bizarre, weird, crazy fun! Just ask any of my mad guests!

More pictures:

First of Fall

I'm a farmer, so undoubtedly, I spend a lot of time on the farm. With the hubs gone, it has been all up to me to manage. For health reasons, I hadn't been too involved in the farming for a couple of years, but it didn't take long for me to get into the groove of it again. I actually like it. That is... I like it when I am in charge! The first of Fall is always a signal for the end of harvest. It is the best time of the year for a farmer. Much needed rest and relaxation is finally in sight!

The last order of peaches were picked up and I took advantage of having the orchard all to myself. I armed myself with a camera, put a basket on the 4 wheeler, and headed off to the orchard first thing in the morning... 8:30 a.m.  I live underneath the looming peaks of the Wasatch Mountains, which is located just east of our home and orchard, and the sun doesn't make its way over the top until then. The air was crisp, cool. You could smell the change in the air. Just like Fall weather should be like. I was loving it! It was the first time I wore a jacket. Given how hot it was this year, I was pleasantly surprised that the change in season, the first of Fall, signaled an immediate change in temperature and weather conditions. It was like welcoming an old friend.

As I drove up and down the rows, I took my time... because... I love the stillness and quiet of the mornings. Especially in the orchard. Most of the birds are well on their way to warmer places. No sound of chatter. The honey bees are bedded down in their hives. No buzzing sounds. I saw a squirrel now and again, scurry across the ground, snatch a nut or piece of fruit off the ground, and scourer up a tree. The leaves are changing colors. Brown, red, orange, yellow. So awe inspiring! It was like I was enveloped in a Nature Sermon, soaking up every detail the farm had to show and tell me. I can't even imagine who would ever NOT believe that the world, is indeed, a classroom! 

A farm girl's best friend... 4 wheeler

An empty bird nest

First of leaves changing colors

I didn't have to pick for someone else today. I picked for myself. Peaches, plums, pears, apples, Asian pears. I took them in the house and conveniently arranged the fresh picked fruit, in some wooden bowls, and placed them on the kitchen table. It will be easy to snatch a piece every time I feel a fruit attack coming on. And, the kiddos will love it when they come to visit grandma.

What was your first of Fall like?

Writing prompt #1: The first day of Fall was Sept. 22nd, share something fall related you did!

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Photo Journal

Look what I did today... Wednesday, September 18, 2013.

7:00 a.m. - Wake up. Look on the computer to see stats on Shaniel's Story.

My daughters and I started a Community Based Face Book page a couple of days ago in memory of my daughter, their sister - Shaniel. It is our hope that as we tell Shaniel's story, more women will find the courage to leave abusive relationships. Our page is intended to educate, provide hope and courage, and let people know just what a special person Shaniel was. She had so much to live for. We miss and love her every single day. If you want to follow our story and our cause, go to https://www.facebook.com/Shanielstory 

8:00 a.m. - Out to the orchard

Last night the wind was mean and ferocious. The rain came down in sheets, pounding so hard I thought our widows would break. I went to the orchard first thing this morning to asses the damage. There were lots of peaches on the ground, but enough left on the trees to, hopefully, fill all our orders. Our peaches are in huge demand. I've been told ours is the best in the valley. Twice to three times bigger than anyone else's. I thought all the other farmers used the same weapon as us, but apparently not. We thin our fruit to 10 inches apart in the Spring. More energy goes to fewer fruit. Some of peaches and pears weigh in over 2 lbs. each. Woohoo!

Wish I could share with you all!

9:00 a.m. - Oatmeal for breakfast

Yes, I am an oatmeal fan. I love raisins and brown sugar on it, too. No granulated sugar!

10:00 a.m. - Pears to bottle

Or so I thought! Youngest daughter and I were going to bottle some pears from the orchard. They still need to sit for a day or two to ripen. We'll try again in a couple of days.

11:00 a.m. - Homework

Grandma (that's me), helped little Missy Moo (that's the granddaugther) with writing. She is left handed. I'm right handed. Didn't work so well. I read her a story, too. I love being a grandmother!

12:00 noon - Lunch

When you can't bottle pears, what do you do? Eat out! Hometown just got a new In-N-Out Burger. We just had to go. Buster Boo is happy! Grandma, too!

1:00 p.m. - Shopping

When you're out on the town, you can't go home until you shop! We dedicated 2 hours to out on the town. We went to JoAnns and picked out some lovely purple yarn (Shaniel's favorite color and is also the color for Domestic Violence Awareness). Youngest talented daughter is going to knit her and I a scarf to wear at Shaniel's Walk, October 19. It's a community invited walk that will follow the Price River Walkway, in honor of Shaniel's memory and to celebrate her life. All proceeds will be donated to the local Women's Shelter.

3:00 p.m. - Auto Zone

When it rains, it pours! The battery on the tractor went dead, so I had to buy a new one. And the four wheeler got a bad blasted flat tire. I took the tire in to Big O to get fixed and bought the battery from Auto Zone. Thank goodness for tractor man! Got to get those two up and moving again. I've got peaches to pick!

4:00 p.m. - Smiths

While the four wheeler tire was getting fixed, I went to the grocery store to buy me a two weeks supply of food. I'm home alone right now... and live mainly off fresh fruits and veggies. It such a wonderful time of the year! 

5:00 p.m. - News

Why do I insist in watching the news? It's mostly sad stuff. But I do love my channel 5 - ksl news. They often air positive and uplifting stories and focus on education, as well. 

7:00 p.m. - Appointment

Wait! Isn't that picture from above? It is. I had an appointment at the church house, and when I came out the sun had just set over Willard Bay. It was just beautiful. Hues of pink, orange and yellow settled behind the mountains to the west. The scene was peaceful and serene. 

8:00 p.m. - Fresh Peaches

I sliced up a bowl of fresh peaches before going to bed. I think I missed dinner! Oh well... this is much better!

9:00 p.m. - Is MY BEDTIME!

Jump in bed and relax to the finale of America's Got Talent. Thank goodness for DVR!
The Mr.'s side of the bed remains un-disturbed. And I have it all to myself... love, love, love it!

Writing prompt #2: Take a picture every hour and show us what a day in your life is like.

Alfred Lord Tennyson

 

"Knowlege comes, but Wisdom lingers." Alfred Lord Tennyson

We go through life acquiring knowledge... it comes through life experiences and learning, both in the world and in the classroom. Knowledge is acquired every single day, and is built line upon line.

Wisdom comes after acquiring knowledge and going through life experiences; sometimes over years of time. Wisdom is recognized as using "good judgement and being wise."

Two people come to mind when I think of having "wisdom". My parents. It wasn't until later on in life, after I became a parent and a grandparent myself, that I recognized the wisdom my parents possessed. They were my first and most important teachers in life. They provided many opportunities for learning... both at home, in the classroom, and in the world. All my experiences and education have helped shape the person I am today and will continue to do so throughout my life. I can only hope that as my children and grandchildren look to me for direction, guidance and advice, they find me as "wise" as my parents became to me.   

Fall

Six things I look forward to this Fall...

1. Birthdays

My sister and I have our birthdays one week apart. We usually go out for lunch.

My daughter was born two days before my birthday... she was a perfect gift!

Love, love, love these two women in my life!

2. End of Farm Season 

Can't wait to sell the last of the peaches and put the baskets and tractor away for the season. 

I am ready for a much needed rest!

3. Bon Fires

Who doesn't love a Smore! I am looking forward to cooler weather, sweatshirts, and sitting in front of the fire roasting marshmallows and eating smores' with the family.

4. Fall Leaves

Every year for my birthday, the kids and I hike a near-by canyon, picnic, and eat cake. The best part... watching the grandkids play in the leaves!  The bottom right picture is of our orchard (last fall).

5. Baking and Cooking

I can't wait to mix up a batch of pumpkin chocolate cookies! I love the smell that the harvest brings... spices, harvest soups, and fresh baked bread. Mmmmmm! And Grandma's home-made Chicken Noodle Soup is begging to be made. It warms both the tummy and the soul. So comforting!

6. Europe Trip

I'll be flying to Europe, after farm season is over, where I'll meet the hubs. It's my second time to visit Europe. I am looking forward to seeing new places, experiencing new customs, and spending time with the Col.

And did I mention that Fall is my favorite time of year! 

Writing prompt #3:  Six things you look forward to this Fall

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Darkness

Sometimes we have to feel opposites to know the full measure of their meanings. Darkness and Light. Sickness and Health. Sorrow and Joy. Despair and Hope. Loneliness and Contentment. Misery and Happiness. Adversity is part of our mortal life.

None of us will escape this life without experiencing opposites. We choose what to do with the trials of adversity. Will we learn and grow from our experiences, causing greater determination to rise above our afflictions? Or will we lose hope and remain in misery and darkness? What we choose will ultimately determine the outcome of our character. 

For me, when I choose light over darkness, I feel full of hope, peace, love, joy, and optimism for a new dawn... a brighter tomorrow. Even in my darkest hours I reach for the light and it makes all the difference in the world. 

Darkness

I love America! The America I love was born out of passion, integrity, wisdom, determination, and sacrifices of our early ancestors and Founding Fathers. I believe they were guided, protected, and inspired by divine providence in creating the America I love. Now, many generations later, some of our elected officials seem to have forgotten what America was founded on. Some of our freedoms are at stake. There is unrest around the world. We, as citizens in America and around the world all have a choice to make. Freedom and Light, or Destruction and Darkness. 

As for me, I unite with our Fore Fathers... LET FREEDOM RING!