Garden & Treats

Yippee! We harvested our first crop in the garden. Our lettuce is so delicious. Very crisp, and the best lettuce I have ever had. And the best part.. we have A TON to share. I'm excited to have some fresh salad and fresh lettuce on my sandwiches. Yummy!

This is Max.. at 9:30 PM wanting to go outside instead of to bed. We do this all day, everyday. He loves the outdoors and would stay out there all day if I would let him. 

Yesterday James and I made homemade dog treats for Mr. Max! They were super easy to make!

I got the recipe from this awesome blog It Freezes Beautifully.

1 cup peanut butter

1 cup milk

2 cups flour

VERY EASY and super healthy for the puppies.

After we made them and they cooled it was time to put them to the real test.. would Mr. Max like these?

AND THE VERDICT IS....

I think he liked them.. he had three and followed me around in hope he was going to get another one.

Needless to say, I think he has plenty. So he has no need to worry. And besides it was easy to make and  very cheap so I believe these will always be his treats now. Spoiled dog isn't he? It's worth it and I love spoiling him ha ha. If you haven't noticed.

But don't worry Max and I know how to share.. so we brought up a few to Mr. Clink! And they were a hit with him too! So if you have a dog, I would definitely make these!

Strawberry Shortcake, Cake!

What you need:

1 boxed cake mix (white or yellow)

1 can or container of whipped topping (cool whip)

1 can of Shasta Raspberry Cream soda pop

6 strawberries sliced

Preheat oven to 350 

In a large mixing bowl put cake mix, and soda

mix with hand mixer on low for 30 seconds then on medium for 1 1/2-2 minutes

Put mix in an cake pan (does not need to be sprayed)

Bake for 25 minutes

Let cool for about 5 minutes

On top spread the whipped topping (might start to melt which is good)

Add sliced strawberries and place in the fridge until ready to eat.

KEEP IN FRIDGE UNTIL ALL GONE!

These Boots Are Made For Walking

Trust me, when I saw these boots are made for walking they sure are. They have been to some of the nastiest places and the worst part about that.. I've only owned them for three weeks. Ha ha! These are my irrigation, horse petting/riding, walking around town boots. I have stepped in a lot of horse poop but don't worry these bad boys have been cleaned! I love these boots, they are my first real pair of cowgirl boots! And you know it's only fitting to have real cowgirl boots since I live in farm country now. The best part about these bad boys though.. they are normally $90 and I got them for only $20! Yippee! I absolutely LOVE sales. If you haven't noticed yet. Ha! 

Today while walking Max we came across these beauties. So of course I did the only thing natural for me I snapped A TON of pictures. This one is one of my absolute favorites. It makes the perfect desktop background by the way. All I ask in return if you do use it please give me credit! Anyways, I love, love, love flowers they are my favorite things ever to take pictures of. They are beautiful! One of natures best features. This is how I get through Summer. NOT my favorite season ever. I can't stand heat. I'd rather be freezing my butt off then melting like the wicked witch of the west. 

Idaho is so beautiful. I love seeing all the farm land, especially right now. It's amazing and a whole new culture. The sky here for the most part is always clear and such a wonderful color of blue. And can I just say the stars are AMAZING! I love the view here it's wonderful. I feel so blessed that I have this opportunity to live here and experience such beauty. It's pretty incredible! 

Oh Happy Days!

To start off I want to express how grateful I am to these two. This is Grandma and Grandpa Hatch. They are incredible people. I'm very grateful to them for allowing James and I to live in their home while they are serving their mission in Nauvoo Illinois. They are great examples to me. And not to mention.. but look how cute they are in their mission attire! I love these two very much.

Speaking of cute.. ha ha. Look how cute Max is. This is his oh hey give me that treat you're holding look. How can you say no to this face? This little guy is super adorable. 

Speaking of Max.. We went camping this last Friday in our backyard. Why? Well, we got a new air mattress and we wanted to try it out and more importantly make sure that it fit in our tent. Max wasn't too sure about camping or being locked in a tent. So he sat on my lap and stared out the window for awhile. But eventually he enjoyed it. He laid down and went to bed ha ha.

This is a "selfie" that we took from our backyard camping trip. It was a lot of fun and I'm glad that the hubs and I can do silly things like this. 

James and I also went on a date on Saturday out to Chesterfield. We went to a piano concert to see his Grandma's cousin play. He puts on a fantastic show! It was a lot of fun. We even got a cookie and some lemonade after. Yum, yum! 

The BEST summer drink EVER!

Strawberries & Cream 

Cream Slush

Serves 1-2

What you'll need:

6 Ice Cubes

3-4 (depending on how creamy you want it) Scoops Vanilla Bean Ice Cream

1 Cup Strawberry Kool-Aid (make kool-aid as directed on back of package.)

**SIDE NOTE** You can use any type of kool-aid favor you want!

Mix all ingredients in a blender making sure there are no big ice chunks, pour in your favorite cup and sit back and enjoy! 

Just a few things

This guy here had a birthday last week! He turned the big 23. We were able to spend his birthday with his dad because he was up visiting us due to some work he had up here. It was wonderful. He took James and I out to this place in Lava called the Silver Grille. It was so delicious! I highly recommend it.

Something you might not know about me.. I LOVE Bath and Body Works! So they are having their semi-annual sale and I went on a bit of a shopping spree. But I got an AWESOME deal. I was able to score all of this for around $40.00. Wahoo! I got twelve hand soaps, five candles, a pair of socks, five hand sanatizers, and one stress relief bubble bath. I'm so excited that it finally arrived. 

Speaking of shopping.. I also got some things from Shopko who is also having a semi-annual sale! I love good deals needless to say. I'm not a normal shopper. If I go shopping, it's for clearance, sales and/or I have my coupons. Anyways.. at Shopko I got two packages of toilet paper for $4.48 normally $6, flip flops for $1.88 normally $7, the hubs some basketball shorts for $6.88 normally $18, a 4 piece canister set for $7.88 normally $29, four plates for $1.79 normally $3.99, a camp chair for $6.88 normally $16 and an air mattress for $48.88 normally $90.00. Like I said.. I like shopping sales. ha ha. *SIDE NOTE* I do not go shopping all the time. I promise.. I know my limits and I can actually budget money very well.

This little guy has been my best friend lately. It's so cute. I'm enjoying how clingy he has been. I love it! I am definitely wrapped around his paw that's for sure. Yesterday was really chilly and rainy so he jumped up on my bed and cuddled under the blanket with me and stayed there for three hours. YAY! 

Today he followed me all around the yard as I was watering the plants and weeding. He would do this little skip and run thing. It was darling. I like having a pup as my little buddy! And let's just take a second to look at him.. how freaking adorable is he?!

The hubby and I decided that we needed a date. So on Tuesday we went to the hot baths which felt so daaang good. It was freezing, so it was perfect. And not only was it that but I had a stud in a swim suit to stare at. Ha ha, kidding, kidding. 

Our garden is starting to grow! Everything is getting so big. I'm very excited to see how our garden is growing. It makes me feel accomplished. I can't wait until we're able to start eating everything. If you forgot we have have watermelon, peas, carrots, lettuce, corn, strawberries, rhubarb, raspberries, and pumpkins. We did plant cucumbers and squash but they froze, so they are no longer growing! Which breaks my heart because I love them. Maybe next year!

People here in Idaho are so friendly! Especially in my little town. I have not been feeling too well lately and I went to the doctors on Tuesday so hopefully they'll figure out what is going on. Anywho, someone found out and they stopped by yesterday and dropped off these Idaho Spud bars for James and I. They also just wanted to check in and see how we were doing. It was so sweet.

Went to get the mail today and noticed this ha ha. This is how you know you have a best friend. When they address your wedding invite with your nickname. It was hilarious and made my day. Sure did give me a chuckle. And I can't wait for Jennifer's big day!

And last, but not least today has been a gorgeous day! Clear beautiful blue skies and not too hot and not too cold. I am definitely enjoying right along with Max.

A little bit of everything.

Well today's post is going to be all over the place.. from stuff that happened on the weekend to today, to whenever ha ha. But yeah, enjoy!

The Mr. and I went on a date on Saturday to Lava Hot Springs to this cute little ice cream shop. Lately I have been obsessed with anything to do with ice cream. So yummy! We both decided that we wanted to be five again and we went wild with the flavors. James got bubblegum and I got play dough. Needless to say it was delicious! While there we met this cute little boy who was handicapped and obsessed with fist bumping. It was adorable! The hubs and I definitely made a new best friend.

Sir Max sure had been enjoying the outside lately! But, I don't blame him the weather has been very nice. I'm lucky if I can get him to come inside for a break or even to go to bed. But he has been my little buddy also. I love every moment of it. He cuddles with me and follows me everywhere. Good thing he's a cutie! I love Max very much. He's a great dog and an even better buddy!

Since the weather has been pretty steamy lately we decided to go ahead and set up the pool on Saturday. We aren't pool setting up people. So how many blondes does it take to set up a pool? TWO! ha ha. Kidding, we got it all figured out and it's all set up and ready to go as soon as we buy a filter. YAY! I absolutely love swimming. I'm like a little fishy. Swimming is the only thing I really care for during summer. I'm more of a winter girl I do not like heat ha ha. Anyways.

Remember that printable I made? Yeah, I printed mine off in a 4 x 6 and framed in a yellow frame I had lying around. Now it's sitting beautifully on my entertainment center in my room! Makes me so happy every time I look at it. Which is why I made it. Gotta love Walt Disney and his smarts.

I also finally printed off this picture of the Timpanogos Temple I took a year ago. It's one of my favorite pictures that I have ever taken. I love it. I put it in the front room right next to the door. I think it really completes the room! I also am now selling my temple prints and my landscape and flower prints! If you're interested in viewing them or purchasing one you can go to my Facebook page here to see them! If you'd like to purchase any of them just send me a message on there. If you don't have a Facebook you can email me here! And please feel free to leave feedback.  

I got this lovely gem in the mail today! I got selected to participate in the Yoplait Greek Yogurt taste off! I'm so excited to do this. I love yogurt. Especially Yoplait. I just hope their Greek is as good as their normal yogurt ha ha. Anyways. I get to get a cup of Yoplait Greek and then Chobani Greek. I'll let you know which one I like better once I purchase the yogurt and do the taste test.

Also lately I have been obsessed with double stuffed Oreos! They are so addicting and delicious! Oh and I got new pajama pants.. the ones in the picture. I LOVE them. They are perfect for summer so light and comfy. I got them at JCPenney on Saturday! They had some crazy sale. Which was wonderful.

Farm Girl..

Today I was having one of those "eh" days.. because it didn't start out too well. My allergies have been up the wazoo lately and today they are incredibly bad. So I had planned on being in bed all day. But that was short lived ha ha. 

This here is what we call irrigation. Yup, I'm becoming a true "farm girl" ha! Anywho.. back to the story. While I was in bed being lazy and feeling sorry for myself the doorbell rang. I have no idea who it was.. some lady that lives in my town ha ha! Anywho.. she has irrigation before we get it so she came over to ask if I knew where the water came from. All I knew was up the hill. Yeah, I'm a BIG help right? She needed to know this because she wasn't getting any water into her yard. Since I didn't know luckily I knew Wiley (James' great uncle) would know and could help us.

So Wiley and I went around town in a golf cart trying to find the problem. Because you see if she's not getting water we won't be getting water. Anywho. We went around searching for awhile and finally we discovered the problem. Someone was stealing the water from her and what could of been me. So Wiley and I went for a "nature" walk through this field. Now this picture doesn't do it justice. There is sticker weeds, random sharp things, and tall grass and weeds. Needless to say I was wearing shorts and flip flops because I wasn't planning on going on an adventure ha ha. We found what's called the head gate (I think. I'm knew to all of this..) and Wiley did his thing and we fixed the problem. GO US! Mostly Wiley! ha ha. I did feel really bad though.. Wiley was leaving the gate and it fell and so he fell with it. OUCH! He got cut up pretty good. At least all I got was a bunch of scrapes. 

This is my poor foot.. not the best picture so you can't really tell but yeah it's all scraped up. HA! Little scratches hurt like a butt munch that's one thing I tell you. But hey now I'm prepared.. I need to get boots and wear long pants next time. Just in case.

On a good note. At least some of the weeds were pretty and purple! I picked one.. and put it in my pocket ha ha. That's why it's all shriveled up and looks like poo.

My favorite shoe broke today also. Such a sad day! But hey my fault this is the shoe I was wearing while I went for my "nature" walk. BOO! But, maybe I can glue it back together. ha ha!

Max was my riding buddy earlier also when I went to check and make sure that we were still getting water into the pastures. He's such a good sport and has been keeping me plenty of company lately. He's super cute! And bragging moment.. he's been cuddling with me every morning! YAY!

Since me and Max were already out we went for a little ride! So we stopped to visit some horses. This one is my friend. He let me feed him some grass. And apparently he wasn't done when I was because I drove off he followed me and then neighed loudly ha ha. Poor thing.. 

We also drove by the cute green house that I want to by. Isn't is adorable? All I know is it better still be for sale in two years. ha ha! I have fallen in love. Every time I drive by it I think if only..

After all this and my rough morning *side note* after all of this my allergies were like AH out of control.. and the allergy pill WAS NOT working one bit.* so I was feeling down and all the sudden the doorbell rang again. *Sigh* So I went to answer it and it was this darling older gentleman to introduce himself to me and he brought James and I a fresh still warm loaf of bread! It smells so yummy! It made my entire day! Needless to say God works in mysterious ways. I was so emotional not sure why but this small and sweet gesture made me cry. It is just what I needed today!

I made another printable. This one I am going to print off and frame for my home. I am totally in love with it! I love the saying and I LOVE how it turned out. If you want it you can go ahead and use it. Just click the picture to make bigger and save it. It prints best as an 8 x 10 or smaller. 

Another happy note! The hubby brought me home beautiful flowers yesterday! He's so thoughtful. His reasoning was because you need them and I haven't gave you any in awhile. I just love him. He's so cute and I'm very lucky to be his wifey! 

Printables

Well this was fun! I decided I was going to be spontaneous and make one of those free printables that you can print off and frame! But instead of making one.. I made two! ha ha! Not the best but hey I'm learning. :) Anyways.. here you go enjoy!

P.S. It isn't printed grey it's printed white. 

Can be printed in an 8 x 10 or a 5 x 7

(Click the picture to make bigger & to save!)

Can be printed in an 8 x 10 or a 5 x 7

(Click the picture to make bigger & to save!)

A short weekend visit

Last weekend the hubs and I went down to Utah for a short visit. For a few reasons. 1-It was Halee's 6th grade graduation. (That's his sister.) 2-It was Brandon's graduation. (That's his brother.) 3-It was the nieces dance concert. Needless to say, it was a pretty busy weekend going from here to there.

(Not the worlds best picture ever.. but yeah sorry!)

Halee graduated from Elementary school on Thursday! Wahoo! It was so exciting to see how excited she was and is to be going to junior high school. It's a big step in life. I'm so proud of her. It was AWESOME, she sang Katy Perry's song "Firework" with one of her friends she did a fabulous job. Man that girl has some PIPES. James and I surprised her with our visit. She didn't think we were going to be there for her graduation so it made it all the better. I'm glad we were able to share her special day with her.

On Friday afternoon we went to lunch/dinner with the hubby's family to celebrate Brandon's graduation. We went before hand seeing as how he had a later graduation. Smart idea on his parents part or we would have been STARVING! We went to Olive Garden. The food was alright to be honest.. well at least mine was. Our waiter was pretty good though. Although I'm pretty sure he kept hitting on James sister Natalie. ha ha.

After lunch we went home for a bit and rested. (Like an hour or so ha!) After our nice little rest we headed to go and see Brandon graduate High School. I'm so proud of him and all that he has accomplished. He's an awesome dude. I couldn't ask for a better brother-in-law! At the graduation we couldn't of picked better seats.. we were up front close and personal. Ha ha. We were just a few seats down from where he was sitting so we were able to stare at him the entire time and make him feel as uncomfortable as possible. Hey! You need to have a little fun a graduations or you just might kill yourself. ha ha. That might sound harsh but man.. those things drag on. I even say this about my own. So no hard feelings.

The next day was the nieces dance concert! Man can these little ladies shake it! They did such an awesome job! I love being their aunt. I was sure glad that we were down for this weekend so we could see them dance. They have grown so much over the few years and keep getting better and better at this whole dancing thing. It was awesome to see their different personalities also. They are just so cute!

Sunday was the day to go home. Unfortunately. If you haven't noticed I am a family person! Anyways. Before we headed home we stopped by my cute grandpa's house. He is hilarious and full of spontaneous  moments. This 92 year old has got it! He is stubborn, but so full of life. I love my grandpa so much and I am grateful that we were able to stop by and see him.