veggie-tales *episode 1*

If you like to talk to tomatoes If a squash can make you smile

If you like to waltz with potatoes

Up and down the produce aisle... Have we got a show for you!

VeggieTales, VeggieTales, VeggieTales, VeggieTales,

VeggieTales, VeggieTales, VeggieTales, VeggieTales!

Broccoli! Celery! Gotta be - VeggieTales!

Lima beans! Collard greens! Peachy keen! - VeggieTales!

Cauliflower! Sweet and sour! Half and hour! - VeggieTales!

There's never-ever-ever-ever-ever been a show like VeggieTales!

There's never-ever-ever-ever-ever been a show like VeggieTales!

It's time for VeggieTales!

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We (Yvonne, Steve, John and I) are embarking on a new adventure this year. Yvonne and Steve aren’t able to garden at their apartment, so they are getting their hands dirty at our house…and we are so looking forward to our first garden experience being a team effort. A couple months ago we sat down and decided what we would like to grow, started gathering our food extras for a compost and two weeks ago John and I planted the seeds that needed to be started indoors. We are now seeing the results! The Broccoli was the first to sprout, and now just about all the seeds we planted have popped up out of the soil. It is so neat to watch them grow, all different shapes and sizes!

Now the hard work has to begin…digging out the space for the garden. The area we will be using is currently covered in grass (and snow!) and we have to pull up the sod and prepare the soil in the next few weeks. Hopefully the weather will cooperate with us and we can get it all ready by the time the plants are ready to make the transition.

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And now it's time for Silly Songs with Larry. The part of the show where Larry comes out and sings a silly song. So without further adieu... Silly Songs with Larry

Everybody's got a water buffalo
Yours is fast but mine is slow
Oh, where do you get them I don't know
But everyone's got a water buffaloooooo.................
I took my buffalo to the store
Got his head stuck in the door
Spilled some lima beans on the floor
Oh everybody's got a...

Please stay tuned for our next episode of veggie-tales. (If you aren't familiar with Veggie Tales, the actual production, take the time the introduce yourself...it's well worth it!)

change

Change.

Love it? Hate it? Most people choose the later.

I, on the other hand, thrive in the midst of ever changing scenery. Let me give you some examples (some minor and meaningless, others not so small).

• Hair color. I didn’t start to color my hair until halfway through high school. Due to mom’s conservative nature (she never colored her hair and couldn’t understand why I wanted to…and now she does her own), the first color was hardly different from my natural. After a bout of doing it myself and having bright orange hair I went to the salon for a while. Then I couldn’t afford the salon and decided to try it again on my own - after learning about cool, neutral and warm shades – I figured out what worked and what didn’t. I’ve had everything from almost black (but never will) to auburn that shone pink in the sun to blonde and back again. I still do it myself, highlights and all. I feels good to have a fresh color (oddly enough, I feel more confident in dark colors) and can add a bit of spunk to the everyday.
• Furniture. John and I are constantly rearranging. When we lived in our mobile home our living room was shifted around every couple of months. Since we’ve been in our current home our bedroom has been in three different directions (now back to the original) and our guest bedroom and craft room have switched places. The office has been reorganized at least three times and John is getting the itch to move the tv this weekend!
• Work. Excluding working for a family friend for almost 8 years, I have not worked in the same position, or the same company, for more than two years…ever. Well, until now…I just passed the two year mark with AFCU (but that will be changing in the months to come, bigger and better opportunities heading my way…)
• Home. John and I lived in our first home for two years, then moved to SC, then back to Utah (stayed with parents for a few months, rented a home for a few months, rented an apartment for a year) and are now settled in his parent’s retirement home for the next four. That will be longest we’ve stayed anywhere! And honestly, I’m okay with that NOT changing for now.
• Me. Spiritually, emotionally and {unfortunately} physically. I think the Lord intended for us to be ever changing when he created the earth and breathed life into Adam. Growing. Discovering. Learning. I have changed much and yet so little in regards to my walk with the Lord. I would like to say that I am a different person now than when my personal relationship with Christ began. He has taught me so many things through His Word and yet there is so much more to know. And though I still struggle everyday with the most basic of things I am growing. Slowly. Changing. Depending solely on His grace for strength. Ever since I’ve been married I have become more emotional, sappy and such. And despite the fact I lost the college freshman fifteen – I have gained it back and more – something else I desire to change!

I could go on, and on, and on (vehicles, paint colors, decorations, pets, purses, hobbies, future plans…) but I will save that for another time.

Amidst all of that, there is one thing that is constant:

God, my Rock and Foundation. He is the same, yesterday, today and forever.

And one change I could not bear:

My Husband. Till death do us part (and I mean that in the best way – as long as the Lord blesses) he is my other half. My best friend. Words cannot express…

And though there are some changes that are trying and heartbreaking, changes I haven’t had to experience too often, yet. Changes that we make that some people don't understand or question why, changes that we make just because we can. Most changes are good, exciting, adventuresome.

Embrace it. Find joy in it. Create it once in a while.

Change!

broccoli and cucumber

we are the proud parents of broccoli and cucumber sprouts!

last monday we pre-planted the seeds that need to get started before we put them in the garden {that still has yet to be prepared}. we can't believe how fast these little seeds have transformed into little buds and will soon {with much prayer and care to not to fail epically} be big producing plants. God works in amazing ways!

i am really looking forward to being able to grab a few veggies from the garden; chop, grill, steam or just eat. john and i's vegetarian trial {which is going very well...just got a couple cookbooks from the library to mix it up a bit} will be so much more tasty and affordable during the harvesting season.

happy planting to all of those embarking on the adventure this spring!

weekend projects

this weekend was filled with music, laughs, crafts and food. i went with my mom and her friends {the porchica's} to a cabin near flaming gorge. it's always a relaxing experience. sleeping in (well, if you count 8:30 as sleeping in), staying up late, watching movies, scrapbooking...or for me, knitting and eating delicious, simple food.

{the best part is getting to spend extra time with my momma}

i neglected to take my camera and missed MANY photo opportunities. grr. we saw hundreds of deer and it snowed almost three inches on saturday making everything beautiful and white. thankfully, the sun was shining today and it warmed up nicely.

i don't want to give my projects completely away, as they are a gift. but here's a couple of sneak peaks...







the green yarn {pistachio to be exact} is much better in person and is turning out to be a wonderful piece. i'm excited to stitch it together and see the finished product.

john and i finished the weekend with a much needed and enjoyable walk around the neighborhood. now to prepare for the week ahead {book club, awana, bible study, ikea girl's outing...} a little rest before the whirlwind!

spring

I need spring! (Hence the change to a yellow and orange motif.) There are glimpses of it here and there, but I need it full force. The birds are visiting the bird feeder –keeping the cat entertained. The sun is shining and warming the ground a little. The seeds and bulbs are gathering, ready to be planted. BUT there is still snow and too much chill in the air! Spring, please HURRY! I need to be outside, in my flip flops, in the dirt, on a bike, on the porch, windows open, music playing, reading a book…whatever else the season may bring.
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Chuck, Connie and the kids left Tuesday. I cried. So hard to say goodbye. It’s hard to believe that those babies will be walking next time we seem them. Please pray with me for them, their safety, their ministry, their health. That the Lord will continue to bless them while they serve Him in India. I miss them already!