anniversary

Congratulations to these two beautiful people 
  (my mom and dad).

They are celebrating their 50th wedding anniversary today.  

Looking much more fabulous than even the Kennedy's!!!

Also:

Congratulations to "Romina"!  You are today's winner of the Third Friday Giveaway and the vintage straw holder and paper straws!

A big thank you to all of you who entered.  Look for terra's earth's next giveaway on Friday, July 19th. 

a simpler time

Like most moms, I spend a lot of time in the car, even in the summer time.  My car stereo holds up to twenty-one preset stations.  Currently, I'm quite smitten with preset number ten, which is the forties on four (from Sirius xm).  There's something about the forties music that takes me to a lovely place.  In my mind's eye I'm sitting on the porch of a little white washed bungalow in a small southern town.  I'm wearing a cotton a-line dress with a simple floral print,  sipping a glass of fresh squeezed lemonade and watching the world go by.  Can you almost see the water beads condensing on the glass?  Of course I'm sipping that lemonade through a white straw with red stripes, and in the background, the voice of Frank Sinatra is crooning through one of those cabinet style radios. Sounds serene doesn't it?  It is.  I've always had a vivid imagination.  And for some reason, driving around the desert with the forties on four gives me a little reprieve from the carpool grind that sometimes makes me crazy.  And what do the kids think about my new music selection?  The conversation with Sierra went something like this, "What are you listening to???" My response, "The forties on four".  Her reply, "Why are you listening to this???" And all I could do was smile.  There was no sense in trying to explain it.  You have to be a mom to appreciate the beauty of this of occasional escape from reality.  Even if it's just in my mind.

just stay little

We got to watch this cutie last night while his mom and dad had a quick over-night trip.  It's been a long time since I had to worry about someone running into the street and never left home without a ziplock bag full of goldfish.  It was kind of bitter-sweet for me to reflect on that time when I was the mom of four very young kidsos.

Gentry and I had a date today..... one her favorites...pottery painting.

And I after we were done, it was lunch and then swimsuit shopping.  As as we navigated the  busy parking lot, she even let me hold her hand.  And I loved it, and I think she did too. And I thought about how sometimes, the simplest things are the best things.  Like holding hands.  And how even though she's not five anymore, in some ways, she will always be my little girl.

giveaway friday

Yes, dear readers, I believe it's time for a Giveaway.  

So starting today

  {and every third friday of the month} 

I will be posting something new and fun that I love and want to share with you.

So here it is.... terra's earth's...  first official 

Giveaway.

{How to enter}

1. Become a follower of terra's earth (by liking terra's earth on facebook OR via google friends connect OR via email-see sidebar)

2. Leave a comment on this post telling me how you follow.

One winner will be selected from the comments using random.org and announced on june 28th.

{the giveaway closes on june 27th, 2013}

{contest open to those residing in the intercontinental u.s.) 

seriously funny

Studio C is a comedy troupe originating from byu that not only does sketches that are clean, but really, really funny.  Gentry showed me this one last night. Now maybe I was tired, and maybe it was late, but  oh my gosh!... judge for yourself.  You can catch more of Studio C here. So refreshing to find someone doing clean, family friendly comedy.

muffin mania

I believe I mentioned that I've been on a bit of a baking binge lately.  The children have requested muffins for breakfast, and muffins I've delivered.  This was of one of times when my OCD can be kind of fun.  Here are the links to the recipes  Enjoy!

Lemon Poppy Seed Muffins 

LOVE!

Blueberry Cream Muffins

I used 1c. blueberries, and 1c. raspberries .  A big hit with the kids. 

Apple Cinnamon Muffins

I doubled this recipe and used 1/2 wheat and 1/2 white flour.  I did the same with the sugar using 1/2 white and 1/2 brown. They were "yum" (again according to the kids). Note: only fill cups 2/3 full (as mentioned in reviews!)

Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Muffins

What else can I say? Pumpkin and chocolate together, pour the milk.

Applesauce Muffins

Had to include these.  The healthiest, my favorite, and an easy way to add some veggies to my kids menu.

 Note: Know your oven!!! My oven always cooks faster than the allotted recipe time, and the lemon poppy seed muffins were done in just nineteen minutes. 

temple blessings

Twenty-two years ago I went through the temple for the first time.  It was one of the most happy and peaceful experiences of my life.  I was surrounded by my family and friends, people who loved me and wanted me to be happy.  Some of those same people have since that day returned to live with our Heavenly Father.  I have felt great peace in knowing that through His plan of happiness, I will have an opportunity to see them again. 
      Today Sadie went through the temple for the first time.  She was also surrounded by the people that love her.  My heart was full as looked at my daughter.  She has developed into an amazing young woman.  Her faith at this young age of eighteen is something I could have only hoped for at that time in my life.  I know that the promises she made today will bless her and protect her and help her continue on a path that will ultimately bring her joy, no matter what lies ahead.   

"God cannot give us a happiness and peace apart from Himself, because it is not there. There is no such thing." C.S. Lewis

 

grilled cheese and tomato soup

Our house has been a constant revolving door of teenagers, tweens, and kids.  And with every revolution of that door, someone walks in hungry.  It's okay.  I did a major cosco run the week school ended.  My freezer is stocked with pizzas, rolled tacos, popsicles, and ice-cream.  I've also been on a baking rampage, so there is absolutely no food shortage here.  However, there does seem to be a shortage of clean up help after that eating frenzy ends (hourly).  Again, it's okay.  I love having my house full  of these kidos. This is summer, and I think that's what summer is all about.  But today, after cleaning the kitchen for what seemed like the hundredth time, Gentry came into request her favorite, grilled cheese and tomato soup (even though she'd just eaten an hour ago).  I sighed and considered my possible replies...
     Gentry you just ate an hour ago, are you sure you're hungry?
      or
     How about  you just have some left over pizza or a bowl of cereal?
      or
      Wouldn't you just like a  bowl of chips?

In the end I decided to say, "Sure, babe".  Because, you see, right now Gentry spells love G.R.I.L.L.E.D.  C.H.E.E.S.E.   But I hope one day when she looks back on her childhood she will spell love M.O.M.

june ten on ten

My first ten on ten. 

Ten photos, ten consecutive hours. 

pumpkin chocolate chip muffins

breakfast

bike ride with sadie

back yard adventure...

arizona style

the "have to's"

my girls being girls

sierra on dinner prep

and finally at dusk
re-poting....petunias out, vincas in

happy anniversary baby

Twenty-two years ago today.  And we still like each other.

Happy anniversary babe.

(and thx Aidan for the pics!)

You are herby called to serve...

.....as a missionary of the church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. You are assigned to labor in the

HOUSTON TEXAS MISSION!

Yay!!!!!!!

It' here!

At one o'clock today, Sadie came running in the house screaming (the good, happy kind of screaming).  In her hand she was clutching this envelope and waiving it around like a crazy person.

I understood cause I was kind of feeling the same way.  Now, here's the kicker.  We've got to wait three more hours for Gregg and Drew to return home from their scout camp in Flagstaff.   

Fifteen minutes ago when Sadie looked like she was about to explode, I handed her my credit card and said, "Go to the mall, and Sierra please go with her." They both said, "Yes, ma'am!" and were out the door.  I believe there is a time and a place for retail therapy, and this was the time and the place. 

So for the record...here is the list of where various family members are predicting Sadie will go (or where they're hoping she'll go!)...

Gregg-Argentina

Me-U.S.,  Maybe east coast

Sierra-"Somewhere very American, or very foreign, like Russia"

Gentry-South Korea

Drew-no prediction

Gregg's Mom-France

My Dad-Switzerland

And finally Sadie, (again)....."Where ever Heavenly Father wants me to go!"

I'll be back in three hours. Just had to journal this event.