Baseboards Make-Over

I have no before pictures of the baseboards, darn it, but they were white and went well enough with the front room, but when I discovered the dark stain of wood underneath the white I just had to redo them all.  So after 10 years of living here I finally started and finished them.  I took off all the paint with a heat gun. Sanded until I could sand no more.  Bought a beautiful dark stain that matches the window frames.  Got them all stained and then just today finished them off with a clear wood finish to protect them.  They look lovely.

No Toil Nor Labor Fear

My favorite church hymn has always been Come, Come, Ye Saints written by William Clayton.  It gives me a feeling like yes this may be hard sometimes, but we can do it, there are going to be great things in store for us.  Waiting, hoping, praying and longing for the Mr. Jewels to finish school and become employed once again has been a roller coaster ride of emotions.  I listen to this song to give me encouragement to keep the faith and to not fear the toil or labor it takes to get us to where we want to go.  Fresh courage take and our hearts will swell when all is well.  If we find a job soon and a good one at that, I don't know how to sing, but I might just join the ward choir and make the chorus swell.  Now I'm off to work in the garden.  I've got some fixing and planting to do on this cloudy day.

To Hear the Birds Sing

The first hike of the year up to the pond.  It's a short hike and one that we can do pretty easily and without complaint because we get to throw rocks in water when we reach the end.  The birds are out singing and the spring flowers and trees are in full bloom. We live in such a beautiful area and I am happy that we can get away from our troubles every once in awhile and enjoy the singing of the birds.

Knitting Do Over

I started and almost finished these knitted drawstring pants, when I realized I needed to tear it all out and start over again.  The pattern is a little difficult for me to follow and looking at their end result compared to mine I knew I had done mine all wrong.  So I started over, found a better way to join in the round on the double pointed needles, which are, in my opinion, a nuisance to knit with, and finished the first leg and second leg in record time and then sat for hours looking up tutorials on how to join these two legs using a cable cast on stitch and then sitting for hours looking at my work and trying it over and over again, until I finally got it. Now on to finishing it the right way.

two legs complete

And finally joined the right way.

Getting Caught Up

It's been awhile and yes there have been pictures taken and memories made, but have failed in writing them down and posting pictures.  April brought us still more snow and wind storms and a trip to Salt Lake City for April General Conference with the two older kids.  Sunday afternoon session was wonderful and the weather perfect for having to park quite a few blocks away and take a refreshing walk to the Conference center.  It's hard to believe that our children are growing up and it's time once again for us as their parents to step up our game plan in raising them in this ever changing world.  I am so thankful for modern-day prophets and apostles to help us in our endeavors and ever more so for a wonderful Bishop and Young Men leaders and teachers that help to shape the minds and testimonies of our children.  My favorite talk from afternoon session is here: The Home: The School of Life

our walk to the center

Emeline and Jonathan

waiting in line to get to our seats

view from the balcony

the walk down the stairwell.  I love this skirt.

Trees growing on the conference center.