New Blog

I have a new blog! I have switched my Christensen Vinyl website, over to a blog, mainly because I really stink at the website thing :)

I didn't turn into the computer geek that

I had hoped for,

and my website seriously lacked the cool factor.

Go check it out and let me know what you think.

Christensen Vinyl Blog

Bedtime

It's 10:30 pm. It should be bedtime, but a) I have a husband who is rocking out, and keeps saying 'just one more' and b) a daughter who can't sleep because of 4 shots today. I just might tuck myself in bed and let these two hang out for awhile.

Organization

Our family has outgrown our little kitchen pantry closet, especially as we have been acquiring food storage items. And as I have been anticipating the finish of the "new closet" under the stairs that Jeff & his Dad built, I have had a hard time keeping my pantry in an orderly fashion. See below.....very carefully.

(I know - bad right? Who knew I could be so messy! And yes, Rice Krispie Treats are on my Food Storage list - aren't they on everybody's? :)

But now, with the shelves all finished in my new closet, I have been able to organize it, and it feels great!

Check out this seriously stinkin awesome can rotator Jeff built in my new closet. I LUUUUUVE it!

Marinara Sauce

Every year our garden produces more tomatoes than we know what to do with. I haven't channeled my inner Betty Crocker yet to can them and preserve them for the winter months. Soups, salsas, sauces.... it sounds great, but I just never get around to it. So, they end up rotting away outside on the vine as we lose the battle to keep up with them. Until yesterday. We picked a whole bucket full of tomatoes, and were determined to make our own marinara sauce.

The chief dicers. I had more help in the kitchen than I knew what to do with. It was fantastic. We had conversations about what other things we should grow and cook for ourselves. The anticipation of the marinara sauce was mounting.

The chief stirrer, yours truly.

The end result. It was ......ok...edible...not-contest winning that's for sure. It wasn't bad, but wasn't great. We ended up with about 12 cups of sauce, with the intention of freezing it into dinner portions. I quite frankly would have poured it down the drain and stuck to my regular $1.32 a jar sauce if Jeff hadn't been looking, but I didn't. He was too happy with our accomplishment.

It's away for now, until I feel like using a so-so sauce - maybe when the missionaries come over for dinner? hehe - just kidding :)

The Birthday Girl

Hard to believe she's already 2! Time flies. We had a great day celebrating Bells' 2nd birthday. She didn't clue in at all that it was her special day. Next year I'm sure will be different.

The Birthday Girl

The Birthday Cake

The Favorite Birthday Present

- a backpack just like Callie & Hayden :)

(see what a cool mom I am - I let my kids ride scooters in the house...jk:)

The Crazy & Cute Kids

9/11

We remember.

We are so grateful for those who

have served and are serving

for our country.

To: Jeff

This post is dedicated to Jeff, who has been so amazing these past few weeks. Seriously, I don't know how he is doing it. He is kicking butt with work, staying on top of church responsibilities, as well as helping keep everything at home running smoothly. ( I almost seriously recommend every wife should break her foot and glory in the wonderful things her husband does! )

Jeff - thank you for everything you have been doing, it hasn't gone unnoticed. Here are a couple of reasons why I am grateful for you:

You include the kids in whatever you are doing. Bells loves watering the plants with you.

You get breakfast and lunches ready for the kids in the mornings, as well as help out with dinner, and do all of the dishes. You gutted and fileted those large mouth Bass from our neighbor like you were an Alaskan mountain man :)

You bring me flowers just because.

Thank you, and I love you.