My Childhood Crush

When we were growing up, I was in love with the Goblin King from the movie "Labryith." I always wondered why the girl (sara? can you remeber her name without the help of the google machine? I'm not sure) didn't chose to rule with him. Also I love the soundtrack.

Who could resist him?

Growing up in the desert, there are lots of arroyos not too far from our homestead. I used to pretend that its was part of the maze on the way to the goblin city, into the arms of the goblin king. To this day I love seeing them. Though its not a good idea to play in them in the monsoon time. They are getting quite large, when you are in them you can't see out, and there are lots of twist and turns. I know that they are not good for the land, thanks to my water steward class but I like David Bowie I just can't resist them.  The Arizona desert is magical, just always watch where you step!

What They Wore-Orange

Hurrah fall is finally on its way so we wore orange!

Another whirlwind of a Sunday has come and gone. After church I was settling in on the couch for a Sunday doze when I spied the laptop and I felt a bit guilty since I hadn't worked on family history for months.  Like embroidery, it is one of those hobby that waxes and wanes with the birth of children. After a new baby is born all my extra time for hobbies falls to the wayside and once they are less time consuming I gradually come back to them. I have always (since high school) been into family history I come from generations of Latter-day Saints and so most of the easy work (I know there is probably more research to be done though) on the family lines has been done.

 Eddy's mom is from Magdalena, Mexico and his Mexican family history was untouched as he was a convert to the LDS faith and we only knew the names of his maternal grandparents and a vague place and we didn't even know the names of his great grandparents.  So I began working on his Mexican family history shortly after we were married (he has an aunt who joined the church and did quite a bit of work on the Carlton line).  Years passed with frustration and very little success and I kept at it when finally about four years ago we had a big break through and found a tiny town in Sonora, Mexico called Banamichi where his family had lived for years and I was able to gather hundreds of names by painstakingly reading birth, death and marriage records all in Spainish in flowery script that is sometimes hard to read. Most of the names have a birth date or a death date but not both, so there is still a lot of research to do. It is so much easier now since most of the films are online to view from the comfort of home rather than ordering films from Salt Lake.

Anyhow I decided to work a bit on the family history and after two hours with no luck I thought I would check out the indexing volunteer program. Basically you download a free program and read old records summarizing them and then upload your work. I got started on a batch of records and had to stop to make dinner and handed it to Eddy. He really took to it and finished two batches. Usually he is not to involved with the family history to much but he really liked the indexing. In fact, I didn't do any of it.  The best thing about the lds family history website is it is absolutely free.  If you are looking for a easy, enjoyable service project check out indexing or if you want to know more about your ancestors or where your family comes from explore the family search website.

Declan really wanted a moody photo of him with his feodora.

Embroidered Pillow: Trixiebelle the Ha-Ha

 I bought Zaynzley, lover of horses, some horse sheets at Target. The sheets came in a fabric pouch and I thought I would use the fabric from the pouch to make a throw pillow. So I looked on pinterest for quite a while before I found the perfect horse coloring page that I could use for my pattern. 

Original pattern

I traced with a water soluble pen which I wouldn't recommend using as it didn't wash out well. I decided to use some vintage ribbon I had for the bridle which completely changed my color scheme and so I didn't use that fabric from the sheets. 

Pinned on the ribbon

Machine stitched the ribbon

 I am terrible at taking pictures as I go so there are no more in the process pictures. I began embroidering it when I realized that there was too much white and so I got some fabric markers and colored in the mane and the horse. I appliqued fabric for the reins and used some buttons for embellishment.  I did use fabric from my stash for the back of the pillow and the four gold buttons are vintage from my stash while the other fabric is new from the quilt store as are the two cream crocheted looking buttons (from Wal-mart).   Is there anything more delightful than picking out some fabric from a quilt store?  

Zany with her horse pillow

Since she calls horses ha-has I embroidered the name Trixiebelle the ha-ha

Here sits the long awaited horse embroidered pillow

(You may wonder what that green yarn creature is, why a unicorn of course. I collect funky yarn animals for Zany's room this one is my favorite)

This pillow was very much a:

 figure it out as you go and embellishments are used to hide flaws, but I have never been a perfectionist if I were I would never complete anything being stymied by my own lack of talent. 

I have embroidered on and off for years. I usually stop for a couple years when I would have a new baby and then gradually get back to it.  I recently shared my hobby with my sister Ashlee who has really taken to it and now competes with me at thrift stores and yard sales for embroidery stuff but it is such an enjoyable hobby how could I not share it with her.  I like to keep a dish towel stamped with a Aunt Martha's pattern in my car to stitch on while I wait to pick up kids from practices.  Anytime Zany sees me embroidering she asks, "A ha-ha for me?" well, no there is just the one, but I do still have that fabric from the sheets that is crying out to be turned into something.

My nemesis

Here she is: Ash Peak. About 10 miles outside of Duncan right on the Graham/Greenlee county line. When I returned from New Zealand it was in late fall and then we went right into winter. That next spring I was going on my first camino. In order to prepare I was going to hike her with our nice neighbor/hairstylist/friend Sunny Perez. She worked in the morning, so we planned to go at 1. It was like I had never hiked in the desert before. I forgot how hot it was and it was scorcher. It was close to 100 F that day. So what did I do? I chose to wear my trusty gore-tex full hiking boots and comfy cushiony wool socks, that I got used to in NZ. It was my first foray into heat in about 2 years. I started feeling dizzy and was a bit sheepish to ask for a break. My feet were so hot. I did eventually admit I needed to stop and there was no shade.  So we sat on a large rock. I remember thinking huh, those mountain seemed to be over there and are now moving.   Next I knew I woke up about ten feet down the hill. Spraweld out and lying on an old tumbleweed. Scratched and battered but mostly embarrassed. Poor Sunny hadn't had anyone faint around her in awhile if not ever. She was nice about it, but did tell her family so there was no keeping it under wraps as I would have preferred.. It was with great shame I returned to the store to tell them I didn't summit and had scratches on my face, and fell prey to heat exhaustion. It didn't do much for my confidence going on a 500 mile hike either.  I now declare I shall conquer her this fall. (as soon as the weather turns cool that is)

Fair Parade and Standings

 No matter what the parade is for, we tend to follow the same procedures. Pa goes early, about a half hour early, to save our spot and we always sit on the north side of the road near the start of the parade. We (Carltons) tend to drive into town moments before the police shut down the highway that runs through town for the parade. Election years are the best to get lots of candy and freebies. One of the advantages of sitting near the beginning of the parade is no one has run out of candy or whatnots.  This year was an election year so the kids gleefully gathered handfuls of candy. 

Here is our group waiting for the parade to start

Quinton checks out a Mud Bogger

Zany sees her dream getting to ride a horse while wearing cowboy boots & hat

Quick get the candy before the next float comes

After three weeks of fantasy football competition we have our current standings. I am disgusted to say I am at the bottom of the pile.

In order of best record:

1. Eagle Agle Archers (Nona & Archer)

2.  Dark Knights (Declan)

3. Awesome Possums (Ashlee)

4. Headhunters (Pa)

5. PowerPlayaz (Quinton-little)

6. Mohawk-Ninjas (McCoy)

7. Devilbackers (Eddy)

8. Hooliganders (Rhiannon)

I have learned fantasy football isn't quite as easy a picking up candy at a parade.  

Fair Fun Continues

I know the blessed fall is just around the corner when it is time to go the Duncan Fair.  I like to kick off the fair with an annual shot party. Yes, folks, that is right I bypass the cotton candy stands and free pencils to drag the whole crew to the free flu shoot table.  I am a woman with a focus to get everyone their flu shots and then the fair fun can continue. Our whole group of ten souls got flu shots no waiting, no lines. 

A family that gets flu shots together stays together.

I like how while Quinton is getting his flu shot Zany passively watches not realizing she is next.  Declan keeps his focus on the reward-a candy from the basket.

Unfortunately, while we were attending the parade someone let drop in Archy's hearing that we were shortly to get flu shots. Archy had a mini freak out about it and had to be chased and drug to the flu shot table. It took three of us to give him his shot, two of us to hold him and one to shoot him (is that the right word?)  

Archy gets the much dreaded shot, afterward he was all smiles.

Now let the fairing begin.

A big part of this county fair are all animals raised by children mostly and some adults. There were chickens, goats, sheeps, pigs and cows.  Zany who loves farm animals right now was taken aback by how big the pigs were. Archy liked all the different breeds of chickens.

Declan and McCoy wanted their picture taken with two matching chicken brothers.

Chicken Brothers 

Cute little goats

Archy admires The Grand Champion Chicken and Best of Fair

Not quite sure what made that chicken so grand since it looked just like the rest.

Then it was on to the exhibit hall where all the fruit, veggies, art, crafts and quilts were located.

Zany thought the wee plates of ribboned food were for the taking and so grabbed up a plate of jalapenos which were quickly returned to their place of honor.

Zany thinks these jalapenos deserve the blue ribbon

Look at those giant watermelons

Zany spots another winner

Eddy points our our location on a map

Besides the rides the kids most look forward to the fair food. If you are at a county or state fair you have to have something fried. Nona brings back a huge pile of homemade chips which Pa gleefully admires.

Fried Nacho Chips enough to feed a family, and they did!

Quinton was all about the funnel cake which is fried dough with powdered sugar

While we enjoyed various noshes and eats we got to watch a part of a rodeo.  The event we saw the most of was barrel racing children. The tiniest of kids riding miniature ponies raced around barrels grabbing flags and then heading back to the starting line as fast as they could.

Watching the rodeo

 It was a lot of fun to attend the fair.  It is the perfect size county fair just enough animals, rides, exhibits and food, not to mention free flu shots for all!

Small Town Fair: Carnie Rides

Every year we go to the Duncan fair. The last two years the weather was terrible, one we had an early freeze so it was very cold. I had told Rhi that it was super cold and she didn't believe me, so none of her kids wore hoodies or anything. I was forced to give my sweater to a baby Z,  and pretty much complained the rest of the time. The next year it was a downpour. But this year was perfect! Saturday is the busy day, so we went on Friday and it wasn't too crowded  Nona always buys a few bunches of tickets so the kids can ride a few rides. I swear every year I am not going on anything but always get roped into it. I don't get sick, I am just a worrier. Lots of Ride pictures to follow, buckle up for a good time!

An overview of our fair, its little but a great time. 

Always first up, (when its not wet) is the giant slide. These three are ready for the  big race. Who will win?

Ah, McCocy and the Joy of Victory

Only to be answered with the agony of Defeat

A sweet little Captain

These two are bravely taking on the Scrambler 

Here I am with McCoy on the Ferris Wheel, with Quint and Dec in the back

Half of Rhi's family gets sick.  One of them is in this photo

Will Anti sickness pills work on these two?

Mid- Ride

Nope! here they are preparing for the worst

Aren't these two super cute?

Still disgruntled that Pa has favorite status

I was shocked that wee Archy was upset that he didn't get to ride what ever this rids was called. when the rest of the big kids did. No one would ride it again. I drew the short straw and also I have a soft spot for the little guy and he was so happy to go.  It  went really fast and high I may or may not have had white knuckles.  Archy loved it though. 

Zany Happy as a clam on her HA HA

A chicken?

Even though I brought my Camera, somehow Rhi never made a photo appearance.  I will have to catch that wily girl! 

What They Wore-Cozy Clothes

On the way home from church I told the kiddos if they would hang up all their church clothes and put away their shoes I would let them pick a candy.  They all raced to change so fast that I didn't even get a picture of them in their church clothes. On the plus side all their clothes were taken care of instead of tossed here and there. So instead, here they are in their cozy clothes.  Declan is wearing flannel pj pants with a white tank top, Quinton has excercise shirt and pants on, Coy is wearing a soft t-shirt and knit shorts (rain jacket) and Archy loves to match so brown shirt and shorts I think he was inspired by the UPS delivery guys who bring all our Amazon packages. They all decided to play a board game and busted out Star Wars Monopoly. Zany fell asleep as soon as we got home which probably worked in their favor as she would have wanted to play (read destroy).

I faced my Mt. Doom which was a enormous basket of unmatched socks that I have been putting off for a while. (Socks that go through the laundry and can't find there mate end up in a basket with other lost souls.  I had a better method of just putting unmatched socks in peoples drawers and they would eventually met up with their mate but since I have three guys wearing man sized socks I can't do that anymore)   Part of the reason I put it off is that I knew it would take hours (four hours) to get them all matched and put away.  I watched the football game while I was matching and suddenly we had a terrific thunderstorm that knocked out power out for half an hour.  We hadn't had a heavy storm like that forever. We still had our sandbags set up though that helped keep the water at bay.  I like to use these stacking baskets (Wal-mart six or so dollars) when I fold laundry or match socks. They have handy carrying handles too.  I can sit on the couch and put the laundry right into the baskets and the piles don't get knocked over. 

Sock matching marathon

Taking some socks to Quinton, I found him lounging on his bed. Who should pop out of his closet but Zany girl as she and Archy were playing a loud game of hide and seek.

Quinton in his knight room

Surprise

Another surprise is that I was able to get all the socks matched and put it away! Huzzah!

Traveling Book Fair's in Town

When you live in a town without a bookstore you really look forward to the book fair coming for a visit, I loved, loved the book fair when I was kid and I really enjoy taking my kids to it. The book fair comes twice a school year and has all kinds of books that you can purchase. It can get really expensive if you're not careful, so if you are mindful of a budget you can do as I do and limit your kids to picking books with special value stickers on them.  Sadly, we only had ten minutes to shop before they closed up.  We bought four books and two eraser sets for $11.00 which was all the cash I had.  Quinton wasn't able to come due to football practice.  

Declan by his current favorite series: I, Survived

The I, Survived series tells historical stories through a fictional kids experience 

(like Titanic, September 11, and 1916 Shark Attacks).

Archy really liked this Shark book, we dashed through the rain to go to the bookfair.

Zany found a wu-wu (dog book)

Dear McCoy has always loved miniature things and stationary supplies and at the bookfair his two loves combine in the form of erasers. Every year McCoy eagerly checks out the table with pencils, erasers and whatnots and decides well in advance of my arrival what eraser he will purchase. (They are allowed to go as a school class to see the products.)  

McCoy at his favorite table

McCoy chose a tiny rhinoceros and alligator erasers.

Everyone was very happy with their chosen purchases, but I felt a bit rushed and didn't have a thorough browse so I may have to hunt down the book fair at another school and go again.  Did I mention I love book fairs?