POPPY JEANNE SNOW

Poppy, my 4 year old granddaughter I am going to spot light her tonight.

She even looks like I did at that age. We have compared pictures of us both at the same age and we do look alike. Members of our ward have also told her mother the same thing. So I guess we do, but she is much cuter than I was; says grandma. I would show you on the blog and let you compare the pictures, but I don't know how to do that fancy of stuff on my computer yet.

She says things just like I do. (She doesn't have her shoe on,, her foot is in the boot. We listened to (check the balls of holly fa la la) all December) She loves to dress like me. Who cares if your socks match or is the same color as the rest of your outfit. Notice her yellow sponge Bob socks and pink sandals with her pink nightgown. Just let me wear what I want. But her mother won't allow her to do so.

We both are very photogenic.

She loves her bother and takes good care of him and he just lets her. She tries very hard never to tell a lie. She is very willing to help grandma when grandma needs help. She is a good girl.

She is an excellent dancer and took dance lessons: not like her grandmother with two left feet.

I love her just like she is. Just keep being Poppy and don't let anyone change you.

I can't help but love all my grandkids. Each are special in their own way. Every once in a while I will spot light one of them. Tonight it is Poppy's turn.

CHRISTMAS TAMALES

Last week I missed doing my blog. I do have a good excuse. We were making tamales for the ward Christmas party. Just 300 for the party and 80 for us.

Step one: Cook the pork roasts in the crock pot. It took me 4 days to get 30 pounds of meat cooked and shredded and season with California red Chili powder.

Step two: is very time consuming. Spread out the maza ( a corn meal dough) on a corn husk. Some meat in the middle with a olive. Wrap it with the rest of the corn husk, leaving the top open. This is easy just takes a lot of time.

The hardest part of step two is getting the maza. To get a real good ready made maza you need to go to a real Mexican deli and where very little english is spoken. So I send Melissa or take Willow with me. We bought 54 pounds maza. The activity comittee comes over to help wrap tamales.

Wraped and ready to steam.

Step three: steaming the tamales. It takes about 45 minutes for this pan with about 75 tamales in it.

Dennis tried one out . Yeah, it was good. I didn't make them very hot because lots of kids will be eating them at the ward party. We will put sauce on the tables so those who want them warmer can add sauce.

This week we are making refried beans. Tomorrow we will start soaking them.

Shells from the Sea of Cortez

Days collectionUnder water view
pink murex

pretty pink shells

olive

Now what do I do with them????

Thanksgiving in Mexico

Our cabin in Mexico. We haven't been here for two years because of our mission.
The sand was deep inside, but everything else was okay. It is hard to kill the catcui we have planted on the outside. But all the plants were alive without being wated for two years.

It was great to going back and keep up the tradition of Thanksgiving in Mexico . Just sorry I didn't have any of my family with me. But John, Sueann, Scott and Scott's friend Stephanie were there. So the six of us partied.

Here are the reasons, why I love going there. 1. I love getting up every morning and watching the sun come up.

2. We always eat good, there. Fish tacos at Maria's. Shrimp, clams, homemade cookies, steak, and etc.

But the turkey that John cooks is my favorite. I had waited two years for this turkey and it was as good as it has always been. Sueann and I had made the rest of the food and our dinner was wonderful. So we had a wonderful Thanksgiving just missed out family members that couldn't be there with us.

3. Going for walks on the beach. Playing in the tide pools. Picking up shells. Digging clams. Watching the birds fly by.

More shell pictures to follow on another blog

4. Going for rides in the Barney or the quads. Both started and are running.

5. Reading and just resting. Everyone was in bed and asleep by 9:00. I was reading the fourth Twinkle book and just about finished it

6. Lights. Our solar panels were still working.

.

7. Warm weather. It's winter, but it was still hot.

MY PERSONAL COMPUTER TECH

Lily and a lolly pop. Do you need any one to help you run your compute. We have a computer tech living under the same roof. So, he is only three and has to sit on his knees to reach my lap top. It is even harder for him to reach his mom's computer. Sometime, he does click on the wrong things.

It all started when he would say "Grama can I play on your computer." Those big blue eyes and big grin gets me every time. At first I was worried. But he would say "I know how to find Disney play house." Take it he doesn't read yet either. But he knows how to get on the internet, google and move all over the computer. When he is finished he turns it off .

Next time grandpa needs help I sending in Phoenix. I had him help Poppy the other day because she wanted to play the same game as he was and didn't know how to find it.

Now he wants my password. I don't think that would be wise to give it to him.

Isn't he cute.

This weeks project

Step by step showing how bobbin lace is made.

My bobbin are wound with thread and my pattern is pinned to my pillow.

I am ready to start. My glasses are on and I'm sitting in good light.

Now the fun begins.

I have been working on this for about three days.

Every time you make a a knot you have to put a pin in to keep the knot in place. Then I push the pins all the way down, so I can work over the top of them.

It is slow, but very rewarding, I love it. I know I am crazy.

Notice all the bobbins and they do get moved around when I have too many little grandkids' hands helping me. They push the pins for me.

I told Poppy I would teach her when she gets to be eight.

The finished product.

No wonder, our foremothers had only one dress with lace on.

A SAD STORY

Last night was empty nesters at our house. It wasn't put in the sunday newsletter but it was in the relief society one. No big deal. So I cleaned the house and mopped the floor again after dinner (we even ate early, too). I bought and got all the stuff ready for sundaes (lots of stuff to put on top the way I love them). I went to target and got one more set of dominoes, borrow a set from Sueann. We could have three tables of 4 to 6 people. It would a game night and we could play Mexican Train or Chicken Feet. Melissa and Dave took two kids and went to look for furniture. We had Lily and Willow. The easiest ones. I could put Lily to bed at 7:30 when it was time to start. Willow was going to watch a movie downstairs. Everthing was all set.

7:30 came and only one couple showed up. No body else came. So there was only four of us. We played Mexican Train anyway. Then we made our sundaes. I have all this sundae stuff left over. Where are all the rest of the good mormons. Prop 8 is over. We have been having between 15 and 20 show up.

How is that for a sad story. Any one want to come to my house for sundaes today. I already have all the makings.

BOBBIN LACE

I guess some of the bloggers don't really know what bobbin lace is.

It is becoming a lost art. I have only found a few old lady are doing it. I found a guild in San Bernardo. We meet at the San Bernardo museum every Wed afternoon from 1 to 4. P\As part of the living history display. We use bobbin, little sticks of wood about the size of a small pencil and weave lace on a big pillow. My pillow doesn't have one on it right now or I would have taken a picture of it.

So another day I will take a picture of it and show you how it is made.

One of the first pieces I made.

Sorry, this one is a little blurry.
I love lace making. I have only been doing it for about 8 years and still have lots to learn to be as good as either Lolly or Shirley. It is my wish to be as good as they are someday.

TAGGED

I was tagged by Brenda Sommers, Thanks a lot Brenda.

Favorite shows:
I don't go to movies.
Set me down in a soft seat. Turn out the lights. In three minutes later. I am asleep.
Why pay for a nap, I can have one at home for free.

Favorite restaurants:
1. Cold Stones, I love good ice cream
2. KFC (cold slaw) or Subway (for fast food).
3. Macaroni Grill or Chilli
4. Olive Gardens

Things that happened yesterday:
1. I met some friends at the San Bernardo Museum and we worked on Bobbin Lace. I started making a yellow butterfly.
2. I went shopping at Target and bought me some lip stick.
3. Our home teacher and visiting teacher came over.
They brought some yummy home made Carmel corn in a pumpkin dish.
John (home teacher) and Louise Allen (visiting teacher for over 10 years). We love them both.
4. All the normal things.

Things I love about Fall:
1. Cooler weather.
2. Going to Oak Glen for a Carmel apples and cherry apple juice
3. Holidays: Columbus Day, Veteran's Day, Halloween, Thanksgiving, General Conference, primary program and etc.
4. Going to see the color leaves in Utah, Wisconsin, or Colorado.


Things I look forward to:
1. Grand babies. We have only 9, but would love to have more.
2. Visits from Wisconsin, Colorado, Missouri now, too.( Tim, Catherine, Ben and their families)
3. Picking up shells on the beach in Mexico
4. Watching my flowers bloom and all of God's creations grow.

Wish list:
1. Good health.
2. All my grand babies to live within 300 miles of me.
3. Win a blue ribbon on my bobbin lace
4. Make a pieced quilt, tat a table cloth, etc.

I am not going to Tag anyone.

The Snow children had a festival last Friday night. It was changed from Thursday night to Friday so grandma and grandpa could attend. A famous artist was there selling painting. I bought 2. They were only 25 cents each.
Poppy was selling cups of water with no ice and yogurt, that I had bought that afternoon, for 25 cent each. I had one of both. It is lucky the board of health wasn't there she would have been shut down.
Poppy also sold sea shells from the Sea of Cortez, I wonder who found them. I got 4 they will be added to my collection and they were only 25 cents each.
Phoenix took me for a tour of the taylor gardens and sold me a rose and other flowers. 25 cents for the tour and 25 cents for a flower.

I was entertained with songs. The ABC song, Twinkle Twinkle Little Star and Puff the Magic Dragon. And a parade of bikers. I only had to pay 30 cents for each of theses.

Do you think I was taken advanage of?? I don't have any more change in my wallet. They were excited to count their money and they had no overhead. It was worth it in the long run.

VOTE

Vote yes on 8, I am

I have nothing against gay marriages, but I am worried that their beliefs will be forced on me and other christian people.

In this great Country of ours, we were all given religious freedom by our founding fathers. Please don't let any one take it from us.

BIRTHDAY CAKE

Melissa had a birthday, last Saturday. If you want to know how old she is, just count the candles. That should be easy they are all in rows. Since Poppy had the chicken poxes. She and Lily was home with me while all the rest of the Snows went to the company party with their dad. We decided to make mom a birthday cake (brownie) and buy mint and chip ice cream her favorite. Then we could have a birthday party, when she got home.

Poppy made the cake(brownie) all by herself, except putting it into the oven and taking it out. I did try to pick out all the egg shells. She decorated it just like she wanted to, too. There is yellow sprinkles , both voliet and white sugar on the chocalate frosting. Some white stuff in a tube she made a design instead of writing happy birthday. It was much prettier than this picture.

But the best part is after we had it mixed and put it in the pans. I told her she could lick the bowl. Then I looked at her and she had her head in the bowl licking it. Grandma, you said that licking the bowl is the most important part. So I just let her lick it and washed her face after she was finished. What could Grandma say after that. Too bad I didn't get a picture of licking the bowl, too.

Then we made decoration, too. Melissa was suprised and the brownie were real good too.

Grande Pumpkin

How would you like to carve this pumpkin. and then move it to the front porch on the 31st.It belongs to the Allan's.

He has measured it and it should weigh close to 400 pounds.

Since he is my hometeacher. I hope that I get some seeds.

Then I will just wait and see what happens.

STRANGE PANCAKES

I can make neat pancakes too, Catherine.

I make a mean snowball.

I can make all kinds of dinosaurs and dino eggs, too.

This morning I made ghosts and ghost eggs. They were all gobbled up.

WORLDLY THINGS...... WE LOVE

I got a new car.

Honda CRV.EXL

I love it.

Dave cleaned out a spot in the garage for me to park it in.

I am not too sure how to work this. The manual isn't helping. Help!!!!

But, I can make it take me home.

So I will never get lost again.

Dark gray leather seats, too.

With lots of space in the back.

So now we can take trips, who knows we may show up on your doorstep someday.

THE WORLD'S GREATEST FAMILY

Our oldest Melissa married to Dave Snow (he is one of my favorite son-in-laws), They have 4 children, Willow 7, Poppy 4, Phoenix 3, and Lily 6 months, They live here in California near us. Yea..
Our super hero son Tim and his wife Aleca, Their family Breckyn 8, Zoey 7, Rugby 5, and Emerson 4. They live in Wisconsin.
Third and the best worker. Catherine and Greg Gardner. Missing is their spoil dog Dasiy (our only granddog). They make their home in Fruita, Colorado.
The spoil baby, Ben, his wife Christina and little Logan one month old. They have just moved to St Charles, Mo.

Our family is all over the world. But it makes for great vacations. They are wonderful children and I am very proud of them. I could go on and on, how wonderful they are but I won't.

FAMILIES ARE FOR EVER.

HOME

LOOK !!!!!

Who was at my house when we got home.

All nine of them.

PERU OUR TRIP HOME

The Scared Valley near Cusco, Peru.

How could they move these stones and then fit them into place like puzzle pieces. Unbelieveable. Some are even put together like leggos.

Catherine, desending down from the top of the mountain.

It is almost straight up and down.

Machu Picchu

These pictures do not do this place justice. You have to see it to believe it. How could they ever build this? They had to be master builders. Built very mathimatical. They were built to with stand earthquakes and etc; just one boulder (some of the rocks would weight at least 2 tons) set on another one to fit perfect.

The mountain in the background is Machu Picchu. There is a temple near the top. Only 400 are let climb to it each day. All I can say is UNBELIEVEABLE

Gardens

Each garden is only about three feet wide. I am afraid I would have fallen out of my garden to the one below it, just weeding it.

Since, it is a jungle there are orchids growing everywhere. Beautiful. And it is winter now.

Catherine and I have more pictures if you want to see them.