2010???

Before moving into 2010 (yes I know it's almost the middle of the January) but December was here and gone before I had time to pull out my computer and blog. I've had problems with my computer until last night (thanks Landon). As always December was the most wonderful time of the year! I have always loved Christmas lights and this years did not disappoint.

Winegar Christmas Party was a hit!! After dinner we headed over to the gym for a fun night of hanging upside down!! Kim and Scott planned a great night for everyone.

Grandkids bring JOY to everything!

Remembering the reason we celebrate and rejoice.

Madison and Jane both got another American Girl Doll....a Grandma tradition since 2005!!!

Landon is figuring out that there are tickets to the Yankee-Redsocks Game in Yankee stadium in May 2010!!!

Christmas Morning...Loved my tree!

November Blessings

November was here and gone so fast this year....I hardly came up for air. I didn't have time to blog at all. Despite being busy it was a wonderful month. Susan and Misha came for a visit! That is always at the top of my wonderful happy list. It was also my dear Mother's 80th birthday! We had a party for family and friends. It was a grand night. She has had a remarkable life. Born in San Diego California in 1929 to loving parents Leo and Elizabeth Cottrell. 3 wonderful brothers, married for 40 years to Wen Winegar. 10 above average kids (don't believe me???Just ask her)not to mention her kids-in-law who love her most the time. 30 adorable Grandkids, 4 great grandkids, (birthday surprise another one on the way) over 80 nieces and nephews and a huge boatload of lifelong friends....what a wonderful life.It was alot of fun.When she reaches her next milestone we're all going to take her out to dinner!! Happy birthday Mom, love you more than you can guess.

Hogle Zoo in the Fall

We went to the zoo this weekend. I've been going there for years and LOVE it! But this time was one of the best visits. To begin with the weather was a perfect fall day BEAUTIFUL!! The baby animals were adorable. I couldn't fine the baby monkey Heather has been telling me about so I'll have to go back soon. I am definitely putting a season pass for next year on my Christmas list. I also zoomed in on some of the patterns on the animals....they are really amazing.

NoLa

Can't be in New Orleans with a stop on Bourbon Street

I love the plants on all the balconies

Still rebuilding from Katrina


Shar & Me at a cemetery

St Louis Catheral

I was in New Orleans last week for work. I've been there several times, but this was the best trip by far. The weather was hot and humid but the food was great! So much history to hear about there. Whenever I get to travel with my friend Shar we have a wonderful time. We took a city tour this time that was very enjoyable. The one hick up in our trip was flying with United Airlines. I learned they are NOT the friendly skies any more. Next time I travel it will be Delta, Frontere, Southwest, Jet Blue any one will do, but not United!!

Family Pumpkins

Conference Pumpkins!!

Sister Time

Susan's Back Yard
Jane, my only sister who lets me take her photo!

Fog

Wicked

Another wonder time in San Francisco...it's never long enough, but always WONDERFUL. This time I was lucky enough to be with all my sisters. We saw Wicked (so-so good), ate dim sum, Indian food and sushi. Found a store unlocked after hours and called the police (911 opps) Susan will probably get nominated for a good samaritan award! Walked and shopped in Mill Vall. Bought some new and fun makeup. Watched movies and ate tuna fish sandwiches. Walked Hena, started a business on the internet (more to share later this week), and ate more food. Mostly we just enjoyed being together.....I miss Susan not being here in Salt Lake, but it's also great that she lives in such a wonderful and fun place to go visit.....How lucky am I to have such great sisters.

Summer Daze

HaTS.....

My sister Susan has taught me many lessons in life! None is more valuable than KNITTING! She taught me to make the funnest hats last year, and recently she promoted me to using round needles and using points! (Do I sound like I know what I'm talking about??? I don't but I do love knitting. I have made several hats, in various yarns and sizes.......Don't want anyone to be guessing what their Christmas gift will be!

My Garden Veggies

Take a look at of few of my veggies...The corn is also almost ready along with my potatoes, peppers, others squash and my soy beans.....beets are almost there as well WA HOOOO!


Squash...soup's on.....

Tomatoes BLT??

Artichoke Very cute and soft!

July 24 Pioneer Day...One Year Later!!

MOre thoughts to come on one of favorite Days of the year.....

DoeS My LiFe ReaLLy SuCK??

This is just a random rant about blogging.....my blog is a little like a travel log and photo journal. Only a few people even know I have this. On the other hand there are alot of people out there who share every detail of their lives on their blog! They are the ones who also share it with about a zillion friends. I have a habit of snooping~Blog jumpping...Dropping into others lives through their blogs. Most times I don't even know these people, or knew them long ago....They have NO idea I am dropping into their lives!(also referred to as snooping) I have to say that some are fun and some are interesting and real. But some are just plain gross! I dropped in on one yesterday of a gal I knew years ago.....her husband was a jerk of the worse kind. Every time she posted, it was all about how wonderful the "king"is. bla bla bla bla bla.......EVERY post! Who is she kidding??? She needs a reality check. Even worse is that on each post she has about 50 comments from friends???(or are they really friends?? they also know the "real" king) posting little tidbits of how lucky she is and what a great life she has. I don't know if she is trying to convince them or herself! It was a clever and cute blog, alot more creative than mine. I guess we each see our lives the way we want and choose...some have rose colored glasses.....that's life.

A WiCkeD WeeKeND In SaN FraNCiScO

ME.....

Wicked

Excitment in Susan's neighborhood

The fog rolled in!!

I just returned from another wonderful time in San Francisco. Even tho I'm lucky and go there often, each time we have different adventures. Always the BEST thing about the time spent there is seeing my sister Susan. This time she surprised me with tickets to WICKED! I can't say enough about how good it was. It was extra special to me because Patti Duke was in it!!! AMAZING! WE also had lots of fog and many great meals. It's always hard to return home after being there. Thanks Susan again for making me feel like the luckiest person alive.

Happy Day July 16th

We celebrated tonight in Millcreek canyon and had a blast. We got away from the city heat and relaxed. Great food and it was beautiful there.....This has been a stressful week at work so this was really nice. Tomorrow morning I off to San Francisco!! Just checked and it's much cooler there Hello Susan here I come!






Roasting Hot dogs over a fire is one of my favorite things to do. Thanks kids for a wonderful day, and thanks to Norma my incredible mother who made it all possible.

HAppy BIrthdaY AmERiCa!!

We had a wonderful time saying Happy Birthday to our country. Fabulous FOOD, FAMILY and FIREWORKS. I hope everyone had a day to remember, and took time to think about how truly lucky we are to live in this great country.

Exciting Times

June has been such a weird month. Lots of rain and the FLU! Between the rain and being in bed sick I didn't do much in my garden the past few weeks. However I guess it doesn't need me in order to thrive. The vegetables are now blossoming and it's one of the most exciting times of the year. We even picked 5 red cherry tomatoes. We ate them before I had time to snap a shot YUM.


Tomatoes


Red Potatoes


Scarlett Runner Beans


Squash

Growing Every Day

Mile Stones

Madison on her way...


Table Display with some of Kim's photos


Yankee was there


Friend & Family


Cousins


Jane with Mady

I don't feel old enough to have an 8 year old Granddaughter, but indeed I do. On June 6, 2009 Madison choose to be baptised. It was also her 8th birthday making it a very special day. Thanks to many family members and friends who supported her. Here are just a few of the photos I took. Kim who is a far superior photographer took some as well.Heather did an amazing job pulling everything together. It was lovely.....Thanks to one and all for all your help and support.

My Back Yard Garden

I reserve my garden in the back for Indian Corn and Pumpkins. All kinds of pumpkins. I finally got some of my pumpkins planted yesterday. I am planting 17 different kind this year!!! I planted Indian corn a few weeks ago and already it's thriving. I also have a small strawberry patch that's got lots of ripe strawberries. I was asked today if I was going to make jam.....I don't think I'll have enought left after my grandkids and their friends eat them. I't so much fun for them to find the ripe ones and pick them. Jane has never liked strawberries, but tried quite a few yesterday. Can't wait for the rasberries to ripen up.

Quick Trip to Southern California

Memorial Day comes but once a year....perfect time for a road trip to Southern California.....A few days off work, load up the car and DRIVE away. We had no idea where we were going except south...we kept on driving through to LA. We found the American Girl Store in a fun Mall named 'The Grove'. There found Fecility for Mady, and Elizabeth for Jane. ( You have to be up on your American girl 101) Then we made a decision, probably the wrong decision, to go on to Disneyland! It was fun but CROWDED (what were we thinking it was a holiday weekend)???!!!

Mothers Day...

Mothers Day was lovely as always this year. I got a brand new set of golf clubs, among many other gifts. My kids know how much I love to gold, and have been going every chance I get. We ended the day at Heather and her BIL came over in a HUGE eye popping truck. All the kids got to go on rides (that was the highlight of their day)