Fourth Anniversary

Here's to four wonderful years, Jables! I love you and can't wait to have sweet looking babies with you and see what future adventures hold for us! So proud of your accomplishments before and after we met.

WE MOVED

The owner of the first home we were renting returned from an assignment along the northern U.S. border and did not want to renew our lease. Since we knew we were going to have to move in three months time, we proposed if we could just cancel the current lease for convenience of both parties, to which he agreed. So, we are settling in to our new home, just around the corner (10 houses away) from the "old" place. Attached are some pictures, per request...

Magnets

Just a picture of some stamp magnets that were made at a craft activity with the Sierra Vista 5th Ward Beehives; the paper and clear rocks were purchased at the dollar store and the magnets were from Walmart. We stamped a design of our choice onto a piece of colored paper and then selected a clear stone to cover the stamped design. Next, we cut around the edge of the rock, and then we put a thin layer of glue in-between the paper and the stone. Finally, we glued a magnet to the back of the stone. Inexpensive and fun!

Queen of the Night

Our new backyard neighbor, Tom "Monty" Montgomery, and his wife, Elizabeth, introduced themselves to us one evening this past week. It was a scene straight from the set of Home Improvement, where one can only see half of Wilson's head when he is talking to Tim; that is about all we could see of Tom [side note: Earl Hindman, the person who played Wilson's character, was born and raised in Bisbee, Arizona!]. At any rate, Monty introduced himself and quickly nicknamed us his "quiet nieghbors." I've admired his yard long before we were actually neighbors because he has gorgeous, well-maintained landscaping, complete with waterfalls, subtle lights, and various indigenous cacti and plants. After making his introductions and bfore heading in for the evening, he was very kind to share with us a flower from one of his Night-Blooming Cereus plants. The Queen of the Night only opens during ONE midsummer's night every year.

The first picture is from around 9:15 P.M.

The second picture is from 9:00 A.M. the following morning, never to open again!

Apple Annie's Orchard

In July, Jared went to Norfolk, Virginia for three weeks of training. My girlfriend Cadence and her two sons helped me to pass the time by taking me to Apple Annie's Orchard.
We picked fresh tomatoes and purchased various fruit and veggies, to include canteloupe, green beans, yellow and green zucchini, and sweet corn. I also made off with some homemade apple butter, fudge and some peach flavored twizzler-like candies for Jared.


Before we headed for home, we took a fun tractor ride and saw the peach orchards.
Thanks for the great time Cadence!

Peach Cobbler

This past month, the peaches were at their prime--and so were their enemies' tactics. I caught one of the little buggers in action:

The below fruit was damaged as a result of finches pecking at the skin:


As for the peaches that made it into the house unscathed, I used THIS RECIPE to make a delicious cobbler.

BEFORE:

AFTER:

VOILA!:

Ramsey Vista Campground

Jared treated me to a camping trip this last weekend (I think he was feeling guilty since he knew he was leaving for three weeks of TDY in Norfolk, so he caved in to my request!).

We drove up Carr Canyon and hunkered down at the Ramsey Vista Campground. On the drive up, we could see rain clouds in the distance, but we were spared during our entire overnight visit, despite camping during the middle of "monsoon" season.

The roads were really rocky and bumpy...we were so glad we paid to have the wagon aligned LAST weekend...ha. We'lll take the F-150 up next time.



We both pitched in:

I did the loading, and unloading,

Jared set up the tent,

I started/stoked the fire,

Jared gathered firewood,

And we both enjoyed some beans, weanies and S'MORES thanks to our fire. It was somewhat therapeautic to stare into the flames while eating chocolate!!

In the morning we hiked.

Overall, I rate the trip a 9 outta 10; I only say that because I had a rough night sleep due to other (loud) campers and traffic... However, it was well worth the $10.00 we paid for one overnight. Don't forget to haul your own water up and to bring cash or check to self-pay!

If you need want more information about this campground, read HERE.