Low Tech Dorm Decor

Thought I'd share a cute decorating technique Kelsie and her roommate used while putting their college bedrooms together. Sure wish I'd thought of a fun idea like that when I was into early apartment decor! It would work great in a teenage bedroom also.



The girls in Kelsie's apartment weren't allowed to use any nails in the walls. So, creatively, they tied twine to different posts in their bedrooms or used the sticky tack to hang the twine from the walls and used clothes pins to hang up some of their favorite photos.

Pretty smart thinking!

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It's Official

The last little chickie has officially "flown the coop" The nest is empty. I'm really kinda sad about that but getting better everyday. Thankgoodness for cell phones, text messaging, picture messages and Facebook! Ha! Never thought I'd say that! And promise - I AM NOT a helicopter parent. (at least I don't think so . . . .)

Earlier this week we helped Kelsie pack up all her belongings and head off to college. Sure it's only four hours away, and sure, she'll be home probably like once a month. And we did get to drive up with her and help her get all settled in and meet the new roommates. It was actually such a fun day. She has roommates that have come from all across the country, Dublin Ohio, Florida . . . and truthfully, I think she will have a wonderful time this year!

It was amazing to see her through some new eyes. She has always been the youngest, the one who got to hang around with mom and dad forever (in her limited free time) and even though I tried to look at her and see her as a beautiful eighteen year old young woman, I frequently would glance at her and think she still looks about 12. (Not to mention, that I cannot possibly be old enough to have my youngest be 18, I was just in her shoes a couple years ago . . .)

Therefore, it truly was awesome to see the way she acclimated so quickly, jumping right into meeting new people, introducing herself, finding her way around campus and taking care of all the necessary paperwork and dubious registration tasks. Where did this girl come from? I was so proud of her.

When I saw the mounds of stuff piled into their little apartment I thought "no way", it's not all going to fit. But these girls have exceptional organizational skills. I still can't believe they fit it all in.





So once the cupboards were filled and the beds were all made, Norm and I said our "goodbye's" and climbed in the car for the drive home. For once, I got to pull out my ipod and pick the playlist. We listened to our tunes, and visited about grownup things all the way home.

Any regrets? Just one perhaps . . . teaching her to do her own laundry at the age of 12. Otherwise I'd be seeing her for sure this weekend :)

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We're Practicing . . .

Practicing what you might ask . . .

We're practicing being empty nesters. I'm not sure we're very good at it just yet.

Kelsie left Sunday for Heritage Tours. A three week LDS church history and American History tour with a group of friends. I hope she's having a good time. I wonder if she even misses us . . .

(Kelsie leaving on the bus tour for three weeks)

Karianne left today to spend 13 days in Ohio looking for an apartment and a job. She is just happy to be reunited with her honey after being apart for a week. I hope she's having a good time. I wonder if she even misses us . . .

(having breakfast on the way to the airport)

Hmmmm . . . I think I'll call Cory and see if he wants to come home for the weekend and be an "only child".

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Aloha! (or Happy Birthday Kelsie:)

Just special for our daughter Kelsie's all grown up and #18 birthday . . .

We will be making a brief stop on the tropical island of Hawaii today. Kelsie LOVES pineapple and she is sure to love this wonderful refreshing birthday treat.

I don't know what they are called . . . WAIT . . . Let's make up some exotic tropically delicious name . . .

How about . . . Pineapple Volcanos? . . . hmmmm . . . . Hawaiian Hula Heaven? . . . I'm open to suggestion!



Begin by cutting a whole fresh pineapple in half, cutting off the green top but leaving the shell intact on both sides so you can hollow it out for a bowl.

Use a pineapple corer or a sharp knife to go cut the meat and core out of the center of the pineapple bowl. Add the fresh pineapple to a bowl in which you will be mixing in other fruit later.


Add 3 to 4 of your other favorite fresh or frozen fruits. Today, I used frozen peaches from the orchard last fall, and frozen raspberries from the garden also. Throw in a handful of sweet strawberries halved and some blueberries for a little festive JULY holiday color - and VOILA!


Spoon a little fruit into the bottom of the pineapple bowl, top with two scoops of your favorite flavor of sherbet. Pile more fruit on top of the sherbet, add a straw.


Pour Fresca over the top of the whole creation - and yum! It looks delicious and is ready to eat!

Pretty healthy treat also - loaded with Vitamin C, visions of warm beaches and summer sun!

(I think she likes it!)

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Here's to you my Sweetheart Girl!

It was with great anticipation that we gathered the family together for one more big event in my Sweetheart Girls life. It was the night she's been working so hard towards for the last many years. Of course, at high school graduation, the world is just beginning to open up. But for her it was quite an event to be celebrated. And I'm so pleased with her for all her hard work, diligence, perseverance and dedication. I'm also very grateful for the many experiences, teachers, classes, friendships that have brought her to this point.

Yes, Sweetheart Girl - we're all so proud of you!

(Lone Peak High School Graduation Class of 2009 - Marriott Center BYU)

As just the mom, I want to thank you! Thank you for not giving up the year you had mono for an entire year and had to miss many classes and make special arrangements with all your teachers over and over again.

Thank you for staying so on top of things and checking with all your teachers so responsibly to make up work and do extra projects.

Thank you for being such an independent student, for studying diligently, for completing assignments on time, for communicating regularly with your teachers. I had so much faith in you that you could do ALL these things, and you always did.

Thank you for being confident and mature when you experienced adversity at a time when many a teenage girls self esteem could really take a beating. Thank you for having faith and always looking for the "open windows".

And thank you for along the way, always managing to be thoughtful of others and doing what you could every day to love and serve those around you. You are a wonderful example to me. Thank you!

And so my Sweetheart Girl - this blogs for you . . .

(Sephie - you two go way back in so many ways)

Hard to believe you looked like this almost 18 years ago. And still so adored by all.

With a birthday in July, you're birthdays were always a big celebration complete with fireworks. When you were tiny you always thought ALL the fireworks were just for you.

Look! I did find a picture of you at Disneyland. You HAVE been there! (Even if you don't remember it - one of these days we'll have to go back:)


Thank you for being wise and making wise choices.

Congratulations on your high school graduation! We're so pleased with all you've been able to accomplish and were looking forward to all your many adventures you have planned from here on out, from summer experiences with friends to starting college in the fall.

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I am NOT a Quilter

But every once in a while, I TRY to IMITATE a Quilter.

Like a couple years ago when my oldest son Dustin got married. With the inspiration of a friend I put together a really cute quilt (for me at least!) for him and his cute new wife, Cami.


And when my daughter got ready to go away to college, we made one especially for her together. Something she could have on her bed everyday to remind her of home.




And now, I have another daughter (my youngest of all the bunch) graduating from high school in TWO MONTHS! I can't believe it! And getting ready to go away to college this fall.

And once again, I'm preparing to imitate a quilter. She has been planning this graduation quilt for quite some time. She knew just what kind of colors she wanted . . . what she wanted on the back . . . the approximate pattern for the front . . .

Did I forget to drill into her head that
I AM NOT a QUILTER?

I had imagined a simple patchwork type quilt like the one we did for her sister. But no! She knows exactly what she wants to do, and it involves constructing 70 - 8" square blocks, although the pattern is pretty simple and super cute. I guess I'll have to keep you all in suspense as to what the exact pattern is . . .

So yesterday, we went shopping for the fabrics to get started on this masterpiece.

Kelsie, interestingly enough has a great eye for color and patterns. So I pretty much let her have a free reign. It will be really fun to see how it turns out. I'll have to keep you posted. That lovely (can you say "expensive") soft, embossed looking fabric on the bottom is for the back. That is the part she is the most excited about.

Darn! Guess I should have given her a budget as well:)






Once again, just Blisssfuuuullly Dommmesstic!

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