Thirty, Flirty and Thriving

Okay, so I turned the BIG 3-0 on October 14th. I have been excited for this birthday and have reflected on my life to this point. I am so greatful for the wonderful people in my life who have helped me become who I am today. There have been many ups and many downs as I have climbed to this number, but I wouldn't change any of them.

Couples Click

These pictures were taken on a hike with our friends: Bryant & Joleen and Henry & Charity.

Notice Bryant's agility! Even Joleen is impressed :)

Famous camera shot.
Amazing how a simple fallen tree in the forest can turn into such a fun sea saw. These tough boys proved their manhood this day!

What a cookie!

So I decided that I would make these chocolate oatmeal no-bake cookies that are easy to make and pretty cheap. Lauren picked up some milk on the way home to complete my ingredients. I could almost taste them!
LG was called away to mutual (do they still call it that?) as part of his new calling and I began to no-bake the cookies.
I added the:
1/3 cup cocoa
2 cups sugar (well, what we had left of it)
3/4 cube butter
1/2 cup of newly purchased milk
I boiled this for exactly 1 and 1/4 minutes, removed it from the heat and added:
1/2 cup peanut butter and
2 tsp vanilla (Mexican of course)
As I reached under the cupboard to get the oatmeal...I realized we were out!
Now, having only a few options at this point
1. climb the back yard fence and walk the 1/4 mile to the grocery store in the dark to purchase more oatmeal.
2.Call LG and ask him to pick some up on his way home...in an hour. OR
3. Use the instant oatmeal in the packets I found when looking for the regular oatmeal.
I choose option 3.
Now, if the original flavor had been enough to complete the:
3 cups needed, I would have been in good shape...no go. I also used Maple/brown sugar and Apple/Cinnamon packets to complete the recipe.
They are cooling now...but I cheated and tasted them...they aren't too bad... but very, very sweet, even after scooping most of the sugar out of the packets.
Would it be bad to give these to my neighbors? :)

I've been tagged!(thanks Flee)

The "rules" of the game are as follows:
1. Post the rules on your blog.
2. Write 6 random things about yourself.
3. Tag 6 people at the end of your post.
4. If you're tagged, DO IT and pass on the tag.

My 6 Random Things:
1. I have SEVERE arachnophobia...it's been there since I was a toddler and it's NEVER going away. Don't try to cure it...just Kill it for me please :)

2. My two favorite smells are: the smell of sagebrush rolling down the hills after a cool summer rain and the deep earthy smell of potato cellars.

3. I miss working in the potato harvest going on right now!

4. I still can't sleep Christmas Eve.

5. I have a crush on little old men.

6. I love the sound of Lauren's laugh when he finds something funny to himself.

I TAG:

1. Michigan Mom
2. Angie Burton
3. Kendrick Hanny
4. Harrison Gilbert
5. Ira (if you're still stalking)
6. Dave (sorry Flee...you may have to help)

What will I learn about you?