Getting Ready for Open House

Wow, can I just tell you that time is just flying by me. We've been working on the house trying to get a list of things done arund here for our open house. It's this Saturday! YIKES! I got my sewing machine moved into the house and finally got to use it after what seems like months. Still have to get lots of other sewing related items moved in but at least the machine is here. There is great comfort in that to me...I don't know why.

The first thing to be sewn since it moved was the valance pieces for the kitchen and dining room. I did them yesterday and got them hung. They look awesome, and match the living room curtains. I have enough material left to make a smaller one for the window on the kitchen door. Next is to hang the ones in the kitchen that will disguise the washer and dryer. But alas, the drill is charging so it will have to wait.

Timm and a bunch of friends have spent 3 days cutting down the trees in the front yard. Eleven fruitless mulberries have been taken down, we left four of them in front of the house. Big thanks to all of them, what great friends they are. We've saved most of the big stuff and have a huge...I mean HUGE pile of limbs in the front yard that will be removed, chipped and turned into mulch on Wednesday. I'm having a hard time with it but know that new landscaping can not happen without them being gone. A dry river bed, some desert type trees that don't drink so much and some other landscaping will be on the agenda this spring.

Christmas has been put away, for the most part. The rest will need to be done by Friday. I'd like to pull some Spring items out for the open house but that is on the bottom of the list. Maybe even some with some price tags on them...hmmm...a few sales would be nice. It may need to move up a few places.

The house is coming together nicely, photos are finally going up on the walls. The main living room wall has a temporary piece of art on it at the moment, what I'd like to have I am still searching for. I know what I want, just need to find it.

You may not hear from me until after open house but I promise photos at that point. Wish me luck that I get through it and don't panic over some stupid little thing that doesn't really matter. I know I can do that sometimes.

P.S. I added a couple of pieces to my Esty shop if your interested. I know...I need to get lots more on there.

2008...a year in revue

As I look back I can thankfully say I'm glad 2008 is over. There wasn't much normal about it for us at the Martin home. Timm's mom fell in January and suffered from a broken hip. She never came home and passed in March. My Grandma passed away just a day later. She died unexpectedly. I had both knees operated on in March...on my birthday. We ripped up carpet, textured and painted walls and the ceiling, layed laminate flooring and more in the house during this period also.

Scott and Christy were married Mother's Day weekend at the Valley of Fire. It was an awesome day! I did the flowers, we made a cup cake wedding cake, and shopped for the wedding dress with Christy along with the rest of the planning that goes into a wedding.

With a short time to breathe I crafted like a mad woman trying to get ready for fall shows.

In August, we went on our first cruise...to Alaska. It was the most awesome experience! The weather was perfect everyday. We stopped in Juneau, rode the tram to the top of the mountain, panned for gold and enjoyed dinner at the Salmon bake. In Skagway, we took the bus into the Yukon, rode ATV's in the world's smallest desert, had a great BBQ lunch, and took the train back into Skagway. We ventured into Glacier Bay National Park, saw the glaciers calf as well as see the mountains on a gorgeous day with blue skies. Ketchikan was our last stop, there we went crabbing, enjoyed a crab feast, and spent some time shopping. We shipped out of Vancouver, Canada, there were enjoyed a bus tour of the city.

We hit the ground running to work on the house. We bought Timm's family home and property. Papers were incorrect and we had to wait until after the cruise to sign...again. We had ripped out the carpet and torn down the ceiling in the living room before we left for the cruise. Timm, his brother Bill, and a co-worker, Joe put up a new ceiling. I textured the ceiling and a couple of the walls. A ceiling is hard work by the way. Paint choices were not quite right the first time so back to Lowes...again. I swear I was there everyday for 2 months, sometimes several times a day. They know Cassy at this point. We had new counters installed. They are the coolest thing you've ever seen...petrified river bed. I have to admit I was a total brat at the warehouse when they didn't have it in stock, I had made up my mind that was what I wanted and nothing else would do. They lots of gorgeous stuff, just no what I wanted. We also had oak flooring put in...after much distress about the floors not being level. I must say the floor guys were prima donnas. They installed it the second time they were here.

We moved into our new home on our 26th anniversary, October 1st. Most of the house is complete but there is still work that continues. We haven't even started on the master bath.

We did make it to a few campouts this year. In January, we retreated from the chaos and went to Tecopa, exploring mines and more near Dumont Dunes. Memorial Day took us to Gap Mountain NV. Good times were had riding our ATV's through the worst rain we've ever encountered. June took us to Hatch UT. Always great riding there. Thanksgiving weekend, we went back to Tecopa with friends. There were a couple of day rides in between also. Fuel prices played a large part in the number of places and how far away we went along with a lack of time.

My craft shows were numbered this year. I added a few new ones, dropped a couple of old ones, started my own with a friend, traveled to Utah, Reno, and California (for the first time). I was the Vice President of the Las Vegas Crafters Guild also. Things are changing, some not by choice but I look forward to regrouping and preparing for 2009. I don't know what it will bring with the economy the way it is...but does anybody really know? I just pray a lot about it.

The last 2 weeks...

I told you I'd get you caught up on what I've been doing the last couple of weeks. Well, here is it...baking and candy making. I've been up to my ears in cookies, candies, and gift baskets, and more. Rice crispy snowman pops...about 400 or so.

Caramel and white chocolate pretzel rods...almost 500 of the little buggers.I baked cookies for 2 days straight...peanut butter and chocolate chip.

The last thing I did was pumpkin rolls.

Along with the cinnamon rolls I told you about last post, I have baked for right at 2 weeks straight. These were my gifts this year and also sold a few for Timm's office. They were all well received and much appreciated. I'm glad because there were many nights I was up past midnight getting items finished. Here are a few of the gift baskets I completed.

Christmas Day

Well wishes of a Merry Christmas to everyone!

What a day, I love it but I am so glad it has come to a close. There is so much to do and so many to spend time with that it can just be exhausting. We hosted Christmas Eve for my family. Timm smoked a brisket, Mom made sausage balls, I made mashed potatoes, etc. It went well and all had a great time. We even had a fire blazing in the fireplace. I was planning on just preparing for dinner but I ended up making my last deliveries to the office and an order to Boulder City. Cassy made deliveries with me and wore a holiday bow of pretty ribbons on her collar. We spent 2 hours frying up side pork (outside...brrrrr) for Christmas morning too.


Christmas morning is spent with the Martin side of the family. They do a Christmas breakfast. Timm's mom used to make the side pork and gravy, now it is a job that I have taken on. This is our first Christmas with out her and we all really miss her. Another task I have assumed is cinnamon rolls. (Maybe it's the house...or because I spent so much time with her...or maybe it's because...who knows) Mom made the best rolls. I invited Trish to make them with me so we spent Monday at her house (she has a bigger oven) and we baked all day. We had cinnamon rolls coming out of our ears...but made some great memories too. I enjoyed baking with someone instead of just by myself (Ipromise I will show you what I've been up to in a new post)

Anyway, breakfast was delicious...too much food as always. Time is spent sharing with family, and just a small gift exchange (even though there wasn't supposed to be one).

My sister, Carolyn hosted dinner today. Ham, turkey, mashed potatoes, sweet potatoes, and the rest of the spread...yummy. I swear I don't have to eat for a week. Only kidding...there are cinnamon rolls in the freezer. Her mother-in-law lives with them and she cooked up a storm for the big day. There was dessert too but I had to pass.

On a new note, we went to the movies tonight. I've never been on Christmas Day however, 'Marley and Me' was calling our name so Timm and I took our kids to see it. What a great movie, I highly reccomend it, just bring some tissues.

Well that was the last 24 hours or so. Oh, it rained today too. I am so greatful for rain but don't really like it when it has wind and cold temperatures behind it. But hey, we will take it when we can get it around here. Tomorrow, no alarm, I want to sleep late, I swear I'm not cooking anything, maybe just curl up under the blanket and watch the fire. Oh yeah, I promise to catch up on my posting tomorrow for ya.

Anyway, Merry Christmas to you. May you take in and realize the true meaning of the season.

Snow in Las Vegas!

The jet stream changed and Las Vegas has been blessed with SNOW. Last time we had snow was 2 years ago, just a small amount. This is big news around here. Red Rock, Potosi, and of course Mt. Charleston go the most. The west side of town had up to 5" according to the news. We didn't get any at our house...just rain, although Sunrise Mtn has snow on it today when I got up. Here are a few pictures I snagged from the Channel 8 website. Enjoy!

This is on the Red Rock loop. It is always stunning when it snows.

This is on the west side of town somewhere on the outskirts obviously.

Desert trees with snow...lol

This is in Calico Basin just before you get to Red Rock...Gorgeous!

Toay is partly cloudy and chilly. Tomorrows forcast...more snow!

Such a treat...as long as there isn't too much of it. hehe

The Christmas Tree Hunt

Sunday we set out for the annual 'Christmas Tree Hunt'. We only went for the day this year. We used to go for the whole weekend, camp out, explore, and more. Timing just isn't what it used to be, the kids are grown and have their own activities and schedules as does the rest of my family. Normally, my parents, one of my sisters, my brother, and their families all go with us, and sometimes my aunt and her family as well.

This year we went to Utah for our trees, normally we go up around Caliente and Pioche, NV. But now I need a skinnier tree for the new house...so off to Utah we go. I never complain about having to go to Utah, I just love it there. Most places were closed but there was not time to shop anyway. The boys got their wishes...snow. The dogs had a blast romping around in it, making snow angels, and more. We got some beautiful trees, had a wonderful time spending the day together, took some family photos for the Christmas cards, and ate out one of our favorite Mexican restaurants in Cedar before heading home. If you'd like to more details diary of our adventure, check out my other blog: http://TrailhoundAdventures.Blogspot.com

This trip was what I needed this week. Earlier in the week my mom had surgery to remove some kidney stones, doing fine now though. Friday we lost one our dogs, Rosco. He was a unique, awesome dog. Rosco will really be missed around here, he had quite a fan club.

How I spent my Thanksgiving weekend...

Well, like most folks on Thanksgiving, we all feasted on turkey and all the fixin's. Timm deepfried a turkey, that's my dad carving the tasty bird. We had planned to eat outside but had rain. Some of us ate outside anyway. Lots of bodies, and oven going, and my mom hates to be cold...outside was just right. :)

Chris is my gravy mash potato and gravy boy. Notice that half his plate is potatoes...and the gravy lake has to be just right. Scott and Christy take a more balanced approach, although Scott is my stuffing kid. He was freaking out that I wasn't making the stuffing. Gosh wasn't 10 pounds of mashed potatoes enough. I promised him stuffing for a later date.

Friday morning we hit the road at 5:30am to go camping and ATV riding near Tecopa, CA. Stopped at Bass Pro to pick up some jeans, well 8 pair of jeans...what a zoo. I got what I needed and got out of there. We met up with a group of friends for the weekend and had a wonderful time. We tend to camp in the middle of nowhere so we can explore and ride. Only covered about 80-90 miles this time but had lots of fun exploring old mines, mining ruins and more. We even took a night ride to an overlook where we could see Dumont Dunes...it was lit up like Vegas! There must of been 20,000 people there. I just don't see the facination in the dunes in the first place. People are all crowded together, it's noisy, most of the tend to do lots of drinking, heck...they have Flight for Life posted there on holiday weekends. It's just not for me.

The stars were just fabulous out there and so bright! Coyotes were yipping and calling at night and some came very close to camp. We even enjoyed shakes and fresh baked breads and muffins at the China Ranch Date Farm.

Well, that was my weekend, hope yours was just as enjoyable for you no matter how you spent it.