Fireworks

We had a really good time for the fourth of July this year. We went to LaGrande to see my parents for a few days, and ended us staying till the 5th!

Curt helped my father with a very un-fun task of replacing a sump pump that is under a staircase in their basement. My husband is such a great guy, he never hesitates to help with this type of thing, especially for my folks. My dad has a real bad back, and had heart surgery in November, so he really appreciated it. Wish I had pictures of this. However, while he was under the stairs he and Colton & Krista managed to catch a salamander, all shiney and black, and a very cute green frog. Sure kept Colton busy for a few days!

Since we decided to stay for the 4th and watch the fireworks, we went to town to pick out a few sparklers for Colton. Curt didn't have any cash with his so I went back and picked them up. We got a call late that night saying that I had won the grand prize for the booth we purchased from, and ended up winning $200.00 worth of fireworks. Colton thought that he had died and gone to heaven! Needless to say by the end of the night the only ones that made it home with us, we set off with my brother David. David is a lot of fun, and Colton adores him. He is just david's little shadow whenever they are together.
The fireworks display was short this year but they sure were pretty!

(Actually the best one were the illegal ones that the neighbors set off!)

Okay, I love lemon bars, and these look so yummy I just had to put them here, They are from a site called Bakerella
You should go check her out!

Lemon Bars

Crust:
1 cup butter
1 3/4 cup flour
2/3 cup confectioner's sugar (plus more for dusting)

Topping:
1 1/2 cup plain sugar
1/4 cup flour
1 tsp baking powder
4 eggs, slightly beaten
1/2 cup lemon juice


Preheat oven to 350 degrees
Grease and flour a 9 X 13 pan

To make crust:

• In a medium bowl, whisk together flour and confectioner's sugar
• Cut in butter until combined and crumbly.
• Press mixture into bottom of pan.
• Bake for 20 minutes or until golden.

To make topping:

• While crust is baking, prepare topping.
• In a larger bowl, add sugar, flour, and baking powder.
• Then add slightly beaten eggs and lemon juice.
• Mix well and pour on top of warm baked crust.
• Bake for 20-25 minutes.
• When cool, dust with confectioner's sugar and refrigerate.
• Cut into bars and enjoy them cold!

Dances

So a week and a half ago, the daughter of a friend of mine called and asked if I would be interested in making her a boutaneer for the Sweethearts dance this last weekend. Well I love flowers and of course I said sure. She then asked if she could give my number to a few of her friends, and of course I said sure. Man, I could not believe how much my phone rang this past week. Yeah they all waited till Wednesday or later to call, but that is to be expected. Then came the calls from the friends of a friend! So this past Saturday I spent the whole morning and part of the afternoon playing with flowers. I think I made 8 coursages and like 12 boutaneers. I hope everyone was happy with them, they were sure alot of fun to make. Aren't the little danglies cute? Curt said I should open up a flower shop, and I said when? Yup, dream big. Who knows, someday maybe. Just think fresh flowers everyday. What could be better.