Happy Days are Here!!

Okay so this is just a quick announcement (because I can't contain myself)... drum roll please....

I passed!!!

Lauren Olsen, RN at your service. I just want to tell everyone who has backed me up: THANK YOU!

I couldn't have done it without all the kind words, wisdom, and "snap out of it"s I got... you are all pretty special.



Just Thinking of You

Sitting on my couch yesterday afternoon, I got to thinking about all the people that I have lost touch with. There is a lady living in Powell that I rented from my second year of college, and I felt impressed to send her a card. Not any old card though...

What to do?

Paper.... scissors... ribbon... markers... glue....

Tada!

Another card creation... I am having fun with this...



Fresh From the Farmers Market

NCLEX round two was on Saturday. There was a large portion of my class (and classes at other schools) that did not pass on the first time. It has been nerve racking preparing for the retake, but I have had the BIGGEST support group backing me the whole way.

My Mother took me to Billings because Sam had to work and couldn't. We stayed over night Friday and then my test started at 8:00 the next morning. After the testing terror was over, Mom took me to see the Yellowstone Valley Farmer's Market that was just around the corner from my testing center.

What a blast! There were so many things to see, and the people... it was just fun to see all the different life styles and personalities.

Our main purpose for looking around was to make a visit to the McCormick Caffe' for a fresh crepe... yummmm!



















 

Lemon and Chocolate;
Chocolate and Berries...
are you drooling yet?

And just so the little kiddos could enjoy the festivities.... a CLOWN with BALLOON ANIMALS!!



The market has two more weeks, so check it out!

Our farmer's booty: jalapeno tortillas (I know, I know...), fresh cranberry bread, garlic, and fond memories.

New crafts...

I have never been much of a scrapbooker, but I just love the supplies. I have always been a sucker for office supplies, and the scrapbooking variety are even more tantalizing. All the cute paper, markers, stamps, and ideas! Well, since I am partial to digital scrapbooking (less time and space); I decided to try my hand at card making. I have always liked homemade cards. I think there is something special and much more personal about them.

So, I dug out some of my cute paper, pens, and other supplies..... and out came my first ever thank you card!

 

I think this could be a fun endeavor!

What a Weekend

I have always enjoyed Labor Day weekend... mostly because it houses my birthday, and of course because it means everyone has work off and much fun and relaxation can be had.

This year my fun started on Friday with a trip to Lovell to make jalapeno jam, and Chow-Chow (a type of relish that my family uses on hamburgers and such). You see, Sam and I cam across a jar of jalapeno jelly in our local grocery store and fell in love. It was the perfect situation... my Mother had a bumper crop of peppers and I was dying for some Jam!

We had a blast trying our skills at this new canning recipe. the end result was great, except the last two batches we ran out of liquid pectin and resorted to Surejell... the taste was still wonderful, but the consistency was much like honey and the jam needed warmed before it would spread. No worries; though, I am still thrilled to have my jalapeno jam!

On the 4th (my birthday) Sam took me to Billings early in the morning for a session at the Temple. I am so glad we went, the visit was looooong over due. He then took me to lunch at Apple Bee's, where we discovered another food favorite... buffalo chicken wings (mild for me of course). The rest of the day we found the tools that Sam needed for his work. We ended the day with a stop in Lovell to celebrate with my family. It was a wonderful birthday and I am very grateful for my thoughtful Husband and all he does for me.

Labor Day its self was spent in Thermop visiting Sam's family. It is always a good week when we can spend time with both families, and it was great to find a fellow jalapeno jam lover in Sam's Dad!

I hope you all had an eventful and enjoyable holiday!