VALENTINE'S WEEKEND 2026

I got a text from my nephew, Wiliam, on Thursday evening. He said he was heading to Rexburg on Friday and was wondering if he could spend the night. OF COURSE. I did tell him that we were Veil Coordinators on Saturday so had to be up at 4am and gone by 4:45. He said he would try to get here by 6PM. 

I got a text from him around 2 in the afternoon saying he got tired and had to pull over for a 2 hour nap. He was smart to do that and I told him I would leave the front door open and made up a bed for him in the back room. I didn't even hear him come in. We got up at 4am and when we left, he was still asleep, so unfortunately, we didn't see him. However, he sent me a text when we got out of the temple and said he would stop on the way home next Tuesday and visit for a half hour or so. Looking forward to that!

It was a wonderful day in the temple. We parked on the front row this morning.Snapped a picture and then entered.  We love to work at the veil and we had a very spiritual experience today. It was beautiful and totally sealed the day!

I got out to the car before Tony. It was a hazy day but the temperature was warm. 60 degrees today!  Our engine light came on AGAIN this morning before we left so when we left the temple, we went to Les Schwab and they ran another test. Now they are saying it might be our alternator or something to do with the air intake. We have to go have it checked at another place but we're doing it Monday. 

We came home, changed our clothes and then went to 

TEXAS ROAD HOUSE for our Valentine's Day dinner. I got a steak and Tony got salmon. It was delicious. 

When we got home, I made chicken salad for our dinner tomorrow. I have invited Liz and Carol to come over and have dinner with  Tony, me and Lynn. Then we're gonna play games. I sure love my chicken shredder. We liked it so well that we bought all the kids one for Christmas last year. Hope they like it. After I got it done, I put some in a container along with a couple of croissants for the Taylor sisters. Then I out ours in the refrigerator and headed to deliver to the sisters and to drop off a calendar to Robin. Then home again. 

Check out my amaryllises !It's about ready to bloom a 2nd time. Looks like it will have 3 blooms.

This is so me. I do love working with paper.

I made Tony's Valentine card. 

It was a fancy fold one. Fun to make. Now, we are relaxing and waiting for the new Elder's to come visit at 6PM. Just gonna hang and watch TV till then. 

HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY YA'ALL! 

THURSDAY DELIVERIES & ELECTRICIANS LUNCHEON

Deb called me last night to see how my bread turned out. I told her we hadn't even cut into it yet but that I thought I didn't make deep enough cuts in the top. She said to send her a picture so I did. She said it looked good but maybe next time to cut the top deeper. She also asked me what kind of flour I used. I told her All Purpose. She said she uses bread flour. (I'm not much of a baker because I didn't know there was a difference.)  lol

So, after the gym this morning, I cut it in half, wrapped up one half for Robin, because she loves sourdough and I cut a slice from our half and toasted it. It was good. I sent a picture to Deb and she gave me a thumbs up. lol I'll use bread flour next time, cut deeper slits in the top and see what difference it makes.

I got five plates of cookies make up and went to Robin's and to the Taylor sisters to deliver their card and cookies. Had a good visit with both homes. I was going to see Wendy but she was not home, so I told her I'd come after our Electricians Luncheon.

The luncheon was at CASA MEXICO in Meridian. We've been there before and it's OK but not my favorite place to eat. There were 20 of us there. 

I couldn't get a picture of our side so it doesn't look like that many but there were.  When we got home, Tony went back to his mother's. He and she went to buy a toilet after the gym and while I was making two of my visits. Her downstairs toilet was leaking and so he had to put in a new one. Anyway, he didn't get finished so he went back to her house and I went to deliver to Wendy. When I finished with her, I went to ROSS. 

For our Relief Society on the 17th, we are having a

"BABY SHOWER"  JUST SERVE is a sight we go to to see what service we can render within our own community or around the world. The one we chose is to buy baby needs to be sent to various places within the US or around the globe. We are asking the women to bring an outfit, socks, diapers,  wipes, toys etc and after we  gather them all, Liz (our newest member9 has volunteered to deliver them to the place in Boise that collects them and ships them off. 

I got three onesies and a toy.

We will play "Baby Shower " games and have refreshments as well. It will be a fun evening.

I have one more plate and card to deliver to Liz and then I'm done. she works and is not off till five. She works in Boise so I won't be going over till 6 or so. Then I'm done for the day. which has been a good day! GOD IS GOOD!~

SWIG FOR THE WIN!!

Tony and I went to the gym a bit late this morning. Didn't get up till 8. Pat was not going to be there so no big hurry! lol  It had been raining before we left but had stopped. BUT, it started up again as we left the gym. SO GRATEFUL for the moisture. 

We can sure use more so I hope it continues.

Got home, and I made us a blueberry banana smoothie and a slice of cinnamon toast for breakfast. Noticed my Christmas cactus is blooming nicely. After we ate, I made myself a few templates for some quilt cards. Then I started folding. Tony had to go to an eye appointment at 1:30, so I started making the dough for some VALENTINE SWIG COOKIES.

Got 5 dozen made and then whipped up some butter sour cream icing

I had to frost one to try it out......OK, then I ate another!

Mmmmmm, so good!

Between baking batches, I folded circles for this quilted card. Got it put together and decided I liked it so much.......

I made another.  Finished my cookies and put them in a couple of containers and refrigerated them. I will ice them as I deliver to my friends. Now to get 3 more cards done and get ready to make some visits. Gotta go to the Preece's home at 6 and help move. They are moving to the North Stake after 26 years in their home in our ward. Boo! So hate to see them leave.

Got five cards done. Not perfect but they will do. It's time to go to the Preece's to help them move some things.

It's been a great day.

GOD IS GOOD!~

TUESDAY, TEMPLE DAY!

Today was our temple day. We picked up Mom 1st and then we went to pick up Diana.  We got four endowments done, 32 sealings and 20 initiatory. It was a beautiful day. The sun was shining and it was so warm, I had to take my coat off. 

We took Diana home and then we went to Panda Express for some lunch. We'd have lunch with Diana too, but she prefers to go home because her husband is there with their grandchildren (who live with them) and she doesn't want to be away any longer. After lunch, we went to Costco and filled Mom's car with gas. Then we went back to Lynn's, got our car and came home. I immediately got my bread dough off the back porch and started heating the oven. While it was baking, I got some paper cut for some more cards. I have several die cuts put together to make THE INCREDIBLES cards. 

I need to do some inking and whatnot, but I got the base to the card cut. However, I'm too wore out now,  so will work more on them later. 

Got my sourdough  bread baked. It smells good but I'm not sure I did it right. Guess the proof will be in the puddin.  Well, in a slice of bread. LOL  Hope it's good! 

The Sister's came over this evening to say "Goodbye."  :(  Transfers came in again and sister Fonua is going to Meridian and Sister Curtis is going to West Stake. We had a lovely visit with the girls and then they wanted a picture with some of my watermelons. lol 

I took three for the girls and sent them to them.

Sister Fonua and Sister Curtis.  Sister Fonua has 8 months left and Sister Curtis has approximately 20 months left.

They gave us this beautiful letter when they left. It really touched us. We have loved being involved with the Missionaries.  I know what being on a mission feels like somewhat. We will sure miss these two wonderful young ladies. 

GOD IS GOOD!

TIME WITH THE TWINS AND PAPER!

I finished DECEPTION POINT, again. (2nd time I've read it.) I did get a text from Klynn today and she said she was almost done and she was really liking it. I was glad to hear that. I told her that I wished the author had left out the bad language and a few scenarios but that I really liked the entrigue. She told me that is why she likes Joel Rosenberg's books. Gonna have to start looking for them now.  We went over to Mom's on Thursday and Tony helped Mom and Diane finish this puzzle. Then Diane and Deb were making sourdough bread. It takes stretching and kneading every 30 minutes four times before letting it rest and raise for 10 to 12 hours. Then it's kept in the fridge overnight and cooked the following day. They had made a loaf on Wednesday too so we had some soup  and bread for lunch. Diane printed me off the recipe.

The puzzle is pretty cool.  After we ate, we played games for a couple of hours and then we watched "THE CLIENT" movie. It had been a long time since we watched it so it was all new again. lol We went home around 9PM and then after the gym on Friday, we stopped by to say goodbye to the twins. They left around 1 in the afternoon. Tony and I went to bed early on Friday and we worked our temple shift Saturday morning. When we got in our car to leave and the car engine light came on. We stopped at a place to have it checked and thy said it was our battery. We then went to Les Schwab and they said it was under warranty and they would replace it free of charge. So, we had to go home, get the truck, drive the car back to Les Schwab to leave it.  We then went to get some lunch and then to Costco for a prescription and to pick up a salad for Sunday. Then back to pick up the car. I works great and the light is off. YAY!  Sunday, after church, I drove Lynn home to get her ice-cream and then we went to our house and I made the Asian chicken salad and sourdough toast. After we ate, we watched

COME FOLLOW UP 

and then at  3:30, I had to go to a Stake Relief Society meeting. After the meeting, I went to see Jill and give her some Ginger Shot. She has been suffering with a sinus infection and I told her to try it. When I got home, Tony and Lynn were watching Jeff Allen. He's a great comedian but Lynn said she wanted to go home. He was giving her a headache. lol Monday morning, we went to the gym. Walked our 4 miles and then came home. Tony had a dentist appointment and then he took Lynn to a dermatology appointment. He also had to take her to VERIZON because she opened up a bunch of apps AGAIN, and got her phone messed up ...poor Tony! lol

I decided to give the sourdough bread a try....

I got all the kneading done and now it sits in a glass bowl for 10 hours and then I'll put it in the fridge and bake it tomorrow after our temple day. Sure hope it turns out!

I had some time in-between kneading every 30 minutes so I did some die cutting and stamping and put some boy cads together.  I find so much enjoyment working with paper. lol

My stash is getting depleted so I need to replenish!

Not my favorite but good for birthdays I forgot.

Well, the bread is in the cast iron pot and sitting on the back step because I don't have room in the fridge. Will bake it after I get home tomorrow from the temple.

THINGS TO DO

Thursday already, and we just got back from the gym. Pat went to McCall with her daughter and granddaughter today, so I was alone on the track. I was glad to be able to walk faster and listen to Conference talks again.  I do miss doing that when I walk but I love being with Pat too, so I'll take it when I can.  After two miles, I went to the elliptical and rode for 6 miles on it. As I was finishing up, Ray comes up to me and asked, "Did I say something wrong?"  He was referring to Pat. One day a week ago, when I was at the temple,  he asked her to go for coffee after the gym. He insisted on driving and he took her to his house 1st. Said he needed to pick up something. She met his dog and saw his house. She wasn't impressed. lol He took her to Starbucks and had a conversation with her. He's 20 years older than her and he said he was raiding the cradle. He doesn't hear very well and so a lot of the time she felt like he didn't understand what she was saying etc. When we walked the next day, she told me all about it and said he acted like they were an item. She said she is not interested, only as a friend. sO, when he asked me if he'd said something wrong, I said she is not interested in a relationship. She had a bad marriage and then a boyfriend who was not the best, so she's happy with her life as it is. He said, "I'm not a womanizer, I just want a nice woman."  lol  What does he expect me to say? lol

Tony worked on his puzzle......

He finished it and started on another.

I cut out more dies with scraps of paper and put together several reindeer. This was on Tuesday night.

I'm reading a Dan Brown book (which I suggested for book club) and I wish I hadn't. I'm not suggesting ever again. I remember reading this when I was taking care of my mom a couple of years ago and I really liked it. Well, when I started it again, I thought OOPs, there are a few scenarios and words that are  inappropriate but some of the books  that others had suggested had bad words too. Anyway, a sister text me and said another sister had made mention of the bad stuff and so she was wondering if we should change books. I apologized and said we could. Then I mentioned that a lot of the books we've read also had bad words. She agreed and said lets just keep this one. I told her that Luva was listening to it instead of reading it and the words stand out aa lot more that way. She said," good point". None the less, I won't be suggesting a book again. 

Tuesday, we went to the temple with Diana Brown. Debbie and Diane brought Lynn back home on Monday evening so they went too. We each did two endowments. 12 ordinances completed so that was nice. Diana did 2 of Yeti's relatives. Afterwards, we left as soon as we were ready to take Diana home. Lynn was still in the dressing room and they were in a separate car so they said they would meet us at CHICK FIL A.  Tony and I had a doctor appointment at 3:45 and we needed somewhere fast. We even beat them after taking Diana home and driving back to the restaurant.  lol We ate and then left for the doctor's office and they went home after they finished. 

Our appointments went well and we got home around 5:30. Long day. I took a picture of my daffodils that are coming up.

I have them in 3 spots in my yard and I am amazed at how far they are up and it's only the 5th of February! 

We need snow or rain so bad. I hope the mountains are getting it. The east is getting ton's of snow and the west is dryer than a bone. Strange times we are living in.  Tony's gone to a dermatology appointment and when he gets home, we are going to Lynn's to spend time with the girls as they leave tomorrow for home.