New Project

I thought I should post a few pictures of Mom's House project.  I am SO SAD not to have any original pictures of what this place looked like before she started.  It looks so normal now that it is impossible to get an accurate picture of what it was like before.... Here's progress so far:

Ok, I love the carpet.  I have been losing sleep over it, but now that it is in I have relaxed a bit.  This is the living room looking towards the front door with the two bedrooms on the side.

Please notice the lovely 2 tone paint.  Antique on the walls, and cloth for the trim.  Don't you love it how old houses have such great crown molding?

Sorry, I just couldn't resist showing you a few pictures of parts of the house that haven't been fixed yet.  These weird kanji symbols and skeletons used to be all over the house.  Now they are only on the basement door.  Spooky.

And here are the stairs.  They haven't been re-carpeted yet.  (I hope that is obvious).  They are "as steep as a cow's face" to quote Mr. Bechtel's uncle.

Stay tuned for the kitchen and bathroom.

Golden Delicious' Birthday

Oh My, yet another child is another year older and wiser.  They keep growing up!  Golden Delicious started her celebration by going out to dinner with Grandpa and Grandma.  They said she could invite any friend she wanted to.  She chose Braeburn.  She loved her night out on the town and brought home some incredible cheesecake, which I tried to steal from her, but alas, was unable to.

The actual cake and candle blowing out was a bit out of the ordinary since we didn't have any candles.  I NEVER have birthday candles and plan to buy a 3 year supply.  We improvised and she used a long match.

G.D. is going to show a pig this year in 4-H.  "Raising Pigs Successfully" is a book I know everyone will want, and so all I will add is that Braeburn thought this would be a great gift  at the next baby shower I am invited to.  Boys are strange.  

Happy Birthday Golden Delicious!

The Christmas Story

Christmas Cookies

Granny Smith thinks sugar cookies are necessary to celebrate holidays.  (I don't know why because I never make them.)  But he really wanted some to begin the Christmas season, so Mr. Bechtel called his mom for a good recipe and they got to work.

First they had to double the recipe.

Then they had to roll out the dough.

And finally they got to shape the cookies.

Too bad I didn't get a picture of them all being eaten!

11 year old Scouts

Happy Birthday to The Spy Twins!!

Nova Spy and Prairie Spy celebrated their birthday last week and got decked out in their new duds.  Grandma sewed their name on their uniforms and everything.  They looked sharp. 

Happy Birthday Boys!

New Blog

I am pleased to announce that Golden Delicious has created her own blog.  Please go visit and say hello.

www.countrytothecore.blogspot.com

Gift Wrap

Everyone has been busy creating gifts.  Granny Smith had his list made up early.  All his presents are wrapped and ready to go.

It's a good feeling to be prepared.  I wonder when Mr. Bechtel will start his list?