PennyRoyal Cafe

My Mom called Friday and we decided to go to lunch. There was this new cafe that had been reviewed in the paper and is sounded like fun. So off we went. As you first walk in you are welcomed with a long and velvet red carpet. Ooo, I feel pretty already. As you walk along the red carpet the journey begins to feel long and arduous. But kind of fun. I notice a few things as I walk up to the counter. First, there is a random table with a laptop and someone's lunch waiting for them to eat. Not a customer's lunch either. On the other side is a t.v. equipped with an x-box and a very old, very comfortable coach. But it is a MESS. The first sign that this place is run by DUDES!!! We finally get to the counter. There is ONE dude behind the counter who looks up, but says NOTHING. He just keeps on keeping on making is sandwich. Second sign we maybe should have turned around and left. He didn't even say, " Be with you in just a minute." As we were standing there I grabbed what looked like a menu. As I was glancing at the menu noticed that the "kitchen" was a mess. Collapsed boxes waiting to be taken to the garbage, and in general, a mess. We debate leaving and decide to stay. The menu at least looked promising. I decide to go with the Gwenth's Girl salad. It consists of grilled chicken, apples, feta cheese, and grilled pita bread with some yummy souding dressing. My Mom ordered the flower power salad with an eatable flower, pecans, apples, feta cheese and a honey poppyseed dressing. As we walked to our table I noticed that they had a "bar" . But it looked like they had had a late night and nobody stayed beind to clean it up. There was a tipped over grenadine bottle and a mixing spoon that was screaming to be put back into place. Another clue that this joint was run by DUDES. My mom's salad was pretty good. After about three bites I realized that mine, ya, it was missing something. Oh, like the chicken and pita bread!!!!! I take the long walk back up the red carpet and complain that there was no chicken on my salad. Now it's a different Dude and he tells me that he put 2 good scoops of chicken on my salad, and oh yeah, we're out of pita bread but he'll grill up some sourdough. Well, you could of told me that when I ordered. I didn't argue, I just figured that if you are starting a cafe that you stick strongly to customer satisfaction. I took the long walk back to our table and my Mom asked me what he said. Being the non-confrontational person that I am I took as his work against mine. Well, my Mom was having none of that. She took the long walk up. The second Dude came, picked up my plate and gave a half hearted apology. When he brought back my plate it looked like he had sprinkled on some tuna from a can. I take a bite, it's not chicken, it leftover, dried up turkey from Thanksgiving dinner. It would have been better without that repulsive protein!!! I finished my salad, which I could have made at home, and we left.

If you want to run a successful Cafe, don't let it be run by DUDES!!!! There is a difference between Gentlemen, Men and Dudes. And you could totally tell this place was run by the later.

Good luck Penny Royal Cafe. I will not be recommending you to anyone that I like and who is looking to have a good experience.

Chasing Sunets

Sunset, just outside my garage.

Blocked by other homes.

Sunset from behind the empty field.
Nothing to block it's beauty.


One more attempt to capture this fleeting moment.

And just like that, it's over.

Last night as I went outside to pick up I&A I was struck by the beauty of the Sunset. I ran back inside to grab my camera. I wanted so badly to capture that sunset. Unfortunately there were houses in the way. I thought, "Oooo, I'll just drive up the road a bit and take the picture in front of that empty field. I wont be too late getting the girls'." I found myself chasing that sunset, trying to get the "perfect" picture.

In so doing I remembered a class that I took at Education week several years ago. The teacher was a Sis. VanDyke and she emphasised motherhood. During one of her classes she compared the time with our children to a sunset. Don't wait to do something with now, because our time with them is fleeting and short. Right before our eyes, they change and grow and just like that, they are gone.

Such at my experience with that Sunset. After picking up the girls' I noticed the brilliance again and drove as fast I dare to that same empty field. Much to my dismay, the sunset was done showing her glory and sharing her beauty.

I'm glad that Sunset reminded me how precious my time is with my children. How important it is that I teach them proper principles of the gospel, and to simply love them.

The fruits of my labor

So I figured out this computer thingie and uploading my pictures. Here is the photo of my trip to Albertson's Wednesday morning.

Practicing Obedience

Yesterday while I was doing some chores around my quiet house, I passed my children's rooms. Once again, some were a mess, others chose to listen to me and make their beds and pick up their clothes. The first thought that entered my mind was, what does it matter if they clean their rooms in the morning like I ask? It doesn't hurt anything by not getting it done. Besides, they HAVE to get them cleaned on Saturdays. Immediately following these justification thoughts, a more grounded and spiritual one entered into my mind, and it surprised me. It was strong and powerful. My children are just practicing being obedient to their Earthly parents so when the time comes, they can be obedient to their Heavenly Father. No, cleaning their rooms isn't that important, but being obedient IS. How can my children expect to be obedient when they get older if they can't obey simple request now? I know what our next FHE is going to be on.





Obedience is Happiness.

The Good, The Bad, and The UGLY!!!

Couponing is GOOD. In fact it has been GREAT for me and my family. I've been able to purchase more food for less and have some left over. Which I've never been able to accomplish before. The bad thing is there are so MANY ding dang coupners in this area that, I guess, get up before the butt-crack of dawn to get to the sales. Then I get ugly and angry when I get there at just 9:15am and most of the time I'm left with stinking SCRAPS. This time there were some awesome coupons on the actual add. I had forgotten to grap ONE on my way in. Well, stupid me, as I went to the front of the store to grab that ONE some lady snatched up the WHOLE pile of adds. What the HECK!!!! As I went to the register I mentioned this to the cashier and she had one saved up. They decided to not up out all the adds and keep them hidden under the registers so those who want ONE, could get one.

I was proud of my purchase today. I bought 13 boxes of bisquick, 13 boxes of instant potatoes, 6 boxes of muffin mix, 6 cherrio snacks, 6 toaster strudels and got 2 2lb blocks of cheese for free. I spent a total of $50 and saved over $115. I took a picture of my great buying but since I am computer illiterate I couldn't figure out how to upload just the one picture. So it's left up to your imagination. I'm sure there are those of you out there that could have done far better than I. But still being a newbie at this, I think I did pretty good. I need to be more patient and study the adds. But I'm so afraid of missing the "good stuff" that I rush it. Patience is a virtue which I'm still learning how to perfect. Okay, maybe not perfect, but at least practice more often.

New Year, New Tricks

Notice the huge t-shirt a top her pajamas.

Thanks Hannah for the "improvement".

Hannah, always trying to find ways to be helpful.



Clever girls.

I know, this face looks similar to her others.

But it is slightly different.

Still stinking cute.

Look at that dirty rag-a-muffin face.

Does your Mom ever clean you up?

I love this photo.

It shows Grace's recent introduction to bed hair.

I love the profile of her button nose and pursed lips.

This is about as chubby as my babies get.

So thrilled to be somewhere naughty.

I am amazed at how different it is to have a baby with older children. I walked down the stairs Monday morning and there was Grace sitting between Annika and Hannah up to the table. They were feeding her their ceral and she was enjoying every minute of it. Probably due to the freedom that her little body found between her two older sisters. Grace hates being confined. In the pictures you can also see some of the torture that a 6th child must endure. Hannah placed on Grace one of her own t-shirts, of course is drowned her and limited her crawling abilities. Which are quickly turning into walking skills.

Grace is ever moving from place to place, thing to thing, basket to basket. A few weeks ago to crawled into the laundry basket in my room and got a huge kick out of it. By the time I got to my camera the kids had bugged her out of the basket. Fortunately, she found the same interest in the toy basket, really the catch all basket in the living room. She thinks she's pretty cool beans. I love watching Grace's reaction to herself. She is thrilled when she gets into trouble and squeals with delight. She is constantly keeping me on my toes.

More Chirstmas

Here's more photos for you Jessica. Hope you enjoy.

I loved this photo. I am so sad that is turned out so blurry.

Brent helping Grace.

Why do they have to make these things Adult proof too!!??

Grace opening one of her gifts.

Grace again.

Grace climbing ontop of Beckham's pile

to get to his pack of candy.

Grace lying on Beckham's gifts.

Hannah and Jaren jumping for excitement.

Beckham spying his gift.

Jaren running to his gift from "Santa"

The kids always have to wait at the top of the stairs.

Brent and I take our time to plug in the lights and make sure everything is satisfactory.

Hannah, she is such a goof.

This year the kids decided to ceranade us with

"We Wish you a Merry Christmas."

One more photo of the kid waiting.

Hannah, Annika, and Isabel

Modeling the make-up that Aunt Brooke gave them.

Annika, you can see the excitement in her eyes.

Isabel, so proud.

Jaren, could he be any more thrilled?

Hannah, she's a poser.

This post it for you Jessica. I know you wanted to see more pictures of the kids. So here you go. I did my best trying to capture them. I still need to work on my photography skills.