Early Morning Mountain Walk

Sunday morning  I took our dog (tiny one Patch) and Rocko (HUGE one) for an early morning walk, while the men made breakfast.

There are few ways I'd rather wake up in the morning than a solitary hike through gorgeous terrain.

Very few. 

Maybe only one.

The dogs were well behaved during both our walk and the whole trip. For two dogs that don't spend a lot of time together then being put into a camper for a few nights they were amazing!

Most of the time the sky was a bright blue, the first night we had a light fog roll in over the mountain range, making some of my photos hazy, but it cleared up and stayed clear the rest of the trip.

Glasses not mine, overalls mine

Breakfast Saturday: Pancakes, eggs (fresh from our girls) and sausage.

Then of course I headed back out with my camera to do more exploring, photos and hiking.

More on the wildlife and adventures tomorrow! 

Camping Night One

Did I mention that I'm biased to Utah's stunning beauty? That I find our mountains to be gorgeous?
If I haven't I've been lax.
Camping this weekend, the end of summer, Autumn already starting to show signs of starting in the mountains was glorious!
I loved our whole trip. Friends, food and an amazing view.

The sunset over the ridge the first night lit up the entire sky, soft rosy reds, pinks and a light orange hue rounded it out.

Our entire group consisted of 13 people. 9 adults 4 kids. Most of us have been friends for years but there were a few new faces. M is recently engaged to R. Welcome R to the group! Also L & N came along getting to know the rest of the group. L and I've been friends for years, but her life recently changed where she can go on adventures and play again.

If you click on any of the photos you can view them larger. 

No good camping trip would be complete without S'mores!

This was a fairly short trip, we went up Saturday and came home Monday. I still managed over 300 photos, some of which turned out amazing!
More posts to follow!

Pentatonix Vol 4 or #SOON

Earlier this week Pentatonix decided to play with the announcement of their latest album Vol. 4. They put out these emoji's so we could guess the names of the songs.
I played along!

First I'll name my guesses for the photos then I'll list the ACTUAL names that they just listed.

1. Dance, Dance, Dance
2. Can't Sleep Love (This one I knew from the concert)
3. Sing Out Loud
4. Rebels
5. Go!
6. Nothing Or later on I thought 1+1=2 (but really hated it so... bleh)
7. Rose Trophy
8. I'm Falling in Love
9. Broken Hearted
10. Tears Falling like Rain OR Raining Tears
11. We're Going Home
12. Party
13. Brightly Stalking You (Alright so I kinda gave up on actual guessing on this one)


Here is the ACTUAL LIST

	Name	Artist	Time	Price
1	Na Na Na	Pentatonix	--	Album Only	View In iTunes
2	Can't Sleep Love	Pentatonix	2:53	$1.29	View In iTunes
3	Sing	Pentatonix	--	Album Only	View In iTunes
4	Misbehavin'	Pentatonix	--	Album Only	View In iTunes
5	Ref	Pentatonix	--	Album Only	View In iTunes
6	First Things First	Pentatonix	--	Album Only	View In iTunes
7	Rose Gold	Pentatonix	--	Album Only	View In iTunes
8	If I Ever Fall In Love (feat. Jason Derulo)	Pentatonix	--	Album Only	View In iTunes
9	Cracked	Pentatonix	--	Album Only	View In iTunes
10	Water	Pentatonix	--	Album Only	View In iTunes
11	Take Me Home	Pentatonix	--	Album Only	View In iTunes
12	New Year's Day	Pentatonix	--	Album Only	View In iTunes
13	Light In the Hallway	Pentatonix	--	Album Only	View In iTunes
14	Where Are Ü Now	Pentatonix	--	Album Only	View In iTunes
15	Cheerleader	Pentatonix	3:03	$1.29	View In iTunes
16	Lean On	Pentatonix	--	Album Only	View In iTunes
17	Can't Sleep Love (feat. Tink)	Pentatonix	--	Album Only	View In iTunes

See how close I was! I know I was rocking that list (LOL)

Now I have to wait for Oct. 16th!

Hens, Eggs and Windows

Going outside today hoping to sneak one or two photos of eggs in the laying boxes I found a gold mine - or rather an egg mine!
The lighting outside doesn't do their color justice. Those aren't white eggs, they are lovely blue! My Easter Eggers lay some truly stunning colors!
The brown are from the Rhode Island reds - who even though there are only four of them rule the entire chicken yard!
They take the "best" laying nests, hog the food and scold the rest.

Yesterday for the first day we received 9 beautiful eggs from our 9 laying ladies! Its the first day we've had all 9 lay all on the same day. The Rhode Island reds seem better at producing at almost an egg a day. The Easter Eggers are averaging five eggs to every seven days.
Both numbers place them toward the top of the layer chain. Some more ornamental chickens lay one egg a week (or less). So I have some hard working ladies on my hands!

The two laying boxes closest to the house have been taken over as Rhode Island Red boxes.
The two farther away from the house are now used solely by the Easter Eggers. When I started chicken care I had no idea we'd have a mini west side story going on in the coop! However they are happy, healthy and get along fine in the yard.

Now not to brag (BRAGGING happening now a-hem) but I have the best husband and friends in the world.
Hubby's bestie Shayne gave us a window (a while ago) and my darling (finally) put it in.

Measure, marking, cutting and install took just over an hour.

I know, I brag on my man, but seriously I'm blessed beyond belief. Not only has he endured 13 years of me (which says a lot about his patience) but he continues to spoil me with home projects.
Last week he also fixed our fridge which had stopped cooling properly and wired his shed for power and light so he can continue doing projects during the winter months!

Thank you both to Shayne and to my darling - you guys ROCK!

Magna Arts Festival

Five years ago we moved into Magna. Its small, charming and unique. This however was our first year going to the Magna Arts Festival!
This was also our first summer going to the music and movie in the park on Fridays as well. Before my husbands strange schedule made it hard to do things as a family.

This is going to be a yearly thing for us from now on! The music was fun, the vendors amazing, the prices FABULOUS!!!

The earrings in the corner hubby bought me for only five dollars and they aren't cheaply made!
Paparazzi had an amazing stock of jewelry with fabulous prices!
G'man was able to create HUGE bubbles and the kids came home with several free arts crafts!

There I made a connection with a book publisher who takes new writers. They are looking for YA lit and encouraged me to send my work in! So here's crossing your fingers! One last read through and hopefully I'll send it off within the month!

I was also able to acquire 6,800 steps walking around Magna main as well as walking to and from our home.
I'm still working out, still losing weight slowly but I'm getting healthier. I have more energy, which is key at this point.

We are a tiny town, but our community is fun. I can't imagine living anywhere else. ;)

Bonfire in the Mountains

Now I know not everyone is as lucky as we are. We live right next to one of the most incredible mountain ranges in the world, the Rocky Mountain's. (I'm 100% biased)

Friendships are built. Memories created. Energy restored. I can't even begin to explain how much fun we have doing absolutely nothing!
My three (hubby and kids) all climbed and fell down the mountain. I wrote, having just started a new book idea.
We planned a future girls night and a future camping trip a few of us are going on in a few weeks.

G'man fell in the stream - a few times. The first time was on accident, pretty sure the other times weren't!
Some days are better than others - this day last week - Extraordinary! 

Music and Movie Friday Nights in Magna

With only one more movie night looming I'm sharing a little bit of what makes going to the park, getting eaten by mosquitoes, listening to kids cry and dogs bark - so much fun.

First off - if your a fan of Gilmore Girls, you will really enjoy these nights.
Next - there is a true charm about the small town life.
Lastly (kind of) - Each night is an adventure.

Tonight's slotted musician cancelled at the last minute. So instead of a country/rock singer we got three older guys (60's +). Now I don't have anything against older performers. Really IF they can play or sing... these guys sadly couldn't do either.
Hubby and I seriously couldn't stop laughing. Texts between my hubby and his BFF were flying thick and fast.  Starting with, "These guys are worse than watching Napoleon Dynamite sober."
Its an accurate description.
Last week the music and movie in the park were cancelled due to rain, SO our wonderful host decided that next week - the last week. (movie is Guardians of the Galaxy) We will have the band from last week AND next week's band back to back.
So instead of starting at 8 pm next week starts at 7 pm! I can't wait!

Each week we get a different band and a new experience. One band that performed were great are Zodiac Empire! So far I'm loving their song Name Dropper! I now follow them on Twitter and Facebook, they have a good sound.
Another group had talent. Her voice was spot on, the band was talented, HOWEVER, and maybe this is just me, I don't enjoy listening to a group perform that can't find their sound.
She was ALL over the place, Rock, Pop, Country...Reggae, it didn't stop. To make matters worse, she stopped after EACH song to tell us the story of the next song.... really I can't make this up!
I don't mind a fun blip or blurb every now and then, but every single flipping song for an hour in a half? Don't torture me.

When the movie (Captain America, Winter Soldier) started playing the title was in Russian. Then the first 4 minutes were in split screen, bottom mirroring the top. Watching Capt. run like that made him look like he was running on water, but when it came to his running buddy - hahahahahaha!!!!!
It cut off at his head and flipped it so he's talking to the Captain with two heads!
It was AWESOME!!!

During the movie they paused once to inform us that some person with the plate, "Groovy 1" had left their car lights on in the parking lot. Tears people!!!
I'm still laughing! The best part? This is free!!! Who wouldn't want to go see this?!

To make things even more perfect, a storm came rolling in along the Oquirrh Mountain range, behind the movie screen, so we got to watch a lightning storm rolling toward us in the distance while watching the movie! It was gorgeous, also hearing my son proclaim, "There's another piece of lightning!"
Kept us and a few fellow patrons around us in stitches!

The cherry on top? My husband (sweet, nice guy) was eaten alive! Came home with tons of bites all over his hands, legs, even his toes! Me not one bite!

Piece by Piece 8/8/15 or Saturdays Saga 3

First off in case you missed it 8/8/15 Saturday's Saga Part 1 & Part 2 can be found by clicking on the links.

I can't even begin to explain how great the concert was! How much fun we, as a crowd, had. Our poor security guard will never be the same. He is now a HUGE Pentatonix fan and most likely is still asking himself, "What the hell did I get into when I talked to those crazy women?"
Hahahaha!!!
At least he wasn't bored! In fact we were having so much fun with him that other security guards kept coming over talking to us as well - they were bored and wanted to play too.

I haven't screamed that loud or that long (while happy anyway, my kids hear my pipes quite often) in such a very long time. In fact the last time I screamed that loudly might have been the last Newsboys concert I went too.
Of course, you might scream too if Scott pointed at you during Cheerleader!
(Fine! He pointed in my general direction. Stop crushing my delusion! LOL)

The video link is from the SLC show, but sadly cuts out the part when he came down cat walk sang a few bars - pointed at me and then ran back. My video is better, but not public.

Now I didn't take these photos my friend M did. I instead took 41:18 minutes worth of video - which turned out so amazing I've watched it again 3 times so far!
Sorry, I will be keeping my copy private - or at least until after Vol.4 finally comes out.
Pentatonix keeps teasing me, even performing one of their new songs, "Can't Sleep Love" (which was great) but I don't have a release date for Vol. 4 just hints and teasers!
Which is just cruel to do to fans like me. (Don't worry I still love them all)
The first photo is Scott Hoying, the second top is Avi K, Scott H, Kirstie M, Mitch G & Kevin O.
Bottom is a close up on Avi, Kirstie and Scott. Then there is Scott - Scotting. Yes, he's become a verb.
I don't have any good single photos of Mitch or Kevin - they both moved far too much. I'm amazed I scored a few semi decent shots of Avi. However, I'm still happy M took photos for me, so I could have both stills and the video. Just call me spoiled, I really really am.

Also as you can tell from the Saga part 2 photo of me and M, I didn't go ahead and make a shirt that said, Property of Avi return if lost. With my sense of humor, I most likely would have gotten myself kicked out of the show, so its for the best. Especially since I think it would have broken our guards heart to throw me out. However in spite of the previous post on our seats being in section G - we upgraded them A LOT.

Now after months and months of first being on their, On My Way Home tour and now the Piece by Piece tour. All five members of Pentatonix were spot on amazing tonight! No vocal tiredness, fatigue or signs of exhaustion - whatever these guys are drinking I want some!

Then the ever beautiful Kelly Clarkson took the stage and sang her heart out. She managed 3 costume changes which were amazing and quick. You may have heard in the news that during one of her concerts she stopped to hold a baby - that was mine!
Here is a link for a tiny video of that adorable encounter.
Now I've heard so many different people's thoughts and opinions on Kelly for doing this - many thought it was great but a few haters out there only wanted what they paid for - songs and nothing else. Nothing human.

As a person in this audience I LOVED and adored her stopping. Her rambling after she'd given him back to his mom - especially how worried she'd been about dropping him (she said she almost peed) was hysterical and endearing.
It was a moment where you realize she's a mom just like you are. I love that she is touring, singing and getting back into the swing of things after the birth of her adorable girl River. I also applaud how she's tried to balance work and family.

Music is her passion in life - you can tell she wants to be singing for her fans for a long time, so for the haters out there SHUT UP.
I like her because she's real. I've been her fan since her very first interview. I even remember dialing the number to vote for her! (Oh heck was that a long time ago!)
Her voice and talent are just a part of what makes her amazing - her stopping to hold a little boy named Boston is another.

The night ended with both Pentatonix and Kelly Clarkson singing the finale Uptown Funk Mashup, I missed the first 10-15 seconds on film since I had a lunatic (okay my bestie M) grabbing my arm jumping up and down but I got the rest of it in a full 5 min video!
(Link added again isn't mine. I haven't made any of mine public.)
So thank you Pentatonix and Kelly Clarkson for a magical night!

Opening Acts or Saturdays Saga part 2

Since I live wickedly close to the Usana Amphitheater we arrived by 5:45 pm only half an hour behind our original plans (see Tires or Saga part 1) - still in time for great parking and a decent spot in line. For those just tuning in this was Saturday 8/8/15 for Kelly Clarkson and Pentatonix. Also known as the Piece by Piece Tour.

When the gates opened at 6:00 pm we were in our seats by 6:20 pm. The security there is amazing! Walking in we were greeted sweetly, pointed the direction of our amazing front seats (more than once) one very sweet man was kind enough to think I knew where I was headed - jokes on him!

Our final ground security guard though was the best! He was a gruff, tough looking man in his early sixties, his voice had the sound of gravel. However, he's the sweetie who took my besties and I's photo in the bottom photo.
Also you can see how close we were to the stage! It was amazing!
By the time the first opening performer Abi Ann took the stage we were the best of friends with our security guard. M and I agree her song, Future Ex Boyfriend, is a hit.

Watching the different acts I found my dream band. I also found out I can't say the words, dream band, without my son freaking out and telling me LOUDLY that my darling hubby is my dream man... It was a moment.

So you take the pianist from Abi Ann, the drummer from Eric Hutchinson & the guitarist from Kelly Clarkson.... and its a pretty good looking group of men, but for the love of my sanity don't say so in front of my son!

Somewhere between Abi Ann and Eric the four seats in front of ours were filled with loud, short peppy women - who amazingly enough were M's neighbor and family!!!

First off - I like any woman who is shorter than I am. Standing at 5'2, its not easy to find, but Saturday was full of short, loud, hyper fun!
The clip is just a small blip of what type of fun we were having during the show breaks (tearing down and setting up each new act) music would blast, people would dance, we even had people dancing in the aisle!
Tomorrow's blog - the final saga will be about the two main acts! Pentatonix (my personal favorite) and Kelly Clarkson (who is beyond talented).

Tires or Saturday's Sage part 1

I know dramatic title. However I felt dramatic on Saturday - and very worried.

Bald tire, G'man watching them change our tires - new fabulous tire!

It all starts at the end of Fridays sleepover, by noon the neighbor kids were gone and we were getting ready for a full day.
Our plans were simple.
Get the car legal and registered for another year, come home fix the hot water tap (Prissy accidentally broke the handle last week so we ordered in a new one.) Then I would get ready to go out at 5pm with my bestie to the concert we've been dying to see Pentatonix and Kelly Clarkson!!!
(It was even better than we'd hoped for! However that will be tomorrows post.)

At 1:30 pm we'd failed the safety but passed emissions. What failed? As the title of today's post reads Tires, I'm pretty sure you can guess that the tire treads failed. Also the windshield wiper blades.

On to a near by tire store! By 2 pm we'd selected our tires and were in line for an open bay. Being told the wait was long and they would start work on the car around 3:30 pm we went across the parking lot to shop while we waited for all four new snow tires to be put on the van.
I scored the book Wicked, (Yay!) as well as two Mystery Murder dinner games! Still I was getting unhappy with the late hour.

It wasn't until 4:10 pm that they pulled our van into a bay and started our tires. 4:50 pm we were done, running to see if we could get the car legal (it was closed - so we'll try again Monday.

Thankfully this put my bestie and I only behind by 30 minutes - which was good since the lines to get into the concert were MASSIVE!!!
That however is tomorrows story ;)