Deanie's Diary

Tis the Season

2009-09-02T17:56:00.000-07:00

It sounds simple enough...2cups grated zucchini. But in reality it ain't that easy!
I love Zucchini Bread, hate the peeling and grating. I have had two large zucchini staring at me perched in the corner of my counter for several days now. My friend Annette stole them from her brothers garden just for me so I could make the bread, she has asked me about it "you got that zucchini bread done yet?"
So finally tonight I took the plunge and decided to be ambitious. Of course I never make a single batch, not me, I double everything, even things I have never made before, so when I crash it is in a big way.
The zucchini have now been peeled, hacked up and grated (just enough for a double batch) and the remainder stuffed into a plastic bag and tucked neatly into the vegetable keeper in the fridge. The pieces will wait there until 1) they go bad and are thrown away or 2) grated for another double batch. I live dangerously so we will see what happens.
My kitchen now smells like cinnamon, all warm and toasty and the muffins just came out, mmm... the bread will be done in a little while. So yes it is worth it now that the dishwasher is full and going and the counter tops have been cleared of all the green rinds that are tucked neatly into the garbage can, yup it is worth it.
Hillary gave me this great recipe, have fun with it!
ZUCCHINI BREAD
3 beaten eggs
1 cup brown sugar
1 cup white sugar
1 cup vegetable oil
3 tsp vanilla
3 cups flour
3 tsp cinnamon
1 tsp baking soda
1 tsp salt
1/4 tsp baking powder
2 cups grated zucchini

Makes 2 loaf pans
Bake @ 350 degrees (50-60 minutes)
muffins (15-20 minutes)

That's Dr. Savage to you

2009-08-02T15:10:00.000-07:00

I must admit sometimes I wonder if this special young man is related to me

He makes a goal and completes it.

I hardly ever do

He is dedicated,tenacious,hard working and..

brilliant!

He didn't get that from his mother.

He just completed his Doctorate of Physical Therapy

and has been accepted at the "U"

for his PHD.

When he was in Junior High he decided to get straight A's from that time on

and he did

When he was in High School he was the first Quarter Back at Hunter High the year they opened

they didn't win a game that season, but

the next year went all the way to the finals.

He has three beautiful children and a wonderful wife Hillary

A few years ago he decided he needed to lose a few pounds so right before the holidays

he gave up white bread and anything

with sugar in it

I am REALLY sure he didn't get that from me!

He is now at his High School weight

He did Triathlons last summer and this year

he is in to running

Again, he didn't get this from me

I think I want to be like him when I grow up......

Happy Birthday Gramma!

2009-06-08T17:28:00.001-07:00

Is this a cool picture or what!

This is my Grandma and Grandpa Cahoon and the cute baby on his lap is my Mom

Grandma was born June 8, 1895

The youngest of thirteen children

She spent most of her childhood at Lee's Ferry where father had been sent by

Brigham Young

this picture was taken in 1920, do the math it is pretty old!

I always celebrated my birthday with Grandma and I think of her often on this day

She was a very special lady

Love you Grandma and have a very Happy Birthday

The Boys!

2009-04-26T17:56:00.001-07:00

I have a total of four grandsons and two of them had birthdays this month.

Mikey turned 10 years old on April 9th

Max celebrated his 5th birthday on April 16th

These guys are a big part of my life and I am really sure anyone within listening distance gets really tired of my stories.

Mikey is playing baseball again this summer and there is nothing better(when the weather cooperates) than sitting on the bleachers and watching him play.

Max is into bugs, he brought his caterpillar with him the other day when he came to visit and added an ant while he was here. I told him he could take as many as he wanted.

Happy, happy birthday from Grandma Deanie to "The Boys"!

This n' That

2009-04-03T20:58:00.000-07:00

So I must admit when I get hooked on something it takes me awhile to get over it. I am not over getting a kick out of making cupcakes as you can see by the pictures. Last fall Aly found a good buy on powdered sugar and we each bought 2 cases (12/2 pound bags) for our food storage. So I am now into the second case. That is 24 pounds of sugar that I have used. I am not even going to add up the butter, cream cheese and chocolate chips that goes along with it. It has been fun though and they tasted pretty good too!

Dang Cute Birthday Girl

With cupcakes!

Dang Cute Birthday Girl

with cupcakes!

Our sweet Annie B was baptized, pink cast and all!!

Pine Wood Derby time for Mikey. Grandpa Johnny always helps him with his car and this year Mikey wanted a "U of U" car. They asked if I could paint the "U" on the hood. No problem.. a trip to the craft store, $10.00 later and I have painted it, next morning it peels right off, I am a little desperate cause it is fast approaching weigh in time for the car (5 oz, not over or under). Another trip to the craft store and 6 bucks later I have a one inch "U" on the hood. I complained to Grandpa Johnny and he just laughed and told me how much he had spent on paint, sand paper, etc and what Carrie had spent on decals that were not even used. Needless to say Mikey had a great time and the car beat the "BYU" car 5 out of 6 times!!

Dang cute Birthday Girl

with cupcake!

(Oh and Dad too!)

Twentynine Reasons to Love Aly

2009-03-04T20:52:00.000-08:00

1980 was a good year

Especially on March 5th

Alyson Dean Savage made her appearance

So here are the 29 things I love about her.

1)She is my only daughter

2) She is the baby of the family

3) She has a brother Kirk

4) She has a brother Nate

5) She is named after her Mom and Great Aunt.

6) She had dark hair as a baby and Mom could give her a bow and a top notch

7) She grew to be tall and thin like her Dad's side of the family

8) She learned to play the piano like her grandma Smith

9) She took dance lessons

10) Had many dance costumes, that cost a lot, but were never used again(girls do that)

10) She had a blue swimsuit she wore everyday one summer

11) When her hair was really long, she would get "Perms", they would take days and days and lots of money.

11) She loves fry sauce, on anything.

12) She hates cats (tolerates her Moms)

13)She loves her dogs

14) She loves Chuck (her husband)

15) She loves Annie

16) She love Max

17) She loves Sofia

18) She is a wife to Chuck

19) She is a Mom to Annie

20) She is a Mom to Max

21) She is a Mom to Sofia

22) She is beautiful inside and out

23) She is very talented with cake making and is always willing to share her talents

24) She is "Phebes" (inside joke)

25) She is domestic (another inside joke)

26) She is a good friend and neighbor

27) She makes me proud everyday of my life that I am so lucky to have her as my daughter.

28)She is surrounded by many people who lover her.

29) She is 29 years old on March 5th..Whew..Happy Birthday GIRL!!

The Luck O' the Irish

2009-02-25T20:29:00.000-08:00

Unfortunately every holiday means eating and some kind of recipe to me. St Patty's day is no exception. I love to fix (and eat) Corned Beef and Cabbage. My darling family is not as enthusiastic, I think the last time I tried to feed it to them they all threatened to never come back for dinner again, sigh... I thought I raised them right.
But I do have a recipe they really like, I only fix it this time of year (don't ask me why) and it is a good one. When Nate and Hillary lived in Rhode Island he called and asked if I would give the recipe to Hillary (I am sure she was thrilled) I think I left out out some of the key steps and they ended up with frosting up to their elbows and not quite sure why Nate would want this recipe. It is a little bit of work but the results are yummy. I have had this recipe longer than some of my kids and I don' t think I even have it written down on the back of an envelope or paper sack, it's in my head, I guess it is good to pass it on before I forget it. Enjoy, let me know if you are brave enough to get messy with this!

Blarney Stones

1 yellow cake mix

mix according to package directions

bake in a large cookie sheet that is well greased and floured @350 for about 15 minutes

check and see if done when touched

let cool for 10 minutes

remove from pan onto a piece of wax paper

cut into triangles

I do this by cutting the cake in strips

then cut rectangles, then cut these into triangles

you can make them as big or as small as you want

I make about a 3-4 inch triangle

freeze uncovered for at least an hour so they are easier to work with, you can do these ahead

if you are making one day and completing another, cover after they are frozen

Okay you are this far now, no turning back!

Frosting

1 cup butter

8 oz cream cheese

2 tsp vanilla

2 lb bag powder sugar

Beat together, may need to add some milk to thin

Here comes the best part..

1 16 oz bag of salted Spanish peanuts(skins on)

put these through a blender till crushed

take a few cakes pieces out of the freezer at a time

frosting all sides, top bottom, etc

so it is completely covered.

Have a plate with the crushed peanuts on

dip the icing covered blarney stone until it is covered with the crushed peanuts

You are done!

Like I said a little bit of work, but you are going to love the taste, most people can't figure out what it is, until you tell them.

Birthday Blitz!!

2009-02-14T14:26:00.000-08:00

February is our special month for birthdays

Or should I say we have four special people in our family with February Birthdays

First one up is our Kenzie Kate

February 2nd is the date

She is 14 years old this year and turning into a real heart breaker

She is our original comedian of the family

and too cute for words

She is a social butterfly and always has something going on with all her friends

Next up is Annie who turned 8 this year

She is a sweetie and Mom's big helper

Her special date is February 4th

She wanted Polly Pockets and got bucket loads of em

She also wanted an ice cream cake and Mom didn't disappoint with

a really "cool" cake

Third one on the list is Natalie Ryan

On February 5th four years ago she joined our family

She had a blast at her birthday party and loved all her fun presents

Her Mom made her a very special doll cake with a blue dress

which is Natalie's favorite color

Last but not least is Carrie

Her special day is February 9th (I will be nice and not list her age!)

Her darling kids and her Mom Becky put together a birthday party complete with

Valentine plates and wrapping paper

She is super Mom and always has a beautiful smile for all of us

Needless to say we have all had our share of cupcakes, cakes, ice cream

sugar, sugar, sugar

Is there any other way to celebrate??

I am very late in getting all these birthday wishes to my special February Birthday girls

but much love to all of these very precious people in my life!

It's Almost Time

2009-01-24T10:40:00.000-08:00

Since "Sugar Cookie" Season is fast approaching (some call it Valentines Day) I thought I would share one of my favorite recipes. It has a lot of history. My sweet redheaded sis Suzie gave it to me along time ago. I think the recipe has been doubled maybe even tripled over time so you could cut in half (heaven forbid) or I sometimes 1 1/2 times it depending on the project. when my kids were little we would make them at Halloween, each kid making his/her own and decorating. They would get to do with them what they wanted and I remember Nate keeping them under his bed till they were gone. We made big heart shaped ones for our neighbors, one for each member of the family putting their names on each one. We worked for days and I think one year I bought 25 pounds of powder sugar for the frosting (and used almost all of it!) We would then deliver our treasures out to each family. What fun!! My sister Yvonne likes them plain without frosting (I don't know what is wrong with her) but you can color the dough if you have anybody strange like that. Or put sugar crystals on them too! Anyway start some traditions of your own, put this one in the recipe box, it is a keeper and most of all take time to eat too many yourself.

SUGAR COOKIES

7 cups of flour

2 cups shortening (crisco)

4 tsp baking powder

2 tsp salt

2 cups sugar

4 eggs

1 cup milk

Mix together flour,salt, baking powder and sugar

Cut in shortening like you would for pie dough

Beat eggs and milk together

Add to flour mixture and mix (okay this is the part if you have a kitchen aid mixer, use it)

If not then mix by hand, if you have a large teenage boy or husband around to do this part it really helps.

Roll out, cut you favorite shapes. Bake on PAM sprayed cookie sheet @375 for 9-11 minutes

These stay soft for along time, they can be made and frozen until you are ready to frost.

BUTTER CREAM FROSTING

1 cup shortening

1 cup butter

2 tsp vanilla

2 lbs powder sugar

milk or water to thin

beat butter, shortening together, add vanilla then powder sugar 1/3 at a time till combined

You can substitute 8 oz of cream cheese for the shortening (yummy)

instead of vanilla add 1 tsp almond extract and 1 tsp vanilla

Instead of extract with the cream cheese add some orange zest and some orange juice to thin (again yummy)

Aly Sofia's Big Day

2009-01-13T19:27:00.000-08:00

On a cold January 14th 2008 Grandma Deanie was lucky enough to spend the day with Max and Annie anxiously awaiting the arrival of their new baby sister.
Mom and Dad got up really early and made the trek to the hospital while we played games, watched TV, tapped our toes and melted a
couple of pacifiers on the stove instead of sterilizing them(Grandma Deanie was too busy playing games).
Around 3:00 in the afternoon Dad calls and tells us she is almost here and we better get to the hospital in a hurry. By this time Max is sacked out on the couch and boots are hiding. We find all the boots, coats, mittens and kids and get buckled into the van.

As we are flying down Bangerter I had an overwhelming feeling come over me and I start to cry uncontrollably.

Just then I heard Kirk's voice say to me "I am giving her to you guys now, take good care of her". I looked at my watch and we quietly made our way to the hospital.

We went in the wrong door and had to wander the halls before finally finding the room with our precious new addition.

She was beautiful and Aly promptly named her "Minnie".

I asked what time she arrived and it had been the exact time I heard from Kirk.

Our Minnie has been such an amazing addition to the family, she is funny, she is way to smart for her age and she makes me laugh all the time.

Happy First Birthday to my Aly Sofia!!

Love ~ Grandma Deanie

Christmas Holiday's 2008

2009-01-04T18:55:00.000-08:00

Well it is now January and the lovely holiday season is behind us. I don't know about you but it has been a whirl wind of activities. Our family started right after Thanksgiving with the traditional get together. We always do the "White Elephant" gift exchange and the wood fish platter was again given. This platter has been with us for about 15 years now. It pops up every year since Kirk and Carrie donated it. Some years it is wrapped in a big box, some years it is in a little sack with a note telling the lucky person it is theirs to keeps for another year.

The "Girls" got together at my house this year for dinner. We had made blankets this past year and collected various items to donate to the "Womens Shelter" in Midvale.

I spent Christmas Eve with Nate, Hillary and the kids. It is always so fun to see the wonder and joy in my little grandkids eyes Christmas morning!
Aly and I had a reunion with our very dear friends Bob and Diane Johnson and their girls Robyn and Kimberly. It was so great to visit with them. It is hard to think that our little girls (Aly and Robyn) are Moms now and all grown up and we are grandmas. Bob checked out my latest pictures of the grandkids and let me know his are cuter than mine, of course they are! He just hasn't met them yet, I know he will change his mind when he sees them in person! I am so glad that we had the chance to spend time with these very special people, it made my holiday one to remember.

Carrie and the Kids, her Mom, the Mechams (some family friends), Aly and me got together and cooked dinner for the Ronald McDonald house. This was a really neat experience and I am so glad I had the opportunity to participate. We spent some time at my house
making big pots of soup. Later in the day headed up town to deliver the food and serve it to the people staying there.
The last get together of the season was of course the unforgettable Utes/Bama football game. Carrie invited us all over, what fun!! Decorations, food and all kinds of red sweatshirts. Mikey is a very intense fan and doesn't get very far from the action. What a great game,WAY TO GO UTES!!

Mallorie Megan

2008-12-10T17:53:00.000-08:00

Mallorie

Mal

Little Red

Meggie (It's what Gandma Deanie calls her)

She is our sweet sweet Meggie and December 11th is her 12th birthday! She watches out for all of us making sure everybody is okay, making sure if anybody needs a baby sitter, she is there. She would come and stay with Grandma anytime (I love it!)

She is our little worrier, nervous stomach, tender heart.

What a special part of my life she is and I love her so very much.

Happy Birthday to my Meggie!

December 10th

2008-12-09T17:04:00.000-08:00

Happy Birthday Kirk

Love, Mom

I Am Thankful

2008-11-26T20:57:00.000-08:00

For the sun light that streams through my kitchen window in the morning.

For the beautiful mountains that surround the valley I live in.

For the snow that quiets my world in winter and the sun that warms my face in summer.

For the rustling leaves in fall and the tiny spring flowers that peek their heads skyward in spring.

For all these things God creates, I am thankful.

For the children I have been given, for the grandchildren they have given me.

For my parents who nurtured and taught me.

For those in my family who have gone before.

For my family, I am thankful.

For my friends who wrap their loving arms around me in time of need.

For all the laughter, tears and years we share.

For my friends, I am thankful.

For enjoying the freedoms of this great country.

For living as I choose.

For being given so much.

For all of this I am truly blessed.

I am thankful.

2008-11-20T17:35:00.000-08:00

Four years have passed, since you were set free

From the earthly trials, that would not let you be

Your laugh, your smile, your gentle loving touch

These are the things I miss so very much

My tiny son, wrapped within my arms so new

You grew each day, straight and strong and true

To live and learn, laugh and play

Your Father and I loved you more each passing day

A brother, a father, a husband, a son

To those of us here, you are that special one

I miss you Kirk, more than I can say

Do you know my thoughts, do you hear my words, each and every day

You left too soon, were gone so fast

From the happy times, the funny times, I thought would always last

The years and days and hours tick by

Filled with thoughts of you, building kingdoms on high

Your in my heart, my hopes, my dreams

Not far away, yet very far, or so it often seems

So grow my son, my precious son, straight and strong and true

And do your work, that special work, our Father chose for you

Love, Mom

Congratulations Mikey !!

2008-11-16T20:23:00.000-08:00

He is a healthy, happy nine year old and that's the way it should be. He has been cancer free for 5 years now and we celebrated. Carrie and the kids stayed at Little America this weekend and the "Grandma's" met them for dinner. He had a steak and chocolate shake and put up with all the girls (Mom, sisters and grandma's).
Mikey is an amazing boy, he loves sports and can tell you any and all of the stats on his favorite teams. He is a big fan of the "U" and had to leave dinner several times to find out what the score was.
This has been a wonderful milestone to celebrate for all of us.
"High Five, Mikey"
>Love ~ Grandma Deanie

Happy Birthday Logan!

2008-10-13T16:29:00.000-07:00

Logan Mitchell Savage was born October 10th six years ago in Knoxville Tennessee. He is now in Kindergarten and lives a lot closer to all those cousins! They all helped him celebrate on Saturday. The cold snowy weather didn't dampen any spirits and a good time was had by all.

He helped his Mom make his birthday cake. He wanted a scary Halloween cake. It was a graveyard complete with graham cracker headstones, spiders, pumpkins, ghosts and black cats.

He loves sports and is playing flag football, he played baseball last summer. He can play guitar hero with the best of em and any kind of super hero is cool. His Dad was pretty proud of the great scores he got from the parent/teacher conference last week. He is a big brother to Natalie and James and a very sweet little guy. Grandma loves you very much, happy birthday Logan!

The Cow has been taken hostage!

2008-10-09T19:23:00.000-07:00

She is a pretty little cow.

Spends most of her time on the fridge.

Just hanging out with her little magnets on the back of her head and hooves.

Good natured little cow with blank stare on her face most of the time.

She used to hang out on my desk at work, but I brought her home, thought she would like it better there.

The grandkids all love her, always wanted to take her home, but no, she is grandma's toy.

So to my horror when I came back from Aly's house, walked in my door and there in the bottom of an empty Halloween candy dish was my little cow...

Completely wrapped up with every single elastic that had been hung on the pantry door knob.

She was a prisoner, a hostage, who could have done this?

Nate, Hillary and the kids had been staying over the night before. Hillary saw Natalie acting suspiciously, questioned her and she just said "don't look at me" as she lurked around the fridge area of the kitchen.

She couldn't have, could she?

It might have been the cat, he does tend to be a little jealous.

I just don't know.

Anyway she is okay, I rescued her from the elastics and candy dish.

She is back to hanging out on the fridge with her little blank stare.

Six out Eleven Ain't Bad!

2008-09-15T20:17:00.000-07:00

So a couple of weeks ago Aly asked if her and the kids could come Friday night and stay over so she could go to swim lessons on Saturday morning and I could keep an eye on the little ones.

No problem, that would be fun.

She said she had a wedding dinner to go to on Saturday and I offered to keep Max and Annie while she went. It will be fun!

Friday night Nate calls and they are driving down so they can visit and go to the wedding dinner on Saturday night.

I know you are watching Max and Annie but would you mind if we brought Logan and Natalie?

No problem. It will be fun!

Saturday morning Meggie calls and asked if she could come and help me watch the cousins while the parents go to the wedding dinner.

That would be great. It will be fun!

Saturday afternoon Carrie calls and said Morgan was feeling a little left out cause the cousins are gathering at Grandma's house and would it be okay if she came with Meggie.

Not a problem. It will be fun!

Saturday afternoon at around 4:oo pm there are now six grandkids between the ages of three to eleven gathered at Grandma's condo.

No problem. It will be fun.

Logan: Can we go play on the play ground?

Grandma: Sure

Annie: I just saw a really big bee, don't go out there!

Logan: Put the "Mutant Ninja Turtles" in the DVD player.

All Granddaughters: Nooo!

Everyone sits or stands transfixed to the end of the movie.

Grandma: Anyone hungry yet?

Nope

Not now

Ten minute later

Natalie: I'm hungry, I want Mac n Cheese now.

Grandma: Okay, I'll have ready in about 10 minutes.

30 seconds later

Natalie: I'm hungry.

Grandma: I'm hurrying.

Natalie: I want Mac n Cheese now!

Thirty minutes later..

All kids fed and dishes done.

Ten minutes later

Six kids bored, milling around starting to form gangs in the back bedroom.

Meggie suggests a coloring contest.

Good idea!

Great pictures, Grandma judges the contest and everybody wins!

Prize? Candy of course.

No one can agree on what movie to watch next.

"Enchanted" is the next and the boys decide to watch Mutant Ninja turtles again on Grandma's laptop instead.

Five minutes later...

Logan standing beside Grandma's chair smiling, totally enchanted by "Enchanted".

watches to the end.

Kids getting restless again, another movie started, some sporadic bickering has erupted over which plastic chair goes where, some suggestions made that Natalie might be "stinky".

She denies it.

Meggie has another stroke of genius and suggests "Freeze Dancing".

Big hit, everyone involved with smiles.

Dance, dance, dance..stop, giggle, giggle..

Dance,giggle, dance, stop

Conga line! Grandma gets to be in front.

giggle,giggle

Logan and Max are reminded this is not tackle dancing.

Door bell rings

Aly and Hillary enter with two hungry screaming babies in tow and are very surprised to see Grandma not only survived but had a great time. It was fun!

Can I go play now??

2008-08-30T10:49:00.000-07:00

I made my bed
I did the dishes
I did the laundry (folded AND put away)
I cleaned the kitchen
I cleaned the living room
I petted the cat

Can I go play now?

Blah,Blah,Blah Blah, Blog

2008-08-19T17:23:00.000-07:00

Blogaholic - Previously discussed, someone totally addicted to blogging
Blog Potato - Also previously discussed, while eating, watching TV, scolding, kids and or dogs
Blog-O-Rama - Posting several times per day.
Blogalicious - A simply wonderful post you savor.
Bloggonia - A flower found only on blog backgrounds, can be an infinite variety of colors.
Blogster - A really "hip" blog person.
Blogger - the person writing the blog
Bloggee - The person reading the blog.
Multi-Blogging - Posting on more than one blog.
Bloggamatic - Signing on to your blog before anything else, kids cats,hubbys and dogs completely forgotten.
Pseudo-blogging - You don't have a blog yourself but live vicariously through all of your relatives and or friends blogs, reading, commenting and telling funny stories about the things you have seen and read.
Bloggotograh - Photograph taken for the sole purpose of a blog posting.
Preblogging - Planning out new post, deciding on theme, pictures, stories and color scheme.
Blogumentory - Posting that documents a moment in time, can include various subjects, loss of tooth, trip to "Big" city, acquiring of lizard, running of races, movement of wood.
Blog Envy - Usually is felt as a twinge when reading a blog that is spectacular and you realize you don't even know how to write like that of group pictures like that or change your background to be as cute as that.

And again...I obviously don't have enough to do if I am spending my time writing about this. Did a little preblogging. If I left out any blogging terms, let me know!

Birthday Parties for Morgan

2008-08-10T20:14:00.001-07:00

It has been a birthday celebration for our sweet little "Re Dolly". She turned 7 years old today! Friday was the party with friends. They played games, had ice cream and decorated little doll cakes. Today was the family party, everyone was there even the cousins from Brigham City.

Big sisters helped with the decorations and the games. Grandma made the dolls cakes and Mom took lots and lots of pictures of the festivities. It seems like just yesterday she was a tiny dark haired bundle of joy coming home from the hospital and the big brother and sisters wanting their turn to hold her.

Happy Birthday to my precious Morgan, Grandma loves you very much!

Tag, Eight Things....

2008-08-08T20:15:00.000-07:00

Eight things I am passionate about
1) All 11 grandkids
2) All my kids and their spouses
3) My cat, Tucker
4) My friends
5) Cooking
6) My grandkids (I know, I already said that)
7) Curing cancer
8) Not politics

Eight Books I have read
1) The Secret Life of Bees (almost done)
2) Twilight series
3) Shadow in the Wind
4) The Host
5) Harry Potter Series
6) The Da Vinci Code
7) Pillars of the Earth
8) Kitchen Table Wisdom

Eight Phrases I say often
1) Kitty, kitty kitty, here kitty
2) Tucker
3) What are you doing?
4) Hey sweetie
5) This is LaDean (at work, answering the phone)
6) I love you
7) Really?
8) Bye now

Eight things I want to do before I die
1) Retire
2) Get my house really clean
3) Balance my check book (not really)
4) Learn to play the piano (also..not really)
5) Take cooking lessons
6) Run, jog, maybe walk some kind of race.
7) See all my grandkids grow up
8) Complete all my knitting projects, hah!

Eight things I have learned over the past year
1) What a blog is
2) How to blog
3) That I am addicted to blogging
4) How to make fondant (although I have not done it, just watched Aly)
5) My kids get smarter every year
6) That I have more control over my life
7) How to make pillowcases (easy ones)
8) To do my banking online

Eight places I want to see
1) The back of my spare bedroom closet
2) The bottom of my purse
3) A size 8 in my closet and I am not talking shoes.
4) New York, again
5) Jersey Boys (the musical)
6) Disney World through my grandkids eyes
7) The Ocean, again
8) Mt. Everest

Eight things I currently want or need
1) A hug
2) A smile
3) Notes from my grandkids
4) A self cleaning litter box
5) A self cleaning fridge (do they make those?)
6) To sleep late every day
7) To want to exercise
8) To be a better friend

Eight people I want to tag (okay this is great, most of you have already completed your assignment and the rest I got the idea from Vicky)
1) Aly
2) Vicky
3) Darcie
4) Chuck
5) Annie
6) Oprah
7) Minnie Mouse
8) Carin

"The Girls"

2008-08-06T15:33:00.000-07:00

Some of us went to kindergarten together, some not until much later... 6th and 7th grade.

We have been best friends since then.

We have known each other through all the things that life brings us.

We have laughed and cried together through all of this and even giggled sometiimes, as Julia said "till we wet our pants".

Our friendship becomes more precious with every passing year.

We still think we look pretty darn good...considering!

And with all of this we are still,

"The Girls"

From left to right: Kathy, Julia, DeeAnna, Sherry, Me and Lynn (with miracle granddaughter born premature at a little over 3 lbs and doing great now)

To My Favorite Son-In-Law

2008-08-04T21:32:00.000-07:00

A big Birthday "Shout Out" to my favorite Son-In-Law, Chuck.

Oh yeah your my only Son-In-Law.

You have been a prized possession of our family for some time now.

I think we will keep you, if you don't mind.

Happy Birthday to you, Happy Birthday to you

Happy Birthday dear Chuck,

Happy Birthday to you!

Better than me singing it to you right?

Thanks so much for putting up with this Mother-In-Law and..

for being such a great husband and Dad.

Love and appreciate you more than you know.

Best Birthday Wishes, Love Deanie

Maddi

2008-07-29T20:46:00.001-07:00

She is tall and beautiful.

She is blond and reminds me of her Dad

She is a wonderful big sister

She is the oldest grandchild

She loves cheese

She likes really big dill pickles

She is a darling daughter

She starts high school this year

She can text and listen to her IPOD with the best of em

She hates spiders

She loves "Hello Kitty" anything

And she is 15 years old today!

Happy Birthday to my Maddi

Love ~ Grandma Deanie

Fun with the Grandkids

2008-07-27T18:07:00.000-07:00

I told Nate and Hillary I was coming up to visit them but actually it was to play with the Grandkids. Baby James is one month old now and is a very sweet boy.

Logan and Natalie are taking swim lessons and I got to go watch, what fun!

Meggie came with me and had a great time with the cousins. They played in the sprinklers one evening, lots of giggles while trying to miss getting hit with the water. We went to movies,stayed up late, ate ice cream, read stories, played games, snuggled baby, made cookies, ate cookies, made some more cookies, ate cookies (check out the nifty recipe on the side bar). Lots of summer fun with Nate, Hillary and the kids.

Check

2008-07-22T19:44:00.000-07:00

1) Bags packed, check.
2) Garbage taken out, check.
3) Kitty feeder filled, check.
4) Litter box cleaned, check.
5) dishes done, check.
6) Anna will check on Kitty, check.
7) Lock up condo, check.
8) Head to the northern branch of the Savage Clan, check.
9) Squeeze Logan, Natalie and snuggle baby James, check.
10) Pictures and bragging to follow, CHECK!

"Blog Potato"

2008-07-21T19:17:00.000-07:00

Not to be confused with "Couch Potato" although very similar.
I already discussed being a Blogaholic in a previous post and I do fit into that category but now I am really sure I have become a blog potato. I arm myself with my caffeine free diet coke (of course with lemon so I get my fruit for the day) and settle on to the couch. At first I think I wont turn on the laptop but it sits on the end table and just stares back at me. So I think I will just turn it on for a minute and see if Aly has posted something new (couldn't just call her and ask) and then I need to check and see what Chuck has done and Betsy and Robyn and Kimberly and Diane and Carin and some people I don't even know but I check anyway...well that takes a little time and I am on my second caffeine free diet coke. I look at all these cute blogs and the blog envy takes over and I wonder I mine will ever match up, but then I have to remember it is not a competition, but I still feel slightly bad about it all.
So anyway I bought this really cool thing over the weekend, it is a plastic tray I can set my laptop on with padding on the underside and a clip on the side for papers, no holder for my caffeine free diet coke but it is still cool. It is bright pink and enables me to be more of a "Blog Potato"!
I really am hopeless....

Memories....

2008-07-12T16:51:00.000-07:00

Okay so Aly said this was fun and I agree. I have checked everybody's blog and wracked my brain for the best memories of that person, which is really hard because the memory is the first thing to go and I can't remember what the second thing is!
RULES:
1. As a comment on my blog, leave one memory that you and I had together. It doesn't matter if you knew me a little or a lot, anything you remember!
2. Next, re-post these instructions on your blog and see how many people leave a memory about you. It's actually pretty funny to see the responses. If you leave a memory about me, I'll assume you're playing the game and I'll come to your blog and leave one about you (and if this isn't on there...I'll assume you're a procrastinator like me and will check back later!)

Happy Birthday Momma

2008-07-08T18:54:00.000-07:00

July 9, 1920 - June 8, 1991

She was always Momma to me, not Mom or Mother.
I was the youngest so of course her favorite!
She was and is the best cook I know.
She taught me to make bread.
She read everything and taught me to love books.
She took me to the library and in the summertime to the Bookmobile (how many of you are old enough to know what that is)
She played piano beautifully and was wise enough to NOT give me piano lessons.
She could sew anything and was also wise enough to let me learn it in school.

She would let me cook anything I wanted to as long as I cleaned up the mess. Aly knows from experience that I was not that patient or understanding when it came to the kitchen.
She was the oldest daughter.
She was born in Delta Utah
She loved the TV series "MASH" and would always beat my kids at the trivia game.
She hated snakes.
She curled her hair with "Bobby Pins" when I was a kid.
She did not like to get up early.
She raised 4 daughters and 1 son. With 1 bathroom.
She was a Democrat and my Dad was a Republican.
She taught me that voting was one of the most important things we do.
She taught me that life is not easy.

She always had a stack of quilt blocks going. To use up any scraps of material. I didn't think much of it until I tried making some myself, I couldn't get the corners to match like hers. I finally gave up and learned a new appreciation for her talents.
She passed away on her Mother's birthday, Grandma came and took her home.
She was one of a kind and I love and miss her every day of my life.

Happy Birthday Momma

Wow, He's getting Older!

2008-06-29T19:40:00.000-07:00

Nathan James Savage has had a pretty exciting week! He became a new dad and turned 34 years old. I tend to be a day late and a dollar short...so Happy Birthday Nate (it was Saturday the 28th).
This picture was taken on Sofia's blessing day and Mikey was thrilled that Nate wanted him to sit on his lap. Of course Nate got a big kick out of it. He came in to this world a very busy baby and he still wears all of us out.
Some stuff about my Nate:
1) He is a Physical Therapist
2) Has a wonderful wife named Hillary that puts up with him
3) Has been doing Triathlons for about the last year or so.
4) Loves dill pickles, green olives and crunched up potato chips on top.
5) Is the proud papa of Logan, Natalie and baby James.
6) Likes to play Guitar Hero with the best of em.
7) Reads scriptures to his kids every night.
8) Seinfeld is one of his favorite shows
9) Played football and baseball in high school
And....Looks really guilty in the picture below. I don't know why but I am sure that him and Chuck were up to something, they always are!
I am very proud of you and love you very much.
Your MA....

Jumpin for Joy!!

2008-06-26T16:45:00.000-07:00

He is here and he is wonderful. Sweet Baby James made his debut on Saturday June 21st at 7:47 p.m. He weighs in at 7 lbs 14 oz and 20 inches long.

His big brother and sister love holding him and listening to the "baby noises" he makes. Mom is doing great and very glad to be home. Grandma is extremely proud of this new addition to our clan. James Kirk Savage welcome home!

Happy and Sad

2008-06-19T17:38:00.000-07:00

My new grandbaby is coming on Saturday June 21st. I just got off the phone with Hillary and the doctor said he is big enough and ready, he just doesn't know it so they are going to help him along. I am going to go stay with them to take care of Logan and Natalie, what fun! This will give me eleven beautiful grandchildren. I am looking forward to meeting this new little guy and snuggle him to smell that "New Baby" smell. I can hardly wait to post pictures!

On a sad note, I just found out that a daughter of one of my "Bunco" friends has been diagnosed with a rare form of cancer and is at Huntsman being treated. Unfortunately I understand what she is going through and I just felt the need to post the poem that I read and reread when my boys were going through this. I hope in my lifetime there is a cure and that no one has to go through any more pain and heartache.

What Cancer Cannot Do
Cancer is so limited...
It cannot cripple Love
It cannot shatter Hope
It cannot corrode Faith
It cannot destroy Peace
It cannot kill Friendship
It cannot suppress Memories
It cannot silence Courage
It cannot invade the Soul
It cannot steal eternal Life
It cannot conquer the Spirit

Author Unknown

Road Trip!

2008-06-01T19:44:00.000-07:00

Jolene and I headed off for St. George and a "Beach Boy concert.
The weather was cool and so was the concert. All those surfin tunes brought back great memories. Of course there were a whole bunch of old people in the audience, I wonder where they came from, why they would like the same kind of music that I do?

After staying in St. George we headed south to Mesquite and heard about a Nevada state park called "Valley of Fire". Really neat petroglyphs that you could walk up to, they were everywhere.

When we got on the freeway to start home there was none other than Willie Nelson trying to hitch a ride. We really got a kick out of the truck that passed us and there was "Willie" riding in the back.

Great day! St. George has an In-N-Out Burger, life doesn't get any better. We ended the trip on a high note!

Whew!

2008-05-18T20:08:00.000-07:00

Carin and Aly have inspired me to add a "Ticker" to my blog. This also means a commitment of walking, biking or running the distance to Disneyland. WHAT HAVE I DONE??
It is going to take forever to do this, I am no spring chicken, I figure at the rate I do anything, well I don't even want to think about it.
So... I need all the help I can get, any encouragement will be appreciated.

On a lighter note, I have decided to post a recipe now and again, you will see it on the sidebar. I love recipes, I love to read them, try them and collect them. I have made the bread recipe several times and it is a good one. If you have tried making whole wheat bread and it tastes a lot like a cardboard box, you will like this one.

Tucker, kitty cat

2008-05-16T19:26:00.000-07:00

I thought I would take a few cute pictures of Tucker, easier said than done. It is really hard to get him to pose and smile for the camera.

He is a very busy kitty cat. He doesn't like me to close the door on him (even in the bathroom) I tried to get a picture of his paw as he snaked it under the door trying to find out if I am in there or not but I do not have a speed shutter on the camera. This last winter was such a long cold snowy time and I have been on a first name basis with my heating pad. Well, Tucker decided that was a nifty thing and we would end up fighting over who got to lay on, we compromised and shared the heating pad until he would get the best of me and end up with the whole heating pad.

This is really his house but he does allow me to stay here because I clean the litter box and feed him tuna. I also vacuum a spare cat every week off the floor, couches,tables, walls...you name it there is cat hair on it. What we don't do for those we love. As I write this blog he is draped across my legs purring because I wouldn't let him crawl on top of the keyboard (it is really hard to type with a cat on the keys).

I could go on and on with kitty stories as Aly can attest to, these are just a few, there may be more at a later time, I'm sure.

Tucker kitty cat you are a special part of my life.

Happy Birthday Hillary

2008-05-07T19:22:00.000-07:00

To my sweet Hillary on her birthday. I am so blessed to have you in my family. And I am so grateful you not only tolerate but love my son, I couldn't ask for more. I hope this day finds you happy and healthy as you come in to the home stretch with baby number three and grandbaby number eleven. Have a great day!! Love ~ Deanie

"Blogaholic"

2008-05-04T18:42:00.000-07:00

Around mid-March Aly said to me "Robyn has a blog" That's nice I said. Then she said, " I am going to start one too". That's nice. I said. Then Chuck and Aly came to my house for dinner one Sunday afternoon and they said "We are going to make you a blog too". That's nice I said, but what will I do with one?
Well....the rest is history. I am hooked on blogs, love to read em, comment on em, critique em, you name it.
I show a little jealousy when I think the blog is nicer than mine (which is pretty much every one I look at) Or they get more comments (everybody does) or has music (most all of them but mine)
I marvel at what people do, how clever they are,what fun things they talk about, what cute pictures they have.
This has opened up a whole new world, and it is fun.
Thanks everyone for sharing a little piece of your lives with me!

Raise Your Hand

2008-04-27T18:26:00.000-07:00

If you like to do housework, raise your hand. Now don't get me wrong, I love a clean house but the process is not what really interests me.
I really enjoy the clean linen closet that only took me 30 minutes and had needed to be done for 6 months. I do like the extra space in the linen closet since I threw out the towels that are 5 years older than my oldest grandchild (she is 14) and I open the door to it more often since things don't fall down on me anymore.
I love the smell of my clean bedding when I crawl in at night, but the time it takes.Whew!
I have decided I am a slob, there I said it. I used to be able to blame it on three kids, I am a single mom, I work full time. The kids are adults now, it is just me and the cat. At the end of the week there are 5-7 pairs of shoes in various spots, cloths on the bathroom floor, dishes in the sink and I cannot blame anyone. It is not fair.
Last Friday when I got into my car to go home from work I noticed I had 5 empty yogurt bottles on the floor of my car, one for each day of the week that I drank them on the way to work.
I wasn't raised this way, but I seem to have perfected it over time.
When I was a kid, housework was called "chores". I had chores, my sister had chores. When my Dad worked late part of my chores was to feed the horse (I was allergic to hay)
Did you get all your chores done so you can come out and play?
What are my chores today?
Why do I have those chores and Susie doesn't?
Does the term "housework" sound any better than "chores", I don't think so.
But, anyway I pretty much got most or at least part, the important part of my housework, chores done so maybe I can go out and play.

So....raise your hand if you like to do housework.

Tagged I'm It

2008-04-20T12:04:00.000-07:00

Aly tagged me and the rules are I need to write 6 things about myself and then also tag 6 other people. Well....I don't know 6 people that are blogging to tag, so I guess it ends with me.

1) I am a Mom and Grandma and I love being both. It has been and continues to be the greatest joy in my life.
2) I am a friend and have very good friends. The richness it has added to my life is beyond measure. I have a group of friends that have known each other since grade school days. We see each other on a regular basis, go to lunch, dinner, trips. We cry together, laugh together and participate in life's stages. As time goes by we treasure all these years we have had together more and more with each passing year. The "Girls" are Dee, Kathy, Julia, Sharon, Sherry and me.
3) I love to cook and collect cook books. I am not a fancy cook, but enjoy it.
4) I like to make "Rag" quilts. And I am really sure my family is tired of me doing this because I keep making them even though everybody has at least one if not more.
5) I like to read a good book. Nate calls it "pedestrian reading" if it is fictional. I like to talk to other people about what they have read, to get new ideas.
6) I do enjoy my cat, Tucker. He keeps me entertained. His unconditional love means a lot to me after a long day at work. He makes me giggle at the silly things he does.

The "Savage/Smith" Conference Weekend

2008-04-06T19:54:00.000-07:00

When our tradition of "Conference Weekend" began several years ago, we did Saturday and Sunday. Well.....we love each other a lot but you know the saying too much of a good thing. So now we do just Sunday. It was Carrie's turn this time and she did a wonderful job with fresh baked muffins for breakfast and chicken/rice stuff (I don't know the official name) for dinner.
Our little Sofia made her debut at the family gathering Since her RSV hospital trip she has been off limits to these group get tog ether's. She handled it really well and so did her Mom. Life is getting back to normal and it was so great to have all of us in one place at the same time. I am truly blessed to have this perfect family around me.

2008-04-06T19:39:00.000-07:00

Mikey's official birthday is April 9th but we celebrated on Saturday. All the cousins had a great time running through the house, tearing out all the toys and eating cake. We had so much fun! There was one tense moment when Natalie blew out most the candles before Mikey got a chance. Carrie saved the day with the lighter, we sang again and put a smile back on his face. Mikey is nine years old this year and our little miracle boy. He is four years out on being cancer free. He loves all sports, plays basketball and baseball and is very passionate about his favorite teams. He just added the Boston Celtics to the list and had to have them on the cake. Grandma Deanie loves you so much!

Look at all those Grandma's!

2008-04-06T19:31:00.000-07:00

Mikey with his Grandma's. From left to right we have Gram ( Grandma Becky) Grandma Deanie, Great Grandma Savage, Mikey of course and Grandma Kathy.

2008-04-06T19:29:00.000-07:00

Happy Birthday Mikey!!

2008-04-06T19:19:00.000-07:00

Grandma Deanie and Mikey on his special day

David, DeAnne, Yvonne, Doni and Doug

2008-04-06T19:13:00.001-07:00

My "Little" Sister

2008-04-06T19:00:00.000-07:00

At 4"10" Yvonne is really my little sister, and when we tell anyone that, they look twice but do not dare say a word about it! We celebrated her 70th birthday this week with kids, grandkids, sisters, friends and a big birthday cake. I like getting my picture taken next to her because I look tall, and that is hard to do with anybody else. I almost look as tall as Susie and I think she has me by a couple of inches.

2008-03-23T19:34:00.000-07:00

Easter morning just before we head out to church, Logan and Natalie have eaten only part of the chocolate bunnies at this point but the will have a better chance to finish them off later in the afternoon. It makes for a well balanced diet and VERY happy kids!

2008-03-23T19:31:00.000-07:00

2008-03-23T19:17:00.000-07:00

Grandma Deanie spent Easter weekend with the "Brigham City Savage's. Natalie loves her lips to be very pretty and spends a lot of time with the lip gloss.

Nate and Hillary took off to the big city for their wedding anniversary while I had a great time with Logan and Natalie.

I have arrived!

2008-03-16T21:06:00.000-07:00

Well, with the help of my sweet kids (Chuck and Aly) I have a blog.
Aly's birthday was March 5th and with new baby, Chuck out of town and no visitors allowed, she had a very quiet day. So we had a small celebration today. Chuck decided that I should have a blog and so we have spent the last three hours putting it together. I am sure it will take me awhile to become as accomplished as some of the other ones I have read, but hey...I am new at this.
This will give me a reason to take more pictures, of grand kids of course and maybe an occasional one of Tucker, my cat who keeps me entertained.