Mmmmm Lemon Tarts anyone?

Ok - not really, but something much more satisfying and healthy too - a new book called "Lemon Tart" by Jose Kilpack! She is one of my favorite authors! And you could win a signed copy of her new book!

All you have to do is go to http://annebradshaw.blogspot.com/2009/02/contest-for-signed-copy-of-lemon-tart.html and check out the contest rules! How cool is that?

I can't wait to read this new book! It looks so fun!

Good luck!

It's Your Birthday! It's Your Birthday!

This is a special birthday wish for our sweet Holli! She is 14 years old today!

Last night I was on the computer and she was doing homework! Sometime after midnight she shouts out - In 3 minutes I'll officially be 14 years old! This is a crazy tradition that we started some time ago! Me telling my kids they weren't xxx old until xxx time! It's crazy because 4 out of 5 kids were born in the wee hours of the morning! No wonder we are night people instead of early risers!!!

So, Holli you are now officially 14 years old! I can't believe 14 years have gone by so fast! You are a special daughter and I love you so much! You have always been our peacemaker. The one who looks the other way when wronged. You are sensitive to others and are concerned for them. Thanks for being such a sweet daughter and sister! Thanks for being a shining example to others. For being not only my daughter - but my friend!

I love you Holli dolly! Hope today is all you wish it to be!

Survey Please!

So, I have decided to take a survey of my blogger friends. I know how smart, wise and amazing you all are. (Just a little schmoozing if you please...)

Well, spring break is fast approaching. Spring fever - or at least *I want to do something fun* fever has already hit! Unfortunately, the need to be frugal is also in the equation. So my request is -

HELP! I NEED IDEAS!
Does anyone have an idea or suggestion of something to do with my kids? Something fun, economical (I hate this word!), in town or nearby??? ANYTHING?
I suppose it should be legal and moral too.

I have been thinking and thinking. Nothing. But I know if I don't plan and prepare now then spring break will come and go and I will wish we had done something fun. *Sigh*

So, I'm depending on you! Share your ideas! I know you are all so creative and fun! And that is not schmoozing! I promise!

There are no prizes to win! Just a good feeling for helping out a friend in need! PLEASE?

Happy Valentine's Day!

Just sending a little LOVE to my family and friends! I hope today is full of fun and LOVE!

Today is going to be a great one! Spending time with my family and husband!
I've already been spoiled with ROSES and CHOCOLATE! They are the most beautiful roses, and the best thing is they aren't RED! (He finally remembered!) And the chocolate is my all time favorite - SEE's! YUM! All my favorites.I hope you are spoiled and Loved today too!

Happy Valentine's Day! XOXOXOXOXO

Show Some Love Today!

What A Great Example!

Valentine Shmalentine!

OK - so I have a confession. . .

I LOVE Valentine's Day! It is right up there with Christmas! I always have so much fun planning the 7 days of love that I shower my family with! Then we always have a candle light dinner complete with the only *holiday* dishes I own! I bought them at target quite a few years ago and they are just so fun with roses and the word love all over them! It was a splurge at the time, but one I've never regretted!

BUT - this year . . . my HEART just hasn't been into it! (No pun intended!)

There is not ONE valentine decoration up at my house. I didn't do the 7 days of love for my family. Every time I thought about valentines day I just felt *blah*. Sad - but true.

But something happened today . . . I don't know what, but at 4:00pm it finally kicked in!

TODAY, I, Diane Durfee would put together our valentine's dinner! The idea's started flowing and I started moving! Typically, it takes me all day to get ready, but with a little compromise and some extra help, (thanks Hillary and Vaughan!) we did it! It wasn't how I usually do things. There were some slight modifications, but all in all I think it went well! I feel better letting my family know I really do LOVE them!

We had a yummy steak dinner complete with candles and heart shapes brownies with caramel drizzle and whipped cream! YUM!

I hope they forgive the little changes.

LESSON LEARNED: Sometimes in life we have to simplify! And it's ok. The world is still revolving and my family still loves me! I'm going to live! :)

Change is Good?

You've probably heard the saying "Change is good." While I don't necessarily disagree, I do know that sometimes change causes pain. Pain isn't fun.

Do you remember the song in Mary Poppins that goes, "Just a spoon full of sugar helps the medicine go down!" Well, there isn't enough sugar in the world to swallow this pill! (Maybe I need chocolate? hmmmm.) :)

Where am I going with all this?

Today I was released from my church calling as Young Womens President.

Good for you, some would say! YEAH! some would say. Congratulations, some would say. But for some dumb reason I feel like my heart is breaking! I really thought I would be prepared when this day came. I thought I would actually be *ready* to be released! What's wrong with me?

It really isn't about being YW Pres. It is about NOT being with the Young Women and their leaders.

I have been so BLESSED to work with some of the most amazing women I have ever met. Please indulge me while I express some of my feelings to them for them!

To Cyndi, Caroline, Heidi, Krista, Jamie and Katie! Thanks for teaching me SO much. For accepting me and always being willing to do whatever the task! You gals are so amazing. I love you and appreciate your friendship more than you will ever know.

I have been blessed to work with other amazing women - Michelle, Emily, Autumn, Mikelle, Jennifer, Lynn, Trisha, Carla, Ann and I'm sure I'm missing SOMEONE! You too, have taught me so much! I love that I have been able to stay in touch with most of you! It has meant so much to me!

Your friendships are dear to me. Thank you. I love all of you!

To all the Adobe Ward YW! Past and Present. What can I say? You are the best of the best! There really aren't words to express how much I love you! As I have had some time to think about *leaving*. I have literally thought about each of you! As your beautiful faces would come to my mind - I have thought "I just love her, she's my favorite!" until I realized I had thought that about each and everyone of you! I mean this sincerely, you really are all my fav's! I love you all and will miss you terribly!

Thank you for being patient with me. For being so kind and so good. You are such examples to me. You will never know what being around you and learning from you has done for my life! You have helped me to be a better person!

To my own sweet daughters - Hillary, Heather, Heidi and Holli - thanks for putting up with having your mom in YW these last 8 years! You have always been so patient and kind to me. You made me feel welcome. I have loved being with you in YW watching you grow and become more amazing every day!

Hope - It's just you and me babe! I hope you can adjust to having a mom on Wed. I know you don't remember (you were only 2!) but I haven't always been gone on Wed.!

Last of all, but never least -Vaughan, thanks for the love, support and patience! I know I haven't been your favorite person to be around sometimes. But you always are there to lift me up. With you by my side I know I can do anything!

I am so excited for Sis. Davis to be the next YW Pres. I was thrilled the moment I heard her name. I love her and know she will be the best! She is so much fun! I am glad my daughters will get to know her, love her and learn from her! She is the best.

So - in this case change is good - for the Young Women at least! I'm excited for them and the new experiences they will have.

For me? Not feeling it yet.

(I wish I had a picture of all the girls beautiful faces, but my pictures are lacking some of them and I wouldn't want to leave anyone out.)