Our Peach Tree

Our peach tree grew some lovely peaches this year.

They have a beautiful purple blush on them...I think they look like plums.  They taste yummy!

If you want to see the canning I am doing, check out my blog here.
Originated from: Jewkes Family Blog

Last Summer Fling - Trip to Bear Lake

We didn't take a family vacation this year. Hopefully we will next year. However, we decided to take a day and take the boys to Bear Lake. This is how it looks like coming from the canyon.

The boys built a series of dams and let them fill with water. The water was too cold to swim in. We enjoyed the cool breeze and the warm sun, with a nice picnic lunch.

Stephen did most of the work on the dams. He had a really great time. We all did. We finished up with shakes and fries. Then headed home down the canyon.

We stopped along the way to explore a spring. Ryan climbed around it first.

I snapped this picture of the flowers growing there.

Then, Stephen climbed around, too.

All in all, a very satisfying day.

Originated from: Jewkes Family Blog

Ryan Goes on National Jamboree Tour

This is Ryan at 4:00 in the morning - ready to leave for Jamboree. This is way back on July 20th. He was due back today, but missed his flight, so we will see him tomorrow. Then, there will be more to share.

However, I really thought Ryan looked good - so I just had to get his picture. What do you think?




Originated from: Jewkes Family Blog

Stephen Earns His Arrow of Light Award

Arrow of Light Award

Tonight, Stephen earned the highest award given to Cub Scouts: The Arrow of Light. He also got the Super Achiever award because he earned all 20 activity pins. Way to go, Stephen!!!

Mom made the plaque for him and for Nathan, another boy who earned the Arrow of Light. It was a fun night - we had homemade musical instruments and played around with them.

Next to work on ---- Ryan's Eagle Project. Let's get to work, Ryan!



Originated from: Jewkes Family Blog

Ryan Passes Drivers Ed Written Test

After 3 tries, Ryan finally passed his test. He will be range driving on Saturday, and then getting his permit next week after finishing his "Citizen in the Nation" merit badge. So, fair warning is given - stay off the road!



Originated from: Jewkes Family Blog

Stephen Rocks the Halls!

At school, Stephen has been reading... a lot! After each book, the students can take an AR test that checks their comprehension of what they have read. Each test awards points and they keep track of their points. When the students reach 100 points, they get to rock the halls!!!

Stephen (and the other students) received a medal and a shirt. They invite the parents to come watch. All of the students from the classes line up in the halls and the students names are announced. The students, led by their wonderful principal, run down the halls, cheered on by their fellow students! Music plays...Who let the dogs out?, and We Will Rock You!

Stephen enjoyed running down the hall with all his fellow students cheering him on!

And here is the principal, leading the group. This is a proud moment for the readers and their parents. Great job, Stephen!!!!




Originated from: Jewkes Family Blog

Stephen's Prize-winning Cake

Check out Stephen's prize-winning decorated cake!  This was done as a cub scout activity for pack night.  You can ask just about anyone there - it was YUMMY!

Any guesses what it is?


Originated from: Jewkes Family Blog

Sweethearts Photo

Melanie is all ready for the Sweethearts Dance. Isn't she Beautiful!

Originated from: Jewkes Family Blog

Funny Super Bowl Picture

OK - check out this funny, unintentional Super Bowl Picture.

Originated from: Jewkes Family Blog

Video - they have had better days!

If you want to get a good laugh, check out this video. Please note: this was emailed to me. If the owner of this wants to claim it, I will gladly give you credit.

From Public

Originated from: Jewkes Family Blog

I Love Pizza!

And I especially like pan pizza from pizza hut. The crispy crust just sends my mouth into joyous rapture! I have a really good recipe for pizza, but had never quite figured out how to make that yummy crisp crust. Over the weekend, I finally put the pieces together. I had used a cast iron skillet before, but it didn't quite do the trick.

So, I tried preheating the pan, while preheating the oven to 425 degrees. I sprayed it with a bit of pan spray first.

Then I worked on getting all my lovely toppings ready. I also pre-formed the dough to the approximate shape of the pan. When the pan had heated about 15 minutes, I removed it from the oven and built my pizza.

I finished with a brush of melted butter around the crust and sprinkled all over with Parmesan and garlic powder.

Baked it for 15 minutes at 425 degrees, then brought it out of oven, and it came right out of the pan.

Look at the yummy crusty cheese around the bottom. This was such a good dinner on Friday, we had it for lunch on Saturday.

These were individual sized pizzas, in smaller cast iron skillets. However, I think that the larger skillets or dutch oven type pans would work for a larger pizza. We like the individual sized ones because we get to choose the toppings we like best.

We used our new Skookie pans for this, and they worked perfectly. Then on Sunday, we used cookie dough in the Skookie pans, and found the cookies were better if the pans were preheated as well.

Originated from: Jewkes Family Blog

50 miler and Life Scout

Ryan earned is Life Scout and 50 miler award.

Congratulations, Ryan!! One step closer to getting his Eagle Scout.

Originated from: Jewkes Family Blog

Grandpa is Strong!

Here is a picture of Richard Jewkes (Dad, Grandpa, Brother, Uncle) doing what he loved. Weightlifting! He always talked about setting a state record that has never been broken.

When Stephen look at this, he said: "Hey, that's Grandpa. He must have been strong!"

You are right Stephen, Grandpa was and still is strong in many ways.

Thanks Grandpa for being so strong for all of us!

ps  Notice the date on this picture, April 1962

Star Thrower

Do you remember the story of the star thrower? It was inspired by the writings of Loren Eiseley.

Once upon a time, there was a wise man, who used to go to the ocean to do his writing. He had a habit of walking the beach before it was time to begin his work. As he looked down the beach he saw a human figure that looked like he was dancing. However, as he got closer, he realized it was a young man and the young man wasn't dancing, but instead was reaching down to the shore, picking up something and very gently throwing it into the ocean.

As he got closer to the young man, he shouted out, "Good Morning - What are you doing?" The you man paused, looked up and replied "Thowing starfish into the ocean."

"Well, why are you throwing starfish into the ocean?"

The young man responded "the sun is up and the tide is going out. If I don't throw them in they'll die."

"But young man, you don't understand, there are miles and miles of beach and starfish all along it. You can't possibly make a difference!"

Politely, the young man listened. Then he reached down again, picked up another starfish, and threw it into the sea. "It made a difference for that one!"

Every time I see this picture of Stephen on the Oregon beach (Aug 2009) I think of the story of the Star Thrower.  As a new year has begun, I am hoping that I can make a difference.  It won't be in any big way, but hopefully I can make a difference in some small way this year.