Best Jr. High Band in the State!

 I am so proud of Ben and the Band. Last Tuesday they performed at Libby Gardner Hall and the U of U. The U of U symphonic band asked our Jr. High Band to come and play with them. The Jr. High Band rocked the house. They even sounded better than the U of U Symphonic Band. And these kids are only in 9th grade. 

This was a good time for Ben and the band to show off the pieces they are working on to take to Indianapolis. For those of you who are new to my blog, the FJH band is attending the biggest band convention in the States. They are only 6 Jr. high bands invited and the only band not from Texas not going. American Fork band was also invited to this very prestigious event but their school board wouldn't allow them to go. 
The conductor of this band, Mr. Wolf,  is by far the best I have ever seen. The kids love him but he is strict. See that awesome horn player in the middle with the glasses on, that's my kid.

For anyone interested in a great concert March 10th will be the one for you. There are 2 separate concerts that night. The beginning and intermediate band will play starting at 6. Then there will be break, then the Farmington Jr. High Band and the American Fork Band will play at 7:30.  This is going to be an amazing concert and a great time to introduce your kids to some great music even when they are small. Best of all it's Free! If you want more info let me know.

Ben's band will be playing all their Indy pieces.

Thanks Linda for the photos. I wish my video would upload.

And the Winner's are....

Megan, Amber, Kristen, Cinda, and Ann. Whitney is going to be my helper and get a little of everything I make. Contact me through my email, jlfarns@xmission.com, if you haven't already and let me get some info from you.

The rest of you may receive something from me just for the fun.

I hope you all enjoyed the fun. I sure did.

Remember to share the fun and do a give away like this of your own.

You're a Winner!

I love this idea. I was blogging around when I read my husband's cousin's, wife Adrianne's blog. (it's not as scary as it sounds). She is doing this give away and I loved it. So now I am doing it. I am not normally one to do give a ways as this is mainly a blog about my family but this will be fun.

Here are the rules

• Be the one of the first 5 people* to post a comment on my blog and you will win.

• "What will I win?" You ask yourself. 

Something wonderful and handmade just by me. 

• You don't get to choose the gift, I do.

• You may not like the gift, but I hope you do. 

• You will get the gift sometime before summer. (I hope it doesn't take that long but you never know with me.) 

• You have to post a picture of what you won on your blog. 

• And last but not least, you have to in turn, share the wealth. In other words, do a handmade gift give away on your blog.

Who knows I might get inspired to make mints* again, or sew you something, or crock pot something,  or just paint something black for you. What ever it might be you will get it with love from me. 

So leave me a comment and I'll be thinking of you. 

* if you are not in the top 5 still leave me a comment, the mint recipe makes a lot!

Cozy Carseat

I have had many requests for these wonderful infant car seat covers so I have decided to make them and sell them. Check out my new blog at cozycarseat.blogspot.com for more info. 

Let me know what you think. 

 

By the way this is my 100th post. I guess I am supposed to do something special for it. Well this is what you get. Nothing fancy just me.

 

You were "Mint" to be mine!

Yummy Valentine Mints

Our yearly tradition so I thought I would share. 

1 cup butter softened

3 tablespoons vanilla

1 tablespoon Mint oil

2 lbs powdered sugar

Beat butter until it screams or is really creamy, whatever happens first. Add vanilla, mint and half the powdered sugar. Mix really well. You will need a heavy duty hand mixer for this one. I love my KitchenAid hand mixer. Add remaining sugar so it is really thick. You need to be able to handle it with your hands. It will look like the above picture.

Next roll out your mints to desired thickness. Cut out using a round cookie cutter. The smaller the better because they are easier to dip. A cutter that is hollow all the way through is the easiest because if they stick you can just push it through with your finger.

Next melt together in a double boiler or metal bowl over a sauce pan of simmering water:

1/2 stick paraffin wax (found by the canning supplies)

7 oz chocolate bar

12 oz chocolate chips

Stir until smooth. 

Dip mint centers one at a time and lay to cool on foil or waxed paper. Use a fork to dip the chocolates and tap off extra chocolate before placing on foil.

I suggest warming your fork in the chocolate before starting or the mint will stick to your fork.

Melt a little candy melts and drizzle over the top of mints.

My kids give these every year for Valentines instead of the store bought ones. They put 3 in a clear bag with a little shredded tissue paper and then staple a topper on top. Their friends love them and so do we.

Step Aside Mrs. Fields

My husband, Jason, is the best Chocolate chip cookie maker ever. I have to ask him not to make them because I can't eat just one. He has been perfecting his recipe for a couple of years and I think these ones are perfect. I am not a big fan of chocolate chips so he always makes a few for me that are with out chips. Mmmmmm, yummy. My kids know that if they want cookies, don't ask mom, ask dad he will almost always come through.

Raspberries Anyone?