I want to make this

We enjoyed FGO (For Girls Only) at the Festival of Trees.  This quilt is an advent quilt.

We (my sistas and I) want to make this for next Christmas.

Isn't it adorable?

We have connections at a quilt shop and they are going to help us out.

Happy Sewing!!

Freedom Fighter

So proud!

Fall Happenings

 Clint and Limmie...She loves to cuddle with him.

 I look really bad here but this is where I recouperated for 6 weeks.

 at the syracuse city pumpkin walk.  K Mae and a friend

 K Mae and Mom

 a tradition for K Mae and I to go together

 Nightmare before Christmas display

 All branches of the armed forces displayed here

 For Blake

 Caraline dressed up as a Smurf for Halloween.  Josh and I stopped by to visit and help out by getting 300 pounds of candy ready to hand out.

 The Smurf and hubby

 New tradition for Halloween...handing out bags of cotton candy.  Go Cougars!!

This was Josh's contribution to the Halloween decor....or lack of it this year.

What an eventful fall we have had.  We were blessed to have an abundant harvest in the garden and have been busy canning.  Fred is the best help around.  I am a fortunate woman to have such a loving, hard working and caring husband.  Through thick and thin we are an eternal team!

moving on

Wow, it has been an eventful fall and with that I've learned many life lessons. 

I am profoundly grateful for the power of the priesthood.
I am a firm believer and have a strong testimony of prayer.
It's okay to be sad and not live up to the expectation that you have to be happy all the time.
Families are eternal.
I have more empathy for senior citizens.
My mind and body have separate agenda's.   
I'm still learning about patience.
Heavenly Father loves me.
I still snore and wake up Fred.
I don't like hospitals.
Parvovirus B-19 is a nasty, painful bug to get.
Time goes by and if it is God's will, healing takes place.
I am blessed with a wonderful spouse.

Memories

 cotton candy man

 kenzie's birthday

 the Ostergaard family at Arlan's funeral

 Ostergaard Siblings

 Carolee and Char   LOVE THIS WOMAN!

Ostergaard Cousins

On September 14, my beloved brother Arlan Mack passed away from pancreatic cancer.  He was a wonderful man with a great sense of humor.  We all miss him very much.  During his illness I became ill with a viral infection called Parvovirus B19 which settled in my hips.  It has been a painful and slow recovery.  I still use a walker and try to use the walking sticks for some therapy, sitting is also difficult for any period of time.  However, I'm trying to be patient.  I know at some point I will get over this.  My husband has been wonderful to me and I have appreciated the support, prayers and love from everyone.
I hope to be able to go back to work in three weeks but it will all depend on the mobility and pain.
My brothers told me I have a puppy disease and I've gone to the dogs.  My brother in law teased be about what some people will do for attention.  HA HA HA  I love you guys and the humor is much appreciated.

Northslope 2011

 The gangs all here!  Mason, Kenzie, Blake, Caraline, Josh, Fred, Char, Kallee, Duncan, Natalie, Dave and Mary Engleman and Clint...oh and Limi

 Fred

 Ax mishap

 Battery Mishap

 What kind of mushrooms are these?

 Mama and Limi

 Lost Key Mishap

Chef Kallee wearing Uncle Arlan's hat.  I brought the hat to camp to have my brother with us.  It is one of his construction hats.

update on my bro

Here is the latest on my brother.  All markers indicate pancreatic cancer.  However, there are no tumors on any organs in his body.  They described the "mass" as if someone had thrown sand on the perineal (sp) lining.  He will take three more rounds of chemo, starting on Monday.  They think they may have the pain under control and will be able to send him home tonight or tomorrow.  Claudia is holding up as well as she can.  Marcus has made it home and is able to help take care of Tyrel.    They are so grateful for the small miracles and blessings that have come to their family so far.   Heavenly Father truly loves us all.   Have a great day and keep smiling :)

Brother

Big Brothers
Older brothers
I have three.
They tormented
and teased me
relentlessly.

They held me as a babe,
fussed over me I hear.
One even shot me eye
and he became full of fear.

My eldest brother
has the bluest eyes.
He is quiet and gentle
and so very wise.

He has a battle he is
fighting and it's looks grim.
My heart is aching for
his family and for him.

I know the father is watching
and it's all part of the plan.
It still hurts knowing
that pancreatic cancer will
take such a great man.

I love you Arlan.   Mom said you were so proud to have a baby sister.  She said you looked over and watched out for me.  I loved that you let me drive your car up and down the driveway when I was 15.
I loved to watch you ride horses and wild machines.  You were so fun to camp with.  You would take us all on crazy four wheeler rides and blaze trails where no machine had ever gone before.  You played
practical jokes on us all and you were the best engineer around when it came to hanging up the tarp at camp so we would not get rained on.  YOU were Mr. Prepared for anything.  I think you learned that from dad.  You were our camp cook and clean up guy.  You saved our truck from disaster and fixed it at camp.  You grinned and laughed so hard around the camp fire that your face went beet red.  You could fix anything.  Your framing and construction skills will never be matched.  You were there helping anybody in the family that needed it.  You are made of steel and yet this awful disease is attacking your body way too soon.  You became Mr. Tough love and held firm to what you believed in.  You adore your sweet Claudia and have been there for her everyday.  Oh and the best compliment you paid me was when you said I was just like MOM.   I love you brother.  You're not dying of cancer, you just get to learn how to live with cancer and I pray with all of my heart that the lord will help take care of the pain and will allow you to linger with us for a little longer. 

She did it!!

a couple of months ago Kallee decided that she would run a half-marathon.  She put in a few runs each week and today she finished!!  Not bad for a rookie runner.  Love you Kallee!! 

65 year milestone

Mom was just 18 years old and had graduated from high school four days earlier.

Dad was home after serving in the Air Force in World War II.

He was 21.

Sealed for time and all eternity by

Ezra Taft Benson

in the

Salt Lake LDS Temple.

May 29, 1946

Dad says that mom should be given the credit for their marriage lasting.

She has taken the hard bumps and he had endured the soft ones.

No matter what they have endured the path together.

My mom has stood behind her man.

He lovingly takes care of her.

They laugh at each other in their senior years.

He can't hear her and she can't hear him.

They just look at each other and smile.

They understand each other.

Words don't need to be spoken.

This is true love.

moving onward

Just a quick post to note that we are moving onward.  Our garden is growing, the rasberries have had enough rain and need fertilizer, K Mae is working two jobs, the married kids are happy and Limmie continues to rule the house.  I am almost finished with my photoshop class.  There is so much to learn in CS5 Photoshop.  My head is spinning.  We are blessed and happy. 

Fun new metal sign site

Click on the title and it will direct you to unique home decor!!

detour

Detours are part of life and so it is with Little K.  We both headed down to Cedar this past Monday so she could start a job and then start school in the fall.  However, when we got down there she came to a realization that this move right now would not be in her best interest. So we headed back home the next day.  It has turned out to be a blessing for her.  She has come home to her same job, and two more offers that she didn't even know about.  She interviewed for one today and it went very well.  She is still going to go to college but took a detour for the summer.   Lesson for parent:  Support your child, listen, listen, listen and offer some input, listen, listen, listen....they will figure it out.

the latest carlson happenings

This will be a very short update....Blake is now at McGuire AFB in New Jersey. It is a Tri Base with the Navy, Army and Air Force all stationed there.  He will be working as a parachute rigger and support the airmen.   We do not know how long he will be stationed there.  Kenzie will be attending SUU in the Fall but with the economy the way it is she has an opportunity to transfer with Downeast Basics and starts working...NEXT MONDAY in Cedar City.  She will stay for a short time with her Aunt Vicky and Uncle Dick.  What gracious hosts they are to offer her this opportunity.   Josh and Caraline have moved into part of our basement for a short season.  Kallee is now working at Salon Pure in Syracuse.  I'm taking a big breath with this new season in my life.  The youngest is leaving home and it's not as easy as I thought.  Hopefully taking up photography as a hobby, sewing and crafting will keep me occupied.   I love you my family and friends. 

trying on dresses

Fred and I FINALLY took a trip to the basin to visit my niece and her family.  We love all the family that lives there.  My niece was asked to prom and so we took some dresses from our house to her house.  She is a natural beauty and her date will be going with a gorgeous young lady.  Thanks for all the hugs from these cute little kiddos.  Much love from Uncle Friend and Auntie Char.    PS..and take a look at the newest member of the family.  She is so cute!!

with the poofy slip underneath!!

Oh Clyde, M and L you are so loveable.  Love Miss A!!  She just came from working in the family business.  No makeup or hair done.  We didn't even notice.

He gives the best hugs!!

she chose this one too!!

Sweet newborn.

New look for Spring

Sale + Shopping + Natalie = A Newer look for Spring.  I was able to recycle an old watering can and turn it into a centerpiece for the table.  The look around the door will match the flowers that I plant in May.  I love Gerber daisies and for the past two years I have been able to find them here at our local Walmart garden center. 

I'm not the best floral designer.  I am grateful for what little talent I have and to my neighbor and mother who taught me the basics back in high school.  :)

Sharing....

"Those who quietly and thoughtfully go about doing good offer a model of consecration.  No one in our time more perfectly incorporates this trait into daily life than President Thomas S. Monson.  He has cultivated a listening ear that can discern even the faintest whisper of the Spirit signaling the need of someone he can reach and help.  Often it is in simple acts that confirm divine love and awareness, but always, always, Thomas Monson responds."  Elder Christofferson, Ensign, November 2010, pg. 18

food

Did I mention that I love mushrooms?  Cute hubby brought lunch from Ruby River to share and to my delight there were some tasty mushrooms included.  I love stuffed mushrooms, sauteed and fresh mushrooms in salads, on pizza and some to munch on.  There were only two but I savored every bite.  Yum Yum.
I also love liver and onions, Purple Turtle onions rings and egg salad sandwiches, hard boiled eggs and pickled red beets.    I'll eat venison, buffalo burgers, elk steaks and moose and Red Robin Whiskey River BBQ with a Turkey patty.    However...I will not eat sardines!!  I've tasted frog legs, pheasant and goose, which tasted like a mud float with dirt sprinkles.  I haven't tried dog food like Clinton has.  Well he only tried a few pieces!!  I enjoy tuna fish sandwiches with either miracle whip or mayo, dill or sweet pickles and cheese!  I served my kids lots of fish sticks and spam pizza puffs which I still love to this day.  They are not so excited to eat those items any longer.

I love freshly ground peanut and almond butter from the health food store and I even love dates!  ( both,  in case you thinking that) Date cookies, date bars and dates rolled in coconut from Mary's Health Food Store.  I'll enjoy raw almonds, raw cashews, dried cranberries, pumpkin, sunflower and pine nuts. 

Just thought you wanted to know :)

She Graduated!

2000 hours later and she is done!!  Our newest Hair stylist!!   Yeah for Kallee!  She is so talented!   So here is the plug from mom.  If you need a hair stylist, nail technician (she specialized in Gel nails) she's the one.  She is that good!!  Love ya and Congrats!

two years working full time and school at night.  Lot's of sacrifice!!