Have anyone at your place that loves a challenge? Here’s a fun little puzzle–called a Soma Cube that’s SIMPLE to make and not all that easy to solve. Luckily there are over 200 ways to form these blocks into a square cube, so it just may not ever go together the same way twice!

I’m thinking–perfect gift for all the wise guys in your world…think Christmas.

First step: Grab some unpainted wooden blocks–any size, you’ll need 27 of them. I used 1 inch, but you could go even smaller…or bigger.

Using wood glue– or regular white glue–start sticking your blocks together. I’ll show you the combinations below.

Be sure to wipe off any glue that squishes out–and work really hard to keep the squares even with each other.

There are seven groups of blocks that make up the puzzle. Are you ready?

#1

#2

#3

#4

#5

#6

#7

You are positively welcome to leave your blocks their lovely natural wood color. It makes putting the puzzle together a bit more challenging, but if that’s your goal–then by all means leave them.

Otherwise, paint each set a different color and allow to dry completely.

Cover each set of blocks with a coat of Mod Podge and again, let them dry completely.

Check back tomorrow and I’ll show you how to solve the puzzle…

one of the ways.

:}

“All around us we see a growing desire for spiritual direction the world over as a result of increasing natural and human-caused disasters. This yearning for spiritual guidance is a consequence of our being children of a divine Heavenly Father. It is understandable that when we face difficulty we turn to our Creator for help. Our loving Heavenly Father knew that deteriorating world conditions, severe personal challenges, and disasters would lead His children to seek His spiritual nourishment. The challenge is how to properly find it.”

Richard G. Scott

A single photo – no words – capturing a moment from our lives.

A simple, special, extraordinary moment. A moment I want to pause, savor and remember.

If you have a moment of your own–please share a link in the comment section.

Happy weekend  my friends!

————————————–

Happy Birthday Lyndi!!

We found this treasure, smuggled from the big box from Farmer’s Market. Some little soul had hidden it away with the toys, before nap time.

One would think that there just isn’t anything more scrumptious than a juicy, tree-ripened peach…

and dang…

they’d be right.

For my 11th birthday–a million years ago–my dad took all my birthday guests out into his bake shop, into the “sugar room” and made everyone a true, live cinnamon candy apple. Even though this was a long, long time ago, I remember this party very well. I had a pink party dress and got a Newborn Thumbelina Doll. When I opened it, the gal in the blue dress, Donna, gasped and said, “You got…a doll?”  like someone had poked her in the eye or something.

I was quite confident in my right to love dolls even at such a mature age so I said, “Yeah, would you like to hold her?”  She was caught completely off guard and said, “Ahhh…ok.” Everyone took turns pulling the string in the doll’s back and holding her while she moved like a “real, live baby,” and to their surprise, they loved it.

Believe it or not, I can still name every single soul in this shot. The funniest part about this picture? My mom, the cameraman, got everyone in it…but me…

the birthday girl.

That’s my arm, there on the far left.

Thanks mom.

heh, heh

Can’t think of much that beats a fresh, juicy peach. We have, however, come up with a close second with this lovely little Peach Smoothie on a stick. Cold, crisp, and slow to drip–as if it would ever have the chance!

Ingredients:

8 fresh peaches–peeled, pitted and cut up

1 cup hot water

1/2 cup Peach Jello powder

1/2 cup milk

Directions:

Dissolve jello powder in hot water–completely. Place all ingredients in the blender and whirl until smooth.

Pour into popsicle molds.

Freeze for at least 4 hours–overnight works great.

Feed to the popsicle wolves.

Or share with someone you love.

Either way–we know you’ll love them!

*Because you asked…

Click HERE for Shooting Star Popsicle Mold info!

Click HERE for Rocket Pop Popsicle Mold info!

Click HERE for Norepro Ice Pop Maker info!

Seemed like after driving on the lone highway, dry and dusty for miles and miles–we couldn’t help ourselves.  Whenever we saw an ice cream place the car automatically just swerved in…

all by it’s self.

Ok, I found a picture of one piece of the Asiago Bread from the Farmer’s Market…

and one teensy weensy corner of the Streusel Cake to show you. Neither of them lasted very long.

Of course the Peanut Spread and the Blueberry jam are like some kind of food of the Gods.

Yeah, so I checked and they DO eat them on Mt. Olympus. So there.

Every heard of Taco Joe’s? Wunderbar. The thing on the right is a crunchy taco wrapped in a cheesy flour tortilla and then grilled like a burrito. I know–kind of a brain twist. But it was so good. And the crunchy taters came with everything. I’m all about crunch.

Wasn’t kidding about the ice cream stuff. I don’t even know where this was, but heck, it’s ice cream–how could you go wrong?

This was actually complimentary breakfast at the Holiday Inn where we stayed–cheese omelets and biscuits. Lovely.

Dairy Queen should really be in some hall of fame somewhere because it’s the absolute best ice cream in the kingdom. {sigh}

Very, yummy…very cinnamony cinnamon roll also from the hotel breakfast.

Twist cone…no words are needed.

Chicken Alfredo from a Roadside Steakhouse in South Dakota. Look at all that cheese. Dang.

Nothing beats the homemade roast beef and potatoes we whipped up on Sunday from our own little hotel room.

I heard that.

Oh, yes we did.

When you need the comfort and the taste of home doesn’t everyone call Pizza Hut? Hmmmm?  I’d like to just pluck that little piece on the left right through the computer screen.

I think I’ve figured out why they need all the trains around there. It’s for the busloads of ice cream that my family can eat in 5 days. It’s a disorder…

probably won’t be fixing it.

Roadside Steakhouse, SD. Three cheers for any joint that will whip up a grilled cheese for a two-year-old at a moment’s notice…

and bring out ribs like these on the same tray. One fell out of my slippery fingers and I swear I nearly cracked my head on the table trying to get it back.

No, I didn’t eat it…but I cried about it.

At the tail end McDonald’s really hit the spot. Really. Hey, I sincerely like McDonalds…nearly everyone can find something they love.

Thank Heavens somebody figured out the idea of food for us humans to eat.

It’s such a good idea.

Wheat colored, ribbed with a stripe for Beckham.

Lacey pink picot point for Lily—don’t you love the pony tail holes?

And the same in cream for the little lady.

Ahh…busy fingers.

What a lovely way to feather the nest.

`”`”`”`”`”`”

I promise that if you and those you love will seek Him in all humility, sincerity, and diligence, you will know with a surety too. Your witness will come. And the blessings of knowing God will be yours and your family’s forever. ”

- Elder Robert D. Hales

~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^

Happy Birthday Mary Jo!!

This moment~

A single photo – no words – capturing a moment from our lives.

A simple, special, extraordinary moment. A moment I want to pause, savor and remember.

If you have a moment of your own–please share a link in the comment section.

Happy summer weekend everyone!