Hello to all of my friends out there in blog-land...I was wondering if I could ask a huge favor of each of you...If you remember, I told you about my SWEET cousin Nicole who is in a music contest online. Voting for the contest closes on Thursday, and she has been in fourth place almost the whole time, but over the past two days, she has been teetering between fourth and fifth place. This online contest is basically nothing more than a popularity contest, but the four finalists actually get to play their music live to participate in the contest, so we are all trying to pull together any help we can get to help her get back into fourth place so that she can have her actual performance and music be judged. Nicole could really use the prize money for her upcoming album, so if you can help me out...I would really appreciate it! All you have to do, is follow the link below and sign up for a login username...then you can vote once a day (so a vote on Wednesday and Thursday would be much appreciated!). They do not send you any spam etc, so you don't have to worry about crap in your inbox. I have to tell you that I wouldn't normally ask something like this of my readers, but she is just such an amazing musician, and I am so proud of her. I really want her to succeed and do the best that she can, and the contest money would allow her to create a new album. So...if you would be willing to help, we would really appreciate it! If you do happen to stop by and vote, please drop me an email at sherellech@msn.com, tell me you vote #, and I will give away a couple of Nicole's first album, Invisible Facts. Thanks a million!
http://music.mormontimes.c
BTW...you can check out (and buy) her album on iTunes...you have to listen to "Why I Believe". It is my personal favorite...the song is about Jesus Christ, and I get goosebumps every time I listen to it. You can also listen to her music on her site here (click on "Why I Believe" to hear my favorite).
Is anyone else getting tired winter already? I know I still have a ways to go till spring, but I am just tired of being cooped up!!! The only thing that is helping me keep my sanity (besides the computer LOL), is all of the gardening catalogs that have been arriving. I love it...we barely get the holiday season over with, and the catalogs start arriving just in time to get us all excited about summer (even though we still have MONTHS to go). I have to admit that I am really looking forward to gardening again this summer. We have been enjoying pickled asparagus, salsa, spaghetti sauce, sweet pickles, dill pickles, pizza sauce, freezer corn, strawberry and peach freezer jam, frozen carrots & peas, and frozen strawberries, peaches and raspberries all winter long...and I can't wait to do even more next year! It felt like I was canning and freezing way to much last summer and fall, but we are going through it like crazy (especially the jam and salsa). I have plotted my garden out completely in my head...and I have plans for the specific varieties of veggies to plant next year. And...I have this life long obsession with giant pumpkins...you know, like the HUGE ones you see at the fair? I have decided that this year, just for fun, I am going to try to grow some of Dill's Atlantic Giant pumpkins this year. The kids LOVE working in the garden, and I think they would have a ball watching on of these giants grow!
Here is a quick look at a few other thing occupying our time while we wait for winter to pass...
Visiting Great Great Grandma...she is soooo cute...and she will be 100 years old come the end of the month!
Hanging out in our jammies all day (Kate had to add some sweat pants under her nightgown to stay warm)...
Endlessly watching and changing Barbie DVDs...gosh...I think the girls watch like 5 a day...
Making homemade bread and cookies (Lily asks to make cookies every day)...
Lily and Kate have been spending a lot of time (as usual) dressing up (as you can see) and looking at scrapbooks...
What have you been doing to keep busy?
I voted. It looks like she is in 4th place again. I hope she wins.
Posted by: Letti | January 14, 2009 at 12:30 AM
I voted too. It's hot down here. Wish you were here!
Posted by: Connie Baird | January 14, 2009 at 12:50 AM
Hi there! I voted too and really hope she wins!! Love your pictures as usual. The girls look so adorable in their little hats!
Posted by: JeanneP | January 14, 2009 at 12:59 AM
Hi Sherelle !
I also voted, today and the last time when you asked.
I love love love your blog, it is always great to read what you write !
Have a nice day,
Valerie
Posted by: Valerie | January 14, 2009 at 04:42 AM
Hey Sherelle, I voted. Seriously how cute is that little Kate, I could eat her up with a spoon. You seem a kindred spirit, 4 kids, homeloving girl & a vegie growing Mama. I love your blog & could I ask you to do a blog or two on your house, I love looking at all your ideas & touches. I am sooooo having the same kitchen as yours come next summer. LOVE IT.
Niki x
Posted by: Niki | January 14, 2009 at 05:14 AM
i think they are amazing! your children and I am sure you are tired of winter. here in Florida it is the first week that it is cold..and there is no snow! oh well! love love love the pictures! hope your niece wins!
xoxo
ronee
Posted by: ronee | January 14, 2009 at 09:15 AM
I cant get over how talented Nicole is! I have been listening to her song over and over while I sit here and blog. Here's hoping she not only comes in 4th but 1st! Love the picture of the girls mixing up cookies. Too cute! I too am READY for winter to be over. I dont mind it in December but then Im done and ready to garden away also. Let us all know how the pumpkin growing goes. I have always wanted to find a good BIG pumpkin seed!
Posted by: Janiel | January 14, 2009 at 11:32 AM
I voted and will vote again. It looks like the girls really have a lot of fun together. They are so cute. I'm with you this winter stuff is making me feel BLUCKY! I've got to get over the winter BLAHS!
Posted by: Colette | January 14, 2009 at 12:20 PM
I voted again today. The number was 2619. I hope she wins!!!
Our first garden magazine came the day after Christmas. We grew the giant pumpkins one year. Its a blast! They were so huge that just one would barely fit in a wheelbarrow!
Today I am baking and I'm going to sew some baby quilts for gifts and for the stake humanitarian project coming up.
Posted by: lori jolley | January 14, 2009 at 12:27 PM
I'm vote 2726, good luck to her!
Posted by: Emily | January 14, 2009 at 04:36 PM
I am dying to know your new scrapbooking idea, when are you going to post?
Posted by: Brandi | January 14, 2009 at 04:52 PM
So I went and had a little jam session with Nicole and she is simply amazing! I do hope she wins! My number was 2790...I'm pretty sure. Those little chef hats are to DIE for!
Posted by: Tiffany | January 14, 2009 at 07:18 PM
Voted...she does sound amazing!!! (#2926)
Hope she wins
Posted by: Olga Dakis | January 15, 2009 at 01:20 AM
I canned spaghetti sauce using your recipe. My family absolutely LOVED it! Would you be willing to share your pizza sauce or other canning recipes? I brought a box of tomatoes but now we will have our first HUGE garden. I'm compiling recipes before this spring. Thanks!
Posted by: Kari | January 15, 2009 at 01:49 AM
I voted yesterday and today. I'm not sure what my vote # was yesterday, but today it was 3157 (I think). Good luck, Nicole!
Your children are seriously so beautiful...I love to read your blog because it just feels so full of life.
Earlene
Posted by: Earlene | January 15, 2009 at 02:06 PM
I just saw your post and voted! I hope she wins she is very talented! I love the pictures of Kate and Lily in their cooking gear! SO CUTE!
Posted by: Tammy D | January 15, 2009 at 02:59 PM
okay Thursday's vote was #3195. Good luck Nicole!
Posted by: lori jolley | January 15, 2009 at 05:14 PM
OOOh! I just checked again and Nicole's photo was the second one. Does that mean she's in second place? I hope so!!!
Posted by: lori jolley | January 16, 2009 at 02:13 AM