"No, Thank-you."
Words I have said to bible study at church, and after-school club. I actually would have liked to do both of these things. However, I'm trying to learn the power and importance of presence.
I found that last year I was so busy, all the time I hardly had a presence at anything I attended. My mind was only partway there, because the rest of it was on my previous activity, or the one coming up!
This year I'm able to be the wife Brett needs as he enters his last year of grad. school, and I'm also able to be the teacher I need to be to my 28 active, passionate students.
Just a thought to ponder....... :)

A peek at life lately: :)

neat cactus growing in the field at the Torbett farm.
Me driving Brett's truck by myself, while he drives the tractor.

Happy to be in a wide, open space :)Beautiful.

One of the many cows on the farm that I find necessary to say hello to. :)

This is where our house will be built someday soon! WE are SO EXCITED and ready for this!

A pin I made for my momma :).

More soon!

You're Invited! 3rd Annual Fall Party at the Torbett family farm
When: Saturday, October 3rd

Time: Around 5:00
Come join us for a great time of food, fellowship, and even a few games :).

Oops :)
Food processor lesson gone bad with me :)

however, salsa made by Brett............wonderful!

*UPDATE* read my momma's comment for more wisdom on felt crafts! :)
Hope you like the cheery update to the blog! :)

I learned about Skype at my workshop. Do ya'll skype? How cool would it be if I could see momma and daddy (and Jana and Becca too) everytime I wanted to "call" them on the internet?
If you don't know what Skype is you basically can make "calls" (free if you're calling Skype to Skype) and if you have a webcam you are seeing the person you're talking to. Very easy, free to sign up, free to use!


I'm going to (as I have the time) categorize my old posts with labels, so that you can click on the word "cooking" on the far right and be taken to any of my posts that mentioned cooking. The only category I have on the far right currently is "felt crafts" cause thats all I have time for.



Yesterday I was admitting to Brett that I want to buy felt, make crafts from felt, read about felt, touch felt, wear felt, etc.
Basically, for some reason, I'm just real excited about felt these days. :) Hobby Lobby has an excellent selection of various types of felt, by the way.
So you know I haven't lost my mind, a quick picture to explain:

Is that not just the cutest thing? You can go here: http://feltorama.blogspot.com/
for more food felt ideas, as well as other crafts! Happy felting :)

The paragraph in orange is one my students wrote today. :) I was so proud! (read the second picture first.)
I made the pin, never can tell if things I make are cute in other people's eyes or just mine. :) I know at least one person who appreciates my efforts-
my sweet student who received the doll this week :). She wrote in her journal she had a good day, "cause Mrs. Torbett made me a doll."

Meet Grace :)

Grace is the dolly you see in the pictures above and she was made by me for a special student of mine that needs a bit of cheering up. This is the first doll I made, so I will give her away with a disclaimer that the arms and/or legs could possibly fall off :), but that Mrs. Torbett is happy to act as the doll hospital and sew them back on. :)

The other picture shows my beautiful necklace Brett picked out for me for my birthday! I have received many compliments on it :).
Thank-you to everyone for such a great, great birthday! love.