My brother

Happy 2011, everyone! 

If you're preparing yourself to read yet another set of New Year's resolutions, there is no need.  I'm not really a resolution-making girl.  No particular reason...I just think it's better to resolve to meet goals for yourself on a daily basis, rather than a yearly one.


Anyway, onto the meat and potatoes, so to speak, of this post:


I recently returned from a wonderful week spent at home with my family and other loved ones.  Words cannot express how thankful I am for my family (immediate and extended).  Since I don't get to see everyone as often as I'd like, the time we do get to spend together is cherished, and we're always able to pick up where we left off.


One of my favorite family members is my brother.  I won't embarrass him with stories, etc., but I'd just like to express my love for him.  : )  AND I'd like to draw your attention to his amazing mind and skills.  He's always been a builder/creator/problem solver, and these traits have only intensified as he's gotten older.  I attest this not only to my parents' parenting skills and style, but also to Lego's, K'Nex, model cars/boats/planes, and very little time spent playing video/computer games. 


I can't begin to list all of his "creations," but wanted to share the most recent.  In case you don't already know, I'm getting a kitten in the near future (my Christmas present from my family was everything I need to adopt one)!  I was thinking about things I needed to get to entertain my new pet, and figured a scratching post would be a good idea.  Q and I were out looking at them, and he said "I could just make that" to nearly everything we saw.  So, I asked him to "just make one."  A couple hours of work later, this is what he produced:

I'm going to find a fun something-or-other to hang from the dowel.

The best part (other than it being made from scraps in Dad's garage and FREE)...?



He made it collapsible, so I can easily fit it in my car!

He also loves shopping at thrift stores (I made a "gift card" to one of them for his Christmas present).  I don't know how he does it, but he always finds the greatest "treasures" at the greatest prices!  Examples include: Ugg slippers, Sperry shoes (a few pairs, actually, and very cheap), numerous ties/shirts/pants, and a yellow snowsuit from the 80's (he even found matching fur-lined boots on a separate shopping spree!)  If you're ever in the area, have him take you shopping.  It can become quite the adventure.


If you know Q, you know what I'm talking about when I say he's great.  If you don't know him...you should.  : )  I'm very thankful for my brother, for the relationship we have, and for the things he does/builds/makes for me! 

Sisterlyly (haha),
Kensy

P.S.  He's also becoming quite the baker...pizza, cinnamon rolls, soufflés - all from scratch!

Favorites of the day:

the Runza casserole a few friends and I will be having for supper (recipe will be posted upon request)

Clementines