Sentiments by Sophia

trick or treat

treat: Halloween Day... lunch and shopping with Denise.  Always fun!

treat: Halloween Night was too much fun!  The babes were more than excited.  Here's one of my favorite things to say and get results on Halloween.... "We'll go trick or treating when your rooms are company clean."  Voila!  Company clean! 

trick: Since this was Quayd's last year to go Trick or Treating, imagine this... he wanted to be Harry Potter again.  Whatever flips your trigger, Quayd.  The girls were little witches...good witches, Gracie reminded everyone. Zaylee was a riot!  She could not keep that giant hat on for anything and she refused to wear Gracie's because it was "too little".  (It actually fit but she'd had the big one on first and was sure that the big on was the right size.  ;))

treat:  Before the Halloween adventure, we had a nummy dinner at the B's.  Wendy made a pot of Chicken Noodle soup and I made a big pot of Taco Soup.  Very tasty.  Taco soup is my favorite, but Wendy's homemade noodles are to die for!  A very tasty dinner at the B's before Trick or Treating!  Here's all of the kids together.
 

treat: Zaylee and Miki made Trick or Treating even more exciting.  It's so fun to watch little toddlers.  Listening to Zaylee say "Crick or Treat!" was adorable, equalled by Miki's "thank you, bye!"  SO CUTE.  Loved every second of it.  I went a few blocks with them, just to take pictures, then Doug and Stott took them the rest of the way, while I came back to play Hand and Foot with Wendy.

treat: When we got the kids all home, while Quayd and the girls were brushing their teeth and getting ready for bed, Zaylee Skyped with Liza and Buddy.  Needless to say, she was a little buzzed from all of the sugar.  It only took her a second to see that she could hide off camera and off the monitor screen.  She started playing "Peek-a-boo" with Liza and Buddy by sliding down in her chair under the table.  Then, she'd pop back up and say "Boo!"   After several "boos", she jumped back up into the camera view and Buddy and Liza had both hidden off the screen.  Completely not expecting them to be gone, she went from a mid-"Boo!" to "Hey!  Where'd they go?!"  We all busted out laughing!  That was my best laugh of the day!

Here's a few more pix:

I can't believe it's his last Halloween to trick or treat, but Gracie insists that next year, Quayd can just "go along with" to protect his little sisters.

Zaylee was a little HAM!  I think she must have watched some models on the runway because she couldn't be still from her constant posing long enough for me to take a picture.

Zeej was adamant that she didn't need a coat until her body was an icicle.  No wonder she had a fever before she finished.  I don't know if it's me or what but I think she looks all grown up in this picture.  Stop that, ZJ!

Gracie had her hair frizzed out much more, earlier, but brushing out all of the hairspray didn't sound too fun, so we settle for leaving it as it was.  Again, my girls are growing up too fast!

What is it they say?  A "devil with an angel's face?"  She was so busy eating the candy as fast as she received it.  She was in heaven.(no pun intended) I do love this baby!

I can't leave out the biggest kid of all... Stott went to work today as the Headless Horseman.  That's a real pumpkin on his head!  It reminded me of Joey and the Turkey on Friends, from years ago.

And of course, we had to get Nana with all the kiddos, too. 

The kids were all quick to go straight to bed and ZJ had a little fever and a big headache.  I'm hoping she's better in the morning.  She said that she'd not eaten one piece of her Halloween candy.  Fingers crossed that it will be over when she wakes up.

trick:  So far, Zaylee's surgery is looking like next Wednesday, but I did get all of the decorating shopping done and my planning is complete for the Stake Dinner that I'm decorating on the 12th.  This made me very happy!  Twenty five tables, papergoods included, for about five dollars a piece.  Simple but it will be very pretty and festive!  I plan on finishing up some wedding details tomorrow too.  Hopefully, my being prepared far in advance for everything will simplify my life when it comes "crunch time".  And it hit me today... Tessa's wedding is only the beginning of the actually holidays, so it really won't slow down until after Gracie's birthday when the kids go back to school after Christmas break.   Love it!

I must mention that Doug's Uncle Lu passed away early this morning.  He was a gentle man with a huge heart.  We both loved Uncle Lu so much and will truly miss his presence at family gatherings.  He and Aunt Lucille have always went out of their way to make Doug and I and our children all feel very special.  I don't ever remember one time seeing Uncle Lu that his arms were not open with a warm,welcoming a hug.  He had a huge smile and always made everyone feel so loved and appreciated at his hello.   He was a thoughtful and kind man.   Doug and I enjoyed spending time in their home on occasion through the years and were always fascinated by watching he and Aunt Lucille together.  Their loving relationship was exemplary to us all.  Our hearts have been with Aunt Lucille and family all day today.  Uncle Lu will truly be missed by all who knew him.

trick:  Tomorrow, we're expecting some snow... a minor storm but a storm all the same.  For November first, and now that Halloween is over, I'm ready for some of that gorgeous fluffy white stuff!  I cheated and listened to Christmas music all Saturday morning while Doug was away, but have promised myself to wait until Thanksgiving this year.  Thanksgiving is looking  to be small and simple with just our immediate family.  I may even wait to put the tree up on Thanksgiving afternoon.  Doug teases, "Sure, you say that now, but wait til the day after the wedding (the 19th) and there'll be no stopping me!"  He's probably right. 

treat:  Happy November!  Enough said!

The trick is to enjoy life.  Don't wish away days
waiting for better ones ahead.
Marjorie Pay Hinckley

Happy Halloween!

Writing today's entry last night, I forgot that it's already THE day.  Have a spooky, safe and wonderful evening!

a whole lot of busy and fun

I spent for.ev.er trying to get this to post last night.  If this doesn't work, I apologize up front for the mess.  When I tried to spell check last night, things went crazy, it posted in HTML and some of the post was at three different places in the entry.  Who KNOWS what happened?  So, I'm hoping this works.  If not, I'm sorry.  

Our weekend was just been a blur...a happy blur!

On Friday, I spent most of the day with Doug getting ready for the Witches Brew.  Most everything, but the games, were done, so it was a very relaxed day until the babes got home.  The babes had half day of school and came home with plans to all go to Halloween events of their own, which meant getting three kids in costumes beforeI could get myself ready.  I decided that next year, I want to focus on my own costume, as well as the girls!  As it was, I reminded them that Friday night was my Halloween.  Theirs is Monday.  Gracie was so cute.  She came in a few minutes later and gave me her Hermoine Granger witches hat to wear for the party.  It was about five sizes too small, but I wore it because she shared.  Sweet.

The Witches Brew is such a fun way to  spend the evening with  your girlfriends.  The food was fabulous, the games were fun.  The company was great.  We were a bit more mellow than usual, but our conversations were the best.   There were some seriously funny laughs, which is always what we need.  I love my friends! 

The food was to die for.   From the best green salad with everything under the sun in it, including pumpkin and sunflower seeds, yum! to dips and quiche and and and lots of chocolate and an apple pizza.  SO good!   April brought one of my favorite treats in the world, the pretzel with the rolos and pecan on top, but she used white chocolate covered pretzels, making it even tastier!  Nat made a chex mix that was to die for.  I'll have to get her list of ingredients and share.  SO good!

I prepared three games but we only played two because we ladies do like to talk.  That was what I sort of figured would happen, so I'm happy to have next year's game already prepared and waiting in the file.  For the big game, I created a Jeopardy board with topics and questions all Halloweeny.  I'll share them below for your files too!

  Wishful Thinking (things having to do with Charlie Brown Great Pumpkin)

• Creator of the entire series with the Charlie Brown Gang ~ Charles Shutlz
• Sits and waits in the Pumpkin Patch while all of the other kids go Trick or Treating ~ Linus
• Is completely ashamed that their sibling believes in the Great Pumpkin ~ Lucy
• The only one who believes in the Great Pumpkin ~ Linus
•  Gets rocks every time while Trick or Treating ~ Charlie Brown

This photo only shows about half the food we ended up enjoying.  So good! Notice the Jackolantern apple pizza, topped with white chocolate.  MMM!

Sugar and Spice (things related to Halloween foods)

• Named after his daughter, this was the first penny wrapped candy. Tootsie Roll  (her nickname was Tootsie, not Roll. ;))
• Named after a family horse, this is the #1 selling candy bar. Snickers
• Based on a New Years Eve tradition and replaced rice-throwing at weddings. Apple bobbing.  Originally, the person who choked first while bobbing would be the next to meet their love.  Then, throwing apples at the bride and groom came from that then it became rice that they threw.  THANK HEAVENS!  I'd have been ticked if someone threw an apple at your wedding dress.
• Next to New Years Eve, Halloween is the biggest selling day of the year for this food. Pizza
• One of the oldest known fruits, originating in Mexico almost 9000 years ago. The pumpkin.

It was only a Dream (Thing having to do with Stephanie Meyers Twilight Series)

•  Stephanie’s inspiration for the Twilight Series came from this.
• This piece of classical music is one of Edward’s favorites. Clair de Leune
• She said, “I’m the one with the wicked curveball.”  Victoria
• Edward’s last name before he became a Cullen. Edward Anthony Meson Cullen
• The Volturi live in this city in Rome.  Voltaire

Can’t get you out of my Head (Spooky or Halloween related songs)

• This is the top selling music video of all time.  Thriller by Michael Jackson
• This musical hit “caught on in a flash”. Monster Mash
• This family is creepy and they are kooky.  Addams Family
• This popular non-lyrical song would never be a hit if listeners realized which movie it was from.  Tubular Bells from the Exorcist
• Bach was feeling “Halloweeny” when he composed this spooky piece. Toccatta and Fugue
  

This photo opportunity made us all laugh... the hats all huddled together while they were figuring out who was who in the name game. 

 Would you like butter on that? (Halloween or spooky movies)

As for the rest of the weekend...

We had stake conference on Saturday evening and then yesterday morning. It was a Regional Televised broadcast from the Ogden Dee Event Center at Weber State University.  We were so blessed to hear from Elder Marlin K. Jensen, Sister Rosemary Wixom,  (General Primary President), Elder Neal Anderson and President Thomas S. Monson.  The evening session on Saturday, held in our own stake center was awesome and uplifting.  My friend, Kara's brother, Scott Jackson spoke and WOW!  He always does a fantastic job.  The entire meeting was perfect.  I love Saturday evening Stake Conference because it's an "adults only".  Leaving babies at home for that meeting makes it special for everyone there.  I remember taking turns going when our kids were younger.  Doug would stay home for one meeting and I'd stay home the next time so that we could enjoy the meeting completely and not disturb those around us with our babies.  Nice!  It's also nice now that they are old enough to leave at home alone and be able to go together as a couple again. 

The Sunday Broadcast was beautiful.  Loved every second of it.  We met at our church and it was broadcast into the chapel.  This was not the quiet meeting because families filled the chapels.  I had to chuckle when ZJ took Zaylee to the potty.  (She's potty training.)  She came into the chapel and when she was still about five rows away, she announced to the entire congregation, "Grammie!  I peed in the potty!!"  Everyone else laughed.  Rather than be embarrassed, I just picked her up and gave her a great big hug.  These are important moments!   Much too important to worry about being embarrassed!  I'll share some thoughts about the conference on my SistersDear blog, later this week.  I'll share some of my stake conference thoughts on the SistersDear blog later this week.

I made extra favors from the shower to go and deliver to our grands this afternoon.  We were able to spend an hour with Jason and his family then at the B's.  Wendy made her nummy apple dumplings for a Sunday night treat.  DIVINE.   Miki was adorable all night.  She's developing the cutest little personality.  My favorite thing was watching her race out to see us when we pulled in.  She's a pill!  And can I just say that she loves her Grampie!  And need I mention that the feeling is more than mutual.  Doug can't get enough of her!

After church, Liza called and Buddy had news to share.  When we got home, we skyped for a short bit. Hmmmm.  I don't think I'm supposed to mention the news.  BUT.  He got a new calling.  So, now they both have callings in their new ward.  They love Arizona.  Have I mentioned that lately?  I don't think they'll ever come home to live again, but how can I ask that when they are so loving it!? 

Also, in the afternoon, we spent a few minutes at the Logan Temple.  This weekend was the third anniversary of our family sealing in the temple.  It's a tradition that matters and we want to make it count.  However, the temple grounds were locked this afternoon, so we decided to "touch the fence" and share our memories.  We actually, were not planning on pictures and had decided that we'd come and do it on Wednesday afternoon this week.  BUT.  We were there and so we waited for someone to come by and take a picture of us as a family.  That didn't work out.  Later a family did come by, but the photos didn't turn out so wellwith the shade. SO.  This will have to do for this year.  Sadness. 

Another real highlight of the weekend was having Doug's cousin, Vern and his wife, Connie and Doug's sister, Anne come for lunch and a wonderful visit on Saturday.  It's rare that we have time with his cousins, unless it's at an extended family gathering, so this was a choice experience!

Such a long entry and there's more that I could share today, but, this is way more than enough said!  Suffice it to say, it was an awesome weekend!

This week:     

• I start tending Zaylee.  (I think?  This is Kelly we're dealing with.)
• Hopefully, there's a surgical cancellation and Zaylee can have her surgery on Wednesday instead of next week.
• I've been asked to decorate for a Stake Dinner for 180 people in two weeks.  (This is the dinner that I was given three days notice for last fall.  I'm excited to do it!)  I'm going to try to get that done this week so that I can focus on Zaylee and Tessa next week.
• Tessa's wedding is less than three weeks away...SO much to do!
• November tablescape and decorating and all of the Halloween stuff comes down on Tuesday.  Sadness! 
• I still need to post the October tablescape on the cooking blog.  I seriously do not want to see October's table go.  I've enjoyed looking at it, as much as I do the Christmas tree in December!
• Speaking of which, I'm hoping to "assist" Doug with getting the Christmas lights up this week before it gets too cold.
• Zaylee's birthday, which is November 13th, will be celebrated early if the surgery is still on the 9th. 

Lots to do.  Life is good and busy.  Doug teased me this weekend, "Babe, what is it about the word "no" that you don't understand?"  The way I look at it, I can sleep in January.  2053.  Life's too short to waste doing nothing. Enough said.

 I try to take one day at a time - - but sometimes several days attack me at once.

techincal difficulties

I've spent the last 90 minutes trying to get the blog posted.  It's been a nightmare...repeating three times, posting in HTML, losing photos.  Who knows what' happening.  I'll correct it in the morning because right now, I'm simply.... not amused.

spooktacular

To be upset over what you don’t have, is a waste of what you do have.

favors

Once in a young lifetime one should be allowed to have
as much sweetness as one can possibly want and hold.

shower the people you love with love, show them they way you feel...

A fun evening with the Corbridge women.  Tessa's bridal shower was lovely.  For me, the whole day was lovely.  Denise came over early this morning, after I got the babes to school and helped me with the shower prep.  We finished up the party favors and worked on a few other little things then went to town for a few last minute items and a quick bite to eat, then came home and she made the main dish while I continued to gather the goods and prepare the activities for the evening.  I heart Denise.

Before Denise arrived, oldest BFF, Susan from Ohio, called to suggest a few shower games after an email exchange we'd had.  We had a quick chat which left me smiliing.  I heart Susan.

While Denise and I were working on the favors, the doorbell rang.  It was Dorothy, the other Doug Corbridge's wife, my wonderful and amazing friend/hero. She dropped by to let me know that she wasn't going to be able to make it to my Witches Brew and that she'd been thinking of me.  She came with a gift... a CD, Women of Faith in the New Testament.  I'm so anxious to listen to it!  How thoughtful and kind and the words she spoke when she gave it to me were humbling and made me cry.  I heart Dorothy!  Then, she had to come in a peek at the decorations for the shower and before I knew it, she'd left and returned with this beautiful bouquet of sunflowers.  SO pretty!  They were the perfect accent in the living room for the shower! 

I'm just saying...I am so blessed to have such wonderful friends!

The shower was a fun family gathering.  It was nice to get to meet Kellan's family and enjoy the time together with my sisters-in-law, nieces and daughters.  Kelly and I had planned a gift together, Liza called and became a part of the gift giving.  I miss her most on days like today.  Kelly, Grace and ZJ were the hostesses, serving food, taking plates, receiving gifts for Tessa and removing coats to the bedroom. 

The Corbridge family, as has been mentioned many times, are not big game players, so I try to keep them more to the "conversational" type games.  I'd checked with Aleece in advance to create Tessa's lifeline. I took the 21 items, shuffled the order, then handed out a list and let everyone put them in what they thought would be chronological order.  Then, Aleece and Tessa told the stories that went along with the timeline.  FUN.  I heart Tessa.

Our second "activity" was simply wedding advice which fell under the title of "Trick or Treat". I'm always amazed to hear the young girls advice. We got some great advise which I wanted to share. 

• If you disagree about something and can't resolve it, sleep on it.  Don't agree with the "Never go to bed Angry."  Just say, "We love each other, but we're tired.  Let's sleep on it."  Things may seem completely different after sleeping on it."
• Work hard on projects together. Enjoy working together.  (from a 15 year old.)
• Purchase a journal and each anniversary, write three things that you love about each other.  When you are frustrated and can't remember why you married him, here's the proof!
• Be spontaneous and surprise your spouse.  Also, have a "grouchy card".  Use it when you're having a rough day and move on quickly.  Don't use it too often!
• No matter how poor you are, always spend money on these three things ~ 1. A good pair of shoes because if your feet hurt, you can't think straight.  2.  A good mattress ~ if you've had a good night's sleep, you're day will go better.  3.  Good food ~ These things affect everything else and your happiness.
• Always tell them that you are proud of their accomplishments.
• Say you're sorry and say thank you.  Always show your appreciation.
• Forgive and forget.  (From ZJ)
• Tell him that you will never expect him to know anything that you don't tell him first.    It helps communicate you you are feeling because you can't expect him to know why you feel about something unless you tell him.
• Listen to your mother.  Listen to your mother-in-law and then do whatever you feel is right.
• Always be excited to see him when he comes home.
• Don't sweat the small stuff... it's all small stuff.
• Don't ever leave on an angry word.
• People don't stop having fun because they are old.  They are old because they stop having fun.
• Be happy at home.
• Communicate about everything .
• Send him out to do the hard stuff... example:  when the kids get shots.
• Keep priorities in order and things will fall into place.

Barbie made a delicious apple crisp for dessert after Chicken Cordon Bleu Pasta, homemade rolls and Anne's fun orange frog-eye salad.  The theme was Halloween, of course,but it was a lovely Halloween, not a gruesome or scary shower.  Pix will be posted after the Witches Brew. 

I'm exhausted.  It's been a long week.  But, now comes the rewards!!  It's also our Stake Conference this weekend, which I love every minute of and am so looking forward to.  I am blessed and life is so good!  enough said!

There is no cosmetic for beauty like happiness.

peepless

First, I'm getting behind on my cookie recipes!  Sorry, this week, my brain is in party mode!

What a day, what a day!  I had a mile long list of things to do today.  I ended up doing about half of it. And I'm going to be in bed tonight before eleven if it kills me! Last night's 3 hours of sleep didn't cut it at all by this afternoon!  I had a great visit with Doug's brother, lunch at Chili's with Wendy and a fun Survivor night with the family. But, most of the afternoon was spent in search of Ghost Peeps.  To No Avail.  I searched every single store in our valley that sells any sort of food products and NO ONE had Ghost Peeps... I was not amused and will step up on the proverbial soapbox for a moment to vent!

After Chili's and looking at ShopKo, our next stop was Hobby Lobby to pick up the candles for the wedding that no one ever brought up yesterday. Denise, who was shopping in Ogden today with her daughter, Ashlee, called from a Target to ask me if I still needed Peeps.  She'd found a ton of them.  (Lee's was out of them last week when I bought the rest of the supplies for Marilyn's fun little party favor idea.)  I said that I'd call K-Mart really quick to see if they had them, to save her the effort, if possible.  At this point, I only knew that ShopKo and Lee's were out...not that everyone in the valley was.  The guy at K-Mart put me on hold then returned and said, "Oh, yeh, we've got tons of Ghost Peeps and Pumpkin Peeps."  I explained that I needed 40 of them.  "Oh, sure.  They're here.  We've got plenty."  I called Denise back and said that I'd found them, then we immediately crossed the highway from Hobby Lobby to K-Mart. 

I ran inside and asked the guy at the service desk for direction to the Peeps and went straight back to where they were supposed to be.  No. Peeps. After a five minute search through all of the Halloween stuff, I went back to the front, still quite confident that the Peeps were displayed someplace else, since, according to phone guy, they had "so many".  Service Desk Guy wasn't too interested in helping me now and said, "Ask that lady."  She walked me back to the shelf that was filled with 20-some packages of orange pumpkin Peeps and ONEpackage of Ghosts.  ONE. PACKAGE.  I took it up to the front and asked where the guy was that I'd talked with on the phone ten minutes ago.  "Oh, he left."  Okey dokey then.  I dialed Denise's number as quickly as I could and she was already halfway to Brigham City by then... far from Target! with. NO.PEEPS!  The guy did scan and see that somewhere in the store there was one other package, but probably in someone's cart.    My bet was that the first guy never even bothered to look and now I was without Peeps. 

Over the next hour, I called, literally, every store in Cache Valley and even one up in Preston, Idaho.  No Ghost Peeps.

I sent a text to a few friends who I know work out of the valley to see if anyone happened to be stopping by Target and got the funniest text back from Dave about an hour later.  He'd checked a store for me on the other side of the mountain and sent:  "Peepless in Brigham City."  Peepless.  Like Sleepless in Seattle.  HaHa. Get it.  Maybe you had to be there but it made me laugh and I needed to laugh at that point. 

Last year, I made witches brooms for everyone.  This year, with all that's going on in life, a Smores Kit. This is Marilyn's Peep adorable idea... Not what I ended up with.  You didn't think that I'd show you those before the party, did you?
 

I had to get creative quick and come up with a Plan B since the shower and Brew are the next two nights and these were to be my little favors.  Plan B works.  It's cute and almost complete tonight.  I'm happy but I really wanted Peeps and I really wanted to tell the guy who "left" that I wasn't amused. 

Now, the other favors are done and they are dang cute.  They cost three times as much but they are cute.  I'm over it.  And I can laugh at it now.  However, during my three hour peep pursuit, I wasn't amused.  Tonight... no biggie.   Funny how something so small and simple can be such a big deal "in the moment". 

Tomorrow, I'll be baking and cooking and tablescaping and cleaning and then finally entertaining.  I'm sure that I'll burn or underbake something, I'll forget to clean under something.  I'll realize that I forgot to grab something at Lee's.  (Like the green onions!  DANG!)  And in the middle of it all, my plan is to just chill and think of the peeps.  And I'll remember...Don't sweat the small stuff.  It's all small stuff.  My quote today is one that I've never heard before.  But, I think I need it somewhere permanent in my home as a reminder.  Life is good...even without Peeps!  Enough said.

If things go wrong, don't go with them. 

much ado

First, the Halloweeny treat that I mention below: 

 Jello Popcorn

one huge bowl popped popcorn (I used airpopped, but 2-3 bags of microwave would do it)
1 cup light Karo syrup (Lonica called for twice as much but that's what I had on hand)
2 cups sugar
1 large box of Jello (I used lime for green popcorn)
4 tablespoons Butter (optional)



In a sauce pan over medium heat, combine corn syrup, sugar, and jello. Stir until everything is dissolved and bubbly (about 90 seconds of a full rolling boil, stirring constantly). Stir in the butter, if desired. Pour over the popped corn and stir quickly to combine. Enjoy! Spread on a baking sheet covered in parchment paper.  Bake 10 minutes at 350.  Remove from oven and stir.  As it cools, it will become crunchy. 

Big news for Zaylee.  She's scheduled for November 9th to have her tonsils and adnoids removed and tubes put in her ears.  It will be a lifechanging event for Zaylee because since the day she was born, she has struggled to breathe.  She'd nurse two gulps then take a huge gasp then gulp gulp gasp.   And she still does this.  And we won't even mention her snoring.  Let's just say that when she sleeps over at Grammie and Grampie's, she gets her own room.  SO.  She's scheduled for the 9th and if he has a cancellation, it will be the 2nd.  I'm praying for the 2nd because I have a wedding to prepare for on the 18th and she will be coming home to Grammie's from the hospital to recover for a the first week or so, since Kelly works every day.  YIKES! 

This all means that I'm going to try to get everything possible done for the wedding next week and be totally ready, then I can focus on Zaylee. 

Also another big change.  I've agreed to start tending Zaylee four days a week while Kelly's working.  This is going to mean a huge change in our family life.   I can still go and do my own thing in the mornings but I'll be home with her in the afternoons and evenings. I'm always home when the babes get home from school and Wednesday evening is the only night that it will tie me down.  I've been feeling strongly that I need to do this for a few months and the feeling gets stronger and stronger, so I know it's time.  Double YIKES!

The girls had their piano lesson/party this afternoon and went as witches.  They were quite excited about their very simple costumes.   It was a crazy day and in the middle of it, I had about a 60 second meltdown. Today went like this:

• 12:15 AM ~ I went to bed
• 3:55 ~ Doug's alarm went off
• 4:30 ~ He kissed me goodbye and I went back to sleep
• 5:55 ~ got up to get Quayd and Gracie off to school
• 7:00 ~ went back to bed for a catnap
• 7:30 ~ up again to get ZJ up and going, shower and get ready myself
• 8:30 ~ talked with Kelly to co-ordinate Zaylee's ENT appointment
• 9:15 ~ picked up Zaylee because Kelly was double booked
• 9:30 ~ short stop at Denise's to plan our day
• 10:00 ~ Doctor appointment, Kelly joined us just before the doctor came into the exam room.  Picked up some things for the bridal shower
• 11:30 ~ Met Denise at Chili's, a VERY fun lunch with the Regional Manager of Chili's treating us to some fun new menu items.  Discussed the details of the two parties I'm hosting later this week, upcoming events, Zaylee, and worked myself up a good knot in the tummy.
• 1:00 ~ Best Buy stop at the Geek Squad for a quick electronic rescue
• 1:30 ~ Hobby Lobby ~ stopped to pick up some pre-ordered stuff for the wedding, the person paged to bring it out never came, so I left without it.  GRRRR.
• 2:00 ~ Home and got busy to work on simple witch costumes for the girls, checked on Doug's mom who's still recovering from her new knee, read email from teachers about assignments that must be completed and turned in before the end of the quarter on Friday
• 2:45 ~ helped Gracie with hair, makeup and costume for the party
• 2:50 ~ Gracie informed me that I needed to make a treat for Young Women's tonight
• 3:00 ~ taught Quayd how to work the newly Geek Squad rescued electronic
• 3:15 ~ Quayd informed me that he needed treats tonight for Young Men's activity
• 3:30 ~ Doug came in from work, we discussed Zaylee's health and my tending her options
• 3:40  ~ reminded Grace of the big assignment that must be completed.  helped ZJ with hair and makeup for costume party
• 3:45 ~ Felt overwhelmed for about two minutes.  Started to cry.  Needed a walk, some fresh air, and a moment to myself.  Got a hug from Doug instead.  It helped.  Immensely.
• 4:00 ~ sent the girls off. talked with a friend on phone while making treats for the youth activities instead.  It helped.  Immensely.
• 5:00 ~ started Taco Soup for dinner, cleaned up the treat mess, sent the girls down to mom's with a bowl of the Lime popcorn
  6:00 ~ ate a nummy dinner with the family, helped ZJ clean the kitchen, Liza called to hear the news about Zaylee. 
• 7:00 ~ sent Quayd and Grace off to church and took a deep breath!  Visited with ZJ while starting four loads of laundry
• 8:00 ~ Watched Dancing with the Stars while doing laundry and while visiting with ZJ about her day
• 9:00 ~ Got Doug and the babes in bed, went over "to do" lists for the rest of the week and finished up four loads of laundry
• 12PM... it's bedtime again

It was "one of those days".   CRAZY Busy.  Big decisions to be made.  Tons to do.  And at one point, it all caught up with me.  Seriously.  It lasted about two minutes.  Doug who'd just walked into the kitchen, noticed that I was teary-eyed.  He dropped everything, gave me a hug and just held me for a moment.  I'd been feeling overwhelmed from all the "I needs" and and my own high expectations of the day.  I was craving a nice long walk, but the phone rang and the walk never came.  Happily, Doug's open arms were all I needed.

The next three days don't look to be any less insane.  All self-inflicted, so no complaints at all.  I can hardly wait for the upcoming events of the next few weeks! This is my favorite time of year and having tons to do makes me happy.  As I was folding laundry a few minutes ago, it hit me, once again...it never ceases to amaze me that something as simple as a hug, a phone call from a friend, a little "thank you" can make all the difference in the world at "just the right moment". I was overwhelmed.  Doug's hug made it all better.  Here's what really struck me tonight... we just never know when the right moment will be, so we should take advantage of every moment possible to give that little boost to those around us!  Enough said.

Live life out loud and with purpose.

Family Home Pumpkin Night

We had a wonderful family night with the B's.  I've never shared this before on the blog but the B's, different B's than Stott and Wendy, adopted Kelly's fourth child.  We've been developing a relationship with them over the past year and absolutely love our time together.  Quayd is one happy camper to have a (half) "brother".  The girls think it's pretty awesome to have a whole other family to connect with.  What Kelly's choices have done to our lives is definitely unique and interesting BUT !  We wouldn't change a thing!  We are so blessed to have so many children in our lives to love and along with J, we got two very cute little girls to go with!  Too much fun!

From the minute we got together, the boys were inseparable.  We took them all to Mickey D's after the Pumpkin walk and I overheard J say, "I get to sit with my big brother!"  Then a few seconds later, J's little sister who's five said, "I get to sit with my big sisters!" 

I know... to some, this whole situation of children adopted and us adopting entire families may not be easy to understand.  BUT.  It works for us.  And that's all that matters.  We love these children, who were born our grands, and love their families who've adopted them.  We feel that they are truly our family!  Had Miki not had a fever and been feeling under the weather, both of the B families would have gathered with us tonight.  Had Kelly ever answered her phone, we'd have brought Zaylee along too.  Don't ask.  And don't call Jerry Springer.  We feel blessed.  And while some may look and wonder "What the heck?", we just look at our situation with these beautiful grands and smile.  How many people get to have "bonus" family that come with their grandchildren?   Life is good.

And so was the Pumpkin Walk! with Tigger...

And the cast of Despicable Me...

And the Nightmare before Christmas...



And the Land of OZ



Even the Angry Birds...


and Calvin and Hobbes (which we heard the kids behind us ask, "Who's that?"  SADNESS!)



It was all good!  Enough said!

Biology is the least of what makes someone family.

ahhhh...

It's been a fabulous Sabbath Day.  The whole weekend has been pretty awesome.  Quayd gave a talk in Sacrament Meeting, in which, mom or not, I thought he did a pretty darn good job.  He's a good boy.  I gave my Relief Society lesson, which was a panic yesterday when I decided to redo most of the lesson because after giving the lesson to Liza on Skype, I didn't feel it was what I was supposed to be saying.  Then, after church, we went to see Doug's mom, who's recovering from a knee replacement, came home and had a short nap then just took the rest of the day to rest.  Perfect. 

On Friday night, I joined Carol and her daughter, Taylor at a hotel for hottubbing and dinner.  We never made it to the hottub, but we gabbed and laughed and had a great time.  Too much fun! I also got to meet Madi's fiance', which was nice and hear about thre spook houses in SLC when Carol's boys came in after midnight.  It was a nice little getaway.

The rest of the weekend was spent in lesson prep, keeping up with kiddos and meals and husband who worked Friday and Saturday, which will be nice when payday comes around.  A nice hour and a half Skyping with Liza made my day.  Simple pleasures.

While at the hotel, friend Jamie/Carol's adult niece, came with her babes to swim in the pool for an hour.  Jamie came bearing the best cookies I've had all fall.  And the most simple.  I had to have the recipe and realized that I already had it but hadn't made it this way.  Seriously.... low fat, high taste, and super easy!

Jamie's Pumpkin Cookies ~ to die for!

1 large can of pumpkin puree
2 Spice Cake mixes
chocolate chips

That's it!  Mix the dry cake mix with the pumpkin.  Pour in chocolate chips.  Bake at 350 for about 10 minutes.  Jamie underbaked and they were perfect!  Now, here's what makes them "Jamie's" Pumpkin Cookies.

Orange Juice Concentrate
Powdered Sugar
Vanilla

Mix up a little glaze with powdered sugar, thinned with the OJ concentrate and vanilla and a bit of water.  Drizzle over the cookies when they are cooled.  The orange and the chocolate were what made these pumpkin cookies divine!  I'll be making some this week!  SO GOOD!

And I fell in love with this cute picture of my little granddaughter, Willow Moon.  She's 4.  Look at those eyes!

A casual but busy weekend.  Perfect.  This week...I'm making applesauce, hosting a shower and a party, doing wedding prep, sewing Halloween costume parts (well, teaching the girls to sew), the Pumpkin Walk and a few other fun things.  Life is good. 

Enjoy your own life without comparing it with that of another.

16 minutes and 46 second of goodness

Too much fun!

Some fun Halloween ideas that I've totally lifted from other blogs and online magazines....

From Marilyn...Doesn't this seven layer dip look fun?  Tomatoes, beans, cheese, guacomole, you know... taco fixings all fixed up fancy.  Love it!

From MaryAnn...Rivets are too dang fun...  Why not a monogram pumpkin?

from eighteen25... some rice krispy ghosts...Gotta luv these!

ten in ten or less

1. A very mellow UEA weekend at the Corbridges.
2. The potatos in mom's soup cooked nine hours.  Still raw???
3. Kids home all day. Empty cookie jar already.  Baking tomorrow.
4. Headaches make me cranky.  Literally.
5. I'm craving hot cocoa and whipping cream.
6. Photographing October tablescape this weekend.
7. Relief Society lesson coming along well.
8. Looking forward to the new movie, Anonymous.
9. Doug's home till Monday!  HAPPINESS!
10. Today's cookie recipe looks to die for!
    
    I found this recipe while surfing here. I've not made them but oh my gosh, I can't wait to!  Do they look fabulous or what? 



Caramel Stuffed Apple Cider Cookies

recipe very slightly adapted from The Cooking Photographer

Ingredients

1 cup softened butter

1 cup granulated sugar

1/2 teaspoon salt

1 box (7.4 oz) Alpine Spiced Apple Cider Instant Original Drink mix -not sugar free- all 10 packets (I found this in my grocery store near the hot chocolate mixes.)

2 eggs

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

1 teaspoon baking soda

1/2 teaspoon baking powder

1 teaspoon ground cinnamon

3 cups all purpose flour

1 bag Kraft Caramels (14 oz)

Directions

• Preheat oven to 350° F. Line cookie sheets with parchment. (You really need the parchment!)
• In a small bowl whisk together flour, baking soda, baking powder and cinnamon.
• With your mixer (or an energetic spoon) cream together butter, sugar, salt and all 10 packages of apple cider drink mix powder, until light and fluffy.
• Beat in eggs, one at a time. Add vanilla and mix well.
• Gradually add flour mixture to butter/egg mixture. Mix until just combined.
• Refrigerate for about an hour. (If you're really impatient you don't have to do this, but it makes it so much easier to work with.)
• When you are ready to bake, unwrap your caramels. 
• Scoop out cookie dough ball about the size of a walnut. (I used a rounded cookie scoop-full. My scoop holds about a Tablespoon.)
• Flatten the ball of dough slightly in the palm of your hand. Press the unwrapped caramel into the center of your dough and seal the dough around it, covering it completely. Place on parchment covered cookie sheets 2 inches apart.
• Bake 12-14 minutes, or until very lightly browned around the edges. Please don't over-bake! Once the cookies are done, slide the parchment off of the baking sheet right out onto the counter. Allow cookies to partially cool on the parchment. When cookies are cool enough to be firm but still slightly warm, carefully twist off of parchment and allow to finish cooling upside down (either on the parchment or on a rack.) If you forget about them and they cool too much and stick to your parchment, put them into the freezer for a few minutes and they'll pop right off.
• Yield: about 4 dozen, depending on how large you make your cookies (or how many caramels have been snitched out of your bag before you begin.) Store in an airtight container.

Friday, I'll be sewing a bit, crafting a bit, cooking a bit, canning a bit, studying a bit and enjoying the family a lot.  Life is good. 

a few ramblings and a recipe

Doug and I were watching a show, in which a main character was written off'/killed last season.  He'd not seen any of this show this fall season and asked where the one guy was.  I said, "Don't you remember the season finale?"  He thought for a sec and said, "So they're doing without him even though he's dead?"  The man is a regular comedian.

Which reminds me of our son.  Quayd was lying in the dentist's chair today while the assistant explained to him what they were going to do today.  (Sealants)  Quayd said, "So, I need my mouth open for you to do this?"  Like father like son.

It's UEA, which is another way of saying "Fall Break" in Utah.  The babes are out of school until Monday.  We've always gone to the ranch for UEA, but the loft is occupied until the end of the month.  So.  We stay home.  I'll try to pull off a few other little fun activities for the family. 

Tonight, the girls had a sleepover at Nana's.  Quayd just came in from the B's.  Doug's working tomorrow, but has the rest of the weekend off so we'll enjoy a few days together.  Love it!  I did hear that they'll be taking a 25 mile bike ride this weekend and then all that's left is the big 50 miler and Quayd will have one of the biggest merit badges toward his Eagle completed!  So, that will be Saturday's activity.  I teach Relief Society this weekend and will take advantage of any quiet moments in finishing up the last minute thoughts and hopefully,  inspiration that come my way!

Tonight's cookie recipe...a cookie recipe redo from my blog.  I'm thinking that these would be very "Halloweeny" if you used orange food coloring instead of green and left out the mint.  They'd almost look like little witches hats.  We're not much into food coloring, but they do sell black at gourmet cooking shops.   

This recipe is on my cooking blog for the past year, but is worth repeating.. I used Denise's sugar cookie recipe, which has to be one of the best ever and the concept of Peanut Blossoms,  made a few changes and voila... these delicious treats!

1 1/2 cups butter
1 1/2 cups cups sugar
2 eggs
1 tsp. vanilla
4 cups flour
1 tsp. baking soda
1 tsp. salt
1/2 cup milk
1/2 tsp. mint extract
8 or so drops of green food coloring

bowl of sugar
2 bags Hersheys Mint Kisses, unwrapped

Cream butter and sugar together. Add eggs and vanilla. Mix well. Add flour, soda and salt, alternately with milk. Add food coloring until green enough and mint extract. Mix well. Roll into balls (about a teaspoon) and then roll in the bowl of sugar until coated. Bake for 7-9 minutes at 375 degrees. They will look undercooked. Do not overcook. While cookies are baking, unwrap all of the kisses and set aside in a bowl. Remove the cookies from the cookie sheet and wait about three minutes. Place a Candy Kiss in the center of each cookie. Let cool completely before storing. Makes about 75 regular size cookies. Enjoy!

 

The girls and I made the recipe without the mint and green to begin with. We just rolled the cookies in the sugar and placed the kisses after baking. Very tasty. BUT, do not place the kisses in the cookies until they've cooled for a few minutes or they will flatten. (That actually works out too, because they are easier to store without the kiss bumping off the top.) I'm also thinking that these would be really cute rolled in green or red sugar crystals for Christmas!  This dough is also perfect for fruit pizza!

 

The leaves have finally started here in the valley and are even falling.  It's the latest fall I ever remember.  A full four days with the babes at home, three with Doug at home, beautiful weather.  I'm loving it!  Life is good!

 

If you follow your bliss, doors will open where you

 would not have thought that there would be doors.

 

a movie, a recipe and a few other ramblings...

Denise and I didn't go to Chili's today!  It's not Tuesday if we don't go to Chili's but, we were at the wrong end of town for errands and then we went to the matinee of "Footloose".  Different is fun!

Here's my quick movie review of the new version.  It's veryclose to the original story.  The music is great, but has more of a country flair to it, which I loved.  Love the new version of Holding on to a Hero. Love Blake Shelton's version of Footloose.  Loved Julianne Hoff's performance, although she's much more "sleazy" than the original actress.  Dennis Quaid is a much more likable dad.  The dancing is not nearly as good as the original.  It's "dirty dancing"... lots of grinding and bumping.  Ren is no Kevin Bacon, but he's good and believable.  I love Willard in both movies! LOVED that they stuck so close to the original and my favorite scene in both movies is "Let's Hear it for the Boy!"  So cute.  

I don't know that I'd want my girls to see this newer version.  It's definitely a "modern" version, where things are more accepted than they would have been back then.  Given the choice, I'd take the original.

The best laugh of the show was after it ended when Denise and I realized that we were the youngest people in the theater. When I asked this one 70ish woman what she thought, she said she loved it.  Then a man, probably 75ish in another row commented to her, "Let's see you dance like that."  (They were not together.)  She responded quickly, "They'd have to call 911."   Too funny!

Before I left this morning, I made White Chicken Chili. I've been craving it for days.  I'd checked my cooking blog on my iPhone while at the store to make sure I had what I needed to make it a few days ago.   Then, when I made it this morning, rather than check the cooking blog, I opened my cookbook.  Oops. Later, I realize that I'm using  two recipes ~ one from memory and one from the cookbook, which I have no idea where that recipe came from.  Once I realized this, I had to merge and figure out what to do because they were definitely different...one had cheese, one didn't.  One used a bottle of Italian dressing, one didn't...  Here's what I created using what I had and what I'd put into the crockpot before realizing the problem. It was the best White Chili I've yet to taste.  Loved it!

White Chili with Chicken

2 chicken, skinless, boneless chicken breast
4 cans great northern white beans
5 cups chicken broth
16 ounces half and half (instead of cream)
16 ounces sour cream (I used low-fat kind)
1 bag frozen corn
4 jalapeno peppers (seeded and chopped in food processor)
1 packet of italian dressing mix (I used no-name brand)(just the powder, don't make the dressing)
3 cups shredded cheese (I used cheddar)
1 tsp. cumin
1 tsp. garlic powder
1 large purple onion chopped
2 tsp. salt
1 tsp. black pepper

Put everything, except the cream, sour cream and cheese, into the crockpot.  Cook on high for about six hours.  Remove the chicken breast and shred with two forks.  Add the chicken back to the crock pot and then add the dairy ingredients.  Cook for another half an hour or so and serve.  Salt and pepper to taste.  SO SO GOOD!  Great with cornbread!  Note: I totally forgot to take pictures of the chili!  While looking online for one and saw limes, avocados and corn chips all garnishing this soup.  I can't wait to try them all, especially the lime!  !  I remembered I had my own photo but am glad to have found these garnish ideas that will add even more flavor!

I also made a batch of very tasty cookies tonight,but I'm saving the recipe and pix for another day.  Sorry.  Gracie reminded me the minute she walked in from school that the cookie jar was almost empty.  When she came in from Young Women's tonight, she said, "You remembered!" and ate a few before bedtime.  Just before she went to bed, she said, "Mom, thank you for everything you do for us.  You do so much."  I heart my kids!

A few rambling thoughts:

• I cranked up the furnace tonight. I'm craving hot cocoa.  Liza mentioned hot cocoa this morning.  It was a high of 98 degrees in Phoenix today.  She's in heaven.  I'm also craving some time with my girl.  I miss her.  Immensely.  She has five days off in early December. It's so not in our budget, but I'm thinking about asking Santa for a ticket for Liza to come home for that few days... a great gift for me! 
• When Liza answered her phone this morning, I asked, "Wanna go to lunch?  We could meet in St. George.  (That's about the halfway point for both of us... a six hour trip.)  She said, "Are you buying my gas?"  I said, "No, but I'll buy lunch and if we take a long time, I'll even buy snacks for your trip back to AZ."   Wishful thinking!  And seriously, I'd rather sleep in a tunnel filled with mice and flies than make that six hour drive.  But, I'd do it tomorrow to see Liza.  After joking about lunch, that's when she mentioned the days off.  That'll teach me to tease.
• ZJ asked me if I'd put her Crazy Hair/Clown Day photo on the blog yet.  Here ya go, Zeej.
• My heart aches for all of those involved in the racing world.  The more I hear about Dan Wheldon, the more I like him and realize that we've lost a good good man.
• Is it me or is all of the presidential election talk already too much?  Too much too early?  BTW, I am a Mormon and I AM a Christian. And I am registered Republican but that doesn't mean I'll vote that way.  Just saying.  ;)
• Totally random observation: Jennifer Aniston and Juliann Huff  look like sisters. 
• I am determined to sleep more than four hours tonight!  Enough said!

 

 

Quayd's birthday interview and some nummy cookies!

Wow. Here's Quayd's birthday interview.  He was so serious today.  I am always amazed by his sensitive spirit.  Sometimes, he's your ordinary silly 14 year old boy.  He's never been one for rude manners, but he can be pretty silly and loud.  Today, not so much.

If you could have one super-power, what would it be? Doing good to the world.

What was the last chore you did? Cleaning up my room. 

What's the last service you did?  I took Sister Watts her medicine from Lee's Pharmacy and she gave me a dollar for it!

What is your favorite song?  Linkin Park, "What I've Done." from Transformers (Imagine that?)

What do you like to eat for lunch at school?  Pizza.   (some things never change)

What's the nicest thing you've done for someone in your family lately? Being respectful and responsible.

What makes you mad?   My sisters when they get on my nerves.  When people talk behind other people's back. 

Where would you like to go on vacation?   The ranch, since we've not gone in tooooooo long!

Who's the smartest person in your family?  Probably Mom and Dad because Mom has this power that she knows everything that's going on all the time and Dad because he's smart with math, chemistry and has the power of making people feel better all the time.

How are you like Mom? I'm almost as tall as her.  I getting older like her.  Um. And I am respectful to her and yeh, that's pretty much it.  You're a fun-loving Mom. 

What's one word to describe Mom?  "Lois"  (I cackled loud enough for the neighbors to hear!  We watched this on YouTube about four years ago once and he still does the whole little schtick almost daily to me.) (and for the record, we've never watched a single minute of Family Guy!)

How are you like Dad?   Pretty much the same things. We watch movies together like Transformers, we can understand each other on the girl situations (I think he meant his sisters)  or situations with my peers and he takes us swimming and we go on bike rides with the scouts together.  He's just a fun loving dad. 

What's one word to describe Dad?  " Stud!  No, Babe, in your version. My word for Dad ~ EPIC!!, COOL! AWESOME!"

What's one thing that Mom always says to you?  "Make good choices.  I love you.  Be at the right place at the right time doing the right thing.  Um.  Goodnight.   Mmm-hmm-hhhmmm-hmmm.  (when I tell them an answer that I don't want them to know, I mmm-hmmmm the syllables instead of saying the words.)

What's one thing that you and Dad do together that you'll always remember?  We're spiritual men and endure to the end together.

If you had a million dollars, what's the first thing you'd buy?  I'd save it for my mission, pay tithing and then get a house.  A really nice looking house like Hogwarts.  Oh!  And definitely an iTouch, like the 4G and maybe a few Nintendo games like Lego Harry Potter 5-7.

How do you know that Mom and Dad love you? Cause I can see it in their eyes.   They feed me, they care for me, play with me (except when they are working) and they love me because I'm a good boy and make the right choices and alright - I do what I'm told to do and we were sealed as a family, so we'll always love each other, even if it's hard, we can still forgive and always love each other.  We're always there for each other. 

What's your favorite cereal?  Probably Cinnamon Toasters, those square kind with the cinnamon and sugar.

What's your favorite TV show?  LOST, even though it's not on TV anymore.  Castle, even though I've never got to see it.

What's your favorite vegetable?  Probably peas and Broccoli

What toy would you never give away?  My Nintendo DS.  My iPod if I ever got one.  My Transformers cuz they are collectibles, my wands. My Harry Potter glasses.  My gun.

What's your favorite game?  You mean,  on the Nintendo?  Probably Lego Harry Potter, Indiana Jones Lego and StarWars Lego.  My other favortite real game is Night Games.  (games in the dark in the neighborhood with a gazillion kids.)

What's your favorite movie?  Probably all three Transformers, Indiana Jones, Harry Potter, all of them, every single one.

What food would you eat every day if you could?   Shrimp and pizza

If you could choose a different name, what would it be?   Quayd Zero

What's the first thing you want to show your friends when they come to your house?  Mom's cookie jar!   

What's the scariest thing you've ever done?  My life before I came to live with you guys.  Sometimes I have nightmares that haunt me about that.   (He seriously has very few memories since he has been with us since the week he turned 4, but the few he has aren't very positive.  Sad, but true.  We don't bring this subject up often and I was surprised that he did today.  It's telling.)

Is your room messy or clean?   Right now?  When I woke up, I didn't have that much time today, but I usually have it really clean.  (He does!) 

If you could eat at any restaurant for the rest of your life, where would it be?  Golden Corral because they have shrimp! They've got almost everything except Mom's brownies and German pancakes.  They don't have that there.  Yep, probably Golden Corral and at home are my favorite places to eat.  

What's your favorite candy bar?  Take Five and 100 Grands. Snickers are good too.

What's the last thing of yours that Mom put on the fridge door?  I have no idea.  It's been a while.

What's your nickname? LoveBug, that's what you call me.

What's the best age to be?  Probably 14 because that's when other options come to you. It's when you start making more important choices and set up goals..like becoming a Teacher, going to the next step.

What do you and your sisters fight about?   Random stuff, I have no idea why, but we just do sometimes.

What's under your bed?  Okay, let's see. My art work, I know for a fact.  Some weird cord that I have no idea about and that's probably it.

What's your favorite holiday?  Probably my birthday because that's when we celebrate!

What do you know at age 14  Life is hard.  For me, in my opinion, please don't get me wrong, watching out for my sister is really hard because, that's when, in my experience, I have to be the one to protect her if anyone bullies her.  And being a good boy is important cause there are other people who are going to offer drugs and I know the answer is no, no, no, no, no.   I know that making good choices is important, learning from your mistakes is important.  I know that my parents love me.  I know that the Holy Ghost is with me and if there are dark times, it will help me get out of that situation.  I know that your friends can look up to you if you are a good example.  I know that the gospel is true.  I know that Thomas S. Monson is a prophet.  I know that Jesus Christ suffered for our sins and that we can thank him now by taking the sacrament and living worthily.   I know that my family is important.  I know that I have really good friends that help me.  I know that Jesus Christ and Heavenly Father are always there.  I guess that's all. That's pretty much it. 

 And that's my boy!  I heart him!

Now for a cookie.... a friend made these recently and OH MY!  She took no credit for the recipe, only to send me this, right off Pinterest.  I think they'd be fabulous ORANGE cookies in October or November!

A few other ramblings...

• No cavities for Gracie!  Three more dentist appointments this week.
• I'm impressed with Denise's auto insurance company.  They called to see how I'm doing after the accident and give me the correct numbers I need to see that my medical bills are properly billed and handled.  And I'm shocked that four days later, it still hurts. A. lot.
• Bill Clinton ~ 65 years old?  Whodathunkit?
• Still recovering from Transformers, BTW.   Footloose, anyone?  I can't wait!
• Life is good!

And in the end, it's not the years in the life; It's the life in the years.

Birthday Boy!

Quayd was quite  happy with his birthday, even without getting an iTouch, which he has decided he needs.  We've decided that he needs to save for it and he's planning on it.  (I'd have bought that instead of the new Nintendo DS that he got for Christmas if I'd have thought he'd want one.)  There's always some new technology out there screaming our name, isn't there.  (Did you just hear that iPhone4S and iPad2 calling "Sophiiiiiiiaaaaaaa"?)

We've still not gotten to Quayd's birthday interview.  After the accident, I slept almost all of Friday and we played hard all weekend celebrating.  He's not forgotten the interview either!  He loves it!  So, tomorrow, for sure!  And it's no secret... we celebrate our birthdays for weeks around here!  As a matter of fact, Gracie said after family prayer tonight, when Quayd had expressed gratitude for his awesome birthday, "Oh good!  Now we can start thinking about Halloween!"  (Our little rule is that we don't discuss the next holiday until after the current one is over... well, except Christmas and that doesn't count!)  ANYWAY, Quayd was so excited about the whole weekend. 

He woke up at 6AM on Saturday to prepare for his 25 mile bike ride.  (He is working on his cycling merit badge in scouting and has one 25 miler and the big 50 miler left.  I think that I  will be the most relieved to see this one over because it mortifies me that he's on the highway riding a bike all these miles!)  Doug rode with them again.  He is just the best dad ever! Quayd loves it!  Doug loves being with Quayd and he loves the ride!  They got home at noon and we began the big Transformer marathon immediately after his birthday treasure hunt, which included Transformers3 as one of his gifts. 

We enjoyed Papa Murphy's pizza, popcorn, Root Beer, candy and treats for the rest of the day.  Having Zaylee here and lots of company dropping by to wish him a Happy Birthday meant lots of "Hit Pause" and we finished the second movie at about 9:30PM.  So, we ended up watching the third after church on Sunday.  (Not my idea of Sabbath Day activity, but, we were committed to finishing them for his celebration.)  A note:  I have decided that when I die and go to wherever it is I land, one thing that will advance me one degree or two is the fact that I endured all three Transformer movies in 24 hours.  (I admit, I did play Words with Friends while watching and couldn't tell you much about the stories at all, but I do think it was cool to see them transform.  And the best part of the whole experience was watching Quayd's enthusiasm to be sharing his favorite action movies with me.  LOVED that!)

The birthday highlight:  At age 14, in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, the boys are advanced in the Priesthood to the office of Teacher.  This is a big and important event in a boy's life.  Quayd was interviewed by the bishop last week and presented before the congregation today as a Teacher, then was ordained by his dad in the Bishop's office.  Doug gave him the most amazing blessing, which made me cry.  I was crying as much over the words Doug spoke, as I was by the fact that my boy is 14 and making great choices.  I, truly, was humbled listening to Doug and wanted to stand up afterward and yell, "And that is one of the reasons that I'm the luckiest woman alive!"  I love these two men! 

After church, we came home and had all of Quayd's favorite foods... fried shrimp, mashed potatoes and gravy, homemade rolls and peas.  Then, my sweet visiting teacher, Sister Duncan, who'd called and offered to do anything for me after the accident on Thursday, made Quayd's birthday cake.  He was so excited because Sister Duncan's cakes are "epic!", according to Quayd!  The B's came over for cake and ice cream tonight and we enjoyed visiting and watching Miki play with Go-Go.  She actually said, "Go-Go!" which tickled me!   I love watching her grow.  Zaylee spent the weekend with us, as well, because Kelly had to work and her husband was away.  We enjoyed the time with Zaylee.

Our Primary Children's Sacrament Program was today and ZJ and Alyssa sang a duet, the Thirteenth Article of Faith at the end of the program.  They did a great job.  Zaylee was cute during the program because when she recognized the songs that I sing to her at bedtime, she paid close attention and even tried to sing along.  Her third birthday is coming up, as she says, on "Novumba Firteenf".  For some reason, she's decided to tell everyone that she'll be five!  She's a kick!

Speaking of church, Mom came to our ward to hear the girls sing and for Quayd.  Right smack in the middle of the sacrament, my mother's phone rang!  She'd forgotten to turn it off and when it rang, her face went red and she grabbed it to turn it off.  It took two rings before she got the sound off.  She was mortified!  My proper and prim mother red-faced.  That was a first!  After church, she was dying over and over again about it.  I told her that it happens to everyone...once!  Too funny.  We'll never let her forget that one!

Speaking of parents... Dad's out of the hospital and feeling a bit better.  I love my dad.

It's been a super weekend.  I spent most of it lying on the heating pad.  Doug was great help.  Connie brought over a huge pot of nummy chicken noodle soup and Mom made lasagna, so we ate well, even though I didn't do much cooking.  I spoke with Denise tonight and she said that she'd spent her whole weekend on the heating pad, as well.  Who'd have thought that we'd both still be aching so much three days later!?

This week... much to do.  It's pouring the rain outside right now.  It's cooling off.   My house smells heavenly of Scentinel Pumpkin in the warmer. Our friends, Christie and Dave dropped by with some Oatmeal Cookie wax and other fall flavors tonight.  I'm thinking that soup will be awesome a few nights this week.  I love love love fall!  Life is good... even with a heating pad and pain pills.  Tomorrow's blog... an interview and a tasty cookie recipe!  Enough said.

Nobody can go back and start a new beginning,
but anyone can start today and make a new ending.

Happy 14, Quayd!

There is nothing so strong as gentleness, and nothing so gentle as strength.

Three recipes from the past...



Pumpkin Apple Cake

1/2 cup butter, melted
2 eggs
1 1/2 cup sugar
1 3/4 cup flour
1 tsp. baking soda
1/2 tsp. salt
1/2 tsp. cinnamon
1/2 tsp. nutmeg
1/4 tsp. ginger
1/4 tsp. ground cloves
(OR 1 1/2 tsp. pumpkin pie spice instead of spices)
1 cup canned pumpkin
1/2 cup apple juice
1/2 cup crushed pecans

Cream butter, sugar and eggs until sugar is dissolved.  Mix and stir in dry ingredients.  Add pumpkin and apple juice. Bake at 350° in a bundt pan for 45 minutes.  Cool before removing from pan.  Glaze with 1 cup powdered sugar and 1-2 tbsp. of apple juice.  Also very good with raisins baked in. 

Ten ingredients for a GREAT weekend breakfast dish!  Make it the night before and it only takes about two minutes of effort before tossing in the oven in the morning.  Great for company too!

BAKED FRENCH TOAST

1 loaf French Bread (cut into 1" cubes)
8 eggs
3 cups milk
2 tbsp. sugar
1 tsp. vanilla
dash of salt

Place bread in a well-buttered 9x13 inch pan.  Mix eggs, milk, sugar, vanilla and salt in blender.  Pour over the bread, cover and refrigerate  over night.  Take out of fridge half an hour before baking. 

1/4 cup of cold butter
1 tbsp. cinnamon
1/4 cup sugar
Mix cinnamon and sugar.  Dot the bread mixture with pieces of cold butter.  Sprinkle the cinnamon sugar over the top.  Cover with foil.  Bake at 350° for 45 minutes.  Let stand for about five minutes before cutting or it will appear uncooked. Add Syrup, powdered sugar or Jam!  ENJOY!

Sweet Cornbread

2 cups yellow corn meal
2 cups flour
1 1/4 cup sugar
2 Tbsp. baking powder
2 tsp. salt
2 cups milk
2/3 cup corn oil
3 eggs 
Preheat oven to 400°.  Mix dry ingredients.  Add remaining ingredients.  Mix until all ingredients are wet but do not over mix.  Bake 20 minutes (until golden on top and a toothpick comes out clean) in a buttered jelly roll pan or a 9x13 pan for thicker cornbread.  Serve warm.  (You can also use a bit less sugar and add shredded cheese and a can of diced chilies to it for a zesty flavor!  MMMM!  You can also make them into muffins.

 

Getting there isn't half the fun.  It's all the fun!

couldawouldashoulda

Today was one of those days that I would like to have a do-over.  Seriously.   Gracie woke up early to get ready because it was picture re-take day.  ZJ came in ready to get ready for weird hair/clown day.  We did her hair as funky as could be and then some face make-up and off they went.  An hour later, Gracie called from school and said that she'd forgotten to return the pics that had already been taken and she needed them before they'd take the new ones, so they wouldn't take her picture.  I wasn't amused when went into her room and couldn't find them.  Let's just say that she spent more time getting gorgeous this morning than picking up her room.  Later I found out that face paint was not allowed, so ZJ had to wash her face off as soon as she got to school. (Which was fine because I didn't like the idea of her face having that on it all day long anyway, but she was disappointed.)

When Denise called, she said that she woke up with a sick feeling that something bad is going to happen.  We talked about how that feeling sometimes comes to pass and other times, it just goes away. A bit later, while I was getting ready, Doug called and said, "They're giving flu shots, if you can be here in 30 minutes."  In racing to get out the door, I completely spaced that my visiting teachers were coming in a few minutes.  Oops. (I love them and love their visits.  I just have a short memory!)  We visited for ten minutes or so and I explained that I had to run. Kelly called while I was driving, sobbingin pain.  She'd been sick all night long and couldn't keep the pain meds down.  (She had her "Re-enhancement surgery yesterday.)

As I left, I noticed that my truck battery sounded strange, but it's new. Go figure? I raced to get my flu shot, which hurt more than any flu shot I've ever had.  Everyone who was getting them agreed.  It was a bad one.  Walked outside to get in the truck.  It wouldn't start.  Send someone in for Doug and called Denise.  She came to give me a jump. Nada.  Starter motor issues.  Called the tow company.  Said goodbye to Doug and left the keys in the truck for them to tow it home.  Off to lunch with Denise.  We had a fun lunch at Firehouse, south of Logan, for the first time in almost a year.  Had a great visit with the owners, who are old friends of ours.  (Firehouse is the restaurant that Liza managed for five years and Buddy managed two of their others.)    During lunch, Denise and I talked several times about her "bad feeling".  I said, "Well, we've had enough problems already this morning, maybe we can call it good!" 

We had planned on going, to see Doug's mom in the hospital after lunch. (She had knee replacement on Tuesday.)  The traffic was a nightmare on Main Street in Logan. We were stopped at a traffic light when Denise screamed, "He's gonna hit us!!!"  As she screamed, I turned around to see what she was talking about and SLAM!!!  A pickup truck hauling a trailer slammed into us from behind. The guy hadn't even seen us until the last second.  He said that his brakes locked up and the brakes on the trailer failed.  He was going about 40mph. We were at a complete stopped. It hit hard!  It dented and curled the bumper under on Denise's big GMC pickup and made a torqued mess of the rear end out of the truck.  Denise's hitch went through his bumper.  The trucks were almost the same size.  Both of us were in pain immediately but not enough to need an ambulance. After the police were done, we came home and pulled our our heating pads until Doug came home.  Doug insisted that I go in and get checked, so he drove me to the ER where they did Xrays, gave me meds and sent me home. 

It could have been so much worse.  If either of the vehicles had have been in a car rather than the two big trucks, it would have been so much worse.  Fortunately for Denise and I, we'll have to deal with some aches and pains for a few days and hopefully, that will be it.  I'm sore and achey tonight, but the meds have taken the edge off of the pain.  Denise is in the same condition.  

Doug made a comment that hit me.  "A prayer could have prevented it."  Not understanding, I said, "You think that if we'd have said a prayer, we wouldn't have had the accident?" I was thinking that he's got a lot more faith than I do.  That would have never crossed my mind.  But, then he explained, just the time that it would have taken to say a prayer, we would have been a few seconds later and would have not been in that exact place at that exact time.  The prayer would have detained us enough to not be where we were when he hit us.  His point made sense...how fragile life is.  Every single decision that we make every single day really does impact our future.  So so true.  But, also, Doug was right on another level... when we have a concern, we should take the time to say a prayer.  I heart his wisdom.

I'm feeling so thankful tonight that things were not any worse.  I'm grateful for medicine and heating pads and good husbands and three day weekends.

In other news, Dad sounded better today.  He'll be in the hospital for a few more days, the doctors are telling him.  Thanks for the prayers in his behalf.

Sorry, no cookie recipe tonight.  But, life is good.  Enough said.

stuff, stuff and more stuff

A few ramblings:

• Dad is in the hospital again.   He's got some more issues to be resolved.  That stroke wiped him out and he's really struggling to get back in the game.  I would appreciate any prayers in Dad's behalf.  Thank you.
• Six more quarts of Chow-Chow on the shelves tonight!  Happiness!  We're totally hooked!  Have I mentioned that  I love my southern roots!?
• We kept Zaylee all day today.  Kelly brought her at 5AM on her way to SLC for her "re-enhancement" surgery.  Tonight, Doug took Zaylee home, along with a plate of cookies, some dinner and some chow-chow.  Kelly is resting and feeling better, but she said that this was the worst of all the procedures to date, because the doctor had to remove all of the scar tissue.  But, she's happy.  That's what matters most. (If I knew how, I'd make a little emoticon with a face rolling it's eyes or a big question mark over it.)  Kelly, Kelly, Kelly.  Yagottaluvher.
• I met Denise and her daughter, Ashlee and her three little ones at McDonald's Playland this morning and while the kids had a ball, we played cards.  I love that!  I don't love Playland (can you say Germfest?)but I do love cards.  And Zaylee gets a bath as soon as we get home!
• I'm worried about my dad.
• Quayd had his interview with our Bishop tonight to become a Teacher in the Priesthood.  This is another rite of passage for a young man in the LDS Church.  I'm still choked up everytime I think about him being fourteen this week!  That means in five years, he'll be old enough to serve a mission.  Right now, that's his biggest goal.  I'm praying that he continues with that same attitude.  I love this boy.
• Another photo from my Halloween decor:  The door that leads nowhere.  The swirly iron was over my headboard but I decided to hang it lengthwise on the door and I love it.  I think it looks alittle bewitching. 
  
• And today's cookie, fit for the season...and yes, I baked them this afternoon....

Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Cookies

2 cups canned pumpkin
2 cups  sugar
1 cup oil
2 eggs
4 cups all-purpose flour
4 teaspoons baking powder
4 teaspoons ground cinnamon
1 teaspoon salt
2 teaspoon baking soda
2 teaspoon milk
1 tbsp. vanilla 
1 bag chocolate chips (I use milk chocolate chips)

Combine pumpkin, sugar, oil and egg. In a separate bowl, stir together flour, baking powder, ground cinnamon, and salt.  Dissolve the baking soda with the milk and stir in. Add flour mixture to pumpkin mixture and mix well. Add vanilla and chocolate chips.  Drop by spoonful on well-greased cookie sheet and bake at 350 degrees for about 10 minutes or until lightly brown and firm.  (I baked them about nine minutes and they were very gooey, the way we like them, except the last batch, which we always overbake for Doug.)

It's 8:58 and I'm going to bed!  For the first time in weeks, I'm getting eight hours of sleep tonight!  Happiness!

Everyone must take time to sit and watch the leaves turn. 

nice

A fun-filled Tuesday...lunch with Denise at Chili's, some decorating, furniture moving, a nummy dinner (A cross between Zuppa Tuscana and Potato Chowder), some drop-in company, a magnificent storm followed by an amazing sunset...just a great day.

Doug ran Quayd and Gracie over to the church and called me on his way home to say, "Grab the camera!  You've got to see this sunset!"  I grabbed it and raced outside to capture this beautiful moment!

I moved some furniture today so that I could clean under and behind.  While cleaning, I was listening to Michael Jackson music. This whole trial nightmare is on my mind... I have always been a MJ fan. I have deliberately not watched this trial.  Despite that fact, I've heard so much more than I wanted to know about his death.  My personal thoughts on the matter, not that they matter one bit.... I think that all of this talk of "Justice for Michael" is so wrong.   I, personally, would much rather have remembered MJ preparing for his "This is It" tour than to know so many gory details of his death.  I don't see that any justice is being done in MJ's behalf by displaying these graphic details.  As for Dr. Murray, I think that he made some serious mistakes.  However, I also feel that there were many other people responsible and aware of the circumstances, including Michael himself.  BUT.  Regardless,  I feel strongly that Michael Jackson could have rested in peace and dignity far more without this media hayday, regardless of the outcome of this trial.  Just saying.  Sadness. 

And on another note...Here's a little peek of Halloween in my kitchen.

...and the entry way...

And today's tasty cookie recipe...

These cookies are divine. There's no other way to describe them! I've shared this recipe before but, I've been craving Reeses since my birthday last week when Zaylee brought me a Reeses and promptly said, "Happy Birfday, Grammie!  I can eat your candy?!"  Which she did.  She did share itwith Miki. 

Reeses Cookies

1 ½ cups butter
½ cup sugar
1 cup brown sugar
3 eggs
1 large instant vanilla pudding mix
1 ½ tsp. Vanilla
3 ½ cups flour
1 ½ t. baking soda
Mini- Reeses Peanut Butter Cups (about 48)

Cream butter, sugars and eggs. Mix dry ingredients and add to creamed ingredients. Spoon by teaspoons into mini-muffin pans, filling about 3/4 full. Bake at 350̊ for 9 - 12 minutes. Bake until edges are light brown. Remove from oven, press unwrapped Reeses into baked cookie. Enjoy!

Quayd is excited for his birthday interview to appear on the blog.  He was informed tonight that the scouts are going on a 25 mile bike hike this Saturday.  We already had made birthday plans, so he's got a decision to make.  He's growing up so quickly!  I heart that boy!

Life is good!  Enough said!

Whenever you're in conflict with someone, there is one factor that can make the difference between damaging your relationship and deepening it. That factor is attitude.

A soapbox, a recipe, some household tips and a silly photo

It has been a wonderful Monday.  One more fun, quiet birthday celebration, some crafting, some cleaning, some Castle and DWTS, a great FHE, a good day.

I have a little soapbox that I'd like to step up on for a few minutes.  Why do some people lie? I don't get it.  Some people will lie when telling the truth would have been easier.  Here's my thoughts on lying.  First of all, you have to remember what you said, which I'm here to tell ya, as you get older, remembering what you did five minutes ago isn't easy.  So, don't lie.  Second, once you're caught in a lie, you usually have to lie more to cover up and get out of it.  Again, don't lie in the first place and you won't have to tell more lies.  Third, as Doug says often, and he is the most honest person I've ever known, "The truth is so absolutely good, it never hurts the teller."  I think I'll have that on his headstone.  That and "I'm 38% deader than I was."  Enough about lying.  Just tell the truth. 

I received this forward from my sister-in-law and it had some ideas that I'd never heard before, so I'm passing on a few homemaking tips today.

• Take your bananas apart when you get home from the store.  If you leave them  connected at the stem, they ripen faster.  I tried that tonight.  We'll see how it works.
• Store your opened  chunks of cheese in aluminum foil.  It will stay  fresh much longer and not mold!
• Peppers with 3 bumps on  the bottom are sweeter and better for eating. Peppers with 4 bumps on the bottom are  firmer and better for cooking.
• Add  a teaspoon of water when frying ground beef. It  will help pull the grease away from the meat while cooking.
• To really make scrambled eggs or omelets rich add a couple of spoonfuls of sour cream, cream cheese, or heavy cream in and then beat them up.  
• For a cool brownie  treat, make brownies as directed.  Melt Andes mints in double broiler and pour over warm brownies.  Let set for a wonderful minty frosting.
• Add garlic immediately to a recipe if you want a light taste of garlic,  and at the end of the recipe if your want a stronger taste of  garlic. (I'd think that this one would have been the opposite. But, here's my two cents to this tip... always add more garlic!  MMM!) 
• Leftover snickers bars  from Halloween make a delicious dessert.  Simply chop them up with the food chopper. Peel, core  and slice a few apples. Place them in a baking dish  and sprinkle the chopped candy bars over the apples.  Bake at  350for 15 minutes!!!  Serve alone or with vanilla ice cream.  Yummm!  (This one made me laugh because WHO has leftover snickers bars EVER?)
• Heat up leftover pizza in a nonstick skillet  on top of the stove, set heat to med-low and heat till warm. This keeps the crust crispy—no soggy microwaved pizza. 
•  For easy deviled eggs, put cooked egg yolks  in a zip lock bag. Seal, mash till they are all broken up.  Add remainder of ingredients, reseal, keep mashing it up  mixing thoroughly, cut the tip of the baggy, squeeze mixture  into egg. Just throw bag away when done easy clean  up.  (Hmmmm?  I'll have to see this one to believe it.)
• When you buy a container of cake  frosting from the store, whip it with your  mixerfor a few minutes. You can double it in size.  You get to frost more cake/cupcakes with the same  amount. You also eat less sugar and calories per  serving.
• To warm biscuits,  pancakes, or muffins that were refrigerated, place them  in
  A microwave with a cup of water. The  increased moisture will keep the food
  Moist and  help it reheat faster. 
•  Start putting in your plants, work the nutrients in your soil.  Wet newspapers.
  Put  layers around the plants overlapping as you go.  Cover with mulch, and for-
  get about weeds.  Weeds will get through some gardening plastic; they will not
  get through wet newspapers. 
• Broken glass? Use a wet cotton ball or Q-tip to pick up the small shards of glass you can't  see easily.
• Place a dryer sheet in your  pocket.It will keep the mosquitoes  away.
• To get something out of a heat  register or under the fridge add an empty paper  towel roll or empty gift wrap roll to your  vacuum. It can be bent or flattened to get in narrow  openings.  
• Reducing Static  Cling Pin a small safety pin to the seam of  your slip and you will not have a clingy skirt or  dress.  Same thing works with slacks that cling when wearing  panty hose.  Place pin in seam of  slacks and ... TA DA! ... Static is gone.
• Before you pour sticky substances  into a measuring cup, fill with hot water.
  Dump out the hot water, but don't dry cup.  Next, add your ingredient, such
  As peanut butter, and watch how easily it comes right out.
• Hate foggy windshields?  Buy a chalkboard eraser and keep it in the glove box of your car when the windows fog, rub with the eraser!  Works better than a cloth! 
• If you seal an envelope and then realize you forgot to include something inside, just place your sealed envelope in the freezer for an hour or two. Viola! It unseals easily. 
• Use your hair  conditioner to shave your legs. It's cheaper than shaving  cream and  leaves your legs really  smooth.  It's also a great way to use up the conditioner  you bought but didn't like when you tried it in your hair.  
• To get rid of pesky fruit flies, take  a small glass, fill it ½” with Apple Cider  Vinegar and 2 drops of dish washing liquid; mix well.  You will find those flies drawn to the cup an d gone forever!
• Dryer sheets (like Bounce) cause a film over mesh on your dryer vent mesh.  The film is what burns out the heating unit.  This film builds up on your clothes and on your lint screen.  This is also what  causes dryer units to potentially burn your house down with it!  Remove the filter and wash it with hot soapy water and an old toothbrush, at least every six months. (I took my vent screen to the sink and the water ran right through it.  Maybe it's our Melaleuca dryer sheets.  Maybe not, but it wasn't a problem in our home.)
  

Okay, so it's not a cookie, but here's a great fall recipe repeat, as requested last week by my Canadian blogging friend, Nora.  Better late, than never. 

PUMPKIN CRUNCH CAKE

Here's a tried and true favorite in our neighborhood! It's simple to make but read through the directions before you start, so you don't jump the gun, like I did the first time I made it. It's simple and sure to become a favorite at your house too!

1 pkg. yellow cake mix (2 layer size)
1 large can of pumpkin
1 can of evaporated milk
3 eggs
3/4 cup butter, melted
1 cup sugar
1 tsp. cinnamon
1 cup chopped nuts
Combine pumpkin, evaporated milk, eggs, sugar and cinnamon in a large bowl. Pour into a well-greased 9x13 inch pan. Sprinkle about a cup of the cake mix over the top and very gently, fold the cake mix into the pumpkin mixture. Sprinkle the rest of the cake mix on top of that and pat down with a fork or big spoon. Drizzle the melted butter over top and bake for about 1 hour at 350. Let cool and serve with plenty of whipped cream. Enjoy!

And last, but not least,... a photo of Doug and I being silly with our friend, Todd, who works at Hastings.  He was showing us some of their new products, including these hats, which we couldn't resist wearing for a second.  And yes, I know what that leaf is... what a motley couple we are.  My favorite thing about this was that I texted the photo to Liza and her response was "I love that you and Dad still play together.  You two are silly."  He definitely makes me laugh, that's for sure!  Enough said. 
When life gives you a hundred reasons to cry,
show life that you have a thousand reasons to smile.

busy, busy

It's been a busy weekend.  The weather has turned cold.  We kept busy, canning and doing some catch-up work from all of the playing I've done all week long.  Dinner at Texas Roadhouse with some new girlfriends, birthday date with Doug and Stott and Wendy, time with the kids and Doug. Birthday celebrating will end and life will get back to normal here quickly as I am engaging more deeply in wedding plans for niece Tessa's big day... which her reception happens to be on the same day of Bella and Edward Cullen's wedding.  Tessa!  What were you thinking?  ;)

The babes helped me can all of the chow-chow, tomatoes and salsa.  I plan on making more chow-chow this week.  It was so simple and so so tasty.  However, it's on fire!  ZJ was reading the ingredients and she misread the jalapenos.   I put in 8.  I thoughtthe recipe called for six.  However, when I got to looking at it later, I realized that it said, 6 bells or 3 jalapenos.  So, let me just say, it's spicy!  And so so good!  I'll make another batch, exactly the same with less fire this week.  We loved it more than salsa!  I'll share the recipe on the cooking blog first thing in the morning.

The house is all decorated for Halloween and every room smells of fall scents burning in my Scentinel candle warmers and the gallery smells like heavenly creme brule right now.  One of my favorite things about turning on the furnace is that it's also time to light up the candles and warmers! Loving them!  Seriously, fall is fabulous!

Speaking of decorating, here's my birthday gift from Kelly.  The wreathe and the window.  Isn't it fabulous!  I picked it out, so of course I love it!

 
ZJ gave a talk in Primary today and did a great job!  She'd practiced it over and over.  Stott also spoke in our Sacrament Meeting about temples (super job) and we started a new Sunday School Temple Prep class, which I attended because I visit teach the teacher and knew that she would be fantastic.  This will be a fun little seven week course. I do love our ward.  It's filled with so many talented and amazing people!

Friend, Sherri, emailed this recipe to share.  I have to locate this Pumpkin Butter first.  Can't wait to try it because Sherri assures me it will be a hit!  Here's the cookie recipe for Monday:

Pumpkin Butter Bars

1 yellow cake mix

1 tsp. pumpkin pie spice

1/3 cup oil

2 eggs

Mix well. Spray a 9x13 pan with cooking spray.   Pat 2/3rd of the mixture into the bottom of the pan. Set aside and reserve about 1/3 of the mixture for the top of the bars.

In a microwave safe dish mix:

1/2 cup Pumpkin Butter

1 can sweetened condensed milk

3/4 cup brown sugar

Microwave for 30 seconds, then stir. Repeat a few times until the mixture is well mixed. This goes on top of the crust. Use what's left over for ice cream topping. You do not need to use all of it in your cookies.  Drop the remaining cake mixture on and spread as much as possible.  You'll not be able to cover it all.  Bake at 350 for 25-30 minutes. The edges will be a little bubbly. Cool completely before cutting into bars.  Enjoy!

It's 9:59 and I headed to bed.  I was up until 2AM processing all of the nummy chow-chow.  So, I'm ready to call it a day!  Tomorrow:

• Birthday fun with Carol
• making cotton candy with and for Denise's granddaughter's pre-school class who are learning the letter C
• playing with wedding decoration goodies
• making invitations for the upcoming bridal shower and witches brew
• Laundry and Monday cleaning

Bedtime!  Life is good!  And exhausting!  A very long, but thought provoking quote today:

"Life offers you two precious gifts—one is time, the other freedom of choice, the freedom to buy with your time what you will...yours is the freedom to choose ....Every day, every hour, every minute of your span of mortal years must sometime be accounted for. And it is in this life that you walk by faith and prove yourself able to choose good over evil, right over wrong,enduring happiness over mere amusement. And your eternal reward will be according to your choosing." -Elder Richard L. Evans

a productive Saturday ~ 14 pints of chow-chow, 15 quarts of stewed tomatoes, 10 quarts of salsa

 
No day should pass without something being done.

Silence is golden.

 Previously posted in October 2006

We’re home from four fun days at the ranch! Utah Educators take two days off every fall for UEA, whatever that means, I’m not sure, but it makes for a great little fall break! Doug and I took the babes and Carol and her kids up and we’ve had a wonderful time! I EXHAUSTED! We need a vacation to recuperate from our vacation! (I think I say that every time we get away to play, but it’s the truth!) We played more cards than should be humanly right. We laughed at the silliest things and even wrote them down to see if they were still silly when the sun came up. They were. We ate like royalty, hiked and biked, watched movies and puppies, laughed until we ached... it was the perfect break! Here’s a few pix to show for it.

As you can see, it was COLD! 15̊ before the sun came up. Hard frost and a cold breeze. But once the sun came over the mountain, it was perfect long sleeve or fleece weather! And the sun just kept on shining! Perfect! I took this sunset shot right after the experience I share below.

While all of the fun and games was excellent, my favorite moment of the weekend came when I sat down during a hike and let the others go on ahead. I was spoiling their fun by being the over-protective mama and knew that they’d enjoy it more without my constant "Be careful!" warning and that I’d enjoy it more if I wasn’t being mortified at their every move! (The boys were biking a very steep hill, which seemed to bother no one but me.) I spread out a blanket and had a little time to myself. Everyone else went up the hill and around the bend and within a few minutes, it was completely silent. It was almost eerie at first. Not a bird, no animals, no vehicles. Not a sound.

I don’t recall ever being in complete silence like this before. The silence lasted only a short while before everyone came back around the bin. BUT, while it lasted, it was absolute heaven. I took a moment to say a prayer of gratitude for all that is mine. I took a moment to listen to the silence and enjoy the beauty around me. I’m not one to take much time for silence. I’m busy. I sleep little. I slow down less. But, this few moments was rewarding enough for me that I want to try it again. Maybe not on the edge of a mountain at sunset. Maybe, it will be right here alone in my scrapbook room. But, I’m committed to make more time for silence. It’s a good thing.

 

 Learn to get in touch with the silence within yourself
and know that everything in this life has a purpose.

cookies and more

It's Soup Day!  When we woke up this morning, I realized that I'd not slept because I was cold!  I decided that it is time to add the extra blanket on the bed, but then after an hour of still being cold in the house, I turned on the furnace, which makes it Soup Day!  AND !!!!!  We got snow in our lovely mountains today!  HAPPINESS!! 

 
Miki, Grammie and Zaylee

I spent most of the day with Wendy and Miki, doing a few errands and then Wendy treated me to lunch at Olive Garden!  SOOOOOOOOOOOO tasty!  The server actually made me a salad with romaine instead of iceburg and put the dressing on the side.  Then she brought out some special baked breadsticks for me with no butter.  Not good, but healthier.  Kelly and Denise both joined us for lunch and we had a great time watching Miki and Zaylee interact.  It was a fun lunch!

After lunch, Wendy and I went to buy a birthday gift for a friend and did a little grocery shopping so that I could come home and make my first real true southern dinner.  I made Chicken and Pastry, Chicken Salad, beans and biscuits.  That was the first whole chicken I've cooked in years!  The pastry turned out pretty good but not nearly as good as what my southern family serve.  I'll learn.  We had a fun thread on Facebook with them coaching me along.  The chicken salad is so different that what we make here in the west.  In the south, it has mayo and pickle relish and boiled eggs.  I've never done that until tonight and the kids all loved it.  Doug said he prefers my usual way, which includes grapes, celery, cashews, mayo... But the biggest difference is that in the south, they serve it warm.  Dinner was pretty tasty!

Kelly was cute.  She had Zaylee bring me a balloon with a Reeses tied to it and cash attached to the Reeses.  Zaylee ate the Reeses and shared a bite or two with Miki.  But, I was touched that Kelly had gone to the trouble of making it special for me.  The birthday just keeps on getting better.

Tonight, we expect the big freeze that will end our gardening experience for the summer of 2011.  I think that most people are ready.  Amazing how we long for those tomatoes and zucchini all year long and savor every bite in August but by the end of September, we're over it.  I'll be making more salsa and chowchow tomorrow afternoon.  So much to do, never enough time, especially when there's so much fun to be had too! 

Tonight, another cookie recipe.  I've shared this recipe before but was asked for it today, but, it's worth repeating!! 

Fruit Pizza

 
Here's Denise's tasty sugar cookie recipe and one of my favorite treats in the world... Fruit Pizza.  Here's the cookie base:

Sugar Cookies

1 1/2 cup butter, softened
1 1/2 cups sugar
Cream together well, then add:
2 eggs
1 tsp. vanilla
4 cups flour
1 tsp. salt
1 tsp. soda
1/2 cup milk

You may have to add a bit more flour, but this dough will be very sticky.  It also doesn't have to be chilled like a lot of sugar cookie doughs before rolling.  It's more of a "scoop" type dough, than a rolled cookie dough, and as you can see by the amount of butter, they are moist cookies!  This recipe will fill one large jelly roll pan, like in the photograph and they will be very thick.  Bake at 350 about 15 minutes or until it barely turns golden on the bottom. I do love Denise's sugar cookies!

Cream Cheese Frosting

1/2 cup softened butter
8 oz. cream cheese, softened in the microwave
1 tsp. vanilla
4 cups powdered sugar

Cream the butter and cream cheese together until smooth.  Add the vanilla and powdered sugar.  It's also tasty with about half a cup of cocoa mixed in!  This recipe will frost three large cookie sheets.  I always make this amount and store it in the refrigerator for up to a month.  It's also the frosting I use on my brownies, chocolate wacky cake and  stuffed strawberries so it never goes bad in my kitchen.  It's also great spread on graham crackers.  One can never have too much cream cheese frosting. ;)  If you disagree, just cut the recipe in half. ;(

Fruit Pizza

Roll out the dough into baking shee or scoop out the dough for individual cookies. Bake. Cool.  Spread frosting over cooled cookie.  Then top with fruits of your choice.  We use:

1 can drained pineapple tidbits
fresh sliced strawberries
1 can mandarin oranges
fresh blueberries
fresh sliced bananas (soaked in the reserved pineapple juice)
grapes
sliced kiwi fruit
sprinkled coconut over the top
drizzle strawberry syrup over the entire top, if desired
the choices are endless!

It's not an inexpensive treat but it's worth every dime!  It's also fun to make individual giant 5-6" cookies and have a fruit pizza party.  Prepare the cookies and frost them in advance, let your guests "fruit" their own.  Enjoy!

And today's quote, in memory of Apple Founder, Steve Jobs...

Remembering that I'll be dead soon is the most important tool I've ever encountered to help me make the big choices in life.

birthday pleasures

 
Denise and I celebrating the big 53 at where else, but Chili's!  Did someone call us Thelma and Louise?

A few birthday stories...

My first birthday greeting: Shaking my head still!  Tuesday morning...Doug had to go in to work at 2AM. There was no school, so the B's invited the babes over for a sleepover. I decided that since Doug was leaving so early, I'd just stay up until left for work, then go to sleep and sleep in. That way I didn't wake him climbing into bed at midnight. However.  It wasn't that simple. I took the phone off the hook and read, but fell asleep in the lazyboy in my gallery.  I crawled into bed at 2.  Half-asleep, I turned off the alarms on my phone.  However, I didn't put my glasses on.  Mmm-hmmm...at 4:00, the "make sure Doug's up" alarm went off.  I rolled over and turned if off.  At 5:55, the "time to get the babes up" alarm went off. I rolled over and turned it off.  Next, the "kids have two minutes to be out the door and on the bus" alarm went off.  Thirty minutes later, the "Is ZJ up yet?" alarm went off.  (thankfully, that's the last alarm.  And yes, they all go off every Mon-Friday to keep me on task in the mornings because I could totally space that I have a family if I'm immersed in a book or a project at 5 in the morning.)  I digress.  A few minutes later, Carol texted me.  Then, five minutes later, Liza texted "R U UP?"  then five minutes later, Mom called and wished me a Happy Birthday.  "Aren't you up yet?"  "Actually, I've been up. All night.  And Mom, it's not my birthday."  Mom said, "Yes it is.  It's the fifth."  No, Mom.  It was the 4th.  She was a day early.  I'll sleep when I'm 93. ;)

Funny birthday call:  Liza called on the night of the 4th to say, "Happy Birthday Eve!"  I thanked her and asked her if I sounded older.  She said no and goodbye.  Two minutes later, she called again.  This time she said, "Happy Birthday Eve" again and said, "Oh, yes, now you sound a little older."

Surprise!:  Natalie took me to Coppermill for lunch on Tuesday. We had a lovely visit and our server informed us that it was his birthday too.  When it was time for the check, he said "a friend" had bought us lunch.  That friend was Lynn, who is my awesome friend, April's husband.  He's awesome too!  I love their family.  And I loved that Natalie, without hesitation, left the server a "birthday size" tip, since lunch was on Lynn!  His good deed begat another!

Impromptu party: OH. MY. HECK.  The Chili's gang were a riot for my lunch today.  Denise and I had shopped and ran errands all morning, then arrived at Chili's at opening.  We walked in and everyone there made a point of saying Happy birthday before we'd left.  Kevin, one of the managers, brought a skilled with balloons tied to them with Happy Birthday, Sophia! written on them.  Kelly called and invited herself to join us.  She was there in minutes.  We ate and laughed.  Denise is a second mom to my kids since they were toddlers.  We had a ball!  Then, Kevin and all of the servers came out with molten lava cake singing, quite loudly, I might add, their little special birthday chant.  Kevin treated us all to lunch.  SWEET of him!  It was a riot!  Poor Doug called during his lunch break and I told  him he'd missed my party! So fun!

Liza:Liza and I had a 90 minute phone call/skype with her and Buddy for me to open the package that they'd UPSed.  It arrived right while I was opening the gifts from Doug and the babes.  I loved our time together and I've decided that Skype is just wonderful and awesome. It really takes the edge of the sharpness of not being together on days like today. We all decided that we'll not skype all of Christmas morning though.  ;)

Family party:  Doug had offered to take me to Elements for a quiet lovely dinner.  But, I didn't want to exclude the kids on my birthday. (He said, "See, that's why I like for you to plan our events!")  So, we picked up Papa Murphy pizzas, I made one of  my favorite treats ~ fruit pizza (a total no-no for me, but I only had one little piece).  We had a little birthday/Survivor night party in the family room, which to the kids is better than going out for dinner!  My favorite part of the evening was the sweet prayer that Doug said when he blessed the food.  He expressed gratitude "for the love and joy and happiness that I bring into our home".  I heart him! 

Gifts: Doug insisted that I must buy a Blue-ray. not just a DVD, so we'll pick one out when we are in town together.  He saw to it that I had some pretty special and thoughtful gifts from the kids.  Liza and Buddy sent me some very snazzy green chargers for my tablescapes and an insulated cover to store my CHI.  SWEET!   My mother gave me three fabulous sweaters and a few other little odds and ends.  Dad told me he loves me and wished we were together to take me out for lunch too.  (I assured him that he'd treated me quite well with the past two trips that he's paid every dime for!) Gifts were left on my  doorstep throughout the day! Several friends dropped by with gifts and treats and goodies and I received a gazillion emails, facebook wishes, phone calls and text messages.  It has truly been an amazing day.  I am humbled!

Tears:  Now, I say this in all humility.  Liza and I were talking when I stopped to pick up fruit pizza toppings.  I told her that I'd call her back when I was done shopping.  I always look for my favorite checker/friend, Suzanne, regardless of how long the lines are.  She was so sweet when she wished me a happy birthday and said, "Thank you for being born.  You bring so much happiness to so many people."  I was taken back by this comment.  No one has ever thanked me for being born.  I walked out to the truck and thought of all the people in my little world and how blessed I truly am to have to many friends and neighbors and to be appreciated...over the top, wild and crazy, high strung, Type A person that I am... just makes life a little sweeter!  I started to cry as I called Liza back. How blessed I feel! I've said many little prayers of gratitude on this special day!

It's been a great day!  There's still much celebrating left to do, but,  now that my day is "officially" past, I will begin planning Quayd's big 14, which is in ten days!  Octobers are just too fun!  Life is just too good! Quite humbly, enough said!

Happiness is a warm hug from a good friend!

In this, my 53rd year, I...

1. Didn't fly to the moon.
2. Didn't win a Nobel Peace Prize.
3. Studied and learned much while teaching eleven Relief Society lessons.
4. Gave up Grey's Anatomy and never missed it for a second.
5. Learned how to make chicken and pastry.
   
    
6. Discovered that Doug's been right all these years... glitter really is bad on carpet... and even bad on the floorboards beneath it.  (We recarpeted and redecorated my craft room/gallery.)
7. Reconnected with my Dad and family for the first time since I was a child.
   
   
8. Moved my bedroom furniture.
9. Went to North Carolina twice.
10. Set over 50 fabulous tablescapes.
    
    
11. Ate at Chili's a few times.  ;)  (Doug adds, "...a week.")
12. Read and studied the Book of Mormon and the Doctrine and Covenants, cover to cover.
13. Ate enough hushpuppies to make up for not having eaten one in over twenty-five years.
14. Read 15 other books.
15. Quit drinking Diet Coke three times.
16. Lost 31 pounds.
17. Got a very fun haircut.
    
    
18. Washed almost 500 loads of laundry.
19. Attended LDS General Conference in the SLC Conference Center.
20. Cried tears of joy and tears of sorrow and was thankful for every tear shed.
21. Learned more than I ever needed to know about our criminal justice system while watching a murder trial for six weeks on HLN and the internet.
22. Spent many nights in our camp trailer, most of them parked next to our home, with my laptop near my pillow.
    
    
23. Went to the movies less in one year than I've ever gone in one month.  (There weren't many worth watching.) 
24. Made wonderful new friends in our ward.
25. Loved being a Wife, a Mom and a Grammie!
    
    
26. Learned to "move on".
27. Said goodbye to a lovely and exemplary aunt, an old cowboy and an old friend.
    
    
28. Prayed a gazillion prayers for Max after his accident, JC after the roadside bomb explosion in Afghanistan and my dad during his cancer treatments.
29. Sat/napped through seven of the eight Harry Potter movies and refused to see the last one. 
30. Sacrificed my mini-van to Doug and we bought an SUV for myself.
31. Watched my wonderful daughter and son-in-law move to Arizona and tried to be a big girl about the whole thing.
32. Strolled in the morning tide of the Atlantic Ocean with Liza.
    
    
33. Learned to break my night's sleep into three segments so that I could get a husband off to work in the middle of the night and two teens off to school before the sun rises and still be a night person.
34. Prayed more earnestly.
35. Cooked a lot of zucchini.
36. Didn't go to New York City.
37. Got an I-phone and could never go back to life without it.
38. Didn't swim in the pool one time.
39. Watched a Royal Wedding. 
40. Refurbished an old entertainment center into a lovely piece of furniture.
    
    
41. Strived for more wisdom and patience.
42. Walked a lot of miles.
43. Watched my dad become a cancer survivor.
44. Learned what a pylorus is and how it's supposed to work.
45. Hosted girls nights out, game nights, bridal showers, baby showers, neighborhood parties and several other gatherings with friends and family that I cherish.
    
    
46. Became addicted to Words with Friends.
47. Became an "official" Lumbee Indian (even though I'd always been one, it's on paper now!)
48. Watched an "unenhancement" surgery.
49. Learned how to Skype.
50. Said goodbye to Oprah.
51. Laughed.  A. Lot.
52. Decided that 53 is the new 35.
53. Gave thanks for my family, my faith, my friends and my life every single day, without fail.
    
    I love each and every birthday and celebrate that with each year, I'm learning and growing, loving life a little more each day!  Life is good!


A birthday is just the first day of another 365-day journey around the sun. 
Enjoy the trip. 

a little blogkeeping and a recipe

According to the weatherman, we're heading toward fall very soon.  Supposedly, we'll have snow in our mountains by the weekend! I can taste the chicken and pastry already!  The kids can't wait to try it!  Doug already loves it, as he remembers my grannnie's.  Now, if I can just make it half as good!

For Family Night, we had, as Doug calls it, "Family Home Apple Picking" and then a Family Home birthday party with the B's to celebrate their daughter's tenth birthday. Doug went to bed early and I'm up late.  The babes have no school tomorrow, so we can sleep in a bit!  A few little odds and ends/blogkeeping today:

• I've received emails asking about Buddy's brother, Max.  He's doing great!  To look at him, you'd never know that he'd been in such a life threatening accident, a coma for weeks or so near death less than a year ago!  He's excited about attending college, he's working and he's just as awesome as ever!
• I've been asked about Doug's cousin, JC, who was injured in the roadside bombing in Afghanistan in July.  He's expected to leave the hospital in Texas and go home in a few weeks! I can't imagine what all he has been through.  Our every prayer still includes JC.
• I've been asked what my birthday plans are.  I don't know!  Denise has informed me that I can go to lunch with Doug or her.  Anyone else, I'm in big trouble.  I do have a few lunch dates scheduled with different friends.  I've not asked for anything specific for my birthday.  The only thing that I can think of asking for is a new DVD player for the gallery.  I do not want a Blu-Ray.  I want basic and simple ~ something that I can hit play and stop and call good!  Will I get it?  That remains to be seen.  But, Liza says that UPS should be knocking on Wednesday.  How fun is that?  Okay.  It's not as fun as spending time with her that day, but it will do!  Other than the DVD player,  Chicken Marsala at Olive Garden, dinner with Doug at Elements this week, a molten lava at Chilis and some time with the family all sounds great.
• I've been asked for updates on Kelly's "enhancement" issues.  She'll be having another surgery next week to re"balance" things again.  Yes, the same surgeon is doing it.  The local surgeon told her that it's the least the original surgeon could do is to fix the problems.  I'm not so sure, but hey, I'm just the mom.  When we discussed it a few days ago, she asked me to go with her.  I told her that she really does not want me to go with her because I would tell the doctor exactly what I think of his surgery.  I also suggested that rather than the planned "re-enhancement", she might consider "un" enhancing and bagging the entire idea.  Her response, "But, Mom!  I love my left one."  Okey dokey then.  (sorry, if this is too personal.  But, you know, if you're reading this blog... I'm open book.  It is what it is.)
• I've had several blogging friends ask about my restrictive diet with so many limitations and weight control. Yes. I've lost 31 pounds and seem to have leveled off since my trip to North Carolina.  I'm getting used to it and no, I don't really like it.  But, it feels good to feel good.   And yes, on occasion, something will be "worth it".  I eat those things knowing that I'll pay for it for the next day or two.  What's worth it?  An occasional biteof molten lava cake at Chilis.  An occasional Happy Hour Coke with lime.  Most any southern cooking, which isn't an issue since it's not readily available here in Utah. What's not worth it? Most foods!  :)
• And last but not least, my dad is rested and feeling much better after we wore him out during our visit!  I heart my dad!  Thank you for asking!

Now, on to today's cookie recipe...

I've not tried this recipe yet!  But, it looks so delish and extremely dangerous.  I've been waiting because this is a "try only when you have lots of company to share it with" recipe.  Doesn't it have Girls' Night Out written all over it?  I'll be sure to add a photograph when I make them!

Peanut Butter Chocolate Bars

Combine:

1 box of yellow cake mix

1/2 cup butter, melted

1 cup peanut butter

2 eggs

Press this into a 9X13 pan reserving 1 1/2 cups of the mixture to crumble on top.

Melt:

1 (12 oz) pkg. chocolate chips

1 can sweetened condensed milk

2 T. butter
Melt on low heat in a small pot. Remove from heat and add 2 tsp. vanilla and

1 c. coconut, if desired.  Spread the chocolate mixture over the mixture pressed in the pan and then crumble the 1 1/2 of reserved cake mixture on top.  Bake for 20-25 minutes at 325 degrees. Cool completely before cutting into bars.

Life is an open book.  Fill is with love, hope, dreams and memories.

Happy OCTOBER! My favorite month of the year!

I love October!  I love it for so many reasons!  General Conference!  My birthday!  Quayd's birthday!  Halloween!  Witches Brew!  One of my favorite tablescapes of the year! Fall Leaves!  Three months till Christmas!    And, it's also National Cookie Month!  So, I've decided, for fun, to share a cookie recipe every weekday this month!  I'll share some tried and true and a few never tried but planning on it recipes over the next few weeks for fun!

 Logan Canyon ~ September 28, 2011

The General Conference of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints was amazing!  We loved every second of it.  The music was lovely.  The talks were inspiring.  As always, we come away feeling uplifted and motivated to be better, serve better, try harder to be our best and to follow the teachings of Christ!  LOVED it!  I'm posting some of my own thoughts about conference on the Sisters Dear Blog tomorrow.  LOVED IT!

I also loved having the entire family home all weekend.  Especially since I woke up with achey body, sore throat, tummy ache flu on Thursday morning.  I spent the entire weekend down.  I did manage to muster up some traditional cinnamon rolls and a tasty Sunday dinner of pulled sweet pork and homemade tortillas.  Very tasty!  I'm feeling much better tonight!

Here's the first cookie recipe, which I made earlier tonight.  The recipe called for them to be drop cookies.  I decided when I saw how "wet" the dough was that I would make them as bar cookies.  I was glad that I did because they are more like cake.  To make them as drop cookies, I think I'd use 2 cups of flour instead.  Anyway, Doug loved them!  Connie thought they were pretty tasty.  I did snitch a bite and they were pretty good, if I do say so myself, however, they taste more like a cake than a cookie. 

 
Salty Caramel Apple Cookies

In medium size bowl, stir together:

1 3/4 cup flour
1/2 tsp. salt
1/2 tsp. baking soda
1/2 tsp. cinnamon
1 cup chopped pecans
 
Set aside.

In separate bowl, mix:
 
1/2 cup butter, room temperature
1 cup brown sugar
2 eggs
1/2 cup quick cooking oatmeal

Stir in:
1 cup raisins 
1 1/2 cups shredded or chopped apple

Cream butter & brown sugar together in mixer.. Add beaten egg, oatmeal and fruit.
Add the dry ingredients and mix well.  Pour cookie dough into a 9x13" pan and spread evenly.  Bake at 375 degrees for about 20 minutes.  Drizzle caramel icecream topping or caramel dip over the warm bar cookies, then sprinkle with sea salt crystals, if desired.  Enjoy!

And for other news...

I lit the candles, got the camera on the tripod, was all set to photograph the October tablescape and when I turned the camera on, it said, "Check Batteries".  Took those out, put them in the charger.  Put new ones in.  Attached the camera to the tripod.  Got all set to take the pix.  Turned it on.  "check batteries".  I'd forgotten to put those in the charger after my NC trip!  No pix tonight!

I finished reading the Doctrine and Covenants today!  Just over six weeks cover to cover!  I'm ready to start reading the Book of Mormon again, along with finishing the New Testament between now and New Years Eve! 

Quayd's remark about General Conference:  "Epic!"
Gracie's thoughts on General Conference: "It was wonderful, Mom!"
ZJ's thoughts on Conference:  "I'm only ten, Mom.  It was good but it was long."

Goodnight! And Happy October!!!

Decisions determine destiny.

 

look up!

 
 General Conference will air here at 10AM and 2PM on Sunday.

tradition

 

 

LDS General Conference & Cinnamon Rolls... it's tradition.  If you'd like to listen/watch Conference, it's on at 10 and 2 MST, Satuday and Sunday.  You can watch it here.