What a difference a day makes...

On Sunday we took a drive up in to Payson Canyon to see the beautiful Fall colors, they were spectacular!! Pictures do not really show the brilliance of color, but here is a sampling.

On Monday evening we had a gathering with family and friends. Our friends, Rod and Kathi, came to Utah to bring their son to College and are visiting for a week, so we had a mini reunion with Lisa, Butch and Bev since we all met at BYU (just a few years ago...). My parents were able to come as well and we had a fun time visiting and eating.

Me, Butch, Bev, Rod and Lisa (holding Clark). Yes, you have read about all of these wonderful people on my blog, they are part of the supporting cast in my life story so they do show up in the exciting chapters! Well, not on the blog, but in the NOVEL....stay tuned for that one.

WOAH!!! On Tuesday night I made a daring choice and got my hair cut. Now I'll keep working on thinning out the face so that I have the simple, yet classic look that I'm shooting for. In my 40's I am continuing to lean toward the goal of "simplify". Less time worrying about hair and makeup while I'm running around after a 19 month old, 8 year old and 14 year old. Camilla informed me that I look like Spencer. I told her that was the plan...ha, ha. Not really, but well, if I look like Spencer then so be it. I don't think he'd enjoy being told that though.

Fall is in full swing, I'll be posting our fall decorations soon and more on our trip to the canyon. It's raining today and it's pay day, so I need to get to work on spending all that hard earned money....

Fall

This is what I found a few days ago...I thought he would fall on his head..He was holding himself up with his hands and trying to balance, when he'd try to get up, his head would hit the other wood piece that secures the stool. He was stuck and half laughing half crying. So I had to snap the picture..The first day of Fall.

My parents came by today and brought with them a bounty of food. Squash, bottled peaches, pear jam, pears (fresh) from dad and mom's pear tree. The large squash is a banana squash and I decided to add it to our dinner..or a few pieces anyway, SO DELICIOUS and a very FALL tasting food. The squash next to it is a spaghetti squash, I'm excited to try it.

Here's a piece of the finished cooked squash. I cooked it in the microwave for about fifteen minutes, there were four pieces like this. My kids love it with butter and salt/pepper. I just put it with my other food and it tasted YUM to me. Very smooth. Thanks Dad for giving us this yummy squash.

I love the colors of Fall and the food of Fall. I also love how the temperatures cool down, the mornings and evenings are cool enough to put a sweater or sweat shirt on. I love how people decorate with bails of straw or hay and pumpkins, gords and scarecrows! It's fun to walk the neighborhood and see people's artistic talent in their front yards or on their front porch. I love the flowers of fall as well.

I'm glad I'm here and get to enjoy another Fall in Utah,

Friendship

I read this page from the ERA magazine this morning to my kids and it really touched me. I have read before that friendship was important to Joseph Smith. I have a CD of songs that are a tribute to the prophet Joseph Smith and one of the songs speaks of the bond between Hyrum Smith, his brother, and himself..they were not only brothers they were eternal friends. I'm hoping you can click on this picture and read the words.

I hope I can be the kind of friend to others that I believe Joseph was/is, and I hope I can be counted among his friends. I respect Joseph Smith and believe he is a Prophet of God. I believe the ultimate example of friendship was the Savior, Jesus Christ. I try to live my life so that as His disciple I can be counted among his friends. I hope all of my friends know how much I cherish them and how blessed I feel to have wonderful family and friends.

What baby does while mommy is on the computer...

I don't need to feel guilty for spending TOO much time at the computer any more...this is I found Neal doing the other day while I was on the computer checking emails.....HE LEARNED TO READ!!!!

He was very proud of the all the books he read in 20 minutes time..so not only can he read, but he can SPEED read!

Now we just have to work on his ability to put books back on the shelf after reading them!!!

Sunday afternoon/evening snack!

1-2-3 Caramel Popcorn!!

1 c. brown sugar

2 cubes margarine (I used butter, that's what I have)

33 large marshmallows

Melt and pour over 2 bags of popped microwave popcorn, mix and ENJOY!!

So easy and delicious and I used Orville Redenbacher's Smart Pop popcorn so I'm sure that there are NO fat calories..ha, ha. No, it's a very dangerous popcorn for someone on Weight Watchers..so I only have had a few bites..It's for my family!!!!!

Spencer's Birthday!

Spencer turned 14 on Saturday, Sept. 12th. He spent the day with a friend and his dad at Trafalga. They miniature golfed, played video games and ate pizza. That night around 9pm we had cake and candles..here he is my first born son...a great young man!!

Carnival Ride

Just thought I'd take a few minutes to post these three pictures of Camilla and Neal on a carnival ride together. We went to the Payson, Onion Days carnival on Friday evening with the kids and as you can see Neal really ENJOYED his first carnival experience. He and Camilla had a fun time in this little boat ride!

Chocolate-Chip Zucchini muffins/Bread

My dad brought me some zucchini and we have been enjoying it raw and cooked, but I felt like something sweet..so I found this recipe and tried it yesterday. It's delicious and it's even better the day after. So moist and the kids love it so they are getting a bit of vegetable with all their sugar..ha, ha. Hope you try it and enjoy if you have an abundance of zucchini in your garden; or a great dad who shares his garden goodies with you! LOVE YOU DAD!!! I also appreciate all my sweet neighbors who have been sharing. One of these years we will have a garden. Let me know if you try it and how you like it!!!

CHOCOLATE CHIP ZUCCHINI MUFFINS ORBREAD

3 eggs

1 c. vegetable oil

2 c. sugar

2 tsp. vanilla

2 c. shredded zucchini

1 (1 1/4 c. crushed pineapple, drained)

3 c. all purpose flour

2 tsp. baking soda

1/4 tsp. baking powder

1 tsp. salt

1 1/2 tsp. cinnamon

3/4 tsp. nutmeg

1 c. chocolate chips

1 c. chopped walnuts

Combine eggs, oil, sugar, vanilla; beat until smooth and thickened. Stir in zucchini and well drained pineapple, flour, soda, baking powder, salt, spices. Fold in chocolate chips and nuts.
Spread batter in 2 greased 9 x 5 x 3 loaf pans or in muffin cups, filling cups to about 1/2 full. Bake loaves at 350 degrees 1 hour or until wooden toothpick comes out clean. Bake muffins at 350 degrees for 20 minutes.