Kyle and Sheyla.

Britni recently got a great camera. She wants to practice taking pictures. So Sheyla and Kyle were the models. The pictures turned out great. These are some of the best.
They aren't engaged. Yet.

Just walking around the garden...

Happy Birthday!

My cute little sister (she is not so little anymore) has a birthday today. She moved clear across the country many years ago. I don't get to see her often enough. I was able to go to her beautiful wedding two years ago and I saw her at a family reunion last year.

Happy Birthday!

p.s. I must have been depressed yesterday because when I reread my post it sounded very pathetic.  Later last night I changed just a few words on my post and now it doesn't sound so bad because it isn't so bad.

p.s.s. We try to have family prayer and prayers at meal time every day. We try to teach Davis to think when he prays so that each prayer is different.

He said the dinner prayer last night. He said," Please bless Sheyla, Chris and Britni that they can have the time of their lives.

 

Amen!

More than meets the eye.

I have seen some amazing blogs, websites, magazines, books and some generally amazing people. How do these people get so talented,  come up with their ideas and be so remarkable. Sometimes people amaze me by how spectacular they are.
I sometimes think how very unremarkable I am. Mostly, just ordinary.
I  really worry that I have Alzhiemers or that I have dropped 30 IQ points just in the last two years.  I sometimes worry about how little energy I have and I know if I lost 25 pounds, I would be so much better and much healthier. I worry about the mistakes I have made as a mother.
I sometimes worry that I'm not enough...a good enough person, a good enough mother, a good enough wife.
I know that not every thing about me is great but I know that enough of me is good and I have potential to do better and everyday I can try again.

I found some good quotes and I love good quotes!

"Now tell me, have you ever seen a shooting star, Jack? No?...Well, they're very rare. They're seen in the sky for only a very brief time. But when they appear, they are so bright, and so brilliant, that all the other normal stars just stand still, and watch that star as it passes among them."---Lawrence in the movie 'Jack'
"Life is fleeting, like a shooting star in the sky. Whenever you see a shooting star light up the sky with it's brilliance, think of me...."---Jack from the movie 'Jack'

I love these quotes.  I think my children are just like that. Bright. Brilliant. Spectacular. I know they are not perfect but they really are amazing, even in spite of me.

"In all of living, have much fun and laughter. Life is to be enjoyed, not just endured"---Gordon B. Hinckley

"Cultivate an attitude of happiness. Cultivate a spirit of optimism. Walk with faith, rejoicing in the beauties of nature, in the goodness of those you love, in the testimony which you carry in your heart concerning things divine."---Gordon B. Hinckley

"Let us never forget to pray. God lives. He is near. He is real. He is not only aware of us but cares for us. He is our Father. He is accessible to all who will seek Him."---Gordon B Hinckley

"Go forward in life with a twinkle in your eye and a smile on your face, but with great purpose in heart."---Gordon B. Hinckley

That's what I'm working on!

Anyway you look AT it, it's still snow...

Yes, it's snowing! I saw a license on a car yesterday, it said H8wntr.....I mostly agree.

Last night we went to Hee Haw Farms for their Haunted Forest. It is the first one I've ever been to as an adult and I was quite scared. Luckily, I didn't cry, faint or pee my pants. I survived! It was somewhat fun! We got two pumpkins even. I haven't done anything to decorate. Bah Humbug (half way kidding).

I think I'm going back to bed.

New pillow!

I finished another one!

Look how cute it turned out!

Little Bear & Bird pattern by Badbird's Embroidery Patterns. Link here.

New project!

I would really love to get one of those large craft boxes that holds tons of supplies and has a fold out desk. It is amazing but it is over $1000.
I found this gem at DI for $45! I am going to paint it and use it for my craft supplies!
Exciting!

Pillow finished.

Look how cute the pillow turned out!
From Badbird's Embroidery Patterns here.

Finished Bat Boy!

One of the many sites I follow is a blog from a very talented artist. She not only paints such wonderful paintings and makes amazing prints from art she makes she also makes adorable embroidery patterns (some she sells and she has a free pattern every month). She is one of my favorites!
Here is her link.
I started and finished this adorably cute little Bat Boy yesterday. I am making him into a pillow to give to a friend. I used bandana's that we got to use as pom poms to welcome home Sheyla (we couldn't find pom poms at 10:00 on a Saturday night and I found these Halloween bandanas at Walmart). So I cut them up to use for the pillow!
She has other patterns I want to make along with the other patterns I got from these other great sites! I went and bought the most thin batting I can find (to put behind the white material. I have some muslin and last week I bought two white cotton curtains from DI for $3.00 (for both) JUST to make such cute things....Christmas is coming and I want to make some for other gifts too.
I have put these two other favorite blogs that I have got patterns from on here before, but I will do it again.
Here is a blog of an artist that takes pictures of amazing vintage finds and fantastic places and she gives free embroidery patterns too.
Here is another favorite blog that gives free embroidery patterns. Sadly, she is taking a break from blogging for awhile. She is amazing too! You still should check her out!

Regarding "The Invention of Lying"

I saw the movie "The Invention of Lying" the other night. I DON'T recommend it.
I love watching movies. I see a lot of movies. We buy a lot of movies. We rent a lot of movies.
This movie might as well be called:  If you believe in God, you are an idiot OR The invention of lying started with the first person who talked about God and then everything that came after that.
It's not beyond Hollywood (or anyone else that makes movies) to have more than entertainment as their motivation or secondary goal when making a movie. For example:  The proliferation of smoking years ago when cigarette companies wanted people in movies to smoke, trying to make them look glamorous or cool.
I only saw the previews for this movie. I hadn't read ANY thing about this movie before going. So it's my own fault for even staying and watching all of the show. Sometimes, I can be an idiot too.
I have seen Ricky Gervais in u-tube clips at award shows and interviews. He's brilliant and funny. I LOVE the US version of The Office (he is an executive producer). I also liked "Ghost Town" even though it had two offensive F words. I was hoping that this movie would be entertaining as well. Well, it WAS entertaining but it was flat out offensive and I think it meant to slap the faces of all those who believe in God (I also saw a clip that Mr. Gervais admitted that he was an atheist but that wouldn't stop me from liking him or his movies).
This movie used many of the arguments people use in stating their unbelief in a God. Such as: If their is a loving God then why would he allow for so many deaths from natural disasters and illness.  That believing in God is just like a fairy tale to make the person feel better. Etc. Etc. Etc.
This movie mocked the ten commandments. It mocked prophets. It mocked people of faith. It mocked God.
I SHOULD have walked out within the first five minutes of this show. There have been some movies that I HAVE walked out because it was so offensive. There have been movies where I WISH I had walked out early. This is one of them! I don't always know when to say when and I am saying NOW that I don't recommend this movie.

Where The Wild Things Are

I read this book to my kids when they were young. Davis absolutely loved it. I had to read it again and again and again.
Saturday we took Davis to see the movie "Where The Wild Things Are". Of course, it doesn't follow the book exactly. But it keeps with the spirit of the book. I thought it was fun, spectacular and sweet. At one time Jeff said it was slow. It well may be but I didn't think that and Davis sat through and watched the whole thing (and that doesn't happen with every movie even though he is 16).
I thoroughly enjoyed the movie!
I love the fact that while we were walking out of the theater, Davis said that he wondered what happened to Max's sister and Max. I love that he wondered about the relationship. He loves his siblings so much. It's not a surprise that he would wonder about a brother and sister.


"I'll eat you up I love you so."

Ahhh, Autumn....

Winter is an etching, spring a watercolor, summer an oil painting and autumn a mosaic of them all.--Stanley Horowitz

Autumn burned brightly, a running flame through the mountains, a torch flung to the trees.--Faith Baldwin

Autumn, the year's last, loveliest smile. --William Cullen Bryant

No more letter days.

I got this dresser from DI for $20! I haven't decided what I'm going to do with it. For now, I put it in the sun room and LOVE it. I love finding a bargain!

Faces and Footloose...

We went to Salt Lake for an appointment. No time for the zoo. So sad.

Look how cool this face is on the side of this building!

Sunday night "Footloose" was on tv.

We stopped in Lehi on the way home from Salt Lake to put gas in the truck. Look what is across the street. In the movie there is nothing but fields where now there are gas stations and fast food restaurants.

How cool is this place!

Beautiful Fall Colors!

The last storm did not take away the leaves.

Can you believe how lucky I am to be able to take these pictures from my small back deck!

I can't always get to the computer whenever I want with more people in the house and post my pictures or whatever it is I want to post.

It really is ok. I don't mind. I love having so many home for however short a time it may be.

It's all good.

I just love all this color! It really does take my breath away!

There is the snow that teases and taunts me.

Sunday lunch and peace and quiet.

I walked out of my bedroom door and looked out these windows and it took my breath away.

We had Sunday lunch. We had 24 people total. No pictures because I didn't even THINK about it!

Things were cleaned and put away. Most everyone had gone. The house was mostly quiet.

These two newlyweds fell asleep on the couch upstairs. Cute.

Some of the kids chose to watch tv downstairs.

This return missionary spoke at church and did an excellent job. Very sweet. That is why we had so many people over for lunch. They came to hear her speak at church and to celebrate her return. We LOVE having her home. Her boyfriend, of course, came over for lunch. They too, ended up watching tv downstairs. They first watched a stupid movie. Then they watched The Office (last weeks episode was the funniest one EVER).

It was nice to hear so much laughter.

Davis doesn't know how to relax. Having a guitar and trying to play is the closest he can get. He likes having a full house once again. It just won't stay full, for long.

Jeff hurt his back last week. Badly. He is trying to rest his back.

It was nice to have some peace and quiet after a great family/friend lunch.

Engagment pictures.

These two love birds are very photogenic.
These two love birds are crazy about each other.
These two love birds are getting married in January.

One pillow done. Happy Birthday!

I finished one pillow. This one is for our return missionary. My cute energizer sister-in-law had a company that made embroidery kits a few years back. This is one of her kits. I embroidered the pillows many years ago and just got to finishing this pillow. It is darling. I will finish the other two soon. This has been a busy week and it's not going to calm down anytime soon.

Today is my favorite son-in-law's birthday. He is an adorably sweet guy. He makes my daughter so happy. Which makes me happy. Happy Birthday!

I notice that many bloggers don't call people often by their real name (even though I have previously, I am thinking of changing that practice). I have several names I can call him and I will have to think about it some more. Anyway. Here are some of the choices:  The Pirate. The Missionary. Romeo. The Romantic.

The best Cornbread EVER!

Davis had some adjustments and new brackets put on his teeth for his braces yesterday. His mouth hurts. He asked for cornbread last night. But too late. So I told him that I would make it in the morning. So, I did (I set my alarm clock to 5:45 even).

Here is the recipe:

4 eggs                       1 tsp. salt
2/3 sugar                   1 cup corn meal
2/3 oil                       1 cup flour
1 cup milk                4 tsp. baking powder

Mix dry ingredients together. Mix wet ingredients together. Stir wet ingredients into dry ingredients till absorbed. Bake in 9 x 13 inch greased pan at 350 degrees for 15 to 20 minutes or till golden brown (I leave it in for 24 minutes. I'm also at a high elevation). Very moist and not crumbly.

This is the moistest cornbread I've ever had! It is yummy and Davis loves it! I got it from a ward cookbook. "Recipes Old and New Tried and True-Compiled by Salem 7th Ward Relief Society"