Guess Where Santa Lives?

Wayne and I were on  a trip to Idaho last year.  We were parked in a parking lot next to this car.  I got out to take a photo of the license plate and the lady that owned the car was just coming out of the store and asked me why I was taking a picture of her car.  She was a little concerned and I was a little embarrassed getting caught, but  she told me her story.  Her husband played Santa for 25 years and had passed away a few months before I took this picture.  He loved children and loved being Santa.  Let's hope the true spirit of Christmas did not pass with this lovely man.  Now we know that Santa lived in Idaho during the summer.

Warning: Gross

I had been watching HGTV. A contractor said there was a tool at Lowe's for under $3.00 that everyone should have.  It is a flexible plastic strip with  barbs going up both sides.  He said you should poke it down your sinks and your tub drains every few months to clean out the hair.  There are about 3 small openings in each drain that the strip will fit into.  You are supposed to push it down the drain, wiggle it a little and pull up and it will bring up hair that you didn't even know you had down there.  My sinks were not plugged or even running slowly, but now and then an odor would come up through the bathroom sink.  I bought the tool, called "Zip It" and used it.  OH MY GOSH!!!!  It worked amazingly well as you will see.  Granted, I hadn't cleaned out my drain in 8 years but... gross as it is... I will never be without it again.

 

 

If you have short hair this might not happen to you, but I think if I hadn't done this soon, we might have had a real plug that even a Roto-Rooter snake might have a hard time pushing through.  Oh, and my tool was barely over $2.50.

Gourmet Dinner Group for October

Gourmet dinner group was at our house this month. I don't have a  big enough dining room for 12 so we used a church size table and a round one and extended into the living room just a bit.  The long table had a black lace tablecloth and the small one had an orange one with spiders and webs on it. The decorations were small...mini pumpkins on candle sticks and a trick or treat glowing sign on the large table and a little witch brewing something on the small table along with an orange candle.  We had skeleton napkins to top it off. The food was likewise Halloween themed.

For the meal we had:

SNAKE BITES

Wayne had grilled pork loin and fashioned it into the shape of a snake.  I cut up a radish for the teeth and inserted red skittles for the eyes.

The Utley's brought

FUNERAL POTATOES

They were the best I had ever eaten and Jaymie offered us the recipe but we have yet to see it.  Maybe she has to retrieve it from the catacombs.  

Wayne also whipped up some potato rolls from my Mom's "dead" relative's recipe.

The Turners brought a Romain and avocado salad topped with "blood oranges".  OK they were only mandarin oranges, but I needed it to sound scary.

The Welton's brought this beautiful selection.

I wish I had taken the lid off this yummy "DINNER IN A PUMPKIN" for the photo.  It was a sugar pumpkin filled with potatoes, carrots, onion, ground beef,  brown sugar etc. and baked right inside the pumpkin. When you scooped out your portion, you also scraped some of the inside of the pumpkin and the taste was amazing.  

And last but not least we had "Death by Chocolate Cake" brought by the Ahlstrom's.  It was so rich and creamy it really could cause death if you ate too much of it.  DELICIOUS!!

Scott Bennett, Laura Turner, Susan and Paul Welton

Wayne, Joan, Rick and Laura Turner

Doug and Julie Ahlstrom and Jim and Jaymie Utley

Thank you all for coming and celebrating the holiday with us.

Oooooooooooooooooh!!  BOO!!

My favorite color is red.  I love ribbon and string and here is my find of the summer.  Colett and I went shopping in Lehi to a vintage store.  This spool is about 8 1/2 inches tall and about 7 1/2 inches across at the bottom.  That is a lot of string.  What am I going to use it for?  Whatever I want.....just to look at, wrapping brown paper packages, flying a kite, adding to home made cards, tying up flowers that want to droop over, and tethering the grand kids.  Every once in a while you come across something that you just identify with for no particular reason.  At $12.00 it was cheaper than a new pair of shoes and made me just as happy.

Gross Halloween Recipe

  I saw this on Pinterest. It is the grossest Halloween food idea I have ever seen.  You stack up a bunch of straws...the kind with the bendable top..into a jar and make sure they are straight and tight together.  Pour into each straw some Jello...purple/red combo and let set up.  Let the straws drop out their treasures when they have set up and you have a bowl of what looks like earth worms to feast on.  I can hardly look at the picture but it is a clever idea.  I don't think even gross little boys would eat these.

Edible Earth Worms

Ingredients:
1 pkg. (6 oz) purple gelatin (raspberry or grape work well)
3/4 oz. unflavored gelatin
3 C. boiling water
3/4 C. whipping cream
green food coloring, as needed
100 plastic straws
Instructions: 1. In a medium, heat safe mixing bowl, stir together plain and flavored gelatin powders.
2. Pour boiling water over, stirring until gelatin is fully dissolved.
3. Allow gelatin to cool til only slightly warm.
4. Stir whipping cream into the gelatin mixture. Stir in green food coloring (you'll probably need 10 drops or more) until your gelatin gets that purpley-brown-grey color of earthworms.
5. With your 100 straws fully extended and snug in your chosen container, pour the gelatin mixture over the straws, filling the container.
6. Cover container and chill at least 8 hours. You can make them and store them this way up to two days in advance of your Halloween party.
7. Remove straws from their container (cutting or ripping a disposable container away is easiest).
8. With hot tap water running, place batches of 4-5 straws under hot running water for a couple quick seconds.
9. Remove "worms" from their straw casings, pressing with fingers. Set on waxed paper to set up.
10. Repeat until all worms are removed.
12. Chill, covered, on waxed paper at least 2 hours.
13. Serve in a chilled bowl, as pictured. Then watch all the kids gobble up this fun Halloween party food.

ThisTime of Year

I love the autumn time of year.  I love the colors, the foods, the cooler weather, the harvest and the promise of holidays to come.  It's my favorite time of year and this Fall has been extremely beautiful and mild.  I found this picture online and loved it.  My thought was...how many pumpkin pies could be made out of these lovely squash?  My mom used to make pumpkin pies, but she also made squash pies that were even better than the pumpkin.  I miss those times and her pies.  I need to get her recipe.

The Perfect Apple

I went visiting teaching to Nicole's last month, and on the way out she was telling me that her apples were almost ready to can and maybe needed just a couple  more days.    I asked her if I could just pick one and she said yes.  I reached in and randomly picked one. "They are Jonathan's  she said".  That is one of my favorites ...not too sweet, not too sour and so delicious with just a sprinkling of salt.  When I got it home, I washed it up and shined it before I ate it.  Whoa, wait, I didn't/couldn't eat this....not yet.  It was the most beautiful apple I have ever seen.  It was perfect in it's shape, perfect in it's redness and perfect in it's shine. It did not have a scratch, peck mark, or a blemish of any kind. It was like a mini work of art.  When Wayne got home I showed it to him and he didn't even think it was real.  It stayed in my refrigerator for over a week before I gave in and consumed the beautiful orb.  It was as good as it looked.  Sometimes all you need it a tiny miracle to make you remember the giver of all miracles.

Fashion Trends

When I was younger (and much thinner) I followed the fashion trends every year and picked  up several things that went along with that trend .  It was fun, revved up the wardrobe, and with careful shopping, it didn't cost much.  I like to look nice but really don't care much for the trends anymore.  if I like it I'll wear it and if I don't, I won't.  However,  I have been going over the Internet sites and stores lately to see just what are the trends for 2011/2012.  Some are fun and some are really ugly.  The trend for Spring is cropped tops again.  OH HOW I HATE THOSE.  I couldn't wait until Brittney Spears fell from the spotlight because I was so tired of looking at muffin tops and belly buttons.  Not only that, but 99% of the tummys that were bare shouldn't have been. Here is what Internet and TV shows say are the new trends for the year.

1.  Anything with a 60's style to it.  I lived through that once and the styles weren't all that cute except for maybe a couple of things.  I didn't like the psychedelic colors but the brighter colors I did like.
2.  Coats and sweaters with fur trim.  I had that and liked it about 30 years ago. Remember Sony Bono's vests?  I didn't like those, but my coat was pretty darn cute.
3.  Boots, boots and more boots.  Did that too and have some now. LIKE!
4.  Dolmen sleeves on blouses.  Didn't have that and still won't.  They are fine on other people, but on me...no thank you. I look like Humpty Dumpty.
5.  Ponchos.  Been there, done that.  I do like them though.
6.  Scarves, pencil skirts and strappy shoes are still trendy.  I like them all.
7.  Animal prints are still big.  I like some of them but don't own any.
8.  Bright colored pants are really big this year.  I don't own any but I do like them.  Hot pink, yellow, bright blue, and red can be seen everywhere. I don't own any and probably won't.  I did wear them in the 70's and loved them then.
9.  Everything with polka dots. Now I can get on this trend.  I love polka dots and have 2 sweaters with them.  I will be happy to buy more.
10.  Long skirts are back, especially peasant skirts.  I always like them...still have a couple.
11.  Trench coats and parkas.  Like them both.
12.  Color blocking..such as .wearing a red shirt with a gold skirt and a purple sweater.....all solids.  It's OK.
13.  Things that lace up such as shoes, corsets, dresses and belts.  Hmmmm
14.  Layering clothes in earth tone.  I can do that.
15.  Wedge shoes are still in style.  I like them and they work on my poor broken foot.  I can't wear high heels.
16.  Shiny fabrics such as satin, etc.  Wear it on top or bottom.  I leave that to the young.
17.  Big jewelry....it has been around a while and I like some of it but only own one chunky necklace.
18.  Giant bright and gawdy prints.  No thanks.
19.  Jeans with holes all over them.  No thanks again.  Hope this trend ends soon. They will be even worse when worn with a cropped shirt.  I especially don't think they are cute on anyone over 30.
20.  Sweaters....love, love, love.

Friends

I have a friend Marsha that lives in Florida.  We were close in high school and did lots of things together along with our other friend Cindi.  You could find us in Cindi's Mustang or Marsha's VW bug almost every night.  Our lives revolved around boys, dragging main and food from the Rose Bowl drive in.  We went to dances every week-end and they are good memories.  Marsha has a daughter that moved to Utah and so had a good excuse to come.  We had not seen each other for probably 30 years or more but she made her way to my house last week and we went to lunch.  We just starting talking and caught up where we left off.  She is a really good person and I'm so glad we got together.  If the daughter stays here, it may happen more often now.  Love you Marsha.  I haven't seen Cindi in many years either and we need to remedy that.  Our other good friends go to our little town celebration once in a while and I get to see them which always makes me happy.  Friends, new or old, are a treasure.

Less Than Average Accomodations

Last week hubby and I went to Montana and Wyoming for a business trip/wedding.  We went through Yellowstone Park again and Teton National park and then proceeded to go to the Montana towns where he needed to go.  Parts of the drive were exceptionally beautiful in Montana.  We went to northern Montana and saw beautiful fields of grass and trees changing color.  His business went well and since it was the end of September, we thought it wouldn't be hard to find a motel.  WRONG! The oil pipeline being built  had brought men from all over the country to a place that has jobs for everyone and the motels were full up for miles and miles.  From Wolf Point to Glendive to Miles City they were full.  After calling all around, we found a tiny, scary, dirty motel that had a room.  We stayed here for the night and quickly got the heck out of there as early as possible the next morning.

Here is the bathroom window, peeling paint and plastic covering.  The bottom window was covered but the top was clear and anyone outside could just peek in.  I had to shut the shower curtain to use the bathroom.

This was the tub drain.  Enough said.

Funny enough, the floor was dirty and stained and we would not walk around bare foot, but the sheets were clean (no bed bugs) and the counter was a cute 1950's tiled area that I kind of  took a liking to.  It was the most light I had all week to apply make-up.  The house in front of the motel had a red light in the window. Hmmmm

We will take Colett's advise and call ahead for motel rooms the next time we pass this way.

Signs

Signs of Fall have started around here.

1.  The corn is done and the husks are drying in the garden, waiting for Wayne to put them on the front porch as part of the Halloween decorations.
2.  Spiders are climbing on the windows and flies come in every chance they get.  They know there time is almost done.
3.  All the stores have their Halloween decorations up.
4.  The bazaars have begun.
5.  Wayne picked all the apples because we saw the robins fly into the tree and start their gorging.
6.  We leave the windows open at night and it gets pretty cool before morning.
7.  Our  Grandson Nick has football practices and games all week long.
8.  Our chorus group is practicing Christmas songs.
9.  I'm bringing hoodies with me on my outings.
10.  My neighbor's maple tree is turning red.
11.  Roast turkey and stuffing are starting to sound really good.
12,  General Conference is just 2 weeks away.
13.  I'm actually getting a little tired of pulling weeds, deadheading flowers and picking beans.
14.  I have already bought a few stocking stuffers.
15.  My hummingbirds are thinking of leaving.  Yes, I asked them.

A Poem

I went to the doctor yesterday and he scheduled me for a mammogram and ultrasound.  I have always had problems with mammograms not being able to do their job for me and then having to go back for another one and then an ultrasound.  Why can't they just do one ultrasound and be done with it?  I guess it's better to be safe than sorry.  A friend in Cowley had a mastectomy last year and I was heart broken for her.  Her sister Maurine wanted to make her feel good with a little humor and asked all her friends to write a limerick to help her see some humor in the situation.  I wrote this one for Allison and her husband Pony.  I know it seems a litttle irreverent but it was done with love.

They stood on her chest like a hill
giving Pony a veritable thrill,
They had always been there
neath her flowing red hair,
But now her bra they will have to faux-fill.

Everyone, go get your mammograms!!!

Wyoming

This is a photo from trip # 2 to Wyoming this summer.  It's on top of the Big Horn Mountains and on top of a big old rock that the family had to climb.  From here, they could yell and hear their echoes a second later.  They all said it was one of their favorite places and things to do. Ah.... open spaces, no people, family togetherness and the smell of pine trees. Click to enlarge.

Birds

We went to Wyoming last week for our vacation.  Wayne grew up in Lovell, Wyoming before cell phone towers so we didn't even know this one was there.  To make it even more interesting, turkey vultures now call this tower home.  Apparently they have been here for 20 years and we did not know it.  This photo is taken from a very low spot so it's hard to get the scope of how big they are.  They fly away for the winter and come back each spring.  Lovell has enough road kill, dead cows, deer and elk to keep them well fed. It's kind of creepy and kind of wonderful to see them. Notice the guy on the left of the tower as he takes off flying.  Enlarge the photo to really see it well.

Perfection

Many things to me are absolutely wonderful.....people, music, movies, food etc.  Few things are perfect and I don't expect them to be. But last night I found perfection.  We picked fresh green beans from the garden.  They were young stringless Bluelake pole beans.

I like most veggies  raw, but not my green beans. I don't like them once they have been frozen either.  I have tried that time and time again and they just don't resemble a fresh green bean in any way.  I do like them canned, but for true perfection this is what you do.  You put them in a pressure cooker while they are still fresh.  Bring your cooker up to pressure, and cook exactly 3 minutes.  Top them with a little real butter, salt,  pepper and a tiny bit of Alpine seasoning. I had to close my eyes as I ate them to get the full effect.  I could eat a bushel at one sitting.  You need to get a pressure cooker...trust me, you do.  Thank you God for a lovely garden.

The Second Time

This is the second time it's happened.  I have an aspen tree next to the deck and in front of my living room window.  I really don't see how the reflection of the sky or bird can be on the window because it is shady behind the tree,  but I was  in the other room and heard a BAM , something had hit the window.  I thought maybe a kid had thrown a ball.  I didn't see anything at first but looked around and this little guy was sitting on the deck.  He was too stunned to move but just stared at me for  long time.  I just went away and thought he needed time to recover.  He did and flew away.  A few minutes later....BAM again.  Was he trying to commit suicide?  He finally did recover and flew off again.  It happened last year too but with a large robin.  This one was a baby.  Maybe it's" like father, like son".  Are they both just stupid?  Or do I need to fear for my life because they are trying to attack me?

On August 8th, 1969.......

I feel sorry for anyone who does not have a man in their life that is as wonderful as mine.  He is funny, playful and the most generous man I know. He is crazy about his kids, his grandkids and me.  He is also a hottie and  that is why I have stuck with him for 42 years.  Yes, we were married when I was 15.   wink!  I love you Wayner.  Happy Anniversary and may we have many, many more.

My favorite actor

I don't follow actors very often and find most of them to be less than desirable in so many ways, but Hugh Jackman has been one of my favorites for quite a while, actually from clear back when he was on the first  X-Men movie as Wolverine.  There is just "something" about him.  When he is on interviews he is funny, he is sweet and talks about his wife and kids a lot.  He can sing like a dream, he dances, acts and can do it all like the original song and dance men from the 30's, 40's and 50's.  Having said all that, I have yet to see many of his movies.  I have not seen Kate and Leopold, Australia, Prestige or any of his other films.  As a matter of fact, the X-Men is the only one I have seen. I have seen him perform on talk shows and award shows though and he is fantastic.  So why do I like him so much?  I just don't know why. Hmmmm

Watch out!

I picked up my new prescription yesterday and thought I'd read through the info they include with it.  As you may know, I have a tumor on my pituitary gland that I have taken medication for for the better part of 25 years.  We switched to a new one that hasn't been available until recently.  It's supposed to be better and with less side effects.  This is what the info said:

Possible side effects are constipation, dizziness, headache, indigestion, nausea, vomiting, tiredness, weakness, shortness of breath, swelling of hands or feet, trouble breathing, chest pain, itching or rash, depression, fainting, irregular heart beat, hallucinations, cough, or confusion.  Warning:  it also says that I may develop behavioral changes such as an increase in aggression, gambling or sexual urges.  Well, if you happen to see me angrily headed to Las Vegas with a pimp in the car, call Wayne.

This Year's Flowers

These are in my flower pots in 2011

I planted these Black Eyed Susan vines this year. They are so cute. The centers just look like polka dots but they are shaped more like a trumpet. So far they are growing about 6" a day. I have had to cut them back 3 times.

I thought these were so delightful and put them in planters on my deck. The tag said they bloom all summer. I got a few weeks out of them and then they went into hibernation. Aren't they amazing? I can't remember what they are. My fingers are crossed that they will once again give me a show.

Little yellow daisies are a happy, happy flower

Non-stop tuberous begonias like shade, and my deck table is the right spot for them.  They are also one of my very favorite flowers.  I know, I seem to have many favorites.

These little beauties bloom without fail and are one of the staples of  my flower pots.  They come in so many colors and are called Vinca.

African daisies are just abut the cutest flower around.

I also have the usual pansies, geraniums, petunias and primroses and zinnia.......yea, I live in a flower garden and I love it.  When I die, don't put me in a fancy coffin, just a wooden box covered with flowers.

4th of July, 2011

We had our traditional 4th of July at our  friends (and Colett's in-laws), the Yarros, at their cabin at Wallsberg.

They had built the pond a couple of years ago, but this year it was stocked with trout which Wes, Wayne and I tried our hand at.  I had two bites but didn't land one and the guys each caught one.  I had never really gone to the back side of the cabin to see the architecture before, but it is very BIG and very beautiful. 

Isabelle said she had been practicing to row in the swimming pool and by golly, she was amazing.  She scooted around the pond with ease.  Emerson hates dirt on his hands so after he got them dirty, he just held them like this.

Millie didn't know there was mud around the lake and ran into before she realized her shoes were caked with it.  Notice her expression?

Matt and Colett all tanned from their Mexico vacation and from laying,  lying sitting around the pool.  I didn't show them my neon white legs.

Emerson's hair is generally not curly but the humidity from the lake made it curl up and he is showing me the mud he got in the boat.  He  didn't freak out and finally accepted that sometimes we do get dirty.

Colett and Nick.  I had to click fast to get Nick.  He is not a poser, but should be.  Isn't he darling?

We have very few pictures of the 4 of us together because I'm usually the one taking the photos, but we got Wes to take this to prove that yes, we do all hang around together.

Wes is not with us on too many holidays because of his firefighting job in Park City, but for some reason, he is usually off for the 4th of July and we get to party together.

Besides dinner, fishing, dancing and fireworks, the Yarro's also set up bounce houses for the kids.  E loves them.

Colett and I didn't know it at the time but we color coordinated for the picture.

Plaid is "in" as you can tell.

Emerson takes his turn fishing.  The cottonwood trees had covered the pond in cotton so it was not easy fishing today.  We will have to try another time.
We ended the night with some fireworks,  pie and a little rain shower.  It rained last year too.  It seems a little odd for the desert in July but it wasn't bad and we had....once again....a great time.

YOO-HOO LAURA LOCEY....this photo is for you.  It is Isabelle with Clark Gable's grandchildren Clark and Kalee Gable.  Kalee was on the TV reality series with Paris Hilton.  I don't know if I spelled her name correctly. Clark just filmed a movie in Italy and is ready to do another one. He has also done modeling and was on the cover of a cereal box when he was younger.  Not name dropping here, I just did this for Laura because she is such a fan of Clark Gable and everything to do with him.  Click on the picture to enlarge it and see if he looks anything like his Grandpa. I believe he is quite a bit taller than Clark was.

                                       Happy Birthday America, I love you!!!