Halloween

Halloween is always anti-climatic at our house.  We live too far off the beaten path (i.e. not in a subdivision where door-to-door trick or treating rules).   Zero is the number of trick or treaters we get.  It used to make me cry but now it's just a fact of life.    We do have new neighbors next door.  The dad is a kid that grew up in the neighborhood so I know him and have met his wife several times but the kids (4) are always busy playing somewhere.  The other day two of the boys door-bell ditched me.  Twice.  Maybe they don't know they are the only kids that live by us....ha-ha, I thought it was hysterical.  I actually bought them all caramel apples and took them over today (not to make them feel guilty)- but because caramel apples just scream Halloween to me and conjure up wonderful childhood memories! 

So, today- I got my hair highlighted, ordered Clobsters from Slapfish while I was there, and DoorDash delivered (my new favorite luxury) so Johnna (my hairdresser forever) and I ate while I was under the dryer.  I told her that will be our new tradition- we'll have lunch while I get my hair done!  Kind of funny but heh, it worked for us!

Then I ran home, changed clothes and headed to the temple.  Wed. is still my favorite temple day- to see all my sweet friends that work there and get hugs.  Love all these dear women.  And I always feel uplifted when I leave and determined to be better.

Can I say, yesterday with our Sideways Boys was wonderful.  I have been praying and praying to love our new service but there are so many hard things about it.  But yesterday I fell, hook-line-and sinker.  I taught the older boys (4 classes) on Family- and made a fun game that had everyone sharing family traditions, memories, family history, what they could do to be a better family member (Let there be peace on earth...and let it begin with me....) and encouraged them to look for the good in family members rather than the negative.  Most of these kids have such dysfunctional family lives- losing parents to suicide (and finding them) plus behavioral disorders and mental disorders and drugs.....but you cannot believe how excited they get to share their traditional Thanksgiving dinners.  Traditions are so important.  Of course, lots of hard things are sometimes shared and it is all I can not do to burst out bawling and hug them to death. I can't.    But my heart has just opened to them and I'm so thankful for Tuesday!!!!  David and I both felt it.  One of the boys I love the most is leaving tomorrow.  I told him I loved him but never wanted to see him again.  He looked at me like I was crazy...then he got it. 

I trick or treated all the boys at lunch time.  One of the boys got in trouble in class (he's new) for eating my candy in class.  Whoops- my bad.  I'm still learning..... 
Q. Why do demons and ghouls hang out together? A. Because demons are a ghouls best friend!

Chicken Madeira

 

 

One of the Charm Girl's- Fay- loves to cook as much as I do.  She mentioned she made Cheesecake Factory's Chicken Madeira yesterday for her family Sunday dinner- and since I was out, running errands, I thought I needed to get all the ingredients RIGHT THEN!  I hustled home and was so surprised how quickly this meal came together.  Since I am having surgery next week, (did I mention all my physical therapy hasn't helped my TORN ROTATOR CUFF- 3 TENDON TEARS! Duh...)   and will be out of commission for a bit, I think I can freeze the chicken and the sauce minus the mushrooms- buy pre-made mashed potatoes (isn't it wonderful that they are so good now!)- and just add fresh mushrooms and have an easy fabulous dinner! 

 

Recipe on the booking blog, of course!

Birthday Baby Girl

 

 

 

 

 

Today is my only daughter's birthday.  (I must mention I ADORE my daughters-in-law)- and this is just a tiny snippet.

 

"This was the year when I was standing in line at Brandi's school- when a little boy in line with his father said and pointed "There she is, Dad, the most beautiful girl in the world!"  Everyone in line just kind of did an "ahhhh."  Brandi still is.

 

Happy Birthday Baby Girl!

 

Halloween Party Take Two

Man, I knew I had more pictures of the party...then remembered today that I took them with David's phone.  And also, here's the yummy cake- recipe on the cooking blog.  I sent a pan home with Brandi who took some to a party and she said everyone LOVED it!  It's pretty dang good!

And a few more of the party-

Family Halloween Party

Monday was our annual family Halloween party that Brandi and Doug host.  I LOVE this- namely because I love Halloween (anything for the kids) and two- because it delights me no end to see David squirm and try to get out of wearing a costume.  He doesn't do "funny" (although he is funny) very well!

Everyone came but the 3 college kids off and away and Susie- who was working. 

Brandi and Doug had everything decorated so cute.  They also made pulled pork for burritos or nachos and we all brought anything creepy crawlie to eat.  A spider cheeseball.  A web of 7-layer dip.
Scary drinks.  I made pumpkin pie cake with whipped topping plus all sorts of Krispy Cremes with scary props.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Mario Brother!

 Brandi was the lamp from Christmas Story and Doug was the fragile box from that movie as well.  Addi was in a cow costume with angel wings (a Holy Cow) and Hallee had a pig's snout and ears and
was a "pig in a blanket.  Gracie wasn't getting her costume until the next day...and painted her nose black with liquid eyeliner which then turned her nose blue for school the next day.

 Tenille was one of the Pink Ladies from Grease, Travis a blind man (I think just so he could bring Jeter the dog), and we had an old lade and a gorilla and I forget what Boston was.

 Here Brooke and Tanner are donuts and we have a cat and Anna and a knight and Mario's nemesis- whatever his name is!

 

 

 And ta-da!  David LOVED putting on his afro and beard and being Bob Ross and I was his "happy little tree!"  Great fun!

 Here's a picture of our kiddos....Brandi loves her brothers!

 Hippies, a scarecrow, a beekeeper and a Chewabacca (I don't even see him here?)

 

 

 

 

After dinner, we played a couple of wild rounds of Bunco.  It's a great game to keep even the littles actively engaged. (Plus Grandma provided GREAT prizes!)  Such a fun tradition- thanks Brandi and Doug for making it happen and everyone else for being such good sports!

 

 

A Fun Day

I've needed a busy day.  Today is that!

Parker arrived at 7:30 this morning to hang for the day.  Parker is a sophomore (almost a Junior) at SUU (Southern Utah University in Cedar City) and he's out for fall recess and he has a follow up orthodontist appt. tomorrow.  He spent the weekend with his dad- then came here for the day.  I had gotten some good winter clothes for him but the boots don't fit so we'll have to do some run around errands (after he wakes up- I sent him to bed when he got here....I know teenagers!)  

 Okay- here is me and the boy that made me a Grandma!  You never think that when you are holding them as babies, they will grow up and have facial hair!  (Not to mention be WAY taller than you as well!)

 
 Tonight is our 2nd Annual Family Costume Party hosted by Brandi and Doug.  Sooooo excited!  I'm taking dessert and just finished baking two pumpkin pie cakes (I'll wait to do the icing just before we go)- that I'm excited to try.  It is my friend Marilynn Mikesell's recipes via my friend Kelly Alter!  It sounds so good.  I'll post the recipe on the cooking blog tomorrow.




In addition to the pumpkin dessert, I put together a plethora of these babies!

David just came in and I made him try on his Halloween costume for tonight.  Can I say, he is NOT a happy camper!  I haven't seen him so grumpy since he had to wear his scout uniform when he was a Bishop, to Woodbadge.  Baa Haa Haa.  It's one of my favorite memories.....you would think he just had a tooth pulled without a pain killer!  But as he said, in a not convincing voice, "I can tell that this is making you really happy...."  Ha-ha, it is!!!!!


Parker and I ran tons of errands after he came upstairs.  We hit the dollar store and Park helped me fill the cups with prizes and candies for my traditional Halloween Punch game for our Ward's Trunk or Treat tomorrow night.  I'll have to get someone else to run it because my Girl's Night Out got changed to tomorrow.  BFF Cathy is hosting....she's had a hard week.  Her brother died unexpectedly last week and the funeral was Friday.  Hard and emotional.

Well, Parker and I also had a series of SkipBo- ha- I beat.  And we had lunch at In-And-Out Burger (his choice)- and we took back the boots I got him and got new ones and a couple of other goodies.  I totally believe in bribery!  Love this boy and our time together!  Love being a Grand Mummy!

Doppleganger Two- p.s.

I was looking for something in my journal (blog) and came across this Ben story.

(from 10 years ago)

Ben and Suzie came down from Alta and we all got to go out to dinner together. Cousin Casey went as well and we went to Chili's and had a great time. They are doing well....skiing and loving it, working hard and playing hard. I told Ben that I really want to start putting some treasure hunts in my journal for my great-great-greats. He is great at...what is the word...orientation? Orienteering? You'd think with all the years I "got" to go to girl's camp, I would remember the correct word. You know, finding things with compasses. I ask if I put the treasures together, would he take them into the wilds and hide them, with all the directions? Of course he said he would. And then I realized that someday, out of the blue, Ben would say, "Suzie, do you want to go out to dinner? I know where some money is stashed!"


And since the old entry mentioned Cousin Casey- he and Megan came over a few weeks ago and surprised us with some wonderful news!

This week Casey Marco Polo-ed me.  It was the BIG REVEAL (I love those!)   Guess what color it WAS/IS????  So happy for them!!!!!

Doppleganger

Yesterday David and I got to have lunch with Ben and Susie!  Yeah!  We hit a deli that they had told us about- a Jewish deli (sorta get the Seinfeld vibe) and we got the best Reubens ever (they cure their own meats.)  Loved our lunchtime together.

So get a good look at Ben's face.  I love his face.  Susie loves his face.  Brandi's friends used to say he was "cuter than Brad Pitt."  Well, Brad isn't so cute anymore but Ben still is!

He's all the grands' favorite uncle....well, because he hikes with them and takes them skiing ...and he doesn't have any kids of his own (Bridger the Dog, excluded) so they have his undivided attention.

 

His favorite place to be in the world is skiing- from guiding in Alaska to working full time at Alta Ski resort now

Look at this cute boy with his only sister.  So much cuter than Brad Pitt. 

 

But what about Jared Padalecki?  He was Dean on Gilmore Girls and now stars as Sam in Supernatural.  Every time I see him, I feel like I'm looking at Ben. They even have the same mannerisms.  I showed the grands the below pictures and asked who it was.  Ben.  I told you so.

Witchie Day- 2018

Today was a beautiful fall day- and since the kids were out for UEA- we thought we'd do Witchie Day earlier in the day.

Big mistake.  Everyone and their dog and their Halloween costumes and their brooms and their hats were at Gardner Village at the same time. It was a bit chaotic.  It was a bit crowded.  We usually eat at Archibald's and there were 25 groups before us- a 2 hour wait.

We did our photo shoot, got our caramel apples at Chocolate Covered Wagon (tradition) and then headed out of the village for a Costa Vida lunch.

This year I purchased shirts on Etsy, the girls wore blue jeans and everyone, adults included decorated their hats.  Love these girls so much.  Love our tradition.  But I'm already thinking that next year, we will maybe change things up a bit.  I'm thinking...…

My hat is white because I am the Grand Mummy.

Brandi and her girls-

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
Marci and Heidi

 Me and my youngest kiddo- Summer

 Brooke and her girls.  Summer wasn't cooperating in this photo but I love it because Annee is smiling- which doesn't happen very often in pictures!!!!

 Tenille and her girls