Back to school, back to school...

Tomorrow I head back to school - not as a student (shocking, I know) but as part of the staff. I'm quite excited for what the year will hold. This year will be quite busy and full of adventures and fun, both at school and here at the homestead.

The summer was really fantastic. Perfect company - all of whom I'm missing a ton. I looked at the pictures and videos from the summer and cannot believe how much we did in such a short time. And really - time flew, right? All of a sudden it's September people. Here are just a few of my favorite images from the summer. I will use these to get through the rainy days.

Eating at Babe's. A polish for me?!
The Taste. Chocolate Dipped Strawberries? Yes, please.
Sweet little babies eating cupcakes.
Okay - so this was the day when the new kitchen table arrived - and so we had lunch on the chairs in the dining room. It started as a joke - but then everyone just sat and ate their lunch. It cracked me up that they all just sat there.
Super Bennett, rockin' some shades.
Super girl - off to save the world from bad fashion.
Lincoln didn't quite make it to the main course and instead chose to sleep in his chair.

Crayon image from here

Memory lane...

I spent some time today "yearbooking" myself...with some delightful results. You, too, can yearbook yourself. Go now - it's fun!

Some thoughts...

I sent this survey to Elder Taylor and hope that he will complete it and return it...but then...wanted to fill it out myself...

What are you wearing today? Well - I was in my jammies until about 10 a.m. and then jeans and a pink shirt. I finally showered at 3:15 p.m. and wore my tan capris, and a blue cotton shirt and a white cami. And flip flops. Also: don't judge me. If I could stay in my jammies all day - I would do so most days.

What was the last thing you had to drink? Raspberry Lemonade Crystal Light in a water bottle. It's my new favorite beverage. And I HATE Crystal Light.

Do you wash your car or let the car wash do it? Um. If I can convince my Dad to do it - I prefer that. But otherwise the car wash does it.

When was the last time you ran? The last time I ran was showing the kids at my acting workshop how to do the Vocal Dash. You run as far as you can while holding a note or yelling and once you have to take a breath - you must stop. I did pretty good, and surprised even myself.

What's your favorite animal? Why? I love Penny dog. She is soft and friendly and great company. She is often a shadow - but I don't mind that. I also love chinchillas because they are so soft - but I don't get to hang out with chinchillas very often.

What is your dream vacation? Right now it's two weeks in the Seychelles.

What is the worst injury you've had? The worst injuries I've had were as a result of my car accident in 2000. Cracked ribs, damaged muscles, contusions, emotional scarring. Those were the injuries with the longest recovery and lasting effects. I also had toes lacerated when a set piece rolled over them. And I also "broke" my arm...but I didn't get a real cast - so I'm not willing to count that.

Do you collect anything? If yes, what and why? At this time I don't really have a collection - but have decided that I want to collect aprons. I love them. I wear one almost daily. And they can be so beautiful. I like the idea of a collection that is functional. Collecting Hummel figurines just seems like such a waste...you can't play with them or use them for much function beyond catching dust.

Do you like hot sauce? I do not like hot sauce. I am for sure the odd one at the Malleys - as they all enjoy the hot sauces. My pallet is just wussy. That's all there is to it.

A weekend trip

Last weekend I took a trip to Nauvoo, Illinois and really only got to see and do a fraction of all there is to do - but for me - it was a perfect weekend.

I drove the four hours from Shorewood to Nauvoo in this:

It looks like a painting, doesn't it? But no - it's for reals!

Then I checked in to the Woodruff Hotel and this was the view from my private porch:
The room was wonderful and the service was so friendly and helpful.

Once I was all checked in, I headed down to the Visitor's Center and joined the Wagon Tour of Historic Nauvoo:
It was very well done, although I don't think the three under a year old were able to fully
appreciate it - since they were taking turns sharing their displeasure.

After the hour long tour, I hustled back to the room to change and make the 4:00 session at the Temple.
I know there are prettier pictures of the temple, but this is what I saw - and it was just so lovely. It was so beautiful and a perfect addition to the day. I will also say that the workers at this temple may be the friendliest I've encountered. At every turn there was a friendly face ready to make sure you knew where you were headed. So great.

After the temple - I went back to the hotel to change again - and head for dinner:
I have to imagine that during the busy season this place is quite packed - because it was very busy on Saturday night - and the "season" had ended the weekend before. The people watching was a very rich experience.

From dinner I headed down to the Sunset by the Mississippi show - which was the last one for the year. It was very well done with lots of talented people. I sat with some senior missionary couples and had a great time. I also needed a sweater for the first time this summer. Clearly autumn is on its way.

On Sunday morning, I got up and enjoyed some breakfast at the hotel - out on the lovely patio:
Seriously - I loved the location! Such a beautiful and peaceful morning.

I checked out of the hotel, and went on a self guided exploration of the Nauvoo buildings.
Most were closed until later in the afternoon - but it was fun to just walk the streets and imagine what it might have been like to be in Nauvoo in 1844ish.

I then walked the "Trail of Hope" - and unlike the early Saints who had to flee Nauvoo - I did it alone.
Here is the view from the "Trail" looking back to the Nauvoo Temple in the distance on the hill.
The "Trail of Hope" leads to the edge of the Mississippi River where the Saints crossed the river, leaving everything they'd built and loved behind. It really was such a moving experience. I loved being there. Every few yards there are plaques with excerpts from the journals and diaries of those who had no choice but to walk the "Trail." Such a beautiful Sabbath morning.

From there I headed back to the Visitor's Center and enjoyed the exhibits and films. Once those were done, it was time to head to church. I joined the Nauvoo Third Ward (really) and it was a great meeting.

The whole weekend was wonderful - and really left me wanting more. I cannot wait to go back and see and do all the Nauvoo adventures.

What a great birthday...

I know that blogging has been so light lately - but trust me, life has been so good. And yes, today is my birthday - but as much as I love my birthday - I love when it lasts longer than just one day! And this year surely did deliver...

It started yesterday - when the Malleys took me to Wrigley Field for an amazing Cubs game! AMAZING. The Cubs were playing the Astros, and there could not have been anything better about the experience. The day was ga-horgeous, our seats were perfection, and the game was exciting with a grand slam and a three run homer - let's be honest...eight runs in one inning is super exciting during any game - but it was delightful for the perfect game. I sure do owe the Malleys big for the once in a lifetime experience.

GO CUBS!

Then today - I taught the last actors workshop for the kids in the ward here - and they brought me flowers and Ho-Hos. Do they know me or do they know me?! And then, I got a lovely and delicious Edible Arrangement from my folks...

Tasty, no?

And then tonight - oh, tonight.

Here I am with my appropriately dramatic birthday dessert:

DUDE...it's on FIRE!!
So good - and I am about to slip into a sugar coma - and revel in my birthday wonders.

So - now I'm 29 and loving it. Thank you for all the calls, messages, e-mails, wishes, gifts, offerings, and love.

PS - I don't yet have pictures of my crown and wand...but they light up.

And maybe this...

This CD would also be quite great...

Birthday Wish List...

Oh, my stars! My birthday is coming up so quickly - and I've given folks so little time to prepare...but this year - these are the things for which I pine...

This delicious necklace

This slick camera

This CD - which, please note, is the Dirty Dancing 20th Anniversary edition. It has all the music from the movie - instead of the two tapes we used to have...

This pair of Dansko Roz sandals, size 8.5

This subscription

and this one, too.

This game

This Fiskars paper cutter

Some of this fun hair stuff

One of the funniest things...and I'm talking EVER.

Go here and enjoy. You'll thank me later...I promise.

A visit to the park.

Yesterday afternoon we decided to take a trip to the park...and just as we were walking out the door, the skies opened and buckets of rain began to fall. So, to make lemonade from the lemons of rain - Seth opened the back hatch of the Expedition and let the kids play in the back of the car while the storm blew over. And then after that...we played in the puddles. Because that's how we roll...

A lovely day. Just right for a splashfest in the street.

A perfect puddle, right at the end of the driveway

Bennett leaps - but will he stick the landing?!

Splash-tastic!

We all know how this one is going to end...

Just in case you need the PERFECT gift to say "I love you."

Head on over here and buy you one. Or me one. Whatevs.

A statement of fact

Folks, I iron my sheets. This is not a confession or a guilty pleasure or a secret. Just a fact. I also iron clothes that need ironing but I do not iron my underwear or other things that do not usually need an iron. I prefer the way that iron sheets feel and that is why I do it. That may be why I'm really loving these pictures of Extreme Ironing found here. A few faves:

The Taste...

So - on Thursday afternoon we went to the Taste of Chicago - or "The Taste" as it's known by locals. I had such a delightful time - and we ate our way up and down the aisle of wondrous food. The event was really well run - and here are my two favorites - which is not to say that I ate anything I didn't like...

Crab Rangoon - oh hold me

Strawberry kabobs swimming in dark chocolate by the Chicago Chocolate Company. Now, folks. I really don't think I've ever had sweeter, juicier strawberries in my LIFE. And the fact that they were swimming in chocolate didn't hurt either. Di-vine.

I had such a good time - but by the end I was so full I wanted to die. Once we'd reached our limit we headed home - and basked in the glory of our cuisinetainment. The highlight (other than the food) was overhearing this family discussion:

A mother with two daughters (one 13 years old and one 9 years old) approach the Ferris wheel. Clearly the 9 year old wants to ride the Ferris wheel:

Mother: NO, look at that line - it's like 20 minutes long!

9 year old: So?

13 year old (wise beyond her years): Don't you know what you could EAT in 20 minutes?!

Truer words were NEVER spoken.

Double Oh My...

I'll trade this post for a...

I sure do love these great brooches over at Paraphernalia . Such a cool idea!

A word of encouragement during a failure is worth more than an hour of praise after success.

-Anonymous

Welcome back, Matt!

I'm sure I posted about Matt and his dancing around the world - but that must have been a while ago. Well - Matt's got a new video - and I love it. It makes me so happy and, frankly, emotional. But I'm also a goof - so what can you do? Please do enjoy.


Where the Hell is Matt? (2008) from Matthew Harding on Vimeo.

My amazing Craigs

So - I just have to give a shout out to my friends the Craigs - who just added Rebecca "Becca" Craig to their family on Saturday. And yes - this is how Katie looked after delivering Miss Becca. And go read the whole delivery story - it's so great. When I called to chat with one of the proud parents - I also got to talk to proud big Sister - and this was a highlight of my conversation with her:

Me: So what do you have for dinner on a day when a baby was delivered at your house?

P.B.S.: Um, I don't know - someone's bringing it over.

Me: Well, duh. Of course!

And really - I'm so glad that a fab friend "someone" was bringing over dinner - because frankly - what DO you cook on a day when you've delivered a baby - as pusher or catcher?! My vote would be: Monte Cristos and Fudgesicles. I'm also sad that I couldn't actually deliver that menu - because I think Monte Cristos would be a big hit in Vegas. But hooray for friends who see a need and just fill it.

What would you make if you were taking dinner to a family who just delivered a baby in their downstairs loo?

Getting ready for Bejing...

Tonight I was watching the gymnastic Olympic trials with Bennett - and while we were watching the ladies floor routines we had this discussion:

Bennett: I could never do that.

Me: Why?

Bennett: Because it's really funny - spinning around makes it really funny. Those people are kind of funny.

Image via Pyzam.com

Thinking of Mrs. Doctor...

So - my cousin, Mrs Doctor had her sweet Megaman almost six weeks ago - which, by the way, CONGRATULATIONS!! And I've been thinking about her a lot and what I could do to help even though I'm still so far way. So here you go - some random bits of the Interwebs, brought right to your screen. Now, you do not have to be Mrs Doctor to enjoy these sites and bits of silliness. But I did sit and think about her and ALL THAT TIME she has, just sitting around, trying to think of things to do with herself. Oh...wait...uh...yeah. And - even though this is so delayed - I love you Mrs Doctor! I'm so glad to know that you and Megaman and all the other folks at your house are well. Way to go!!

You could go and create a masterpiece like this! (And yes, I made this myself)

You could go and dream about these beautiful houses

Check out this

Or you could take an audio vacation here

I really like browsing through this site