It's never too early...

Thanks to the "New Every Two" plan at my cell provider - I'm only 9 months away from getting a new phone...and while I love my current phone:

I think I'll be getting this one:

Even though what I really want is this one:

SOUR GRAPES...

As many of you know, we have a grape arbor over our back patio...and we love it. And it has come time to harvest the grapes. Dad has done a great job at clipping them down. Sadly, he started the juicing process yesterday morning. So, Mom and I were "juicing" last night...and well...you'll see...

The steamer of doom. Mocking us...
You see - it steams the juice out of the grapes. Which means that the whole operation is very hot.

Tons of grapes - ready for the juicing...and scalding.

Mom - after I got my hand scalded...but really - she got scalded first.

Oh no...what happened here?

Dad - after Chanel and Debbie have washed their burned/scalded hands of the juicing. For the record - Dad burned his hand earlier in the day. We all have matching scars on our less dominant hand.

Breakfast...

Even if you're not a "breakfast person" you may still enjoy the pictures over at Simply Breakfast. They are beautiful pictures - and frankly - I wish I could eat with Jen each day...her breakfasts look good!

Premier week...

I don't watch as much television as many of my friends and family - but Marfa (our TiVo) has been working round the clock to make sure we get the right of first refusal with the new television shows...as well as welcoming back our old favorites.

Up for consideration in the new season:
Cane
Chuck
Journeyman
Pushing Daisies

So far, I've only watched Chuck and Journeyman - both on Monday night on NBC. Chuck is going to be delightful and a very welcome addition to the weekly line-up. Chuck looks exactly like one of my friends - and I really love Captain Awesome.


As for you, Journeyman. I was hoping it would be more like The Time Traveler's Wife and less like Quantum Leap - mainly because while I loved QL, but it's been done. A time traveling Mr. Fix-it? Seen it. The only difference here is that instead of Ziggy it's an iPhone. Sad. Also, tv-show-wise: the premise took way too long to set up - the pacing was way off - and come on, after one two-day disappearance you've called for an intervention? Right.

High expectations...

"Approach all parties with the expectation of enjoying yourself."

I don't know that I agree with this one...lower expectations always seem to pan out better. If you're not sure if it's going to be a good time - then when it IS a good time, it's delightful. If it is boring, well - you knew that it would be.

NO...no, thank you!

"'Please,' 'Thank you,' and 'I'm sorry,' should be automatic in our dealings with others."

This one really hits home - because after visiting the Malleys whenever I say "No" I can hear Reyna correcting me to say "No, thank you" since that's what she's training Bennett to say. I feel much more mannerly - even when I'm shouting "NO THANK YOU!!"

More manners...

"Accidents are their own punishments."

This one worries me. What exactly does this mean? Like we can't we get upset when an accident happens? Huh.

I'm learning here...

Today I discovered that I am an Auditory Learner...huh.

You Are a Auditory Learner

You tend to remember what you hear, and you have a knack for speaking well. You excel at debating, foreign languages, and music. You would be an excellent diplomat - or rock star!

What's Your Learning Style?

I really love this blog...

Today I took a quiz linked from How About Orange, which is one of my favorite blogs. Jessica Jones is a graphic artist, etc., who just keeps a really pretty and interesting blog.

Back to the quiz: it was to discover what color orange I really am. Here are my results:

"You are Cameo"

You Are Cameo

You are understanding and very empathetic. You don't tend to have acquaintances. Everyone is your friend. And all of your friends tend to be friends. You have a knack for bringing very different people together.

What Color Orange Are You?

Check out the blog and the quiz - because I know you're not really doing much of anything right now...

Another tip...

"Don't talk loudly with your companions." - uh oh...

From the Homemaker's Encyclopedia...

The first in a five day series of helpful life skills from the Homemaker's Encyclopedia. Please do enjoy:

"Be prepared to give generously of yourself.
Time, thought, and care are needed to build good relationships."

I love these images. And while some are a little cheesy - this one I can totally get behind.

Wha-what?

Today...

I know Spring and Summer are for sure over - but I love this picture - and I don't care who knows it. This morning I'm headed to a quilting brunch. Our ward has been making blankets all year to send to the Humanitarian Aid projects - and this morning we're having a potluck brunch and tying some quilts. Such an awesome idea. I'm taking Pull-Aparts as my contribution to the pot luck...or Monkey bread if that's how you roll...sure smells good baking in the oven!

These are not my pull-aparts...but they look good...

Home again...

I am delighted to see that I could make folks jealous - so I'll try for two in a row:
Doing laundry today and just trying to get my bearings. JEALOUS!? These past three weeks have flown by and I'm not sure where I am or what I'm doing!!

For the curious - the interview went really well - and I'm really excited about the possibilities...

A Day in the Park...

Today I got to spend a glorious day at the Magic Kingdom with my friend, Becky Baird! What a treat!! Not being used to the humidity was a challenge - but we found plenty of things to do to break up the "hot and sweatys." Best of all was seeing Becky's show twice and getting to participate both times - SO FUNNY.

The Magic Kingdom is all decked out for Fall and Halloween

The Mayor of Main Street USA - I love the design and colors!

And of course each lamppost is decorated with great details!

The home of Becky's show in Tomorrowland

Becky Baird - with one i!

The waiting area before heading into the show - and PS - this is one funny show. Each one is different and the performers are super talented.

While in the Magic Kingdom, we ran into a few characters - and that Captain Hook was very charming!

I got a kiss from Tweedle Dee - no joke! These are good guys...

Miss Becky and Chanel ride on some of Aladdin's magic carpets. We waited not at all for any of the rides we wanted to ride and we did it all by 11:00 a.m. It was quite fantastic.

Saying good-bye after an delightful day!

A new cat...

While visiting in Boise with the Crockpot and the Mrs., the Crockpot was sorting some of his "stuff" from the most recent auctions - and he discovered this cat.
The best part about this cat is that it comes with instructions on the bottom stating that "for maximum effectiveness move every few days." Neither the Crockpot or I could determine the effect we would be going for - but the Crockpot assures me that he'll keep moving it every few days...I can't wait.

Daughters of the Utah Pioneers...

Today was my first meeting of the D.U.P. - it was a hoot! The potluck lunch was really good - and Mom and I were way overdressed - but that's okay - because we looked really good!! The history and lesson were both interesting - but not nearly as compelling as some of the old ladies at the meeting. I'm so excited to get to know them - some are real pistols!

Chanel and Debbie, Daughters of the Utah Pioneers

This is our D.U.P. roster and schedule - cute and handy! Lunch was kung-pow chicken and dirty diaper salad. Only a few people will know what that means - but you know who you are.

back2school swap

Once I got home on Tuesday afternoon - it was so nice to sort through the mail. Well, really it was just wonderful to open my package from Amy McDonald. I wish you could have seen the cute wrap job and wonderful descriptions of each item in my back2school package! And yes - that is a gorgeous green stapler -hold me! Mucho Thanks, AMY!

If you don't know what you're looking at...

it's okay. Those who do know what they are looking at will giggle beyond all reason. Please do enjoy:

I'm loving...

the smell of: roast beef cooking in the oven. Connie Berg is part of an evil program, torturing people with the smells of good cooking. I can think of several other members of this despicable group, but don't want to endanger myself.

the sight of: my new black and white skirt. SO cute and easy to wear.

the sound of: the Collister Ward primary singing "Listen, Listen" like cowpokes. Since I was visiting their ward, I was asked to help sit with a primary class during sharing time. The song leader wasn't too sure about leading the song as round, but noticed that I knew the song and asked me to help lead/teach it. So we went through several rounds and then I had them sing like cowpokes. HILARIOUS.

the taste of: Grandma's beefy noodles. If you don't know what they are, then I pity you. Then go to the Siple's house and have some. Seriously - they are tortuously good.

the feeling of: love I've had from all my friends and family. Thank you for making me feel so loved and appreciated!!

Malley Cats....

I spent a week with the Malleys - and as always it was AWESOME. We ate things and talked about things and sat on things and burned things and laughed at things and watched other things. The Malleys gave me an amazing cupcake book - and CHERRY CHIP CAKE mixes and some perfect and easy to use silicone cups for making cupcakes...which I did. Such a great gift - that will keep on giving, I assure you!! They always keep the coke and grenadine on tap for me and that makes life worth living. These peeps make me laugh. And miss them. Malleys, I salute you.

Seth, dancing in the kitchen

Bennett - being so darn cute!

Sweet Penny

Lincoln - looking surprised to be a nudie-pants

Bennett - eating a rawesome cupcake - or being robbed for that cupcake. Please note the inch of juice in my glass. I have a problem.

A day at the beach...

On Tuesday, August 28, Eric D. Snider and I went to the Oregon Coast. And we lucked out and had a really pretty day to be at the beach. It was warm and sunny - and only a little wind. And if you know me, you know how much I hate talking about the wind. The wind itself I don't mind...it's talking about it...MOM.
We started in Cannon Beach at the Mo's Chowder House for some chowder and fried shrimp sandwiches. From there we drove to Hug Point to sit on the beach and read our books. I started New Moon and Eric started Water for Elephants for [book club].

From there we headed South to Tillamook to visit the cheese factory. We had tons of cheese samples, my favorite being extra sharp cheddar. We also had ice cream in waffle bowls in the atrium....if you know what I mean!
It was such a nice day at the beach - and I only got a sunburn on my left leg, in a 4 inch patch just below my knee. WEIRD.