TRICK OR TREAT!

Happy Halloween!

 

Goodbye Week, Goodbye October

As the sunsets on another week, at the end of another month. I find myself loving October, don’t you?

 

It is all about, riotous color, cool nights, crisp sunny days, everything seems so alive and vibrant.

Did I pause enough to appreciate this miracle that happens only once a year.

Because I miss it when it is over, and suddenly another year seems like a long time.

Thursdays Book

 

Bodie and Brock Thoene (pronounced Tay-nee) have been favorite authors of mine for over twenty years. My mom introduced me to them when I was a teenager, and  I have never been disappointed by one of their books.

Bodie holds a PhD in creative writing and Brock holds a PhD in history and a masters degree in education. (I wish Hubby and I shared a great talent like this. Wouldn’t writing books together be a fun thing for a couple to do.) I appreciate the careful research that goes into making these books. You will feel like you are living in the time period. When you wonder if this, or that really happened, look it up, it really did. Though the characters are fiction, most of the facts are right from the pages of history.

They have eight different series you can choose from. The best are The Zion Covenant Series, Zion Chronicles Series and the Zion Legacy Series. All about WW2, and the Jewish people, and the setting up of Israel as a nation. I have attached myself to the characters in these books.

Now my new favorite series is about the times of Christ. The A.D. Chronicles Series. Though Christ is woven into the series, we focus on several characters that lived, and learned of Christ in different ways.

Come on over and borrow a few – I have several of the series. I have read and reread them lots of times, and I plan on reading books from the Thoenes for twenty more years to come.

Bonus: Did I mention they are Christian writers – I am really appreciating CLEAN books more and more!

Wednesday Wedding Updates

Did you know you need to practice for the engagement pictures?

And picking the outfits is a MAJOR deal.

If you need us we are still practicing for the bridals and groomals

Mind Body Health

Did I tell you I am loving the class I am taking this semester.

I did a five minute presentation on Yoga. Look at the beautiful flyer my Princess Belle made for me.

Thank goodness for princesses’

Hubby and the bike

 

Don’t ask what kind of car he drives.

All that matters

-is that it can haul a couple of these into the back country.

 

Don’t ask him if wants a bigger home

Nah, he doesn’t want the up keep

-that would cut into some decent riding time. 

Ask him if he loves his wife?

Yes!

- especially when she is in her biking gear.

Ask him to teach the twelve year olds at church.

Of course

- As long as he can teach them to ride too.

Ask him the name of any trail up on the mountain.

He has a name for them all.

-Deer Tracks, Upper Frank, Lower Frank, Beast, Death, Little Mikey.

Ask him to be home in an hour for dinner,

Yes!

-and he will cook it too.

God gave us families

My CTR 8 class would like to share with you their favorite song from our primary program today.

And yes I did tear up a time or two today. I can't understand why it happens every year.

Sunflowers

 

Loving these!

They make me smile as I come in the door.

My very favorite flower, in the whole wide world.

 

 

Wishing that someone would bring these to me once a week.

Okay every other week would be sufficient.

Asking to much?

(Is this a huge hint, or what.)

What is little Princess up too??

A few things to notice -

Boy ducking from picture being taken in background.

It is very dark.

Stylin’ motorcycle shoes.

Wearing a dress?

Boy has coat on -  she has a blanket.

She does have a huge helmet on.

She is laughing, LAUGHING!

Thursday’s Book

 

My neighborhood book club is reading this for October. Based on a true story. Very touching. What I love about a book like this is it makes you want learn more. Makes me feel bad that I was not aware of what was going on in Sarajevo, and I should have been more aware.

You will enjoy this book, and learn something along the way.

Miracles in Pink

I work with this beautiful Mamma. She is expecting her first bundle of joy in just a few short weeks. We are thrilled for her and her hubby.

 

 

Miracles in pink are the best! Thanks beautiful Mamma for sharing yours with us.

Grape Kool Aid

That’s what my backyard smells like.

I wait for this smell every year, and like magic it happens.

Meet Ian part 2

Princess disapproved of the Meet Ian part one.

I put it in my blog so my dear family and friends who I am separated from by hundreds, and hundreds of miles could get to know this sweet guy.

Princess said his eyes looked a little crazy – her words not mine – and everyone would think he was silly.

I hope this is better, hey everyone meet my future Son- in-Law. Mr GQ himself.

Photo, by Andrew Conelly

Doo, Doo, Doo

 

Looking out my back door.

A little princess came bouncing in and dragged me out in the rain, come now - this second, forget the shoes.

We think the pot of gold is hidden in our neighborhood somewhere.

Doo,  Doo, Doo, looking out my back door. 

Study of a Rock

Same Rock

From four different points of view.

Funny how when you slow down and really notice something - even a rock.

    -

You will notice it’s beauty every time 

Shadows of Yoga!

Everywhere I go Yoga is with me.

 

It is with me every time I notice my breath.

Every time I feel alive, and strong, and balanced.

 

Every time  I celebrate being alive!

Thursday’s Book

 

Delightful, as are all of Shannon Hale’s books. I must be on A young adult kick lately, but I think it’s the best genre right now.

All of Shannon’s Hales books are fun, lyrical, and very Clean. Mostly written for girls(and Mom’s), except this one; boys and girls will enjoy it.

Shannon’s writing is Lyrical:The settings, the names of people and places, the magical powers and gifts.

Here’s A little teaser. “All the shadows seemed to shift as if the moon were plunging across the sky. The dark parts of the sky leaned lower, and the chill in the air crept closer in, fingering the hairs on Razo’s arms and neck. The punching of his heartbeat made him feel knocked about, exposed, Not alone…..”

Try one, and you will want to try them all!

Disclaimer: I am not a fan of her Adult Books – Yet.

Sorry Shannon, we love your lyrical style keep it for your adult books too.

Cairns…….

I get lost everywhere I go. Even if I have been there before. Once I ended up almost to Twin Falls when I was headed to Idaho Falls. (Sorry Mom.) I have knocked on completely wrong doors, and driven the wrong way down one way streets.

That is why I am in love with these babies, I have come to rely on them, trust them, and panic just a little when I have not seen one in the last 30 seconds.

Carins have literally saved my life many, many times and I would like to publicly thank them. Because as usual I….

am lagging just a little behind.

Twenty Three Years.

 

Time warp, I believe I am in a Time warp.

Flash back with me, 23 years ago in October. My first date with a cute guy. We go to Paula's Cazuela restaurant in St. George Utah. He makes me laugh, I love his smile,

Yada, Yada, Yada

 

Same town, same restaurant, same month, same two funny people, but who are these HONKERS sitting across from us?

BTW: They were very offended when I called them HONKERS.

AIDA, AIDA

The fam went and saw this,HERE, and it was fantastic!

Not to spoil it, but if you have not seen a play HERE, then I insist - you must. It is worth driving many miles to see any play in this beautiful outdoor amphitheater, plus as a bonus sometimes they flood the stage, extra cool! This is the last week, so if you are vacationing in Dixie this weekend - GO!

Then you will be like me singing Aida, Aida, in your brain for weeks to come.

Mays and the car ride

 

We thought we were being nice.

We thought it would be fun.

We thought he would enjoy being out in nature

Guess What? We thought wrong.

Have you ever seen a car sick puppy?

Luckily, I am going to spare you the gory details, and I was polite enough not to take pictures.

Poor Mays we will not make you take a car ride with us for a long time to come.

Poor Littlest Princess, sorry he picked you to comfort him.

Lesson of the Seasons

Reminding me that change comes in the beautiful colors of red, orange, and yellows.

When we welcome change in with an open heart. We may be surprised by finding the colors and views beautiful.