Beauty All Around

I know that everyone in the world is talking about how much they love Fall, but I just want to mimic it one more time. I take so many photos between this time of year and Christmas. I figured I'd better learn to take better photos. So, tonight is my first Photography class with the lovely Nicole Hill. Although I am extremely excited for the class, I am not looking forward to the drive to Orem during commuter traffic.

In honor of this event, I made a new bag for my digital camera this morning. I lost my other one somewhere this summer and I've stopped carrying my camera because of it. So - in comes some crispy pink linen, a doilie from JoAnn, and a few vintage buttons from my stash and there you have it. It isn't too exciting, but I am glad that I have something to carry my little buddy in.

This class will be interesting because I am not sure of the required camera for this course, but I have a digital point and shoot, and a 35mm SLR. I'm sure the course will be taught for a digital SLR, but the SLR and lighting techniques are all the same, right?? I hope. I do know it will be really fun to get out the house and meet new folks.

In other news:
1. Cohen got a really bad haircut yesterday!
2. I also wanted to thank Beki for sending such a nice package. All I did was comment how much a I loved the fabric of a bag she made. Thanks again for the great stuff.
3. I made new pillows for my couch. I love this aviary fabric.

A Quiet Afternoon

Welcome Fall! Come on in and make yourself at home.

We've had a lot of rain this week and it has been fabulous. Everything looks so green and lovely and new. The leaves are turning and becoming perfectly Fall-ish while the grass glows and looks so healthy. I've been inside for a few days and the knitting needles have managed to find a permanent home on the arm of my couch. This year I'm determined to make something besides a scarf... oh and dish cloths.

It snowed in the mountains last night and it just looks so pretty. As we went out to run errands this morning it was cold enough for a jacket. YEAH! This is totally my time of year. I don't really have a lot to say this afternoon. Cohen is asleep on the couch, I'm listening to a Dan Zane mix on Pandora (it is fantastic providing music from Riders in the Sky to Mason Jennings), and I've just finished some crafting. It is nice and I am really happy.

WILL CRAFT FOR ZUCCHINI

What is up with zucchini? Does it multiply like rabbits everywhere it is grown or just the west? As long as I can remember, someone was always trying to push zucchini on someone and there was the "prize" 3 foot long zucchini monster sitting on the counter. Am I alone in this? The stuff spreads like wildfire.
While visiting Kim a few weeks ago, she showed me her typical over abundant zucchini crop. I am sure she was just hoping I'd say, "oooooh, can I have some?" but I wasn't going to volunteer myself as an outlet. However, Kim is a good sales person because she presented me with a stack of recipes using zucchini before she even started heaping the stuff into a bag. I was hesitant because I don't know what to do with 10 lbs of zucchini. I love zucchini but I only know how to put it in lasagna and bread. I'll take it battered and fried at the fair (read: a street fair like setting, not the fair because that is on my list of things to NEVER do again) but I don't really like it sauteed with onions and squash like my dad used to do it. Too mushy.

Now I can't get enough of it. I've searched recipe sites far and wide and have found the most amazing zucchini recipes. I got this zucchini bread recipe from allrecipes.com. That is a great source. I found the Creamy Zucchini Soup from the Lion House Classics cookbook to be the all time winner. Because it is delicious, I want to share it with all of you. Try it... you won't be sorry!

Creamy Zucchini Soup

3 Cups chopped or shredded zucchini (this is from the freezer)
1/2 Cup Water
1 Tablespoon minced onion (I added a clove of minced garlic, too)
1 teaspoon seasoned salt
1/2 teaspoon parsley flakes (I only had fresh and it worked fine)
2 chicken Bullion cubes or 2 teaspoons chicken soup base
2 Tablespoons butter
2 Tablespoons flour
1/8 teaspoon pepper (I added more because I like it)
1 Cup milk (I used Skim)
1/2 Cup light cream (I used Heavy because that is what I had on hand - it balanced out the unmilkness of Skim milk)
Paprika
Sour Cream
Makes 4-6 Servings (we got 3 really big bowls out if it)

Combine zucchini, water, onion (garlic), seasoned salt, parsley and 1 bullion cube (or 1 tsp. chicken soup base) in a skillet. Cook until zucchini is tender and most of the water has evaporated.
Mash or puree (I used the food processor) zucchini and set aside. In a saucepan melt butter; blend in flour and remaining bullion (or chicken soup base) and pepper. Add milk and cream, and simmer until thick.
Stir in pureed vegetables. Thin with milk if desired (I didn't find the need to). Garnish with paprika and sour cream. Adjust seasonings to tastes.

I apologize for not taking a nice picture of my bowl with the beautiful paprika and sour cream dollop, but I really started taking spoonfuls out of the pan. YUMMY! I hope you enjoy it.

But I am not lying about my title... if you have zucchini and need to get rid of it, or know someone who does, I'll swap a bag or some fall decor of some sort for it. I live smack in the middle of the Salt Lake Valley (Holladay) and am willing to drive to Riverton or the Avenues to get more. So... the offer stands. Let me know (I'll take tomatoes, too). I love zucchini and have eaten all that Kim provided (oh Kim, why isn't your garden closer?).

Late to Bed, Early to Rise

I have swap fever and I just can't stop... even though they make me stressed out. I always think I have all of the time in the world to get stuff done. Of course, my life takes most of my time and I get all worked up. Oh well... I love getting packages in the mail so it makes it all worth it.

Above I volunteered to make a twin sized quilt for my partners daughter. She wanted something cherry themed for her bedroom. At first I was thinking of slapping two fabrics together (one cherry and one polka dot) and just doing a simple tying job. When I got to JoAnn's to look for polka dots I couldn't decide which color scheme to buy. So I bought 1 1/2 yards of each and started piecing. The quilting is quite simple; I just ran strait lines through on my machine. As I was getting ready to cut and iron all of those inches for binding, I chickened out and just folded over the backing and machine stitched. It is a cheater quilt, but I like the way it turned out.

The red, black, and white color way reminds me of my high school colors. Go SFH Cougars! Also, as a youngin' in Carson City, NV, via 1985, one of my friends had a brother with an AMAZING bedroom. It had a black and white checkered linoleum floor. The paint on the walls reflected this pattern and fizzled into a black ceiling. All of his furniture was bright red metal and he had a red bedspread. It was pretty awesome. So I often think of that bedroom when when working with red, black, and white. I wonder if it is still decorated like that. He was going off to college and that usually freezes decor in time, unless the mom decides to make it a guest bedroom.

Anyway, I still continue swapping because I love it. The above picture is what I sent for the Fall Favorites swap. This was a great low key swap because I bought it all except the scarf, which you've already seen. My package represents Fall colors, scents, warmth, and the flavors that I love.

I also participated in the Homecoming swap on Craftster. I had two partners and received amazing gifts. This swap has never disappointed. I won't post all of the items I received, but please check out the links. From Gina I received a scarf, a hat and gloves, the cutest knit owl, a set of ice cream stitch markers (that I am using for a camera and cell phone charm), a little log pincushion, train goodies for Cohen, and a great little hot pad for the kitchen.

I sent her this pillow and those button flower pins, along with several other goodies that I hope were well received.

This cute painting, which is hanging in my bathroom, is from Dawn. I love it. She also sent me a necklace and some great bath goods that have already been put to good use. I didn't take pictures of what I sent her but it was a creepy themed package with a monster purse and a beaded spider pillow.

End of story. I love swapping. I have just signed up for a 12 Days of Christmas swap that will be totally insane. Last year I drooled over the gallery as people opened their 12 gifts which equaled 78 items. HOLY MOLY! I can't wait to get my partner so I can start making this crazy amount of stuff!

*note* I really need to learn to make those tile mosaics on Flickr so I don't have to send you there a million times via links. Anyway, want to let me in the secret to making those?

$40 Too Much!

I've only ever been to a County Fair once in my life. A few friends of mine decided to take a late night drive to Blackfoot, Idaho to see what the fair was all about. By the time we got there, there was no entrance fee required and Maryssa flirted with the carnies enough to get on a few rides free. So, I thought the fair was a low cost activity. HA!

After attending a fabulous street fair, we didn't really have anything else to do, so I suggested we head to the Utah State Fair. We stopped at the ATM to get $20 because we all wanted a frozen treat of sorts. I guess I was shocked to find that it cost us $16 to get in. I figured that would cover admission to everything. I'm so naive.... I couldn't believe that we had to buy tickets to rides on top of that. Of course Cohen was so excited he almost peed his pants looking at all of the ride possibilities. We decided to get a few tickets and ride the Ferris Wheel. Well, that cost $12.15 for the 3 of us to ride, so I figured we'd already passed the point of no return and we just bought the coupon book for $23.00.
We had fun, I guess, but I am so embarrassed with myself that I didn't realize that the fair was a RIP OFF! I feel so used! No wonder my mom never let us go. She's a smart lady.
I did enjoy the randomness of it... like the pickled eggs and horrible dragon art.


Maybe next year I'll enter something I made to the random handy crafts barn. Oh well, now we have something to laugh at, great stories to tell, and... something that we'll NEVER do again.

HAPPY FALL FAIRING EVERYONE!

I Shouldn't Be Sick!

I cannot believe that I am sick during the first week of September, my favorite month. Honestly, you think I'd have the seasons on my side as I declare how much I love Fall. Oh well. I've spent the better parhttp://www.blogger.com/img/gl.link.gift of the week sitting around my house letting the dishes pile up. Of course, this has been the week for random visitors, too. Sheesh. They must think I am such a slob. I told them all to come back next week when things are back to normal and my house is only 1/2 messy.

So I mentioned in my last post that we went to Bear Lake over Labor Day weekend for a family reunion. We stayed in the . It accommodated all 68 of us... IN ONE HOUSE! This place was awesome. It used to be the old general store and last year they converted it into a 8 bedroom family reunion wonderland. I don't think we could have found anywhere better.


We spent most of the time hanging out, but we did go to the beach for a few hours on Saturday. We rented 4 jet skis and had a great time, even though 60+ people were taking turns. I'm kind of a scaredy cat and I always made Mike go really slow. I'm just not the water sports kind of gal, which is strange because I've lived withing 30 miles of a lake or reservoir my entire life. To each their own. But, Bear Lake is pretty amazing. It is soooooo blue and it wasn't even that cold. I really enjoyed it.

Other highlights of the reunion were the BYU game... I guess. The bulk of my family have attended BYU, and one uncle works there, so I'm glad they won their opening game so everyone was in a good mood for the remainder of the weekend. Look how happy a game makes them....
I was assigned to be in charge of the craft. I bought 30+ unfinished wood mirrors from IKEA and brought paint, Mod Podge, craft foam, paper, buttons, eyes and other doodads and everyone had a great time.
We get together every other year and take turns planning it. This year my siblings and I were in charge. We had so much fun. I love my extended family. I think it is a pretty rare occasion when EVERY SINGLE PERSON gets along and seems to like one another. I'm sure glad we do, though, because we're all stuck together for a very long time.

Last Days of Summer

We have had an action packed few weeks with family reunions, house guests, and day trips. It is so wonderful to see everyone I love and makes me long for December when we will have time to see each other again. Now that the weather is cooler and the trees are starting to turn, I feel like I need to cram a few summer activities into our last warm days. Last night we had the most amazing storm. I LOVE YOU SEPTEMBER! I was so happy to see the sky clouding up. I don't know what it is, but I sure love the fall.

Two weeks ago we went to visit the Borcherts and we went to the American West Center that is just a few miles out of Logan. It was natural fibers week and we chose to go on the day that the pioneer ladies were spinning wool. I was expecting a bigger deal, but it was still very fun to watch them in their long dresses pumping away at the wheel. They were making beautiful yarn. I'd love to learn to spin, but I don't know what I'd do with the yarn since I'm not really a knitting prodigy.
Anyway, the boys had a great time running around and touching everything...including the animals in the petting zoo. *hello sanitizer - I'm such a freak about touching animals*

This little pioneer sweetie was our tour guide while we were at the Pioneer village. She was so excited to see little kids and followed the boys around everywhere.

I'll miss you summer, but I sure am glad that Fall is on its way. Yippee!

The Greener Side

I continue to contemplate whether or not I should go back to work. I deeply miss my job, coworkers, and the sense of satisfaction that comes with completing a task at hand and getting a paycheck. However, the boy above brings me back to reality and makes me wonder how I could even think about going back to work. The grass is always greener...or in this case, that crazy slide...and I just need to be happy with whatever "side" I am sitting on.

There are a million things to be grateful for while staying home. Here I am sitting in my jammies at 7:30 am rather than running out the door to get to work on time. That makes me happy. Yesterday Cohen and I killed 5 hours in an almost empty mall doing nothing and had a great time (All of the stores in Cottonwood Mall are closed because they are rearing up for renovations next year) and walking around our little neighborhood. It was fun, and he is such a good sport. I've never waiting for a car repair with my boy in tote. It was much better than having my coworker drop me off to pick up my car.


I don't get as much done as I want to, but that is okay. The house is a little messy, the dishes aren't always done, but man we are becoming the masters of CandyLand and spend a lot of time at the park. I may not be getting paid, but I sure am being loved. That makes it work it.

First Fall Scarf

Yesterday I finished the first of what will be many "fall scarfs" (scarves?). Just in time for Lindy's Fall Swap. Today is the last day to sign up so head on over. You may just get this scarf!

5 Years Already!

I have had quite a busy few weeks. Cohen and I have had to be out of the house by 9:00 am every morning almost 10 days strait (I know... poor us, but we're used to taking it a little slower). Today I took the opportunity to finish my book (which I totally loved) and let Cohen eat breakfast and watch TV in his towel for an hour. After a trip to the post office, library, and Target, I came home and uploaded all of the photos from my camera. Cohen has been asleep for 3 hours now and I have just finished. The house isn't clean and Mike will be home any minute, but a list of several things that just needed to be done, are done.

We celebrated our 5th Anniversary this month and it is amazing how far we've come. GOSH! Look how young and (read: and skinny) we are! It doesn't feel like a day has gone by, but we're happier and more in love than we've every been. The photo taken above was one of our engagement photos taken by my photographer-turned-microbiology major sister.

And here we are, a little fatter, still enjoying each other. I'm glad to be married. My absolute favorite part of being married is that it no longer takes 3-4 hours to say good-bye every night. Maybe we're so happy because we're so well rested.

Our Anniversary was low key and we did what we always do. We drove to Park City and stayed in a cheap condo, ate sushi, and went to the Park City Art Festival. It always falls on our Anniversary weekend, so we go. This time, I ate the best sushi roll I'd ever had in my life. I wish I could remember what it was called and exactly what was in it. I know it had tuna and a whole lotta goodness!

I love you, babe! I'm glad we're married and I'm glad that still like each other as much as we love each other! You're the best!

Fall Swapping!

I'm in, so you should be, too!

Back in Black

Um... I think I look most like Charlize Theron... what do you think? Well maybe what she looked like in her roll in Monster. And for years I dreamed that I could get hair like Christina Applegate as Kelly Bundy. Maybe in my next life. This is fun though... I think this picture is the first one that I haven't come back with more dude's faces that chicas.

I've been sewing. I went through my WIP pile and found everything that needed all black thread. I am such a baby and really hate rethreading my machine. I've made a few throw pillows and a few bags and am now working on my Homecoming Dance Swap items. Luckily, my ladies are requesting several items that require black thread. We'll see how long my black thread spree will last.

I don't have any pictures to show. Cohen and I are going to spend the afternoon at JoAnn Fabrics because I've got my 40% coupon and I need a lot of cherry prints for a quilt I need to get to gettin' on. Did you know that you can get the JoAnn mailer coupons AND the email coupons? If you already get the mailer, you can use the same forms (the have them at the checkout counter) and just put your name and email address - not your physical address. DOUBLE COUPONS BABY!

The Marathon Begins

I decided I wasn't going to get anything done if I didn't just finish ol' Harry Potter so I stayed up until 2:00 am this morning and endured. WHAT AN ENDING, EH? It didn't end like I thought it would, but I am very pleased. It was a great read. Then I stayed up another hour thinking about it. Of course the house was SO QUIET and I was sure some masked man was going to come through my closet and get me. Either that or a giant snake. I finally fell asleep watching HGTV "Design on a Dime" reruns.


As you see, I kept my promise of getting baby Greta Mae's quilt finished. Yesterday was a holiday (in Utah we celebrate the Mormon Pioneers coming to the state on July 24) and my MIL had a barbecue. Dinner was running late, so I stitched and stitched while it was Mike's turn to read the book. I think it is one of my favorite blankets so far. The linen type fabric was nice to work with, and there was minimal patchwork, so it didn't get monotonous. I decided to use one solid fabric for the back and I am glad I did. Initially I wanted to make small patchwork on one side and the more solid linen, strip of patchwork, and embroidery on the other. I am glad I simplified and went with one solid piece.

Now that it is packaged and on the its way to Scottsdale, the marathon of other projects must begin. I've made myself a schedule with start dates and deadlines. I can't believe I worked for two years as a project manager. Haha! I've been dealing with deadlines so lazily.

I'll leave you with some fun photos from last night's Pioneer Day celebration. Cohen dared to finally hold a sparkler, but got over confident and gave himself a nasty burn on his neck.


We celebrated at my in law's house with cousins, Aidan & Perry, and Great Grandma Latteier. My FIL, Dave, escaped to the backyard, but I found him.

Have a great week!

It is Harry Potter's Fault!

Because last weekend was unofficially declared National "Read Harry-Potter-Until-Your-Eyes-Can't-Take-It-Anymore" weekend, I figured I need to honor the holiday and participate. HOLY MOLY. I'm not done yet, but MAN has Miss (Mrs?) Rowling done well for herself. I love it so far, and probably will continue loving it until the end. How sad that it is over. Mike and I are sharing the book, so I have to be patient for my turn. I fully expected him to take it on the bus with him this morning, but he left it. I had to physically make myself (I wish I had a wand) clean the house before I started reading. Luckily there was a SpongeBob marathon on TV today. **I can't believe I just admitted that** Anyway, I read myself to a -sort of- stopping point and vowed to finish binding Baby Mae's quilt before I picked it up again. (read: yeah right!)

Cohen's party was fun and he successfully turned 3. With the friends party, and 2 sets of grandparents and good neighbors, we've been celebrating for 4 days. He thinks he is pretty darned special.
I have accomplished one thing today (besides 100 pages of Potter), and successfully removed some toys from his room to make room for the new ones. I had no idea we've been to McDonald's that much. Sheesh. I threw away so many dumb Happy Meal toys. NO MORE! We sat on the floor in his room and he got to decide what to "give away" or "keep". I caught him once sneaking through the donation bag to pull out a Shrek toy.
We've had a great weekend. I can't believe my baby is already 3. Sheesh. Time flies. Now, back to my regularly scheduled crafting (read: Harry Potter reading).