Halloween Festivities

I feel as if Halloween has been going on for quite awhile now. I jumped the gun and put up my decorations during the last week of September. We've been to several parties already and we still have a few more to go to. I just wanted to quickly share with you the past two weeks of Halloween.
The first four pictures are from our Halloween Story Time last week. We read a few pumpkin stories and decorated pumpkin sugar cookies. We had a good turn out and had a lot of fun. The little pumpkin juice boxes are for a party we are going to today. All food is Halloween themed. I didn't really feel that bloody juice with floating fingers (as ice of course) would be totally appropriate for toddlers, so "Pumpkin Juice" will have to do. The last one is from our ward's Trunk or Treat. For those of you that may not know what that is, here is the definition: Everyone from church gets together in the church parking lot, parks their cars in a circle, decorates the trunk and then the kids "Trunk" or treat in one central location. The parents stand in the middle and gab until their kid starts crying because there is one really scary trunk.

As for costumes, Cohen can't decide what the really wants to be. Initially it was Diego. I fought him on that because the costume cost $30 and I thought it was kind of lame. BUT... we bribed (model parent here) him to go poop in the toilet if he wanted to be Diego. It worked, so the costume was not in vain. Then last week he decided a pumpkin would be a better choice. Yesterday I gave in to the begging, and spent about $4 and 20 minutes on the pumpkin costume. So, this morning he told me he only wants to be the pumpkin inside and not on the outside... HUH? We'll see who I take Trick-or-Treating tomorrow.

Be safe and have a nice holiday!

Deal!

I'm watching Deal or No Deal while Mike makes his special curry. If I won, and had to spend all of my money tonight, I would buy this stuff...

Two of these:

They are two for the price of one right now. Maybe I could justify buying two for the price of 1/2 off the already 1/2 off sales tag!

8 of these:

One of these pencil cups from Shim+Sons.


From Groovy Inclinations Etsy Shop. I love all of her stuff. I constantly check her site to see what is there.

Isn't it darling? I would want it in my size, of course and one for the little girl I may have one day. Or a sweet little girl that someone else might have.
I would buy these for Melissa. She loves penguins, and her love of them is rubbing off on me.

A few of these chandeliers, and I'll take the lamp, mantle and flooring, too.

Then I would ask her if I could buy her house.

I would also buy a digital SLR, pay off our student loans, and buy a mini van... (I'm not kidding).

Four Things

I was tagged by Lindy, so here it goes....

Four jobs I've had:

1. Copywriter/Project Manager @ 1-800 Patches (SLC)
2. Assistant Regulatory Coordinator @ PEGUS Research (SLC)
3. Fabric cutter @ Piece Goods (Rexburg, ID - BEST JOB EVER!)
4. Pizza Delivery Girl (St. Anthony - 6 long years)

Four places I have lived:

1. St.Anthony, Rexburg, McCall, ID
2. Carson City, NV
3. Forest Hill, CA
4. Jax Beach, Gainesville, Lake City, FL

Four favorite T.V. Shows:

1. The Office
2. Lost
3. ER
4. Scrubs (so long JD - I love you)

Four favorite foods:

1. Garlic Bread
2. Peeps - I know, I know - I'm beggin' for Diabetes
3. Diet Dr. Pepper - and high blood pressure
4. Cheese

Four websites I visit:

1. Gmail (personal and work)
2. Craftster.org
3. Facebook/Myspace - again... I KNOW!
4. Reprodepot.com

*Lindy - please tell me what bloglines is... sounds like it could save me from typing the 5th - 100th most visited sites each day

Four places I would rather be right now:

1. Living in a house, not an apartment
2. Washington, DC
3. San Diego - except the part that in on fire
4. Cafe Rio, any location - Sounds good to me, lindy.... let's meet someday.

Four movies I love:

1. Everything is Illuminated
2. Empire Records
3. Sweet Home Alabama
4. X-Men II and Transformers are tied for this last spot

Four things on my to-do list today:

1. hang out with Terra + kids
2. see what Gardner Village is all about
3. make dinner (even my fear of raw chicken can't stop me from making this)- Chicken Tikka Masala
4. Go Visiting Teaching (scheduled for the same time as the Office - I need DVR)

Four people I tag:

All of you... I'm a sucker for these and love reading all about you.

What do you do all day?

This was an assignment that Nicole gave us for our photo class. It was so fun to follow Cohen around all day with the camera. He didn't think so, though. He kept telling me to put the camera away. For the most part, he is a good sport. He is also super busy. Man, I needed a nap.

*Thanks, Mike, for helping me with some Photoshop tricks! You are so patient and you are the best!

Story Time Today

NOTE: I should have posted this yesterday, but I was cleaning my house! I don't want anyone to think I really would let my kitchen floor get sticky. ;-P

HALLOWEEN STORY TIME
TUESDAY: OCT 23rd, 10:30 am
AT MY HOUSE
email me if you need more info: lori(dot)vanwagoner(at)gmail(dot)com

I live in Holladay, UT, so if you read this before 10:00 MST come on down!

Witching Hour

I took a class a few weeks ago and made these glittery hats. SO CUTE! Now I want to cover anything I get my hands on in glitter. I've been working a lot lately. My free hours are few and far between. My craft area is a mess and I haven't made anything in about 2 weeks. Awesome! We did go to Las Vegas for a baby blessing and then my sister came to Ogden to my parents for the week, so I've been hanging out. I'll post more about that later. I just wanted to say hello to the few of you I have left out there. Thanks for not losing hope! Have a nice weekend.

Trying Again

OKAY - I don't have the natural touch for the photography and I'm pretty bummed about it. Everything looks so pretty through the lenses and when I get the photos developed, it ain't so pretty. Of the 60+ photos I took, I got about 7 good ones. I'll just keep practicing until I can get that camera to do what I want it to. Whew... complaints over!

I took the above photo this morning about 10:30 at Memory Grove near downtown. Isn't Utah so lovely in the Fall? Of course I did not photograph the reds and yellows to be as vibrant as they really are (see above paragraph), but it still looks quite lovely.

The weather is beautiful today. Please God, make the weather like this year round! It is about 70 degrees and sunny. I am wearing corduroy pants and a 3/4 sleeve t-shirt with my favorite $4 shoes and my internal temperature is under control. Of course the wind will pick up tonight and blow the great weather to North Dakota and it will be cold again. I've busted out Cohen's sweatshirts and we are ready for the fall action.

Tonight I am going to take meticulous notes so I can better improve my pictures for next week. Tah Tah!

First Photos

Well, I wouldn't say that my first round of photos taken for my class was a bust, but I didn't get the results I was looking for. I guess I have a lot more practicing to do. My friend Melissa, who takes fabulous pictures, just told me to keep practicing.

I did get some great snapshots of Cohen, so it wasn't all a waste. I will go out today between the 100 Saturday tasks that are on the list and shoot another roll. Oh how I wish I had a digital SLR so I would be able to look at each photo immediately and see what was wrong. Today I'll write down all of the exposure settings so I know.

The leaves were pretty. I am also going to practice on objects that are a little more still. I think I need to figure out f-stop and shutter speed before I try and take anymore photos of Cohen. Still objects. Anyway, I hope the next set is better. :-)

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!