I may have said this a time or two or twenty before, but Fall is my favorite season! It makes me want to wear heavy woolen socks and nest....not WEAR a nest (noun), NEST (verb)...Here are a few reasons why...

                                                                                    

Harvesting the final pickings from the garden.

Creamy soups in the crockpot...Yumm-O!

                 
                                   

Candles. Every room in my house has 'em. Just doesn't seem like fall till ya burn some candles!

        

                                                                          

(Ugh!) Halloween decor.

I limit mine to a very small space in the entry.

bah humbug!

(Halloween is not my favorite holiday)

And BAKING! Although the colors look a little washed out in this picture, these cookies are the easiest and yummiest take on a sugar cookie you'll ever wrap your lips around! A little cream cheese frosting, some sprinkles...True taste-bud heaven! Only 3 ingredients: oil, eggs, and ....

A cake mix! I found the recipe (and more) on duncanhines.com

So quick and easy! 1/3 cup oil, 2 eggs, cake mix.

Combine, roll into balls, bake @ 350 for 10 minutes. Done!

from this...

...to this...

...to this, in less than 15 minutes.

Seriously, the fastest neighbor treat ever!

Did I mention that I love Fall?



Inspiration Comes for Many Reasons

My husband called driving home from his meeting at the church tonight. Seeing who it was on my caller ID, I was preparing to give him my "hello" with a reason to come home. Somehow, in that instant between picking up the phone and saying hello, I thought twice about what I was about to say, and before I said anything I hear on the other end "hihoneyyouronspeakerphonewiththemissionaries!" Eeesh!! He was bringing them over to do a little grocery shopping from our pantry, because it was transfer day and they didn't have time to go to the store. Very sweet boys. I'm so grateful for little inspirations that we get...and for a husband that can spill out nine words in a split second!

Visitor from Virginia

We had a special visitor last weekend. My eldest brother, Gordon, came from Virginia to meet the man who everyone has told him makes me so happy, and to spend a couple of days with us. Gordon (Gordy to me) has a very kind, gentle spirit. He is a good man and we had some good conversation about the Gospel. Ron had the opportunity to answer some of his questions about the Church and I gave him a Book of Mormon while he was here. I love my brother.

Breakfast at the Pinecone Cafe

Costume Surprise!

My cute little daughter sent me a text yesterday. My phone had completely died, so it was charging and I didn't get the message until last night. She wanted to show me her Halloween costume....

This is how she told me she was expecting baby number 4! We are thrilled to have grand baby number 16, due in April!

Sleeping Grace~fully

Is there anything sweeter than a sleeping baby? This is Gracie...Grand baby #13 of 14. One of only four grand daughters.

"...rest your head close to my heart, never to part, baby of mine."

~ Disney's Dumbo



New Grandson

We have a new grand baby! Daniel Peter May, born at 10:20-ish this morning. Weighing 5 lb. 13 oz., 18" long. Not bad for being a month early. Mommy and bebe are doing great! The grandchild boy/girl ratio in this family  is 10 - 4. We girls are outnumbered for sure!

                                                          Baby Daniel

                                                          The new big sister...

This is how our conversation went this morning. Me: Annabelle, you get a new brother today! Annabelle: NO!  Me: Won't that be fun to have a new baby brother at your house? Annabelle: I don't WANT it!
Hmmm.... Denial isn't just a river in Egypt.

                                                        



Sharing your testimony is a gift

I have this amazing friend. She can do everything well. She is talented and funny and kind and generous. She has no clue how awesome she is. How is this possible?? Today she gave the lesson in Relief Society. A fabulous lesson...the kind that the entire class has comments to make and the Spirit is there testifying to your heart...the kind of lesson that makes you leave wanting to do better and be better. She bore her testimony of the Book of Mormon, saying,  "....I cannot separate myself from it." It was powerful. It was just the way I wish I could-would-should bear my testimony of the Book of Mormon. Thank you my dear friend.