Finding Hope

I went walking with my friend Sarah this morning, and discovered that a friend of hers was in one of the planes that hit the World Trade Center. It's amazing how eight years later, it still hits so close to home.

Oh, thus be it ever, when free men shall stand

Between their loved homes and the war’s desolation!

Blest with vict’ry and peace, may the heav’n-rescued land

Praise the Pow’r that hath made and preserved us a nation!

Then conquer we must, when our cause it is just,

And this be our motto: “In God is our trust!”

And the star-spangled banner in triumph shall wave

O’er the land of the free and the home of the brave!

Text: Francis Scott Key, 1779–1843

The whole fam-damily

After taking a million pictures to try to get everyone's eyes open at the same time...we took this silly shot. Turns out I like this one best, except that we seem to be missing someone (no I'm not pregnant...I just can't find Zachary).

I love these people. I married into the greatest family.

I only wish we could all get together more often.

Out with the old...and in with the new

Even though my kids are having fits ("fall doesn't actually begin until September 21st, Mom"), I spent yesterday putting away my summer decor, and pulling out the fall stuff.

Oh, how I love fall!

A few of the things I love about fall:

The colors! I love green, brown, and orange all year long.

Using my oven again after the hot summer. I love making soups, homemade bread, and cinnamon rolls.

My all-time favorite Strudel and Spice Candle.

Football Season. Actually, I couldn't care less about football,

but Todd spent half the day yesterday folding laundry while watching the games :o)

Cooler weather. Not too hot, and not too cold. Just right.

General Conference, especially the Women's meeting.

Reflecting on my blessings. Thanksgiving is my favorite holiday because you get food, family, and fun without the all the stress of December.

Cinnamon. Pumpkin Pie Spice. Hot Chocolate. Apples.

Harvesting vegetables from the garden. Tonight we had beets and new potatoes and they were wonderful.

Right now, I've got crustless pumpkin pie in the oven...I wish I could upload smells to the blog because it is absolutely heavenly over here.

happy fall.

DI decorating

Mindy and Charlotte's comments prompted me to post this picture that I meant to post a couple months ago, but never got around to.

Mindy- Most of my stuff is out all year, too. I just re-arrange it for the seasons. I have one tub of decorations in my basement where I can put stuff away, otherwise it's on display all year round.

Char- Most of my "decor" is either homemade, a gift, or from the DI. The stuff I bought, for the most part, has been since Todd finished school. 1- Used this American basket in my bathroom in Logan for four years to hold the kids' toothbrushes.
2- Todd gave me the pie bird; Mom got the star on clearance at Michael's, and brought it to me. I wanted it for my Christmas tree, but it's out all year.
3- Vanessa gave me the plate in exchange for quilting.
4- The airplane was free. On the Avenue in Logan used to give customer's a $5 gift certificate on their birthday.
5- The resin pineapple was a birthday gift from Vanessa.
6- I got the candle for 50% off at the end of Christmas season. It stays out all-year also.
7- I made the quilt with a friend. We were going to design patterns together but life got too busy.
8- The frame was a wedding gift, and I painted the heart inside.
9- I made this bouquet from an emtpy baking powder can and buttons from my stash.
10- My college roommate gave me this bear for my birthday.
11- The bowl and the cherries came from DI
12- The wagon was from a flower arrangement that my mother-in-law sent to me when Caleb was born. The bear inside is from girl's camp...remember those?
13- The metal envelope was from DI, and I printed out an old looking copy of The Star Spangled Banner from google images.
14- Todd bought the willow tree with stars on clearance at our local grocery store because he knows I love Willow trees. It has something to do with where I grew up...
15- The Americana runner was a quilt exchange with my longarm group. I didn't make it.
16- The table was another "gift" from Vanessa, in exchange for quilting.
17- This case covers my antique sewing machine that Todd bought me on ebay.
18- The basket and fruit both came from DI.

As for my fall picture? The only things I put away are the pumpkin arrangement, the quilt, and the Harvest blocks. Everything else sits out year round.