I Consider Myself A Christian...I REALLY DO!!

(Waring...I am going to do a little venting...)

So, I spent a couple of days in Denver this week. I hadn't been there before so I enjoyed checking the place out. It is a lovely city, it reminded me of Salt Lake City. The Farmer and I were there less than 24 hours, attended to a little business and boarded the plane to return home. It was a full flight and I do mean full!! Not an open seat to be found. So I sat between The Farmer and a nice gentlemen who was from Albuquerque, a place I visit often and love. So after take off, the "kind gentleman" began to ask me a few questions, which I politely answered. You know....about the family and why we live where we do. And then I told him that I really liked Albuquerque and I would be there next week for the BYU vs. UNM football game. At that point everything changed. He smiled and said "BYU???" and I said "YES." And then he became very quiet. He then pulled out a little book, like the one above, and began to read prayers, which he was very obviously repeating outloud and then he started to cross himself and did that about 5 times. By this time we landed in Albuquerque and he very quickly exited the plane.

NOW......

I got the feeling that this was all directed to me. You know...because I am a Mormon. The Farmer even leaned over to me in the middle of the event and said "what is going on over there??" I guess for the "kind gentleman", sitting next to a Mormon was about all he could take. And then I began to ask myself how this man developed the feelings that he had toward me, and how I choose to believe?? Does he have a pastor who speaks against my religion? What exactly is he afraid of?

I do not fault anyone who does not believe like I do...and all I hope is that others will offer me the same. I respect those who, whatever their belief may be, really committ themselves to living their beliefs. Who serve those around them, who support their community, who are great neighbors. I have many friends of other faiths and I love them, and I know that they love me too. But shame on you "Mr. Kind Gentleman" for trying so hard to protect yourself from another Christian, that you behaved in the most un-christian like conduct that I have witnessed in a LONG, LONG time! And shame on any leader of any "Christian" congregation who teaches contempt for anyone who believes other than they do. And P.S. "Mr. Kind Gentleman" if you would take a little moment to check things out....you might just find that I believe in Christ and love his teachings......

JUST LIKE YOU DO!!!!

Dia De Los Muertos...

We celebrated Dia De Los Muertos (Day of the Dead) yesterday. School was out and that is always enjoyed. The day was full of fishing, basketball, sleeping in and lots of snacks! The afternoon brought a trip to the The Boy's accident site, where one of his friends lost her life. He left a bouquet of flowers and
a very tender note. He recounted many details from the accident that he had not talked about in a long time. It made him sad.
It made me cry.

The note said "Te extrano mucho, con amor..." which means

"I miss you, Love you."
He carefully tucked the card on her cross so it would not blow away.


Next, we visited our cemetary....a place we love. The cemetary was full of people
celebrating the lives of family members they had lost. The Farmer's Dad
is still very loved and very missed.

Cousin Trisha reminded me of a little moment I had forgotten around the birth
and passing of our Colton...we shed tears, we miss him very much.

Our sweet Gracie...oh how we all miss her....expecially her sister PreShie;)

All of the extended family was there to celebrate together. It was a wonderful
time! Yummy treats and toasty warm drinks. Uncle Merriner brought doughnuts for everyone....we sure do love "Tio" He is like the "Godfather" of our family, a great man!

These are typical Mexican graves, decorated for Dia De Los Muertos.

On our way home we enjoyed corn from a street vendor.
The Boy wanted his left on the cob. He had just watched Nacho Libre the
night before....;)


The little corn stand that we have been frequenting for many years.

And finally a cup of corn....Mexico style....a perfect end to a lovely afternoon.

Thought You Should Know....

PreShie had a big change in her life last week....she has looked like this
(above) for several years and now.....

She looks like this! She hasn't stopped smiling;)

We awoke to snow last week, NOT a normal sight around here....especially
for October. It was a beautiful morning,

Until it all melted. We were sad to see it go.

The football season has officially ended, with a fantastic win for the Lobos
at their homecoming game Friday. We are sad to see it end...it has been a fun season, but we are READY for Bastketball to begin!

An This Is Why.......

This is why I love this place!
Friday afternoon football games...where everyone comes out to support the team. Where kids are found everywhere......
Playing,
Selling pumpkins, Huck Finn Style....whay to go Rooster!
Visiting....
Eating yummy food...
Where the Ref is AKA...The Bishop.
Where your uncle runs along the sidelines with you,
while you are running a touchdown in...
yelling..."You can do it...Boy...RUN!!!"
Where your cousins are the cheerleaders.
Where The Mom, can be on the sidelines to take pictures.
Where you get to ring the bell of the clock tower once for every winning point.
Where singing "Army of Helaman" at the end of every game, win or loose.....
Is A Tradition!

Oh Boy!!!

A Fall Must!

I have made it my personal quest to find the best ever Apple Dumpling.....Baked Apple....

in the whole world...and I think this just may be it!

It is the perfect taste of Fall....and it left our home smelling very good!

Baked Apples To Die For

3/4 cup brown sugar

1/2 cup unbleached all-purpose flour

1 cup quick oats

pinch of salt

1 teaspoon cinnamon

1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg

1 stick unsalted room temperature butter

8 Granny Smith Apples

Ready to use pie crust (dough)

In the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the paddle attachment (or in the food processor again), mix together all ingredients for the filling.

Using an apple peeler/slicer machine, peel, slice and core the apples.

Remove the dough from the refrigerator and cut

dough in fourths. Roll a piece of dough out to make an 8 inch circle and place one of the apples in the center. Stuff the middle of the apple with 2-3 tablespoons of the filling and pull the dough up the sides, using water to make the dough stick and seal in the apple.

Place a small amount of the filling on the top. Repeat with remaining apples and place in a large cast iron skillet or casserole dish.

Brush the tops of the apples with cream and sprinkle with granulated sugar. Sprinkle some of the leftover filling in and around the apples, and bake for 45-50 minutes, or until the apples are tender and the pastry is golden brown.

Serve warm with lots of vanilla ice cream! YUM!!

PreShie.....A Weekend Celebration!!

Happy Birthday to Sweet PreShie!

And how better to celebrate than to stretch it out as long as possible! I am all for that!

One of my dear brothers says it should be called "birth-month" rather than "birthday," and I totally agree with that!!

Our PreShie was a very welcome suprise. She has been full of emotion since the day she was born, and it has been alot of fun for us. Our celebration began in El Paso, with a birthday breakfast, birthday lunch, birthday shopping.....and anything else birthday that she could

squeeze in there. Saturday we had a birthday party, Sunday another party with

the family for yummy cake. Monday brought the birthday lunch of choice,

delivered to the high school for friends and cousins!!

You can never have enough birthday celebrations!

PreShie and the cousins.....they are beautiful girls!

The "birthday group" having a little birthday lunch.

The birthday cupcakes...complete with eyeballs and spider rings.

It was also "boot" day with the cousins.....some got new boots over the weekend and were anxious to show them off!

A little birthday "roping" is always in order. The Rooster offered himself up as the one to be roped.

The Boy and a good friend gladly did the roping.

On my way home from the birthday lunch......I had a moment.

One that I was reminded how much I love this place that I live. The afternoon was

beautiful, a little cloudy and just darn lovely.

And I found myself full of gratitude that I live where I do, with family and

friends that I love.

The weekend also brought a much deserved WIN for the Lobos,

The Boy played well. It was a great game.

Way to go Lobos!!!