While We Were Away......

We needed to be away for awhile ....

so....why not....

a little Disneyland, Sea World and the San Diego Zoo????

and...so we did.

It was so fun to be together as a family.....all 29 of us!

Yes....The Boy is kissing a Dolphin....

so many wonderful experiences;)

Meals were always interesting.....with 23-29 people.....

of all ages!

A table for the ADULTS....

A table for the TEENAGERS.....

and...... A table for the "LITTLE KIDS"

It was a GREAT time!

It's The Most Wonderful Time Of The Year!

The Rooster was very pleasantly suprised on Christmas Morn.....

The tradition of the gingerbread house was accomplished with the help of The Farmer....

and a glue gun....

The Family Memory Tree was loaded with lots of years of memories....

PreShie got just what she wanted.......

and so did The Boy.....in a Chex cereal box.....

We got a bit of a late start on our list of family traditions this year....as we were out of town

for awhile. But, it was wonderful to be home

it was wonderful to be together.

Merry Christmas ..........

From Our Home To Yours!

Feliz Navidad!

There's No Place Like Home!

Sooooooo very glad to be home!

It's the best place on earth.

The Dust REALLY needs to settle.....

We are in the midst of a Dust Storm....not literally,

but you know what I mean.

The dust really needs to settle!

and

hopefully soon enough it will....until the next storm comes along.

But then again...I guess that is life!

I need to take a break from this thing I enjoy so much....

BUT,

Not for long;)

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!!!

Rooster's Conference Notes....

During the Priesthood session, last weekend, The Rooster asked The Farmer

for a piece of paper. The Farmer thought he needed something to draw on, and gave him a scrap of paper he happened to have in his pocket.

After Priesthood was over, The Farmer took his boys out to a lovely dinner,

a little family tradition. During dinner The Farmer asked his boys...what

they had learned from the talks they had just heard. The Rooster quickly

took a wadded up piece of paper out of the pocket of his suit and began to share

quotes that he had written from each speaker.

The Farmer was shocked! Pleasantly shocked I might add;)

When The Rooster arrived home that same night, he asked me for a notebook

and he then carefully copied his notes from the meeting.

(his gift is not spelling....as you might notice....be he is a "keeper!")

Another Football Weekend!

Another football weekend found us on the road again. We are so enjoying, following The Boy around to his games. The team is such a great group of boys and some of his dearest friends.

This weekend found us in Silver City, New Mexico. We have been to this little town

many times, but this was the first time for a football game. Many lessons are learned from sports, and well the coach of the opposing team reminded us that there are some

pretty unbalanced people in the world. Much too long of a story to repeat, but thankfully another administrator corrected is completely foolish behavior.

(I secretly hope he is reading my blog at this very moment!)

The Boy sprained (my opinion) a couple of his fingers during the game, but blessed with his grandmother's tolerance for pain....he was basically okay.

p.s. I really like #80....he is a dear friend to The Boy....they have been basically since birth.

After the game.....and after some yummy Mexican food, The Boy and #80 took off to the Ranch with one of The Farmer's brothers.....for a weekend round-up. Oh....those two boys needed a trip to the ranch. A little mental R&R.

On our way home.....we all enjoyed a flu shot....we are begining to see outbreaks here.

I know that opinions are mixed about the shots, but we are not sure which risk is greater....to get the shot....or not to?????

It's done now!

Halloween decorations have taken over our home.

We are really having fun this year....

This is Wanda....

She is my favorite! My sister-in-law painted this for me a few years ago,

and she is must each Halloween!

A fire is roaring in the fireplace...and The Farmer just asked....

"Who started that fire???" and I answered "ME!!"

to which he replied...."why...it isn't even cold,"

and I said

"because I can...that's why!"

Fall Corn Chowder

It is starting to feel like and look like Fall around here!

The mornings and evenings are quite cool and the leaves are looking a little yellow.

We had our first fire in our fireplace Saturday night....not because it was so cold, but because it was cold enough to justify it;) When the seasons change, I start thinking soup and bread.

I made this a couple of weeks ago and it is a keeper!

We added cornbread and a salad for the perfect Fall dinner!

Fall Corn Chowder

4 silces of bacon, chopped

1 large onion, finely diced

pinch of cayenne

2 cloves of garlic, minced

1 t. thyme

8 c. corn kernels, frozen or fresh

1 can of evaporated milk

2 1/2 c. chicken broth

1/4 c. chopped scallions

In a large stock pot, cook bacon until crispy, then remove to a paper towel to drain.

In same pot add onion, saute until tender, about 8 minutes. Add cayenne, garlic, thyme, and cook for 30 seconds. Combine 4 cups of corn and 2 cups of broth in a blender. Puree until smooth. Add blended corn mixture, remaining corn and remaining broth to pot. Bring to a boil, reduce heat and simmer until corn is tender, about 10 minutes. Add canned milk and season with salt and pepper to taste. Top with crispy bacon and scallions.

Where In The World Is.......????

The weekend found us on the road again....another football game for The Boy.

We are having so much fun following the team.

I had really heard alot about Marfa, Texas, mostly comments like,

"there is nothing in Marfa....it is a looooooong drive, not worth the trip."

Well, I must be easily entertained because The Farmer and I had a great time!!

When you are fairly near the border of Mexico and the US, you will often find these types

of stations.

The "balloon" is huge, and has camera equipment to monitor the traffic along the border.

the illegal type of traffic.

They seem to be in very remote areas.

Some friends told us that there was a Prada store in Marfa, and I did know enough to know

that there must be some joke involved. No joke.....just some modern art.

Really..... the point was to show the most urban of ideas in the most rural of settings.

It was fun to see!

Marfa is the home to the historic Paisano Hotel. It is the hotel where all of the celebrities stayed while filming "Giant." Rock Hudson and Elizabeth Taylor were just a couple who stayed there. It has been completely restored and it really great!

The town is filled with art galleries and darling boutique type shops.

Marfa is famous for the Marfa Mystery Lights. After the football game, The Farmer

and I drove to the observation area in hoped of seeing the mysterious lights,

and yes.....we saw them! There were many people sitting in lawn chairs with telescopes

admiring the lights. It was interesting and fun.

It was a fun weekend.....we will certainly go back next year!