Halleluah!

Today we hit the 70 degree mark in the Chicago area. Halleluah!!! I am so happy. All the windows are open. The little bugs and birds outside are busy like it was spring. Life is wonderful, gorgeous and exhilarating today. I love warm weather.

Pumpkin Eater

It's that time of the year. Time for cooler weather, excessive amounts of candy, fun costumes, ghost stories, and pumpkin carving. We finally got around to carving our pumpkins last night. We are trying to make a habit of having family night, so this was our activity!

Skot's carving process looks painful and difficult.
Way to impress your wife pal! Skot is not typically one to read directions.
Here I am trying to do some intricate carving on my pumpkin. I decided that I wanted to carve an ancient Aztec god on my pumpkin, but quickly ditched that idea when I realized what I was about to do to myself. What I mean is that I tend to make big plans when it comes to decorative stuff without realizing or comprehending the amount of work it will require to accomplish. I might have gone ahead with my idea if I had the proper tools, though. 
Skot is finished way before me, of course. :) That's alright, it gave him time to take some more pictures.

Sewing Allowed, but Only with Bright Colors

I am sewing and enjoying it very much. I have had this project on the back burner for a couple of years. How sad that it has taken me this long, but at least I am finally at it. I have needed something to protect and store my good silverware, well, since I received some when Skot and I were first married. If you look close you will see the stitching is not exactly straight, but this was my first. Practice makes perfect.

Spoon holder.

The good 'ole sewing machine. I inherited this from Skot's mom, EJ, who inherited it from Skot's paternal grandmother. It's nice to have an "heirloom" that you can use on a regular basis.

Finished product, all wrapped up.

Pilates Studio, a New Frontier

I decided months ago that I wanted to try pilates again, and not with the old video I purchased from an infommercial some 5 years ago. So, after discussing this with some friends at work (once again some months ago) we decided we would get a group of four together and proceeded to procrastinate our master plan.  So, to my great surprise, they purchased a gift certificate for my birthday for a private training session. I went to Inner Peace Pilates studio on Friday past and enjoyed my first training session on the "Cadillac" and "Reformer" machines. Loved it, my abs are sore, my body feels limber. That's all I have to say for now. :)

The studio floor. No shoes allowed. I love "no shoes allowed" type places. It seems cleaner.
The Cadillac is on the left, the reformer machines to the right. The stuff hanging down from the bars on the cadillac (aka trapeze machine) are spring loaded, so you lay down and pull with arms or legs depending on what exercise you are doing.

Soothing purchase

What the heck is wrong with blogger? I am trying to post some stuff and it is making me crazy. My pictures are going in the wrong order, despite the fact that I am putting them in proper order. This is craziness and frustration.

This picture was supposed to go on my last post, whatever. I went to my favorite flower shop in the whole world, called MUM, and purchased these lovely bits of nature. I have fresh-cut flowers in my house pretty much every day. I buy on Wednesday or Friday typically. I'll put a link to their website on here today... if the computer and blog site will cooperate. :(

...just a quick addition... now I can't even get the type face to adjust to the right size! Ahhh!!!

The Plant Lady Mourns

The lovely amaryllis has finished blooming. We'll have to wait another year...

Ohh... Blah.

I want a new camera. I am currently looking. I am frustrated with the basic cam. we have right now because I can't get a decent shot unless the surrounding lighting is absolutely perfect. So, I suppose that means I want something with a better flash. Maybe even a camera with changeable flashes? That automatically puts me into a higher price range - to purchase the flash attachments I mean.

So here are my wants: digital, good flash, big working screen, easy buttons, middle price range. Any suggestions? 

Beet Red Continued

I almost forgot... I have two more beets left. What do I do with them besides eat on salads?

Plant Lady is back

The Warr's bought me a lovely amaryllis for my birthday and this is what it looks like 2 weeks later.

Purple carnation.
Yellow carnation with purple tips.

Spring, please come back!

We have a looming winter at hand and preparing these spring rolls makes my heart whimper a little.

How lovely! How gorgeous! SO HEALTHY!
Amalea helped Skot and her daddy (Jason) soak the sheets of rice paper. She was very good at knowing when they were ready to roll.
Monica and little Isabel watched and taste-tested.

Beet Red

It's a little embarrassing... I love to experiment with food, but I suppose that the word "experiment" is deceiving. I really only try out new food/recipes after I try it in a restaurant first. That does not make me a proper kitchen connoisseur.  I have tried a couple of recipes without actually tasting the stuff first, but never had the outcome I was hoping for. Oh well, maybe one day I will become a little more brave again. For now I will just be the "Copy Cat Connoisseur."

Aren't these beets lovely? I had some amazing spring rolls when we were poolside in Las Vegas. So, of course, I felt compelled to make my own at home. There was quite a bit of preparation. I chose numerous veggies and had to julienne them all by hand because I don't have a food processor. This beet was one of those vegetables. I was so taken aback by the beauty of this red beet I had to stop everything and take a picture. The spring rolls will be posted soon.

Apple Pickin'

Last Saturday we went apple pickin' at the Prairie Sky Orchard in Woodstock. We had fun, reconnected slightly with nature, bought pumpkins, and also picked some raspberries.

This is what happens when I ask Skot to smile for me. I get cheese face. 

Conference and Blood Sucking

We watched General Conference on the 4th and 5th. I love Conference. I learn so much. It is a time for reflection and personal inventory and I appreciate the effort the speakers put in to their messages. This is also the time of year that Skot and I give blood. There is a blood drive set up at our church building every April and October. I haven't been able to give blood for a while, but decided to try to jump back on the wagon. Skot, as usual, a real trooper.

Happy Birthday?

My B-Day was Friday Oct 3rd.  We had just finished our quick vacation to Las Vegas on Monday, so when Skot asked what I wanted for my birthday I said "I just want a normal day." In other words, come home on time, stay home for dinner and just hang out. So, I was out running errands and decided to meet up with Skot for lunch at good ol' Olive Garden. I was slightly mistreated.....

Skot squashed my head.
And poked out my eyes. I got him back. :)
I picked his nose.
And then... well you can see for yourself. Ha HA

Hold Your Horses

I have new pictures... no time to post now. I will do it tomorrow afternoon! :) Just hold your horses.

What Happens in Vegas... Part III

We stopped by UNLV's dental school. This is the one Uncle Steve started and was the Dean of.

The fountains at Bellagio.
Our yummy dinner at Yellowtail. Outside our window were the Bellagio fountains, great view.
Our gondolier at the Venetian.
Skot was just dying to get a picture with Donnie and Marie... :)

What Happens in Vegas... Part II

Friday night, running around.

Saturday night, getting ready.
Out and about.
Dinner at the Wynn Hotel.

What Happens in Vegas... Part I

A quick visit to gargantuan Hoover Dam.

The most important part for me - RELAXATION at the fake beach! Ha!