TODAY IS A WONDERFUL DAY

to celebrate the anniversary of our kidney transplant - it's been two years!

OUR SHOPPING LIST

is slowly starting to come together:

1. Nature's Miracle
2. Orange dog collar
3. Grooming brushes
4. House training bell
5. Leash
6. Plush toy

What are some of your favorite doggie items?

I REALLY WANT TO FIND TIME TO SEW

Especially this purse when the pattern comes out.

via theboytrifecta

It made me swoon.

ICE APPLES

Have you heard of them? I haven't, until now.

Al's Garden Center offers them once a year and I'm definitely going to pick some up. I heard they do not disappoint and I'm looking forward to it.

I HAVE TO CONSTANTLY HAVE MY MAN CLAN

call my phone because I put it down somewhere and can't remember where.

When no one is around, it is so frustrating. Especially when it's right under my nose!

via Swissmiss

I don't need to worry the next time one of my men can't come to my rescue.

Go to www.icantfindmyphone.com, type in your phone number and it will call it for you!

Yes, I have tried it and think it's genius.

HAYSLIDES AND HAY PYRAMID TUNNELS

Marionberry scones.A hayride around corn fields and blueberry patches.

A tumble on one of the hayslides.

Picking one of the smallest pumpkins out of the entire pumpkin patch.

Going on a kindergarten field trip with my favorite 5 year old - priceless fun!

PS - The scones smelled SO good! I'm going to make some blueberry vegan scones today.

DON'T JUDGE ME

Never mind, go ahead and judge.
Have you ever had your heart drop in your stomach when you came to a realization?
That's what happened to me last night and I'm so depressed!
I was thinking how happy I am that we are finally getting a Trader Joe's in town. That's when it happened. My heart in stomach, so sad for me realization was that I can no longer eat my very favorite item they sell due to my newly developed allergic reaction.

photo via ambrosialove

It's a sad, sad day for me and my taste buds.
And so sad that food puts me into a depression. It's okay to judge that, I know it's ridiculous.

HELP! TELL ME WHAT TO DO!

I try to conquer my fears by facing them.
I was afraid of dark water, so I became a certified scuba diver so I would know what was underneath me. I love scuba diving! I was afraid of heights, so I went skydiving - twice. I loved it! And, if it wasn't so expensive I'd love to be a certified skydiver.
You know me well if you know I'm scared of DOGS.
Last weekend my brother and sister-in-law had their dog with them. I was very proud of myself for how I was around her and I even pet her. My man clan fell head over heals in love with Mary Jane. She's all they talk about. Our oldest told us he'd rather have a dog than a car - that was a shock to hear!
So here's the dilemma:Meet 6 week old Lily. She meets every criteria on our list BUT:
1. We'd have to drive 13 hours to pick her up.
2. She would take every cent of my stash for home improvements.
3. She'd be here in 2 weeks.

I know my man clan would be ecstatic but I can't decide what to do. I can't decide if it's my fear talking to me or that my home improvement stash would be empty. I need to decide quickly because I have to put a deposit down so she's reserved for us.
What do you think?

IT FELT LIKE A MINI LUAU

with our family, smiles, laughter, loads of food and GAYLENE visiting us from Hawaii.

Gaylene showed how to roll sushi, gave us the secret for awesome sticky rice and some ah-ha moments about miso usage.

The little cousins had a blast and ended up in the Peterson pool - aka Grandma and Grandpa Joan's hot tub.

I love our parting poses. They are definitely not Christmas card worthy but adds to the parting hoopla with smiles and giggles.

WHAT DO YOU CALL A MUMMY EATING IN BED?

A crummy mummy!!

We had mummy pizza tonight and it was delish!

PS - Why don't mummies take vacations? They're afraid they'll relax and unwind.

GHOSTLY SHENANIGANS

are happening around here again.

Remember these ghosts from last year?

PS - There is a teenage ghost here too but he didn't want to have his ghostly self in the blogispher.

THE FALL KITCHEN CURE

has started and I'm participating this time and thank goodness too.
I found turkey bacon in the freezer that had expired in February, some dairy turned science experiment in the fridge and rice-a-roni boxes in the cupboard that expired 2 years ago!

Want to do it too?

Click here for the complete assignment for week 1 and let me know - I'd love to see your before and after photo!

CRITIC'S CHOICE AWARD GOES TO

Chris Adler for his film, Reco, at the SLC Open Screen Night.You can read this great article about him here.
Keep your eyes peeled for more projects from Chris and "like" the Reco Facebook page, here.

I'VE HAD A NASTY COLD

and my man clan and house has been neglected.
While picking up clothes, books and toys I couldn't help but smile when I saw another found use for toilet paper - toilet paper casts.
I love my boys and their imaginations.

PUMPKINS

are getting prepped and carving utensils are being gathered.Tomorrow these pumpkins will transform into jack-o-lanterns.

LA MAISONNETTE ROMANTIC GETAWAY GIVEAWAY

Stephmodo is giving away a week in France!
Click here to read all about it and enter.I'd be so happy for you if you win, but I'd be even more happy if I win!

DEATH IS DIFFICULT

and when it's unexpected it's even more so. I can't even imagine.

Larry and I went to a memorial service today. An incredibly beautiful service where the chapel was overflowing with people who had come to show their respect and support for the family.

Bear Lake, Summer 2008

My heart is breaking for my dear friends and their family.
I admire their strength during this very difficult time.

FAMILY RULES

Loving this sign
and this one too.

Both from Signs of Vintage.

I ASKED MY BROTHER AND SISTER

to paint me a picture of our grandparents. My brother did a woodburning inspired by this photo of our grandfather.

My sister did a painting inspired after this photo of our grandmother.

I love how this wall is coming together.

COMFORT FOOD

was the theme for family dinner and we chose to be a little Halloweenie with some weenies... We brought Hot Dog Mummies and Monster Toes.
Tis the season - mmmwahahahaha...

I'M SO GLAD IT'S HERE,

albeit it will be a rainy one.Have a wonderful weekend.

GHOSTLY PIZZA

is in our oven.... What's your favorite Friday night dinner?

PUMPKIN CHOCOLATE CHIP COOKIES

When I saw a recipe containing pumpkin and chocolate posted on One Charming Party, I knew I had to try it.
It is so good and was super easy to make vegan.
My man clan and their taste buds are so happy right now!

1 1/2 cups sugar

1/2 cup butter

1 egg

1 tsp vanilla

1 cup canned pumpkin

2 cups flour

1/2 tsp salt

1 tsp baking soda

1 tsp baking powder

1 tsp cinnamon

1 cup chocolate chips

Cream the sugar and butter. Mix in the egg, vanilla and pumpkin. In another bowl whisk together the flour, salt, baking soda, baking powder and cinnamon. Add flour mixture to the pumpkin mixture. Mix just until combined. Stir in the chocolate chips. Drop spoonfuls onto a cookie sheet and bake for 10-15 minutes at 350 degrees.

To make the cookies vegan, I substituted butter, egg and chocolate for Earth Balance buttery sticks, Ener G egg substitute and Sunspire vegan chocolate chips.

We ate the cookies while watching The Little Vampire. I love October!

STEPHANIE-PALOOZA IS OVER

and I can't believe all that we did - we had so much fun!!

Hiked Trail of Ten Falls

Went to the Pirate Festival

Went whale watching

Discovered Nye Beach

Went to Cobble Beach

Tried to fly a kite at the beach

She dyed her hair purple

Had a family bon voyage party

Had a Utah going away party

Visited Grandma and Utah other relatives

Had fun in the party mobile

Went to Hatch Family Chocolates

Attended General Conference

Tried lots of new restaurants in Utah

Went to the Bonneville Salt Flats

As added perks I saw high school friends and had my first solo hike

I think I need to have a Laura-Palooza now.

SO LONG, FAREWELL, ADIOS, CHEERIO!

It came time for me to leave Stephanie so she could continue her journey to Scotland for her new life adventures.
I might have cried. She might have cried. I'm so happy for her!!

I had to say goodbye Miriam too. She's our awesome Mexican sister.

PS - Yes, I know it looks like I'm having boobie issues in the photo but it's the only goodbye photo I have.

WHEN I WAS YOUNGER, I THOUGHT OF

General Conference as a day off of church.
Now, I look forward to watching it on television and to listen to the guidance it provides.
Stephanie and I received tickets (super duper close!) from Kacy to attend the Saturday morning session at the Conference Center.
I had never been to a live session before and it was amazing to be that close to the prophet and other men of God.
And to hear the Mormon Tabernacle Choir live - their music pierces your soul.

Hearing to remember to express gratitude for what I have and not to focus on what I lack, to slow down a little, that my self worth has nothing to do with my to-do list, etc....made my heart full.
I always hear one or two talks that I feel are spoken just to me.
One of my favorite talks from the Saturday morning session was this one.

Before I left for the airport on Monday, Stephanie and I had lunch with Kacy and toured a few places on Temple Square. We had a wonderful weekend where we were fed physically and spiritually. I can't think of a better way to have a bon voyage weekend than all the things we did!

I WISH I COULD PARTICIPATE

in the taste test of the chocolate I purchased for my man clan from The Little Chocolatiers' shop - Hatch Family Chocolates ....

They say it's delicious and give it two enthusiastic thumbs up!

If you're wondering, Steph and I did not see Steve or Katie. Maybe next time....