Creepy

These pictures always give me the heebie jeebies. . . . .ugh*shiver*ick

I've been meaning to post them since last November when we were in Southern California. We were at a rest stop and I happened to be looking at the maps/brochures that they always have on a board. Our niece Kayla came around the corner saying, "Ummm...Anita....there's a big spider crawling towards you..." It didn't take long for me to move, that's for sure! Tarantulas just aren't my thing. I wish I had a coin or something next to him so you can see how big he really was. With Halloween coming up next month, these are maybe appropriate to post - what do you think? I can hardly stand to look at the pictures. *shiverrrrr*

Macaroons

Jaeden and Brooklyn love to cook and bake.

Brooklyn's latest endeavor yesterday after school: coconut macaroons. Now if we can just work on getting them to look like the beautiful macaroons in Paris bakeries. . . . .
They were a hit with everyone but Jordan. Keith loved them and as a result, they didn't last long!

Overheard this morning: Jaeden telling Brooklyn "Come here and fight like a man." Seems to have gotten her ire up a bit! Wonder why...

Another Wedding

Last week, I had the opportunity to help prep and serve food for a wedding of some friends of ours. The wedding was held at the Schmidt House in Tumwater, WA.

A pretty little pool strewn with flowers

The amazingly talented Kathy, mother-of-the-bride, with a brother-in-law whose wedding we attended last year.

The beautiful, beaming bride, Kati with her father

Can you feel the love???

Kati & Forrest

The wonderful buffet for the guests

I wish I had taken a picture of the crab cakes and salmon tarts that the mother-of-the-bride made.
What you can't see is how delicious everything was! The cakes were also made by the mother. Lemon with raspberries and lemon curd (the best ever!), chocolate decadence, white chocolate and strawberries, hummingbird cake, etc.
All of the bouquets and flowers were done by an aunt of the bride. This family is truly filled with the most talented, kind-hearted, sweet people. It was such a pleasure working with all of them and getting to know them a little better! Of course, spending time with the family's first grand-baby who was just 3 weeks old was a wonderful plus!

More wedding pics can be found here.

Cheesecake Recipe

Pumpkin Swirl Cheesecake

with Gingersnap Crust

(Super yummy & very easy to make!)

Prep Time: 20 min
Total Time: 5 hr 35 min
Makes: 16 servings

What You Need!
25 Ginger Snaps, finely crushed (about 1-1/2 cups)

1/2 cup finely chopped Pecans

1/4 cup (1/2 stick) butter, melted
4 pkg. (8 oz. each) Cream Cheese, softened
1 cup sugar, divided
1 tsp. vanilla
4 eggs
1 cup canned pumpkin
1 tsp. ground cinnamon
1/4 tsp. ground nutmeg
Dash ground cloves

Make It!
HEAT oven to 325°F
MIX crumbs, nuts and butter; press onto bottom and 1 inch up side of 13x9-inch pan.
BEAT cream cheese, 3/4 cup sugar and vanilla with mixer until well blended. Add eggs, 1 at a time, beating after each just until blended. Remove 1-1/2 cups batter. Stir remaining sugar, pumpkin and spices into remaining batter.
SPOON half the pumpkin batter into crust; top with spoonfuls of half the plain batter. Repeat layers; swirl with knife.
BAKE 45 min. or until center is almost set. Cool completely. Refrigerate 4 hours.

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I made this for a potluck a couple of weeks ago and it was a huge hit! It's rich so a small square goes a long way. Perfect dessert for fall. Let me know if you make it - I'd love to hear your thoughts on it!

Puyallup Fair

We took the two younger kids out of school an hour or two early so that Uncle Fred and Aunt Jolene could take them to the state fair on the 14th. Jordan had already been with his cousin Kayla.

The fair isn't complete without a ride on the Ferris Wheel.

Great views

Fred and Jolene enjoying the ride

I was amazed that the kids were game for going on all the rides they did. They're finally tall enough to go on almost everything. Uncle Fred had a blast watching them!

We had a great time at the fair! Of course, I didn't join the kids on all the rides or else I would've been rather sick by the end of the night. Did you go to any fairs this summer?

Back to School

Does 4th grade come with attitude? The cooperation factor was missing this morning, but I did manage to get one un-blurry photo of Jaeden (finally).

Brooklyn looking forward to the 3rd grade.

I so wanted a picture of them together (I tried), but now the moment is gone forever...

Jordan still has 2 more weeks before he starts, and I promise a picture then. Even if I have to sit on him to get it done!

With Mrs. Pietila.

I just had to take this picture of the school bus in the fog. It shouts FALL. 'Twas a damp, cold, brisk walk this morning, but it sure felt good. Brooklyn was talking about a cold nose and I was telling her that's what scarves are for - wrapping around your face to keep you warm. Brrrr....and winter isn't even here, yet. I'd happily send some of this down to you Arizonans!

Can't wait to hear all the wonderful first-day-of-school stories they come home with! But first things first. Do I tackle cleaning the office, do the dishes and tidy up the house, or run to Starbucks and relish a few moments of this new quietness? Hard decision. . . . .

Where Are You???

We haven't disappeared. Really, we haven't! Just don't have a whole lot to blog about right now.

The two youngest kids are starting school on Tuesday (whoohoo!) and the oldest starts on the 21st. Can't believe we have a 3rd grader, a 4th grader, and a college student!

I'm looking forward to all that FALL brings. School, routines, crisp weather, sweaters, leaves changing color, candles burning, pumpkins, baking, and the list goes on. . . . .

What do you look forward to in the fall?