Halloween and keeping up with the blog.

This year, we went a little dark with our Halloween costumes. The boys were all about spooks and being scary. We used a whole lot of eye liner, and a whole lot of spirit gum and fake hair.
After a few YouTube make up tutorials, I tackled the Vampire and the Pirate with the greatest of ease.

Yes, the Pirate moustache is a bit heavy on the left side, but Pirates don't take care of grooming their moustaches.

And, we won't go into how mad I was that I let my oldest wear his nice church pants to school for the costume parade only to have him return home with a big hole in the knee. Next time, Vampires wear jeans.

My youngest consumed half of his facial hair at lunch. He came home with his half of his fuzz missing-- but, good thing a little fake hair won't hurt your innards.

Why am I finding it so difficult to keep up with my blogging? Way back when, I never missed a day, but today I blink and a month has rolled right on by without even a mention! This fall, I have made a new goal to be better about it. Look for more recipes, activities, and jolly-making. Little Momma is geared up for refocus!

outdoor movie party!

Last month, I helped throw a fabulous birthday party for my sassy friend, Cristina. While my friends Colleen and Cassandra mulled birthday party ideas around in our heads- we finally decided on an outdoor movie bash. Then, we went to work-- and crossed our fingers that it wouldn't rain!

I was in charge of the cake! (my favorite part of any party!)

This was no ordinary cake!

This cake was studded with Cornfetti popcorn brought lovingly home from the Mom and Popcorn Company in Texas! This cake had a suprise inside.

Colleen, Cassandra and I all pulled together to transform a backyard into a perfect movie paradise-- popcorn of all flavors, candies, and soda by the bottle.

We piled the quilts and blankets up high in the middle of the yard, and got the movie started!

It was a bit magical if I do say so myself, and the weather was perfect. Not a drop of rain that night!

Happy Birthday Cristina! (Even though you are only 28 and make me feel like an old lady!)

it's already fall, and we've been a busy bunch...

What has happened to my blog?

I don't know, but it's been in the back burner for a few months. We've been a busy fam. In fact, I find blogging hard to work into my schedule anymore (which is so strange since the boys are in school most of the day) ... but, I'm not giving up!

It's fall already! Can you believe it? The trees here in Utah have hit their color peak and are shedding their leaves. The roads near the canyons are covered in autumnal confetti of yellows, oranges, and reds. I've pulled out my scarves, my pants, and even my coats. Hot cocoa accompany my mornings. I can see my breath outside in the evenings. We've got pumpkins on our porch. I'm getting ready to turn *gasp!* 32 next month. Yes, fall is definitely here. There is no mistaking it now. Even the persistent little spider on the back porch knows it. He faithfully spins his ever stretching web morning after morning morning, even though I beat it down daily. I wouldn't normally mind, if it weren't for the fact that he chooses the entry to the stairwell, and he's lured me in a few times on my way down to the backyard. He's our own living Halloween decorations!

hunting, for the big red barn.

Last month, I was bored.

Jeff was out of town.

It was hot, and summers vacations were too far away to look forward too.

We needed something to do.

So, we loaded up into the car-- and away we drove.

We drove, and drove, and drove...

We got lost once (okay, twice) looking for:

What is this place?

An obscure little store, waaaaaaaay on the outskirts of any substantial town...

past lots of farm fields, cows, and nothingness.

Even my GPS was confused.

"Turn right here!" The GPS lady chirped.

I turned, and the road hit a dead end.

Luckily, the Big Red Barn is out on the open land, all alone... in the middle of nowhere.

So, we found it with old navigational indian techniques and cold, hard, luck.

So, why did I drive for miles and miles to this silly red barn?

Yes, watermelon ice cream.. and black licorice too. My stomach made me do it.

So, was it:

The journey was better than the destination, so I would say that

I never thought I would say this, but...

I miss you winter.

I'm a fickle lass... I guess.

my awakening to scarves.

Oh! Scarves!
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How did I live without them for so long? It's like a long lost friend, giving me a hug as I wrap my newest scarf around my neck. I guess it took a cooler climate to bring out the scarfanista in me!
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When my friend Shannon came to visit at the beginning of Summer, I was on the hunt for my first scarf. We found her! A gorgeous, rouged, cream colored with black polka dots. In fact, Shannon and I ended up buying matching scarves because we thought they were too cute to pass up. Everyone needs a scarf buddy.
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Now-a-days, you will always find me perusing the scarf section, hunting for my next favorite charmer. A black pom pom wrap? Sure! A scarlet silky? YES! I have a feeling they might move from my neck up to my hair. Hey, Mary Tyler Moore got away with it, shan't I?

my new obsession.

My new obsession isn't shoes... it isn't clothes, or hats, or even food.

My new obsession is taking photos of:

I'm getting quite the:

We are so lucky that Utah is full of lush:

It's driving my family crazy... every few steps, it's a "stop right there!" a few clicks and then we are on our way again. See, I'm:

tahoe treats.

{shaken} mint limeaid.

Two weeks ago my fabulous friend Cristina and I spent a Saturday morning at the Salt Lake City farmers market. It was a crowded mess of people, but an amazing display of produce, crafts, and food! I had the boys with me, so keeping them happy was my priority. I promised and gave into treats, knock knock jokes, and the threats of holding hands to keep us all together. The sun was hot, and beating wildly on our heads most of the morning-- so when the boys begged me for a drink, I had to oblige.

Out of the corner of my eye, I saw 3 hippies shaking up mint limeaids in mason jars and pouring them into cups. At $4 a pop, they were a bit pricey, but there was nothing else around! My first sip proved to be so satisfying that as soon as I got home, I rushed to the store for limes and mint. After a quick ramble around my pantry for an old mason jar-- I was in business and mixing limeaid for myself for less than 25 cents a serving!

I don't have exact measurements, but I replicated as best as I could and the results were just as refreshing and tasty. If you decide to make your own, you might have to experiment a bit to get the flavor just right...

First, I cut up about 4 limes, juiced them, and cut them into quarters.

Then, I put about 4 lime quarters in the bottom of my mason jar, along with a few sprigs of mint:

Then I added about a quarter cup of lime juice (maybe a bit less, maybe a bit more... I did it all by eye instead of measuring cups).

Then, I filled the jar with ice about 3/4 of the way up.

1 or 2 teaspoons of sugar

Last, I filled the jar with water, just past the ice. I topped the jar with the lid (tightly!) and did a little:

After I poured it all into a glass (everything, limes and mint included) I added a paper straw and sipped to my hearts content. Mmmmmmmm....

Fun, quirky, and delicious! My new summertime favorite!

don't rock the boat {baby}

While we were in Tahoe, we decided we couldn't leave without exploring the lake. So, after plunking down a pretty penny-- we bought 4 hours on:

One thing I found out about Jeff early on {as with any pilot} he has a need for speed! Why did I expect a leisurely tour ride while I climbed aboard the SS BREAKNECK? Who knows. But with Mario Andretti behind the wheel, I suppose I got my moneys worth.

First things first!
In the beginning, we took it slow. Lunching and lounging around Emerald Bay. The weather was supurb. The water was gorgeous! We lazily waived to the onlookers standing by on the sand. Fabulous! While bobbing around the island in the middle of the bay and looking for signs of Tahoe Tessie, we found that it was the perfect opportunity for an impromptu boating lesson. Both boys loved getting their turn behind the drivers wheel.

And then, we all hunkered down while the real ride began. We zipped and zagged from Emerald bay to Zephyr Cove to the crystal blue Sand Harbor.


But:

Our ride out to Sand Harbor was incredible. How could you not love crystal blue swimming pool-like water, nestled between pine trees and a sandy beach.
And, I am always amazed that you can see: