Bat-O-Lanterns

So we haven't done too much by way of celebrating Halloween. I haven't made it through the sea of boxes in the basement to get out even one decoration. Thanks to the Family Fun magazine (love it!) we did have some fun making bats. Painting is always a hit around here. (Well, I think A.M. enjoyed it--in between her shrieks her hands were dirty again.) Now these fun bats grace our kitchen window just in time for tomorrow.

By the way, notice the forced smiles on both of their faces. I can't get a normal looking picture! Before I can even take a good picture A.M. is insisting to see the results on the digital screen. And E.R.--Ugh, well at least he's not giving the usual "you make me miserable, Mom" look! The full advantages of digital photography seem to be lost on my two. When I was a kid, we had to wait six months for Mom to develop the pictures; then, inevitably, my eyes were closed.

Otters' Rules

My kids have a new favorite book thanks to the Scholastic book order (which I LOVE) from E.R.'s school. I only mention it because I overheard A.M. repeating parts while eating breakfast this morning. I had to laugh. I find this book hilarious. A "doo-dee-doo" singing rabbit finds a family of otters have moved in next door. How should he act? He wonders. Among other kindnesses, the rabbit decides he and the otters could share things such as books and treats. What does an otter read? You ask. Why "Harry Otter", of course. (A book SO popular it even appeals to the semi-aquatic, fish eating demographic; yet, I still haven't managed to sit down and read it. I'm the only one--I know. Even the otters have beat me out.)

Glass Pumpkins

This blog was not up and running a few weeks ago when our family visited the glass museum. I was downloading the pictures and wanted to write about the day anyway.

For those of you who don't know, R. is now a project engineer for a large glass production company. This area is well known for glass.

Next to his company's offices is a glass museum. We decided to check it out. We didn't make a thorough day of it given that the kids are not too interested in every glass sculpture. (Besides, I was a nervous wreck we'd get kicked out if my kids left one more set of handprints on the glass enclosures!) Everyone jokes that about the only place to take out-of-town guests is the glass museum, so I'm sure we will become very familiar soon enough. My favorite of our short visit was an exquisite, life-size glass dress. Gorgeous! Although not too practical for the every-day woman's wardrobe--too transparent!

What we did do, however, is schedule the kids to participate in glass blowing. During the month of October children can blow their own glass pumpkins. We knew the experience would be lost a bit on A.M. but that E.R. would enjoy it. He did not disappoint and asked a lot of questions, so many the young man teaching them couldn't help but laugh.

The kids were able to choose their own colors for their pumpkins. They both chose orange pumpkins with green stems--the first traditional pumpkins of the day according to the glass blowers. R. leaned over and whispered they must be subconsciously influenced by my need to have everything fit and conform. I emphatically stated I was, in no way, to blame for our children's choices in pumpkins. But honestly, who would NOT choose an orange pumpkin with a green stem!

E.R. blew his pumpkin first. He did great once he got the hang of it. A.M. lasted two surprisingly good puffs on the blower then she no longer wanted to wear the protective glasses. R. finished for her. The next day A.M. and I picked up their finished pumpkins. This is when A.M. decided she LOVED her pumpkin. She insisted on carrying it around all evening, with me following nervously behind to ensure it lasted the night. (We did pay for it, I wasn't about to see it broken on the floor!) What a fun Saturday afternoon.

Love to See the Temple

Yesterday was a RS trip to the Palmyra Temple. I was glad for the opportunity because R. and I have not been able to go since we've moved. Because the temple is a little less than 2 hours away, a trip together would be long and we have not yet found a babysitter for that kind of time.

The drive was so nice. We had great conversation. I feel like I'm starting to get to know people and that feels good.

The temple is situated next to the Sacred Grove. It was dark when we arrived so I was not able to see it in relation to the Grove; but, of course the bright, white temple was still absolutely beautiful.

I was so thankful to be at the temple. R. and I have recently received such a decided confirmation to the promptings we felt months ago in making this cross-country move that there was no other place I wanted to be just so I could show, in a small way, how grateful I am. I just wish R. could have been there.

However, he was somewhere just as important--attending a school party with E.R. and A.M. They ate pizza and learned to dance the Macarena and the Hokey Pokey. They had a wonderful time. (R. says "wonderful" may be stretching it, but the kids did have fun.) I wish I could have been two places at once.

My Son the Barn Owl

For the past few weeks now, E.R. has been trying to convince us that he is nocturnal--or as he puts it, "noc-terminal". He is sure he can see just as well at night as he can in the day. And this, he says, is the reason he does not have to go to bed. Last night I asked if he thought he would still be able to see if every single light were turned off. He said that wasn't a problem, he would always have his flashlight with him so he could still be noc-terminal. I can't fight his logic! Do you see the resemblance? Apparently, he does!

Cold Weather = Soup Success!

Some of you might be thinking it is a bit ambitious of me to already be posting a recipe when I'm such a blogging novice; but, yesterday I accomplished something new and I'm so proud!

I like to cook. There is one thing, however, I've never been very good at--making bread. Even when using a bread machine a perfect loaf of bread has always alluded me. I guess I'm too impatient to figure out how to work with finicky yeast. I've decided it's time to change.

Before I tried something more complicated like wheat bread, I decided to make my own bread bowls as I have not yet found some in the stores like I am used to in Utah. Yesterday was the perfect day to try--gloomy and rainy all day. I was craving hot soup. So I found this recipe:

http://allrecipes.com/Recipe/Italian-Bread-Bowls/Detail.aspx

Surprisingly they were very easy. The hard part would be to remember to make them ahead of time. They turned out perfect, if I do say so myself. The crust was thick and chewy just like a bread bowl should be. Score!

As for the soup--Broccoli and Cauliflower Chowder, recipe courtesy of our friends Krista and Dave. It's our favorite. (Well, R.'s and mine as our kids won't touch anything green, even if there's cheese!)

• 3 cups broccoli, chopped
• 2 cups cauliflower, chopped
• 1 cup onion, chopped
• 3 cups vegetable or chicken stock
• 1 cup frozen peas
• 3/4 cup butter
• 3/4 cup flour
• 1 quart half and half, or milk
• 1-2 cups grated cheese
• salt and pepper to taste

Cook vegetables (except peas) in stock until crisp-tender. In a saucepan, melt butter. Add flour; whisk until smooth. Add half and half; stir until thickened. Combine cream sauce with vegetables. Add peas. Heat through but do not boil. Stir in cheese.

Now with this under my belt, I'm ready for something more difficult. Any good bread recipes? Send them my way.

PS. For those of you with a more discerning eye--yes, that is a paper plate in the picture. We have not yet finished unpacking!

White Deer

While driving E.r. to school this morning, I saw something very rare in most parts of the world--a white deer. There on the side of the road, in our neighbor's yard, were two of them! From what I understand they are unique to this area. White deer are so rare that the Native Americans called them "ghosts" and believed they had mystical powers. I wish I had my camera. I wish E.R. had noticed them, but he didn't. Of course he asked all sorts of questions I couldn't answer. "Why are they white, Mom? Why are they rare? What does 'rare' mean? What are they doing in that yard?..." Nothing like a Kindergartener in the back seat to make you feel like you don't know anything. Hopefully, in the coming months we will find them in our yard as well so we can get our own photo. It's not out of the realm of possibility.