Pumpkins!

I'm not sure that fall was always my favorite season but for much of my adult life it has been. I love the cooler daytime temperatures and the crisp nights. I love snuggling in my sweaters. And I love all of the rich fall colors.

The other joy of fall is pumpkins! Each year, as soon as they appear in the markets, I buy some and decorate my front porch. This year I decided to try my hand at growing pumpkins. I wanted some warty pumpkins that I'd seen several years ago but I couldn't find any warty pumpkin seeds. *sigh* What I did find was a package of bright orange pumpkin seeds AND a package of mixed decorative gourd seeds.

I planted them in the back half of my raised garden plot that normally goes unplanted. OMSH do pumpkins/gourds/squash want to take up a lot of room! The pumpkin vines seemed to grow all right but they only set two pumpkins (that I could find), right along the garden fence. The gourds, on the other hand... I had a fair time of it trying to keep them from climbing up my tomato cages and in some cases failed.

So a couple of weeks ago I decided that I'd had enough of losing the War of the Gourds. I'd just mowed and was headed to the green waste dump anyway so I pulled up all of the pumpkin and gourd vines,harvesting as I went, and put them into Fernando's bed. That was when I found a third and fourth pumpkin stowaway!

I have a wire fence that encloses my raised garden area to keep the dog out! Buddi used to EAT MY GREEN TOMATOES! (Tomato-snatchin' dog!) Harley, who isn't interested in eating anything, just loves to charge through on his way to bark at something and knocks off the tomatoes.

I discovered that the pumpkin vine had climbed said wire fence and grown a pumpkin right there... in the fence! I had to get out my wire cutters and snip this little cutie free!

The fourth pumpkin was hiding in the corner, under the grape vines. So the smallest and orangest pumpkins grew in my garden, the two larger ones and the warty guy I bought. But all of these happy little gourds grew right here on my productive 1/4 acre of heaven. (And that is a locally grown and produced grapevine wreath... that means I made it from my grapevines a few years ago.)

Usually I put out my pumpkin display as soon as pumpkins/gourds become available and they stay there until it is time to put up Christmas decorations (read- AFTER Thanksgiving!). By then they are usually a frozen and somewhat squishy mess and all go to the trash. BUT this year I may try bringing in some of my favorites gourds to *dry* and keep them from year to year!

Happy fall!

For This Child I Prayed

I can't think of a better sentiment or, in this case, scripture to describe the arrival of a healthy baby.

(Do I see Grampy fingers here?)

We did a mini photo shoot yesterday but Miss Fiona couldn't like it! Before I knew I needed to stop torturing the baby I got some wonderful baby-parts photos.

And the rest of this darling baby...

We love you so much baby Fiona. Indeed, we did pray for you!

Fiona

Our little Fiona, Camille and Kevin's first baby girl, arrived on 10 September 2013 at 1:46pm. She weighed 8 lb 1 oz, was 20.5" tall AND she was eight days late! (The good news is that they don't let mamas go three weeks over-due anymore!) We are so grateful to have her here!

Camille checked into Orem Community Hospital Monday evening to be induced, since baby-cakes didn't want to get things started on her own. Not every thing went as planned, because of complications it was decided that Fiona needed to be born by C-section. Kevin, the family and I all discussed how even 100 years ago he would very likely have lost one or both of them... yes, we are so grateful to have baby Fiona here save and sound.

We were allowed to watch through the window while they did the C-section (and, yes, I got LOTS of photos, but I won't be showing them around any time soon!) It was the most interesting thing to watch... a couple of times I had to look away (look out of the way!). But the whole process helped me understand why women with C-sections take a while to heal.

They cleaned little Fiona up quickly and sent Daddy out to show the rest of the family! Here she is... only 11 minutes old!

As my mother-in-law used to say, being born is "no joke"! Poor little Fi was pretty swollen for a couple of days.

Here she is 1-day old.

I love watching Camille with her new baby... you'd never know she was a first-time mom!

Fiona at 2 days.

After four days it was time for the new little family to head home. Fiona's first time in "for-real" baby-girl clothes.

Fiona's first impression of being in her car seat was not a happy one! But here she is having her first car ride.

Bye-bye Baby Fi! You are headed to a wonderful, loving home.

We are so glad to have you in our family!

Hot & Cold Running Water...

Maybe most people wouldn't get excited about this concept but I'm pretty pleased to have HOT and cold running water in my bathroom sink again!

Three weeks ago I turned on the water to wash my hands before going to visit teach... I pushed the lever down (say LEE-ver) and there was a drip! What the chicken? I turned it off and on again but now it was now a steady stream! I crawled under the sink and turned off the water. (Wow... I didn't know my dirty hands had such magical powers!)

Now the important part about the visiting teaching is that I knew Vicki had just replaced a cartridge in her bathroom so I casually commented to her what had caused my delay... that's when I learned a happy fact-

MOEN

Buy it for looks. Buy it for life.

isn't just a cute advertising campaign!

Moen will ship you, free of charge, replacement parts. How cool is that?

So, I awaited the arrival of my replacement cartridge so I could have water at my sink again. The part arrived a few days later. I installed it... dang! It still leaked. So I called the 800 number again. The gal told me to remove the handle, while she waited, to make sure that the cartridge was closing completely. She then informed me that the whole faucet would have to be replaced. Great!!! Now I have to go and buy a new faucet!

Over the next day and a half I was too busy to even look at my email so imagine my surprise when I found an email from Moen stating that my new faucet had been shipped! ARE YOU KIDDING ME? They really back their products that well? Apparently so!

I finally found time today (happy birthday) to install my new faucet! I don't have to wash my face in the bathtub any more...

Now THAT is what I call good customer service!

{{This is not a paid advertisement. But I'm very impressed!}}

Photo-bombing

I love the new name for something I've done most of my life... photo-bombing.

The other night, after a long day and a not so restful night's sleep, I was trying to wind down and go to bed. I decided to take one last look at the internet on my iPad mini... within minutes I was in hysterics!

First I watched this video which got me started... (the last scene is my favorite).

Then I found these photo-bombing animals on Pinterest by the time I'd gotten to the bottom I had tears running down my face (keep in mind that it was nearly midnight).

I watched video and looked at the photo-bombs again... just for good measure.

But you know what it left me with? An insane desire to have *Pirate Cat* to do some personal photo-bombing just for me...

Aahhh! PhotoShop... I love you!

Another Move for Miss Camille

This marks the end of six years of teaching for Miss Camille! And wouldn't you know it? Time for another move! (If you want to read more about our previous adventures click here or here)

Westmore Elementary has a brand-new building built adjacent to the old 1950s building that they've been in since, you guessed it!, the 1950s!

But, here's the problem... school ended on May 30th and the teachers needed to have all of their stuff moved to their new room THAT SAME DAY! ACK!!! I went on Tuesday to help Camille and we worked until she was exhausted (she'd taught all day and then put in another day's work packing)... we knew there was still a lot left for us to do on Thursday, the next day I could come and help her.

Miss Camille in her new room!

You know the old adage- "many hands makes light work"? It is so true. Desi and Alex came over to help us finish. But let's be honest here... Alex was the real hero here! It is a definite advantage when one set of those *many hands* are strong man-hands. Alex schlepped desks, bookcases and stacky-stackyertons like only a young man can do! He did in 3 hours what it would have taken Camille and I alone three times as long to accomplish! Once again, a big thank you to Alex!

So it's *good-bye* to good ol' room 4! I can promise you that this room has never been this empty since its birth 60 years ago... (and the collection of accumulated junk from all past teachers that Miss Camille inherited? She passed it on to a very deserving intern teacher who will be teaching the newly created 4th first grade class this year)

My favorite thing about the old building! Teeny kindergarten sized toilets!

Coming and Going

I just got home from my wanderings in the West! This is the first road-trip Elio and I have made! It all started on April 11 when I headed south  down the I-15 to visit family in California.

Shortly after this gas stop, where I reset my trip/mpg averages, I realized that there's something seriously wrong with this particular reading!!! I just WISH I was getting 72mpg!

Since I've *worn out the I-15* over the years I have some favorite sights... Virgin River Gorge is one of them.  Just outside the gorge I saw the happiest thing, but it wasn't a safe photo-op.  I passed a livestock truck hauling pigs.  Out of one of the holes was a little pink piggy ear- flapping in the wind!

And, favorite stops! Vegas used to be the first available In 'n Out Burger! So glad we have it in Utah Valley now.

The kids always loved Monkey Mountain at the top of the Baker grade. (This is what gave me the idea of the coming and going title...)

My first visit was at Spencer's house! I was able to accompany him and Deborah to the LA Temple for their Stake Temple Night.

And the next day I got to see my good friends- Batman and Robin (aka Auntie P and Sonny). Apparently I didn't get the memo that Auntie P's grandson's 1st birthday party was themed. But that's ok... I'm always Wonder Woman!

Sunday was Stake Conference with Spencer and family... happy day.

Monday found me on the road again. I'd noticed that the Joshua trees were blooming when I was headed through Barstow but didn't stop to get a photo until I was headed west out Hwy 138. They say this doesn't happen very often.

Next stop was at Rebekah's. I told her that her job was to make sure I got a photo with my Flynn boys! I can't believe how grown up they all are. Where did my tiny babies go?

But somehow I didn't get photos of Rebekah and I. We had a delightful visit. We went to the Fresno Temple on Wednesday evening. Truly the words from 3 John 1:4 apply to me, "I have no greater joy than to hear that my children walk in truth."

Bek and I found this beautiful fountain at some random shopping center in Fresno.

In the original planning stages I hadn't planned to go to the Bay Area but as the time drew close for my trip I knew I just *needed* to include it. I stopped first thing at Roselawn to leave early birthday flowers for Tony. I felt great peace and love for my wonderful first-born and not too many tears.

I had a lovely visit with Sue and family. We all got together for dinner the first night and I was able to meet my newest little grand-niece, Audrey Ella. I was able to have a wonderful visit with all. I'm so grateful for family. Plus Sue and I made a productive shop at Blue Door Antiques where we found some wonderful orphaned quilt blocks. Sue already has hers in various stages of completion! I told her she was the Queen!

Saturday I took I-5 south back to Palmdale. It's been years since I've taken that route. I normally go via Hwy 99. I was interested to see that they've moved Harris Ranch's stock yards away from the freeway. We've driven past there when you can literally see the methane gas hanging in the cow-manure scented air.

This time around I stayed at Auntie P's house but we had Spencer and family over for dinner and delicious strawberry dream cake.

This may very well replace Pig-Pickin' Cake as our family favorite.

Monday we went to the garment district in LA with Deborah and Andrea.  Pauline was the winning shopper this day... all I got was some zippers.

And no trip to So Cal is complete without a trip to Cielito Lindo. It has pretty much replaced Disneyland.  Well, maybe not, but it's a lot cheaper!

And our trip back home from LA- I've always love this series of tunnels that transition to the I-5.

Tuesday was the day of reckoning and time to come home. And here is Monkey Mountain headed north.

So what of this trip? Here are my stats-

• 12 days
• 2287.3 miles that Elio drove (this doesn't count when other people drove us somewhere)
• A combined total of 40 hours driving time
• 27 family and family-by-choice members visited
• Elio- 9 months old
• Joanie- 60.5 years old
• Countless potty stops (oh, for crying out loud!)
• And quite possibly the easiest solo road-trip I've made in the last decade... I think that must be a result of Elio's comfortable ride and awesome family visits.
• One happy Pup and Pap when I returned home!

April Fool's Day

There was a time when I wouldn't have let this day go by without some kind of April Fool's joke... but somehow I just didn't have the oomph to think of anything this year.

The weather has been rainy today, which is much appreciated. In spite of our long, cold, snowy winter we are only at 70% of normal for rain and snow. Ah well, *Fritz* keeps reminding us that we live in the 2nd driest state in the country.

But look at the very lovely non-April Fool's treat I saw today-

My lilacs are ready to burst. I'm hoping for warm open-window days so I can enjoy their heady perfume.

And see what I spied out my kitchen window this morning.

♪♫•*¨*•.¸¸ ¸¸.•*¨*•♫♪ 

I looked out the window and what did I see? Popcorn popping on the apricot tree! 

♪♫•*¨*•.¸¸ ¸¸.•*¨*•♫♪

Mutton-Head Sort of Day

Bwahaha!

Yes, at this point it is a lamb sort of day. It is 73*. The windows are open and the sound of beagles baying is wafting in through them. (Which contributes to the mutton-head quality of the day!)

But already I see the forecasted storm clouds moving in. But seeing as how we've had six flawless spring days in a row I won't complain!

Anita's Big Adventure

You will remember that Anita came to live with us in December 2011. Anita is a Colorado Blue Spruce (called Fat Albert- which I thought was so rude because Anita is a girl and she's just fluffy!) The original plan was that she was going to be our Christmas tree (which she performed without a flaw) and then take the place of the dying flowering pear tree on the north side of the front yard... but the rub was that said flowering pear decided to live and thrive so Anita was out of luck!

I didn't know what to do. So for the next 15 months Anita lived-

• on the deck
• in the side yard on top of the peach tree stump
• on the front porch decorated as a Christmas tree 
• on the front porch as a naked tree (look out of the way)

But Anita needed a permanent home. And today she finally got one!

The first step was to move her from the front porch to the backyard. She is a little prickly (hey, people called her Fat Albert!) So I yoinked her off the porch into my wheelie-cart (which I'd love to get a twin for!) and wheeled her to her new PERMANENT HOME.

Since this is the first tree I've named I thought she needed a little bit of journaling... after I trimmed off some bottom branches she is 36" wide... (I love how the grass shadows highlight the appropriate number- a little serendipity there!)

And 45" tall. Anita you are so big! I think it will be fun to watch her grow over the coming years.

It was an absolutely perfect lambie March day... look at that sky!

And as long as I was in the backyard...

I decided to tidy up a different peach tree stump (I trimmed fruit trees this week). Sadly this is the second fruit tree I've lost to some kind of bore-beetle.

But because I'd been using all of my Grammie-arm-muscles (aka Relief Society arms) they were sore and weak. I couldn't put enough pressure on the saw to make much progress with my little chain saw. What to do? What to do?

I know!! Use my strong legs! That little saw just went through the rest of the stump like it was butter! There is just no substitute for strength!

Yay little-Joanie! Your short stocky legs paid off again! (Even if they are painfully white!)