Halloween Nursery Rhyme

Three Little Witches

Three little witches

Had me in stitches

And they said, Oh so sweet

“Halloween’s near

We greatly Fear

We won’t know what to say”

What! You silly witches

Go gather your riches

And just say Trick or Treat

Cackle, Cackle, Cackle

Yes, just say Trick or Treat

Monster Mash

Last night we went to a great FHE/party at the Scoresby's. We had such a good time. I am always so impressed when people can organize and contain a large gathering of people. I tend to invite a few people at a time, but Keri knows how to mass a crowd and still have a good time. Unfortunately, she can't invite the whole ward because her yard is only so big, so I think I may put a plug in for her to be called as the activity director (don't hate me Ker--you know you would be good at it).
She had a lot of help and everyone was involved bringing goodies or planning games. Our family got to help with the Cake Walk or in this case, the Cupcake Walk. I think the kids had a good time jumping from picture to picture and collecting fancy decorated cupcakes (Robyn helped me put sprinkles and spiders on them). My favorite pastime by far is the donut eating competition. I still have what it takes (Amanda rues the day she challenged me). And I didn't do too badly at musical chairs either. I methodically take out people by slipping into their chairs from behind. They never see it coming. Of course, I felt bad ousting the bishop while he was holding his son. I think we called it a draw and we both stepped out.
The food was delicious and there was a fun fish pond for the kids to pick up some prizes. Everyone decorated pumpkins and received awards. I only have pictures of our pumpkins that we took from before because I forgot to take my camera that night. But Keri will have pictures up soon.
These glowing beauties are from Dad and June. June's was supposed to be the Batman symbol, but everyone thought it was teeth. June won the scariest pumpkin award. We only entered hers and mine by the way.


I did a space theme this year. My pumpkin is a flying saucer in honor of my Dad who gave me a love of all things science fiction. He may have showed me too many scary movies when I was growing up but I really love them now. (Happy Birthday today, Daddy!). Oh, and I won most creative pumpkin.


And then Robyn did a bat. These foam things are super easy for younger kids to help with and they turn out really cute. They were a bit pricey though. I got this one at Roberts on sale, but I wouldn't have bought it at full price.

This year we also saved our seeds and toasted them. They were so yummy. I should share my favorite recipe site, because I can always find what I need and there are reviews so I can see how it turned out for other people. Click here to find my secret to cooking anything. We just put in Pumpkin seeds and got a whole bunch of recipes to choose from. This year we did a sugar and spice mix. Yum! Oh, and by the way. Don't leave pumpkin guts around to spoil. Not that I would do this. But if you get really busy and forget they are in a bowl on your counter, they may start to decay in such an unpleasant way...so I've heard.
That is pretty much it. It was a blast (the whole party). I love to get my kids involved in Holiday festivities. Now, on to Halloween. See you there.

Dishwasher Woes

Things I learned today...

1. The dishwasher does not work right when you put the bottom rack in backwards (even though it fits perfectly).
2. Tyler knows where our dishwasher manual is and he will actually read it to solve a problem instead of taking the dishwasher apart piece by piece.
3. I would be lost without him.

Without Tyler I might have...
a. Bought a new dishwasher (heaven forbid I get that drastic, but the thought did run through my mind that maybe it was time for a new one).
b. Been really embarrassed when the repairman came over and simply turned the bottom rack around the proper way (seriously, it shouldn't fit if it is backwards).
c. Turned it around myself, but kept wondering why the dishwasher wasn't working for those few days and always be waiting for it to stop working again. (I did notice the rack was in the wrong way, I just didn't connect that it had anything to do with the problem)

The story does have a happy ending. Tyler (who was the one who put it in backwards by the way) simply switched it around and voila, my dishwasher works again. Such a simple thing can cause such an alteration. It makes me think that sometimes in life we just get turned around. It seems to fit, but if we just read our instruction manual again, we can put things back like they are supposed to be, and it can make all the difference.

I'm feeling BLUE

You Are a Blue Crayon

Your world is colored in calm, understated, deep colors. You are a loyal person, and the truest friend anyone could hope to find. On the inside, you tend to be emotional and even a bit moody. However, you know that people depend on you. So you put on a strong front. Your color wheel opposite is orange. Orange people may be opinionated, but you feel they lack the depth to truly understand what they're saying.

What Color Crayon Are You?

Hmm, who knew? Check out and see what you are. I would be interested to know.

My Turn At School

It is finally June's turn for school. I feel she has had to wait so long because not only does her birthday fall in September so she didn't get to go to Kindergarten this year, but the Pre-school she is going to now didn't start until this week. So all the kids her age have been in school for ages (well, a month and a half, but that must seem like ages to June). I am really impressed with the program and I think June is going to have so much fun. They have a field trip every month and they look so exciting, I am pretty sure I will be volunteering for all of them. They even get to go to Build-a-Bear (yay!).



I love how creative she is and how nothing she wears ever matches. Maybe wearing stripes and plaids will be in someday. In the meantime, it is perfect for her.

This is her cute bag. I printed her name and the unicorn but then she colored the sky and the rainbow. Of course she forgot her bag the first day, but I don't even think she noticed (she was having too much fun).


It makes me think of that book, My Turn on Earth. I read it when I was little and loved it. I'm so glad it is June's turn now. By the way, that book is now selling for $45 on Amazon. I must not be the only one who liked it.

Devil's Food Sandwich Cookies

Devil’s Food Sandwich Cookies

18 ¼ oz. pkg. Devil’s Food Cake Mix

¾ c. shortening

2 eggs

8 oz. package cream cheese, softened

½ c. margarine, softened

½ t. almond extract

16 oz. pkg. powdered sugar

Combine cake mix, shortening and eggs. Form into small balls and flatten slightly on ungreased baking sheet. Bake at 350 degrees for 8 to 10 minutes. In medium bowl, blend cream cheese, margarine and almond extract. Gradually blend in powdered sugar until desired consistency. Beat with a spoon ‘til smooth; refrigerate. When cookies are cool, spread filling between 2 cookies; repeat. Keep refrigerated. Makes 2 dozen cookies.

These are pretty tasty. The cookie dough will give you a workout. There isn't much liquid in it and you really have to stir. I guess if you had a mixer, that would work too, but I recommend doing it the old fashioned way and work off some calories early (don't worry, you'll get them all back). I made these twice and the first time I made the balls into what I thought were 'small balls,' but the cookies baked to regular size. The next time I really made them small and they were perfect and the dough went a lot farther (it made almost 50 cookies that way compared to 22 the first time). It takes a little extra effort to put the filling in these cookies, but they sure are yummy. Maybe I didn't put enough filling in since I had a lot left over. Still trying to think of something to do with the extra filling. Maybe it could double as a glaze or frosting on cupcakes? Happy baking.

Instant Gratification?...Hardly

There are so many different hobbies in the world and what is fun and relaxing for one is a tedious chore for another. For instance, I can't do crosswords. They drive me crazy.
One of my favorite hobbies would surely make some people cross-eyed themselves. I love to crosstitch. To me, it is easy and relaxing. I like to sit and watch a movie and my hands find a natural groove. It is one of the few hobbies of my childhood that I held onto.
I was always interested in one thing after another and my poor mother was always buying me supplies for another activity that I would never take seriously. I remember she bought me stamp books and candle making supplies (although I wish I could find the candle stuff now). But crosstitching was one hobby I never let go of (thanks for being patient mom). And you have to be serious, because there is no instant gratification. If you choose a large project it could literally take years to finish while working on it in your spare time (which mothers have so much of). I spent nine years working on a large crosstitch while I went through college and my early married years.
I'm proud to say this last project went faster than expected. It took me maybe a year and a half. But oh the joy for me when I finally complete a masterpiece. Well, masterpiece is a little exaggerated, but I am fairly proud of this endeavor.

Framing makes a finished product and I was very happy with how it turned out. You are all welcome to stop by and see the end result. It is much prettier in person (if I do say so myself).

Well, back to the drawing board. Look for more beautiful art in another few years.