Happy Halloween!

While Eden and Claire are out trick-or-treating and Matt and I are going to do what we do every year ... watch scary movies. Only I don't like scary movies all that much. I like the old one's that don't involve a lot of blood and chain saws. Here are some of my favorites:

• The Innocents
• Psycho
• Wait Until Dark
• The Changling
• The Haunting (1963 version)
• The Woman in White
• Night of the Living Dead
• Ghost Busters

and my all time favorite... The Ghost and Mr. Chicken.

I'm sure 90 percent of the people who read this blog have never heard of this movie, it's more of a comedy than scary. I like it because it reminds me of going to drive-in movies with my parents during the 60's. I distinctly remember watching this one in particular wearing my pjs, in the back seat of our family station wagon at Highland Drive-in. The scene at the end scared me to death. I had nightmares for days. (If you ever watch this, you are going to die laughing that I was so terrified by this movie.) It's my own personal tradition to watch this at least once a year. My kids want nothing to do with it.... they think its.... HOKEY!

If you click on any of the above titles, you can read about them!
What's your favorite scary movie???? I want to know!!

Busy

Want to know what I'm doing today??? I have quite an adgenda. Matt's coming home and Halloween's just around the corner. Here's my to do list:


Cleaning...
.. lots of cleaning. I've got to get the house all spiffed up for trick-or-treaters. I don't want them to trip on the rotting pumpkin and piles of shoes as they approach my front door. I don't know if my homeowner's insurnace covers injuries sustained while begging for candy. Incidentally, about the pumpkin. This is what happens in California when you set your carved pumpkin outside a week before Halloween. Disgusting huh!


Pet Grooming - My dogs stink, and they can't see. Hair has completely taken over their little faces. Time to get them spiffed up for trick-or-treaters. They love it when guests say: "Ohhhhhhhh, they are so cute!!!!" They deserve a few kudos. I might even put them in a costume.... although I'm still debating that one. I have issues with people who think their dogs are little children.

Baking. Lots and lots of baking. Not because I love to bake mind you.... I have events. Lots and lots of events. And they require refreshments, for which I agreed to supply food. Here's what I'm making:

• A delicious dinner for Matt -- He's a foodie and I'm sure he's very sick of restaurants after 3 weeks away from home. I was thinking of making Cashew Curry, but I don't think he would appreciate the joke. Instead I'm making Mushroom Bisque and Salad Greens with Apples and Maple Syrup Dressing. Yum.



• Cookies for a funeral - I'm making LaDella's Cherry Chip Cookies. This is a family recipe from my late mother-in-law.
  


• Pumpkin Cheesecake Cupcakes - For my friends as a Halloween treat. I haven't tried this recipe either... it's been floating around in my head, but I think this is going to be a winner.
  


• Caramel Apple Pie - Another recipe of my own invention, for a church Halloween party tonight. It's a tradition. Every year we have a pie baking contest. Guess who's been in the winner's circle -- 3 years in a row -- Farish Beutler, that's who. I think there's something wrong with the judges taste buds, however, because the queen of pie baking in my opinion is Nita Watson. Her pies are perfect. She makes perfect, perfect crust. Compared to Nita's mine is more like sand. It's true and I complain every year "Nita should be the winner!!!" But wish me luck anyway, will you, cuz I'm going to need it. I have some incredible cooks in my ward. I'll let you know the outcome.

Next, I have a meeting. I have a job at church. I work with the young women aged 12 through 18, and there's A LOT of them. I need to plan, plan, plan things for them to do.

And finally, I have the big party at church tonight. The Young Women are in charge of a carnival booth, and I have to bring my pie. Should be lots of fun.

Hey... want to try out my recipes?? If so, click here. This is my new recipe blog, which is still under construction. It does not contain any fancy pictures at the moment, but it will! Why.....BECAUSE I'M BUSY!!!!!!!!!!! My cooking blog is called "The Best of Friends". It's a foodie journal of the many recipes I've tried over the years and the cooks who have inspired AND shared recipes recipes with me.

Postscript: Guess who's in the winner's circle again for pie baking???? Me!! And I'm shocked, I really am because that table of fresh baked pies was intimidating. They all looked delicious and I thought this would be the year that I went down.... down in flames. And guess who's still sick.... Ferris. He barely made it home. He has no desire to even look at food, not even my incredible pie. But lucky for me, I didnt' have to make dinner tonight! Check that off the to do list!!

Tender Mercies and Scooby Doo

Red sky at morning, sailor's take warning. Red sky at night, sailor's delight, I brightly exclaimed as Eden and I were driving to school this morning. Outside the sun was coming up and the sky was a beautiful rose-red.


When are you going to stop saying those dumb rhymes with weird messages Mom! They make absolutely no sense. Don't say that when my friends get in the car! was his curt reply.


I responded in my wisest motherly voice: It's not a stupid rhyme Eden, it was used to remind sailors about weather conditions long before we had sophisticated Doppler reports and television weathermen. It means that if you see a red sky in the morning, that there will probably be a storm that day, or at least lots of clouds and wind. If the sky is red at night, the skies will be clear and you will have great sailing conditions next morning.



Sailors would never say anything like that." replied Eden as he rolled his eyes and looked out the window.


(Long pause.....) I like stupid rhymes, I mumbled under my breath. 
Silence ensued as we picked up the carpool and drove to the middle school.


Sometimes kids have a way of making you feel so..... so... hokey.


Is "hokey" even a word now?? Or has it been permanently replaced by "dumb." They used it when I was a kid.  Scooby Doo villains --  they were hokey and they said hokey stuff all the time!! 


Dag Nabbit!! 
You Scalawags!
I would have gotten away with it if it weren't for those menacing teenagers!


 I still love those phrases. And I use them all the time, yes I do! Much better than swearing in my opinion. And speaking of Scooby Doo did you ever notice, the villains were always grumpy old men who hated groovy teens. Their quest was always the same. -- to destroy the local amusement park. 


I think they were mad because their backs had gone out and they could no longer ride the rides. Old guys with bad backs, mad at teenagers. Way better villains than axe murders with hockey masks! More realistic too. I think I'm a little more sympathetic with those old guys now that I'm one of them. 


Does this mean I'm a villain? I do have an occasional battle with my Grooming Nemesis, (who just happens to be a groovy teenager), and I have a bad back after all. Is this why Eden is suddenly annoyed with things he used to find amusing? is he morphing into a groovy teenager too???? 


Yikes, I don't know if I can handle two of them in the house. They will gang up on me, yes they will!!! Dag Nabbit, I'm rambling on and on again, just like a senile . . . old person!!!! 


What was I talking about???? Oh yeah -- a story about a tender mercy, not Scooby Doo. I better get back to the subject at hand.


It is now 4:00 p.m. And this is the view from outside my front door.




Menacing clouds on the horizon with winds blowing from the East. The barometer is droppin'. A storm's a commin'. Eden my friend, pay attention because I'm only going to say this once:


Red sky at morning, sailor's take warning!!!!! 
Hah! 


Now get out there and batten down the hatches you Scalawag!" ( That's Scooby Doo Villain mixed with a little Popeye.)
Hokey?? Maybe. But today, there was some truth to that phrase. And that is a tender mercy -- a storm just when I needed my son to see that sometimes, my words contain a little wisdom. 


I am grateful for the tender mercies in my life, expecially when it storms.

Humbled by a Hair Dryer and a Teenage Girl

I'm new to living with a teenage daughter, and I have to say I had an experience this morning that made me realize a harsh truth --- I'm not sure I'm going to survive the next few years without a few battle scars.

Today, I got up at 5:00 a.m. to make sweet rolls for a bunch of early morning seminary students who come to our home every Monday morning for breakfast. I thought it was the least I could do considering that they willingly get up every weekday to study the scriptures before school. I baked, I frosted, I made hot chocolate. I was feeling pretty good about myself and the good deeds I had done -- all before 8:00 a.m --sweet rolls, carpooling kids to school whose parents work. Then..... my glorious morning took a turn in the wrong direction.

I came back home and commenced my grooming routine for the day: shower, makeup, hair..... (you know, you go through the same thing). Well, when I got to the hair part, something was amiss -- my blow dryer was gone. Gone!! I panicked. If I can't blow dry my hair, the rest of the day is pretty much a disaster. Have you ever seen me with hair-a-natural????? Some people can get away with it, but me..... I have old people hair... thin, graying, limp, with a little frizz thrown in for good measure. I NEED all the help I can get. I need a blow dryer! Well, my first thought was: "That dastardly teenage girl who has become my Grooming Nemesis has struck again -- CLAiRE!!! How could you!!" Does she not understand that her mother is in need of makeup and hair products much more than a beautiful 14 year old girl?????? NO! In Claire's world: What's Claire's, is Claire's; and what's mine..... is Claire's. When it comes to my morning routine, I don't think I like that arrangement! Today, I wear the badge of shame..... TRULY BAD HAIR!!!! It's bad enough that I occasionally wear my shirt backwards, but now I have to go to the grocery store looking like I just don't care about hygiene. Really, I do! I do care.!!!! (I guess I'm a little vain.)

I was reminded this morning that part of raising children is to teach us humility. The minute we start feeling proud, they remind us that we still have things to learn. And today, I felt humble as I went into Target to purchase a secret blow dryer which I will keep hidden in a place that I will not reveal. It's a matter of survival. And yes.... I went to Target because I have to avoid Walmart for a while. I'm still trying to recover from the backwards shirt affair! So.... if you see me around town today, I hope you understand, I tried.. and that should count for something.

Now that I have been humbled, I need some advise. What do you do to keep your daughters out of your closet, and your makeup???? I really need to know!

Post Script: Claire just informed me that MY "blowdryer" was one of HER gifts from "Santa" in 2007. Curses, she is right!!!! Foiled again by my Grooming Nemisis. Oh...she's good...... way tooo good! (I'm hoping that she puts these clever skills to use and becomes a lawyer some day!) But, my story does not end here..... my eyeshadow is now missing!!!!!! I just know it's in that bedroom of hers --- the one we commonly refer to as "the Black Hole of Calcutta." I'll get you My Pretty.... and your little dog too!

Another Note: We belong to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. In our church, we are big believers in education, including spiritual education. If you want to read more about it, click here.

A Day In LA – a Survival Guide to the Fabric and Clothing District

This year in Middle School, the drama department is putting on a production of "Annie." Eden tried out and got the part of "Rooster", Mrs. Hannigan's shifty brother who pretends he is Annie's father so he can collect a reward from Daddy Warbucks. Well, this is a big deal at our house and we are very excited to see Eden is his first dramatic performance. This week, we are on a hunt for a costume, which necessitates a trip up to the heart of downtown LA. If you've never been there, you are missing out on a treasure trove of clothing, fabrics, jewelry, flowers… you name it, you can find it in the fabric, flower, jewelry and clothing disitricts in downtown LA. But downtown LA is not a journey for the faint of heart. Among other things, it's crowded, and there are no bathrooms. I give that warning first in case you are pondering a trip yourself. There is a method which must be followed if you want to survive. You think I'm joking ….. well I'm not. Just ask anyone about their first excursion.

First, you must leave early in the morning. Not too early or you will find yourself in the middle of stop and go traffic and it will take 3 hours just to get there (even if you live 10 miles away.) The shops open at 10:00 a.m. so plan your drive to arrive at that time. Parking is very limited and early birds get the spaces. Bring cash, the lots don't take credit cards. Once you exit the freeway you must find a fast food restaurant before you venture into the Districts. Stop and use the restroom, and get a beverage if you are thirsty. If you avoid this step, you will suffer. I'm not kidding. There are very few bathrooms in the Districts and they are all hidden. You have to know someone, who knows someone to gain entrance. I skipped this step once and was forced to ask a shop keeper if he had a bathroom he would be kind enough to let me use. Most often, the answer is "NO!" But this man was kind (I think it had something to do with the look of panic on my face and the fact that I was spending about $3,000.00 in his shop). He said "YES!" I entered a door at the back of the shop camouflaged by bolts of fabric. I found myself in a 3 foot x 3 foot bathroom/break room/lunch room/stock room that hadn't been cleaned for at least 5 years. Sitting next to the toilet was a microwave. Yes, a microwave! You could simultaneously sit on the toilet and microwave a sandwich… or help yourself to a bit of leftovers sitting on a stack of dirty plates. There is something just plain wrong about sitting a microwave next to a dirty toilet. Has this man not heard of the American tradition of a magazine rack!! I think not. He is from Turkey after all, and he's doing the best he can... he's very busy selling fabric, and microwaving pop corn when ever he takes a "break." I was so grossed out I started gagging out loud. I still haven't recovered. If I think about it too much (which I just did) I gag all over again. (In case you think I'm exaggerating (which I sometimes do) just ask my sewing buddie, Dana Rising. She witnessed the whole thing.)

In case you are wondering, my favorite "rest stop" is King Taco just off San Pedro and Third Street. It's safe... there are no microwaves anywhere in site. I sought it out for the bathrooms, but discovered the best street tacos in LA. It's now a tradition to eat at least two before embarking into the heart of the Districts.

Second, visiting the Districts is like visiting a foreign country. Make sure you travel with a buddy, and DO NOT take little children on this excursion! Besides the lack of bathrooms, the only food available is from street vendors. The streets are very crowded and it is difficult to maneuver a stroller or to keep track of little ones as you browse the shops. And believe me on this one... they shop owners get very, very annoyed when kids are running around touching fabric with greasy Cheeto fingers. (I'll let you figure this one out for yourself.)

Third, plan on leaving the Districts before 3:00 to avoid traffic. The shops close at 4:00 or 5:00, but if you wait until then, it gets pretty scary. There are a lot of street people in the area and many of them come out at dusk when the business district shuts down. Just ask my friend Stacy. We left late once and saw a woman crossing the street wearing nothing but a shirt. I'm not joking. We looked at each other and said "Is that what I think it is??? (Yup, it was... a bare bum.) Before getting on the freeway, head for the nearest fast food restaurant, eat and use the restroom. It never fails, even if you leave before 3:00…. you hit traffic on the way home.

Ok, now back to my story….

Eden, Claire and I made the journey together. Our mission – a Zoot Suit that we could alter and turn into a costume. However, Eden and Claire had plans of their own. They were both anxious to check out "the Alley" -- a 5 block strip within the clothing district off San Pedro and 9^th Street. It's teenager shopping heaven. Within its walls you can find all sorts of treasures you didn't even know you needed, and everything is a bargain. Claire dreamed of Prom/Quince dresses….. while Eden searched for contact lenses that make your eyes look like an alien. We were not disappointed. We found that and more – "Gorilla Booger Hair Gel" 5 bottles for $10.00! Who doesn't need Gorilla Booger Hair Gel! We also found knock-off Ed Hardy t-shirts for $2.00 and adorable sandals for little girls. Alas, we have no little girls, so we passed on those. Too bad we didn't know the shoe sizes of our little friends Jayda and Wren. Next time!

It didn't take long to find what we came for…… a Zoot Suit, complete with shirt, suspenders, vest and a hat. The Alley never disappoints.

Next, we ventured over the to fabric district off of 11^th street. If you are looking for Lycra, fleece, Indian-looking sari fabrics, or home decorator fabrics, this is the place for you! Quilters, you should stay home… there's nothing here for you, not even thread. We browsed a few shops and settled on some ribbon. Did I mention they also sell trim? They do! Lots of it. And we bought some tiaras. Did I mention they also have bridal stuff? They do! Lots of it. Ok Quilters…. You might want to come if you have a daughter getting married or something. But…. Be warned there is no cotton quilting fabric, or bathrooms for that matter.

Finally, we hit the jewelry district and stocked up on some rhinestones. I should mention that if you come to LA for rhinestones, you should try and hit these stores first. They are super crowded and in some cases you have to take a number in order to be served. It can take quite a while if you come in the afternoon. This trip, we waited over an hour, but it was necessary, so we waited. That being said, we got some beautiful rhinestones at half the cost of a retail bead shop.

Yes, it's quite tricky to take a trip to the Districts. But, once you know the ropes (and places to "P"), you can find some really great deals. Check it out the next time you need a prom dress, or for back-to-school shopping. You'll be glad you did.

Postscript: Quilters, I lied. My friend Eve, who's an AMAZING quilter reminded me that there's a great fabric shop on Maple called Michael Levine. It has just what you are looking for! , I don't remember the prices being super low, but they do have a great selection of thread, quilting fabric, trim.... and yarn. Lots and lots of yarn.

Wanna win MORE jewelry????

I know, I know, I just posted about a giveaway, but here's another one! Giveaway Today is featuring Crystal B jewelry on their blog on Monday, October 26th. If you click here on Monday (not today or tomorrow.... Monday) then you can enter to win -- no strings attached.

Even if you don't like giveaway contests, you should seriously check out Giveaway Today. This site features a variety of great shops that would otherwise go un-noticed. In fact, I just bought a great book called "Great Games" that I found on none other than Giveaway Today. And.... it was 40% off. Who doesn't like a great game!! If you've never played "Big Booty" then you are definately missing out!! What is Big Booty you ask?? You would know if you have the book Great Games!

And by the way, I'm designing some new couture jewelry that I will be posting on MONDAY for this giveaway. Leave a comment and let me know what you think, will you??

Wanna Win Some Free Earrings???

My friend Lyndsay Johnson is hosting a giveaway featuring a free pair of Crystal B earrings. Check out her blog, even if you don't want to win a pair of earrings. She's seriously creative and I love reading about her life. You can find Lydsay by clicking here.

Good luck!!

Ramdom Thoughts About Fall and Other Matters

Growing up, Autumn was my FAVORITE time of year. Changing leaves, frost on the grass, caramel apples, Halloween decorations, planning my costume.... I loved it. It's still my favorite time of year, but something is missing. As most of the country is surrounded by changing color and cooler temperatures, the citizens of Temecula, California have been watching the hot Santa Ana winds blow gray-brown leaves into the dry brown grass. Oh they dance and swirl through the air, but it loses mystique when I watch from a hot car with a thermostat that registers 112 degrees. Each evening, we look outside our windows watching for smoke on the horizon and wonder: "Will this be the year that fire comes down our street?"

Oh how I miss the mountains of Utah. I long to see Mt Olympus change her wardrobe from deep forest greens to brilliant orange and red. She looks best in these colors. I long to wear sweaters, and pick apples from trees heavy with fruit. I long to make Autumn food. I've been digging out my soup recipes looking forward to the day that I can devour a bowl without sweating to death. Every morning I wake up and whisper: "Oh Autumn, please come. Spare me from another day of frizzy hair and blasting heat." Today I got my wish.... sort of.

At 5:00 a.m., I walked outside and was greeted by a cold burst of air. Cold air! I was excited. Fall is here, even if it is just for one day. I dug through the closets and pulled out all my Halloween decorations. I put everything up and lit my pumpkin scented candles. When my kids came home, they were excited too. They walked in the door and proclaimed: "I love the way our house looks at Halloween! I wish we could keep the decorations up all year long. Fall is the best!!" I feel that way too. I'm making soup in a pumpkin and tonight we will feast. We will welcome Fall in all it's dry, brown, splendor, even if it is just for a day.

And off the subject, I don't know if anyone else out there has this problem, but every time I pull out my boxes of holiday paraphernalia, and I begin to decorate, I can never remember where anything goes. I remember the previous year -- that the house looked great, but I never remember what I did to make it that way. Sounds kind of weird considering my box of decorations has remained the same for over 10 years, but it's true. So, I came up with a solution. I took photographs of all the nooks and crannies covered with pumpkins and ghosts. I'm putting a copy in my decoration box, so I'll remember.... which is something I'm really bad at.

In fact, today I wore my shirt backwards all day long and didn't even notice until I looked at my reflection in the Walmart bathroom mirror and saw my shirt tag sticking up pretending to be a necklace. I think I may have to say something to my friends that went to breakfast with me this morning -- I sat there drinking soda, munching toast, and they didn't say a word about my wardrobe miscue. Is it because they think I'm past hope?? Could be. Maybe they just know the real me and love me in spite of the fact that I'm a little scattered.

As I walked out of the Walmart bathroom, I didn't even bother adjusting my shirt. I just resumed shopping with the thought: "Oh, I'll get to that later." But, it is now 10:30 p.m, I just realized... I still have a tag tickling my chin. I think you already know what happened..... I forgot.

Which leads me to another question. Why can I remember with clarity things that happened 40 years ago, the entire tune to any 1960's television show, and other mindless trivia, but I can't remember where I put my keys, hair appointments, lunch money for my kids, or putting on a shirt front forward???? I think I better purchase a Blackberry and start sending notes to myself!