Frosting

I’m back–thanks Lynds for bugging me. Along with other half-hearted resolutions (walking 10,000 steps a day, finishing quilting projects, eating breakfast, being a nicer person), I did resolve to resume blogging. And today was the day. I know I promised to focus on the good stuff–joy, blessings, gifts. But my car is choking and threatening a costly repair, the roads are icy, it snows every day, I’m coming down with a cold, the snowblower is in the shop (and Kent could be a little quieter when he gets up early to shovel). Anyway, I was all ready to vent.

But as I drove home from work, the stunning beauty of snowfall on branches took my breath away. Skyblue and evergreen with divinity frosting. And I fell in love with home. Again.

Festival of Trees

It was such a joy to be part of the Festival of Trees this year. We named our tree "Gift of Reading" in honor of Mom and Dad and the value they always placed on education. It was simple compared to some of the extravagant, professionally decorated trees, but it was also elegant, and we were so pleased when it sold for a generous amount! Most of all, we were pleased that we were able to honor our wonderful parents.

Nikki and Lyndsie helped us set up and decorate it at the South Towne Expo Center in Sandy. I think there were about 400-500 trees, and it was fun to see them all. Kurt painted letters and the chairs for us, and Michelle was the chief designer. All of the books donated by the family were tied with bows under the tree. Nikki donated the table and chairs, and I bought the tree with money donated by the family. We also donated a magnetic board with Dick, Jane, and Sally magnets. The picture on the floor is a 1954 print called Storytime with Dad (If you click on the picture to make it larger, you may recognize Verlene, Judy and Me). In my opinion, the little red schoolhouse lantern tree topper really set our tree apart. It was Kent's idea, and I think it was clever and classy. It truly was a family effort--thanks to everyone who helped and contributed.

Big 8 Tag

Lyndsie put me up to this, so here goes . . .

8 Favorite T.V. shows

1. American Idol
2. Dancing With the Stars
3. Masterpiece Theater (just the classics)
4. Househunters International
5. Designed to Sell (I have new house fever)
6. News
7. Travel shows if they aren't about eating gross foods
8. Antiques roadshow

8 Things I did Yesterday

1. Spoke in Sacrament Meeting
2. Spoke in Sacrament Meeting
3. Spoke in Sacrament Meeting
4. Spoke in Sacrament Meeting (that's right, I spoke in FOUR different Sacrament Meetings)
5. Wrote my talk (OK, I'm a deadliner)
6. Watched "October Sky," a very good movie
7. Mooched dinner off of Lyndsie
8. Answered a few emails

8 Things I'm Looking Forward to

1. Thanksgiving at Ty and Alisha's
2. Finishing our family tree for the Festival of Trees
3. The Tabernacle Choir Christmas Concert (I hope someone gives me tickets!)
4. Christmas Eve
5. A banister and baseboards in the living room
6. Going to Washington D.C. in December
7. December Mentor Meetings at work (I have lots of fun things planned)
8. Seeing Dave and Rachael this weekend

8 Favorite Restaurants

1. Outback
2. McGrath's
3. Ginger's in Springville
4. Art City Trolley
5. Little Italy
6. PF Changs
7. The Mountain Grill in Midway
8. The little Chinese place by Wal-Mart in Payson (can't remember the name)

8 Things on my Wish List
(Only 8? It's going to be hard to whittle down my list)

1. More HD Channels
2. An office with a window
3. More grandkids (no pressure, though)
4. That our Festival Tree sells for a non-embarrassing amount of money
5. To see all my kids and grandkids more often
6. Thicker hair
7. To get home from work before dark more often
8. A clean garage

8 People I Tag

I think Lyndsie already tagged the 2-3 people who read my blog. If I had only had 9 wishes, I would have wished I were more popular.

Happy Birthday Marissa

Marissa was born a few days before Halloween, giving us all quite a scare by coming five weeks early. From small beginnings, she's blossomed into a curly-headed ray of sunshine. Missy's a two-year-old with many sides--cuddly, smart, silly, loving, bold, giving, and yes, sometimes mischievous. She's daddy's sweetheart and mommy's best buddy while Taylor is at preschool. Missy just makes us happy and we love her.

Missy and dad at her pumpkin-patch birthday party.

Bambi Revisited

This is a sad story so don't read on if you are already sad.

As you know, we have a family of assorted deer (including twins that were born here last spring) that hang out in our garden. Oh, they humor Kent by leaving for an hour or so when he yells and throws rocks at them, but I think they know he's just giving them a little "tough love." Our little deer herd has been gone for a week, and here's why. Last Saturday while we were at Marissa's birthday party, Lyndsie called with disturbing news. Someone in a pickup had just pulled up, shot the two-point buck (who was bedded down within 10 feet of our house!) and drove off. Several people in the neighborhood called 911 after they heard the shot and watched the deer stumble and fall when he tried to get up and run. As a mom with a toddler, Lyndsie was shocked and upset that someone would fire a rifle right next to the house. The injured deer rested for a while in the field behind the house, but apparently police can't shoot a deer, even to end his suffering. He was gone Sunday morning when Kent and Solomon went looking for him. Our neighbor even searched with a bloodhound, but he couldn't find him either. Everyone asks about him, but no one in the neighborhood has seen him since Saturday night.


So minus the two-pointer, our little herd came home today, bedding down right on the front lawn. It may take a while before Kent has the heart to throw rocks at them.

Fallin' in Love

I love the harvest, but I have to admit I'm not a big fan of fall. To teachers, fall signals the beginning of another work year--190 long days until summer vacation. The weather is unpredictable (usually cold/rainy/snowy/windy), and as my undecorated house will attest, I'm not exactly the Halloween Queen. The Deer Hunt (a national holiday to Evans men) doesn't make sense to me on any level. From my perspective, the guys spend time and money to hike around all day in freezing weather to hunt for venison, which people say they like (but I can't believe they really do).

But THIS YEAR, I've fallen in love with fall. The Indian Summer has been glorious. Driving around the school district (as I do a lot lately), I can hardly keep my eyes on the road for all the beauty. It's like we live in a blue and gold biodome with a perfect temperature (72 degrees, thank you) and fierce light filtering through fiery trees. My logical side knows this will end, but my emotional side wishes it could last forever.

So in honor of THIS FALL, here are a few favorites.

Fresh apples from our orchard in my Pottery Barn washtub. We handed out bushels of our Red Delicious apples at the BYU McKay School of Education Homecoming Gathering.


Taking a walk with Lynds and Soph

Silly kids eating ice cream and playing explorer at Nikki and Dave's

Click on this picture to see it larger--it's really quite cute.

Happy Birthday Amber

Amber and Boston

Many people think that October 12 is Columbus Day, but in our family, it's Amberly Day. Amber is a precious gift--kind, loving and patient. She's wise beyond her years and her sweet smile brightens my life. I just never get enough Ambertime--we share a love of "girly movies," shopping, eating out, and deep conversations. I love to watch her as she reads to Clara or plays on the floor with Boston. She loves being a mom and radiates joy when she is with her kids. I feel lucky to have her for a daughter-in-law and friend.