Chocolate Cheesecake and more. . .

La Torta

Toffee Time

Le mie Bambine

. . .and the most wonderfully scented cinnamon ornaments that Soren made with his Grandma Pat.

Adesso devo dormire. Buona notte. Zzzzzzz.

The Snow Came Early

No-Knead Bread

My sister, Charla, sent me this video from the New York Times and I have to say that it is fantastic and easy to make! Like I've said in a previous post (many moons ago), I was always intimidated by the thought of making bread because of the yeast factor. Well, not anymore. In this recipe the loaves come out looking so lovely and round. I could say more but you can just watch the video and see. . .xo

M. Ward

I love this song and video and so do my little ones. Their daddy finds good things for them to enjoy.

Dahlia

Ode to My little Dahlia at Two Years Old

I love her, I love her, I love her I do. One look at her perfect face, her bright eyes and her perfect everything makes my worries subside. She is my hope, my fountain of youth. She is determination, wild and free. Strength and laughter,

climbing, jumping, dancing without fear.

. . .And she has this new joke. If she wants to make anything funny she adds "toots" to the end. To her credit it is pretty funny. She and Soren laugh heartily during their joke time.

Halloween

Save Sakineh

I have just visited GoPetition and found the following page extremely important in saving her life.

Please sign the petition by going here.

You can also go here to sign a petition for the release of her son, her lawyer, and two German journalist who are being held because they spoke out against her sentence and the human rights violations committed against her.

Existing

I took Soren and Dahlia to the park last night and while we were there I was encouraging Soren to jump off one of the levels of the play set without my help. He was reluctant and then said, "if you exist" and did it! Can he please stay five forever???

I think I kind of like "if you exist" better than "if you insist" just because it's awesome.

Gardner Village

Mere and I had an impromptu trip to Gardner Village this past weekend. What a fun time is was--Pot Bellied Pigs and all! Above are photos of the darlings shortly after getting their faces painted (pics compliments of Mere).

I heart twins

While visiting my mom I had the opportunity to see my cousin Ashley and her gorgeous family. She has twin girls that are just older than Soren and I love them! I just love twins. (When I was younger my sister Bridget and I use to say we were twins. Funny thing is I think we look more alike now then when we were little). My mom brought the kids up the canyon today and took the photos above.... I was home with my little one who was still not well and Ashley got a break (sort of;) and stayed home with her baby Isabella who is a totally darling little pixie baby.

PS. Tonight before going to bed Soren asked for a glass of Rice Dream. After he took a big gulp he declared, "that was refreshingly good."

We're a rice milk drinking family 95% of the time (oat milk and almond milk are also family favorites and the occasional fresh cows milk is a treat). One time when Soren was a baby Jason made oat milk that was quite nice. He spiced it up with cinnamon and it seemed to do well with the normal milk going foods. We need to try that again...I'll let you know when we do.

Thirty

I was holding Dahlia today and thinking outload as I said "what time is it?". She then answered, "thirty". I love my little D.

She's had a rough couple of days and I think her molars are coming in. . .we shall see.

small town happenings while visiting la mia mama

Awesome Things Number 1 & 2

My mom

My mom having fresh milk from the dairy with cream on top. Seriously amazing. Yummy. No more vegan.

Conversation Number 1

Scene: Soren and I sitting in the car on Main St. while Jason, my mom and Dahlia go into the store to by a TV.

Soren: Mom you look like a bunny. . . because your teeth are big.

Me: (laughing) You're right I do have long front teeth.

A lady once asked me if I ate a lot of carrots when I was younger. I know what you're thinking. I can't believe she asked that either! And you're probably wondering why I'm sharing these embarrassing stories. I guess I'm at peace with my long (lovely ;) teeth and it's cathartic to share my oneness with them. I like them anyway.

Strange Happenings Number 1

Jason and I went to the above store earlier that same day to buy a cord to hook the computer up to the TV (they didn't have the right one). While we were walking back to the car we past Curly's Lounge. There were three people outside and as we walked by I don't think I've felt that "looked up and down" since high school. It was right out of a movie and we could have been wearing Lady Ga Ga's meat dress to merit the stares we got (totally gross and lame dress IMHO). It made me really appreciate city life and miss it. All the happenings, fast pace, uniqueness. . . I felt right at home.

. . .and don't get me on the topic of Dragging Main. I couldn't believe it when my mom told me that's what kids did and still did when I was 16 and we were visiting my grandma in the same small town. We took a drive one time and she showed me how the teenagers drove down Main Street and then when they got to a certain point would turn around and drive back again and again. I guess I shouldn't laugh too hard (or maybe I should laugh even harder) because while I was in Riccione, Italy (when I was 19) the kids did the same thing down the board walk. . .walking back and forth. I was with a friend and felt so ridiculous. I remember asking her what we were doing. . .totally funny memory for me. Not my cuppa tea, thank you.

Hiking to Alta. . .

. . .was a bit more strenuous than we had planned for but we did it and it was breathtaking! We met up with Mere and Cory and their darling kids Dotty and Townes, hiked to a gorgeous lake, and had delicious picnic. Below are some photos of the trip.

MissDahlia

Miss Dotty

Soren, Dotty, Dahlia and Townes

Parks and Pumpkins with Grandma and Grandpa

My mama came to town for my Birthday and it was so fun. I love how much she and Dahlia look alike and it just warms my heart to see them together. They are both November babies and full of personality. My mom calls Dahlia Miss Personality and Dahlia can repeat it perfectly. It's pretty remarkable.

A wonderful children's book

The other day Jason brought home a book for Soren from the library. It is The Three Questions by Jon J. Muth and it's lovely. It's based on a story by Leo Tolstoy and I hope you enjoy it too.

desert dwellings

I love this story

This story illustrates many things but one in particular is the beauty of movement and the joy it brings. I can imagine what a joyful and inspiring moment it was to see little Ashley turn on her side and back again.

"One evening near the end of the month, I was preparing to leave town and still hadn’t visited one of my sisters. It was later in the evening. I had no appointment. I didn’t call. I had no partner. But I decided it was important to visit my friend Julie. Julie’s daughter Ashley was born with a brittle-bone disease. Although Ashley was almost six years old, she was very small and unable to do much of anything besides move her arms and speak. She lay on a sheepskin rug all day, every day. Ashley was a happy, cheerful child, and I loved being around her.

On this particular night when I got to the home, Julie invited me in and Ashley called out that she wanted to show me something. I went in and knelt down on the floor on one side of Ashley, and her mother was on the other side. Ashley said, “Look what I can do!” Then with a little assistance from her mother, Ashley was able to turn on her side and back again. It had taken her almost six years to accomplish this wonderful goal. As we clapped and cheered and laughed and cried together on this special occasion, I thanked Heavenly Father that I had gone visiting teaching and had not missed this great event. Even though that visit was many years ago and sweet Ashley has since passed away, I will be forever grateful that I had that special experience with her."

Barbara Thompson
Second Counselor in the Relief Society General Presidency

Nikki

One of my most favorite people, the Miss Nikki Arrington, had a very cool art show last night! Here are some photos of her work. It will be a display for maybe another week, if you are in the area, at: 39 West 200 North, Provo

My favorite is the fourth piece shown, titled Rome.

We went to the show with lovely friends and ran into other friends we haven't seen for a quite while--it was a fantastic time. Thanks Nikki for sharing your work!

Art, friends, Indian food. . . a recipe for una notte favolosa!