Another November Walk

Kyle and I went on a short walk this morning. It is so gorgeous out today!

Every morning in the fall, I am greeted by the beauty of this tree. I just wish the beauty didn't also leave leaves in my home.

Believe it or not, these were found on the ground that is part of a loop from our close freeway to our home.

I don't know what they are, but their color is amazing to me.

I love that an orchard is near us. It is quite the sight in the spring.

My husband choosing to wake up a little early to walk with me is another reason why I love him!

My husband

I love my husband for so many reasons. Let me share a few of the recent reasons.

I am fighting a sore throat, so Kyle picked up some grapefruit juice and cranberry juice for me earlier this week.

I was still fighting the sore throat, so he bought a Vic's vaporizer to plug in by my nightstand two nights ago.

Kyle brought me my music books to school on Thursday in between my busy conference day. He even got to know some of my students out on the yard! One of them asked who he was. He said, "Mr. Guess".
The student said, "So... that makes you Mrs. Guess's wife?"
"Did you just call me her wife! That means you are in trouble!" he replied.
The student covered his face and kids started laughing. The student walked away, and the others followed.
After dropping off the music, Kyle found the same group of kids and gestured to the one with the grammar error to come talk to him. The student looked a little scared, but he came. Kyle let him know the he was just joking with him, and that I laughed at the story. The student relaxed and the rest of the kids came to talk to him and show off a rocket and other things they had.

We bought a space heater on Thursday night when our heater went on the fritz again. Kyle wanted my input as we looked at multiple options.

Kyle was flexible with where we ate out last night. Instead of waiting to be seated and then wait for our food at a Mexican food place, I suggest Panera. He tends to be a little hungry when he leaves Panera, so he opted for Slices, a pizza place. Yum!

I love my husband!

A Fall Walk

Kyle and I had a great time at Woodward Park. Enjoy the pictures!

Cross Country

Look at the face on this kid trying to pull in air.


Go Hillberg!


Unleash the hounds!


Tasha's previous student ran in this race. We saw him after the race, in which he metaled, and he had gotten spiked in the shin. Ouch!

Before and After

When you have 3 pumpkins after Halloween, creative must ensue.
Before

The seeds that Rachel later baked for me after out multi-hour endeavor.

Rachel and Ruli helping puree the pumpkin after boiling and peeling.

The pureed pumpkin with bumps from sitting in the strainer.

After: The delicious pumpkin chocolate chip cookies!

Plus, Rachel and I have 4 premade batched of the pumpkin puree left over for a rainy day.

I don't remember which relative blessed Rachel with the recipe, but boy am I glad they did. They were like a pleasant mix between a spice cake and a chocolate chip cookie. They stayed much more moist than chocolate chip cookies which get hard after a day or two. Yummy!

Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Cookies

Cream 1/2 C shortening, 1 1/2 C sugar together, add 1 egg, 2 C pumpkin and mix. Sift together 2 1/2 C flour (which we didn't do and they were still delicious), 1 tsp cinnamon, 1 tsp nutmeg, 1 tsp baking soda, 1/2 tsp salt add to the pumpkin mix. Mix well then stur in 12 oz package of chocolate chips and 1 c of nuts (which we didn't use). Bake at 375 for 15-20 minutes.

EDIT: Halloween

Tasha was typing the post as I was studying Hebrew. The details were foggy and I did not convey them accurately. So here is the accurate version.

Kyle remembers his parents setting up their house as a haunted house. His grandma June was legally blind (possibly had cataracts) so her eyes were glossy. She was recruited to be a witch that stirred a brew in a metal cauldron, which was filled dry ice so it bubbled and gave off smoke. She was posted in Troy's bedroom doorway. Kyle's mom had put packing peanuts all over the ground and told kids that they were ghost terds!

Halloween

Today I was remembering Halloweens of the past. It is hard to miss when we had a vampire and a lady my mom's age dressed as a baby serve us breakfast! We also had a pirate winch take our photos for some visas!

Kyle remembers his parents setting up their house a haunted house. He had an elderly aunt who was legally blind (possibly a cataract???) dress up as a witch with a metal caldren filled dry ice. She was the greeter at the door. Kyle's mom had put packing peanuts all over the ground and told kids that they were ghost terds!

As a kid, I remember going to many Harvest Festivals at my old school. As a teen, my family went to Boomers often and played miniature golf on Halloween. In college, Kyle and I went to our college group's parties. I remember someone coming as Bart Simpson with yellow paint all over his face. A couple dressed up as characters from the Drew Carry Show. The guy dressed as Mimi with lots of blue eye shadow. The girl dressed as Drew Carry. When Vons was picketing, someone dressed regularly and made a picket sign! As a newly wed, I remember joining some good friends of ours as they passed out candy. We enjoyed a great meal together and a kids Halloween movie. One year, I think it was The Great Pumpkin staring the Peanuts gang.

Today Kyle and I had goodie bags and an extra supply of candies if we ran out. You won't believe how many kids came to our door. You can't even count them on one hand. That is right! A big, fat ZERO! Kyle did have fun dressing up with stuff he already had at home though. I opted to work on lesson plans rather than dress up.

I told Kyle that he was scary with the paint ball mask. To which he replied, "But, I'm smiling!" So... he got creative.


Here is Kyle using REGULAR paint on his face. Let's just say I wasn't thrilled with this idea.

I then decided to make it a photo shoot and took a dozen shots of him painting his face. This is my favorite one!

A morning walk

Fall is on its way! I love when the leaves change colors. Cool morning walks are so inviting. Kyle and I went for a walk this morning and enjoyed some yummy breakfast at a local downtown coffee shop! We also had to stop by one of my favorite spots to take leaf pictures. Of all places, it is the post office:)
This turned out to be a fun angle to get the leaves.

There are still flowers blooming here!

I love lilies!

It is still early in the fall season leaf wise, so many of the leaves are still green.

Aren't these cool!