Fri: Fringe & Frocks Accompany Baby Emma

Pink plush fringe blankets & frilly frocks were the common fair of gifts Baby Emma received from friends & family. The house was fraught with blue clothes from her older brothers, but Jenn was happy to break out the new gifts.

Life is pretty topsy-turvy when a new baby is born, but Jenn's motherly instincts quickly kicked in. Her three big brothers excited to have a baby sister, helped hold, burp & quiet her. All were happy to assist in bathing and fetching the binky when needed. She was pretty patient with them if they bounced her too high, bumped into her or didn't know how to help. It's a learning experience for all.

We spent a week enjoying Emma Delight. Spoiling her rotten is more like it, by holding her non-stop & fussing over her. How beautiful she is with easy to see similarities to each parent & sibling. It's nice Heavenly Father doesn't skimp when making babies.

Wed: When the Wrong Way is Where You Are

We went the wrong way coming home from Washington. I'd entered 'Pendleton' into our Garmin for the destination. Five Pendleton's popped onto the screen & I chose the Grain Coop, thinking it would take us to the city in Oregon on our route home 395 to I82.

Ever the optimist Allan said, "Maybe it's a shortcut". Yeah, to Walla Walla. As we rounded the lake size merging of both rivers (Snake & Columbia) passing Wallula, we took the Columbia River Highway (the Oregon & Washington state border) West for twenty odd miles. I decided to enjoy the scenery & shut my grumbling mouth up.

We were directed to take the Pendleton Cold Springs Highway 37 South through the quiet, wide open rolling hills of Oregon's dry farms. The verdant new growth, harvested or fallowed fields had a calming effect. Big tractor rigs tilling under the last of this year's stubble dotted the horizon. Family ranches replaced the 'oasis in the desert' to the weary traveler.

An old school begged me to stop & take it's picture. A windmill stood guard nearby, protecting it from predators. Turning to get back in the car, the four story high abandoned grain elevator we parked next to said, 'Pendleton Grain Coop'. We had arrived at our destination!

681 miles in all was our return total with a detour in Boise to see the state capitol & 670 going to Washington. I'd say we did find a shortcut, from the rat race of the interstate highways, leap frog passing, & big truck haulers.

Mon-Migration, A Many Feathered Thing

Few things give us a bond with nature more than birds. Their merry song, flight friendly patterns & flitting about daily, amaze me. A friend once asked what bird I’d choose to be. An eagle was her desire, to be admired by all. I'd be a soaring hawk high above the earth.

‘I pray to the birds-because they remind me of what I love rather than what I fear.’ Terry Tempest Willams

Last week swarms of birds settled then separated into groups. Watching their ebb & flow was fascinating. Canada Geese squawked while taking flight from a nearby golf course to forage elsewhere. Gazing at their V formation as they soared overhead, I wanted to join the gang. Fast flyers, they once overtook my 35 mph commute to work zooming past me in the sky.

A great grey heron stood in the center of the river as I walked the trail last week without a camera. Is this is layover site before heading further south? Still on the river the other day, I couldn't keep my eyes off the rare beauty, snapping some photos this time.

Years ago while returning in late September from taking my oldest to Snow College, several hours away, flock upon flock of geese flew past me headed toward warmer climates. It was definitely a well traveled route for fowls & weekend warriors. They're passing through that area now to winter in the Gulf Coast, Mexican Riviera and points in between. Where do I hop aboard? Wait, that’s a self achieved 1000+ mile journey, maybe not.

‘To be human is to breathe with the rhythm of life; to recognize a kinship with all of life.’ DavidKrieger

Sat-So Saturated

I get so saturated with 30+ days of Halloween my 'Bah! Humbug!' beats me to the 31st.

The candy is gone, but the headache is not.
Those creative abilities are pretty darn shot.

Give me some cider that isn't just hot.
Where did I put that witches, brew pot?

The teens & I have once again faught,
Over who can go party & who cannot.

You want to be who, Sir Walter Scott?
What happened to the pirate costume I bought?

Here's the pumpkin smasher we just caught.
Let's end this year with one happy thought!

Happy H A L L O W E E N !

Thur: Are We There Yet?

Holidays are like road trips. We watch the scenery along the way, getting more excited as we get closer. It seems to take forever to get there. Then again they come too soon or not soon enough for parents. Did we plan ahead or has all the fun slipped by us when we were too busy?

Don't give up, hang in there & you'll be out of the woods soon. Simplify is what you need now. Buy the treats instead of making them. Forget the costume, that frown will do just fine. Bale on carving & use markers instead. No pumpkins or candy in the house, go visit grandma. She'll be delighted.

Many a year I was up to my ears in pumpkin slime as the doorbell began to ring with the first kids & the dinner burned. More than a few choice words slipped out, that I regretted later. The weather seldom cooperated so winter coats were cramed over their unseen costumes. Spilled candy, crying kids, crappy treats & cranky attitudes have all been forgotten, as the good times we had fill the mind.

Tue: Trials of Treasured Costumes

As another year beats its path to Halloween. The kids are still changing their minds on what they want to be. Our heads ache over trying to please them. Take the easy, expensive route, & the costume awaits its master. We know it will fall apart midparade at school or between the 2nd & 3rd house of trick or treating. We don't care our duties done. Miraculously, I still have my witches cape from 2nd grade.

If your a glutton for punishment like I always was, you've been brainstorming, creating, sewing, searching for the perfect outfit above & beyond the store bought variety. Subtly I suggested ideas to my kids, that were remotely possible to achieve. Sometimes they fell for them. The thrill of the holiday is being different & cooler than any of your friends.

Jenn was a mean big sister one year. No wait that was every year until she left home. Mauri's hospital crazed peacock outfit got her 2nd place & a prize in high school. I still have & use the witches hat from Alicia's wicked witch costume. Breann & friends bought granny dresses from the DI in sixth grade. They all wore hairnets & bumble butts. Jory has loved dressing up since his famous cute, cow duds at age 5. Our homemade outfits pale in comparison to his amazing artwork. He won the best mask at the Garage Masquerade Ball this year. Step aside Jim Henson.

Just thinking about what you'll be for Halloween or were in years past makes for much discussion. I'm going to be a weird scientist, perhaps Alberta Einstein.

Fri: Fascinating Food & Free Fun

All photos & recipes from www.tasteofhome.com/Recipes/Holiday---Celebration-Recipes/Halloween-Recipes




Spiderweb Dip w/Bat Tortilla Chips
by Sonia Candler, Edmonton, Alberta
Ingredients: 20 flour tortillas (8 inches)- Cooking spray
3/4 tsp of each garlic salt, grnd coriander, paprika, pepper
DIP:
1 package (8 ounces) cream cheese, softened
3/4 cup salsa
1/2 cup prepared guacamole
1 to 2 tablespoons sour cream
Directions Cut tortillas into bat shapes with a 3-3/4-in. cookie cutter. Place tortillas on baking sheets coated with cooking spray. Spritz tortillas with cooking spray. Combine the garlic salt, coriander, paprika and pepper; sprinkle over tortillas. Bake at 350° for 5-8 minutes or until edges just begin to brown.
In a small bowl, combine cream cheese and salsa. Spread into a 9-in. pie plate. Carefully spread guacamole to within 1 in. of edges. Place sour cream in a small resealable plastic bag; cut a small hole in a corner of bag. Pipe thin concentric circles an inch apart over guacamole. Beginning with the center circle, gently pull a knife through circles toward center edge. Wipe knife clean. Repeat to complete spiderweb pattern. Serve with tortilla bats. Yield: about 1-1/2 cups dip and about 7 dozen chips.

With the grandkids coming for the weekend, I've got plans to stir up a pot of goodies. They will join in helping make them, painting projects, pumpkin picking & more exciting Halloween events. It's hard to choose what to do & leave for next year.

Get cackling & invite your friends, family or neighbors over for a lively time away from computer games & TV.
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