Dress up

Happy Halloween!

Brilliant

I wanted to take Lola for a long walk yesterday, after I all promised her all week. We lost both her leashes so I had to break down and go to the store and get a cheapy since it was all they had, just so I could keep my promise. Trust me, she knows these things.
Anyway, it also looks like we're on the tail end of the pretty leaves now. I wanted to take some time to enjoy them while I can...and it was so beautiful yesterday.

Lola seemed to think it was too warm. About halfway through the walk she dropped down in some shade and decided she wasn't going any further.I had to drag her on her back several feet before she would get up. Then she decided she would take a break in the shade of every tree we came across...the entire way home. Notice the shade on the sidewalk every 20 feet. Yes, she played dead on each and every patch of shade.

So we played the game of lay down and drag for almost 1/2 an hour.

It took forever to finish. I would have picked her up and carried her but I was packing my camera, cell phone and other garbage I'd found as I was walking. So, by the way, if you see the Miller Lite can in my recycling bin, please don't call the Bishop on me.

The leaves are brilliant....my dog....not so much.

Who do you want to be today...

Reminds me of the song by Oingo Boingo..."who do you want to be today...who do you want to be? Who do you want to be today, do you want to be someone just like on tv."
Yes, those were the good old days...real lyrics. But I digress.
I'm assuming EVERYONE is so excited to see Twilight next month. I need the Montana crew to find out if it will be playing at the Pharoplex! But, just because I'm a sicko and was dying of curiosity, I took the test to see who I am...Big surprise....

Take the Quiz and Share Your Results!
Who else would I be...but the mom. I only wish I never got older. Come on all you Twilight Freaks, let's see who you are.

Do it yourself

Thanks for the ideas Tallant...these were some of my favorites.
AMAZINGLY SIMPLE HOME REMEDIES
Avoid cutting yourself when slicing vegetables, by getting someone else to hold them while you chop.

A mouse trap, placed on top of your alarm clock, will prevent you from rolling over and going back to sleep after you hit the snooze button.

If you have a bad cough, take a large dose of laxatives; then you'll be afraid to cough.

You only need two tools in life - WD-40 and Duct Tape. If it doesn't move and should, use the WD-40. If it shouldn't move and does, use the duct tape.

If you can't fix it with a hammer, you've got an electrical problem.

Gainer

Weight gainer that is...
Homemade donuts. Powdered or Maple. Could be the best darn thing I've ever learned to make. Kiera and I got a recipe off of Prudence Pennywise today and made our first donuts. Um...this could be a problem.
We found that it works really well, to follow the recipe EXACTLY. Once you've made them and they are successful, you can tweak it and adjust it for your own variations.
For instance, we discovered that this recipe makes 16 perfect square donuts. Also, we probably could have used less flour at the plate step. We think these would be great with a little pumpkin or a least pumpkin spice in them and maybe even cocoa....hmmmm. The dough is very sticky but not obnoxious bread sticky...it's finger licking good sticky. We also substituted a cup of wheat flour...to help us feel better about the whole fattening problem.

Maple Donuts
2 eggs
2/3 cup sugar
1 cup buttermilk
1 teaspoon vanilla
4 tablespoons melted butter
1 cup mashed potatoes (I use 1 cup boiling water and 1/2 cup instant mashed potato flakes or buds)
4 and 1/2 cups flour, DIVIDED
2 and 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
3/4 teaspoons baking soda
1 teaspoon salt
pinch of nutmeg (two quick shakes)

In the bowl of a stand mixer, beat eggs until frothy. Add sugar and beat well. Add buttermilk butter, vanilla. Stir in mashed potatoes. Sprinkle exactly 3 and 1/2 cups flour, plus powder, soda, salt and nutmeg over the dough. Stir until just blended. The dough will be extremely sticky. Line a dinner plate with waxed paper. Sprinkle 1/2 cup flour on top of waxed paper. Gather sticky dough up and press onto waxed paper; sprinkle the top with remaining 1/2 cup flour. If you need to pat atop a little more flour to be able to work with the dough, go ahead and sprinkle/pat it on top but DO NOT mix it in. ( You can refrigerate dough for a couple of hours at this point if you want, but not for too long or the dough will turn black from the potatoes.) Let the dough rest on the plate for five minutes. Meanwhile, heat large heavy pot with 1 inch of oil until oil is about 375 degrees. Turn donuts out onto flat floured surface. Pat the dough into a square only slightly larger than the plate. The dough should be about 1/2 inch thick. (Do not knead in the flour that have you sprinkled on the donuts. It will cook away on the outside, promise.) Cut donuts with donut cutter, or use the top of a prescription pill bottle for donut holes. Holes are the best in my opinion. (This is the opinion of the recipe lady...not me:)

Fry donuts until pale golden brown, turning once. Drain on paper towels. Cool for five minutes before glazing.
Maple Glaze
Notes: This makes enough for half a batch of donuts, in case you want to make some powdered sugar donuts or plain sugar.
Combine 2 cups powdered sugar, 2 teaspoons maple extract and about 4 tablespoons cream (or milk) until smooth.

Tip: We discovered that it was best to let the donuts cool slightly and then immerse and roll them in powdered sugar. For the maple ones (which are the best in my opinion) allow them to cool completely before frosting...or do what I do...eat them warm and dip them in the frosting...:) Ew...and don't strain the oil and save it to reuse another day. I know we should all be about thrift right now but that's just yucky. It was a suggestion of Prudence.

Honestly, I am not a great cook but these were easy peasy. As Anastasia said in the movie...."If I can learn to do it, you can learn to do it!"

Yeah, I got my computer control back. I thought I was going to have to begin therapy for blogging withdrawal. Thank you computer elves.

Help

I've messed around with my blog last night and some this morning. As a result, I can no longer see photos on my blog, or anyone else's. I can't upload photos...nothing. Can someone please tell me what I've done to my computer(s) and how I can fix it??!!

open mouth...insert foot

I ought to leave the clever writing to those who are actually good at it.

Heaven Forbid

So if you're not into blog posts with "recipes" or "scrapbookie" things...you've been warned...feel free to visit another blog that fulfills your "differences". Some make it perfectly clear that they aren't into all that stuff...so...no hard feelings...cause I am. I go to many different blogs each day and because they all are varied, I learn so much and get inspired. If I don't like the subject matter, I move on but I will never tell them their subject matter isn't worthy of blogging.

{Heaven forbid} I post a touchy-feely recipe...Actually, I'm not doing this for anyone but me. This is my blog and I post what I want and print my posts in a book. I got this recipe online and want to preserve it, since I'd kind of like to make it again.

My kids will say, they've probably had enough of pumpkin to last until next year. I say...it's never too much. I think we've had something with pumpkin in it almost everyday this month. Last night I made Rustic Pumpkin Pasta and Pumpkin Trifle for dessert. A bit much? {Heaven forbid} I enjoy a little pumpkin right now.

Pumpkin Toffee Trifle

1 (6 ounce) box vanilla pudding mix, cooked to package instructions

1 cup pumpkin puree

1 Tablespoon pumpkin pie spice

1/4 cup light brown sugar

4 bananas, thinly sliced

4 toffee bars, chopped (I used Heath bits)

1 loaf pumpkin bread (about 3 cups), cut in cubes

4 cups whipped cream ( I used the real stuff..it was worth it)

Gently mix vanilla pudding with pumpkin puree, pumpkin pie spice, and brown sugar. Into a glass trifle bowl, add one half of the pumpkin bread. Scoop in one half of the pudding, add a layer of one half of the banana and chopped toffee. Smooth on one half of the whipped cream. Repeat layers, ending with cream and toffee. Refrigerate for at least 4 hours and up to overnight.

I've got some left, you're welcome to come join me this afternoon and we'll finish it off together. Maybe while you're here I'll tell you that I'm really not offended...just a bit "snarkey" today. I love my blog...that's all that matters. {Heaven Forbid} it.

I'm campaignin'

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It's what I do...

Here's what life entails for me...

President Lorenzo Snow“We ought to understand that we have espoused a system of religion that is calculated in its nature to increase within us wisdom and knowledge. . . .“The whole idea of Mormonism is improvement—mentally, physically, morally, and spiritually. No half-way education suffices for the Latter-day Saint” (The Teachings of Lorenzo Snow, comp. Clyde J. Williams [1984], 26–27).

“As we look to the future, I see our young people in the Church. I see a lot of them. I see them all over. And I am absolutely enthusiastic about the quality of their lives, their strength, their goodness, their faithfulness. I haven’t the slightest concern about the future of this Church as I see our young people. They study the scriptures. They go to seminary and institute. They pray about their decisions. They socialize among themselves in a wonderful atmosphere of faithfulness. They are on their way to becoming strong, and faithful, and able Latter-day Saints, who will deliver when they are called upon to do so” (Gordon B. Hinckley, “Messages of Inspiration from President Hinckley,” Church News, Dec. 2, 2000, 2).

“I hope every one of you goes to seminary. I am glad you do. It is good for you. Go there to learn and become acquainted with the gospel. Some day every one of you is going to have to defend this Church, to explain it to others. Now is the time to prepare” (Gordon B. Hinckley, “Messages of Inspiration from President Hinckley,” Church News, Aug. 3, 1996,

“The secular without the foundation of the spiritual is but like the foam upon the milk, the fleeting shadow. Do not be deceived! One need not choose between the two . . . for there is opportunity to get both simultaneously; but can you see that the seminary courses should be given even preferential attention over the high school subjects; the institute over the college course; the study of the scriptures ahead of the study of the man-written texts; the association with the Church more important than clubs, fraternities, and sororities; the payment of tithing more important than paying tuitions and fees?” (Spencer W. Kimball, The Teachings of Spencer W. Kimball, ed. Edward L. Kimball [1982], 390).

“Students, if your values are in place, you will not hesitate to forego an elective class that may decorate your life in favor of instruction which can hold together the very foundation of it. Then, once enrolled, attend, study, and learn. Persuade your friends to do the same. You will never regret it; this I promise you.
“Without guidance, your student may choose another elective instead of seminary, or another course instead of an institute class. That would surely be a mistake. It would be like adding one more brick to the house of knowledge when there is little mortar to hold it all together. Parents, encourage, even insist, that your students register for seminary or institute. Presidents, bishops, youth leaders, you are responsible to encourage every youngster, without exception, to enroll. Few things you do will benefit them quite as much." (Boyd K. Packer)

Busy work

What do you do to keep teenagers busy when they have two half days at school in a row? Halloween crafts. I can't bear to let them go down in the basement and waste their entire day watching tv so I piled projects on them. Yesterday they decorated "designer" pumpkins...artificial pumpkins glammed up and bejeweled while watching a halloweenie movie...The Ring. Today Hunter and Rachel made a haunted gingerbread house. It took them 3 hours...well worth the $9.95 for the kit, I'd say.

My sister and I found a blog of a high school friend today...Hi Janene! Yes, we are real and you can email me at: ckanenwisher@hotmail.com My mom wants to see your's and Caleb's blogs since you were her seminary students and she would love to catch up with you guys. She has her own blog, believe it or not! You can find it in my profile. One of my favorite things about blogging is the way it keeps people in touch....it's such a small world.

Update:

Meat rot smell is gone! Well, except for this one spot that I keep spraying with Lysol and Febreeze. Still can't bring myself to think about putting anything back in that freezer yet.

Real Party Poopers

Now don't you democrats get all riled up on me. You know if you elect you know who that you'll probably put my husband and thousands of others out of business, causing more thousands to lose their jobs. It would be a shame for a company who provides livelihoods for 300 families to not be able to do that anymore because of the taxes being jacked so high, designed to punish them and give to others. I think employing hundreds of people and offering them insurance is way more effective than offering no job and just giving all the money to the government. You better believe it will happen and if you think it won't affect you, you're wrong. But, just so you know there's no hard feelings...I still love ya and there's still time to change your mind!

On Fire

Did you get to see the sun come up in KC this morning? I've never seen the sky that shade of lavender before, until today. It was only for a short moment and the sun was a huge ball of fuchsia. No pictures, it's too darn cold. I feel like I live on the tundra this morning with the wind blowing so hard. I heard it all night.

Last night was Hunter's first choir concert at Staley. It was also the first school performance held on the new stage. It is a beautiful venue. I don't have the greatest photos of her singing as I haven't mastered photographing the choir concerts in the large dark theaters yet. They sounded beautiful though. They all looked very nice in their brand new robes and when they first came on the stage I commented to Chloe how much they looked like a gospel choir. Wouldn't you know it, they delivered on the gospel music as well and very much looked the part. I'm so grateful that my girls are still allowed and encouraged to sing songs about the Savior. I can say, I felt the Spirit. We have wonderful choir teachers at OP and Staley who are supportive and passionate about believing in Christ. I pray our country won't forget "in God we trust", especially as we near this upcoming presidental election. How can we bear to live in a country that doesn't allow the freedom for us to worship our Lord and sing praises to Him and pray to Him anytime and anywhere...including school.

Thanks for the tips for my smelly house. I've tried a bunch of different things. I'm off to buy more baking soda and vinegar today. I've used a can of Lysol and a jug of bleach and it still smells. If I acted on being the wasteful person that I am, I'd just throw the freezer away. It's forever tainted in my mind...like Elaine says on Seinfeld..."Jerry, how can I go on???" The inside of it doesn't smell, and I pulled it out and bleached the floor beneath it. It may just take time to dissipate. I hate things that take time.

Really? Am I hearing thunder again??? Two days in a row...does anyone else think this is odd October weather?

Advice please

What's the best way to eliminate the smell of rotting meat from my house?
Tip: Never leave your door on the deep freeze open for 3 days.
Shout out: Love the Followers gadget, sorry I'm slow to getting on that. If you have one, let me know and I'll add myself to it!
Thank you: Silent Lucidity was just what I needed this morning Mel. I still don't want music on my blog but love getting my 80's fix from you.
Also, thank you to my Father in Heaven who knew that this week would be a good time for me to make a big mistake and only lose a little when I could have lost a lot.
Oh, and Kelli...love the quote on your header: "You should truthfully record your real self and not what other people may see in you." - Spencer W. Kimball

Potpourri

Such a random hodge podge day deserves a equally random post.

The day started off with running errands, including the daily temple chase. I'm working on a top secret, if you know what I mean, seminary project/gift that requires me gathering leaves. So, since I missed saturday and sunday I thought I'd better grab some new leaves that might have changed color this weekend. This involves parking the car and walking quite some distance through a field to get to the leaves on the other side. Me in my flip flops stirred up some not so welcome critters, namely the bunny (which scared the crap out of me) and the SNAKE...yes....SNAKE. As if my heart wasn't racing enough from scaring the poor bunny out of it's wits I then almost passed out from the serpent. It could be a warning. There is indeed a sign indicating that it is private property and people are to stay out. Couldn't possibly apply to me now....for heaven's sake I'm the temple chaser and technically part owner right??? Okay, so not really but I've been planning what to say to the cops when they eventually bust me for hanging out and lurking on private property. So...got home and put my leaves in the press and researched real quick to find my snake. Turns out it's an adult Blue Racer....one of the fastest snakes in America. Just my luck. I think I scared it as much as it scared me. It popped it's ginormous head out from the grass and I'm certain they heard me scream in Liberty! Be sure to ask me when you see me what it looked like....So, I got the job done that I needed to do and I got outta there. Don't worry, I'll be sure to post this info on "Chaser". After all, once it's a dedicated site, it's probably not a good idea to be screaming out loud there or sneaking around posted do not trespass signs.

So then, I went over to Staley and helped unpack and organize the new choir robes that had just arrived. Good thing too...the concert is tomorrow...hellloooo. All 200 robes were documented, hung and steamed. 20 years from now when the Staley students are still wearing the then old and stinky robes, Hunter will be able to say she wore them first! Some of the robes...

Then...before the girls got home from school and I had to take Hunter to buy choir shoes....I found this funny tag on a blog....1. What breed are you? Well my family calls me a Wire Fox Terror but I'm a terrier.
2. How old are you? I'm 3 now.
3. What is your full name? Lola Lola Ebola Banana Fanna Fefola, but you can call me Lola.
4. Do you have any nicknames? only when I'm naughty and they aren't nice names.
5. Where do you usually sleep? On Mom and Dad's feet at night, otherwise in the sun.
6. What is your favorite thing to do? Chew up underwear, carry around socks, drag my toys everywhere, escape when people leave the door open, take long walks, chase Bridger around the kitchen island, bury my bones in beds or couches.
7. What is something unusual/interesting about you? One of my ears is smaller than the other. I think someone chewed it off when I was a baby.
8. Who is your best friend? Whoever walks me that day...oh and Olin Kanenwisher
9. Did you go to obedience school...if so were you "TOP DOG" or did you flunk out? No, and I would have been a flunkie, big time.
10. Can you do any tricks? does fetch count? Oh, and freakishly standing on my back feet while watching tv.

Now y'all go fetch your dog(s) and get started...This is gonna be fun!
No special rules, pass it along if you'd like or not, I just want you to play and learn more about your doggies :)

This is my "Dax" look, Dad says I look like the dog on Battlestar Galactica
This is me waiting for Bridger to come home....
Okay enough random for now. It's out to dinner for us and back to Staley. I'm finally starting to uncurl my toes and stop shivering when I think of the snake.

English Landing

English Landing is one of the best walking trail parks I've ever been to. Nestled between Park College and the Mighty Mo in Parkville, there's so much to see and do. Here are some of my favorite photos from Saturday's photography exploration.
I almost can't bear the thought of this season coming to an end.

20 As a 1930s wife, I am Very Poor (Failure) Take the test!

I'm so sorry honey.

Good Morning Star Shine

By 6:00 this morning, Chloe and Hunter had already left for Fall Brawl and by 7:30 I had already dropped Bridger off in Platte City for a temple trip.

As compensation for having to get up early on my sleep in day, I got this...

Oh what a beautiful morning...oh what a beautiful day...

Just ask a Missourian who will be the next President

http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=95816730&ft=3&f=1001,1003,1004,1031

If you really want to know ask around in Lincoln County: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lincoln_County,_Missouri

Which of course...is the opposite end of the state from us...so it doesn't count right?

Having a field day...

Nothing better than roaming the fields with your temple spotting buddies on a beautiful fall evening.

I made my reservation today...

Awesomeness

Don'tcha feel better now.