Good Bye 2012!

In a few minutes, it's going to be 2013.  We have had a fun New Years Eve night of eating, playing the candy bar game and laughing.  My eyes are heavy and so ready for bed.  I'm hoping 2013 is my best year yet!

2012's Top 12

I usually send out Christmas cards with my top 10 moments of the year.  I hate to admit it, but I was lazy this year and didn't send them out.  I know, shame on me.  But I do have some top moments for the year, so here they are in no particular order:
12.  Halloween Traditions
11.  BYU Womens Conference
10.  St. Patricks Day with the Canadian Tenors
9.  Summer Swim Days
8.  Hawaii
7.  Fall Foliage New England Tour
6.  Many trips to the Brick Oven Beanery before they closed
5.  My Summer Reading Program
4.  A new job in Urgent Care
3.  Hilton Head with family
2.  Evening Jogs
1.  Visiting CLT friends, the Biltmore and Myrtle Beach in the Spring

Service Brings Joy

Last Sunday a sister in our ward who has 5 kids under 8, had on a pair of shoes that were falling apart.  Just before RS ended the baby was fussy and she ended up leaving her babies booties in the RS room.  Tenielle picked up the booties and brought them home.  All through RS I tried to figure out what size shoe she wore.  I also noticed she wore the same outfit several weeks in a row.  I've actually been watching her for months.  When we got home Tenielle and I had the same thought to do something special for her for Christmas.  I went down to my closet and found 2 dresses, 1 still with the tags on it, a sweater that still had the tags on it that I loved but that is just a little to small, another sweater and a shirt.  Mom found a pair of shoes to match each dress from her closet, which just happen to be her size (we discovered with the help of the RS president).  We put some money in each booty, wrapped them up and dropped them at the door step.  A few days ago we received the most heartfelt email via the RS president from this sister which told us that she hasn't bought anything new for herself except for at the DI since she got married (at least 7 years ago) and that there wouldn't have been a gift under the tree with her name on it had someone not have left her a gift.  We have all been a little emotional when we talk about this.  We truly felt the true meaning of Christmas.  I think this service brought us the most joy of all.  Today she looked beautiful and confident in her new dress and seeing her brought us joy and a few more tears, knowing we helped make her Christmas and ours too.

Last Friday of 2012

I can't believe this is the last Fabulous Friday of 2012.
1.  Saturday we watched BSU struggle a bit to win the Maaco bowl against Washington.  We are hoping for a more entertaining football season next year.
2.  Aunt Marian brought us our Christmas presents on Saturday.  My mom's mother's maternal grandmother had many hankies.  Marion had most of them.  She color coded them and put 3 in a frame for all of the granddaughters, mom, my aunts and girl in-laws.  On the back of each frame she had written her name and placed a picture on it.  What a treasure indeed.  I had an idea that she was doing something with these, because a year ago she had shown them too me, but I never imagined such a wonderful gift.
3.  Sunday was our Christmas program for church.  I sang in the choir.  Our little choir struggles, but it turned out well.  We sang my favorite Christmas song, Star Bright a song my mom use to sing and our CLT RS sisters sang it at Christmas time too.
4.  I worked 3 days this week, all so busy.  The day after Christmas we saw 92 patients at my clinic.  A new record and I was glad to have had the on call person come help.
5.  We saw Les Miserables after having a lovely lunch at Goodwood BBQ.  They were both wonderful!
6.  We had an enjoyable Christmas Eve and Christmas Day.  We have yet to celebrate with the entire family, as we like to hold off a few days.  Grandma was missed this year, but we felt her spirit.  Grandpa got a little emotional several times, but was stronger than I thought he would be.
7.  For Christmas I got a new VeraBradley purse, some jewelry, a vintage mirror, a ticket to see Beauty and the Beast on Broadway April 27 and a darling picture frame that reminded me of all the great friends I have in CLT, WA, SLC, and NYC, "Happiness comes in pairs, shoes, earrings and best friends."  At the top were a pair of heals.  So cute.

It's Almost Christmas FF

Oh, it's almost Christmas and we are totally in the Christmas spirit here in windy, cold ID.  Yes, it's been cold and windy here the last few days, but thankfully no snow, yet.  This week has brought so much sadness with tragic events of the past week with family, friends and the events in CT, however, it's Fabulous Friday time for the positive events!
1.  It has been such fun to have our friends the Sondrups visiting and staying in the barn's studio apartment.  We have had some great late night and breakfast chats.  It kind of feels like old times when Elder Sondrup would come in the back door.
2.  Fortunately and unfortunately I got to see my dear friend Jenny on Saturday evening.  She came to town because her father had a major head injury and is in the hospital.  It was so good to see her and visit with her at the hospital.  I'm so happy that I was here for her at such a tragic time.
3.  Again fortunately and unfortunately I had a lovely visit with my cousin Emilie on Wednesday here in our home.  It is heartbreaking for reasons why she is here from Alabama, but it is so nice to have her here and safe.  The events of this week helped me understand the inspiration that I felt not to go to a CME in NYC this past week and why I felt impressed not to buy a plane ticket to go to CLT, as much as I wanted to; I'm so glad I was in town this week and had 6 of 7 days off.
4.  Mom made cinnamon rolls this week; I think only the second time since I've been home.  I LOVE her cinnamon rolls!
5.  I love online shopping!  Mom and I did some on-line shopping one night this week and we've already gotten 3 of the packages
6.  Besides the Sondrups, we have our first tenant scheduled for our studio apartment for 34 days from our listing on airbnb starting Dec. 28!
7.  All the kids came over for mom's chili and dinner with the Sondrups on Wednesday.  Mom hasn't made chili for several years, like at least a few Christmas's ago when we had a blizzard and were going to go to the Cabin, but too much snow only got us to the freeway before turning around and coming back home to go sledding in our field.
8.   Mom and I made fudge and cookies this week and dad and I took a few plates around to our friends, which led to some lovely visits.
9.  Aidree had her first school play and was a dancing Christmas doll.  She did so good and was so cute, even though she wouldn't smile.

Mid Dec. FF

1.  As many Christmas decorations we are going to put up this year are up.  I wouldn't say we went all out, but it feels festive in our home.

2.  We have continued to work on Sister Jone's Chocolates, they are a slow process, but well worth it in the end, even the extra calories.

3.  I saw 64 patients on Wednesday.  That's 64 people that I hope I had a good impact on.  

4.  I went to choir practice on Sunday.  I don't do that often.  We are singing my favorite Christmas song, Star Bright.  My mom has always sung this song since I was little and the last several years the Reedy Creek RS would sing it in Sacrament meeting at Christmas Time. 

5.  We have friends coming tonight from AZ.  He was a missionary here for 11 months and lived in our studio apartment.  He became like part of the family those many years ago, even helped us tie 7 quilts for Christmas presents.

6.  I had lunch with a friend from High School today that I haven't seen in at least 15 years.  It was fun to sit and chat.  It was so easy to pick up from where we left off.

7.  I am so excited about the Christmas gifts I will be giving this year!  

12/12/12

12/12/12 was actually a rather uneventful day unless seeing 64 patients is eventful.  I didn't have to even think about the date when I had to write it today.  I did get medical records back from 2 patients that I sent to the ED yesterday, which thoughts of them woke me at 5am when Mitch went to the gym and I couldn't fall back to sleep.  So glad I sent them, because one was really, really sick and was admitted.  Hope you had an eventful 12/12/12!

South Western Slightly Spicy Chicken Salad Wraps

When we were on our Fall Foliage vacation I had a delicious, a little too spicy south western chicken wrap at the Yankee Candle Factory.  It was so good that I've craved it ever since.  Thanks to Pintrest I found a recipe that sounded similar to the YCF wrap, which of course I totally adapted to my liking.  Dad actually had 2.  He usually wrinkles his nose when I make a new recipe; he's not much into gourmet.  These are quite easy and oh so yummy!  ps. I don't really measure so realize it's approximately...

Combine about 1/2 cup sour cream, a little cream cheese, juice from 1 lime, a little salt and pepper, 1/4 teaspoon paprika, 1/4 teaspoon cumin, a little dry cilantro flakes whisk together in medium sized bowl.  Add 2-3 green onions chopped, 2 stalks celery chopped, 1/2-1/3 pepper chopped  (I used an orange pepper since it was 10 cents cheaper than the red) stir in a fair amount of chicken (I used a roasted chicken from Costco and used about half of it), add 1/3 cup corn kernels and 2/3 cup black beans. I shredded some pepper jack cheese, which gave it the spice and also added some olives which were left over in the fridge.  Take a flour tortilla, layer chicken salad, baby spinach, avocado, and cherry tomato's.  Wrap and indulge!

A Very Successful December Day

I love days off that are so successful that by the end of the day I fall asleep quickly.  I believe today was one of those days.  You see the last few nights I just haven't slept well, so last night I was one tired chick falling asleep rather quickly and sleeping until 730 when I had to get up to empty the 'ole bladder.  I was so tired I fell right back to sleep and was shocked when I rolled over and it was 920.  That doesn't happen often.  I hurried to get myself ready for the day, had some french toast and then it was time to decorate the Christmas tree and at least put up the nativity and a few more favorite Christmas decorations.  It is quite a chore to decorate the Christmas tree, but so much quicker and more fun when I'm not the only one doing it.  I decided that I wanted to decorate the tree differently this year, given my mom has so many ornaments to choose from, this was a possibility.  I really wanted it to be blue and silver.  Well it turned out gold, light green, and blue.  I think it turned out quite pretty, although we still need to add some navy blue bows.  No red on our tree this year.  We always have red.  Mom was a little disappointed that she had already wrapped presents in red paper, but I think it will add a little color which will be just fine.
After cleaning up the glitter that we still have all over the house from our Christmas tree decorations, mom decided that since she really hasn't been out of the house for over a week that she was ready for some fresh air.  After chatting with the mail lady who brought me my first on-line purchase (which I'm so excited about), we headed to Costco.  Yep, mom actually walked around Costco today, with her cane of course!  We also made a trip to Winco, mom stayed in the car while I got stuff for dinner.
After coming home, I did laundry, made a delicious dinner (recipe to follow), started a batch of Sister Jones' Christmas candies (because she is on a mission and won't be bringing me a plate this year), printed gift tags (mom is cutting them as I blog), and I made 2 on-line purchases and about to make a third (my favorite way to shop for Christmas  presents).  In 30 minutes I will fold clothes and put bows on Christmas presents while watching the Michael Buble Christmas concert, which I have looked forward to all week!  Yep a very successful December day indeed!

Welcome December FF

1.  Saturday December 1 as in last Saturday we had our ward Christmas breakfast; different than our typical dinner.  When I suggested the idea to the Bishop (my dad) he wasn't so hot on having it on the 1st; he thought it was too early. I think it was a great way to start the month of December and I believe the ward members quite enjoyed having a breakfast.  Everyone brought their traditional Christmas breakfast; I brought the egg souffle!
2.  The several days after mom's surgery we had meals brought to us and people have stopped by.  I have been so humbled by the sweet gestures of our ward members and their concern for mom.
3.  Speaking of mom, she is healing quite well and has advanced from a walker to a cane!
4.  Wednesday Tristen, Aidree and I made ginger snaps to bring the Christmas smell to our home.  I love ginger snaps!
5.  I had a little extra help at work with a 2nd person Monday and Tuesday.  She is new (as in a brand new PA) and full of questions.  It is nice to have extra help and the questions make me realize I know a lot more than I think I know.
6.  Thursday was our RS Christmas dinner and devotional.  I and the rest of the RS were so pleased with the way it turned out.  We decorated the tables with different nativity sets and tissue paper. Tissue paper brings so much to decorations if you didn't already know.  We also had the lights dimmed and tea lights on the tables.   We had potato bar, salad and our favorite "The Stuff" dessert!  I've been asked by several for the recipe; it's on the way to be blogged...Our devotional was a beautifully written script called The Women Who Knew Jesus, which I stumbled upon the a few months ago and instantly knew it was what we needed to present.  The sisters who portrayed Mary's mother, Joseph's Mother, Elizabeth, The Inn Keepers Wife, The Shepherds Wife and Mary took us in a sense to Bethlehem.  In between each person's narrative was either a soloist or a congregational Christmas hymn which added much to the program.
7.  Today I got off at 5 for our clinic's Christmas party.  Instead of going (because I really didn't want to be around people who perhaps got a little too tipsy) I volunteered to watch Tristens kid's so her and Mitch could go on a date.  The girls and I enjoyed a Blimpie sandwich for dinner and an evening with The Jungle Book!

The Tree Is Up

For weeks now I've been telling my mother that we really need to get the tree and some Christmas decorations up so that it feels like Christmas is on the way.  Well she really didn't want the tree up longer than need be, so we didn't do it before her surgery.  This past weekend I kept saying we need to get the tree up.  A ward member even suggested they come help us put up our tree, since theirs had been up since before Thanksgiving.  Well last night dad finally drug the ole tree out of hiding and into our sunroom where it sat all night and when I came upstairs this morning it was up and plugged in.  We do things the easy way around here:  artificial tree with lights already on.  So now we have a tree with lights on it but no ornaments and those are still in hiding.  I am in charge of our RS Activity night tonight and I work the next 2 days.  I imagine this is going to be as far as we get until Sunday when I have my next day off.  Hopefully tonights program will help me get into the Christmas Spirit.  I have been doing a lot of online browsing lately and I have already ordered one present which is on its way!  Mom keeps asking me what I want for Christmas and I haven't been able to give her a list except for a new battery in my watch, a new temple dress, some homemade mittens, a rain check for Breaking Dawn Part 2 and a trip to Europe.  I don't need anything really, when I do want or need something I usually just go buy it myself.  I did mention this morning that I could always use a gift card to Talbots.  However I do love surprises.  So just surprise me!

Christmas Peanut Clusters

Every Christmas season I make peanut clusters.  It is the only candy that I make.  I thought I posted the recipe last year on my blog, but can't seem to find it, which means I must have actually emailed it to those who requested it.  So because my friend Rachel was asking for the recipe tonight I thought I'd just go ahead and post it.  Hope you enjoy...
Combine 1 1/2-2 packages of White Almond Bark (comes in a thing that looks like ice cube trays), 1 bar of Bakers German's Sweet Chocolate, 12 ounces of Semi-Sweet Chocolate Chips in a crock pot on low until melted.  When melted thoroughly add 2 1/2-3 jars of dry roasted peanuts.  Use a teaspoon or cookie scoop and place on wax paper.

So Long Nov 2012...

1.  It was 61 degrees today and it's the last day of November in Idaho.  Last night Tristen and I went jogging and half way through we were down to our short sleeves.  I think I must have brought NC weather with me!
2.  We went to the theater to see the second Breaking Dawn on Saturday.  I absolutely LOVED it.
3.  Last Friday I saw 67 patients.  That is the 3rd most I've ever seen in one day.  On my way home I thought how lucky I was to have helped 67 people in 1 day.
4.  We finished all of the ward Christmas and Young family Christmas presents this week.  Now we need to put up our Christmas decorations because it sure doesn't look like Christmas around here.
5.  Mom has a new left hip!  After 3 years of limping the problem is solved and she came home today after only having it done yesterday.  Talk about a trooper.
6.  I went to the Boise Temple on Tuesday.  It is sure nice to have our temple back in service.  What a blessing it is to have one so close.
7.  I had a patient once tell me that St. Al's had healthy and delicious food so today for lunch Alisha and I went to visit mom and have lunch.  It was yummy.  I had cod with ginger and mandarin oranges and quinoa salad.  The funny thing was my LPN nurse who is in RN school was there doing his clinical's and joined us for lunch as well as we saw Alisha's mother-in-law who works there. So we all had a nice lunch chatting.

Pam's Pomegranate Salad

The year after grad school when I was still living in Kentucky, some of my family came out for Thanksgiving.  My dear friend Pam made the most delicious Pomegranate Salad that has since become a main staple for our Thanksgiving dinner.  It isn't the cheapest salad and such a treat, which is why we only make it once a year.  I might also make this for Christmas Eve dinner since I bought a case of 12 Pomegranates from Costco.  It is a beautiful, festive dish for sure.  Because I love this so much I'm willing to share the recipe with you.  This of course is exactly what I'll be spending time making tomorrow, because yes it is a bit time consuming but so worth the time, effort and expense.  ps.  I leave out the pecans and often put in more pomegranates.  I also use sugar free jello.

Boise Idaho Temple Rededication

This morning Troy and Becki brought their kids over for mom and dad to tend to while we attended the first session of the Boise Idaho Temple rededication.  Mom and Dad get to attend the last session at the temple.  The first session was beautifully done.  We listened to the new Matron and President of the Boise Temple, Elder Christiansen of the Seventy, Elder Bednar, and President Monson.  The dedicatory prayer was beautiful.  I especially enjoyed the following quotes by Elder Bednar:
"The world is hectic and hurried.  The temple is a place to be still."
" The temple should be what our spiritual priorities actually are."
"The temple is a place of stillness."
"The temple becomes a light that can not be hid in darkness."
And from President Monson:
"We come to this holy house so we can bear trials and temptations."
"May this temple be a beacon of righteousness in our lives." (This is my favorite)
"Make a commitment to attend the house of the Lord."
"If we attend the temple, we will leave with refreshed spirits and peace will fill our hearts."
"In our busy lives have time for Christ."
"Let us welcome the Lord in our hearts and lives."
"Let us open our hearts and minds to the spirit today."

I had to sneak a picture in of Stella.  She is just a doll!

Boise Temple Rededication Cultural Event

In celebration of the Boise Temple Rededication tomorrow, 9,000 youth from the Treasure Valley put on the most amazing, unforgettable performance at the Cultural Event tonight! The feeling in the Stake Center where I watched was so powerful.  Mom and dad were sitting 2 rows in front of President Monson at the event.  She said it was amazing.  It was a fun evening of celebration for all.  I loved the different themes that were presented, but my favorite was the BSU re-inactment of the Fiesta Bowel.  I took 4 of my friends kids with me as her and her husband attended with his mother who was once a Matron in the Boise Temple.  The father passed away this spring and as we were driving home the kids were talking about how their grandpa would have liked the football part too.  We all agreed he was probably there in spirit.  

All day I have felt such an incredible, indescribable feeling of peace in our area given that President Monson and Elder and Sister Bednar are visiting and will rededicate our newly renovated Boise Temple tomorrow! I have a special place in my heart for Elder and Sister Bednar.  They came to BSU when I was a freshman and had just been put in as BSU Idaho President.  They also came to Charlotte a few years ago for Stake Conference where I was able to play the organ and Sister Bednar turned my music pages.  It will be so nice to have our temple back open.  I surely have missed it.  

It's Mid-November FF

1.  Monday I met my new nephew Kaison when Tyler and Danielle came to get Kadyn after school, but before they came Kadyn and I built a cabin out of lincoln logs.  
2.  It has been a rather lovely week of Brick Oven Beanery eating!  (They call it the Bistro, but it started out as the Beanery, which I why I still call it that, they changed the name years ago).  Ok, well I only went twice, but come on it's closing in a week and I need my gumbo fill.  I went with Tristen and the girls for lunch on Tuesday and with mom today for a late lunch.  Today I just had the soup, salad and bread.  I've never gone away from the turkey sandwich, but the salad always looks good so I got it.  It was delicious too!

3.  I had a guy from work call to ask if he could take the 2 Sundays I have left to work this year and he said he would work 1 each month for me.  An answer to prayers for sure.
4.  The buckle on my dansko shoe broke this week. These are my works shoes and I need them. Gratefully when I picked up my Doc Marten Mary Jane shoe that broke a month ago, from Lynns Shoe repair today I was able to drop off my new broken shoe.  For years, Lynns Shoe repair use to be right by the over pass headed to Grandma and Grandpa Youngs.  We just thought they shut down years ago.  I was happy to see they just moved locations, even though Lynn is in his 70's, he still does a great job repairing shoes.  And he is cheep.  15 dollars for 3 shoes.
5.  I got my password reset to my computer today at the Apple store.  Now this may be trivial, but for the past year I had forgotten my password, so I couldn't update important programs on my computer like Adobe.  Well, now I can start working on the Shutterfly book, because I now have Adobe!
6. Tuesday Tyler, his family, mom, dad and I attended the BSU Health Promotion Health Fair.  Tyler and I have both helped put these together in prior years when we were getting our bachelors.  It was fun to go back to my college stomping grounds and to see Dr. Spears our advisor.

7.  I have cleaner teeth this week thanks to my dental hygienist Tristen!
8.  I met with my financial advisor today, which makes me feel financially responsible now!
9.  Mom and I have been working on Christmas presents for the ward.  We are nearly 1/2 way through.  It will be nice to have them done before Thanksgiving this week.
10.  I spent time with Alisha, mom, Troy and Becki today.  It was a full, fulfilling day for sure and to end it, I'll watch the first half of Breaking Dawn, so that I'll be ready to watch Part 2 since it came out this week.

Baby It's Cold Outside

Ok, so maybe it's not the coldest that it is going to get this Winter, but by golly it's sure cold in the mornings when I go out to a frosted car and get to use my Eddie Bower hand mitt window scrapper that I bought myself 4 years ago for Christmas.  I also bought one for Nick who to this day makes fun of me for buying him such a nice present when in fact I had not even met him in person when I made the purchase.  The other morning I went out to get into Betty and no joke there was a light dusting of SNOW on her and her thermometer read 23; that's stinking cold.  There was also a new light on her dashboard which meant your tires need air, because the cold air sucked the warm air out; shame on the cold air.  Tristen and I went on our nightly jog a few nights ago after my shift and my legs ached the next day, because my poor body just isn't use to 30 degree jogs.  Yesterday I swear it didn't get above 40 and sure enough I only went outside once and of course it was snowing light flakes, even though it was 39.  I stayed inside almost the entire day because I'm that much of a wimp.  I do enjoy our wood fireplace that is keeping me warm as I sit here and blog.  I have to admit, we did have the best and longest Fall I've ever seen Idaho have or at least in quite a while, so I better just quit my whining, at least we don't have 6-12 inches of snow like Salt Lake got this past weekend.  Let's just hope and pray Winter comes and goes quickly or I'm going to have to visit someplace warm soon.

Nov. Week 2 FF

1.  Super Saturday went so well. We had a great turn out and every one had a wonderful time.  Every time I've done this in the past I've said it would be the last one; we shall see.
2.  Dad and I went to the BSU football game.  I haven't been to one in over 10 years, probably close to 15 years.  We had a great time.  The weather was perfect, as were our seats, but the team didn't do so hot.  It was a fun memory anyway.
3.  We made Apple Juice with the apples we still have (still have boxes full).  Delicious!  Nothing like homemade apple juice.
4.  We welcomed Nephew #6 on Wednesday.  Not sure of a middle name yet, but Kaeson is the first name.  Pictures to come...
5.  I had a lovely visit with my friend and young womens leader yesterday afternoon.  Her and her husband are going on a mission next week.  We will miss them but only for 1 year.
6.  Last night I met my dear friend Kaycee for dinner at none other than the Brick Oven Beanery.  We are sure going to miss the restaurant, the memories we've made there and their amazing food.

Garden Vegetable Pesto Soup

You've all heard me rave about Panera's Garden Vegetable Pesto Soup.  Well I've really been craving it a lot given that it is fall and all.  So I combined a few recipes and added my own touches and brought together an even better T's Garden Vegetable Pesto Soup!  I ate it for lunch today by myself at the bar and thought how much better it would have been to be eating it with one or many of my Panera friends...
Olive Oil or I used Garlic Macadamia Nut Oil from Hawaii
1 can of tomato's diced (I only had mexican stewed)
1 1/2-2 small zucchini diced
onion grate or dice a "little"
4 stalks celery, diced
4 carrots, diced
1/2 bunch of fresh Kale chopped
1 can wax beans (they taste the same as green beans)
1 small can tomato paste
2 cans chicken stock
Salt and pepper to taste
1/4-1/2 tsp pesto mine was from Costco

In large soup pot drizzle oil.  Add onions, celery, carrots.  Saute.  Add zucchini and kale until kale has wilted.  Then add canned tomatoes, beans, tomato paste and chicken stock enough to cover vegetables. Bring to boil and reduce to simmer.  Salt and pepper to taste.  Simmer 15-20 minutes or until vegetables are tender to liking.  The pot of soup will look beautiful and oh so colorful; perfect for fall.  Top off bowl of soup with a small amount of pesto to your liking and mix.  Delicious indeed. It is amazing how the pesto adds so much taste to this soup.  Hope this is one of your new favorite fall/winter dishes as it will be mine.

November 2012 First FF

1.  Yep, the holiday season is upon us.  Halloween this week I hate to admit wasn't nearly exciting as it use to be.  Our Saturday celebration was much more exciting for sure.  I ran lots of errands on Wednesday, in preparation for Super Saturday, went to our ward Trunk or Treat and chili feed and then  had a lovely chat with my VT.
2.  Alisha and I met up for lunch at one of our favorite Boise restaurants, which I have talked about in the past, The Brick Oven Beanery.  One of our reasonings for having lunch there this week was because we got word this week that after 28 years of being in business, the owners and chefs are retiring.  This isn't fabulous at all, but our turkey sandwich's and my gumbo soup and Alisha's cheddar vegetable soups were amazing as always.  We sure are going to miss this Boise staple, but are grateful there will be a cookbook with all our favorite recipes by next summer.
3.  Yesterday I had a patient who had a broken tibia.  The x-rays were pretty amazing.  It was my last case of the day and I was glad I was able to save them an ER visit and able to get them in with orthopedics this morning.  Lets just say long boarding and texting don't go together.
4.  I'm listening to Christmas music more and more each day!
5.  We've been drying lots of apples lately.  We still have a ton.  We definitely will have our store for winter.
6.  It is November and we still have plenty of leaves on our tree out front and the weather is still in the 60's.  I don't ever remember a fall when the leaves where on that tree past Halloween.  I'm loving this fall for sure!

Halloween Traditions

Yesterday was a busy, busy day.  It started with pumpkin swirl pecan french toast.  I love anything pumpkin and I love french toast!  Then with my pink rain boots, not because it was raining, but because I love those rain boots, we started pealing more apples; 28 jars worth!  We still have so many apples we are now giving them away.  While working on apples, we listened and watched parts of Time Out For Women which was video streamed live for the first time.  It was so enjoyable.  I was interrupted by Tony to take the plastic bins of summer clothes to the storage unit, which was an order by mom.  Last time I went there I said I wasn't going back, ugh, seriously that place is down right saddening that I still don't have perfect access to my stuff, but that it is piled high in boxes that I didn't pack.  At least I was able to get my winter clothes out for the changing, freezing cold temperatures that have come with the end of October.  We listened to the BSU football game while making long johns, otherwise known as maple bars.  My grandma use to make these for camping trips and Halloween.  They were really, really good and so very, very unhealthy.  I know that I haven't had one in at least 15 years, probably longer.
For the first time in 11 years I was home for the Young annual Halloween Party and for the first time in 11 years I brought a guy to an extended family function.  He had full warning ahead of time, but was a champion and seemed to have fit right in per my cousin Alisha.  I was impressed indeed.  It was a wonderful evening of hayrides, soup eating, trunk or treat, grandma's hot chocolate, long johns, and characters from Disney movies, Fred flintstone, animals, witches, mummies, super hero's and baseball players. I wasn't disappointed in the least bit!  The after events of the evening were just as fun and entertaining!

End of Oct. FF

I can't believe this is the last full week of October. Oh, how fast the weeks fly by.
1.  We have lots and lots of apples still left over at our house, even after canning on Monday.  More apple canning to come for sure.
2.  Tuesday Tristen and I made my friend Emma's curry.  It is so yummy and made me miss my friends and lunch bunch where people actually show up in CLT.
3.  I had a nice long chat with a few guys this week about being a PA.  It made me realize all of the things that I have done over the past several years and all of the people I have been able to touch because of my profession.
4.  Today I went to the funeral of a friends brother.  I hadn't seen the friend since High School.  It was nice to be able to support him in his loss.
5.  This morning we went to the Boise Temple open house.  It is beautiful.  The colors of dark wood remind me of the Nauvoo Temple.

6.  The kids came over tonight and we decorated Halloween buckets.  They all turned out rather cute indeed.  I have not been home for Halloween festivities in 11 years.  I'm so excited to be home this year.

Apples, Applesauce, and More Apples

Yesterday morning dad and I trudged out (me in my awesome rain boots) in the rain to our friends orchard.  We picked and still had plenty of red apples from last week, but we realized after our first batch of applesauce that we needed to mix the red and yellow apples.  Since we had only picked a basket of yellow apples last week, we went out to pick more this morning.  It was pouring rain the entire drive and I was praying the entire drive that it would stop while we picked apples and guess what?  It stopped long enough for us to pick entirely too many apples, again.  There are just so many apples out there that are free and I don't want them to go to waste.  I'm in love with my rain boots and felt like a kid stomping over rotten apples in them.
We spent the entire day making applesauce.  I only cut myself once and it still hurts and is still bleeding.  It is such a sense of accomplishment to hear the pops from the jar lids letting us know they've sealed.  Needless to say, there are still boxes, laundry baskets, and a garbage can full of apples and we did 60 quarts of applesauce!  Today for lunch bunch I'm taking, yep apples, a pumpkin dip and a carmel apple dip who I believe I got the recipe from my friend Taya that I love.  Teneille is coming home this weekend and guess what is on the agenda?  More apple canning!

Autumn FF

Autumn is here and is rather fabulous indeed!  I remember Autumn as being cold here in Idaho when I was growing up.  Well folks, it's still warmer than normal here and I love it.  It really feels like Autumn (instead of Fall).  Fall to me sounds like getting ready for Winter, which I am so not a fan of if you haven't figured that out by now.
1.  While Troy and Becky went on an elk hunt earlier this week, we watched all four kids.  We all needed to get out of the house so we, well some of us Gavin, Beckett, Tristen, Aidree, Dad and I took a trip to our friends apple orchard.  The weather was beautiful and since it had rained earlier that morning I figured I could wear my new pink rain boots, even though my feet were rather hot by the time I was finished and I really didn't need them, but enjoyed wearing them anyway.  The trees were covered with beautiful apples and within 30 minutes all of our boxes and baskets were full and we had no more space for any more apples except for our tummys.

2.  Of course since we had all of our apples, we spent a day this week canning apples and applesauce.  We only got through half of the apples, so of course next week we'll have another canning day.

About the cutest 1 year old ever!

 3.  Last night I went to my first ever BSU Dept. of Kinesiology yearly reception in the ever so lovely Skybox that over looks the city of Boise.  The view and especially the sunset were beautiful.  Tristen came with me and we had a lovely time eating heavy hor dourves and dessert.  The best part was seeing my college advisor who helped me become the record holder of 34 or was it 36 academic adjustments and who helped me become the first person to graduate with a Health Promotion degree from BSU.  She would hardly let go of me and I think she hugged me at least 6 times.  Not all college professors are cold hearted.  It had been at least 10 years since I've seen her.  I also ran into a PA who works at the Student Health Center, where I had done a years internship, who went to the same PA school I went to and let me know she was retiring in 1 year and that I would maybe be able to fill her position when she leaves.  From day one I've thought it would be so fun to work there.  We shall see what the future holds.  We came home with an awesome BSU mug of candy, those were the booby prizes, needless to say our tickets didn't get drawn for the big prizes.  I never win anything.
4.  Sunday I went to my ward for the first time since the end of August, not because I'm in active but because of working Sundays and vacationing.  Of course I only went to RS, because I went to Tanners friends homecoming and my cousins farewell.  The meetings were all so good.  I sure miss my normal Sundays.
5.  It's sugar beet harvest season.  On my way to Lowes this morning I saw the fields being harvested and really should have taken a picture, but on my way home this afternoon I passed the Sugar Beet Factory.  Lots and Lots of sugar beets.  The smell is just starting up, lets just say it doesn't smell like sugar.



6.  Today was filled with breakfast with the sisters that I VT, a meeting for Super Saturday, a little shopping for Super Saturday with a 60% off coupon to Jo-Anns and lunch with mom, cousin Alisha and Aunt Carol.  It has been a good while since I've not had plans on a Friday night.  After my evening jog, I have a movie from red box, some crafts at my finger tips, new issues of North Carolina's Our State and Southern Living and the house all to myself should be a great evening!