A Famous Daughter and Halloween Bark!

E- was one of the winners for ALA's (American Library Association) teen blogging contest!  See her post here:    http://www.yalsa.ala.org/thehub/2014/10/28/write-what-you-want-to-read/

We are excited for her:)

I made the Pioneer Woman's Halloween Bark this a.m. (for the upcoming Homeschool Teen Party).  I love this stuff - super easy, super yummy, super festive!  The quick and easy directions are line a pan with graham crackers (I used a combo of both regular and chocolate), melt either almond or chocolate bark (again I used both), smooth over graham crackers, top with whatever you wish (M&M's, chocolate chips, nuts, pretzels, oreos etc...)  For Christmas, you could do white almond bark and top with peppermint (mmmm...).  If you need better directions go here:

 http://thepioneerwoman.com/cooking/2013/09/halloween-bark/

Look how pretty!

Happy Halloween (almost)!

Miscellaneous Fall Fun!

It's definitely fall now.  Cottonwoods are changing and you can see the yellow of the aspens up on Sandia.  It's cool and breezy and basically just gorgeous!  I love this time of year and it makes me crave apple cider and all things pumpkin!  I've even heard one or two early sandhill cranes heading this way - can't wait for them to arrive in the next few weeks!  

I made pumpkin ravioli with browned butter, toasted pecans, and sage the other day!  Oh my - go get the ravioli at Trader Joe's now - SO GOOD!

And... I made DONUTS!  My friend Darcy posted a recipe on her blog and I have been wanting to make them for a few weeks.  Finally got around to it this a.m.  They're so pretty!

Somehow, we found time to make a scarecrow and decorate for fall.  We used Bob Villa's site for instructions - pretty easy.  Just stuff some panty hose with newspaper and dress up/decorate your scarecrow.  E- named ours Fiyero (from "Wicked' - of course!).  He's so cute.

I forgot to post photos from Balloon Fiesta.  We skipped it this year, but saw plenty from our house.  This photo shows why driving in ABQ can be hazardous during October.  Seriously, I get so distracted with the balloons - good thing E- was driving this day:)

The wildlife continues to surprise us in our backyard.  We found this cool guy the other day...

Peek-a-Boo - can you find him?

And - look what I won!

 

They pulled my name from the raffle I entered at the Wilderness Celebration.  $140 North Face Shoes!  I was pretty excited:)

This week is much calmer than last - thankfully.  I did calculate the miles driven in 7 days though... 365!  Seems like a lot right?  Good thing I love my minivan!   

Enjoy the season and go make something pumpkinish!

What happened to October?

Here's an inside peek into my life and it's business...  After returning from my relaxing trip to Tucson on the 2nd, I planned, decorated, celebrated E-'s 16th birthday.  Super fun - you all saw the post! Husband left for Boise before the party was over for a week.  E - took and passed  her driving test and got her license!

When hubby returned we quickly celebrated his 45th with some homemade pudding - which was really supposed to be pie, but I didn't have a pie crust and I don't make those 'cause they never turn out!  And, truthfully, it was leftover from the day before - but he didn't know that!

M- had his black belt test the following weekend. I celebrated my 44th on Tuesday by driving the kids to activities after school work until 8:00.  Treated myself to an hour of relaxation with acupuncture (I really recommend acupuncture!).  My husband arranged some illegal wine drinking with a little gourmet picnic and sweet treat to celebrate in the parking lot while the kids were doing classes:)  Shhhh - Don't tell!  You gotta take what you can get:)

E- took the PSAT on Wednesday.  This combined with the driver's license makes me feel like she is growing up and I am getting old.  Of course, the same week a mom friend of mine at the park informed me that she was 32.  Doing quick math in my head I realized not only that she was 12 years younger than me, but that she was 2 years younger than my 'baby" sister! 

Thursday was "get all the appointments done in one day".  Not kidding - we hit the eye doc, orthodontist, and family physician!  All that and I hit the new Goodwill (there is one 3 minutes away!), drove to homeschool p.e. class, and taekwondo.

M- had football this a.m. and after a near fight initiated by his coach after the game decided this was his last one forever.  What the heck guys - this is flag football through the parks and rec department! This photo pretty much describes his state after the game.  Per my wonderful son - "I am not playing with a coach like that, that is not good sportsmanship and that is not what I stand for."  Go M-   I love him and his values!

After that game we headed downtown (via side roads because for some reason they think it is 'ok' to close the freeway on a Saturday in NM?!?!) to the 50th Anniversary Celebration of the Wilderness Act.  My husband arranged a forest service booth and scout booth.  The scouts provided education about camping (10 Essentials) and made survival bracelets.  I love watching my boys interact with the public - really sweet:)

We even got to see Smokey Bear!  On a side note - my husband (many years ago) was Smokey in the Brevard, NC Christmas parade!  I really wish I could figure out how to get that photo on here...  

I can't believe there are only 2 weeks left in this month.  Please November - go  s....l......o.....w....

(p.s - E- is away at a confirmation retreat this weekend so no photos of her)

Mom to a Ninja!

M- tested for his black belt today!  After going through punches, forms, 20 punch-cover-punch scenarios, 200+ kicks, 5 board breaking techniques, and reciting the black belt creed,  he made it!  He was nervous all week as he stated to me that this one "just one of his life goals".  I love this boy!  His other life goals - Eagle Scout and Navy Seal.  The boy aims high.  It has been an eventful morning - enjoy the pics!

Flying side kick over 7 kiddos!  This makes me nervous.

Tying on the new belt.

With Master Cho

Taekwondo Friends!

And the birthday fun continues...

Today was E-'s birthday party with friends and what fun it was!  We celebrated with tea at the St. James Tea Room in Albuquerque and a "Phantom of the Opera" themed evening.  I had a blast surprising her with decorations and a magnificent cake.  Girls are sleeping over and watching "Phantom" tonight.  

E- and friends

Enjoying tea in the library room.  St. James has themed room each named after someone of significance - many authors.  I can't remember the name of the girls room:(

Each month the tearoom has a themed menu.  This month was Phantom of the Opera!  Teas were fall flavors paired with the food such as Mulled Cider black tea and Autumn Harvest Rooibos  

 - YUMMINESS!

Here's the magnificent cake!  Seriously, check this thing out... prettiest and tastiest cake I have ever made.  It was white almond cake with a strawberry jam filling and buttercream icing!  

Wishes for an awesome 16th year!

Happy Day again my sweet girl:)

VACATION!

This was the week I have been waiting for, needing, anticipating, craving... you get the idea.  Our four day get-away:)  We headed to Tucson via Hatch, NM.  Those are chile fields below!

I have been wanting to check out Hatch since arriving in NM.  Per my husband, Sparky's is the place to get the best green chile cheeseburger.

Honest opinion:  it was good, just not done enough for me (I am a no pink kind of gal).  But, the green chiles did not disappoint AND we were just in time for an awesome live band while eating our lunch.

We continued the drive to Arizona, catching up on conversation for the next 6 hours and arriving to paradise at the JW Marriott Resort - ahhhh!

We leave tomorrow, but have enjoyed a relaxing stay complete with hikes amongst the saguaro cacti (my favorite), great weather, good food, lazing in the lazy river, a couples massage, and pina coladas by the pool!  Back to reality and planning for E-s 16th party with friends over the weekend:)

Ah - Arizona!

Hanmadang

This past weekend M- competed in his taekwondo studio's Hanmadang Tournament.  As many of you know, he had competed in a few tournaments with his Oregon studio - most of those being in California and all of them being very intense.  Needless to say, he (and I) decided to take a break from the competition world for a bit.  As his studio was hosting this one, we both thought it was time to give it another go.

(From the web) - The meaning of "Hanmadang" is  important to understand: "han" means large and wide, and "madang" is the symbol of community spirit and working together.  Thus, although this was a competition, it was a much more relaxed atmosphere.  A good way to ease back into competing for M- (and mom).  M- rocked it with wins for 1st in forms and 2nd in board breaking (he did 4 breaks).  He opted out of sparring (may not do that again after getting hurt in CA).

Anyway, the tournament was awesome.  Very well organized, well run, and well attended.  Studios from around New Mexico and Texas attending with about 200 competitors in all.  I volunteered to help with the scoring.  M- volunteered in between competing as ring runner, board holder, and score keeper too.

Black Belts took 1st in Demo Performance

Ann keeping score during sparring

M- with 1st place trophy for forms

**Will try to upload video of the forms after I get home from vacation!