No Trick or Treaters

I know that it is crazy...but I miss not having trick or treaters.

Each year we have between 0 and 5 kids stop by.

This year was a BIG ZERO...

We always have really good treats because  of so few visitors.

This year...HALLOWEEN CUPCAKES.

I am just glad I got to hang out with my 2 favorite little

treats.

my little Miss C as a ladybug.

and Miss H as the "cutest" witch.

So, darn cute!

Somedays You Just Need To Laugh

So, I was reading some of my past posts and boy did I get a good laugh from a few of them.



http://onemomentatatime-niece.blogspot.com/2009/04/childrens-bible-in-nutshell.html

http://onemomentatatime-niece.blogspot.com/2008/09/sorrybut-i-had-to-post-this.html

http://onemomentatatime-niece.blogspot.com/search/label/hot%20flash%20humor

I know I have a sick sense of humor...please don't judge....

hehehheheeee

Happy Birthday "E"

My favorite nephew whose name starts with "E" is having his 12th birthday today.

I am sure for his parents they are thinking HOW can he already be 12. Because I know I can not believe it!

"E" is an exceptional young man. His mind thinks in ways that I can not even explain...brilliant is an understatement.

But, with all the brains he has common sense.

He has a sense of humor that is contagious.

He has such a big heart.

He is always very polite.

and he has Celiac Disease.

A year ago when they were here for summer vacation, poor "E" could not hardly eat anything without becoming sick, and the weight loss that he was having was so scary.

When my sister returned home to Arizona she took "E" to get checked out.

When the tests came back they diagnosed him with Celiac.

I had never heard of it.

But, I do know this...

NO wheat flour or modified wheat flour.

When they came to visit last month, Lene went to buy some of the products that would be used to prepare meals that "E" would be able to eat.

I about had a heart attack when I saw what they charge for "Gluten Free" Products.

'Lene walked out of the store with a small bag of groceries and I had a cart full of groceries I think my total was only $10.00 more!!! That is crazy!!!

I was glad they had treats that "E" could have because I knew the rest of us would have some.

AND we found CREAM OF MUSHROOM Soup, do you know how many things you make with cream of_ soup???

Progresso Soup's are gluten free which is really cool.

and guess what else is Gluten Free

Yep, Good ol' Potatoes!

and I know how to cook with potatoes!

I even made homemade gluten free Potato Soup.

I am sure my sister 'Lene will make a wonderful meal and birthday cake for "E"

and it will all be gluten free.

What Makes You Cry?

I have to admit I would cry at just about anything.

Do you remember the old Folger's Coffee commercials...

yea, I was the one BAWLING in private or a room full of people.

Now, for some reason unknown to me I seldom have a tear in my eye.

Onions can get a tear but that is about it.

Until this:

I am a total fan of Gene Simmons's Family Jewels TV Show.

I have no idea why. I have never been a KISS fan.

I had never heard of Shannon Tweed (maybe because I am not a follower of Hefner's Playboy Bunnies).

Gene and Shannon have been living together for 20+ years, they have 2 children.

Yet, have never married...I don't get that...talk about doing things backwards.

Again, another reason I do not know why I like this show.

ANYWAY...

Last week when they televised their wedding

I cried!

Crazy I know

Now that I have said it, maybe I can quit obsessing on WHY this is what got the tears flowing.

CRAZY!!!!

I admit I did cry in 17 Miracles...great movie about the Wille Handcart Company.

First Freeze

I always have mixed emotions when this morning comes.

The first freeze arrived this morning.

Leaving all of the garden's plants drooping and done for the season.

With just a little life left, I know the canning season is over for what ever did not get picked.

I will miss my full pumpkin patch and the fruits on all the different garden plants.

 I am grateful for all the tomatoes that we were able to can this year.

The Salsa Verde from the Tomatillo plants, Zucchini Bread and Cookies from our very abundant plants, and Spaghetti Squash wow we had some easy and yummy dinners from this great squash.

I will also miss the onions, bell peppers,  jalapenos and fresh tomatoes for salads and sandwiches and fresh salsa (pico de gallo).

Who Does She Look Like?

When Miss H was new born I would say,"She must look allot like Sergio's family because I can only see a little bit of Kira in her.

and the older she got the more she looked like "Hazel"

You could see her papa and mama in her.

When they got home from Argentina in August, I could not bel1ieve how much she had changed.

and I kept thinking to myself...wow I know who she looks like...

Yep, she looks like her grandpa kirk!

Thank goodness, I know Kirk's sisters are very pretty.

Already 8 Months Old

I am not sure how Miss H turned 8 months old without me getting a post in

BUT I DID!

Oct 9, 2011

WOW...

She is going to be a year old before we know it.

Happy Anniversary

Kira & Sergio

2 years ago

became Mr & Mrs. Rivadeneira

May many more wonderful and exciting years be in your future.

Love you lots,

~MOM

Today Is A Holiday?

A U.S. national holiday since 1937, Columbus Day commemorates the arrival of Christopher Columbus in the New World on October 12, 1492. The Italian-born explorer had set sail two months earlier, backed by the Spanish monarchs King Ferdinand and Queen Isabella. He intended to chart a western sea route to China, India and the fabled gold and spice islands of Asia; instead, he landed in the Bahamas, becoming the first European to explore the Americas since the Vikings set up colonies in Greenland and Newfoundland during the 10th century.
Later that month, Columbus sighted Cuba and believed it was mainland China; in December the expedition found Hispaniola, which he though might be Japan. There, he established Spain's first colony in the Americas with 39 of his men. In March 1493, the explorer returned to Spain in triumph, bearing gold, spices and "Indian" captives. He crossed the Atlantic several more times before his death in 1506; by his third journey, he realized that he hadn't reached Asia but instead had stumbled upon a continent previously unknown to Europeans. (http://www.history.com/topics/columbus-day)

Ok...BLAH BLAH BLAH

None of that answered my question...

There is a book out called "The Seven Miracles That Saved America" by Ted & Chris Stewart. YES, it comes on CD or I would not be telling you about it, anyway back to my book on CD:

The first of the seven events is on Christopher Columbus, who "against all odds" discovered the New World — when it could very well have been found by the Chinese.

("http://www.deseretnews.com/article/700009550/Saving-America-Utah-authors-examine-7-miracles-in-history-of-the-US.html?pg=1) 

And after hearing all the poor young boy went through it is no wonder he thought he had found India!

Ok Got That...

So, tell me again why Columbus Day is a national holiday??

I have tried to think of a reason and I could only come up with these three:

• Government & Bank workers can have an extra day off

 (you know it is not a real holiday if teachers and children are having to go to school)

• So little kidlets can make fun Columbus day crafts  at school like...

http://crafts.kaboose.com/egg-cup-ships.html

• So stores can "say" they are having sales

any other ideas???

and REALLY

how can it be a holiday if we don't have some special food that we eat that day.

I guess we could have potato "boats" with Nina,  Pinta and Santa Maria toppings.

yea, I better just stick to something simple like...

what did Columbus eat while floating on a Ocean for 2+ months

any ideas???

Where I Have Been

I have been a bit busy for the past week, but a very good kind of busy.

My sister, 'Lene and her family of  "Chaos" have came to spend their fall break with us.

So, between canning and grand babies, we have been trying to do some fun things like our regular trip to the Oregon Trail Ruts.

Grandma's Toy Box

While driving all around Utah on Wednesday, I had to make a stop at IKEA.

I found this great box.

I really needed a toy box for my "Grandma's Toys". The toys were starting to take over my front room.

I had a bunch of vinyl letters from another project I had done so I started to stick them on my blank box.

along with a couple of  important words...hum...Celes and Hazel

 and my favorite phrase in the world

"I am a Child of God"

I like how it turned out.