Trunk or Treat and Crazy Hair Day

A couple of days ago, Kyra announced that it was "Crazy Hair Day" at her school. She suggested we use a plastic drinking cup to create this funky hairdo. On the way to school, I started to giggle and she asked why. I said, "What if you accidentally got mixed up on the date for Crazy Hair Day and you showed up at school with the only funky hairdo?" She said that very thought had occurred to her and she had been formulating a "backup plan" in her mind. We were both relieved when we arrived at school just as the car in front of us deposited a blue-haired boy. Whew! I picked her up from school and she went to the university campus with me to return some films and books before I dropped her off for her piano lesson. She did receive a few strange looks while on campus but, on the other hand, some students are known to have funkier than this hair on a "normal" day :)
Last evening was the annual chili supper and Trunk or Treat at the Church. Our d-in-law Sara and I took Ky, Reed, and also their next-door neighbor's son Parker, who Sara was tending for the evening while he parents went to a Halloween party of their own. Parker is one of Ky's classmates and friends, and he knew several of the kids at the function so that worked out well. Sara bought a costume for Reed about 2 months ago which she said "fit perfectly" at the time (no room to spare, though). Unfortunately, he had a growth spirt and it would not fit him this week. So, she had to find another Ninja costume in a bigger size. Regardless, he was cute in it.
Ky initially informed me that she would like to be Mother Nature. She's quite creative and loves to design outfits so she drew the costume she wanted out on paper. I was impressed. The "earthy" part was represented by a brown sheath dress, covered with a flowing green sheer fabric. She had designed a crown representing the sun, a wreath of flowers and blue ribbons representing the sky. Off I went to the fabric store where almost immediately I found the "flowing green" layer. She instantly approved it upon sight. It didn't seem like the rest of the outfit would be a challenge. Not so! We visited several stores and picked through their clearance racks (how much does one want to spend on an outfit to be worn twice at best?) for the "brown" part of the costume. Alas, we could not find a thing that matched the picture in Ky's head. But at the last store we had time to visit before I needed to drop her off for Activity Day Girls, she happened upon the crazy dress in the photo. She held it up and, as she said, "Look at this wild dress, Nana," she displayed "peace" signs with both hands. I said, "You've got it! You can be a hippie!" So, we proceeded with that idea and she was happy. I have to say that we both laughed when two of her friends (who had no idea what Ky's original idea for a costume had been) commented, "Your dress kindof looks like a Mother Nature dress." Well, I guess we succeeded after all! This final picture is of Reed and his cousin (on his Mommy's side) Avery. I loved the picture of the children and also liked the bubble-blowing pumpkin. It's easy to see why kids (of ALL ages) love this holiday!

Autumn in the Ozarks

Although this photo does not do justice to my friend Jean, the tree in her front yard is so spectacular right now that I simply had to have a picture of it, and she obliged me. If you click to enlarge the photo, you can actually "feel" the sun shining through the leaves. I LOVE AUTUMN! When I first experienced my first autumn in Missouri, I was so blown away by the splendor of trees with their vibrant leaves that I made a rather ridiculous (in highsight) statement, "Honey, we never had autumns like this in the west." Biologist that he is, he gently reminded me that the type of fall color on the trees has a lot to do with the type of trees themselves. Well, yes, that would make a difference now, wouldn't it?!! :)



I've been kicking myself because we've had a lot of rain and wind the past few days which has done a lot to strip the trees of their beautiful leaves. And I had not yet taken the time to drive around and take pictures of some of my favorite displays of color. On my way home from physical therapy this morning, I drove through a local cemetary (where some of Reed's ancestors are buried) and took a few pictures. I regret that I did not get there sooner, but perhaps you will at least get an idea of just how amazing they were.

The photo of the row of burning bushes was taken in front of Ky's school and, while pretty, they can't hold a candle to the hedge of HUGE ones we saw in in the parking lot of the St. Louis Temple last week. Alas, I didn't have my camera with me.

Finally, the picture of Ky, the Tree Hugger, was taken in our front yard. Of course we've been in our new home fewer than four years so our trees and bushes are not yet mature; nevertheless, our burning bush and Sugar Maple delight us with their colorful displays.
A girlfriend and I drove to Harrison, AR last week and saw a lot of beautiful trees along the way, there, and back, as well. We joined another friend and had lunch at the Cliff House Restaurant ("homemade bread and real mashed potatoes") which provided a panoramic view of the "grand canyon of Arkansas." I had no idea this masterpiece existed near Jasper, AR, and what a beautiful discovery it was. Vast, and considerably more rugged than most of the landscape in this part of the country. I want to take Steve and return soon.
A beautiful autumn day, when the sun is bursting through the leaves of trees resplendent in myriad golds, reds, and greens, is one of those times when my breath is literally taken away and I think to myself, "Heavenly Father really outdid Himself this time." And I'm so thankful to be here to enjoy it! I hope wherever each of you happens to be when you read this is just as lovely. ENJOY!

The Peacocks have Come Home to Roost

A number of years ago, my Mother-in-law decided to hire a professional decorator to help her update the front three rooms in their home (the living room and two bedrooms). My in-law's home was well-built but, being constructed around 1940, the rooms were small. Mom fell in love with a pair of hand-crafted, metal peacocks, which seemed too large for their small living room, but the decorator convinced Mom they would look great over the sofa. With this professional's okay, Mom went ahead. The craftsmanship on the peacocks is amazing and we always enjoyed them in their home. You might like to click to enlarge the photo so you can see just how intricate the workmanship is.
When Steve's folks passed away in 2005, and their things were divided among their four children's families, these peacocks were among the things that made their way east to MO. While most other things were incorporated immediately into the new home we built in 2006, the peacocks remained wrapped in newspaper on the top shelf of a storage unit in the garage. Some time ago, I decided they would be perfect for the wall in our stairwell but considering that Steve is banned from using ladders (after having had an accident some years ago in which he broke his back, his tailbone, and several other things!), in the garage they remained. I finally decided the best way to get them hung was to move them inside where they were in the way (well, pretty much) and enlist the help of our son Jon, whose various jobs have equipped him with great "ladder skills." WALLAH! We think they are the perfect "adornment" for the wall in our stairwell, and love to have them "greet" us when we enter through the front door. The peacocks have now "come home to roost" at our home and we are enjoying them very much. .

I'm including two or three more photos that represent how I've spent some of my time the past couple of days. Early in the summer, I posted some pictures on my blog of some unique clay pots that my Mother-in-law made. I was excited about the possibility of their becoming home to some newly acquired succulents. The succulents thrived in these pots and we've spent the summer enjoying them on our front steps. So much so that, now that it's turning colder, I don't have the heart to watch them die. So I moved the picture frames from the windowsill in my office, and have moved the succulents to that windowsill for the winter. I wanted to include one more picture of some of them here to show how they grew over the summer. I think Mom would be pleased that they found such great homes in her unique pots!

Finally, I wanted to make some small gifts that "said fall" for the gals I visit teach, as well as for the friends who helped me with the birthday luncheon last week. Needless to say, the number of expensive gifts is endless, for those who have the money and/or the desire to buy those, but since most of us don't (have the money, that is), I think it's fun to shop around and find those little gifts that and fun and appreciated but which don't leave the receiver feeling obligated to reciprocate. The bargains I found this go-round included cute little ceramic bread pans (though I opted to fill them with homemade gingersnaps this time) for $.99 at Michael's; little jack o'lantern t-towels that were 2/$5 at Target; and, finally, I had so much fun making pumpkins last year (when my sisters showed me how when we were in WY together), that I decided to make some more to share. They are made with a little bit of fabric, some fall leaves, a little jute, and a roll of toilet paper. Yup! Now, how's that for creative? :)

Something to Crow About!

This past Monday, we had the opportunity to celebrate our dear friend Bonnie's being 90 YEARS YOUNG! Bonnie is a role-model for all who know her, and who also aspire to being as lively and as active as she is, should we be blessed to reach that age. Bonnie has many dear friends and it would have been nice to include them all but, that said, I feel strongly that when a meal is served (especially one including soup!), each guest needs a place to sit at a table while eating. And preferably, close enough to the main table that she can see the guest of honor. In our home, that meant 17 (without expanding onto the deck, sunroom, or downstairs). It was a nice group, particularly in light of the fact that several generous friends offered to help with the food: Eileen brought some nutritious Wheat-Apple Muffins; Janet made a colorful salad of Mixed Spring Greens with Craisins, Blueberries, Mandarin Oranges and Pecans with a Poppy Seed Dressing; and Rosa brought a yummy Lemon Cake to go along with the Tunnel of Fudge Cake that I made (options are good, yes?!). I also made Chicken Tortilla Soup, and several requested the recipe, so I will include that in this post.
I think fresh flowers make any occasion "special," but for this occasion, I branched out a little. Okay, A LOT! I used artificial sunflowers and added fresh asparagus and kale. Yup, you read that right. I did something similar a few years ago for a fall event for which I used the same theme, and had so much fun I thought I'd reproduce it. As waaay out as that sounds, it gets worse (or better, depending upon your perspective). I later roasted the asparagas and served it with Wild Alaskan Salmon with a Dilly Remoulade; a fresh Spinach, shaved Parmesano-Reggiano, and Toasted Pinenuts Salad with a Balsamic Vinaigrette, and loved having the kale to use in Olive Garden-style Zuppa Toscano. Yum-O!

I've been making my own version of Chicken Tortilla Soup for a number of years now, since I first tasted it on a trip to Dallas, TX. I used to saute the fresh veggies (onion, garlic, celery, tomatoes, jalapenos, etc.) myself, but sometimes it took time I didn't have, and it finally occurred to me that those same veggies were already in salsa, so I tweaked my own recipe and now just use the salsa (lots of it!). I needed soup for 20 for the luncheon, and wanted plenty left for my family to enjoy for a meal or two, so following are the amounts I used for a crowd that size. NANCY'S CHICKEN TORTILLA SOUP (FOR A CROWD)
4 quarts chicken broth
12 cans Cream of Chicken Soup (Do not dilute.)
2 large jars salsa (or to taste)(can use mild, medium, or hot, depending on your personal taste; I recommend using mild to medium for a group, however, as some do not like it hot)
2 cans corn (can use frozen, and in the summer, I've been known to use fresh)
2 cans black beans
2 rotisserie chickens, deboned and shredded (about 12 cups meat)
Pour broth into a very large kettle (I use a canner because it's thick and the soup won't scorch). Add condensed Cream of Chicken soup and stir to blend. Bring to a boil. Add salsa (If you're not sure how much, add some, and add some again at the end to taste.) Stir in the corn and black beans and then add shredded chicken. Bring to a boil and then reduce heat and simmer on low until ready to serve. Or cool, refrigerate, and reheat. Freezes well.
If you want to make a few cupsful for a small family, start with 3 cans of broth and 2 cans of condensed soup. NOTE: You can click the photo to see how I served this but I like to added shredded cheddar, a dollop of both sour cream and guacamole (you can pass them separately, if you like), some thin strips of multi-colored tortilla chips, and a sprig of Cilantro or flat-leaf parsley. ENJOY!

If you love chocolate and nuts, as I do, you can click to enlarge the following photo and drool (as I do) over this Tunnel of Fudge Cake. Bonnie loves chocolate and nuts so I just HAD to make this special (and decadent; she can afford the calories) cake for her birthday. It will really date me when I admit that I first tasted this fabulous cake when a coworker brought it to work at the University of Utah in the late 60's/early 70's. I have loved it since but make it rarely (I last made it when I hosted a baby shower for my young friend Kathy, and her twins are getting ready to turn seven!), and it's been a day or two. If you have a special occasion just around the corner, and simply can't resist, here's the recipe:

TUNNEL OF FUDGE CAKE
INGREDIENTS:
________________________________________
Cake
1 3/4 cups sugar
1 3/4 cups margarine or butter, softened
6 eggs
2 cups powdered sugar
2 1/4 cups Pillsbury BEST® All Purpose or Unbleached Flour
3/4 cup unsweetened cocoa
2 cups chopped walnuts*
Glaze (NOTE: I omitted the glaze and served it with a drizzle of homemade hot fudge sauce, a dollop of whipped cream or whipped topping, fresh raspberries and a sprig of mint)
3/4 cup powdered sugar
1/4 cup unsweetened cocoa
4 to 6 teaspoons milk
DIRECTIONS:
________________________________________
1. Heat oven to 350°F. Grease and flour 12-cup fluted tube cake pan or 10-inch tube pan. In large bowl, combine sugar and margarine; beat until light and fluffy. Add eggs 1 at a time, beating well after each addition. Gradually add 2 cups powdered sugar; blend well. By hand, stir in flour and remaining cake ingredients until well blended. Spoon batter into greased and floured pan; spread evenly.
2. Bake at 350°F. for 45 to 50 minutes or until top is set and edges are beginning to pull away from sides of pan.** Cool upright in pan on wire rack 1 1/2 hours. Invert onto serving plate; cool at least 2 hours.
3. In small bowl, combine all glaze ingredients, adding enough milk for desired drizzling consistency. Spoon over top of cake, allowing some to run down sides. Store tightly covered.
High Altitude (3500-6500 ft) Increase flour to 2 1/4 cups plus 3 tablespoons. Bake as directed above.
Bonnie informed us that she doesn't plan to be around for #100, but if she is, I'd be honored to do this again. Maybe we just need to have a party for her each year from now on . . .

Cookies in the (Kimball) Parlor

I had the opportunity this past Sunday to teach a lesson in the women's organization (the Relief Society) of my Church (the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints). In fact, the lesson was on the organization of the Relief Society in 1842. The initial meeting of the women was held "in the parlor" of Sarah Granger Kimball's home. Inasmuch as history tells us that Sarah Kimball had a seamstress, I think it's fair to assume that her home was perhaps a bit "grander" than some of the early families could afford. Is it also fair to assume, as I pointed out to the women in my class on Sunday, that there would have been TREATS at that meeting? I think so; therefore, I asked the women to pretend we were in the parlor at the Kimball home, and I served them treats (cookies). Many asked for the recipes so I will include them here. I did not have time or foresight to photograph all the cookies while arranged on the fall platters, so I borrowed a couple of each kind from the few I kept to put in my granddaughter's lunch box this week. The first cookie--the Gingersnap--is a long-time favorite and comes from Betty Crocker herself.


GINGERSNAPS (BETTY CROCKER’S COOKBOOK)
A pungent gingersnap—crispy on the edges but soft in the center.
¾ cup shortening
1 cup brown sugar (packed)
1 egg
¼ cup molasses
2 ¼ cups Gold Medal Flour*
2 teaspoons soda
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1 teaspoon ginger
½ teaspoon cloves
¼ teaspoon salt
Granulated sugar
Mix thoroughly shortening, brown sugar, egg and
molasses. Blend in remaining ingredients except
granulated sugar. Cover; chill 1 hour.
Heat oven to 375 degrees. Shape dough by rounded
teaspoonfuls into balls. Dip tops in granulated sugar.
Place balls sugared side up 3 inches apart on
lightly greased baking sheet. Bake 10 to 12 minutes
or just until set. Immediately remove from baking sheet.
4 DOZEN COOKIES.
*If using Self-Rising Flour, decrease soda to 1 teaspoon and
omit salt.

The second is a Gooey-Butter Cookie. Our family has loved Gooey Butter Cake for as long as I can remember. So when several asked for the recipe and I said it was similar to Gooey Butter Cake, and they were not familiar with it, I was surprised. For that reason, I decided to go ahead and include all the variations, from vanilla to chocolate and inbetween. I knew I'd find them on Paula Deen's site (FoodTV) because she's an avid fan of these. And wallah!
I'll provide the recipe for the Gooey Butter Cookies first, and then the Cakes. You can alter the cookie recipe in the same manner as the cake recipe to make any flavor of Gooey Butter Cookie you choose:
CHOCOLATE GOOEY BUTTER COOKIES
Ingredients:
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Confectioner’s sugar, for dusting
1 (18 ounce) box moist chocolate cake mix
1 (8-ounce) brick cream cheese, room temperature
1 egg
1 stick of butter, room temperature
Directions:
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. In a large bowl with an electric mixer, cream the cream cheese and butter until smooth. Beat in the egg. Then beat in the vanilla extract. Beat in the cake mix. Cover and refrigerate for 2 hours to firm up so that you can roll the batter into balls. Roll the chilled batter into tablespoon sized balls and then roll them in confectioner’s sugar. Place on an ungreased cookie sheet, 2 inches apart. Bake 12 minutes. The cookies will remain soft and gooey. Cool completely and sprinkle with more confectioners’ sugar, if desired.
Servings: 2 dozen cookies
Prep Time: 10 min
Cook Time: 15 min
Difficulty: Easy

GOOEY BUTTER CAKES
From: The Lady & Sons Just Desserts by Paula H. Deen
"Butter Gooey Cakes. Ooey Gooey Butter Cakes. Ooey Booey Gooey Cakes. These are just a few of the names I've heard our guests at The Lady & Sons call 'em. But to quote Shakespeare:
What's in a name? that which we call a rose
By any other name would smell as sweet.
This is exactly how I feel about our Gooey Butter Cakes. No matter what you call them, they're like that sweet rose that Shakespeare wrote about. These delectable cakes were an instant hit the first day they showed up in The Bag Lady basket and they immediately became one of my most requested items. These little sweeties actually resemble a bar-type dessert instead of what we know as a traditional cake. Over the years, I have made every flavor imaginable, using this basic recipe. I'll give you some of my recommendations but by all means experiment and have fun creating your very own version of our signature Gooey Butter Cakes.
Cake
• 1 (18.25-ounce) box yellow (or your choice) cake mix
• 1 egg
• 1/2 cup (1 stick) butter, melted
• Filling
• 1 (8-ounce) package cream cheese, softened
• 2 eggs
• 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
• 1 (16-ounce) box confectioners' sugar
• 1/2 cup (1 stick) butter, melted
1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Lightly grease a 13x9x2-inch baking pan.
2. In the bowl of an electric mixer, combine cake mix, egg, and butter and mix well. Pat into the bottom of prepared pan and set aside.
3. Still using an electric mixer, beat cream cheese until smooth; add eggs and vanilla. Dump in confectioners' sugar and beat well. Reduce speed of mixer and slowly pour in butter. Mix well.
4. Pour filling onto cake mixture and spread evenly. Bake for 40 to 50 minutes. Don't be afraid to make a judgment call on the cooking time, because oven temperatures can vary. You want the center to be a little gooey, so don't bake it past that point!
5. Remove from oven and allow to cool completely. Cut into squares. Just remember that these wonderful little cakes are very, very rich, and a little will go a long way-even for piggies like me!

Pumpkin Gooey: This variation has to be at the top of my list, especially around Thanksgiving. For the cake part, I sometimes use a spice cake mix. I have even used a chocolate cake mix, but I think my favorite is the basic yellow cake mix. Follow the original recipe, adding a 15-ounce can of pumpkin pie filling and an extra egg to the cream cheese filling. Bake as usual, remove from oven, and allow to cool. Cut into squares and top each square with a pecan half. Serve with a dollop of fresh whipped cream. I promise you'll never want pumpkin pie again!

Pineapple Gooey: Add a 20-ounce can of drained crushed pineapple and an extra egg to the cream cheese filling. Proceed as directed above.

Lemon Gooey: Use a lemon cake mix in place of the yellow cake. Add the juice (approximately 1/4 cup) and zest of 2 lemons to the cream cheese filling. Proceed: as directed above.

Carrot Cake Gooey: Use a spice cake mix, and add 1 cup chopped nuts and 1 1/2 cup finely grated carrots to the cream cheese filling. Proceed as directed above.

Peanut Butter Gooey: Use a chocolate cake mix. Add 1 cup creamy peanut butter and an extra egg to cream cheese filling. You can sprinkle the top of batter with 1 cup chopped peanuts if you like. Proceed as directed above.

Chocolate Chip Gooey: Use either yellow or chocolate cake mix. Sprinkle 1 cup chocolate chips and 1 cup chopped nuts on top of filling. Proceed as directed above.

Banana Gooey: Use a yellow cake mix. Prepare cream cheese filling as directed, beating in 2 ripe bananas and an extra egg. Proceed as directed above.

Nutty Gooey: Use a yellow cake mix, and add 1 cup chopped nuts to the cake mixture. Proceed as directed above.

Chippy Gooey: Stir 1 cup white chocolate chips, peanut butter chocolate chips, butterscotch morsels, Heath Almond Toffee Bits or Heath Milk Chocolate Toffee Bits into filling. Proceed as directed above."
(end of Paula's comments)

Nancy again:
I love the Relief Society organization, a charitable Society, which allows women to act according to their natures and feelings of charity and benevolence. I particularly like the following quote, which is advice given to those first women who desired to have such an organization, by Lucy Mack Smith, the Prophet Joseph Smith's mother:

"We must cherish one another, watch over one another, comfort one another and gain instruction, that we may all sit down in heaven together."

What a wonderful promise this is to look forward to. I invite you to enjoy both the hope of that promise, and the recipes!

Fall is in the Air

There are so many reasons why Autumn is my favorite time of year. And, while many years it seems we go directly from the heat of summer to the cold of winter (or as cold as winters get in MO), this year we truly have enjoyed fall.
There's nothing better than starting the day with breakfast (albeit our standard fare of steel-cut oats and Red River Cereal, except on weekends) in the sunroom, with the fall sounds and cool air coming through the screens. The leaves drift lazily from the many trees in our back yard, the squirrels race along the top of the fence, as if in a hurry to prepare for oncoming winter, and all seems right with the world.
I enjoy adding decorative touches to just about anything--whether indoors or out--to usher in each season. Having collected a few items each year for many years, I seldom need to buy anything new; I simply pull out the storage tubs and try to think of new ways to use old decorations. Because I love autumn so much, and love to decorate for it, it seems the perfect precursor to making our home festive for the Christmas season, my absolute favorite.
Three years ago when we moved to our new home, and therefore changed to a new Ward at Church, I became dear friends with a darling woman, Bonnie, who is 90 years young (as of 9/15). She is currently in UT celebrating with some of her living siblings, but I have a luncheon planned for her here on September 28. I think turning 90 is "Something to Crow About" and that will be my theme for the party. I will try to blog that later. So I'm keeping that party in mind as I decorate for fall.
The crisp air "feels like football" and the season is, indeed, here again. We enjoyed our first MSU football game last Saturday, and our second will be tomorrow. From the tailgates to the Bear Pride Marching Band half-time performances, we have enjoyed the whole experience as a family from the days when Steve and I were at the University of Utah, to the games here with the boys from the time they were born, and continuing as each of our grandchildren arrived. The spiced cider, hot cocoa and peanuts which go in our bags, as well as the snowcones, nachos, and pretzels from the concession stand, are all part of the experience. Most of all, it's a fun venue for family fun, and provides a good "excuse" to get 9 busy family members together in one place. That doesn't happen every single game (such as tomorrow, when some are out of town and one working), but in those cases, we never have trouble finding friends who like to join us for the fun.
It has been a busy week with activities of many kinds, all enjoyable. We've settled into a routine with Ky arriving at 6:45 a.m. for breakfast, then getting ready for school and practicing the piano and violin before I take her to school. I also pick her up from school three nights a week for swimming, piano and drum lessons, etc. Since Reed is now in school, I've asked for (and been granted :) "Reeders time with Nina" on Tuesday evenings so do whatever he wants. Last Tuesday, it was playing at the park and his helping fix his requested "bacon, eggs, and toast" for dinner, then to soccer practice. He's quite the egg-cracker! And his Dad cracked up when we told him that Reed requested BACON! for dinner. A fit and active 6-year-old boy can afford those calories. Weekends provide some time with hubby (yea, date night!), occasionally family time, and as with this evening, time for a movie date with girlfriends. (Last Friday night two girlfriends and I went to Branson to see the Osmonds, who were in town for a two-week stint at their theatre, following a world tour. It's hard to believe the older brothers have been in show business 50 years! I talked with Jimmy on Sunday, as I sat right by him when they attended Church in my Ward, and told him we had seen and enjoyed the show. His comment: "We're pretty goofy, but we do have a good time." Well, yes . . .)
I'm off to bake some cookies for my lesson on Sunday (this time there will be no nuts and no chocolate for the sake of those with allergies to same). I hope anyone reading this blog is also having a GREAT AUTUMN and recording it for anyone who cares.

Another Year Older . . .

It's hard to believe that another year has sped quickly by, summer is over, and the grandchildren have started back to school. When Steve and I were in Colorado, I found some cute "fish" hats at a booth featuring fish-wear for women and children. When I told the clerk they were for our grandchildren, she asked me to take a picture and send it to her, so I decided I had to have one for Brit, as well, despite her being older. Britt was a good sport about modeling it with Reed and Ky. The picture doesn't do the hats justice but they have rolly eyes and little fish fins and tails.
Kyra often travels to WY with me but when she wanted to go in July, I "warned" her that this trip would be unlike those in the past where we were essentially on vacation, and where I was free to entertain her and shuttle her around to her cousins' homes. The purpose of the July trip was to spend time with my Dad, and caring for him (and his home and meals) needed to be my first priority. I welcomed Kyra's company, but she needed to take things to entertain herself, and be prepared to spend a lot of time at Grandpa's, with or without cousins to play with.

I told Kyra that if she were good to help me those two weeks, and had a good attitude, when we got back we would upgrade her "little girl" room (at her Daddy's) in preparation for middle school. Little did I know when I made that declaration that I would have a bike wreck and REALLY need Kyra's help. But, help she did, and she had a great attitude. She was also good to entertain herself, when necessary, and enjoyed playing with her cousins and aunts and uncles part of the time, as well.

Well, like the picture of the fish caps, this picture doesn't do the curtains justice (they have polkadots in shades of pink); guess I need to brush up on my photography skills (or gain some). But, for what it's worth . . . Kyra had a hard time parting with some of her "childhood," but kept her favorite things and got rid of a lot. She said it felt really good to give her things to several little girls who will enjoy the toys and stuffed animals, and one toddler who will look adorable in a few LITTLE outfits we had stored away for safe keeping and decided to part with. Ahh. . .

I'm allergic to latex paint, so once we got everything cleaned out and the room ready, Jon and Paula actually did the painting. Bless them! We still need to get a bulletin board up, and Ky is saving for a Papasan chair, but we're almost there . . .