Rainbow tree

How is that for some fall color? Lance Heaton found this and took the pic. I can't remember if it's actually in his yard or just in his neighborhood. Either way it's cool!

Fall Break

Our fall break this year was cut short due to many conflicting schedules! But we did get to spend a few days in St. George. The weather started out rainy and cold but got nicer each day.  The Hellewells came and stayed with us. We got in a few good razor rides.

Then, on Saturday of the break, Kurt was asked to perform a wedding for his friend Denzil and his fiance Jen. He had asked Kurt a couple months ago if he would perform the ceremony. So Kurt went online and did everything he needed to do to become a minister (?).  It went really well. The ceremony was in Zion National Park right next to the river near Weeping Rock. Kurt mostly just oversaw the entire thing. He really didn't say too much. Seeing how many weddings his dad did in his life then I guess Kurt is just following in his tradition-----just not as a judge!

my new brü

As soon as the cold weather hits every year I start brewing up the hot chocolate in the morning. This year I've got a new obsession----Crio Brü. It's definitely not sweet and creamy like hot chocolate but I love it! 

How about them tomatoes!!

Just ignore my funny-looking thumb.

Can you believe the size of these things???? And WE grew these!

Pumpkin Pull-Apart Bread

Recipe courtesy of www.sunnysideupsd.com

So I have had multiple (that is really only like 1 or 2...) requests for the recipe for this pumpkin bread. I actually got it off of Pinterest but, apparently, there are some people out there who are NOT on Pinterest....what???? C'mon people get with the program!!!   

Anyway, it's not my recipe but comes from the blog listed above. I wish I had a little print button so you could print it out from my blog but I'm too computer illiterate to know how to do that. So if you want to print one out then go to the above website.

Pull-Apart Cinnamon Sugar Pumpkin Bread

2 Tbsp. unsalted butter

1/2 cup milk

2 1/4 teaspoons (1 envelope) active dry yeast

3/4 cup pumpkin puree

1/4 cup sugar

1 teaspoon salt

2 1/2 cups bread flour

1 cup sugar

2 teaspoons cinnamon

1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg

2 Tbsp. unsalted butter

In a saucepan over medium-high heat, brown 2 Tbsp. butter, letting it bubble up and turn a dark golden brown color. Be careful to not let it burn. Once browned, remove the pan from the heat and carefully add the milk. Return the pan to the stove and let it heat through. Pour that mixture into the bowl of a mixer and allow to cool to between 100-110 degrees F. Once it has reached this temperature, add the yeast and 1/4 cup sugar and allow it to proof (this may take as long as 8 minutes). Then add the pumpkin, salt, and 1 cup of the flour. Mix until combined and add the rest of the flour 1/2 cup at a time. Knead for 6 minutes, until the dough is smooth and elastic and slightly sticky. Add extra flour if needed. 

Move dough to a lightly oiled bowl and cover with a clean towel. Allow to rise in a warm place for 60-90 minutes or until doubled in size. 

While dough is rising, brown another 2 Tbsp. butter. Add sugar, cinnamon and nutmeg. Mix well. Set aside. Grease and flour a 9 x 5 loaf pan.

When the dough has doubled in size, punch it down and turn out onto a floured surface. Knead with hands for 1-2 minutes. Roll dough into a 20 x 12 rectangle. Evenly sprinkle the dough with the cinnamon sugar mixture and press into the dough. Cut the rectangle into 6 strips. Lay strips on top of each other and cut each strip into 6 even squares. Stack strips vertically into the loaf pan. Cover the pan with a clean towel and let rise for 30-45 minutes. 

Bake in 350 degree oven for 30-40 minutes or until top is a deep golden brown. 

GLAZE

2 Tbsp. unsalted butter

1/8 cup brown sugar

1 1/2 Tbsp. milk

3/4 cup powdered sugar

1 Tbsp. rum flavoring

Heat butter, milk and brown sugar in a small saucepan. Bring to a boil. Then immediately remove from the heat and stir in the powdered sugar and rum flavoring. Drizzle over warm bread.

What's up lately

Pumpkin pull-apart bread

 I love fall for many reasons. One of the things fall makes me want to do is bake! It's not always good for the waistline.  If I start restricting calories now I can maybe justify the number of doughnuts I will consume on Halloween. 

Emerson has been busy crafting! She made the cute Halloween banner. The mess she made in the craft room-----not so cute.

 It seemed that Homecoming was barely over before Finn was asked to Sadie's.  I love school dances---such fun high school memories.

pictures in wrong order...oops!

For FHE a couple weeks ago we made the trek to City Creek. It's a great mall for the girls but Finn doesn't really love any stores there. So we ran over to Gateway for him. You can always count on getting a good laugh at something (a book, gadget or toy) in Urban Outfitters. I may have to buy Kurt these giant foam hands for his birthday.

Emer is my little chef-in-training. She LOVES to cook and help me in the kitchen whenever I ask.  One night she took over dinner completely and made this whole-wheat pizza with fresh basil and tomatoes from our garden. It was delicious! 

We haven't had too many families dinners lately because of crazy schedules but, when we do, we all fight over baby Atticus. Or as Kurt has dubbed him "fatticus". Sorry, Linz. It's an endearing nickname for sure. That big little belly was being squeezed in that shirt a little too tightly. We sure love the babies in our family.

OHS Homecoming 2012

Last weekend was Orem's Homecoming dance. And, once again, Alan Bailey took the pictures for Finn's group. This year they went up the canyon to Vivian Park. They were so lucky to have such beautiful weather!

I'd like the story behind this one....

Finn and his date Nicole Poulsen.

Day 4 of Gratitude-Leaves

Oh how I love fall! It's probably one of the biggest reasons I love living in Utah so much. I would be missing out on so much pleasure if I couldn't enjoy this beautiful season of the year. I know I already posted this picture but it was worth reposting to fit into my subject for the day...

How is that for a stunning view of Sundance!
(thank you Instagram for helping me remember to capture such things....)

Halloween 2011

I was so dreading making the doughnuts this year. I couldn't quite figure out why until I remembered that I just made them in June for girls camp! They require so much time and effort that making them more than once a year really wears me out. Kurt suggested I just not make them. Well I know that we would have had many disappointed neighbors and trick-or-treaters if I wouldn't have made them. They turned out great and I was lucky to have Montana home most of the night to help me which made a HUGE difference. Thanks Tan! Last year we had a bunch of leftovers but not this year! By 9:30 pm there was not one doughnut left!! As it is I make 400+ of those tasty little things...

Nobody was interested in carving pumpkins but the girls.

This was as close to a costume as the three of us were going to get this year. Kurt ran in to Walmart last minute and got these cute Halloween shirts.

Fall Getaway

Half of our family got to go to this beautiful place last week for a little getaway. Kurt had work deadlines and both Montana and Finn weren't able to miss school so Indy, Emerson and I drove to Dana Point for the week. I was really dreading that long drive after having driven it so many times this summer. But it ended up being not too bad at all.

Lindsey and Dave were there. It's always fun to drive around town in the Mini!

Mom, Dad and Elliot

This splint did not slow Ethan down one bit!

Elliot loved the hot tub.

We spent one afternoon at Emerald Bay beach. It was a perfect day----there was not a cloud in the sky.

Will, Ethan and Emerson had a great time digging and finding sand crabs.

We spent a day at Disneyland of course! It was such a bummer that it was so crowded. I know Arizona schools were on break but still!!! The weather was downright hot! I think it got into the 90's. But we had a great time anyway.

I had to get a picture of this for Indy.

I loved seeing all the Halloween decorations all over the park. So festive!

There is a great park just around the corner from the England house called Pines Park. It has a fun playground for the kids and the views of the beach are spectacular.

Not a great picture of the beach house but I had to get some documentation of it. It is such a great house.

Oh, life.....

It's amazing how quickly time passes when you get busy. I don't like it when I don't have time to slow down and enjoy life. I am definitely trying to enjoy the beautiful fall weather we have been having here in Utah. There is nothing better than running on a trail covered in fall leaves. Love it!

Back to School

You can tell these kids are not used to getting up early quite yet...especially Indy. But I think they were excited to head back to school.

Looking forward to a great year! Finn-junior, Indy-freshman, Emerson- seventh grade

One of the many reasons I love Utah.

Utah peaches are to die for. I bought a box today and can't stop eating them. There is nothing better than oatmeal with fresh peaches for breakfast. I made a peach crisp for dessert tonight. Tomorrow I may make some homemade freezer jam.