Harvest Creations

Harvest break and and inch of snow on the ground has made me feel crafty. Actually, the craftiness was brought on by a desire to cover the windows so I didn't have to look out at the snow. I miss the 80 degree weather we had last week. I couldn't think of anything socially acceptable for covering windows so I decided that small decorations would have to do. While the girls cooked spudnuts (Idaho donuts) with the cousins and Grandma I made a wreath, ghosts, and bows for the neices' hair. Good times.

These ghosts are made out of a styrofoam cone, gauze, and added gadgets. I think the skinny one needs a mouth. I'll do that tonight.

Turn sideways to get the correct view. My neices and nephews helped design it. We had a great time. And it looks very Halloweeny.

Life is Good  - and a craft day here and there is kinda fun.

Time with the Girls

As I continue my catching up posts, I throw this one in, messing up the order of things, because we had such a good time. One nice thing about Harvest Break is that we all seem to be under the weather with some kind of crud that we got from school. The two week break gives us a chance to get over it all. Since no one was feeling great, and it was rainy, we spent time in the kitchen together. McKenna needed a salad for a team dinner, Katy needed cookies for her soccer game, and we just happened to have pink cupcakes that needed frosted. We laughed and talked and had a marvelous time. We'd do it again, except, we really don't need that much junk food around. Today has brought more rain and will bring more time together and so more fun, fun, fun.

Aren't these cute? 

Pink frosting, pink mint wafers (Pepto tablets would have worked even better but didn't seem right), smushed strawberry Starburts, and black frosting were all that was needed. We tried different tails but couldn't make it look right.

I also wanted to post THE BEST chocolate cookie recipe ever. My friend, Toni, gave me this recipe. It was her mom's recipe and she had gotten it from the Parker School cafeteria. We LOVE it. They stay soft and are even wonderful right out of the freezer. Try them and let me know what you think.

GRANDMA BONNIE HAWKES' FAMOUS YUMMY COOKIES

4 cups DARK brown sugar (must be dark)

1 1/4 cups butter (don't use margarine)

6 eggs

6 cups flour (I usually have to add 1/2 to 3/4 cups more)

1 tsp salt

2 tsp soda

3 tsp vanilla

coconut (I use about 1 cup)

1 1/2 cups chocolate chips (I use the whole package. The more chocolate, the better.)

Cream sugar and butter. Mix in eggs and vanilla. Combine dry ingredients and slowly add to sugar mix. Add coconut and chocolate chips. Bake 375 degrees for 12 minutes.

Life is Good - and kitchens are a great place to build memories.

Family Kayaking Day

Now that school has started, I'm so behind on my blogging. During this Harvest Break I'm going to get caught up on many things - blogging, cleaning, and playing. First up. Family Kayak Day. After I took my friends with me one day, they decided that we should all go again but with our families. So we did. And we had a blast. A couple of mishaps, a cave exploration, dead deer carcasses, and delicious food just added to the fun. This could become an annual tradition. I hope it does.

Twelve kayakers and one rafter made their way down the Warm River run toward Ashton. Most had never kayaked before and survived. Poor Shaunna was suffering from a very freaky bruise that had taken a horrible turn needing a constant wound pump. Not wanting to be left behind, we fitted her with a raft that worked perfectly. 

The three big boys all tough and stuff. Big Dakota fell out many times and then was very exhausted for football practice after. It was worth it though.

Taking a break to dump the kayaks after going through the rapids. This is also a great place to take a swim in the water or climb some rocks.

Karen Ili and Lia. Karen purchased two kayaks this year and went a million times. So glad. I always need more kayaking buddies.

 My buddy Shaunna in her comfy raft. She got pretty good at the paddles. Next year, for sure, she'll be taking the a kayak.

Life is Good - Good friends make it even better.