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1. ground level
First signs of Fall at our house. A lone yellow leaf has fallen to the ground.
Dave and I are empty nester's. But occasionally I have the grandkids up to play. Raggedy Ann and Andy (that my mother Ellen Bates made) are the remnants of play from yesterday. I'll take family time anytime!
2. family
3. reflection
After Ben's birthday party, I stopped by Lee's Market to get a few items. They have a stream and pond at the edge of the property. Ducks, swans, seagulls, birds, and geese waddle, paddle, swim, and bask in the sun there. I stopped by for a few minutes before going home and caught a nice reflection of two ducks gliding on the water. Peaceful.
4. relax
I have so looked forward to today! It was the ultimate relax day! I watched General Conference in the comfort of my bedroom, propped against pillows on my bed! Today marked the 1st and 2nd sessions. I got my Conference Notes book out and took notes. The music and talks were uplifting and inspiring. Two of the talks were given in their native languages. Cantonese and Spanish. Loved that! One of my favorite quotes from today was from Jorg Klebingat.
Trials and tribulations come because you are doing something Right!
5. colorful
Zinnia's are so colorful! I still have them blooming in colors of orange, pink, red, yellow, and fuschia. I love them in my yard. I am going to plant them everywhere next year. They are the perfect colors of Autumn!
6. movement
For F.H.E., Audrey's family and I went to the Black Island Farm for pumpkin days. The kids had fun in the children's court yard where they slid down slides supported by hay bales, slid through a couple of irrigation pipes, rode a mini train pulled by a tractor, played in a corn box, bounced in a blow-up house, and pet a baby donkey. The picture is of Alia coming to the end of her slide. The kids were constantly on the move!
7. looking down
8. In my home
Yeah... it's Fall! My favorite time of year!
9. an ordinary moment
Spending time with the grandkids... so ordinary, yet so un-ordinary! Ben and Emilee had just picked out their library books, put them in their bags, and headed out the door. They were trucking along, Ben leading the way to the car, when all of a sudden he stopped and scoured the parking lot and discovered he was heading in the wrong direction. He corrected his direction and little sister promptly followed! So love these two little munchkins.
10. a talent
10. a talent
My grandsons have talent! Riley J rides a motorcycle. About a month ago he was hot-roding and hit a ditch that sent him airborne... breaking his arm and collarbone. Poor boy!
Carson is a pro when it comes to making popcorn! Really! Since he was just a wee little boy he has always been in charge of making the popcorn for movie night. And he likes it that way! Since his mom's passing I have not had movie night with the kiddos... until this weekend. It made me so happy to have Carson make the popcorn. It was long overdue. I have to admit, it was a little emotional for me. I missed Shaniel so much tonight.
Little Tera snuggled up next to me on the couch with a blanket and said, "grandma I sure have missed you!" It melted my heart.
11. around me
Granddaughters, Tera and Tianna, and Shaniel's garden... all around me! So grateful for my family and the memories of a loving daughter whose presence is missed every single day.
12. a daily habit
I have a daily habit! It's both good and bad. The good... I read from the scriptures every day. I also read from other good books when time allows. The bad... I always have a stack sitting on my night dresser. I don't like clutter!
13. Starts with "R"
Carson is a pro when it comes to making popcorn! Really! Since he was just a wee little boy he has always been in charge of making the popcorn for movie night. And he likes it that way! Since his mom's passing I have not had movie night with the kiddos... until this weekend. It made me so happy to have Carson make the popcorn. It was long overdue. I have to admit, it was a little emotional for me. I missed Shaniel so much tonight.
Little Tera snuggled up next to me on the couch with a blanket and said, "grandma I sure have missed you!" It melted my heart.
11. around me
Granddaughters, Tera and Tianna, and Shaniel's garden... all around me! So grateful for my family and the memories of a loving daughter whose presence is missed every single day.
12. a daily habit
I have a daily habit! It's both good and bad. The good... I read from the scriptures every day. I also read from other good books when time allows. The bad... I always have a stack sitting on my night dresser. I don't like clutter!
13. Starts with "R"
Ritz crackers.... the perfect snack before bed!
14. fun
Decorating for Halloween is so much fun!
15. In my town
My town is located on along a stretch of highway known as the "Famous Fruitway". Hwy 89, Willard, Utah. There is only one store in town (I used to own), an elementary school, a church house, a barber shop, and a post office. There is no stop light. Willard Bay can be seen from our deck. The majestic Wasatch Mountains are in our back yard. We live in our orchard and are surrounded by the beauty of nature.
There are many fruit stands along the highway. This one is a self serve. I like it that we live in a rural place, among fellow farmers, trusting our neighbors and those who stop by to purchase a pumpkin or two!
16. on my mind
I recently bought a new printer and am now in the process of re-organizing my office closet to accommodate the new size. Hope I can find a place for everything!
17. messy
We have more Box Elder bugs this year than I have ever seen before. I had the Bug Nappers come and spray today. Now, they are dead or dying. The have created a huge mess on my front and side porches, on my driveway at the base of the garage, and in my window sills on both the inside and outside of the house.
18. light
I love how the light filters through this large Maple tree in Audrey's front yard. Today, the kids raked the leaves into a big pile, jumped in it, and took turns covering themselves up.
19. sometimes I....
just can't stop myself from snapping a picture! Yep... I've become my mother. Got to have a camera in my hand wherever I go. Today was Teri Bates, my niece's, Missionary Homecoming. She just returned from Lithuania on Friday. Her talk spoke to me! She has a sweet spirit about her.
20. outdoors
22. shiny
Just bought these shiny Christmas balls at Hobby Lobby for Shaniel's tree we will be decorating at the house this year. She loved bright colors and her personality was so colorful. They will be perfect!
23. a game I enjoy
Sardines! And wouldn't you know, Shaniel introduced us to the game. Every time she came home to visit she begged us to play Sardines. It wasn't hard to get us all on board because she made it so fun. She would take my hand and pull me up and before long I was hiding with the rest of the clan. Sardines became a fun tradition at our house. It is like playing Hide-n-Seek, except in reverse order. Thanks to my fun-loving daughter Shaniel, this is a game I enjoy! Thankfully I was able to get this picture of her hiding in the bathtub. It's a priceless treasure for me to look on with fond memories now that she is deceased. Oh... Shaniel, I would give anything to have you back. I can't wait to play with you again!
24. a different perspective
25. I love...
Brayden... he is such a joy! We went exploring together on Antelope Island. I got this picture of him running back from the beach where we could see Salt Lake City from. I love him.
26. delicate
An extreme close up shot of Utah State on my jacket sleeve. Just had my pictures taken in my new jacket among the beautiful fall colored trees on Old Main Hill.
28. texture
Temple Square has texture everywhere you look. From smooth to rough and everything in between. Texture could be seen in water ripples, crinkled leaves, bronze statues, architecture, walking paths, and plants. Some of my favorite spots on Temple Square are the reflecting pools, especially when they are "smooth as glass." This picture was taken at a reflecting pool in between the Church Office building and the Apostles building. It was a beautiful day on Temple Square today.
29. delicious
This soup recipe found on Pinterest is no trick! It is a delicious Broccoli Cheddar Soup. I served it to my visiting teaching ladies at a luncheon at my house the middle of October. Click here for the recipe.
30. orange
Ben is wearing the orange mask of Michaelangelo, Ninja Turtle. Audrey made it especially for him. Ben can be seen going about practicing his ninja turtle skills all day long. He is putting an end to those pesky spiders clinging to the sticky spider web out on the front porch. Bet you can't guess what Ben is going to be for Halloween!
31. a costume
I couldn't resist doing a freaky Halloween photo edit on a grandson's costume he put together from things around the house. Red paint, a black frizzy wig, and a white hoodie can be changed into the creepiest looking zombie. This zombie loves to smile!
My town is located on along a stretch of highway known as the "Famous Fruitway". Hwy 89, Willard, Utah. There is only one store in town (I used to own), an elementary school, a church house, a barber shop, and a post office. There is no stop light. Willard Bay can be seen from our deck. The majestic Wasatch Mountains are in our back yard. We live in our orchard and are surrounded by the beauty of nature.
There are many fruit stands along the highway. This one is a self serve. I like it that we live in a rural place, among fellow farmers, trusting our neighbors and those who stop by to purchase a pumpkin or two!
16. on my mind
I recently bought a new printer and am now in the process of re-organizing my office closet to accommodate the new size. Hope I can find a place for everything!
17. messy
We have more Box Elder bugs this year than I have ever seen before. I had the Bug Nappers come and spray today. Now, they are dead or dying. The have created a huge mess on my front and side porches, on my driveway at the base of the garage, and in my window sills on both the inside and outside of the house.
18. light
I love how the light filters through this large Maple tree in Audrey's front yard. Today, the kids raked the leaves into a big pile, jumped in it, and took turns covering themselves up.
19. sometimes I....
just can't stop myself from snapping a picture! Yep... I've become my mother. Got to have a camera in my hand wherever I go. Today was Teri Bates, my niece's, Missionary Homecoming. She just returned from Lithuania on Friday. Her talk spoke to me! She has a sweet spirit about her.
20. outdoors
I love, love, love my new painted RED door! The best outdoor project of the year.
The orange leave on our Maple trees are a sure sign of the season ! I was so excited about planting these trees in our yard. I wanted huge Maples across the bottom of the lawn to provide shade and beauty. Can't wait until the mature!
21. signs of the season
22. shiny
Just bought these shiny Christmas balls at Hobby Lobby for Shaniel's tree we will be decorating at the house this year. She loved bright colors and her personality was so colorful. They will be perfect!
23. a game I enjoy
Sardines! And wouldn't you know, Shaniel introduced us to the game. Every time she came home to visit she begged us to play Sardines. It wasn't hard to get us all on board because she made it so fun. She would take my hand and pull me up and before long I was hiding with the rest of the clan. Sardines became a fun tradition at our house. It is like playing Hide-n-Seek, except in reverse order. Thanks to my fun-loving daughter Shaniel, this is a game I enjoy! Thankfully I was able to get this picture of her hiding in the bathtub. It's a priceless treasure for me to look on with fond memories now that she is deceased. Oh... Shaniel, I would give anything to have you back. I can't wait to play with you again!
24. a different perspective
Looking at Salt Lake City from Antelope Island gives a different perspective. So cool!
25. I love...
Brayden... he is such a joy! We went exploring together on Antelope Island. I got this picture of him running back from the beach where we could see Salt Lake City from. I love him.
26. delicate
Dried colored leaves of fall are so fragile and delicate and so very lovely to look at.
27. extreme close up
An extreme close up shot of Utah State on my jacket sleeve. Just had my pictures taken in my new jacket among the beautiful fall colored trees on Old Main Hill.
28. texture
Temple Square has texture everywhere you look. From smooth to rough and everything in between. Texture could be seen in water ripples, crinkled leaves, bronze statues, architecture, walking paths, and plants. Some of my favorite spots on Temple Square are the reflecting pools, especially when they are "smooth as glass." This picture was taken at a reflecting pool in between the Church Office building and the Apostles building. It was a beautiful day on Temple Square today.
29. delicious
This soup recipe found on Pinterest is no trick! It is a delicious Broccoli Cheddar Soup. I served it to my visiting teaching ladies at a luncheon at my house the middle of October. Click here for the recipe.
30. orange
Ben is wearing the orange mask of Michaelangelo, Ninja Turtle. Audrey made it especially for him. Ben can be seen going about practicing his ninja turtle skills all day long. He is putting an end to those pesky spiders clinging to the sticky spider web out on the front porch. Bet you can't guess what Ben is going to be for Halloween!
31. a costume
I couldn't resist doing a freaky Halloween photo edit on a grandson's costume he put together from things around the house. Red paint, a black frizzy wig, and a white hoodie can be changed into the creepiest looking zombie. This zombie loves to smile!
Happy Howlloween!
