Here They are

My two oldest opted out this year so it's just the three of us. I think we look pretty good.

Yummy

This is the Caramel Apple Cider that I serve to adults who come with their children trick or treating. It's super yummy and keeps your hands warm on a cool night.

Recipe for Caramel Apple Cider

4 quarts- apple juice
1 quart-Cranberry juice
1/2 can-frozen orange juice concentrate
3 T cinnamon (you can also use cinnamon sticks)
1/2 t ground clove
1/4 t nutmeg

Make early and allow to steep during the afternoon, will be great during trick or treating

Top with whipped topping and caramel

Serve in Styrofoam cup or it will burn your hands as you carry it.

The New Indentured Servant

I have attended a few political meetings in the past week or so and come away with a new theory. I have come to believe that those who hold public office have become the new indentured servants. Think back to your history lessons in school and remember the chapter on slavery. A small section of that typically included a description of the indentured servant. If you remember correctly, indentured servants were those who sold themselves as cheap labor for a variety of reasons and at some point were set free after a contracted amount of time. Accounts of indentured servitude typically consist of conditions tantamount to slavery. Poor treatment by those who "owned" said servants often leads the list of negative aspects of this practice. As I listen to the constituents of various politicians complain and place ever increasing demands on their representatives, I can't help but feel that these elected officials are expected to work miracles in poor to miserable circumstances all the while taking severe beatings from those who "own" them. Don't get me wrong, I don't for one minute think politicians are the pillars of community they are intended to be (with exceptions, of course.) But I can't help but wonder, have we created our own monsters by treating good people (I'm giving them the benefit of the doubt) so abusively that we turn them into the shady, cynical politicos they seem to be?
There is much online about indentured servitude and it's origins. One website goes so far as to say "Wherever you find slavery, you first find indentures."

My point is this-if we want good people to seek election, shouldn't we treat our elected officials like they're good people?

Here's a little impromptu dance party we had today. Notice how my daughter can shake it!

Getting Ready

Halloween Fun!

Hey Good Lookin'

We had some fun in the kitchen today! We got "Booed" a few days ago (someone drops off a plate of cookies with a poem and the request that you share the same poem and a new plate of cookies with three other families.) so we were making our cookies to deliver when it got dark. It was fun to look down and see a chocolate face smiling back at me.






We made turtle cookies which are so fun and easy because you cook them on the waffle iron. Here's the recipe from my friend Jessica:

Turtle Cookies
1 C melted butter
1 1/2 C sugar
4 eggs, beaten
2/3 C cocoa
2 C flour
2 t vanilla

Beat butter, sugar and eggs. Add cocoa, flour and vanilla. Drop by spoon fulls on hot waffle iron, sprayed with Pam. Close and bake for one minute. Frost with chocolate frosting.

Chocolate Frosting

1 lb. pd. sugar
1 Cube butter, soft
1/4-1/2 C cocoa
1 t vanilla
1/3 C milk

Combine until smooth

To Maureen

So about a year ago I posted about and anti-Mormon tantrum that took place on a national television show. I can't remember the man's name but I remember that I wrote I was surprised to hear someone so verbally caustic about Mormon's in general and that I had never experienced that before. I went on to discuss how surprised I was at what I really felt to be hate for what I believe in.

I had a comment from a woman I've never met who questioned me about what I believe and really, I feel, continued the attack on the LDS faith. Over the course of a few days we exchanged comments and ultimately I concluded my end of the discussion. I have been told by other readers that there is another comment from her but I have never read it. I chose to let it go, it bothered me so much.

For several weeks after I had a lot to think about and I pondered, quite extensively, what I thought about our exchange. It was the first time in my life that I have ever been "called to the mat" to defend my beliefs. I look back now and wish I had not been so afraid of her misunderstanding as to keep me from really expressing myself. The exchange ultimately caused me to develop more confidence in talking about what I believe to be true.

I have thought about that post and the subsequent comments often throughout this year and developed a deep appreciation for that exchange. I am a better person for it and I'm thankful that it caused me to really look at my willingness to share my beliefs but also to accept others for theirs. It has taken me this long to be able to say "thank you Maureen" for providing a learning opportunity.

Had a great chance to attend a town meeting tonight on some bond issues we've got coming up. Got some clarification on a few things. I'm still undecided about Bond 1, it's just got a nasty mix of necessary things and pork.
The cemetery bond is a no-go for me. The land that the city wants to purchase is way too expensive and it has been known for some time to have pretty severe water table issues. Not a good place for a cemetery. The Art-Dye park will have to wait. It's a great idea (with a little thorn in my side about the Art-Dye trail) but with the economy as it is, it's just too much right now.
The 560 W bill is another no-go. (the most expensive) It's a better idea to put a light or round-a-bout on 400 W. It's also not very clear in the pamphlet on what the other two rail-road crossing closings will be. It turns out that UDOT/UP wants AF to foot the bill for the (very premature) preparations on the future TRAX line by re-routing traffic and putting in lights. I say if they paid for it up north, they ought to pay for it here.

I've come to realize politics isn't about knowing everything. It's about learning as much as you can, making the best decision and then being able to say why you are going to stick with it. Sometimes the decision you make will be unpopular but I like to remind myself that the men who founded this country spent many hours debating and rebuffing each other's ideas. I think that we should spend less time worrying that our opinions might offend, and more time sharing what we know, even if it's only a small amount. I hope we decide as a community/country that it's okay to debate and express ideas about the direction of our society. I think we'll get a lot more done.

Yeah, this is probably true.

You Are Monday

Like this day of the week, you are ruled by the moon. More than anything, you are flexible. You are moody and impressionable. You are easily influenced by the world around you. And while you can be temperamental, you eventually adjust. While Mondays tend to be the hardest day for people, you don't mind getting back to regular life. You're the one waking up early and making the coffee while everyone else complains.

What Day of the Week Are You?

Trash Receptical

I just wanted to confirm that the old cliche about boys putting everything in their pockets is true. This is what I had left from their two loads of laundry. Looks like we need to have another lesson on where to put our garbage.

Huh?

A conversation I had with my daughter yesterday-

(her) "I'm a princess, you're a prince."

(me)-"I'm a girl, I can't be a prince. I'm a queen and daddy's a king and you're a princess."

(her) "I'm not a princess and you're not a queen and daddy's not a chihuahua."





I'm still confused.

New Space

I'm finally getting around to posting pics of the new house. Here's the front and entry way.




Here's the kitchen and the front room along with what I call the fireplace room.






And finally the boys bath, master bath and of course, my daughter's bedroom (can you say Pinkalicious?)








I'm still getting around to decorating as you can see but all in good time. We're enjoying the new space and hoping to live up to this blessing.

What's That Smell?

So this is just a really great idea. If we can eliminate %50 of cow's methane emissions by just adding garlic that's just awesome!

Tinsle Town

I was working out this morning and watching an old episode of "The West Wing". Great show! It was the one where the president is shot and so is Josh Lyman, one of his staff. During the hours of Josh's surgery you go on flashbacks of the past campaign. In each scene different staff members are seen leaving their jobs, changing their lives to come be a part of this man's campaign. Not because he's going to win, not because he's more attractive or has made no mistakes but because he has good ideas and is truly interested in the betterment of his country.

This is what I want, the Hollywood version of the White House. Where is the man who wants to make his country better? Where is the staff who want to work for him because he is good? Where is the candidate who hasn't surrounded himself with those who have bankrupted companies. Where is the candidate who isn't surrounded by war mongers?

I will vote in this election and will, in my mind, choose the lesser of the two evils. But the next day I will begin praying that somewhere, some man or woman will begin to be prepared to lead our country and that when the time comes, I will be able recognize him or her for who he/she truly is.

Musical Monday-Annoying Children's Songs

You hate them but your children love them! Here are the most annoying songs I could think of just because it's a Monday and I'm feeling sassy.

T.P.

This is just one more reason I love my new house-

The "No Excuses" toilet paper holder.

Say My Name

You can call me Mary P. because my house looks practically perfect in every way right now. It's a rare day when it all comes together so I'm going to brag, brag, brag! Yee haw, now I just need to keep the kids outside forever and it's all good!

No Way!

It worked! It really did. I was surprised that is was as effective as it was. The only drawback that I could tell was that it seemed to only last for about four hours. Either way, it's lots cheaper than cough syrup and far less invasive to the internal organs since it doesn't have to be processed through the liver, kidneys and whatever else.
I'll definitely keep a jar on hand this winter.

...But on Your Feet?

My mom sent me an email a few weeks back about an unusual cough remedy- Vicks Vaporub on the feet! My son has developed a pretty good cough over the last couple of days so I'm giving this a try. I put a healthy dollop of Vaporub on the bottom of his feet and put his sock back on. He's been instructed to just take it easy for a while. I have to admit, I'm curious.

It Rained

Bless the heavens above, it rained this weekend! In fact, Saturday it rained from early morning to after midnight the following morning. It caused soccer games to be canceled and everyone to stay inside.
I did venture out to buy some books and found myself spending the better part of the day reading. I finished one book and started another. My kiddos played and watched a movie and we all enjoyed the day. It was what I call a mental health weekend.


Here is the book I read, just in case you're interested.

Moment of Truth

I watched the debate last night, Sarah Palin did pretty well although I think the truly knowledgeable debater was Biden. I have to say I've enjoyed the two debates I've seen thus far. It feels like they are actually doing what debates were intended to do. I've come away feeling like I've learned a little something, not just witnessed a verbal version of WWE Monday Night Smackdown.

Unfortunately I don't feel any better about the candidates.

My one ray of hope is my perception that more Americans are interested and educating themselves about where our country is and about those who would ask for our votes to lead it. I couldn't help but think last night that now is the time for Americans to be the people the Founders of our nation thought we would be; actively interested in the welfare of our country, anxiously engaged in it's future and well-being, participants in the events of democracy. I think many feel the way I do when I say this seems to be a turning point for us. We can choose to make our country better or allow it to sink into the abyss of apathy and corruption. My vote is to make it better. Now, if we can just select the best leader.

Well Said

During our tour of the Capitol I was able to see many of our nations leaders immortalized in sculpture. One such sculpture touched me deeply with it's engraving of the subject's words. The statue is of Miss. Frances Willard, a major leader in the women's suffrage movement. I had to read through most of the congressional record of the acceptance of her statue in order to find this beautiful sentiment and had the opportunity to learn more about her. She was an amazing woman. Here are her words:

“Ah! It is to women who have given the costliest hostages to fortune. Out into the battle of life they have sent their best beloved, with fearful odds against them. Oh, by the dangers they have dared; by the hours of patient watching over beds where helpless children lay; by the incense of ten thousand prayers wafted from their gentle lips to heaven, I charge you give them power to protect along life’s treacherous highway those whom they have so loved.” –Frances Willard

What a beautiful testament to the role of mothers.

A Source of Aggravation

In the process of moving I have had the indescribable pleasure of dealing with many service reps via the telephone and Internet. Some are pretty okay to deal with, others-not so much. With the overlap of bills from my current address to my new, I have missed a couple of bills. I hate getting late notices in the mail. It makes my heart beat fast and my eyes tear up and I swear someone is waiting at the door to take me to jail. I am very good about righting situations like this and always call as soon as I am notified. What really gets me is how the service representatives treat me. I've dealt with the "you must be a delinquent felon" attitude and the "I don't care what you say, we're right, you're wrong" attitude and my personal favorite, the "I'm having a bad day and you will pay for it." attitude. I've been in tears many times and one such time I had to hang up because I was so frustrated I couldn't speak. (I cry when I get frustrated.) I truly believe that it is because of these people that the bumper sticker "Mean people suck!" was invented!

I feel a little better now.