Fall, Family, Friends and Fur-babies!

I love the fall! What a beautiful time of year, with the leaves changing colors and the weather cooling off! I was raised in Arizona, and the first thirteen years after I married was spent in Las Vegas, so the actual changing of the seasons will always feel new and magical to me! I love my Arizona roots, don’t get me wrong! I miss all my wonderful family, and the beauty of the desert that I don’t think I truly appreciated until I left. I never really experienced fall until I was in my 30’s and living in northern Utah. The leaves change to beautiful oranges and yellows, colors I can see the best, and begin to “fall” off the trees (so funny to me that we affectionately call autumn fall because of that). The leaves leave a messy, but beautiful tapestry of color over the previously green grass. The weather cools off and people begin to gather inside instead of out. Sweaters and sweatshirts come out of the closet, and we all begin to get ready for the holidays! The fall is a beautiful start to a new school-year and the beginning of a truly wonderful holiday season!

Speaking of holidays, Halloween was much more fun when my girls were younger and we had costumes and parties to plan! This year, as we have been working hard on the floors and baseboards, I didn’t really do anything other than buy a few bags of candy to pass out. That being said, my neighbors (and friends, of course),who live on either side of me decorated for Halloween! Andrea, who has been my neighbors for four years, loves Halloween and decorates hugely each year! Her husband, Steve, isn’t a fan, but helps anyway. Andrea’s mother got her into decorating for Halloween as a child, and her good memories have influenced her! On Halloween morning she says she feels like a little kid waking up on Christmas morning! She’s so excited and loves making it fun for all the kids and neighbors. I, personally, saw cars slowing down to take a good look at her yard! Yvette and Keven are my neighbors on the other side, and this is their first year being able to decorate! They moved in this summer after moving out of a little townhouse or apartment. Yvette made her pumpkin arch! I love it and am so impressed! I truly have wonderful neighbors, and won’t be moving anytime soon because of them!

Thanksgiving was wonderful! Anthony and Amanda helped me make rolls and mashed potatoes. The rolls are a big deal to me. I haven’t made them for a lot of years because I spent all of Christmas Eve one year making them, and my flour was stale, so they tasted bad. I was soooooo mad! It’s a yummy recipe my Aunt Diane and Mom made when I was growing up. I looked forward to the rolls every holiday! Anyway, this year I made sure everything was super fresh and they turned out fabulous! My Mom made the turkey and we had a wonderful Thanksgiving together! My Katelynn and Gabe were with his family in Pocatello, but we talked with them and enjoyed everyone here! Even my amazing friend from Vegas, Leane, came and spent time with us that weekend (she plans to move here permanently next summer). It was a wonderful family time!

For some extra family fun this year, my cousin Linda, in Burley, invited my Mom and the girls and I to dip chocolates with her girls and their families. I wish I had better pictures, but all I’ve got is what Linda shared with me. I forgot to take pictures! It was really a great time! My family is so extensive on my Mom’s side, and since her sister, Lovel died a couple of years ago, we were afraid that we would lose track of our Idaho family! I am very thankful that Linda is trying to keep us close as a family! I love my large extended family! Oh…… and the chocolates turned out great!

As for fur-babies, I have three! They are always happy to see me, and bring so much happiness to my life! I have Holly, who is ten years old and was given to us by my sweet Burley cousin, Linda (yes, my cousin who invited us to dip chocolates this year)! Holly is so incredibly sweet, and is happy if she can just snuggle next to someone she loves. I have, my smooshy-nosed boy dog, who loves to supervise Penny and steal her toys. He just sets them in front of him and growls when Penny gets near. He’s nine years old, and it took some doggy depression meds to get him to accept Penny when she came. He’s my old man dog, but so cute and smooshy that he gets away with a little grumpiness! Penny is my seven pound bundle of energy! I always say that her redeeming quality is cuteness. She would be happy if all she did all day was chase her toy. I have never had a dog as obsessed with fetch as she is!

Well, this post got a little long, as I haven’t had time or energy to post for a while! I hope it’s not too boring to read. Life is good, and as I focus on the good parts, the hard parts get a little easier! Thank you all for being a good part of my life! I hope your holiday season is going great! Sending you all my love!

Heidi