St. Louie

I had a wonderful week in St. Louis. It was nice to leave the 80 degree weather behind and enjoy some fall/winter weather. I loved wearing my warm and cozy sweaters, scarves, coats, and ugg boots. I was able to spend quality time with family and friends and get some R&R as well. A good friend is in the hospital with some complications with her pregnancy and it was a blessing to be able to help her. I left feeling refreshed and refueled!

Debbie

Visiting Avril in the hospital

Jacqueline, Carolyn, and the twins! I can't believe they are

10 months.

(I am holding Caden and Carolyn is holding Carson)

Caden

Lyndsay

Meghan

A few weeks ago on Extreme Makeover Home Edition the crew renovated this coffee shop in St. Louis for a very deserving disabled man. He is a precious Christian! It was fun to see it in person!

My sweet Mom

Enjoying a cozy fire

The Backyard Is Done

Kurtis has completed the backyard! I am in St. Louis and I can't wait to see it when I return. The pictures look great and I am so excited not to look at dirt anymore. We are looking forward to entertaining and having out of town company!

In St. Louis...Debbie

Jacqueline, Me, Caden, Carson, and Carolyn

Lyndsay

Dad in Tucson

My dad came out to visit us for a long weekend! We had a wonderful time with him and did a lot of fun things. We took a drive down to Tubac and looked at all of the shops and I showed my dad Tubac Golf & Spa Resort where Kurtis took me for our 1st Anniversary! We introduced my dad to a fun dice game called Farkle and I turned out to be the Farkle champion!. We all love playing games, so that was a fun way to spend our spare time. Blanco is one of Kurtis and my favorite restaurants. We enjoyed the yummy food and the beautiful view! We took a day trip to Sonoita, which is part of Arizona's wine country! It was a beautiful drive. I never thought Arizona would have wineries. We were a little skeptical, but were all surprised how much we enjoyed the wine tasting. It was fun to buy local wine. We hope to return some time soon!

Tubac

Dinner at Blanco

Kurtis & Dad

Lunch with Kurtis' parents and my dad at Paradise Bakery & Cafe!

Our first wine tasting in Sonoita!

UofA Homecoming

Last Saturday we went with our good friends Pete & Jenna' to the football game. Kurtis graduated from the UofA 5 years ago and it was fun to walk around the campus. We all went down early and got a bite to eat on University and then enjoyed the festivities. The ARIZONA Wildcats played USC...it was a close game, but we lost 10 to 17! At lease it wasn't a blowout!

Beer and food at Gentle Ben's

Wilbur & Wilma

Go Wildcats!

Warming-up!

Kurtis, Me, Pete, and Jenna'

Backyard Work-In-Progress

We decided to hire a landscaper to help us with the design of our backyard! Just this last weekend the mason started on the retaining wall for our planter and the border for our grass made out of pavers. The next steps include new irrigation, a custom rock fountain, exterior lighting, plants, grass, and rock! We are looking forward to entertaining in our new backyard!

The retaining wall

The wall is done...now it needs to be painted!

The mason leveling out the pavers for the border!

Autumn and Halloween Treats & Sweets

I love trying new recipes and CookingLight is a great place to get them. Autumn is one of my favorite seasons and I love seeing the leaves change and sipping on hot apple cider. I have been sad because the weather in Arizona has been so hot. I plan to take a trip back home (Mid-West) and will hopefully see all the beautiful leaves. Here are a few recipes I am going to make for some upcoming parties. They are simple, but fun and I think you will enjoy them!

Pumpkin-Cranberry Muffins

These moist muffins get a burst of sweet and sour notes from the cranberries. This recipe doubles easily to feed a crowd. These are best warm, but you can make ahead to jump-start holiday cooking. Bake up to one month in advance, and place in a heavy-duty zip-top plastic bag. Let the muffins thaw at room temperature, and then microwave at MEDIUM-HIGH about 30 seconds to heat through.
Ingredients
1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour (about 6 3/4 ounces)
1 teaspoon baking soda
3/4 teaspoon ground ginger
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/8 teaspoon ground cloves
1 cup granulated sugar
1 cup canned pumpkin
1/2 cup low-fat buttermilk
1/4 cup packed light brown sugar
2 tablespoons canola oil
1 large egg
2/3 cup sweetened dried cranberries, chopped (such as Crasins)
Preparation
Preheat oven to 375°.
Lightly spoon flour into dry measuring cups; level with a knife. Combine flour, baking soda, and next 5 ingredients (though cloves); stir well with a whisk.
Combine granulated sugar and next 5 ingredients (through egg) in a large bowl; beat with a mixer at medium speed until well blended (about 3 minutes). Add flour mixture to sugar mixture; beat at low speed just until combined. Fold in cranberries.
Place 12 paper muffin cup liners in muffin cups; coat liners with cooking spray. Spoon batter into prepared cups. Bake at 375° for 25 minutes or until muffins spring back when touched lightly in center. Remove muffins from pan immediately; place on a wire rack. Makes 1 dozen!

Witches' Hats

Ingredients
1 (4.25-ounce) tube orange or red decorating frosting
1 (11 1/2-ounce) package fudge-striped shortbread cookies (32 cookies)
1/2 (13-ounce) package milk chocolate kisses, unwrapped (32)
Preparation
Pipe a small mound of frosting in center of each chocolate-covered cookie bottom; press a chocolate kiss on frosting. Pipe a frosting band and bow around base of each kiss.

Caramel Apples

Ingredients
6 large Granny Smith apples
6 wooden craft sticks
1 (14-ounce) bag caramels, unwrapped
1 tablespoon vanilla extract
1 tablespoon water
2 cups chopped pecans, toasted
1 (12-ounce) bag semisweet chocolate morsels
Pecan halves (optional)
Preparation
Wash and dry apples; remove stems. Insert craft sticks into stem end of each apple; set aside.
Combine caramels, vanilla, and 1 tablespoon water in a microwave-safe glass bowl. Microwave on HIGH 90 seconds or until melted, stirring twice.
Dip each apple into the caramel mixture quickly, allowing excess caramel to drip off. Roll in chopped pecans; place on lightly greased wax paper. Chill at least 15 minutes.
Microwave chocolate morsels at HIGH 90 seconds or until melted, stirring twice; cool 5 minutes. Pour chocolate where craft sticks and apple meet, allowing chocolate to drip down sides of apples. Press pecan halves onto chocolate, if desired. Chill 15 minutes or until set.

A Big Project...Complete!

I just finished my wedding scrapbook! It took me over a year to complete. Wow! Given that it was such a huge task, now that it is done I feel almost sad. As I have done many pages I find the process very therapeutic and good for my soul. I have decided it is time to start a new scrapbook! The pictures below represent the last few pages of the scrapbook! Enjoy!

HOPE

Recently, some circumstances in the lives of a few girls I have invested in for many years have caused my heart to ache. During the painful times of my parents divorce, I never thought there could be good to come from it. 10+ years later I am thankful to come alongside these girls and cry with them, love them, and understand exactly what they are feeling.
Thank you for being a God of hope, a loving God, and a God who extends grace. Oh how I long for Heaven and I can't wait to have every tear wiped away!

Psalm 33:20-22
We wait in hope for the LORD;

he is our help and our shield.

In him our hearts rejoice,

for we trust in his holy name.
May your unfailing love rest upon us,

O LORD, even as we put our hope in you.

Last Weekend

I have been so bad about updating my blog! I have been feeling a little off/down and not wanting to journal or share my feelings online. So I am going to post some fun pictures from last weekend.

We celebrated our dear friend Chelsea's Birthday last Friday night! We had a great dinner out, enjoyed strawberry shortcake, and a night filled with games and laughter. We are very thankful for Chelsea's friendship!

Lara, Chelsea, Asher, Curt, and Kurtis

Sweet Asher praying!

Kurtis' parents invited us to the UofA football game! The ARIZONA Wildcats beat TOLEDO

41-16, what a game. It was quite hot and humid, but we had fun cheering on the Wildcats!

Getting ready for kick-off!

Warming-up

Papa Keith and Kurtis

Marilyn and Lara

Defense, Wildcats! Defense