Fall Favorite

Food!

I love pumpkin foods, desserts specifically, and if you're crazy about them like I am, I have put together a list for you. I was laying in bed this afternoon with a stomach bug (another indication fall has begun! It's going around!) and listing what I thought were the best pumpkin desserts. Some of which you might have had, some might be a great experience for you. They are in order of 1. being super fantastic to 7. being fantastic, so you'll want to try them all. And if anyone out there knows other fantastic ones, leave comments!

1. Chris' Mom's homemade pumpkin pie (even with no sugar added like the 1st year Elaine!)

2. Olive Garden pumpkin cheesecake

3.  Taco Time's Pumpkin Empanadas

4. Maryanne's homemade pumpkin bread

5. Harmon's Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Cookies

6. Dreyer's Slow Churn Pumpkin Ice Cream

7. McDonald's little pumpkin pies (and cheap! 2/$1)

David Sedaris!

For Chris' Birthday I bought tickets to see David Sedaris, one of our favorite authors and commentators on NPR in "This American Life". We had a great time, it's the second time we've seen him live and just like last time he had us laughing until our stomachs hurt. If you've never read any of his books, I highly recommend them, they are collections of his essays and they will have you in stitches. Some of his books are: Me Talk Pretty One Day, Naked, Dress Your Family in Corduroy and Denim, When you are engulfed in Flames and Holidays on Ice. He seems to come to Salt Lake every couple of years and next time I am planning on spending a bit more for better seats (not that you really need them since he just talks) that are closer to the lobby because I want my book signed and to meet him. 

Chris and I at Abravanel Hall before David Sedaris came on stage.

The Octostache

This year Chris' brothers started celebrating a term, I am sure Stuart made up, called Octobeard. They were going to stop shaving for the month of October and go right on into No Shave November. Term made up by T. Chris, since he can not grow a beard due to work restrictions, could only grow a mustache. Therefore celebrating Octostache. Not as cool, we know, but it was the best he could do. Now, I have no idea where the other brothers are in this process at this late date in the month, but it has been driving Chris crazy the entire time. So yesterday, right after I got home from work, he had me take a photo for proof and then immediately shaved it off. Made me very happy that he was Octostache free for our date! And, as Chris kept telling me, "I feel like a cop in a very bad 70's movie." I'm not sure what was up with his shirt, but the chest hair sticking out certainly accentuates that profile, now where are my gold chains and aviators!!!

Accreditation Celebration!

On Saturday SkinScience had a party to celebrate that we were officially accredited with NACCAS meaning that we meet certain requirements to work with the US Department of Education for our students to receive financial aid. We got pizza and had 2 Wii's and Guitar Hero set up. We all had a really good time. Below are a few pics. Nothing super exciting, except for the first photo. Mike and his wife are my heros. It is so awesome that they were playing video games while their cute little girl was sleeping!

Haunting Memories

So, I am not sure why fall tends to be everyone's favorite season. I hate the knowledge fall brings that winter is inevitably going to come again and that by February I will be begging spring to arrive. However, there is a nostalgia around fall that does not come with the other seasons. Sure you get nostalgic at Thanksgiving and Christmas and maybe some other holidays, but not through a whole season like fall. So, I do have to say it is probably my favorite season and that I have thoroughly enjoyed watching our neighbor's pumpkins grow (they gave us some!), the smell and feeling of crisp cool air in the evenings, etc.

The Halloween I think about every year would have to be the Halloween I was probably 5 or 6 years old. In Boise, we would go trick or treating at the elementary school and then around to our friends houses in the ward, which, not being Utah, our parents has to drive us around, ward boundaries being unwalkable. Anyway, we went to our bishop's house, it had a big front porch with a life sized scarecrow on a rocking chair. We went up to the door, my sister was in front of me and I was standing by my dad next to the scarecrow. I have no idea what we were dressed up as, almost every detail of that night was scared out of my poor young moldable brain. And As we were standing there, as my sister was knocking on the door, the scarecrow said "Hello, Charity". Scared me to death. I ran screaming off the porch. For the next few years, no matter how much my family tried, I could not comprehend that it was just Bishop Porter dressed up as the scarecrow. I refused to go trick or treating at his house for years and when I saw Bishop Porter 10+ years later visiting, it was a topic of conversation. Maybe this is why I hate scarecrows to this day. Very small and short Halloween memory, but it became securely planted in my young mind. 

I'm a wuss, It is easy to scare me. I probably shouldn't put this out there for everyone, but there it is. I think this is why I have always had a hard time with Halloween. I don't think I saw the scary rides at Lagoon (Terroride and Dracula's Castle) until I was married. Not that I didn't ride them, but my mom always told me that if you get scared, just close your eyes. So I did, for almost 20 years. Well, this year I am turning over a new leaf. A new red and yellow leaf, if you will. I let Chris decorate our front yard like a cemetary (works really well with our wrought iron fencing and lack of grass) and next week I am going to a haunted village. Pray for me.... ha ha, no, just cross your fingers I don't scar Chris with my nails digging into his skin...

words to live by

So, for the first time since I started a blog I am touching on politics. It is only political due to who wrote the words below. I started a blog so that I could better document what goes on in our lives for our future children (I stink at journal writing, Chris though, every night). So, I vowed to keep politics and religion out of it for the most part. I don't think that will be a necessity in our blog, for our children will know from living in our household our political views and religion. If you really want to know where I stand on things, just check out my Facebook account. However, I do want my children to know where we stand on some social issues. Also, to know that, while it would be nice if things could always be defined in black and white, they are not and never will be. I run into shades of grey every day and it is the shades of grey that always touch my life the most and have shaped me into the person I am. These two quotes given by influential men really sum up a lot of what I believe...

"...We may not agree on abortion, but surely we can agree on reducing the number of unwanted pregnancies in this country.

The reality of gun ownership may be different for hunters in rural Ohio than they are for those plagued by gang violence in Cleveland, but don't tell me we can't uphold the Second Amendment while keeping AK-47s out of the hands of criminals.

I know there are differences on same-sex marriage, but surely we can agree that our gay and lesbian brothers and sisters deserve to visit the person they love in a hospital and to live lives free of discrimination.

You know, passions may fly on immigration, but I don't know anyone who benefits when a mother is separated from her infant child or an employer undercuts American wages by hiring illegal workers.

But this, too, is part of America's promise, the promise of a democracy where we can find the strength and grace to bridge divides and unite in common effort..."

~Senator Barack Obama

I object to violence because when it appears to do good, the good is only temporary; the evil it does is permanent. ~Mahatma Ghandi

Lord of the Flies...er, Lady that is

So, while it is an indisputable fact that our dogs are spoiled and we are aware of this. I want to give props to our Silly Sally. Even though she is crazy when we come home and she gets so excited that she knocks things over with her butt and tail. Even though, Chris and I learned what is was like to wake up in a urine soaked bed before having children when she developed incontinence. And even though sometimes I have to remind her that she is NOT over me in the pack. I have not owned a fly swatter since we got her 3 years ago. Now, I know what you are thinking, I either have a lot of flies buzzing around in my house or that I am lucky and they just don't come in. Nope. Sally can catch flies. They drive her crazy and it is really funny to watch her go at them. So, even though we joke about how she is a train wreck with legs and that she's just a little messed up for living with Perry the first 4 years of her life (Anyone who knows Perry will laugh and know we love the Hackers!). We love her and every fall it is funny to watch her catch flies inside and outside our house. I just always have to stop her when she finds a bee! 

FYI, the incontinence is treatable! She just gets estrogen supplements twice a week. According to our favorite vet, Dr. Gold, it is rather common in female dogs.

Happy Birthday Chris!

The face of a 30 year old

Meghan had these on her blog and I thought this would be great for Chris' birthday...

What's his name? Christopher Lee Lake

How long have we been married? coming up on 7 years

How long did we date? 3 1/2 months then engaged for 6

How old is he? 30 Today!

Who eats more? definitely him

Who said I love you first? him, while I was working at the University Guest House front desk one evening. Real romantic, said it across the desk to me. Then quickly left.

Who sings better? I'd like to think I do because of all my musical training, but he can definitely hold his own.

Who is smarter? really? definitely him

Whose Temper is worst? uh, mine. I have to really push to get him to lose his temper. He's very good at suppressing everything. He didn't even yell when I lost my wedding ring.

Who pays the bills? me. When we were engaged his mom talked to me at Seven Peaks and said "You have got to pay the bills. Chris will not pay attention to them and will use them as bookmarks." It's true.

Who does laundry? I do, my fault though, I started doing laundry for him when we were engaged and I am a control freak over my own clothes.

Who cooks dinner? Well, the last year with me in school, we tend to fend for ourselves, but he will do it if I ask. Both of us are not picky so we live on things like ramen, spaghetti, grilled cheese, etc. he can make a mean grilled cheese and tomato soup.

Who drives when together? Me so he can read his books

Who is more stubborn? He is definitely. He seems so congenial but I have learned that while he may be shaking his head yes, he'll then go off and do whatever he wants.

Who is the first to admit when wrong? I think we're both pretty good at apologizing when we take things out on each other.

Who wears the pants? neither of us, I'm amazed we get anything accomplished...

Who mows the lawn? we have a lawn? ...oh those weeds, he does

Who kissed first? he did on our third date and my friends were telling me we were moving to fast and it wouldn't work out. ha ha

Who proposed? he did up at Red Butte Gardens and he was so cute and surprised me, I didn't think he had a ring yet. Although, I was the one who brought up marriage first - we were on a walk and he had to sit on the curb and put his head between his knees.

What is my favorite thing about him? I have more than one, but every day I am so glad that he is so smart. He always makes me think and asks my opinion on things whether it be politics, history, religion, etc and it keep me on my toes and I am always learning. It was so important to me that I found someone that would challenge my brain. Our children will be adorable and ridiculously intelligent! And even though I complain about them taking over my house, I do like our 700+ books!

One of my favorite photos, the Sunday nap:

What A Woman Wants Show

This past weekend SkinScience Institute had a booth at the What A Woman Wants Show at the South Towne Expo Center. It is a really fun expo full of shopping and stuff that women like- scrapbooking, art, spas, etc. Chris' brother and his family came down while I was there so that we could look around together. They are so much fun, I am lucky to have great relationship with Chris' family. I really enjoy Christella, Daniel's wife, they married 5 months after us and i think we have a lot in common.

Kallee holding her frog purse she got at the expo:

Family Haircuts

Last week we all got haircuts, except Sally. She doesn't shed really bad and she lets me give her baths. So here are the photos of the hairdo's we're now sporting, although Chris doesn't look much different. The first couple days after Scotty was shaved, I felt so bad, he just doesn't look right. But the amount of fur EVERYWHERE was driving me nuts. It is so much nicer now. I can't call him my Fluffy Buddy right now, but twice a year when the weather changes it is definitely worth it. 

Scotty's before and after photos:

Chris and Sally: