san francisco... a nice treat

Did you know?  I am famous in San Francisco. 

While waitng for the MUNI (SF transit), I snapped a photo of me on a city billboard...

Who would have thought?

Here are a few photos of the city. 

It was great fun to explore.

garden fresh

A first for me.  I made homemade spaghetti sauce.  With Ryan's tomatoes and green peppers.

It took a long time, but it was kinda fun.  I may do it again.  We'll see how much we love the final product. 

Ta Da!!  I made 2 jars!

(And it was 11 pm when it was done simmering... I started it at 5)

handcrafted with love

My dad was at it again in his shop.  Crafting away at his latest gift for all his kids.  He made one of these for each of us 6, and our spouses.  It is a puzzle, a piece of art, and beautiful wood work.  And, it's really hard to put together.  Atleast for me! There are several ways that the pieces fit together, but so far, this is the only way I could get them all to fit!

finding my fire

"Everyone needs to find the one thing that brings out their passion.  It's what we do and share with the world that matters. I believe it's important that we leave our communities in better shape than we found them.  Far too many people die with a heart that's gone flat with indifference, and it surely must be a terrible way to go.  Life will offer us amazing opportunities, but we've got to be wide-awake to recognize them.  If there is one important thing in life, it is to find your true calling.  That's where true happiness and purpose lies.  You'll never be fufilled if you don't.  You've got to find your fire."

                                                                                                    -Tallulah

                                                                                                                                saving ceecee honeycutt, a novel

"Mrs. Odell once told me that forgiveness had a whole lot more to do with the person doing the forgiving than it did with the person in need of forgiveness.  She said that holding on to hurt and anger made about as much sense as hitting your head with a hammer and expecting the other person to get a headache."

                                                                                                     -Cecilia Rose

                                                                                                                            saving ceecee honeycutt, a novel


I love a phrase with substance.  Something to chew on for a good long while.  It's the reason I changed the title of this blog.

breaking bread with my girls

Raenie came into town for a short visit.  Only Alayna was able to share her visit...cuz she's special.  And, because she can still travel free.  All of us Foutz gals deciced to meet at Tuscany and share a meal together.  Lunch on the patio was fabulous.  I love this weather that we have been having! 

shed

Here is the shed that Ryan helped my dad build.  It still needs the trim and gutters, which will be done soon.

My dad was so anxious to help us get this extra space built before he left on another 18 month church mission. 

He loves to build, especially when he knows it is helping his kids save atleast 1K. 

Thanks to his and Ryans hard work, I now have a more spacious garage, and somewhere for patio furniture winter storage!  This is why I need men in my life. ;)

novice garden

  Except for the apple, which is from our tree, Ryan grew these all for me.  And the tomatoes and peppers keep coming.  Everyday he brings more in from his little garden.  He is so proud, and therefore, so am I.  Earlier in the summer, I came home from work, and Ryan told me that he had a surprise for me.  He took me out back and up to the garden area (which we have allowed to mostly just be weeds) and he proudly showed me his small little veggie plants that he had planted.  And most were tomatoes.  (he hates tomatoes... like really bad!)  I was so happy because I knew he did it just for me.  It's the small things that remind me that he loves me.  

red canyon storm

While in Southern UT, we took a drive up Red Canyon, which is outside of Bryce.  As we drove up, we could see a dark storm ahead, and as we drove into the darkened skies and the rain, we noticed the fierce rushing waters in which is usually a completely dry riverbed.  In a few minutes time the desert had turned into a river.  The water was so muddy red, and the campers on the opposite side of the riverbed were trapped.  It was a really cool storm, but amazing how scary things can turn in only a few moments. 





We had to wait in a long line of cars for awhile, and then as we got  further up the canyon, we realized why.

  



a mudslide! Half the road was filled with mud and rocks, so each lane had to take turns either going up or down.  I was surprised that an HP was already there to direct traffic. 

About 4 hours later, we drove back down that same canyon, and there was hardly evidence of the earlier storm.  

...mother nature at her best...

last time

Our annual camping trip to Cedar Mountain.  Although this was the 5th roughin' it outdoor experience, we are pretty resolved that it was our final.  At least in those neck of the woods.  Thank the Lord you can't see the bees or sense their intense presence in the photos, but they were swarming everywhere, making what should have been a relaxing getaway a very intense buzzing commotion the whole time. 

But, we made the best of it. 

Here are my comforts from home that we brought with us:

my shower

our bed

my bathroom

kitchen counters

stove and grill

our refrigerators

my pantry

bathroom sink

dryer

and my reading nook. 

Farewell Cedar Mountain.

At least we have photos of you.

what if

My family played a game together called "what if".

Everyone gets a small piece of paper and a pencil.

Each person writes "what if" followed by a statement.

For example: "what if my teeth turn green?"

Then one person in charge gathers all the papers and puts them into a bowl.

The bowl is passed around, and each person takes one of the papers,

making sure that they don't take their own.

On the flip side, they answer the question...however they choose. 

Silly or Serious.

The one in charge collects the papers again.

The bowl is passed for the final time.

All playing take a paper. 

One person starts by reading the "what if" question.

The person sitting to that persons right answers with the answer on their paper.

One time while we played I wrote the question: 

"What if Susan lost her voice permanently and could never talk again?"

The person to my right responded by reading their answer:

"All the choirs in heaven would sing praises"

It is a pretty funny game.

Those who don't know Suz wouldn't know what a jabber jaw she is.  She can talk about anything, and for hours.  So, even if the "what if " came true, she would find a way to talk.  Just look at her hair!  It will talk for her!   ;) It will be a different color each month that my bro is in Afghanistan.  Red represents the first month.