Beautiful Nieces / Great Photographer

I have some beautiful nieces. Here are two examples. Not only that but they are incredibly photogenic. This year they have had a few photo shoots with a talented photographer from Meredith Photography. They've both been featured on the Meredith Photography blog: Sisters and Time to Graduate. So whether you need some models or a photographer, you've come to the right place.

Happy Thanksgiving!

It's that time of the year where we share good times with good friends and family and a key part of that is the good food. Each year I get an assignment or volunteer to make something for our Thanksgiving dinner. This year I had been flipping through a Sunset magazine and saw what looked like a new twist on the traditional pumpkin pie. I've made plenty of pumpkin pies in the past so I wanted to do something a little different. I feel this way each year. Last year a made a cranberry cream pie just to try something different. But this years twist was just making a crumble that tops the pie.

Here's what I did:

For the pie crust, I just buy the pre-made frozen kind. I might be adventurous but that that adventurous yet.

For the pumpkin pie filling I just follow the recipe on the pumpkin can. Nothing tricky there.

But here's where the twist comes in. Before I put the pies in the oven, I sprinkled Walnut Streusel (with pecans instead of walnuts) over the top. Here's how you make the streusel:

Walnut (or Pecan) Streusel

Ingredients:

• 1/2 cup brown sugar


• 1/2 cup rolled oats


• 1/2 cup chopped walnuts (or pecans)


• 1/4 cup all-purpose flour


• 1/4 cup butter (now that I think about it I might have doubled the butter, oops!)


• 1/2 tsp cinnamon


• 1/2 tsp nutmeg

Directions:

Combine all ingredients. Mix until crumbly. Should make about 2 cups. Sprinkle evenly the streusel on top of the pumpkin pie mixture and bake like regular.

Okay, mind you, I haven't tasted my new Pumpkin Streusel Pie yet. But I am pretty sure that it will be delicious!

Words to Live By

Today I was blog stalking the wife of my brother's friend, rabidrunner. Today she quoted someone that spoke in her church meetings on the previous Sunday. Here is what the speaker said:

We define ourselves by our actions in dark times.

Very simple but yet very profound. I decided to incorporate it into my desktop wallpaper. And then felt the need to share it on my blog. I'm sure I (and probably you) have heard similar statements to this one, but for some reason this time I was quite inspired by it. I find the statment very true. It makes me then think how I am defining myself. So with this reminder on my computer screen I am hopeful to be reminded that my actions show my true character. Maybe this quote can help you too. Or maybe you've already got that mastered. If so, good job!

FHE - Rock Band

This week we had family home evening at my house because the guy who was supposed to host it had a hot date. (At our age, that's a legit excuse.) So I had to come up with something quick. Rock Band always seems to be a crowd pleaser and Nick was generous enough to let me borrow his system and the game. (Thanks Nick!) Rock Band at FHE was a hit. We had 14 people as opposed to the normal 6 to 8. We had a few new people visiting FHE for the first time. It's always great to meet new people. The more the merrier, right? And of course there were drinks and snacks. Can't forget those. Here's some of the action photos.

St. George Singles Weekend

Last weekend I got to spend several days with a few other single friends in St. George. My friend, Lindsay, planned the whole thing. She's amazing. It was a little out of character for me to go but I decided that I should go and that it would really be fun. I was right. I had a great time. Fortunately Lindsay had access to a vacation home in which we stayed. It's a 3 bedroom house with several couches and air mattresses. There were 7 of us that stayed at the house: 4 girls and 3 guys. Plus another friend stayed near by and came over a break breakfast out and a hike. We did a little eating out. Okay, that was a lie. We did a lot of eating out: Famous Dave's, Bear Paw, and Ruby River. There was some hot-tubbing, lots or movies, some card playing, and lots of Arrested Development. We all went away anxious for the next trip. Good times!