dinner in a pumpkin...

Oh, the sweet crispness of fall, how I love this time of year!

A common question we've all been asked: What is your favorite season?

Mine?

I have so much love for every season.

I enjoy running through rainstorms, and the blossoms of spring...

I love the pure freedom of summer, the beach, the lakes, the farmer's markets, and the trips...

I love fall, but am always surprised by its actual arrival, since the anticipation feels so long. Then there are the few glorious weeks of sweaters and boots and autumn-colored mountains and soup, and then...

Snow! Oh how I love me some snow. I pray for it... I can sense when its coming... The whole world changes when it snows- its softened in a way- so clean and beautiful. It ALWAYS snows on my birthday. In fact, it has always snowed on significant days- baptism (huge storm, making family members' traveling difficult, {sorry}) , wedding (huge blizzard, again sorry folks), birthdates of both my kids in February and November... It really is magical and I love it.

But back to fall.... isn't it lovely?

The motivating feeling of a fresh new school year, even though we're not in school {sigh of relief!} that makes me want to re-organize and re-prioritize! and General Conference! and halloween costumes and decorations! and dinners outside, up the canyon- basically a lot of family togetherness!

There is one thing about this time of year that I always DREADED.

Dinner in a pumpkin.

Ever since mrs. Martha showed this recipe for stew in a pumpkin, it has become more and more popular. she has made it seem glamorous and desirable. dare I say, trendy.

Back in the days of just Cari and Austin, and then Brady too... we knew that on halloween night, amongst all the festivities and candy collecting, we would be required to partake of the most disgusting meal on the planet. I'm gagging right now thinking about it.

I googled "dinner in a pumpkin" and the image results were too disturbing, but this is pretty similar, with grey ground beef and chunks of celery. I'm dry heaving again, must stop describing...

We weren't allowed to participate in any of the trickortreatering until we had finished up our entire ration of the slop. Oh it was bad. both of my parents won't say whether or not they ever ate it... and it probably is worse in my memory than in actuality, but you can ask austin- it was awful.

SIDENOTE: for a comical take on Halloween, please find Jerry Seinfeld's book, or even better watch his standup about it! ("what did you say? someone's giving out candy? who's giving out candy? everyone we know is just giving out candy? where? when? I gotta be a part of this! I'll do anything... ... I can wear that.") :)

In spite of the tragic meal tradition, my halloween memories are great ones... My parents were SO creative with our costumes, and went all out. They were amazing!

I'm Turning Japanese, I think I'm turning Japanese,

I really think so.

with the nickname care bear,

this costume was a no-brainer...

(and yes, I still answer to 'bear')

(wizard of oz theme with dad as scarecrow and mom as witch)

Little Miss Muffet and the Spider: (and mom rockin the 80's fashion)

I had to put this picture in - Austin's spider face makes me laugh out loud:

The tooth fairy and tube of toothpaste- always a crowd pleaser:

Austin's head was naturally perfect for the role of frankenstein.

and my temperament was obviously fitting for my wicked witch get-up...

Such good times! Such good memories! It's fun to go through the old photos and think back to 20 years ago...

and this one I don't think was a halloween costume, but I have so many pictures of me as a cowboy or cowgirl (depending on hairstyle/length!) My mom's Texas pride runs deep...

Speaking of my mom, and the reason why I was thinking about Dinner in a Pumpkin today...

It's my mom's birthday!

September 24th!

Last year we did a big ol' shebang with lots of family and friends, and even her parents who flew up from Houston to surprise her... and this year will probably be a lot more low-key

{I'm kind of relieved since last year I was a basket-case trying to keep all the plans a secret, and doing invites, and rsvps, and super-spy work, and making food and her giant cake... yes very relieved!} BUT, we will be celebrating her fabulousness... and Jaac is demanding that we make her a cake WITH a candle :)

She is an amazing woman...

She has an enormous heart, and a gift of empathy greater than anyone I've ever met...

She loves traditions and decorations and hostessing and quotes, and dishes and cakeplates...

:)

We love her. She always gave us our vitamins, encouraged us, and taught us the gospel.

She puts up with my headstrongness, and chaotic approach to life, austin's sarcasm and raptor impersonations, brady's 'bardy' moments, gabby's desire to act 18 when she's really 13, and Natalie's decision to stay 12 forever. She is the perfect mom for our family, and we are lucky to have her.

She looks for the miracles in life, and like Albert Einstein said: "There are only two ways to live your life. One is as though nothing is a miracle. The other is as though everything is a miracle."

(she probably has that quote in vinyl lettering somewhere and I haven't noticed it yet... !)

Mom, I hope this year brings you many miracles, and that you enjoy it!

I love you.... Happy Birthday!

And to everyone else, happy fall!