Like I Said

The warm nights are diminishing and the calm cool is tip-toeing in. Tip-toeing? Did you know I was talented at writing? Good grief. That is horrible but I just read an awesome book so I thought I would try and be poetic.
Moving on.
For reals, though, y'all, it's gettin way nice at night now. (That's better)
The other night whilst watching yet another soccer practice, the sun was perfectly behind this goal frame, shading my face for a few precious moments (I sure love it when it gets behind those mountains instead of in my face).
Looks like my attempt to have a peaceful, insightful comment with this picture is so not going to happen. What I meant to say was:
Ahhh... beautiful evenings as summer closes.

Starring

TaDa!
Scott's name is in lights!
It is so exciting to see the final touches coming together in all the office relocating. Scott has been balancing so many things... I'm amazed he can keep things straight. The new location in the North West is almost done and looking great.
And they finally got the signage done at the already open South West location.
Woowoo! Way to go, S!

FunFunFun

September is going out with a bang. These last two weeks we've had day to day things happening. Some normal/ boring stuff, some fun/seasonal stuff, and some exciting/lucky stuff.
From the Fun/Seasonal category last week: Interbike. Always a candy store to walk around and check out. I still love all the color that is blooming. Even Neon bikes!
From the Exciting/Lucky category: Phoenix passed through town so we went with some friends. I was just as excited to see Neon Indian open but they were a little anti climactic - what you'd expect from chill wave, I guess. They did don a guitar that lit up (see pic) so they get points for that. But Phoenix sounded AMAZING and they played a good mix of old and new. We'd never been to the Palms before and that venue was smaller than I thought- so double bonus.
Also last week was book club. This month we read The Forgotten Garden by Kate Morton. I enjoyed the book a great deal and highly recommend it. The food theme was anything 'fall' flavors but the night before I had a vision to make meringue mushrooms and that is where my Thursday went. Making this darn cake. Actually, the mushrooms were the easy part- it was fitting in a homemade cake as well that took more time. I am so starved for creative windows that when I find a reason to require it, I have no self control. This was way fun to do. It is a little brown and blah but I did not have the energy to make green frosting and pipe grass knolls around. Take it to the next level, readers! You can do it.
Now we have more fun and music around the corner.... Yippee!

Follow Follow Me

I've had this in my downloads and forgot to share it.
This was on the wall when the kids started school and it stopped me in my tracks. I loved it! How fun to walk around art like this in the halls.

Lotoja 2010

Lotoja this year was great fun.
I actually forgot my camera so you'll have to enjoy pics from the phone for these memories. And not many at that! I am getting lazy in my memory keeping me thinks.
This trip we tried more new things. A highlight of which was our stay at the Anniversary Inn in Logan. This place had different themed rooms and Scott and I were in the "Lost In Space" room. It was a riot. Black lights lit up the space wall murals everywhere and we had the coolest toilet EVER. It's the big, chrome pillar you see here with a door. While within the 'transport', you are encompassed with dials and blinking lights. That night after dinner we had a room tour and visited everyone's different themed rooms. We started with a European Vacation and then went Under The Sea (WOW- we got some good stories on that one- the bed was a boat) and finished with an Arctic Adventure. What a way to kick of the race!
The next morning we were up early to begin the race. I did a leg with some other friends so I took off before our group. I thought it would be freezing but it was perfect and I felt good throughout. This is the second time I have done the first leg of the race and love it because it's flat and fast.
Then the caravan of the day, following each team mate along and whooping from the car. We were lucky to have beautiful weather all day. Other than some traffic frustrations, we didn't encounter any problems and all were safe and well. The guys made great time and came in 6th place this year. Movin' up!
After the race, we all checked in to our (awesome!) hotel and then ate one of the most delicious meals we've had yet on these trips at Osteria. YUM.
Most everyone in our group had to head back after breakfast the next morning except for Rich & Randi so we hung out with them all day relaxing in Jackson. Then Monday we headed back to Provo. One of our good friends and relay team members, Shep, had an open house for his new salon space that evening so we were happy to be in town to attend that, followed by some Thai with R&R.
Scott and I had a nice bike ride the next morning and I gasped when I looked up and saw all the colorful trees. So beautiful! Then we met my parents for lunch before going home.
I love spending this weekend with Scott as we drive, being with great friends and family, making new memories and enjoying the beauty up there. Another great summer end cap!

Do Wait, Dahling

We're back from our fun Lotoja weekend but I don't have time now to post it so until then, these charming Lake photos must do, dears, must do.
(I'm behind on a few others as well)
While scouring for Juls Bday pic I found these from our summer trip. I thought you could use a good laugh.
Or inspiration? Maybe I should overlay a motivational word in large letters, like "Courage", "Grace" or "Idiocy".
Hm. It's a toss up. They all work...

Happy Birthday JULS!

Obviously I've been pulling from the Powell pics lately. How could I resist this photo when posting a Bday photo for Julia? The girl never takes a bad shot! So, as my sisterly duty to undermine her beauty, I chose this one. Not that it worked. She still looks good even at the Lake. Meh.
Juls, HAPPY BIRTHDAY!
Do you like the hat I gave you? I think Cody LOVES it.
I hope you have a great Birthday!
Thanks for being my awesome sis.
We are kindred and I love you eversomuch.
xoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxo!

Happy Birthday BreeOHN!

Yesterday my Dad turned 60.
SIXTY YEARS OLD!
He is so not old that I had to beard his Bday photo just for the contradiction.
My Dad is awesome. I LOVELOVELOVE him.
He is one of my best friends.
Full of energy, hardworking, always willing to listen and help, gives great counsel and jokes and I could go on and on.
Dad, I love you through the smellies. Thanks for being such a good example to me (except for that weird hat. Don't know where you got that...).
Here are to many more young years ahead!

Cool Crew

Ah. Fall Fashion.
There I was. In my kitchen, going through my stack of put off mail and came to the latest Jcrew. Sweet. As usual, things I loved and in great colors. But also pages that beg the question, "What the...?". I thought it would be fun to share my inner dialogue with you. Luckeeee!
My latest catalog review of a brand that has been with me since Jr. High (ordering men's polo & rugby shirts - obviously I'm not much of a feminine, frilly girl).
It's classic, modern and inspiring. And as with all things fashion, sometimes wacky.
Let's begin, shall weeee?
Class, you may open your textbooks.
I really liked the textures in the first few pages- the satins and wool... but stopped at my first 'what-the'. This scarf thing looks like a shaggy poodle. Pardon me- it's called a 'Mongolian Lamb Stole'. Can you see me wearing that when I pick up my kids at school? Hmm.... I ... don't... know..... I think I'll pass.

Few more pages in and stopped at the Cashmere section. Woot! They are making cashmere hoodies again! And the colors are fab. Now I just need to rob a bank.
PS- I want to brave this look of rolled hems. But not so sure about it with the oxford flats. I can't help but think she looks like she's going to break out and sing something from Newsies.

OK. This thing. This weird, collared "popover" thing. It's reversible. It's different. It's... kind of cool. It's also a freaking $1,200. What??!?! Um. PASS. I do love her slim trousers, though.

Speaking of slim trousers, these are awesome. I love the boots, too. They've had great shoes lately. Erg! (Pass on the cat coat. Achoo! Sorry, just not seeing it)

And slim trousahs with booties and wooly socks? I like it. Still am not convinced on the socks and heeled sandals thing, but this is fly.

Speaking of slim, this model needs some food, stat. Look at her thighs! She's gonna snap in half.

Ah. The classic hop-kick Jcrew pose. This ensemble is adorable. Anyone heard of MiH jeans? The marketing is working on me. If I can look like her, I'll try'em. That color of blue is great.

Ok. WOW. Seriously. SERIOUSLY?? You have got to be kidding. And what is that? lipstick eye black?

And enter the mens section. Yummers. Josh in jcrack threads? Include the entire photo shoot. He is almost, almost, as cute as my husband. :) I don't know about you but whenever I see his face, I think "Fergie? Really?"
Katie's beauty does not make those pants looks any better.

Insert record scratching sound.
The indie beard/stache/long hair thing? Yuck. It was never sexy. No matter how much I LOVE Grizzly Bear. Want to test this theory? There are pictures of Josh Duhamel and then this. Flip back and forth. Back. And forth. Which one is gettin' the chicks. There is nothing to think over. The clippers are over there.

Jcrew are selling some awesome guys shoes, IMO. I have a firm testimony that shoes tell the man. And right now he has some great help. The Indy boots, the Redwings, the chukka's, the Sperry's... any of them. Plus, plus, plus.
Maybe it's just a young look, but on the right guy this slim, rolled-leg look is, um, a good thing.

Well, I hope you all had as good of a time as I did. Do chime in if you agree or disagree.

Back To School

Back at school and back to work. As I resumed my routine of dropping off/picking up at the school I couldn't help but feel like I was just here. Summer went quickly despite the fun these three past months. But it's time. The kids needed routine back and I need to miss them again. The first day went well. The kids like their teachers and Luke & Sadie know kids in each of their classes making the separation smooth.
I'm still buried with a list of things I'm behind on, to catch up on, to prepare for and get on top of. Ugh. But I had to delay them a little more because my over-ambitious self decided, a month ago when the order form came around, to order two boxes of those delicious CA peaches I loved last year thinking {NOT thinking} that I would have time to bottle more peach jam this first week of school. Ha! What giggles! What jollies! I'm such a tease. I do it to myself, you see. But by darn, I did it. 18 bottles of preserves + sliced, bagged and otherwise later, I only have a handful of fresh beauties left without hardly any wounded soldiers to waste. It was good. I needed a creative/meditative release from responsibility, goodness knows.
Looking forward to the weekend at home (except missing my Dad's 60th!!). Scott and I are utilizing school tomorrow for a fun day date and then I have a Sunday lesson to wrap up. Don't you want my weekend?
PS- Some marvy new bands are posted. I'm in a little vintage kick and really enjoying these. And finally, Miami Horror's album is out. Finally something new to ride/work out to!