Dear Rachel (#18)

Dear Rachel,

It's been months since my last blog letter so I am long overdue for an update. We are well into the routine of school now. Travis drives Abby every day and so far they haven't been tardy, although they are sleeping in later and later as the semester progresses.

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Travis continually sabotages my Trick or Treat sign. I am resigned to leave it just like this.

Speaking of Travis, he passed his Eagle Scout Board of Review last week. Of course, we celebrated with food.

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Travis was asked to Sadie's in a "sweet" and "punny" way.

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I found a fun use for the Scrabble tiles you gave me.

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Travis has been doing a lot of lifting to prep for basketball season. He thought for sure he could beat your dad in arm wrestling now, but alas, the 51-year-old won.

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Saturday night we had a Berkeley Reunion. It's amazing how many of us have ended up in Utah. Do you recognize everyone?

I'm so excited to fly to Atlanta and see you in less than two weeks!

Love you and David lots,

Mom

Playing with Pins: Part 2

I've been playing with pins again. (See my first report here.)

Mod Podge pumpkins are everywhere. I wanted to give them a try ever since I saw the black and white damask ones Michelle made. This year I found the perfect napkins just like hers, but my attempt was a sorry sight--the Mod Podge bubbled and glopped. I was, however, successful with a different variety. It has temporarily replaced my musical orbs on the table near my piano--a subtle bit of Halloween for my front room. (Original pin here.)

My wallet was getting rather fat and NOT from an abundance of cash so I thought this idea was so clever. I broke my old hole punch trying to punch holes in the cards, but its replacement worked just fine. (Original pin here.)

It took Travis only a few minutes to assemble this catapult as per this pin. I suggested he use buttons as ammunition, and he successfully launched them over 20 feet. Very fun!

My creative and artsy Abby loves to peruse Pinterest as well. Once homework and practicing are done I let her start crafting. I was a bit skeptical about this plastic spoon flower, but she was insistent about giving it a try.

The plastic spoons did indeed melt, but soot soon covered Abby's hands and face.

She originally planned on spray painting her rose black, but when she discovered that we had gold spray paint, her perfect rose resulted.

She was so happy with how it turned out. I was just pleased that she had found an outlet for her teenage creativity and imagination and that the TV and computer remained OFF.

It's Really Fall

(Aspens on the Alpine Loop)

Darkness lingers longer in the mornings. There is a chill when I wake that can only be dissipated by turning on the heater for an hour or so. Hearty oatmeal and warm soups satisfy now. Colors are brilliant and beautiful.

(Bridal Veil Falls, Provo Canyon)

(Provo Canyon)

(Provo Canyon)

It's time for our annual visit to Tyler's Pumpkin Patch. 

This year a tin man and a scarecrow greeted us.

Tyler's Pumpkin Patch is just down the street from our home, and Tyler is one of Travis' good friends. For years Travis has loved working on Tyler's "farm". It was (and is) the perfect spot to explore, create, and celebrate good old-fashioned childhood.

(Tyler and Travis)

Abby insisted we visit the chickens. They all scurried towards us and cooperated fairly well for their group shot. The rooster even serenaded us with his "cock-a-doodle-do".

It was hard work wheeling those pumpkins, butternut squash, and cornstalks home. Thanks, Travis.

Abby's prize of the day was the colorful farm fresh eggs. No one can touch the green ones. She's claimed them as her own.

Yes, it's really Fall.

Send in the Clowns

Pink polka dots, pink pom poms and a pointy hat describe my favorite Halloween costume as a child. As with most of my wardrobe at the time, my mom made the outfit so my sister and I matched. I remember this clown costume with incredible fondness, but the mask . . . that I did NOT like. (Thank goodness for modern day face paint.)

me, my sister Charlene, and my cousin Jennilyn (Halloween 1969)

When my own daughter, Rachel, was young the typical costume conundrum arose. She had outgrown her first costume--a Raggedy Ann outfit (borrowed from the adorable over-sized doll my mom had made me.)

But, whatever happened to that pink clown? I called my mom in Virginia. The costume was long gone, but she did still have the pattern, and soon it was in the mail. Never the seamstress my mom was, I sewed up a new version with much trepidation. I barely finished it in time, and I distinctly remember my good husband staying up late with me the night before making the big red pom poms while I frantically stitched away. It wasn't perfect. Poor Rachel had marks on her wrists and ankles where the elastic was too tight, but we all were quite pleased nonetheless.

Rachel and friend Sara in Albany, California (Halloween 1990)

I couldn't believe when 11 years later I made ANOTHER clown costume (a few sizes larger.) Kellie wanted something unique, and that is what she got. Sadly, by this time clowns were no longer seen as merely fun humorous circus stars. They had taken on a more sinister role, and I didn't like it one bit. I suppose we all just wanted to hold onto the comedic delights of clowns past.

Kellie, age 11, 6th grade (2001)

We are firm believers in reducing, reusing, and recycling so I couldn't have been more thrilled when Abby decided to wear Rachel's clown costume 16 years after its original debut. (Mostly, at this point in my motherhood career I was burned out with thinking up new Halloween costumes each year.)

Abby didn't mind that the sleeves were now 3/4 length and that the pants were knickers. She eagerly added colorful socks, yet opted to omit the pointy hat.

Abby, age 7, 2nd grade (2006)

That same year Travis wore Kellie's old clown costume adding a nose and rainbow wig.

Travis, age 10, 5th grade (2006)

Finally, two years later, Abby had her turn with our second clown costume. And with that, a Halloween chapter had closed for our family.

Abby, age 9, 4th grade (2008)

Despite my obvious lack of face painting skills, I still like the sweetness and joy of good old-fashioned clowns. So, yes, just send in the clowns!

Dear Rachel (#3)

Dear Rachel,

What does Fall look like in Atlanta? Take some pictures and post them on your blog when you can. Here's a peek at our yard this year. You know I love all the red. :)

(Our apples are few, but the ones we do have are big and beautiful.)

(burning bushes in the backyard)

(Too many leaves! We are waiting for a windstorm to blow them into the Ogden's yard--just kidding!)

(Virginia Creeper edging up the front of the house)

(Remember the little bird nibbling on the apple in my last letter? This blue bird is finishing the job.)

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Abby had the toughest time deciding what to be for Halloween this year. In fact, she wasn't even sure she was going trick or treating until the very last minute. She wore her poodle skirt from last year to school, but when she got home, she got to work on her original idea--a Rubik's Cube. She cut, designed, and painted it all by herself.

The kids' pumpkins were pretty spooky. Travis' toothy snarl was especially intimidating.

We love you and miss you--especially since it was the first year we didn't get to see you in your traditional "poor sailor boy" costume. Have a good weekend!

Mom

Hello Halloween

It's a good thing I still have children around here who want me to decorate for Halloween, otherwise, those boxes under the stairs might never see the light of day.

Here is my version of a Halloween centerpiece. I combined two ideas from my Pinterest Halloween board.

At first Travis was disgusted that I nestled perfectly good candy next to flower stems. When I explained that the flowers were in a vase within a vase, he eagerly reached in and stole a few. Over the past couple of days the top layer has gradually disappeared. I've replenished it a time or two.

Our entryway is the same as last year. I'm glad I took of picture of it so it could be replicated. It's too hard to be creative every year. I did find a free printable (here) which I printed and hung on the wall.

Hello Halloween!