november rewind

...back, back, back...time warp through november!

hope everyone had a really wonderful thanksgiving day celebration, maybe with the macy's day parade and some family or some friends or new strangers or all of the above...i am sure you were and are thankful for the many blessings in your life like i am...A made the world's best mac&cheese and the cheese in it is just insane; was great for a thanksgiving side dish and sadly i did not even get to take any home...this one's for you, L, just scroll down to the yankee doodle dandy baked macaroni & cheese recipe! made leaves for the thankful tree (what you are thankful for), potato gun-shooting outside, sitting around the fire with blankets, kids' laughter and great family...everyone cooked or brought something and everything turned out delicious, from the brined turkey to the tres leches cupcakes...what a feast!

hiked with R, A one weekend morning and had a nice breakfast in our sweaty clothes afterwards

went up north for J's 30th bday...saw his new house in payson and the results of his hard work on his own and with B and others...colored concrete countertops, a cedar ceiling, an old style/new technology fireplace, huge deck and perfect lot surrounded by pine trees...spent night in strawberry at B&L's and sat on the deck with my mom wrapped in blankets; watched the fog roll in from one direction and then the other, completely covering the tree-covered valley...stopped at tonto natural bridge on the way home and took pics in the very cold, often drizzling outdoors from the different lookout points...could not believe what i was seeing and the fact that i had passed by so many times without stopping...the world's largest, discovered natural travertine bridge




another organ concert but not just any concert - a doctoral recital - including music from bach and polish composers with most pieces created in the 17th century...she played the very special italian traeri organ built in 1742, one of very few in the united states and the only one in the southwest...she did a phenomenal job and is so very sweet and real...always a treat musically, and interesting to read the history behind each piece and what it meant to her.

went with my mom to a live artist's demo on stage at the performing arts center...25 years old and a master already...could not believe that during the demo he painted (and instructed!) something so dimensional and beautiful and bright - a still life with a huge pumpkin and sunflowers...he made it look so easy and for that i envied him because i still think painting is extremely difficult...audience got to ask questions throughout and he was entertaining with a witty sense of humor while oozing intellect...an old soul...towards the end he mentioned that questions inevitably arise around his age and talent as if he is a prodigy, and he addressed us by saying that he firmly believes that if anyone practices anything hard enough he or she can be great at it...inspiring and so cool to watch an artist paint live; will have to see if my mom will let me watch her finally!

happy birthdays, T/A/C and lots of adventures in your new year!

coffee-breakfast with M&L before church, just us girls...guest speaker paul scanlon who spoke about the believing heart - the heart as the control center of your life/being/believing versus and organ...how we are wired as humans, how are fundamental beliefs are established by about 8 yrs old, how our belief systems go on effortlessly to dominate our lives...context and culture shape our lives without our permission; when you ask yourself "why do i always do X or react a certain way?", we may not know because we were taught when we were so young we don't remember agreeing to learn those things...be conscious of what we build and teach; you will always find evidence to support your belief system (either negative or positive); what the heart is fixed on is what it will get - you can learn everything but your heart's beliefs will keep you from it; "as a man thinks, so he is"...your [conscious] mind changes all day long but your [subconscious] heart is fixed so that takes longer to change...reprogram your heart so you can understand why some things are not working in your life. LOVED, LOVED, LOVED this and it reminded me of the time i saw shad helmstetter.

checked out the old town farmers market with A and found some great stuff that isn't at the other one near my house...wish these would have been around when i was growing up...would have begged my parents to take us every weekend! bright colors, different textures and things i've never seen before including kohlrabi...it's always an adventure at the market!


had A&B over for an italian feast including homemade meatballs with bay leaves and white wine, fresh peas with prosciutto and mint and cannellini beans with sage and tomato...took forever to make but i felt like a real italiano and loved sharing it with friends, especially those who aren't very fond of peas but thought they weren't all that bad with prosciutto!

took ellie with mom to the annual valley fever walk downtown, which affects humans and animals and is potentially deadly...great variety of dogs at the event and a relatively short little walk around some downtown streets...they are making progress towards a cure and it was nice to see so many people involved and up early on a weekend...this dog knew how to 'dance' and he was also a poser - this is his happy face...walked around the nearby center afterwards and took pics after having a coffee, amazed to see that this area is still there and that it is in the heart of downtown for all to enjoy...beautiful day for a good cause!






happy birthday, dad!!!! fattening, tasty family breakfast out...lots of laughs and helped him reorganize the space he still has in the garage ;) lots of empty, plastic containers of all shapes and sizes that were being saved for filling with who-knows-what...one or more "oh, so that's where that went" and "i've been looking for that" as i recall...end result was a full recycle bin, distributing things back to their owners or 'gifting' things to others...four hours of tidying...whew!

welcome to life, P twins!!!! we are all so happy you are finally here...happy, healthy and unique...you landed in a wonderful family and are incredibly lucky :) can't wait to meet you in 2010!