Greg wanted a picture of his pumpkin patch. This one weighs in at 60 pounds. He had fun watching these grow, and now giving them to his grandchildren. We worked hard at getting everything in before the early winter weather comes this weekend. We only kept 7 boxes of apples from our trees, and Dawn took about 8, but there are more if anyone needs them!

I keep forgetting to take pictures of all the canning I have been doing. Not just peaches and pears galore, but tomato everything: salsa, chili sauce, spaghetti sauce, and plain tomatoes. But I did take a picture of going out to lunch for Adrienne's birthday. Jamie and boys met us, so that made 3 adults and 6 children. What a great idea! And a good break from canning.......

Spud Day Fun

Yesterday was Spud Day in Shelley, an annual gathering for the public to celebrate the famous Idaho Spuds. So..........the community orchestra was invited to perform, and since I have been playing percussion lately (they begged) here we are. After we played about half the program, the rain started, and we had to run under the cover. We regrouped and finished our numbers. Funny, but it worked! I like playing the cymbals and xylophone, but mostly I play the big bass drum. Great fun.

New Rooms

I promised some pictures of my newly refinished rooms, so voila! (I know, it has been about six weeks since we finished, but I am taking my time at decorating, and figuring out what I want in here. I want to be like Vickie when I grow up!) Things are still pretty bare, but I like it that way right now. Come visit whenever you want......

By Popular Demand!

Here is what they look like. Enjoy!
For Adrienne's wonderful (they really should have won) brownies, go to her recipe web site, Taste the Joy.

Cocoa Creamies

1 cup sugar

½ c. Saco cocoa powder

¼ t. salt

½ t baking powder

3 T. butter, melted

2 T. applesauce

1 t. vanilla

2 eggs

¾ c. flour

Combine first 4 dry ingredients in medium bowl. Mix butter, applesauce and vanilla, and stir in. Drop in eggs, stir well. Add flour and stir until smooth. Spread into a greased or parchment lined 8x8 inch pan and bake at 350 for 25 minutes until moist crumbs cling to a toothpick when inserted in center. Cool.

Toppings:

½ c. cold milk

2 T. flour Mix these together in a 2-cup microwave bowl. Cook in

microwave 2 minutes, stirring after 1 minute. Cool to room

temperature.

¼ c. butter, softened

¼ c. shortening

½ c. sugar Cream together until fluffy. Add the cooked mixture and

mix well.

½ c. flaked coconut

¼ t. coconut extract (opt) Stir these into creamed mixture. Spread over cooled

brownies.

½ c. chocolate chunks or chips

¼ c. heavy whipping cream

Warm together in microwave 30 seconds, stir, cook 15

Seconds more until it can be stirred smooth. Pour over

Brownies. Store in the refrigerator. Serve cold.

Brownie Contest!

It is Eastern Idaho State Fair week, and Adrienne and I decided to enter the brownie contest. And we won! Out of 15 entries, we took two of the ribbons, and some prize money. They ate all my brownies but I will send out the recipe to anyone who is interested. :) Notice the SACO apron they put on me............

This is a big day. Greg finished the last bit of siding on his new shop. And he didn't even fall off and break anything. Nick helped work on the high parts yesterday. He didn't especially like the height and the shaky ladders!