Autumn in Utah - Round 2 - Day 5 and Travel Home

It is basically my last day here as I am traveling tomorrow and we are going to spend it at Cornbelly's.  Everyone gets up early and after dropping Ava with Grandma for the day (she's coming down with a cold), we are determined to arrive by the time it opens, thinking there won't be as many people there as it is a school day.  We did NOT count on the BUSSES that have arrived.  Oh well.  The place is huge and it's time for fun.

Autumn in Utah - Round 2 - Days 3 & 4

It's another gorgeous day in Provo.  I'm up, dressed and ready for a new adventure.  Once the girls are fed and dressed, I take over to give Cassie a chance to shower and get ready.

The agenda for today includes a trip to the Witches Festival at Gardner Village.  We went here last year and had such a good time that it's a repeat.

Autumn in Utah - Round 2 - Days 1 & 2

Yes!  I am heading back to Utah for some fun and games with Miss O, Miss A, and Cassie.  Color me excited.  And speaking of color, I have some time at the airport this morning to watch the sunrise.  I'll admit, it took me a bit of time to find a spot in which I could view it and the sun was already partially up, but it was worth the effort.  An uneventful flight (aren't they the best kind?) to Salt Lake and I'm soon in the car with my girls.

Even Ava has opened her eyes to say hello.  Talk about cute.  Ophelia is full of things to say and I love the eagerness to see me.  I have missed her a ton.

Jen is 40 - Off to Abilene

My daughter is 40 today.  How on earth did that happen?  Oh goodness, if I didn't feel old before, I certainly do now.  She's a very lively and busy 40 though and I'm so proud of who she is and all that she does.  She is an amazing mother, daughter, sister, aunt, and friend.  I learn from her constantly and am so glad I do.  She has been with me through thick and thin over the years and I would never ever dream of a life without her in it.  She truly does make me a better person and always has.  As a result, we are in the car headed for Abilene to celebrate her day.  I have no idea what the plans are since hubby is in charge, but off we go anyway.  Louis arrives shortly after us, with ice cream cakes in hand.

Time With Mister - Davis Street Espresso, Zoo, Arboretum, and More

A beautiful fall Saturday means that we can not only attend the members breakfast at the zoo but also make a stop in Bishop Arts for some coffee.  Yes, we are up THAT early.  Davis Street Espresso is where we are off to and it's been awhile since we had their yummy drinks.

I love this little place and since we are here so early, we are even in before the hipster crowd that hangs out here.  That makes this even better if possible.

Making Sangria

It's a kitchen day and I'm in the mood for Sangria.  If I am completely honest, I have been wanting to do this for several weeks now and just keep eating the supplies and buying more.  The cycle must stop today.

Step one:  Chop up some fruit.  I am using a peach, several apples, and an orange.  Then slice some lemons.  I have a pitcher that has a "mixing" pump in it so I place these slices below the plate.  I don't want to eat them just yet.  Then I put all the fruit in ABOVE the mixing plate so we can get to it and include it in our glasses.  Wine soaked fruit is just oh so yummy.

A Night at Jimmy's

Mister has made a reservation for us at Jimmy's for one of their wine dinners.   Tonight is the night and I'm looking forward to it.  Let's get going.

We arrive a bit early in order to get some pasta and groceries.  After shopping, it's time for the dinner to begin.  We enter the back room and find out seats.  It's a packed house, as always.  The winery being featured tonight is Maculan Winemakers from Breganze, Italy and Angela Maculan is our hostess.  I love that Jimmy's always brings in the winemaker or family members to speak with us about their region of Italy and tell stories from there, both about the wine and the culture.

Our first course is a wonderful shrimp scampi.  All of the food at these dinners is made "in house" by the family that runs Jimmy's.  It never fails to impress and I don't want to listen and learn about the white wines we are tasting with it, I just want to dig in.  Oh, capers, it has capers.  I love those little delights.

Monarchs Are Back

It's Monarch season again and our lovely butterfly bush out front is attracting them.  Too bad they won't hold still much today AND I'm really getting tired of holding a quilt up to have it's picture taken while Mister focuses on the butterflies.

Bob is 21

My nephew, Bob, is 21 and we are all gathering around for a birthday celebration.  He shares the day with his father and we are able to do two Happy Birthdays at once.

It's E Fratelli for lunch and family all around.  Mister and I stopped last night for a fun gift.  A person only turns 21 once so we hit up the liquor store and gave him lots of variety in tiny bottles.  Yep, we ARE that aunt and uncle.  Such fun.

Anniversary Dinner

It's our anniversary week and tonight we are off to Rise for dinner.  It is a lovely french restaurant here in Dallas that specializes in souffles.  My mouth can't wait.

First things first though --- Mister orders a scrumptious bottle of wine to toast to 6 years of two redheads not killing each other.  Just kidding.  He is just as amazing to me now as he was then.

We are opting to enjoy a FULL meal so that means sharing certain courses.  The first course is a marshmallow soup.  No, it doesn't really have marshmallows in it but is a yummy butternut soup with cheese puffs that resemble marshmallows.  Simply delish and along with our soup we have fresh from the oven bread to dunk or coat with fresh butter.  Oooh yeah.

Cottonwood Art Festival

Twice a year the Cottonwood Art Festival takes place and for the past couple of years it seems as though I am always out of town.  Not this year though.  Mister agrees to a morning adventure and off we go.  It's a beautiful day outside -- perfect for a festival.  Upon our arrival, we find some coffee and sit down to listen to some music and enjoy the atmosphere.  It's so fun to people watch and there is an older couple who keeps dancing off to one side.  It's absolutely wonderful.