Zion National Park for Thanksgiving {Part 4}

A Hawaiian Thanksgiving 

And this is just a funny picture of my dog wearing socks.

Zion National Park for Thanksgiving {Part 3}

Zion with snow is simply breath taking.

Zion National Park for Thanksgiving {Part 2}

Hanging out.. outside.

Zion National Park for Thanksgiving {Part 1}

Hanging out... inside.

Approximately 30 Hours Til...

We'll be in Zion National Park for the week of Thanksgiving! 

8in of fresh snow falling there now, with more snowfall expected tomorrow evening.  I can't wait!  Zion is one of the most beautiful places in the world and I am so excited to be there again. 



Daydreaming at my desk for now.  

A Special Delivery

Happy Thanksgiving, from our home to theirs.  

Make a food basket for a family who could use a little help in your community for the Holidays.  It's worth it.

"Give thanks to the Lord for He is good; His love endures forever." Psalm 107:1

Saturday Morning Painting

A few weeks back, I was asked to lead another painting class for a group of women on a Saturday morning.  They saw my pictures of the Talbot Wives Sip-n-Stroke event through mutual friends on Facebook and contacted me!  How great is that Web?!  I got some inspiration from this idea of pattern painting.. and the girls loved it.  What a wonderful Saturday morning.

Halloween at DisneyLand

Going to DisneyLand with the Huffman kids Minnie Mouse, Tinkerbell & a Zombie is a whole new experience... a whole new MAGICAL experience.  I mean, look at Minnie's face....

Ms. Mouse, Tink & a pretty scary Zombie in their prime:

 It's A Small World After All, I mean for real..

Minnie & Tink baking a cake in Ms. Mouse's kitchen

I honestly get a wee bit nauseous just looking at this ride.

 I love me some Huffmans. 

Pumpkin Spice Cake

I made this cake earlier this month - wow.  It was like pumpkin pie without crust.  I don't own loaf pans, (I have no idea how and why I don't own loaf pans, but anyway...) I just dumped all the batter in my angel food cake pan.  And it turned out LOVELY.. And, I also added 1/2 cup walnuts.  This cake was super quick (10 minutes max prep time) and amazingly delicious (five stars).

Pumpkin Spice Cake

Ingredients

• 3 cups sugar
• 1 cup vegetable oil
• 4 eggs, lightly beaten
• 1 (16 ounce) can pumpkin
• 3 1/2 cups flour
• 2 teaspoons baking soda
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon cinnamon
• 1 teaspoon nutmeg
• 1/2 teaspoon cloves
• 1/2 teaspoon allspice
• 1/2 cup water

Directions

In a large bowl, combine sugar, oil and eggs. Add pumpkin and mix well. Combine dry ingredients; add to the pumpkin mixture alternately with water. Pour into two greased 9-in. x 5-in. x 3-in. loaf pans. Bake at 350 degrees F for 60-70 minutes or until bread tests done. Cool in pans 10 minutes before removing to a wire rack; cool completely.

Girls Weekend in Dallas

What a FABULOUS time with the girls in Dallas Texas this past weekend.  I had a nice, four day weekend (thank you, Veterans) holiday, and took advantage of a break from Los Angeles and some quality time with my best-ies.

It seems to have become a yearly tradition of reuniting with my college roommates in the fall (Dallas '08, LA '09, Dallas '10)... It is always, ALWAYS wonderful and this year did not fail to disappoint.  It was four days and four nites of shopping, chatting, consoling babies, watching movies, crying, laughing, reminiscing, cooking and many, many, many hugs.  

These girls have been through thick and thin with me.  I can not express how their friendship has affected and formed me into a better woman.  

I love you, 2WL!!
AND... added bonus to THIS Girls Weekend 2010 -Life-long pal of mine, sister of Megan and family friend of Barbie --- SARA CLARK!  Yay, Sara!  It was so great to have you and Baby Jeriah to help celebrate friendship this past weekend.

A Blast from the Past:

{Summer 2005}

{St Patty's Day 2006}

{Baywatch 2004}

{Ashcroft Roomies 2WL 2003}

{Ashcroft Roomies 2WL 2003}

{Lake Day 2003}

{Barbie's Wedding 2005}

{Summer 2007}

{Megan's Wedding 2007}

{My Wedding 2008}

{Summer 2008}

{Summer 2008}

{Girls Weekend 2009}

{Girls Weekend 2008}

If you're wondering where the pics are from Girls Weekend 2010 - whelp, with all of the happenings mentioned above, the one thing that did NOT happen was photographs!!  Shame on us!  We were just so busy enjoying, enjoying, enjoying, that we didnt shoot a single shot.. Good grief.  Just have to run on memories til Girls Weekend 2011.  Until then, I LOVE YOU GIRLS!