Field Trip Fridays ~ Storytelling Festival

For the last 20 years each Labor Day, The Mt. Timpanogos Storytelling Festival has put on a weekend of laughs, workshops, dreams, puppets, fun, exhibits, and of course stories!! This year, I had the great opportunity to participate, with my family, in this years events.

On Saturday we went up to Provo Canyon to Timpanogos Park and watched a puppet show. For a mom of two boys I couldn't have been more pleased, my boys were entranced by Drew Brinley. He was an impressive "story juggler" and I think it was the first time, my boys saw juggling in real life.

Timpanogos Park had an impressive line up of tents with storytellers spinning tales through out the day. It was fun to pop in and listen to stories throughout our activities with the boys.

Saturday evening was "Laughin' Night" at the Scera Shell. It is a beautiful amphitheater with lots of seating, although it was packed by the time we got there! Note to self: coming 45 minutes earlt is not early enough to get a good seat. But, there is also plenty of grass seating and I luckily remember a blanket. With our bucket of chicken and treats for the boys, we had a wonderful night of laughs, smiles and giggles.

My favorite story of the night was by Charlotte Blake Alston. She told the story of ginger bread girl and her trip to the circus and her close encounter(s) with all the animals of the circus. Coincidentally it was my 7 year olds favorite story as well! All the storytellers were amazing. I can't wait until my boys are older and can be inspired to create their own stories. Can't wait for next year!

*As a side note: I am sure you are wondering...where are the pictures? We'll I remembered my camera I just didn't remember to put the media card in it!! Doof! That was a bummer!

Pasta e Fagioli

Even though school is back in session, we still seem to be eating dinner on summer hours. When the sun is right about here (see above), my family is sitting down to dinner. Eating late has it's advantages: kids play, fiddle and fun in the yard, relax, enjoy the sunset.

I thought I would share what we had for dinner last night. A hearty pasta recipe my husband learned while living in Italy:

Pasta e Fagioli

It is easy, all it takes is a few simple ingredients:

• Olive Oil
• Garlic
• Sweet Onion
• Basil
• Tomatoes
• White Beans
• Salt and Pepper
  

In your blender combine: 3 T. olive oil, 2 springs of basil, 3 medium size tomatoes or 5 small tomatoes, 2 gloves of garlic, 1/2 cup onion. Blend.

Add: 1 can of great northern beans, rinsed. Salt and Pepper to taste. Blend. The beans absorb alot of the salt, so I would be generous with the salt.

Pour sauce into large stock pot and cook on medium. Reduce heat and allow sauce to simmer. Sauce will change from pinkish-orange to redish-orange. Once sauce is simmering add noodles.

When I add my noodles, I like to break them in half. Place right on top of sauce, then, take about 2 cups of water and pour into pot just covering noodles. Stir periodically on simmer for about 15 to 20 minutes ~ until water is absorbed.

Fagioli has a yummy beany flavor. My fresh tomatoes and basil make it the perfect summer dish and my kids love it too!

Vintage Propeller Swap

I belong to two quilt groups. Each one is very different; different women, styles, talents and purpose. From each quilt group I learn alot and am inspired. I enjoyed working with this pattern. It was fun, easy (relatively speaking) and I loved using Aunt Gracie fabrics. There is something special about coming home from quilt group with a stack of blocks you didn't have before you left!

Glamorous Girly Giveaway

It's OFFICIAL! I've picked a winner for my glamorous girly giveaway. Thank you to everyone who entered. I loved reading all your sweet comments. and visiting everyone's blogs. I love blogland!

The winner is: drum roll please....

#88 Deb who said: "I'd love to win your giveaway!"

Deb, please contact me through email and I will send off your package. If I do not hear from you in three days I will pick a new winner.

Thank you everyone for participating!

Mid Week Munchies

One last summer recipe! This recipe is refreshing, simple, and berrylicious. I love to make this recipe for friends and family: it is a crowd pleaser.

Frozen Berry Desert

Crust:

• 1 cup graham crackers
• 3 tablespoons sugar
• 6 tablespoons butter

In Cuisinart: crush graham crackers, add sugar and butter.

Pat crust into 12 inch fluted pan. This is the best pan to use, it makes removing and serving dessert easy!

Berry Blend:

• 1 8oz. pkg of cream cheese ~ softened
• 3/4 cup sugar
• 1 cup orange juice
• 2 cups chopped frozen berries
• 1 pkg cool whip ~ softened

I love to use my frozen summer berries: strawberries, blackberries, raspberries, blueberries. (*If using fresh fruit, reduce juice to 1/4 cup) I like to chop my strawberries just a little to make them more manageable in the pan.

In Kitchen Aid: beat cream cheese and sugar throughly. Add juice and berries and mix.

Fold in Cool Whip. Pour into pan with graham cracker crust and chill in freezer for at least 4 hours, can be chilled overnight if necessary.

My sister got this recipe from the Kraft website about 5 years ago. I have searched many times for it, but have yet to find their original recipe.

***Don't forget today is 09-09-09!

Pink Pickle

Last Saturday, the Pink Pickle's met up for good food, fun and quilting. I was tickled pink (pun intentional) to see how every one's blocks turned out. The (block) pattern called for selecting 4 fabrics: a light pink, dark pink, green and white. I loved seeing the color choices! Every one's take was different and no two fabrics were the same. To see all the pictures and a full detail of the day click here.

This is my block. The light pink was a loose weave fabric and it gave me a run for my money! But with some tender words and coercion, I was very pleased with how my blocks turned out.

Tammy and Jeanette were wonderful hostess and the food was delicious. I stayed close to the kitchen!! (That is me on the right, not far from the food!)

To read my first pickle post click here.

Labor Day!

Happy Labor Day!

I hope everyone is enjoying their long weekend. I love how after Labor Day it starts to feel like FALL: leaves change, cooler weather, school, pumpkins, gourds, garlands and of course Halloween and Thanksgiving.

Give me a couple days to crunch numbers and contabulate the winner with Jodi of the glamorous girly giveaway, I'll announce the winner soon!!