CANNING: 
Pears, pears and more pears. For three years now I have been purchasing cases of fresh pears that arrive sometime in August. The first year I bought 2 cases, they came just when my mother passed away and were almost too ripe to do anything with by the time I actually had time to can them. I did get about 12 quarts done that first year and my dad loved them!!! He took several home with him and shared them with his friends. The next year, I ordered two cases again....then my dad passed away. The pears went bad and I tossed them. I didn't have the heart to work on canning anything. I really missed my parents (still do). This year I thought, not two cases because it seemed unlucky, so I only got one case...Lulu passed away. I've taken care of her for 7 years. I miss her everyday. I got the pears canned but I can't help but wonder if I will always associate fresh pears with death. It is an odd coincidence that I have lost someone I love every year at pear canning season. Do I dare buy any next year? I think I will. You see, canning them reminds me not of my loved ones deaths, but of their lives and how much joy they brought to mine, and for a little while, while I am working hard to preserve something good, I can remember them and preserve that memory in my heart.
Pears, pears and more pears. For three years now I have been purchasing cases of fresh pears that arrive sometime in August. The first year I bought 2 cases, they came just when my mother passed away and were almost too ripe to do anything with by the time I actually had time to can them. I did get about 12 quarts done that first year and my dad loved them!!! He took several home with him and shared them with his friends. The next year, I ordered two cases again....then my dad passed away. The pears went bad and I tossed them. I didn't have the heart to work on canning anything. I really missed my parents (still do). This year I thought, not two cases because it seemed unlucky, so I only got one case...Lulu passed away. I've taken care of her for 7 years. I miss her everyday. I got the pears canned but I can't help but wonder if I will always associate fresh pears with death. It is an odd coincidence that I have lost someone I love every year at pear canning season. Do I dare buy any next year? I think I will. You see, canning them reminds me not of my loved ones deaths, but of their lives and how much joy they brought to mine, and for a little while, while I am working hard to preserve something good, I can remember them and preserve that memory in my heart.
CUPCAKES: Hannah is our master baker and boy, can she make some tasty treats. In September there was a general broadcast for the women of the church and the Young Women were asked to bake cupcakes for the dinner we had prior to the broadcast. Hannah took up the challenge with her friend Lindsay and together they made these scrumptious spice cupcakes with a yummy cream cheese frosting. Some of the cupcakes were adorned with homemade ginger snaps. If Fall had a flavor, this would be it!! 
CONFERENCE: This year for October's general conference we were invited to the Brown's, Lyle's in-laws, to watch it on their big screen T.V. The whole family showed up including Melissa, Bob, Joshua, and Kent. In this picture you can see Kari is entertaining Kent and Amanda is doing conference bingo with Joshua. Conference is always a time for me to have my 'lamp' filled. The talks, and the spirit, and the testimonies shared, build me up and help me hold to the rod. My own faith and testimony is strengthened. I am always glad to be with my family and when we are together feasting on the word it is even better.
CUTIES: Oh, how I love these cuties!! I was sitting in my chair playing with my phone when both boys climbed up on their mom. I couldn't resist the chance to snap a picture of them. Josh is just like his mom when she was little and there was a camera around, ready with a big smile or a cute grin, but Kent reminds me of Hannah. The harder we would try to get her to smile, the bigger her frown got. Kent may not smile for the camera, but he melts my heart anyway.
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