EATING
I made this Pasta Primavera this week and it's a good one. (I added a full pound of asparagus instead of a half. And I used one large red pepper instead of two orange ones. And I didn't add the shaved parmesan at the end. Yum). I have lots of similar recipes, but I just can't get enough of meatless pastas full of vegetables...oh, and half and half and parmesan cheese! Ha. Just as important as the vegetables!
And for second course: Pumpkin Bread. Is there anything better? I made twelve little loaves on Saturday night, gave five away, and consumed the other seven, with minimal help from Josh and Bryn. I ate the last crumb last night. So seven loaves in four days. Wow. Hooray for fall!
LISTENING
Do you love Regina Spektor as much as I do? I've listened to her "Far" album about 75 times in the last 48 hours. (I'm sure I'll be sick of it by tomorrow) Josh groans because he thinks her voice is weird and her songs are funny... both of which are true. But Bryn and I love her, so it's two against one. We twirl around all day as the songs repeat again and again. Really.
SEWING
I'm working on my first quilt! Well, the first one without my mom's supervision. I'm a novice, so I figured starting with stripes was an easy way to begin. And I just got the yellow Joel Dewberry fabric online for the back of the quilt. The quilt is going to be for Bryn's future toddler bed. It looks nice and feminine doesn't it? Ha. I always do gender-neutral bedding and decor in her room in case she has to share a room with a brother down the road. But I'm sure I'm
just jinxing myself and I'll end up with all daughters and not a single pink or purple item!
MONSTER MASHING
I lived for stake dances when I was younger. And they're even better as a leader, standing back and witnessing the whole spectacle. We had a funny stake dance last night and there were just too many funny things, I can't even describe it. Josh was laughing at my spur-of-the-moment costume, saying I looked like I was 14. I wore my retainer in this picture to make it even worse. But even without the retainer, I was still mistaken for a young woman at the dance by more than one person. I removed my hat, they were blinded by my gray hairs flashing in the strobe light, and that settled that.
READING
Nothing. (other than church materials.) I finished The Help last week, which was a good read. But this week I've started three books and shut the covers to all three. Any good recommendations? I think I've already asked this about nine times, but I always enjoy reading the books you've suggested! Any more favorites I should read?
The best part of Bryn's Halloween Costume is her belly sticking out from under the vest. See above picture. We love it!
She loved trick-or-treating for lots of candy! I love her face in this picture! What is going on?
Things were going pretty well with the Stuffed Animal Tea Party, until Bryn decided it would be much more fun to toss the tea cups aside and have a wrestling match. Such a lady.
One of Bryn's greatest joys in life is getting packages in the mail. Every day she asks, with bright eyes, if we're going to get a package in the mail from Grandma. Whenever anything comes (whether it's actually a package for Bryn or just a random online purchase) Bryn prances around and says "Package a Grandma! Package a Grandma! Open it! Open it! Scissors! Scissors!" And then she talks about the special package for weeks. 
As much as I miss my family, there are a few perks to living out of state. Something tells me we wouldn't be getting as many packages if we lived around the corner from them. And there's also perks to being the only grandchild! Ha ha. We'll enjoy it while we can.
We had a busy morning with Ward Storytime, a trip to the library, a doctor's appointment, and a few other errands. We got home and I left Brynlee inside while I ran to get something from the car. We still had an hour until her normal naptime, but I came back to Bryn snoozing on the living room floor. And I laughed! And... that's it.
Things have been a little crazy around here lately. Josh has been busy studying for a couple certification exams (One of which he took today and passed. Woot woot!) I have been busy with my new calling and lots of other little things that all hit at once. And Bryn has been busy running around with her little play-group buddies.
Bryn has spent most of her day standing by the front door begging to go to Grandma's house. I can't seem to distract her enough that she doesn't run right back to the door and present her idea to me all over again "Gramma house! Yes! Gramma house! Yeeesss!!!!" 
A few weeks ago we started a little play group with two of Brynlee's little friends. We're going through the alphabet and the girls are having so much fun! It's so cute seeing them interact. We're loving it!
(And it's also really nice to have a two hour break on the days when it's at someone else's house! Three cheers for playgroup!)
Josh had a birthday yesterday! We spent the day watching conference with my uncle Mark and our friend Dede, and then they treated us to a great Sunday dinner and Marie Calender's pie. Thank you thank you.
