The leaves keep falling

Here are some pictures to sum up the beginning of Fall. This is by far my favorite season. Although I wish it went back to summer after Fall. Pictured above is a miniature autumn wreath I made for my sister.

Oliver and Anders loved nibbling on the corn cobs.

We went to a football game with my parents. I think it was the only that BYU has actually won.

Here are my lovely parents.

The fam at my cousin Garrett's wedding reception. What a beautiful day!

We went to India Fest. It was a lot of fun and the temple was beautiful!

Here is me with an elephant.

Upside down pear spice cake. My specialty dessert for Fall.

Picnicing with Jenna and Josh is always amusing.

If you look closely you can see that Phil's teeth are purple from our home-juiced grape juice.

This picture is sideways, but you can still see the pretty fall colors in american fork canyon.

Yesterday we had a little harvest. Today is preserving day!

For the past two weeks the majority of my life has been spent in the orchestra pit of the De Jong concert hall where we have been playing for the opera The Magic Flute. Go double reeds!

Six monthiversary

I think this picture pretty much sums up how happy both Phil and I are.
And it hasn't just been the past 6 months that we have felt this way.
It has been every time we are together.
Ever since Fall semester 2005.
It is so wonderful to feel content.
And, to steal my friend's facebook status (thanks Siobhan):
It doesn't matter how hard my day is because of who I have to come home to.

Oh and if you haven't tried this brand of marshmallow, you are in for a mind-blowing.

Wochenende

My mom gets here tomorrow!

The BYU Philharmonic has a concert tomorrow and we are playing Jupiter from Holst's The Planets.

I am going to repaint my favorite chair.

I am going to see pretty fall leaves with my best friends. We are going to have a picnic. I am going to make my famous pear upside-down cake!

I am going to practice my oboe every other spare moment. There are so many upcoming concerts/performances/masterclasses. I get a little nervous thinking about all the music I have still to learn. There is only so much I can do in one. I wish my face muscles never got tired and I could practice all day. I also wish I had my very own personal reed maker. Recently I have been playing for at least 6 hours everyday. I love it when I leave campus knowing I have done the best I could do for that day and that I have improved. Satisfaction.

I have to write a 2-voice piece for my counterpoint class. Yikes. Anyone have a good motive that they want to share with me?

Phil will be studying for his mid-terms. Good luck high five!

We bought our plane tickets for Christmas! First to Washington then new years in San Fran! Can't wait!

Someone left peaches on our doorstep today. Thanks!

Barbeque Meatball Pita Sandwiches (this is for you Megan!)

I made this recipe this weekend and have been heating up the leftovers for lunch. I use the microwave in the reed making room to heat up my lunch. When someone uses this microwave the scent of food remains in the hallway/cave for a few hours. People often stop by (mainly the guitar teacher whose office is next door) and see what we are eating in the reed room. For those who are wondering here is the delicious recipe that has been causing the wonderful aromas this week:

1 1/2 lbs ground meat (I prefer turkey)
3/4 c. cold water
3/4 c. seasoned bread crumb
1 1/2 tsp. salt
1 (8 oz.) can tomato sauce
2 Tbsp. vinegar
2 cloves garlic, minced
1/4 c. brown sugar
1 Tbsp. Worcestershire sauce
1 tsp. dried oregano

Combine ground meat, cold water, bread crumbs, and salt. Shape into 1-inch meatballs. Bake in 400 degree oven for 10 minutes. Remove from oven and drain off fat.

Combine remaining ingredients in large saucepan. Add cooked meatballs and simmer for 20 minutes.

To eat, put shredded lettuce in 1/2 pita. Add meatball mixture and shredded cheese.

YUM!

Marilyn

my mom
is the kindest person i know.
she knows everything.
it is funny how i think i know how to cook
and then i taste something she made
and it is stunning.
sometimes i ask her questions i already know the answer to
just to make sure i am doing it right
like cutting a green onion.
i really want to be just like her when i grow up.
she is beautiful
her actions are heartfelt
and tears come to my eyes when i think about how much i love her.

Fall project #1

I must make this wreath

I need this in my tummy soon

What food have I been craving for the past two weeks? I need to make salsa before the craving part of my brain explodes.