Autumn Is Apple Cake

A Megan Memory: Coming home from school was always a special time for me as a child. We only lived about a block from our elementary school and so we walked home most days. I would get Cecily after class and then we would head home together. Mom was always waiting for us with a snack and a bright smile. Snack time was so important. We told Mom all about our day and what we had learned in school. Looking back, it provided some great bonding time.

During Fall, Cecily and I always looked forward to Apple Cake for snack time. This scrumptious treat would be warm and fresh from the oven. It has apple chunks in it and although sweet, is more like a muffin type than a cake. I have great memories of eating Apple Cake and talking to Mom after elementary school.

Flash Forward: I'm 25 and the days of elementary school are long gone. I've just moved home for awhile to help my Dad with his new business after having graduated from college. Life is busy and although I live at home, I am hardly every there. Work, my calling in Relief Society, Institute, and dating fill up almost every day. In fact I have to schedule laundry time. Fall has come, but I've been too busy to really notice. So I come home one particularly busy day and find myself greeted by a familiar smell. I haven't smelled it in awhile and can't quite put my finger on what it is. However, as I come into the kitchen, memories of elementary school fall days come rushing back. It's Apple Cake! My lovely Mom had made it again. It was then that I realized, Hey, it's really autumn! So, I cut a slice for me and my Mom, and we sat at the table and caught up. Cecily joined us and it was almost as if we were back 15 year prior, eating Apple Cake at snack time.

My Own Soccer Star

Kyle has been playing soccer for almost as long as I can remember. Although he started with some of my other siblings, he has been the one to stick it out, playing for numerous rec teams, as well as for his high school. He is now a senior at Sprague High School, playing on his varsity team and one of the student captains. I was able to go to one of his games a few weeks ago and was really impressed, not only with his skill, but with his dedication to his team, his coach, and to the sport. Although the game may not have turned out as he would have wanted, I was so proud of him. Not only could he perform when his team needed him too, but he was super supportive to all the other players. I think those years of soccer not only taught him how to score a goal, but also how to lead a group, how to work well with others, and how to work hard for what you want. He’s definitely a soccer star! I was able to snap a few photos from the game. Although they are a bit fuzzy, you get the idea. He's #11.

Sweets, Spunk, & Samaritans

A few weeks ago, some of the girls and I decided to take a little trip to Portland. It really is a gorgeous city full of spunk and culture. Upon arrival we found the cutest little cupcake shop. Although a bit pricy, they were worth the experience. It pretty much was the best cream cheese frosting I've ever tasted.

Amanda, Brittani, & I with our sweets.

Downtown Portland offers a lot of beautiful architecture. This is the synagogue from the Jewish neighborhood we walked through.
Britt & I pose before the this Catholic church. It had the cutest, peaceful little courtyard that really reminded me of my days in Spain.
Of course we had to head to the Downtown Mall while we were there. Here's Sarah enjoying a Brookstone massage. I got one too and it was by far the best massage by in inanimate object I've ever experienced. What a great way to relax after hours of walking!
Sadly, upon arriving back at are car, we were met with a little disappointment.

We tried to change the tire ourselves, and although we were giving it our best effort...

...thank goodness for everyday good Samaritans!

Oktoberfest

I have been horrible at posting lately and as I was looking through my camera, realized that I have had some great experiences recently that I haven't shared. So, these next few posts will be a bit of back-tracking.

A few weeks ago, a bunch of the pals and I headed to Mt. Angel for their yearly Oktoberfest Festival. It was amazing. The food was great, the music especially jovial, and the people watching opportunities particularly interesting. It was a great way to welcome in fall.

As it was dinner time, we first headed to get some eats. I got some yummy potato pancakes and on of the best cinnamon-rollish things I have ever tasted. Here's a pic of Todd, Daniel, and Joe enjoying their dinner.

Some of us got more in the Oktoberfest spirit than others. Daniel went all out with suspenders, shorts, and a green hat. This cute old man was playing the sweetest songs on the accordion and although you can't really tell by this picture, was wearing the same exact outfit as Daniel. It was too funny.
Mt. Angel has a beautiful Catholic church. I've been in quite a few through my travels, but was really impressed by the sweet peace that pervaded this chapel. The stained glass was beautiful as well.
There was also section of the town dedicated to artists. They had little booths where the displayed and sold their goods. One of the most interesting booths for me was the glass maker. As you can see from the pic below, this man uses a blowtorch and a few tools to create the most beautiful glass sculptures. It was fascinating to watch him bend and mold the glass.
Here's a pic of me and the boys: Taylor, Joe and Jared. Thank goodness for good friends.This man was so cute. We just had to get a picture! Also, these girls are so awesome. I love Jackie and Lindsay!
We found a polka band and had a blast dancing to their tunes. Here's the groups doing the "Hokie-Pokie." Seriously, I can't remember the last time I did the "Hokie-Pokie" but it was so much fun. This pic is "put your left hip in." Daniel shows us how to "put your nose in and wiggle it all about."
Oh, and did I mention that we did the Chicken Dance? Yes. And guess what? All this fun was had without one drop of Oktoberfest alcohol!

Handbag Planet

Check out www.handbagplanet.com for deals on great handbags like this one. I think this bag is so hot. I love it!

Moon Roofing It

When Daniel gets in my car, he is so tall that his head hits the roof. Luckily it has a built in solution. Thank goodness for moon-roofs!