TRIPLE BERRY COBBLER

Tonight there was a little nip in the air and it reminded me that Fall is actually here. What could be better then to bake some yummy cobbler.

I had never made cobbler before. I just followed the directions. Though I think next time I will make individual ones.

I love the crust part so, I used all the dough. It may be to much for some people but for others, like me, it's great to have that extra crust.

I served it with a nice scoop of vanilla ice cream. Yum!

OK, I have to be honest. I did make it but, not from scratch. I used these great products from William Sonoma.

The cobbler crust is a mix from, Award Winning Chef, Thomas Keller's Napa Valley restaurant.

Everything comes in the box and you just add eggs, buttermilk and butter. Even the sugar and cinnamon you sprinkle on top comes in there.

The berries are a mix of blackberries, raspberries and blueberries. You just dump the whole jar into the pan and top it with the crust. Bake it and in 1/2 hour you fresh wonderful Triple Berry Cobbler.

If you have a Williams Sonoma near you, I recommend you try it yourself. You won't be sorry you did.

BOO AT THE ZOO

I thought it would be nice to have a family day outing with some Halloween fun for my Girl Scout Troop.

So, that is what we did! We went to Boo at the Zoo.



The girls always enjoy getting to share time with family members. I know Trinity was happy her grandpa got to go with us.

I think the girls form tighter bonds when we go on outings. They get to laugh, run around and just have a great time.

They went through the maze. Thank goodness they didn't get lost.

Guess it goes to show that Girl Scouts are good at finding their way even without a compass.

Oh the hours they could have played with this beat up old jeep as the back drop for using their imagination.

They had a show called Creatures of the Night, where they brought out creatures that do best in the night time hours.

Like this big hairy tarantula.

Creepy, slithering snakes.

Also, opossums are seen mostly at night.

I've always thought these little guys are so cute. I know a lot of people hate them and think they look like big rats. But hey, I happen to think rats are cute too.

I fell in love with the Merry Go Round.

This bright blue hummingbird was my favorite.

All of the animals were so vivid and beautiful.

I think it was one of the prettiest Merry Go Rounds I've seen.

The kids picked the one that spun around. They got it spinning so fast. I was surprised I was able to catch a picture of it. Thanks to my new camera I was able to.

Even some of the animals were dressed up.

I can honestly say, I have never seen a goat dressed like Superman before. Have you?

The girls had so much fun.

They had games, trick or treating, rides, music, food, dancing and lights. What more could you ask for...oh yes, and let's not forget the animals on top of it all. It was at the zoo, after all.

It was only $12. Such a bargain. The laughs and smiles were worth way more then that.

I'm happy we went. It was a great time and we all made some super Halloween memories.

Happy Halloween to you!

I LOVE MY DOGS...AND MY NEW CAMERA

I don't often show photos of my dogs. It's not because I don't adore them. I do. It's because I could never get a photo of them.

This is Elton.



He is so darned spoiled! He will bark until he gets his way. Some people think I'm nuts but, I can understand his barks. I really can.

I can tell when he wants a treat, to go outside is mad over something or anything else.

He is a very lazy dog. His idea of going for a walk is to be pulled in a wagon. He loves being outside, as long as he doesn't have to move very much. He would love to stay out all day, if I held him.

Most of the time, if I'm home, he can be found on my lap. If he isn't there then he is very close by.

I love him and wouldn't trade him for a million dollars. He is my good boy.

This is Zeke. He is my other good boy. Well, he is actually my sister's dog but we won't talk about that. He is my dog... in my mind, at least. I couldn't love him any more!

He is the sweetest dog. He puts up with a lot.

Kids play with him and dress him up. He just lets them do what they want and gives a look like, "Please help me!" if an adult walks by.

Elton bosses him around. It's sometimes sad because Elton can be a bully. But, Zeke just gives in and gives Elton whatever he wants.

Zeke is the protector of our house. It his job to make sure the mailman or anyone walking by our house doesn't stay very long. He barks and they leave.

We have an alarm system, but really, we should just save the money. No one is going to get in this house without us knowing about it.

I used to run around trying to capture a photo of both Zeke and Elton and couldn't ever get a clear shot.

Now I finally got my new camera I can get close up shots, action shots and more. I love my new camera.

I got a Canon Rebel t1i and now I'm just waiting for my other lens to be delivered. I couldn't be happier with it and I'm so happy I finally gave in and bought it.

You just may be seeing more of my dogs now that I can get photos of them. No matter what, you will be seeing better quality photos from now on.

GETTING READY FOR THE HALLOWEEN PARTY

This coming Tues. we are having our Halloween party for my Girl Scout Troop. Today, I started to put things together.

I had found these cute little hat box looking containers and purchased them awhile ago.

I knew our Halloween party was going to be in the color theme of orange, black and white. So these were a perfect fit.

They are filled with little toys, craft items, an orange flash light to use for Trick or Treating, candy and other items.

I just added the orange ribbon and a craft sticker to make them a tad cuter. Oh yes, and the orange and black sucker.

I still have not decided if I'm going to have these at the place settings of each girl or give them to them on their way home. But, I do like how they came out.

I will not be having my annual big party I normally throw for Trinity and her friends. This year, Trinity said she didn't want to have a big party. I guess because of that, I have not really put my "party planning hat" on and so I'm a bit last minute with planning the Girl Scouts party. That is not like me!

I better get a move on! Thank goodness I have a small Troop.

FALL FESTIVAL TIME

Every year the local school puts on a Fall Festival. I like to go to support the school and to watch all the kids having fun.

They have good food. A Taco Truck comes and cooks up fresh tacos. Lots of yummy salsa, beans and rice too.

There are snacks to enjoy all night long. Dippin' Dots was just one of the many treats to be found.

There were raffle drawings.

Games.

The kids dressed up in costumes and had a costume parade and contest.

There were all sorts of costumes and while most years there is one or two costumes you see a lot of, this year was different. Not to many duplicates at all.

I enjoyed seeing the kids dressed up and having fun.

Most of the costumes were purchased from the store.

But, the winner of the costume contest was a homemade one. I loved it! Very cute and clever.

Here, the gang is going into the Haunted House. I didn't go in with them but I heard screams coming from inside. So, it must have been scary!

Trinity sought the comfort of her best friends mom when she came out. While I think some of it may have been real I do think she was putting on an act of being way more scared then she really was.

It was then Tattoo time. So many to pick from...

It wasn't just one of those wash off ones. It was more like Henna.

Trinity picked a cross with a heart on it and was very happy with the way it came out.

My friends cousin came and brought his new puppy that he rescued. This sweet little boy was found tied up and being used to taunt Pit Bulls into attacking it. How sad!

He was so kind to rescue the dog but is now looking for someone to watch the dog for 30 days so he can find a place to live that will allow dogs. I really hope he does. This dog seems to really love him and I know he loves the dog.

The longest line was for the Hamster Ball. From the looks on Trinity's face, I would say it was well worth the wait.

I know it was fun just watching everyone trying to walk around inside the big ball like a human hamster.

We all did the cake walk. They always remind me of when I was a kid at school.

It seems like they are still as popular as ever.

Trinity was lucky and won a cake. She picked the one her best friend made. They were going to spend the night together and she brought it over there so everyone could enjoy it.

I was happy I went to the Festival. It was fun spending time with family and friends. It really put me in the mood for Halloween!