Beans, beans, beans...

So about a week ago, I ordered this beanbag/ottoman (more photography stuff!)...

I'm happy to report that it arrived today!  Unfortunately, you have to fill it yourself which is no biggie because Walmart sells the beans.  

Bob was unusually bored today - what a perfect task for him, right?  Or so I thought...

Here's a snippet from our conversation about it (which took place over about a 15-20 minute period).

 

Me:  Honey, if you're bored to tears, you could go to Walmart and buy the beans to fill my beanbag.

Bob: How many beans does it take?

Me: I don't know, check the paper that came with the beanbag.

Bob (reading the instructions which rarely happens):  It says it takes 350 liters of beans.  I think we ought to go to Sam's club to buy the beans and by the way, I think we may need a pickup truck to haul the beans home!

Me (only half listening because I was busy working): We don't have a Sam's Club membership, just get them from Walmart!

Bob: We use 50# bags of beans at work and I can tell you that's going to take 3 or 4 of those bags to fill that thing!

Me:  Huh?!

Bob: HOW in the world are you going to lift this thing once it's full??

Me: It's going to be light as a feather, well, practically that light!

Bob: How's it going to be that light with all those beans in it??

Me: It's not going to weigh that much once you put the bean bag fill in it...like the other beanbag we have!

Bob: What kind of beans are YOU putting in it because the ones we use weigh quite a bit!

Me: The poly-styro type of beans, what are YOU talking about?!

Bob: (LIGHTBULB moment) OH, you mean bean bag fill NOT beans in a bag!!  Sorry, I just had a severe blonde moment!!! 

Lesson of the day - be thorough in your explanation so you don't end up with 200 lbs of beans in your bag!

HBD Sista...

Happy, happy birthday to my big sis! 

Much love to you on this day from me, Bob and Q!

Enjoy your day!

Powy's Curve...

Last Saturday morning (one week ago) as I was driving north on route 15, I stopped to take a picture of the fog nestled between the mountains.  I think just about every valley I passed had some fog hugging the mountains.

It was too pretty to just keep driving so I finally pulled off the road just south of Powy's curve.

I wish I would've stopped a few other times on the way...something I'll do next time because the beautiful colors of fall have already disappeared just one short of a week later!

Bob's "other" love...

For years, we've wanted to capture some fall photos of Bob with his "other" love!

I'm happy to say that last week, we finally took time out and did just that before all the beautiful colors of fall disappear into the doldrums of winter...

After all, this is a fair-weather vehicle!

 

Wordless Wednesday...

More photo fun...

Last week I had the opportunity to take photos of my photog pal, Kristi, of Forever Photography.

Kristi and I share a passion for photography and it was a real honor to take photos of Kristi, her husband Calton, and their two kiddos Camden and Brielle!  What a beautiful family!

 

I had a ton of fun, thanks guys!!

It's all a blur...

I'm not even sure where last week went!  It just seems like a blur thinking back on it now!

I did have some fun taking pictures of our little neighbor, Gianna and her mom on Saturday.  G is such a natural and LOVES having her picture taken.  She has definitely spoiled me because she's such a natural in front of the camera (gets it from her mom)!

 

I hate to see fall disappear into winter! 

I'll guess I'll have to take on the new challenge of indoor lighting! 

Sounds scary but necessary.

Autumn Glory...

I continue to be amazed at all God's glory every time autumn rolls around!  The painted mountains and fall skies are simply beautiful!

 

I love this image of the old shack with the painted backdrop of the beautiful mountain.

This mountain-side where I'm standing to take the photo used to be owned by my grandparents but unfortunately, was sold during some tough times.  :-(

Simple beauty.

Painted skies.

Colorful trees.

All God's glory!

Better than bakery rolls...

A couple of weeks ago my dear friends, Laurie and Michelle, from HS visited and Laurie brought homemade oatmeal rolls that were so delicious that I've tagged them as "better than bakery rolls" because well, they're hands-down, better than bakery rolls!

They are SUPER simple to make AND the best part is you can use your handy dandy bread machine (which, in MY case, is a hand-me-down from my sis...LOVE IT, thanks Tammy)!  We made a batch on Friday that lasted about a minute.  Ok, well maybe a couple of minutes!

Can I just say I've never had such delicious rolls e.v.e.r.!

Oh wait, I think I've already said that!  :-)

Sorry, I repeat myself.

Proofing...

 Fresh out of the oven...

 Smeared with lots of butter to keep them soft on the outside...

Getting ready for the big taste-test...

This batch was a total success compared to last weekend's batch which was...slightly dense.  POSSIBLE DIFFERENCES: We I used the bread machine AND King Arthur flour...(Sorry Bob, gotta give props to the bread machine!).

And now for the big reveal...

Oatmeal Rolls (Better than bakery)

1 1/4 cups luke-warm water
2 tablespoons butter
1/2 cup rolled oats (quick or old fashioned)
2 tablespoons brown sugar
3 cups King Arthur all-purpose flour
1 1/2 teaspoons active dry yeast
1 teaspoon salt

First, place the warm water in the bread machine pan, then cut up butter and add it to the water which softens and starts to melt butter. Next, add the oatmeal and brown sugar to the buttered water. Then add the flour and yeast and place the salt in one corner on top of flour.

Once all the ingredients are in the bread machine, select the dough cycle on your machine.  When complete, divide dough into 12 equal parts, butter your hands, form dough into rolls and place in greased (lightly buttered) 9 X 13 pan.  Cover with a clean dish towel and let rise until doubled in size, 10-20 minutes, possibly longer depending on temperature in the room.  Bake for 15-20 minutes at 350 degrees. 

Immediately slide out of pan, coat the tops and sides with butter to keep soft and let cool on wire rack.  Once completely cool, store in an air tight bag or container.

Thank you Laurie (VanVliet) Webb for sharing this deliciousness!