Happy BOO-thday!

Today is Halloween but who cares about Halloween? I don't because today is Babetta Kelly's birthday. So much better.

Kinda like this cake me, Chas, and Liz made. I mean, what the heck!? Stop it. Did that really happen!?
I'm pretty sure I can speak for everyone involved when I say putting the finishing touches on that cake is basically in the top...7(ish?) proudest moments of our lives. Basically.

This little dinner

looks awesome, right? 

(Spaghetti squash with roasted veggies, feta, and fresh basil)

It wasn't.

Chas, at least, could stomach it. Working hard on a meal together only to have to end up tasting like foot locker is the wost. Almost ruined my whole night, in fact. 

But then I took a bubble bath and decided I was over it.

The end.

Is anyone else...

...super excited when your blog gets a new "follower?" (21 today, baby!) 

...obsessed with all things pumpkin flavored? (Pumpkin spice eggnog is rocking our world this week.)

...really eager for your neighbor to move out so you can see the apartment? (So long big, barking, hairy dog!)

...aware of how hard it is to cut a spaghetti squash in half? (Chas did it.)

...having self-esteem issues after looking at certain perfect people's blogs? (Why do I suddenly hate myself now?)

...freaked out by some Halloween decoration choices? (I can't deal with scary faces.)

...wishing they had a small child to dress in matching family Halloween costumes? (We'd go as...I dunno, but I do know it would kill you will adorableness.)

...not impressed with the wait time at Big O Tires? (.............)

...kinda really into cutie Halloween foods? (We may have Google-imaged "Halloween desserts" last night. I dare you to try it.)

...feeling like you're the only loser who hasn't visited a darling pumpkin patch recently? (Ok, I honestly don't feel that bad about it.)

Anyone???

Chas made this

I went to high skewl with Robbie

midnight coloring

Late last night Chas reminded me that we were supposed to do some coloring again, like I had asked him the day before. Ok, I love you. 

That's mine. A Wellies-wearing pup playing in the falling leaves, of course. 

This is Chas' first attempt. 

Maniac big leaf went from bad to worse. Still not sure what he was really going for there. All I know is that guy's looking a little...strung out.

Do over. 

Check it out. Ghosty with a fro. This is the rill dill. 

We finished a little before 1am. When we color, we mean business. 

Thursday

Yesterday was a little strange. I went to work: two child groups and one adolescent group. The day went by fast but it felt hard. On the drive home, I turned up Foo Fighters real loud and decided to pass our house and keep driving. I could feel I needed a little longer to decompress. The sun was just starting to go down, making the tree lined streets a blur of neon gold leaves above, windows down, and my music still blaring. I soaked it in. When I got home, I ate two applesauce cookies and watched a YouTube clip of a puppy. It was all just what I needed to help leave the stirred up therapist emotions mostly at work.

My love came home and we went about our normal evening routine. We cuddle, mostly in silence, for a bit on our bed, eventually discuss what to make for dinner, realize we have to run to the store, discuss how much we don't want to do either, drag our sorry selves to the store, make a late but yummy meal, and then retreat back to the bed for some more cuddling. During this last part is when I started feeling funny. Only thing was, it wasn't funny at all. It was sad and I quickly felt very heavy and very dark. I tried to hold back but those dang tears kept escaping from the corners of my eyes, running away down my cheeks. Sweet Chas squeezed me, wondering again and again what was wrong. When he asked if I wanted a blessing, I replied "I don't know" for the hundredth time but this time the tears really came. I cried. Really hard. And then I stopped. And felt relief.

It's a weird thing and a teensy part of me feels almost guilty or weak for allowing myself to fully experience such strong, deep emotions. I think not knowing where it's all bubbling up from must scare me a bit, too. I wonder if that ever happens to anyone else. Really crying for no real reason? (At least, no real reason you're aware of in the moment.)

Once I could start breathing again, I suggested we do some art together. We've never done that before but the thought just came to me and seemed like if I see it help people every day, maybe it could help me right now. Hhmmm...

Oil pastel drawings about whatever we wanted. When finished, we told each other about our art and tried to discover hidden meanings. I absolutely loved it. I felt refreshed, calm, and so connected with Chas. When I asked if we could do it again tomorrow night, he, of course, enthusiastically agreed. I love my husband. Maybe because I'm an art therapist is why it felt so...therapeutic. But then again, I honestly don't think that had much to do with it. Free art making really is like a good cry, only so much better.  

I guess sometimes we all just need a good cry.

our living room is cooler than us

Chas is working on this year's Christmas Mormon Message. Two amazing people from New York were flown in today to be interviewed and because our apartment is close to downtown and apparently has a funky New York vibe...this happened:

 Look out world, our living room is about to hit the big time.

prints charming

My mom recently gave us four great frames with white mattes. (She's the best.) And we just so happen to have a big lonely wall in our living room above the computer that has been begging for something cute hung on it.  We have the frames so now all we need is something cute to put in them...hmmmm...

Last night I told Chas that while he was watching the Yankees game, I was looking online for some prints. With a smiling shocked face he said, "But you already have a prince! I'm your prince!" Love his guts.

Here's what I'm thinking:

A line up of our four favorite places: Utah, New York, Oregon, and pretend the last one is Italy (not California). I've asked QADesigns if they could do an Italy silhouette for me. The bright colors match the boldness of our living room and the stripes go great with our Ikea stripey rug in the dining room. 

Love? Like? Or hate?

we MAY have planned this

And when I say "we" I mean Chas. 

(Pretend like we're not nerds and don't almost always end up accidentally coordinating our church outfits every Sunday) but today, after Chas saw my dress, he asked if it would be too weird if he was  super matchy-patchy with me on purpose. Yes, it probably would be weird and yes, please do. Also, because we're that awesome, we tried to get a picture of our darling outfits together but were already 20 mins late for church and apparently Chas is too tall for our computer's Photo Booth camera lens. And settle for a picture that didn't include the bright orange tie? Yeah right.

Our matching shoes give you an idea of how amazing we were today.

just so you know

The ATR celebration weekend was a huge success. 

We both left work early on Friday and checked in at this hotel in Park City that my family and I would always stay at years ago. It has an indoor/outdoor swimming pool. Nuff said. We walked up and down Main Street a few times in search of the absolute best place to eat a fancy dinner. It's funny how when you're about to spend some serious cash on food, you suddenly become paralyzed with fear about where to eat. Once the choice is made, you're committed and there's nothing worse than gross expensive food. We finally decided on The Purple Sage. It was the right choice. Yum yum in the tum tum!

The rest of the night was spent watching a little T.V. (which actually feels like a luxury when you don't own a television), being reminded that T.V. is pretty weird, soaking in the hot tub, and playing in the indoor/outdoor pool (of course).

After breakfast the next day, we drove back to Salt Lake, saw It's Kind of a Funny Story, and loved it. Remember how art therapy ends up saving the main character's life? No joke. 

We also explored an Avenues open house just for kicks (which made me want to buy a house real bad), took a nap while Chas watched the Yankees game, and went to dinner with my parents. 

We were gonna hit up an art exhibit sponsored by NAMI showcasing artwork done entirely by people with mental illness but forgot that art galleries are dumb like banks and close early. The show runs until November 6th so, luckily, we still have time to check it out. Which we will.  

But I'd really have to say that my favorite part of our whole celebration weekend was hearing Chas call me his ATR Queen as he opened the car door for me.

I promise we didn't plan this

I can't think of a better way to kick off our ATR celebration weekend than unexpected wedding color coordination. 

Now it's time to part-ay!

I want

this hat. Mucho grande.
 

I just need to figure out a way to justify it being worth $34...$44 with shipping.

Although, this review is kinda pushing me over the edge: 

Overall Rating: 

5 out of 5

"Dude. Best thing I spent too much money on, EVER. Cute, well made, warm! Practical for winter and junk. Got TONS of compliments, and I've only had it a day and a half. A few people thought it was a kitty, though.... :[ I got the fox. And it rocks. I'm gonna name it...

If in doubt BUY it"

Genius.

it's in the bag

At the Halloween party, cousin Amanda came up to me and was like, "Oh hey, I made this bag for you. Here ya go." Ummm...what?!?

This bag is perfection. I love it all. And that extra wide baby blue sash strap? I like to wear it diagonally across my front and pretend I'm Miss Salt Lake City...and I just won the tiara.

Thank you, thank you, thank you!

cookie WIN!

For our family night activity, we baked cookies and...drumroll...didn't - I repeat - didn't have to throw away the dough and/or burn them! True story.

You HAVE to try these. They taste just like fall! If you could eat October, this would be it.

Applesauce Cookies

1/2 c. Shortening (can substitute with 1/4 cup oil and 1/4 cup applesauce)
1 c. sugar
1/2 tsp. cinnamon
1/2 tsp. cloves
1/2 tsp. nutmeg
1/2 tsp. salt
1 egg
3/4 c. applesauce
1 tsp. soda
2 c. flour (can use at least 1/2 wheat flour)
1 c. raisins (we used a combination of golden raisins and craisins)

Cream shortening, sugar, spices and salt.  Add egg.  In a separate
bowl, add soda to applesauce.  Add raisins to flour and alternate with
applesauce to creamed mixture.  Bake on greased cookie sheet at 375
degrees until lightly brown, about 10 minutes.

3-man circus!

We're usually not that into Halloween but we made an exception for Amanda's party. 

 Chas found this jacket at D.I., tried it on, and....

 amazing things happened.
(Notice the golf club covers for monkey feet.)

Liz was already wearing a gray sweatshirt so obviously she was going to be the elephant. I guess it was meant to be because we found this inflatable gem on the floor of the stuffed animals aisle.

 Strapped it to her head and she's ready to go.

I'll admit, my costume was kinda lame. Oh well. Not everyone can be a dancing monkey.

 My favorite were the four seasons. Just a little obsessed with how cute they all looked together.

 Chas was especially proud of the tail he made: nylons stuffed with socks and a hanger. 

At first, he pretended like he wasn't that into the whole thing but really...

he loved it.

oh my.

My Dough Girl has the best cookies. If you live in Utah and haven't been, I feel sad for you. Every month, a new cookie is featured.

See how October's cookie is named after me AND has wedding colors??? This actually makes me a weird amount of happy.

The ATR application process has officially begun

I'm simply waiting for my Marylhurst official transcript to arrive in the mail. Then my ATR application package will be complete. What's an ATR you ask? It stands for Art Therapist Registered and is basically like my licensure as an art therapist. Sometimes I explain it as being similar to a Registered Nurse versus just a CNA. It's taken a total of 1000 post-Master's clinical hours and 100 hours of clinical supervision. 

Fewf. 

I honestly never thought I'd get my ATR, let alone this quickly after graduating. In grad school, it seemed we were always being warned of how hard it would be to find a job in which we could actually practice art therapy versus just traditional talk therapy, which we're luckily trained and qualified to do as well. To be in a position where I can do all art therapy, all the time, and be supervised by two art therapists is basically...an art therapy fairy tale. For real. I absolutely love practicing art therapy with all different kinds of people in a psych hospital. Never a dull moment. And more importantly, I learn so much from the patients. 

It usually takes people years to accrue the necessary art therapy hours for an ATR. I'm super lucky ducky to have my job because it's taken me just a year of work to get mine.

I've been planning my ATR celebration in my mind for months but now that it's finally here, we're kind of having a hard time deciding what to do--where and how to spend a little money to celebrate this the right way. One thing is for sure, though. Seeing this movie is a must.

Patients in a psychiatric hospital...doing art therapy. 

Stop it. It's just too perfect.

just some bread that I made today

No kneading allowed. Seriously the easiest thing ever.
Recipe here.

Liesa Card vs Angus MacGyver

Brother-in-law, Michael, woke up last Sunday morning and informed Sarah he wanted to write about my mom versus MacGyver. So he did and emailed it to us all. We love Michael.

Knowledge and experience
Using only an old concrete mixer and bamboo MacGyver built a plane and flew an injured man to safety. He gained one new friend.
Using food storage and charm, Liesa has won the hearts of millions(probably more like billions) of readers and fans.

Personal Beliefs
MacGyver carried only a swiss-army-knife and duct-tape into his missions.  He refused to carry a gun as a matter of principle.
Liesa carries a testimony and a Book of Mormon.  She refuses to carry a gun because it is less intimidating than her angry eyes.

Craftiness
MacGyver can use paper clips and duct tape to resolve almost any situation.  Just two ingredients.
Mom can resolve almost any situation with wheat berries. Only one ingredient.

Love
MacGyver believed that the "Phoenix Foundation" was a better solution to law enforcement than typical miltary violence.  The "Phoenix Foundation" is not real.

Liesa believes that the Gospel is the only solution for an eternal family.  Liesa's family is real.

Endurance
MacGyver ran for 7 seasons plus a few made for TV movies.  Richard Dean Anderson was paid for his acting.  No animals were harmed in the making of MacGyver.

Liesa and Mike have been married for a little more than 7 years.  You can guess how much she has been paid for being a mom.  Several animals have been harmed or emotionally scarred while raising the family.

Summary:
Liesa 5
MacGyver 0
In your face Angus