fix our eyes.

via irrelephant.

this weekend is one of the many reasons i love fall: general conference. ^^^ this passage i thought fitting to kick off the weekend. conference always has a way of setting me straight and invigorating me, of fixing my eyes on what is most important. tune in here, learn how you can prepare here, but mostly just have a good, happy weekend.

guest post // hiking tips from marie.

i couldn't let fall go by without having at least ONE guest post! remember marie? i've known for a while that i've wanted to scour this girl's hiking brain for tips. sadly, i didn't hike much this summer, but i'm making up for it by hitting the mountain side this fall. what a better way to kick it off than to have marie share her hiking packing list with us:

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

Happy Fall! Can you believe this gorgeous 60’s-San-Francisco-like weather? I have welcomed the best hiking season with open arms.

I’m back again (hi Courtney and friends) and I’m about to go on a rant about hiking (again). I've been back in Utah for a little over a year now and I’m sad that I won’t be here for eternity!!

I can’t believe how much beauty surrounds us Utahans every day. Every morning I get to look out my window and see the epic Wasatch Range hovering over our beautiful city. (sigh) Salt Lake City is not for the faint of heart!

So first off, last year I purchased the book “60 hikes within 60 miles” by Greg Witt. Run to the bookstore and get yourself a copy!

Or call me and we can go on all 60 hikes together.

I have to share with you the number 1 rule for hiking. BE FREAKING PREPARED! If you saw me on the trail you would think I was going on a 10 day backpacking trip with a scout troop. Yes, I look like a fool, but I don’t care! (*cue music*- I love it, by Icona Pop)

It is better than being lost: in moose/bear country, after sun down, with no flashlight, having 4 more miles until the trail head and being separated from your friends…(this might be a personal experience) Never be that, previously mentioned, idiot!

Here is my hiking-packing list, no matter how short/long the trip is:

-Bring a friend
-Water
-lots of snacks
-water proof jacket
-good shoes
-wool socks
-long pants
-Map
-First aid kit.
-Flashlight
-and of course a camera, for documentation (you haven’t really gone on a hike, until it’s been instagrammed)

Hope to see you on the trail this weekend,
NOW go and conquer those beautiful mountains!

**see more from marie by clicking here >>> fresh open air

happy happy fall fall.

i can't say i wasn't looking forward to fall this year. even with the summer racing by, i'm glad that i can now say that paige gets home in just a couple months. along with that, i'm looking forward to ...

eating / mom's chili

drinking / cocoa latte, pumpkin steamers, and crio bru

mastering / the art of staying warm (i.e. sweaters, socks, coats, space heaters, cozy blankies)

learning / how to make pickles

playing / in piles of leaves

finishing / that book i started LAST YEAR

watching / conference, new tv seasons, and horror movies!

hiking / to see the color change

wearing / tights!

cooking / all things pumpkin

working / on getting ready for paige's return

traveling / to st george for fall break

wanting / to pick back up my exercise habits (gotta train for that triathlon) 

find more fallcentric posts here and here. and happy first weekend of fall!

**post inspiration via bleubird

fall times are near.

lavell edwards stadium, 2011 - gonna be missin this girl tonight! as always.

this summer was the longest summer of my life! it may have something to do with the fact that my best friend moved away from me mid-june. yeah, i think that's it. so i'm happy that fall is just around the corner.

tonight we kick off the football season at lavell edwards stadium! as you know, the wightmans love their football.

and tomorrow is our annual swiss days trip (can't wait for that marriott bed).

other fall activities i'm looking forward to:

- making doughnuts

- using my hot chocolate maker again

- pumpkin EVERYTHING

- boots, scarves, sweaters

- that crispy goodness air

- oh! delicious soups!

- halloween and horror films

- general conference

- reading ... i need to start number 15 on my 25 things list. suggestions on a classic novel would be great!

happy almost fall.

happy halloween!

what are YOU doing to celebrate?

friday happenings.

today was probably one of the more boring days of my entire life. really. 8 hours of ABSOLUTELY nothing to do, but sit in front of my computer screen and wait for the phone to ring. and while i type this i'm remembering the following phrase:

which isn't remotely true. i am exciting. my job ... not.

i did the following to save my brain from self destruction:

-counted my calories for the day

-searched for the perfect movie to watch thanksgiving day {have you seen pieces of april? if not, you should}

-looked up all the nominees for the academy award's best picture and counted how many i've seen

-in preparation for monday, looked up the best horror movies of all time

-text and called a few people to ask how i should fill my time

-played sudoku

-pondered about why "cool crowds" end up in every social situation in our lives, you think that after high school, they might be over and done with, but no

-listened to this and this and this and this and this ...

-tried to convince myself that i am creative enough to take shannen's family christmas photo tomorrow

-tried to think of a way i could convince myself and maybe one or two others to go to this exhibit before it closes

-stalked peoples interests via pinterest

and for a brief moment {30 minutes} i got MAJOR action when i signed the lease for my new apartment {cue billy joel}! 

have a good weekend.

even though i haven't blogged in a week {whoa!}

i've be productive.

i'm moving right along on my 24 things list.

- i am on the search for a good, well-educated, humble, not snobby, cheap{er}, yoga teacher. mind you, this is a large task. this summer, i searched a bit with annie, but was not impressed by the "this is where our all vegan restaurant is going"-nose in the air-hipster-elitist receptionist at trolly square's studio. i got that same kind of treatment plus a "HURRY AND TAKE OFF YOUR SHOES BECAUSE WE DON'T LET ANYONE IN CLASS LATE!" bark and also i almost died from the hell they call bikram yoga. then yesterday, i got some lady that doesn't even do cobra or downward facing dog correctly, not to mention her closing her eyes throughout the entire class and "teaching" us how to bend up and down for 15 minutes.

long rant = i need a new yoga class asap. but in the process, i've partially fulfilled #3 do more yoga.

- on monday, i finally finished reading jesus the christ {#5}. finally. this was actually on not one but 2 to-do lists in 2011. glad i finished.

highlights:

"prayer is made of up heart throbs and the righteous yearnings of the soul." pg 238

"happiness is not akin with levity, nor is it one with light-minded mirth. it springs from the deeper fountains of the soul, and is not infrequently accompanied by tears. have you never been so happy that you have had to weep? i have." pg 248

"bounteously did he impart of his healing virtue to all who came asking with faith and confidence. thus, accompanied by the twelve, he wended his way northerly to capernaum, making the pathway bright by the plentitude of his mercies." pg 338

"ought we not be liberal and charitable in our judgment as to the intent of others?" pg 446

"god needs workers and such as will labor faithfully and effectively are welcomed into the vineyard. if, before beginning they insist on the stipulation of a wage, and this be agreed to, each shall receive his penny provided he has not lost his place ... but those who diligently labor, knowing that the master will give to them whatever is right, and with thought for the work rather than for the wage, shall find themselves more bountifully enriched." pg 482 

oh, its good.

- i've been steadily working on #16 obtain a larger, more age appropriate wardrobe. i'd like to thank jcrew and their weekly emails for this. i plan on continuing my labour by checking out the new stuff at rox&sam later this week.

- strangers on a train has been added to #19 {watch five, never before seen, classic films}. very good, very hitcockie. perfect for the season. however, i was more frightened after the movie ended when emily and i had a discussion about how psycho, silence of the lambs, and texas chainsaw massacre were all based on the same, real life, person. uh ... scariest thing ever!

- and on sunday, i walked to a pumpkin patch {wasn't on any list, but still stimulating}.

{last of the} favored fall facets by linda.

linda.

{auntie/second mother/good at everything/lover of children, grandchildren, and nieces/just SO nice}

i love halloween, changing leaves, crunching leaves, crisp air and blue, sunny skies, crisp air and clear diamond skies, intensely beautifully colored flowers {they seem to pop more in the fall-maybe because you know they won't be around very much longer}, wearing sweaters-cute sweaters. is that 5 or maybe more?

**you are wonderful linda!

if i didn't love summer so much, fall would be my most favoritest holiday. you step outside and you can FEEL fall. and smell it. one of my loves is seeing the red and yellow speckled mountains. i just can't get enough.

hey, happy fall.

favored fall facets by mr mark.

papa mark.

{papa/knower of all things/king of cheesy jokes/loves life}

1. college football

2. hoodies

3. lisa's homemade soups

4. driving up salt lake's canyons and seeing the fall colors

5. halloween and thanksgiving

**dad, you are one of my most favoritest people ever. and that there picture is probably the greatest picture ever taken.

{image.}

i enjoy a good soup as well. luckily my mom has the special talent of making the perfect, cold weather soup. white chicken chili, minestrone, taco soup, loaded baked potato, YUM!

go ahead and make this, because there's a storm a brewin' and loaded baked potato soup will fill your soul with goodness.

loaded potato soup

2 large baking potatoes, peeled and cut into cubes (about 1 1/3 pounds)

2 tsp butter

2 tbsp flour

2 1/2 cups milk

1/2 tsp salt

1/4 tsp pepper

1/2 (8 ounce) carton of sour cream

3/4 cup shredded cheddar cheese

1/3 cup chopped green onions

3 slices bacon, cooked and crumbled

place potato in a large saucepan and add water to cover. bring to a boil; cover, reduce heat to medium, and cook 20 minutes or until potato is tender. drain and mash, set aside.

melt butter over low heat; add flour, stirring until smooth. cook 1 minute, stirring constantly. gradually add milk; cook over medium heat, stirring constantly, until thickened and bubbly.

combine potatoes, milk and salt and pepper. cook just until thoroughly heated (do not boil), add sour cream.

top with bacon, cheese and green onions.

happy soup season.

here's some cheer for you.

{image.}

i've been re-listening to conference via this while i sit at my wonderful, happy, desk at my blessing of a job {i'm applying the teachings i learned two weekends ago and being happy with the mundane}. it's great. give it a try if you are ever forced to sit at a desk for 8 hours a day.

i feel quite productive.
and quite spiritual.

which is why i am sharing the following song with you. i think it explains, as perfect as mere words are able, the tender mercy of forgiveness, the gift of the atonement, and the joy of the gospel.

savior redeemer of my soul

savior, redeemer of my soul,
whose mighty hand hath made me whole,
whose wondrous pow’r hath raised me up
and filled with sweet my bitter cup!
what tongue my gratitude can tell,
o gracious god of israel.

never can i repay thee, lord,
but i can love thee. thy pure word,
hath it not been my one delight,
my joy by day, my dream by night?
then let my lips proclaim it still,
and all my life reflect thy will.

o’errule mine acts to serve thine ends.
change frowning foes to smiling friends.
chasten my soul till I shall be
in perfect harmony with thee.
make me more worthy of thy love,
and fit me for the life above.

orson f. whitney, 1855–1931

favored fall facets by audrey.

audrey.

{fellow suitlander/oozes creativity/a gem!/lover of hippies/future anthropologie designer/best handwriting you'll ever see}

1. cardigans are a social norm and at times, even a must

2. i think of back to school and that makes me think of gilmore girls and that makes me happy

3. beautiful leaf collages are so much easier to make in the fall

4. smells: pumpkin anything, crispness in the air, thanksgiving, byu games, and mold on fallen leaves {is that the same as crispness?}

5. i usually make new friends and develop new loves {both in hobby form and person form}

you da you da best courtie, the best i ever had.


**no audrey, YOU da best! really, she is the best.

i too associate fall with the beginning/continuation of tv series. the satisfaction of finally knowing if beckett will live, see how much baby lilly has grown over the summer {which incidentally was a year or 2}, following a race all over the world ... there is just so much joy in television!

those that infuse most joy into my life are {least loved to most loved}:

#5 glee

#4 30 rock

#3 amazing race

#2 castle

#1 modern family

i've been wanting to check out "up all night" nbc's new show with will arnett and i've attempted to watch "the new girl" or "a show entirely devoted to the quirks of zooey deschanel" but it is so not funny.

what should i be watching that i'm not? i need to waste more time in front of the television.

favored fall facets by cassie

cassie.

{paige's bff/hippest person/music aficionado}

1. don't think i'm trying to portray myself as a sophisticated intellect, although this will probably prove to you that i am a sophisticated intellect: my first favorite thing about fall is ... STARTING SCHOOL. sure, i love summer as much as the next teenish adult, but after a while 3 months of minimum wage work makes you start to worry that "retail shift leader" is your career, and you realize you have not learned one thing all season besides how to get down a mannequin using the long hook without killing a customer, and you just freak out and can't thing of anything more lovely than sitting down in a challenging class learning like a hungry scholar.

2. my next fall love is HEARING WHAT KIDS WANT TO BE FOR HALLOWEEN. at that age its one of the biggest, most influential decisions of the year. i remember planning and debating-what costume will allow me to squeeze the very most fun out of the one time in the year i can legally demand adults to give me candy all day? heck, i don't know why i was so worried, that sounds like it would be fun even if i was wearing a kilt.

3. THE CANDLE SMELLS. fall candle smells are the best of all four seasons. some might argue for winter, but sometimes gingerbread sugar cookie candy cain yum yum can be on the tipping scale of too much, compared to the subtle perfection of apple crisp, pumpkin spice, or cinnamon stick. love it.

4.since food obsession/consumption is second only to gaining a body and making it to the celestial kingdom on the "why i was born" list, it makes sense that one of my faves would be PUMPKIN DELIGHTS/EGGNOG. pumpkin delights = such things as: my grandmas's pumpkin rolls, or courtney's mom's pumpkin pancakes that i have thought about weekly since she made them a year ago. and although eggnog is often associated with christmas, it becomes available fall time. FINALLY. in my opinion, it should be a year round staple. {BTW for fans: look for "pumpkin nog" this year. combines the best of both worlds.}

5. and finally, i love fall because it has the exhilarating feeling of being ON THE VERGE OF SOMETHING. christmastime is the best time of the year for a lot of reasons, and since fall is so close you just get a little tingly sometimes realizing what's ahead. it's like being on the verge of winning the jackpot, or flying to the moon. the build-up is almost as good as the outcome.

**wow cassie, you are such a sophisticated intellect. no really, that list was the BEST and i couldn't agree more with all of the things on that list except for the eggnog.

what can i even add to this?

i know what i'll add, i'll add what i did on this, the first weekend in october.

-see mission loves

-roast things with mission loves

-make bed all smokey by sleeping in it with out desmokyfying myself first

-BEST bike ride

-watch conference

-go to conference

-be late to conference

-eat pumpkin pancakes

-eat chili

-eat sunday roast

-eat homemade doughnuts

it was good.

favored fall facets by paige.

paige.

{sister/most hilarious person/future educator of young minds/cray cray/just everything wonderful in life}

fall is a bit of an identity crisis.  not only is it home to an entire holiday dedicated to dressing up like something you are not but deep down inside you actually wish you were {and this year i secretly, deep down, hidden in my soul, want to be a lawn gnome}, but there are GADS of other crisis {crises-es?} sprinkled all throughout.  girls pretend to know jake heaps' stats and what an offensive linebacker is as to impress the avid football fan man, people of all ages race to crunch a fallen leave, purely to hear it crunch, leaving them feeling like a giant super villain destroying the almighty leaf in a mere stomp of a giant step, and fashion becomes a mystery 'too late for shorts?  to early for a scarf??  what to do?!!'

courtney told me to write 5 things that make me a fall lover. so besides finding excuses to drink hot chocolate, wearing my coat prematurely, dedicating days to being terrified, and candidly beginning my christmas list, the identity crisis sums up my feelings for my favorite season of pumpkins and self-unsurity {new word-live it, love it, crave it}. GO AUTUMN!


** i love her too much.

"dedicating days to being terrified"
now THAT is on my list of favored fall facets!


halloween, there is just nothing like it. when else is it socially acceptable to dress up like a mass murderer? i am celebrating this year, not by dressing up like a mass murderer, but by watching mass murderers in action.

the 13 days of halloween.that's what we're calling it. a time of dread and distress, a time when family and friends gather to delight in horror movies. to kick off the insanity, i've made a list of my all time favorite halloween movies:

1. drag me to hell
this is just a gem of a movie. very well made. very quirky. just a GEM!

2. the shining
the first time i saw this was my freshman year at byu. i was sick on halloween night and watched it on tv. my roommates and i quoted from it constantly for a couple weeks, until we came home late one night to see REDRUM written in red all over our front door. we were pretty freaked.

3. pan's labyrinth
oh the imagery in this film! it's beautiful. and nightmarish.

4. rosemary's baby
what a super creep idea for a movie. creepier, i'm positive that the doctor's office that she goes to in the movie was in my mission.

5. young frankenstein
the love that i have for this movie was passed down to me by my father. i'm pretty sure the hardest i've ever seen him laugh is during the "oh sweet mystery of life at last i've found you ..." part, EVERY TIME!

6. the orphange
i giggle with joy {and fright} each time i watch this. "SIMONE!" 
7. a tale of two sisters
one critic said this about this korean film: "never has a menstrual cycle been more terrifying." haha! my film major roommate in college was always bringing home such wonderful movies for us to watch, a tale of two sisters was no exception. hilarious and terrifying at the same time.

8. the ring
omg. i saw this on halloween day in a theater with only me and my friend emily {who forced me into seeing in and into staying when i thought i would die from terror}. i was so scared for 7 STRAIGHT DAYS!
9. ... hocus pocus
i had to add this. i just have so many marvelous memories of eating chili and watching this just before i would go out trick-or-treating on halloween night. more movies should be made about the salem witch trials.
10. the omen
the voice of the nanny yelling "look at me damien, it's all for you!" just before she hangs herself, haunts me to this day.


a horrorary mention goes to shudder island, the film that kicked off my post-mission horror movie watching.

happy haunting!

favored fall facets by aundrea.

aundrea.

{comedic relief at the office/well of administrative knowledge/useless banter companion}

{she is apparently a big foreigners fan too.}

5. fall clothes!

4. driving into the mountains to look at the beautiful colors.

3. putting in the SPRING bulbs!

2. the smell of newly-sharpened pencils {can you name that movie?}

1. THANKSGIVING!  {my favorite holiday}

**aundrea makes my days at work seem like a night at a comedy club. unfortunately, we are the stuck-to-the-deskers and these moments are few and far between {walking to the mail room, mid-day chat about randomy to keep us awake}.

the picture above depicts another favorite from my list.

byu football.

my dad gets this really weird giddiness about him as fall rolls around. like a kid on christmas. the reason, football season. he has been a season ticket holder for 29 years {please see the original 1984 national championship shirt i am wearing in the photo above}. he is the most loyal fan i know {well, him and his brother lynn}. all through those tough crowton years, through heat and rain and sleet and snow. you'll never see them leave a game early {unlike half, no, MORE than half of the fans at this year's byu utah game}, and when they do see people leave they always yell to them "it's not over till it's over", then site the miracle bowl.

so naturally, i am a byu fan.

and for me fall = byu football, cougar dogs, the imperial march, "rise and shout the cougars are out", and being squished between 62,000 other fans.

i love it.

favored fall facets by sarah.

sarah jane jones.

{fellow yogi/the only white girl i know that frequently dons corn rows/fastest towel folder west of the mississippi/best quote keeper and sayer}

{sarah and i in our younger, more flexible days.}

YAY!! I LOVE FALL!

1. football
2. halloween/holidays
3. bright, multi-colored leaves
4. PUMPKINS {i love pumpkins so so so much -- i always have several mini pumpkins lying around as well as a couple big ones; one day when i'm rich, i'll have pumpkins EVERYWHERE}
5. jacket/long-sleeved weather -- cool, crisp air

**you love her already don't you? sarah is so enthusiastic, which is one of many reasons i love her so much.

one from my list, fall fashion. the beginning of school brings a bookish look to our pallets and the change from warm to cool weather brings long sleeves and scarves and jackets. i love how the trend in color changes from blue and white stripes to neutrals and warm reds, yellows, and oranges. unfortunately, the result of this love is monetary depletion and large donations to jcrew.

favored fall facets by mother.

alisa kaye.

{mother of mine/world's greatest cook/lover of the food network and hgtv/future "my grand kids are better than yours" bumper sticker owner}

1. cooking and eating pumpkin goodies

2. wearing sweaters and boots

3. fall colors

4. chili cookouts

5. singing harvest hymns in church

**mom, i really enjoy your cooking pumpkin goodies too. please don't hesitate to make your pumpkin chocolate chip muffins ASAP!

my mom's pumpkin chocolate chip muffins are one of my favored fall facets. october 2008, my senior year of college, consisted of eating one with every meal. when i ran out, i knew it was time for a trip back home. so good.

{image via here.}

BEST muffin to eat between september and november

{mother's pumpkin chocolate chip muffins}

1 3/4 cups flour

1/3 cup sugar

2 teaspoons baking powder

1/2 teaspoon cinnamon

1/2 teaspoon nutmeg

1/2 teaspoon salt

1 beaten egg

1/2 cup canned pumpkin

3/4 cup milk

1/3 cup oil

1/2 cup chocolate chips

in a large mixing bowl stir together flour, sugar, baking powder, salt, cinnamon, and nutmeg. make a well in the center. combine egg, pumpkin, milk, and oil. add egg mixture all at once to flour mixture.

stir just till moistened; batter should be lumpy. stir in chocolate chips. grease muffin cups or line with paper bake cups; fill 2/3 full. bake in a 400 degree oven for 20-25 minutes or till golden. remove from pans; serve warm. makes 10 to 12 muffins.

enjoy!

favored fall facets by annie.

to usher in the new season, i've asked some of my favorite people to share 5 fall loves.

ANNIE

{wife to my cousin/sister in-law/wedding planner extraordinaire/future business partner}

my five fall favs:

1. the food (spices, the produce, soup, etc)
2. the colors
3. perfect temperature
4. halloween
5. thanksgiving

**oh annie, you're wonderful. lets make lavender ice cream before winter comes and no one eats ice cream.

one of my favorite things about fall is the relief society general broadcast, which takes place the weekend before general conference. this last saturday, dieter uchtdorf spoke to women around the world about being happy now. this, i think, can be quite difficult at different times in our lives. what better way to remedy this than by gratitude. being grateful for the little things that bless our lives everyday. things like soup, and fall colors, and the perfect temperature. it's things like that that make life so wonderful. don't you agree?