Happy Halloween Happenings

Halloween is one of the most freakishly festive holidays? Events? I say event because it isn't much of a celebration of anything, more like an event with tons of candy, costumes, and spooky things.

Speaking of candy, I found these this season and decided to casually try them. The casually stopped there because I flipped out at how good they were and now I have strategically hidden bags so I don't consume them all at once.

Ross and I did the customary carving of pumpkins earlier in the week. I've gotten smart and this year I opted for a tiny pumpkin since I know I'm always too lazy to do a full pumpkin.

It's dancing Baby Groot from the best movie ever!

Ross is a fancy pants and did an incredible Flash pumpkin. He knows it's my favorite and we have really enjoyed watching the series this season.

We had a fancy little colored strobe light for the pumpkin. Don't blink or you might miss this video.

Before and after!

Not as impressive with all the lights on, but I still like this picture.

Come Halloween we weren't 100% sure what our plans were. I thought it would be fun to go check out Riverside and see a movie at the theater there. First we stopped at the mall for a snack and we found this high-end puppy store with expensive designer dogs. 

They were so adorable I couldn't handle it. I love the little cocker spaniel and golden doodles. 

After we got a snack we headed over to the theater. I had seen some previews for The Book of Life and became increasingly interested in seeing it. So we did! 

I really loved it. It was a very cute movie and the cinematography was incredible. It was bright and colorful, and about time that they made a movie about Dia de los Muertos. I didn't realize until the credits first appeared that it was produced by Guillermo del Toro. Go figure. 

After the movie we came back to Redlands to check out "The Zone" on Olive Street. The city blocks off a large area of residential neighborhood for safe trick-or-treating.

They have some live bands, and some little carnival games too. Mostly the main attractions are the hundred year old Victorian homes along the street that are decked out in creepy and fun Halloween decorations. 

We heard it could get kind of insane, so we thought we would catch the tail end of the action at the end of the evening. It was busy for sure, and fun to walk around and see all the holiday spirit and cute costumes. 

It was turning out to be a full night, and we were pretty hungry from all our walking. Ross and I still had a ton of energy though, so we decided to go wander around Target. We picked up a frozen pizza, novelty soda, and a lego mini-figure. 

Lucky us! We got the perfect Halloween mini-figure! A creepy little Wednesday Adams-esque girl. I love it. 

I got dressed up in my Wyld Style Halloween costume and I am a little obsessed with the hair color. I think it should be a permanent change! Thoughts?

Makings

My Pinterest is full of pins of projects that I fully intended to make during the 5 seconds it took me to look at the pin and re-pin it. Me, and millions of other people across the globe.

But when I get up enough energy and interest, sometimes I dig into those pins with ferocity and figure it out. I've always wanted to be sufficient at reading crochet patterns, mostly so I could get into amigurumi. And kind of because I need smaller-scale projects that keep my interest.

With all of this in mind, I found this little guy a good place to start/ resume.

As with all my projects, I had to rip it out and re-do it.

 But after a few attempts and some YouTube videos, it turned out pretty cute! 

Perfect excuse to get some candy corn to fill it with. 

Also, I got courageous and decided that a good use for all my yarn would be a slouchy pumpkin beanie so your whole head can look like a pumpkin. I used this tutorial. 

I thought it might be cool to give my sister for her October birthday, to use to go trick-or-treating with her little buddies. It's the ultimate way to show you care about Halloween but are too cool to really dress up. I even added a little green pom-pom on the end so people can get the idea.

I don't think it turned out as cool as I would have liked it. No matter how tight the stitches are, patterns seem to run large. Maybe if it is put in the wash it will soften up a little and shrink. But I hope she likes it!

The Big Comfy Couch & Custard

Any news around here is big news, it seems. Still looking for a job and things are pretty ... routine? Ross and I have random outings and find cool stuff, and sometimes cool stuff finds us.

We have been looking for a couch for sometime now. Ross isn't convinced that it is necessary and I scout for a good price or deal, and then spend way too much time thinking of how we would get it to our apartment or up the stairs. I'm not a fan of thrift store couches, but if the boot were ever to fit, that might happen.

I keep trying to convince Ross but he just doesn't see the need. Me, as the perpetual lounge lizard, sees no other way to be able to enjoy relaxing and watching TV. Oh wait- we don't have TV either, so just movies and our empty walls.



This is Ross's solution to our couch dilemma -a folded mattress topper. Don't worry, we classed it up by throwing a white bedsheet over it.

One week in church I overhead two ladies talking about a couch. My ears perked up. Sounded like it was a situation where a couch couldn't trade hands because of one reason or the other. After their convo I intercepted one of the parties involved to get more information on said couch. Sounded like there were two couches being given away! For freeee. Surely I would be able to figure an arrangement out to get it up my stairs if the couch was free.

And so some calls were made (to complete strangers) and we were on our way to a couch viewing. An empty-nester couple from our church was moving and downsizing. They wanted to get rid of some stuff including a couch they had in a sitting room area. They said that it was rarely ever used and they just wanted to get rid of it. The couch, albeit heavily flowered, was in great condition! They even said that they could drop it off for us no problem because they had trucks and trailers, they just needed to pack up some stuff and drop it off in storage. We gladly volunteered to help them pack and haul. Then they had some grandkids come over and help. Everything moved along really quickly and before we knew it we had a bunch of punk-metal teenagers hefting the couch onto the trailer then bringing it up our stairs. It fit like a glove and we didn't have any problems getting it inside.



A thing of beauty!! They actually had a loveseat and a upright recliner that matched but we don't have space for them so we declined. But, they wanted to get rid of all the pillows for the set so they gave all of them to us.

So. Many. Pillows. So many flowers! Ross put one of our quilts over the couch to protect that lovely flower print. I'm not sure what it is about the 90's that made people think floral print was the coolest thing every, but it's pretty funny. I absolutely love our couch. It seems like such a small thing, but it makes a huge difference. Ross and I have never owned a couch in our years of marriage and apartments and moving and it's weird to be able to have a nice place to lay or hang out. It really brings me so much happiness when I see it. I hope one day when we have a bajillion dollars and 100 couches we can remember the simple life when our Flower Power II (Jen has Flower Power I) was one of the coolest things happening.

Needless to say Ross is hopelessly in love with our new acquisition. Good ol' Mister Anti-couch is a full-blown convert, I even witnessed his baptism as he took a nap on the couch the other day! He believes.

That was all really a lot of words for a few pictures so I feel the need to piggy-back on this post and redeem myself with some randoms.

Ross and I have searched high and low for the perfect and optimally priced turntable. You may recall our visit to Rhino Records. Well, we finally buckled down and made a purchase. I was eagerly awaiting the arrival but if came just after my Utah Trip.

When I arrived back in Redlands, I couldn't wait to listen to the big stack of records I had waiting. 

Speaking of the Redlands, I feel like somewhere, I need to mention the atrocious air quality. 

Can't see the mountains that are right thereI?! Yeah me neither. Don't even get me started on the Stink Advisories that we have sometimes. Yes. You read that right. STINK, as in odor or stench. 

Check out this pimped out bike. Nothing too special overall, but oh my those handles bars... turned it into a low-rider.

One of the benefits of living in Southern California besides the high taxes, would be having freaking Birds of Paradise flowers right outside your front door. 

Since I love Guardians of the Galaxy so freakin' much, I kinda wanted to get a t-shirt. Don't mind that I had to find it in the men's section of the most wretched store in the world-it works. 

Also found some cool leggings that I think will go well with the GOTG themed Halloween costume I am planning. 

Ross and I have done a lot of afternoon bumming around but not too many legitimate dates. That is fine by me, but one afternoon Ross surprised me (the same afternoon we got the couch, so we were already on Cloud 9) and suggested that we go to this sammich and frozen custard place he found nearby. 

It's a tiny place in the middle of an orange orchard, because we fancy like that. We got some sammiches and enjoyed the sunset. The custard was amazing and we will definitely be coming back here!

Lucas Family Visit

It seems like I am constantly being hosted by my gracious friends. I have to admit that when Brigette mentioned that she'd love to come see me, stay with me, it was a new realm. I couldn't wait! Especially since the whole family was coming down.

They came down Friday night, and we had some pizza! Pizza that I would learn would last for days.

Then Brigette and I made a late-night run to Target to try and hatch a plan for my upcoming Halloween costume for her party. I haven't been able to find hair chalk anywhere and she volunteered to walk around Target with me to find it. Such a burden, I know. ;)

The real fun started the next day. We had some breakfast then headed over to Scandia. But before that Brigette and I shared another of our many "BFF moments."



Similar glasses and twin clothes! You can't tell the shirt is lightly polka dotted, and we have the same exact pair of American Eagle jeans. I love it. But I had to change so that there were no accidental butt grabs.

I've never been to Scandia so I was excited at the prospects. We started with some mini golf. I wasn't half bad, but I think that was mostly luck. We each had some really great runs.

After mini gold we went on some rides. Including cramming ourselves into this tiny train car. 

I love Ross's legs poking up and Aaron's legs dangling out the back. Most uncomfortable ride ever, but totally worth it. 

Later we headed over to Victoria Gardens for some food and a brief intermission. 

Asher getting creative in H&M. The last hanger was dropped in a panic when a bathroom needed to be located ASAP. 

We ate a Red Robin and Asher wasn't having it. I don't know how that kid can grow so fast and eat so little. But I'm the world's most terrible aunt for sneaking a picture of him in his utter despair of "three more bites". 

After we headed back to Scandia and went on some more rides, including the creepy carnie carousel. 

Ross took Asher to play in the Arcade when Aaron, Brigette and I naively waited in line for the big roller coaster. 

It jacked us up pretty good and left us all wondering how and when we got so "old." Yeesh. 

We met up with the besties in the arcade and joined in the fun. 

I love this photo of Brigette's family on this ride! It is from earlier in the day, and it turned out great. Captures the day really well, lots of fun!

Ross and I tried to go in one of the super creepy haunted houses but they weren't opening on time so we just gave up. 

It was an awesome day! I think we ended up eating more of the pizza for a late night snack. 

The next day was Sunday, which is always a nice day to relax and take it easy. We woke up slowly and went to the park to play around and lounge in the shade. 

Ross and Asher playing some catch or something. Later that day I was hanging out with Asher and he decided to play with the bananagram tiles, or rather, make the world's newest and longest word. He had a great time lining up the tiles and asking me to pronounce the word. 

I can't blame him, it was pretty ridiculous sounding. After that we did a cool dinosaur puzzle. I am always impressed at how sharp this little dude is. It wasn't the easiest of puzzles but he picked it up pretty well! 

It was a really fun lazy day, but like all fun, lazy days, and especially Sundays, you gotta get back to real life, so off they went! But I already can't wait for them to come back. Brigette mentioned they might come in a couple weeks before my birthday, maybe partially because Asher was a little heart-broken that he didn't get to swim in our pool. :) 

Redlands Temple

Ross's current schedule allows for many random afternoon adventures. He gets done pretty early and by that point I'm usually exhausted from filling out applications or tired about thinking about applications, and it's a nice break to do something random.

This particular afternoon we decided to wander over to the LDS Temple here in Redlands.

Growing up I was always partial to the Los Angeles Temple, but I had driven past the Redlands temple as well. Even though I grew up going to the Los Angeles temple, the Redlands temple is about the same distance time-wise. To learn more about temples you can check out this site.



Temples are always beautiful places, whether you are a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints or not, Christian, or not, you can find a beautiful building and grounds!



The Redlands temple was dedicated in 2003, and I can remember when it was announced to be built. Since it has been built more recently, it is a pretty small temple. Unlike earlier temples (like the Salt Lake City or Los Angeles temples) that were quite large in comparison, temples tend to be more plentiful and smaller. The same important work and learning is done, no matter the size!

The Redlands temple is the third one built in Southern California and the first in the Inland Empire. 

I learned that the temple site is on the original landholdings of the early settlers of San Bernardino- Mormons! "...established in 1851 under the direction of Brigham Young. The ethnically diverse settlement provided colony life to Mormon pioneers, African-American families, Jewish merchants, Spanish rancho families, former Mexican government officials, and local Cahuilla and Serrano Indians."

The archways, fountains, everything is so intricate and symbolic and beautiful. It was very peaceful to just take some time and walk around the temple grounds. 

Picture Dump

I've been doing a lot of blog updating lately, with a lot of words and stories. I thought I would do something different. A "picture dump" if you will. Lots of random photos, not so many words. 

Okay, maybe just a sentence: ^ I need this job!!!!!