Productive Weekend

My weekend started during the day on Friday when my HVAC guy came over to clean-out our furnaces and turn the furnace on. The whole week I refused to turn it on because to me it was too early in October to do it. I was defiant until Friday morning when our Finnish friends woke up and told me that it was like sleeping at the cabin, I decided that maybe it would be more comfortable for our guests to sleep little warmer than 60 F (15 C).

Friday night we left to go to the BYU-USU (Utah State University in Logan) football game with Alex. Rod was in sunny California and he gave me some advice on what to wear to the game. He told me that I should pretend like it was 30 degrees F (-1 C) and to wear long johns, hat and mittens. I didn't take his advice except that I wore a heavy ski jacket. Before the game started, I was freezing already. I didn't have to pretend it was 30 degrees because it felt like it was. After a hot dog and a blanket from Gail, BYU beat USU 37-17. A good start of the weekend. After the game, which we left early, we drove to Will's Pit Stop for a gourmet hot chocolate. I wanted to dip my feet in. It was tempting. I didn't.

Saturday morning I woke up to skype with my mother, as always. Then decided to make a yummy, totally American breakfast for our guests. Alex had told me about a recipe that he wanted me to try for pancakes. Ricotta Cheese-Blueberry pancakes were so delicious, and with bacon, anything tastes good.

Then I moved my work outside. I pulled out all of the petunias and other annuals to get ready for winter. I emptied the flower boxes and cleaned them out. I raked the grass and the flower beds from all the fallen leaves. I felt like I was ready for winter now.

Saturday night Matti, Timothy, Michael and Sini Helske came over for a brief visit. It was so great to see the newlywed couple and meet Sini for the first time. Unfortunately our visit was so short that I didn't get to ask all the questions I wanted. Hope to see Michael and Sini again before they head back to Finland. After the visit, I started baking. We have a great tradition with the Williams family that we go over to their house on Conference Sunday to eat brunch and then watch the second session of the General Conference with them. That is why I started baking.

I got brownies and lemon-blueberry streusel bars made.

Sunday morning at 7, I continued baking and cooking. I made my bread pudding and Creme Anglaise, I made homemade macaroni and cheese, I made donuts, I made rosemary-garlic roasted potatoes. The last thing I pulled out of the oven was the salmon. And off we went.

There was so much food and we all hardly made a dent to all of the food. Katie had made all of our favorite dishes, and we ate and ate and ate. Ali had come from NYC for a short weekend visit and it was so great to see her. She looks so happy. Thanks Katie for hosting, again.

After we left the Williams, we drove over to Jana and Quinn's house because today would have been Cooper's 5th birthday. There was a lot of sadness in the house and we hugged a lot. Jana and Quinn seemed to be doing ok.

I had to prepare dinner because the Finns were returning to our house for their last day before heading back to Finland via Las Vegas. They arrived right at 6pm and dinner was ready. After dinner and cleaning up, I went and fell into bed to watch my favorite shows.

It was a great weekend and great conference. It was fun to see and visit with all of our old friends. I think I will sleep now for the rest of the week. If somebody asks me "what's for dinner", I will just point to the leftover donuts and brownies. This momma is done cooking for a while. And yes, I know I always go overboard with my cooking and baking.