But if my wisdom teeth are extracted will I still be wise?

Jared had his wisdom teeth extracted on Wednesday in preparation for his mission. When it was time to leave Jared just did not want to get out of his chair, but with help we managed to get him to wobble out to the car taking giant shaky steps, all the while grinning like a silly goose, eyes closed the entire time. They told me he was one of the funniest patients they had and that it's best if he doesn't get into drinking, which thankfully will not be a problem with this guy. Thankfully, when I arrived home with Jared, his friend Jenny was there to help me get him in the house and he barely made it to the couch as he kept trying to lay down on nothing. Of course he was completely babied and cared for using ice packs and sleeping all day long. Amazingly enough, today he is quite lucid and even did some Christmas decorating in his room. He wasn't very hungry yesterday, but today cannot get enough food to satisfy as it has to be soft. He's not much in the mood for ice cream, just wants steak and potatoes, but that will have to wait. I'm convinced Dr. Boyse is highly skilled as Jared's recovery is so quick.

Jared does look rather like a chipmunk

Uncle Joe would rather hold Alice than eat cake!

It looks yummy - can we have some too??

It's my birthday and I'll have as big a bite as I want!!!

As part of Eric's birthday gift, I prepared dinner since Rebecca has given birth so recently to their little angel, Alice. I actually made a delicious cake using Marsie's "the best chocolate cake ever" recipe. It really was the best chocolate cake ever, and unlike all the cakes I made for so many years that flopped, this one actually stayed up like a cake is supposed to do. I created a whipped cream topping with a little powdered sugar, chocolate, cinnamon and vanilla added. The leaf is a real autumn leaf from Payson area. However, true to form, my chocolate chips were not neatly placed on top so the cake does not look professional. Oh, well, it was delicious if I do say so myself. The potato salad is my own usual creation of potatoes, boiled eggs, green onions, celery, sweet pickle relish, and a dressing which included mayonaise, mustard, pickle juice, a squeeze of lemon juice, salt and spicy dash. The meat is pulled pork which I simmered all day with seasoning, garden herbs, etc. The pork was served with Joe's barbeque sauce (from Joe's Barbeque and Grill) on wonderful wheat buns from Trader Joe's.

What a beautiful young family - a baby brings such joy!

Beautiful Mommy, Rebecca and daughter, Alice

Eric is a Daddy just in time for his birthday

Happy Thanksgiving to One and All From Our House to Yours

Salvia and Petunia plants surviving - planted in July for the family reunion

Mint from Tina Nunley, planted in July is doing very well now that it is established

A little dash of autumn in the midst of cactus at the cabin

This delicious tomato soup was wonderful and very warming on a totally chilly day. I found the recipe on www.yourhomebasedmom.com. However, as usual, I had to improvise like I always do when cooking. Here's my version of her recipe. (by the way her blog is a delightful place for finding recipes.) Briefly cook in about 2 or 3 tablespoons of olive oil: 1/2 onion, 3 cloves finely chopped garlic, 2 or 3 fresh Roma tomatoes chopped Add about 1 tablespoon finely chopped fresh herbs (I used basil and oregano from my garden pots) Add 2 cans tomato sauce - bring to a soft bubble for a few minutes. Serve with cilantro finely chopped (easy to grow in a pot) add cubed cheese if desired For dessert I served freshly baked blackberry pie (exactly as the recipe is on her blog). I forgot to take a picture but it looked just like the picture on Leigh Anne's blog.

A Day Trip to Star Valley

Saturday, November 22 was a beautiful day to take a day trip to the cabin. We had a delicious pancake breakfast with Jake and Susie before we left.We had a pickup load of stuff to haul up, but the major need was to gather wood that had been cut down early in the summer by the forest service and left out in the forest. Dad and Jake (mostly Jake) gathered the wood and did other jobs around while Susie and Mom relaxed, talked on the phone made lunch and visited. It was so chilly in the morning but warmed up later. At least we now have plenty of wood to burn in the fireplace and keep warm when we're there. Dad and Jake discovered several cool forts out in the forest that neighbor children had built. There was also signs all over the property that we had had many elk visiting and enjoying our mountain retreat. Our Star Valley place is our "Walden Pond" -- we hope it gives peace to all who visit.

Autumn is my favorite time of year! A season of joy-a season of gathering the family together and rejoicing over blessingsGrandma Ethel Chesley's autumn artwork that we display every year.

Wishing for all the joys of the journey, even when the road is rocky

Baby James Benjamin Jensen and his adoring sister, Liesel Born Sunday, November 2, 2008

James with his adoring Gramie

Sweetest little feller anybody knows

Grandaddy with Princess Alice Nicole-Folz Bielefeldt Born Sunday, November 16

Daddy Eric with his little princess Sweetest Little Angel

Dear Henry and Lil' Liza after 40 years of marriage still handsome and beautiful!!! (oh yeah)

The long hike in the forest wore out all the children so they collapsed in front of the tiny AC unit in the tiny living room afterwards. Wall to wall children watching the tiny TV!!! But what a fun time riding the horses Beth and Dave brought up.

Oh the campfire was an adventure for those who could stay awake(everyone except Gramie)

So much creativity!!!!

Sam the winner - actually everyone was a winner - what a funny Bielefeldt American idol show

The greatest judges for the super Bielefeldt American idol show! Our own Susie was the creator of this wild and wonderful program.

Celebrating 40 years of marriage - oh the family, dogs, horses, goats, squirrels, tarantulas, etc. all got together with the yummiest food ever - from Joe's barbeque chicken to the best ever German breakfast, including freshly made goat icecream and Susie's apple pie etc.

RoadtoJoy

RoadtoJoy AMERICAN IDOL BIELEFELDT STYLE What a great family reunion and 40th wedding anniversary party -- Wow! what a talented posterity we have! Not only can these kids create art projects of all kinds, but they can dance and sing as we all discovered. We had the amazing Von Miller family singing several songs from Sound of Music as well as a genuine puppet show produced by Lucy; Sarah Hollenbeck bringing down the house with her incredible song; the sweet Jensen sisters voices of angels; the energetic break dancing of the Nunley brothers; the Harry Potter variety show by the cousins with Uncles Jake and Jared; the crazy, but totally handsome Grandaddy as Dear Henry and spontaneous Gramie as Dear Liza singing "My Bucket's got a hole in it"; and much, much more. The surprise of the evening was the enthusiastic and energetic solo by David Miller. The judges were astute with such positive remarks for all who performed (Shawn, Joe, and Susie with Ben as the moderator). Many valuable pieces of art work created by Marty were awarded to the winners. Other activities included eating, visiting, a treasure hunt, a fishing game, horseback riding, a long hike in the forest, target shooting, all night visiting, swimming, water balloon fights, etc.

RoadtoJoy

RoadtoJoy