Happy Halloween!

We carved some pumpkins, just in time

Yummmm! oregano and lemon pepper? yes, please!

The act of carving.

one of Emily's new halloween crafts

another....

and another. It's her favorite thing to do.

You never can tell what the Southwells
are gonna do for Halloween.

no comment.

something to try...

Wednesdays and Thursdays are super busy around here (along with Tuesdays, Fridays, the weekend...) and the creative juices have been flowing on how to get a healthy, substantial meal into my children ON OUR WAY to gymnastics. We are basically gone from 5 pm until 7 pm and it's tricky to feed these hungry munchkins during this dinner hour.

For those of you familiar with THESE delicious recipes, I threw together something simple and healthy that my little ones can eat on the go.

Scrumptious Patties (it's hard to make anything with "patties" sound good, but these are)

1 lb ground turkey breast
1/2 c. pureed sweet potato divided
1 egg or egg white
ground fresh pepper
1 tsp. kosher salt
1/2 c. feta cheese ( I used basil and sundried tomato. Parmesan can also be used)
1 c. bread crumbs (or cracker crumbs) divided

Combine turkey, 1/4c. sweet potato, egg, pepper, salt, cheese and 1/3 c. bread crumbs in a large bowl. I like to use my freshly washed hands, it's great for mixing and kinda fun, in a gross sorta way. Form into small balls. Roll in remaining sweet potato (just a thin layer) and roll into remaining bread crumbs. flatten into a little patty. Cook in heated skillet, coated with just a bit of olive oil, for about 2 minutes each side.
Easy on the go! ( I don't know how many it makes because they get eaten too fast...let's just say it's enough to feed my hungry family of 6...with a side dish or two).

One Tick off my Bucket List

Many moons ago I (Ryan) made mention of this and thanks to a bunch of ladies who were enthused enough to get a group together, I'm so glad we actually did it. Kelly and I had practiced once a week for about 5 weeks on this with this gang who were all awesome. Thanks to all who helped and participated.

Watch the movie here (on Youtube there's a button to watch it in high resolution, or see below.)

So for those in it that have requested, here are other versions you can download:
High Res Movie: Right click here to save it
iPhone version: Right click here to save it

who needs Yoga?

Just join in a family fun game of TWISTER! and laugh until your gut hurts!!!

My new favorite show

Ryan and I got into this a bit last season. Then, we found ourselves questioning when the new season was starting. We can't wait to watch it now, every Tuesday at 10! It's entertaining, always has a good plot, and clean (yes, on ABC, network television!) Check it out!

Miss Proposition

I wish everyone could see what I've seen today. I got to film a wedding at the San Diego temple and I never realized how much my work is connected to Prop 8. But today I had to share this image I shot cause it is what it is and should always be. Made me proud.

Katy and Jeff were an awesome couple to work with and in the very near future I'll be expanding out on my own introducing a blog dedicated to the work I do (yea finally! as all you ladies cheer to get me outa here!)  Their video will be posted soon. I'll invite you all to drop in cause I know you all like to use cameras.

But wait there's more!! I've heard a lot of people call the traditional marriage folks bigots. Like we want people to suffer. So much hate, people! Almost everyone I talk to who has a sign has experienced a theft with their Prop 8 sign getting stolen off their lawn. Well, my mom had 2 signs stolen and she had enough. She made this sign as I went up to duck tape a new sign to the chimney. I think my mom rocks!

As for my own video project, time has become another issue. But I found some other videos done that I love and will post soon. In the mean time, I would like to offer a toast to all those who are not ashamed to openly show their belief for goodness sake. Here here Miss Proposition! 

(I think it would be a cool trend to wear them around like a pageant sash.)

LDS Frineds, Near and Far...and everyone who wants to join...

I know that Prop. 8 is only on the California ballot, but if it passes it WILL affect the whole country, and our society over-all.

I know some friends and family who are doing a large fast for this reason- to protect our country, our society...to protect marriage, and FAMILIES.
Please join us, in a FAST on NOVEMBER 2 (just two days before the election) to protect these sacred values.

PASS the WORD! There is strength in numbers and I know fasting and prayer can be powerful tools!

Requesting Your Ideas and Creativity

Dear Friends and Family,
Time is getting short and I can feel the massive anticipation over Prop 8. I see all these commercials for " No on Prop 8" and feel like they have come on with a stronger attack than those of us voting YES. I was thinking to myself that I would have a lifelong regret if we lost this and I didn't put up a fight. So here's my goal. I don't have the cash to put a commercial on TV, but I do believe in viral marketing over the internet. I really want to put a nice video together and to spread it online.
But my approach is this: I don't want to make a list of facts of all the cons... like taxes, money, but what I DO want to do is appeal to emotions with morals, true gender identity, and God/the fulfillment of family and procreation. (And possibly touching on kids learning about same gender parenting.)

I need you help to come up with a plot/script/appeal as if it were our own commercial. We all have thoughts on the issues and I want to hear yours.
I am giving this 2 days to write up and plan to start filming by mid-week. Anything will help and my brain alone isn't creative enough.

Basis:
1-2 minutes long
appealing to the moral issues.
Possibly involving all kids???
Positive reasons to vote YES, not reasons to not vote NO.

I need to get some creative ideas from you...
And for anyone living in my vicinity, I may ask you to be a character

Please respond to me at my email ASAP.
ryansouthwell@gmail.com

-Ryan

Finally!

After much anticipation and anxious waiting, it is here!
SOUP SEASON!!!
It's my favorite time of year (besides Christmas, New Years, birthdays, Summer, Spring...). I can't wait to start brewing away at our family favorite soup recipes and try many new ones as well.
If you have a delicious soup recipe PLEASE pass it on! We love to make them and try them!
Here is a picture of one of my favorites, home-made Minestrone, with sausage and garden veggies. YUMM (with a topping of fresh Parmesan).
Hooray for cold weather, the smell of the heater, fires in the fire place and SOUP SEASON!

Recipe:

1 Lb. Italian Sausage (casing removed)
2 Tbs. olive oil
1 lg. onion, chopped
3 cloves garlic, minced
5-6 c. chicken broth
28 oz. can of diced tomatoes
1 bunch or bag fresh spinach
1 1/2 c. sliced carrots
1 1/2 c. fresh or frozen cut green beans
7-8 fresh basil leaves, finely chopped (1 1/2 tsp. dried)
1/2 tsp. dried marjoram
pinch dried pepper flakes
1 can kidney or black beans
1 c. uncooked shell pasta (or wagon-wheel)

Brown sausage in skillet. Set aside. Heat olive oil in pot, add onion and garlic. Saute 3-5 min. Add all remaining ingredients EXCEPT pasta and beans. Simmer for 45 min. to 1 hr. 15 min. before serving, bring to a boil and add beans and pasta.
Top with fresh Parmesan cheese, serve with warm rolls.
ENJOY!

YES on Prop 8

It's worth a minute of your time once you see proof of what has already happened.

Just playing around!

I never have a camera with me to just click away at the random every-day things that keep us going. But now, finally, I can take some photos while we're out and about. (they aren't the BEST quality, but it does the job...not like my photography skills require a top-o-the-line camera anyway.)


So, here we are at the park just goofin' around while we wait for Em to get out of school. Notice, Ez thinks he's a big kid too and wants to do what his friend is doing. Oh dear.


Joel's climbing as usual, and Jaydon's being camera shy while he plays.



I just wish that the weather would act the way that the calendar reads...I want FALL to be here...not 95 degree summer heat!