Yummy Potatoes

8 boiled potatoes
1 can mushroom soup
1 cup sour cream
4 TBS. butter
1 8 oz. pk. of cream cheese
1 cup milk
pinch of salt
1 cup shredded cheese
1/4 cup chopped onion
1 cup cubed ham
1 cup crushed corn flakes

Cook potatoes until just about done, peel and shred.
Sauce - in pan mix soup, sour cream, butter, cream cheese, milk and salt.
Heat until butter and cream cheese melt.

Spread 1/2 of potatoes, then 1/2 of cheese & onions.
Spread 1/2 of ham, then 1/2 of sauce.
Repeat the first two layers.
Bake 25 min. at 350 covered with tin foil.
Top with shredded cheese and crushed corn flakes.
Return uncovered to warm oven to melt cheese.
.
Ready to eat and absolutely YUMMY.

Chapter 7

Lawrence Sardoni (my father)

Elizabeth Lindsay Thomas (his mother)

Charles John Thomas (her father)

.

C.J. Thomas is my great grandfather

.

One of his regrets at the end of his life was that he hadn't compiled and published much of the music he had written. As far as it is known, he was the first to compose anthems based on words taken from the Book of Mormon and Doctrine and covenants.
On the morning of the 28th or 29th of March, 1919, when he first opened his eyes, he asked, "Have they gone?"
His wife who was also his nurse asked, "Who?" He answered, "My father and other brethren." Feeling sure that the visit had been a very real one to him. She answered. "O yes, yes they have gone." She asked who the other brethren were and he told her. They had told him of the work that had been planned for him to do and said,"It is wonderful. Wonderful".

On the morning of the 31st of March 1919, like a healthy child just awakened from a peaceful sleep, he asked the time, then nestled closer to his wife-nurse, closed his eyes and went to where we believe his fondest hopes and ambitions are being realized.

.

.This information has been abridged from three sources.

1. A Sketch of the Life of Charles John Thomas
by Amy Adams Thomas - wife

2. Charles J. Thomas - Early Guide on Temple Square
Improvement Era -March 1963

3. Biography of Professor Charles John Thomas
A tribute to my Father
by Anna Thomas Piercey

.

This has been challenging to condense and may be changed from time to time.

Chapter 6

April 6, 1892, work on the temple's exterior was completed. At the Temple Capstone Dedication, he directed the Union Glee Club, singing "All Hail the Glorious Day", which he composed. The Military Band played a grand march "The Cap Stone", composed by him especially for that occasion .

April 6, 1893, forty years exactly after the cornerstone, or foundation stone was laid, the interior was finished and at the Temple Dedication some of his compositions were sung. In 1893 he was called to direct the Temple Choir which position he held until his death in 1919. He was an ordained temple worker. He spent time and money seeking out his genealogy and having their work done.

In June of 1902, a musical contest was held at the Tabernacle. The prize was $250.00 offered for the best rendition of the celebrated chorus, "Comrade in Arms" by Adolph Adam. There were four male choruses who competed from Oneide County, Idaho, Utah County, Weber County and Salt Lake City. C.J. Thomas was requested on brief notice of two weeks to take charge of the newly organized male chorus from Salt Lake of about seventy members. The prize was awarded to the Salt Lake chorus.

Temple Block & Mission Chapter 5

Salt Lake Tabernacle built between 1864 and 1867.

Temple block 1897.

.

Early Guide on Temple Square

In 1875 he received an additional appointment from Pres. Young, to act as custodian of the Salt Lake Tabernacle. In this work he was to meet tourists on the Temple Square, show them the grounds and interior of the Tabernacle, answer their questions regarding the Mormon religion and perhaps play a few hymns for them on the Tabernacle organ.

It was at this time that he purchased a book for guests to sign. This book has been given to the Church Historian's Library. He worked alone on the Temple Block for twenty five years. Except for two years, 1885 to 1887, when he was a missionary in Great Britian. In 1902 the first Bureau of Information was established.

Some of the names in his book are : Civil War General - Philip H. Sherida, President Ulysses S. Grant, President Rutherford B. Hayes, President Theodore Roosevelt, President William Howard Taft. World Prize fighter - John L. Sullivan, William F. Cody or "Buffalo Bill", greatest pianist of his time - Paderewski, band leader and composer - John Philip Sousa, John W. Rigdon son of Signey Rigdon who later joined the Church.

.

Information from an article on C.J. Thomas in "The Improvement Era" 1963.

Thank you to my sister Betty for sending it to me.

.

Mission Call to England

In 1885, he was called on a mission to great Britain to serve in Yorkshire and London. The dense fog caused acute bronchitis which became chronic and from which he suffered more or less for the rest of his life.

.

He returned two years later and the authorities called him to his previous position on the Temple Block.

The Golden Spike. Chapter 4

May 10, 1869, (141 years ago) the last spike, a golden spike, was driven to join the rails of the Union and Pacific Railroads at Promontory Summit, Utah. This connected the east and west coasts of the United States with a single railline.

This event opened up new territory and made

travelling easier and more popular.

It affected C.J. Thomas's life.

Many noted artists begin performing at the theater,

sometimes a whole troupe would arrive, bringing their special music for their perfomances which would have to be rehearsed and played on very short notice and he, as conductor, received many splendid compliments on the efficient manner in which this was done.

In July 1874, '75 and '76, he conducted great musical festivals given in the Tabernacle, on these occassions, between four and five thousand Sunday School children participated, assisted by the theater orchestra and the great organ.

Southern Utah - Chapt. 3

In November of 1865, he was sent to the St. George area

to help in various settlements. Brigham Young was anxious for

the colonizers to to be taught both vocal and instrumental music.

.

While there he was called to join the militia because of

serious Indian troubles and wars.

He went on several expeditions in defense of the people.

.

On one occasion, while traveling alone on horseback,

he saw a small company of Indians approaching him.

There was nothing to do, but go ahead and meet them.

He started whistling a merry tune and as he drew near,

he stopped his horse and saluted them in the Indian dialect.

With a very thankful heart, he was allowed to go on in peace.

.

In 1868, he was sent to Beaver, UT. to teach

and organize musical groups there.

The settlers were poor here and to help support himself,

he worked in the woolen mills and also taught school. (3)

.

Three years later, in 1871, Pres. Brigham Young

called him back to Salt Lake City to resume his

old position as musical director at the Theater.

"This Is The Place" Chapter 2

In 1861, the family of four started the journey across the plains.
Charles had very tender feet. When a child, he had

sprained one of his ankles that had never thoroughly healed.

He walked with a slight limp the rest of his life.

He walked most, if not all the way across the plains.

At night when he took off his shoes, he poured blood from

the shoe that had encased his weak foot and ankle.

.

They arrived in Salt Lake on the 23rd Sept. 1861.

Soon after his arrival, he was appointed to the

leadership of the late Captain Ballo's band.

.

At that time, the Salt Lake Theater was being built.

An experienced conductor for the orchestra was needed.

He was the person selected to fill the position.

This was challenging because musicians were few

and many had to be taught how to play an instrument. For a while

the orchestra received no financial compensation for

their services, which made it very difficult for a leader to control

the members either at rehearsals or performances.

But even with these obstacles, he had a very creditable orchestra

at the opening of the theater and it kept improving until in a short

time it became quite famous,receiving many compliments from

artists who came from the East.

.

It took four or five months to receive anything from the East,

so he composed some of the music for concerts,

musicals plays and extravaganzas at the theater.

.

For three years, from 1862 to 1865, he served

as director of the Mormon Tabernacle Choir.

Charles John Thomas 1832 - 1919

Born in Burnley, Lancashire, England.

The eldest son of Joseph K. and Margaret Spottswood Thomas.

His father was an accomplished musician who played the French Horn.

When Charles was seven his father began teaching him the French Horn.

At nine, Charles performed with his father at the

Theatre Royal, Newcastle-on-Tyne.

His father, recognizing his unusual abilities, arranged for

him to be tutored in London with Professor

Thirlwall, of the Royal Theatre Orchestra, Covent

Garden, where he graduated "with honor."

.

While a musician in London at seventeen years of age,

he first heard the gospel preached by L.D.S. elders.

He was baptized that same year in 1850.

.

For the next 10 years he was involved with many prestigious

music festivals, choruses and orchestras.

Three seasons he traveled with an Italian Opera Co. to Scotland.

He also published some of his compositions, which had been

successfully performed at several London theaters.

.

May 11, 1860 he bade farewell to Old England and sailed

on the ship "William Tapscott ", arriving June 16, 1860

in New York with his wife, his widowed mother and younger sister

Margaret, (who later married George Romney, Mitt's g. grandfather).

.

For a year in New York, he filled engagements with different

orchestras of the theaters which were most popular in that city.

A Still Life by Jenae.

The citrus fruit looks so real and refreshing.

The steel bowl is a masterpiece.

Looks great hanging in her kitchen.

The Lock and Key are on Our Side of the Veil.

April's Vising Teaching Message

.

Seeking and Receiving Personal Revelation

.

A lesson worth studying and discussing.

We need help from above in our journey

through our mortal experiences.

The lesson tells us how to prepare or have our

key for receiving revelations for our needs.

.
"Let us enjoy the spiritual strength and the

revelation we can receive from our

loving Heavely Father.

I Have Some U.F.O's. (unfinished objects) Quilt Tops to Be Exact.

A Quilting Bee was the way quilts

were finished in days gone by,

but

in our modern, enlightened, electronic age

quilting has changed also.

.

Within the week I hope to have

four U.F.O's quilted.

"Eat It Up, Wear It Out, Make It Do or Do Without."

World War 11 poster

The Careful Management of Resources at

Cove Fort in the Late 1800's.

The fort was a way station for travelers, a place where they could find lodging and eat filling, home-cooked meals. With so many people coming and going, there was a critical need for the careful management of resources.

Our missionary guide demonstrated this by showing us various objects in one of the rooms. First was the mattress, made of ticking, a strong, tightly woven fabric of Cotton, filled with straw or corn husks. When the mattress began to wear out the ticking was unstitched, cut into pieces, and made into pants.

When the pants wore out they were cut into thin strips, made into balls, woven on a loom and turned into floor rugs. When the rugs deteriorated they were burned, and from the ashes were able to extract lye used to make soap.

(Wow! That is what is called frugal in managing your resources.)

An exerpt from a MormonTimes.com article by Kristine Frederickson

Organizing Class at Relief Society.

Suzanne Hall's Tips:
1. Plan ahead - if an event is coming up, don't leave til last minute.
2. Plan your day.
3. 15 min. at night to walk though and tidy up every room.
4. Cook double and freeze meals.
5. Do paper work now - When it comes into house. Don't put it in a pile.
6. Require kids to be responsible - They do their own laundry when they are 12 or 14.
7. Don't be a pack rat.
8. Expectations - Don't stress, give them time.
9. Work with and along side your children when needed.
10. Clean out a draw, shelf, or cupboard everyday. Takes about 10 min. ( She cleaned a draw while on the phone that day.) In about 2 months you have gone through everything.
11. Have a place for everything and everything in its place.

Tammy Northrup's Tips:
1. She allows each child 6 apple boxes to store items they want to keep and take with them when they leave home. They are stacked neatly down the basement. These boxes with seasonal clothes and treasures are evaluated from time to time and the contents change.
2. They store special yearly papers in a shirt box.
3. She talked about different storage boxes and containers she liked.
4. Meal planning is a list of her families favorite meals. She rotates these meals and picks meals they haven't had for a while.

A new woman in the ward:
Liked to use Picasso for her pictures.
Stored computer on an external hard drive.
Liked a labeler.
Highly recommended Oxi Clean for whitening whites.
Swifter duster to make life swifter.
Said something about Kaboom.

Well there you have it!!!
Now I can throw this paper away.

The Talent of Norman Rockwell to See Life as it Really Is.

.

Be a Man!

This young man has a long way to go to emulate the strong muscle man in the poster, but he looks bound and determined to give it a try. His faithful puppy, however, doesn't see what all of the fuss is about. He loves his owner just the way he is - scrawny legs and all.

Great Lesson - from the picture and quote from the calendar. We accept others and others accept us just the way we are.
But if not. . . . buy a faithful puppy.

Getting to Know You - Getting to Know All About You.

I don't go to Salt Lake very often, but I have spent part of the last two days enjoying the big city at the Daughters of the Utah Pioneer building. They have artifacts, histories, and pictures of many of the pioneers who traveled across the plains from Brigham Young's first company in 1847 to 1869 when the railroad was available. I was unable to use the Photo Department as it is closed. The rest of the building will be closed May 3rd until July or August because of renovation. Time and money is well spent on getting these histories. So thankful that this information is available in one place for us to be able to access. It has been one of life's blessings this week.

Tips for a Successful Marriage.

Matt Townsend

S.T.A.R.V.E.D

.

In your relationship do you feel:
.
Safety
Physical, Socially, Emotionally and Spiritually.
.
Trust
.
Appreciated
.
Respect
.
Validated
.
Encouraged
.
Dedicated
.
.
Starved People Starve Others.

In these Perilous Times.

I look forward, each 6 months, to General Conference for the guidance, counsel, warnings, hope and comfort I receive from our inspired leaders. It always seems like the last talk comes too soon. Because of living in this age of modern technology, there isn't such a big let down feeling any more. On lds.org, Conference is at my fingertips. I can read, listen, or watch the Conference talks each day when it is convenient for me. This afternoon I watched Pres. Packer's talk on the Priesthood. I love the Spirit of these talks and what I think about and learn. This is one of life's blessings in my day.

The Title of Liberty.

A Peaceful Scene Out the Window.

The tree limbs are cleaned up in the yard.

(Bob helped me do that this morning).

Three years worth of limbs have been

burned and are smoldering.

(Shirl Tomlinson lit a rip roaring fire today).

This evening a deer is sitting

across from the smoldering mound.

With his back to the fence, he contentedly

watches the glowing embers and smoke.

.

A scene of pure serenity.

Reminds me of enjoying the campfire

at night after a fun day in the

mountains with the family.

Yesterday's, "It Doesn't Get Any Better Than This Moment".

Standing in the yard

in the warm sun

without a sweater.

Talking and laughing

with two friends

and thinking,

.

"It just doesn't get any better than this."

Celebrating My Life.

Two favorite pictures of my dear mother with my sister Betty in 1935. I was born in 1941.

Tomorrow is my birthday. I've been thinking about the controversy over the Superbowl ad Clark directed. A mother choosing to give her baby life, when she was counseled to terminate her pregnancy because of illness. The baby grew to be an outstanding and healthy young man. He was voted this years Heisman trophy winner. He is grateful his mother made the choice she did.

The pro choice people do not want this story told.

This week-end, I am celebrating and deeply thankful to my mother for giving me life.

Morning Movie.

"Love Comes Softly", starring Katherine Heigl, was viewed at 10 a.m. this morning. It's a must see family show. This was the first R.S. morning movie, but there will be two scheduled each month. Six mature women with no children at home enjoyed popcorn, water or soda, a cozy basement and a BIG screen T.V. Looking forward to the next one. I'm sure there will be a bigger crowd.
This afternoon I bought volume 1 and 2 of the Love Comes Softly Series. That's 6 movies I am going to enjoy seeing. Gotta stock up on popcorn.

Our Talented Jenae

An impressive 36X48 inch oil on canvas picture
painted in 2006 by Jenae

It hung at the prestigious "Spring Salon".
A juried show at the "Springville Museum of Art".
Many paintings were submitted, but few were accepted.
Jenae's picture was in the Religious and Spiritual Section with many well known artists who paint for the church.

3 Nephi 24:16 talks about the book of Remembrance.
"for them that feared and that thought upon his name."

Alma 5:58 talks about the book of Life.
"names of the righteous shall be written in the book of Life."

A sweet little Indian baby was blessed recently by his grandfather, that he would walk among the righteous upon the earth.

In hymn #237 "Do What Is Right"
It says - Angels above us are silent notes taking Of ev'ry action; then do what is right! Chorus starts - Do what is right let the consequence follow.

May we all walk among the righteous upon the earth.

Jenae did a fantastic depiction of the "angels above us are silent notes taking"!!!

Fun & Yummy R.S Activity.

This morning a 10 a.m.

We ate waffles, topped with heart shaped frozen ice cream, (made in cookie cutters), 3 kinds of berries or jams, and a dollop of cool whip.

Received a handout of five different waffle recipes.

Learned about wheat and making sour dough starter.

Talked about the book, "The Five Love Languages" by Gary Chapman. Some claimed this book had made a difference in their marriages and they were giving it to all their children.

We were shown how to make a quick treat with -

24 mini waffle pretzels placed on a cookie sheet.

Place 24 chocolate candy kisses on top of pretzels.

Bake at 350 for between 1 to 2 mins. until shiny,

then press mini M&M's in softened, but not melted chocolate.

Chill in fridge until set.

Oh, Happy Day!!!

Gloomy, cold January is over. Today has been a beautiful clear day. It has been cold, but there is promise of better weather to come.
This morning I attended a D.U.P. meeting. The lesson was on carpenters and wood carvers in the early days in Salt Lake. It is very interesting to learn about the family and community life back then.
I hibernate in the cold months. The most exciting experience in my days has been to decide what color I should add next to the afgan I am crocheting.

R.J.M.

Glorious Fall

Driving on a narrow mountain road

with the sun shining through the brilliant

autumn leaves on both sides was a day to remember.

Take Me Out to the Ball Games.

A huge picture in the gymnasium

at Kamas High School taken

while watching Breanne play volleyball.

Breanne is an awesome volleyball player.

She is a sophomore, but plays on the varsity team.

Liz called one Thurs. morning and told me

to leave within the hour and I would

be able to visit with Mike at noon

while she cut his hair. I could play

with Sutton, because she was tending him.

I could see Breanne play volleyball that night

with Rylee as a cheerleader.

Friday night I could go with Mike's family to

Roosevelt and watch Rylee cheer at a football game.

Sat. morning I could attend a volleyball game where

Jade played. Then I could watch Logan play football and then I

could cheer for Mason at his football game.

SO I DID.

~~~

I've discovered something about myself.

I am a real football fan,

but

I don't like to watch my grandsons

play and get roughed up.

Sweet Music from My Kitchen.

It's music to my ears when I hear my

canning jars seal with a 'pop'.

Years ago for Christmas Santa brought me

a blue aligator skin covered box.

It was a record player. One of the

records was the story of the

"Grasshopper and the Ants".

I've been thinking about this lately and how

many of the animals are smart enough

to prepare for the winter.

Banana Sour-Cream Muffins

These are a favorite.

I like to place the muffin tin with the filled paper cups (unbaked) in the freezer.

When frozen put filled baking cups in an air tight freezer bag

and return to freezer.

Freeze up to 3 months.

To bake - return frozen cups to muffin tin.

Bake as directed below, increasing baking time by 5 min.

Oh my, the house smells so good in the morning.

1/2 cup butter

(room temperature)

1-1/4 cups sugar

2 eggs

1/4 cup sour cream

1 tsp. baking soda

2 bananas, mashed

1-1/2 cups flour

1 tsp. vanilla

1/2 tsp. salt

350 oven. Line muffin tin with paper baking cups.

Cream butter and sugar. Add eggs; beat well. Stir in next 5 ingredients.

Fill muffin tins 2/3 full.
Bake 20 to 25 minutes or until tops spring back when lightly touched.

Harvest Time

He that gathereth in summer is a wise son:
but he that sleepeth in harvest is a son that causeth shame.

Proverbs 10:5

Family Fun.

Barbeques and Pizza parties were enjoyed with the family this week. K & J enjoyed driving to the beautiful Logan area on business. Spencer and Lynzie spent the day with grandma playing games, having a yummy, fresh garden lunch, browsing through the dollar store and going for ice cream with grandpa. The Dallas bunch spent two days in Vernal. Then the Dallas, Vernal and Provo bunch spent a fun in the sun day at Seven Peaks. The BIG NEWS is the Texans are considering moving closer to family. We hope it can happen soon.

Fun with Jade - Wed.. Aug 5th.

Today was a sewing day.

She sewed a little pillow and

a "Leavin's Doll"which is a pioneer doll.

Part of the poem that comes with the doll says -

"A Leavin's Doll, "A Leavin's Doll"

A doll that is little remembered.

Made more of love than anything else

For a child that was not pampered.

She was made from the 'leavin's' or scraps of cloth,

And stuffed with cotton or fluff.

A face may be drawn and tied with a string

Then wrapped in some calico stuff.

After sewing we had fun running around

and doing some errands.

She went swimming with Jenae and Kathryn.

The pool was cleared shortly after

because of a lightning storm.

After work grandpa helped her fix the back bike tire.

She about did it all herself.

We ate at Carl's Jr. She played in the play area with

seven little children who came a little above her waist.

She had a blast.

She introduced me to the game "Bejeweled".

That was a mistake.

A Fun Tuesday with Jade.

Many orphanages overseas are completely white. White bare walls, workers and babies dressed in white. To add some color to stimulate their lives and brains, a humanitarian project is colorful little boxes with bells inside for the babies to rattle. Jade chose to make these boxes with love and red and yellow yarn for those sweet babies.


For her art class today she gathered herbs around Sister Pratt's yard. Then hung them upside down to dry. She made a Plaster of Paris rose picture, but wasn't happy with the results. The picture below is a chalk and water color picture. It was a fun technique.



She was introduced to a fresh lime drink. (That was an experience.) She was introduced to a favorite raspberry cheesecake sundae. (Surprize) She didn't enjoy it. Grandpa taught her to fix the bike tire. She enjoyed riding the bike in the evening with strict instructions where she could go. At one point her loving grandparents followed her around the block in the car.
(She loved that. ha, ha).

Hanging Out with Jade This Week.

While Breanne is at Volley ball camp this week,

Jade is partying with me.

At noon we ate lunch at Sizzler.

There was grandpa, Liz, Caty, Jade and me.

Jenae and Kathryn were recuperating

from their trip and didn't make it.

After lunch Rylee met us at my house and

then Liz, Katy and Rylee went to Vernal.

I took a short nap while Jade enjoyed some art work.

She drew a guinea pig for Rylee.

Rylee requested it.

Jade and I are both list makers.

We combined and decided on our outings

and projects for the week.

Went to the pet store.

Jade took many pictures.

Next we wandered the mall.

Jade ate a yummy chocolate dipped cone.

I had a piece of pizza.

On to the Pioneer Village for our Family Home Evening.

A guide took us and another family around.

It was very informative and interesting.

We played some pioneer games.

We stopped on the way home at Taco Amigo's.

Jade ate supper, while I sipped a drink.

A quick stop at the store for milk, yarn and

a favorite breakfast cereal for Jade.

Went to my friend Ruth's house

to introduce her to Jade.

Jade will have an art class with her today.

At home we read and laughed at the blog.

We realized it was 10:30.

Off to bed we went.

They, the builders of the nation,

Blazing trails along the way;

Stepping-stones for generations

Were their deeds of ev'ry day.

Building new and firm foundations,

Pushing on the wild frontier,

Forging onward, ever onward,

Blessed, honored Pioneer!

Candice Has Her Own Blog!!!

Check the link on the family blog.

A little Piece of Candi

See her cute little dog

and

the write-up of the Fireside with Elaine S. Dalton

(Young Women's President).

A Remarkable Lady.

Janice Kapp Perry

Last night I watched a program on the life of Sister Perry.

It really made an impression on me.

She is a beautiful person with the Spirit as her companion

for help and insights into her writing.

I started checking the internet and was amazed

how many of her songs I was familiar with.

Our family has used her songs to tell a message.

One Mother's Day the girls and I sang,

"At Their Mother's Knee".

At a missionary farewell we sang, "No Ordinary Man",

and the grandchildren and their mothers sang,

" A Child's prayer" at Steve's funeral.

She has had trials and tests in her life.

I was impressed with her insights and the way she

viewed and handled them.

She is a remarkable lady who has inspired me.

FHE: Gratitude

Excerpts from a lesson in the L.D.S. Living Magazine.

Conference Talk: "Finding Joy in the Journey," by Thomas S. Monson has more information on this topic.

What did Alma and his people remember to do after being delivered from bondage? Read Mosiah 24:21-22.
Why is is important to show gratitude? See D&C 59:21

Ask each family member to suggest a way to show more gratitude in your family and to Heavenly Father for your blessings.

Story:

A rancher in Kamas, at the base of Utah's Uinta mountains, decided he wanted to sell his ranch. He hired a real estate agent, who came out to inspect his property and write up an ad.

Later the realtor called the rancher to go over the ad copy with him before placing it in the paper. "For sale." read the realtor, "Picturesque white frame ranch house with white picket fence and eighty acres of rich farmland in the middle of beautiful Kamas Valley. Clear streams of mountain water flow nearby, well stocked with rainbow trout. House faces rugged mountain peaks and is located in a small, friendly farming community with good schools and a new church."

"Stop!" said the rancher. "The deal's off! This is the kind of place I've wanted all my life!"

(Richard Nash, Lengthen Your Smile, [Salt Lake City: Shadow Mountain, 1996], 205)

Lesson on gratitude for what we have, for the service of others, and to our God.

Let us be grateful to
people who make us happy:
They are the charming
gardeners who make our
souls blossom.

Marcel Proust

Just Returned from a Fun Festive Wedding.

It was the first Spanish wedding I've attended.
They really know how to party.
Next time maybe I'll have a Spanish wedding.

I went alone about 7:30.
I sat at a table with Vaughan & Sheryle Austin,
Ron & Robbin Clegg, Teresa Griffin, Deanne
Helquist, Suzanne Hall, Anna Winkel and
Natalie Rhea. I enjoyed the evening.

No clouds, no rain today.
First day in weeks it was sunny all day.
I spent most of the day in the garden.

I nearly wiped out two squash plants trying
to maneuver the tiller around, but I did make
a difference. There are less weeds. It looks much better.

Spent some time organizing pictures. Fun to
see events I'd forgotten about. I love those precious
little children and grandchildren in those pictures.
Time goes by so fast. Sometimes it would be fun to go
back and hold and talk to them when they were little
again, but of course I enjoy them now too.
So thankful for the pictures to bring back those memories.

I enjoyed spending time in the Temple this morning.

This afternoon I drove this Smart Car.

I liked it.

Do Smart people drive Smart Cars?

Did some shopping and weeded the garden

in the cool of the evening.

Sweet Dreams.

A Good Day.

Sept. 2008

Tonight the rain is falling softly. I'm relaxing in my blue nightgown and fluffy slippers. The night is quiet. I feel relaxed. It is a perfect night to sleep with the window open and feel the gentle, cool breeze.
My day started out by cleaning the study. I still need to sort through some boxes, but the study is cleaned out. It feels and looks good. At noon Clark called for me to meet him and dad for lunch. It is always fun to be with Clark. He is a happening guy. He kept us entertained with his stories of his experiences at Sundance. I look forward to his arrival, but his time here seems to pass too quickly. He started packing up gear and sending it back today. He will be finished Sunday or Monday. He wants to feel the freedom of a short trip across the State in the convertible and then flies home the next week-end.
This afternoon a friend installed a new software system to help organize and manage my pictures. I've been working with the pictures already on my computer and it looks like a good system.
This evening I went to a Pressure Cooking Class at Macey's Market. Garlic Pot Roast and Vegetables, Four Cheese Italian Risotto, and Carrots Tropicana were cooked right before our very eyes. It was delicious. Pressure cooking saves time and electricity. I was impressed when she explained that using one cylinder of propane and a preparedness stove, will cook meals for three weeks with a pressure cooker. That would be great way to cook if the electricity were down.

Lights out for now. There will be more adventures tomorrow.

Ready for Father's Day.

Decorated shirts with fabic markers.

Wrapping paper from a brown paper sack

and a potato.

Cut down side seam of sack.

Open and cut bottom off.

Cut potato in half

Stick a small cookie cutter in the potato

Cut away 1/4 in. around the cookie cutter.

Remove cookie cutter.

Apply colored marker on the potato cut out.

Stamp on paper.

Stick to your task til it sticks to you.

Beginners are many, but enders are few.

Honor, power, place and praise will come

in time to the one who stays.

Stick to your task, til it sticks to you.

Bend at it, sweat at it, smile at it too,

For out of the bend, sweat and smile,

Will come lifes victories after awhile.

So stick to your task til it sticks to you.

Fast P-Nut Butter Cookies

1 yellow cake mix

2 eggs

1/3 C. oil

3/4 C. p-nut butter

Mix together cake mix, eggs, and oil.

Stir in p-nut butter.

Roll into balls and roll balls in a small bowl of sugar.

Place on greased cookie sheet.

Press criss crosses with fork.

Bake 10-12 min. or until golden.

Remove from pan and cool.

It's Just Plain Animal Abuse !

Poor K-Sunn.

May 9th, our 4-H girls had a lovely Mother's Day Brunch

for their mothers.

They made decorations, cards and prepared the food.

Somehow after,

we ended up across the street where we each had a ride

on Pat Hansen's horse.

It was a hoot to get me on that horse.

I've never had a Mother's Day week-end like this before.

Later in the day I went to the big V,

and spent special time with families there,

and new baby Sutton.

Sunday, I enjoyed church and a super delish B. B. Q.

with our family and Craig's family.

Life is good.

I enjoy the unexpected experiences.

This Seemed Like the Longest Day.

I worked around the house this morning,

4th of July '99

and organized a box of pictures to distribute to the family. I looked at the clock at 1:15 and expected it to be 5:30. It seemed like the day was really dragging. I did find this hammock picture that I was thinking about. I realized that my hammock isn't like C & D's. Mine is the cotton rope style.
There swings some of my greatest blessings. That was a fun stage of life. The cousins have had such fun together. They still do in their teen years. They have protective uncles that love, are concerned, and set good examples for them. The uncles always make it fun when we get together.

Low called just before 2 p.m. and wanted to ride to Heber. He was stranded in his office for about 15 minutes because of rain. It was one of the strongest downpours we have ever seen. In Heber we shopped and ate our lunch in the car at the park. We noticed an old beat up yellow truck parked with the lights on. We decided my good deed for the day was to alert the owner. After explaining the situation to the woman who answered the door, who was about my age, I mentioned what a lovely yard she had. She replied, "Oh, you should see the backyard". While Low talked to her husband, who recently retired from working at a power plant where they had lived "on the mountain" for years, I had a delightful tour and visit with her. It was a small yard. She has a knack for creating out of the unexpected. She mentioned she has won awards for her landscaping. She invited me three or four times to bring some friends and visit her again. She wants us to enjoy her yard and to see what she has done inside her little home. Which I am looking forward to .

Blessings to all . . . and to all a good night.

4-H Day Camp at Canyon Glen.

It was a glorious day to be in Provo canyon this morning. It was beautiful and refreshing. The camp started at 9 a.m. The theme was "Cowboys & Indians". We were divided in groups with war paint on our cheeks. We were the white group. There were six classes that changed every 20 minutes with a lunch break between the 4th and 5th class.

Our first class was archery. It was mainly about safety.

The kids had some hands on experience and

shot four or more arrows.

Many of them hitting the target.

Next was a teepee making class.

Little sticks and a hot glue gun were needed for this project.

The third class we made "Cow Pies".

Each of us put 1/2 c. powdered sugar, 2 tsp. cocoa, 1 T. butter, 1 T. cream cheese

and 1/4 tsp. vanilla into a plastic baggie.

We worked it with our fingers until it was a rich creamy chocolate brown.

Squished it to a corner of the baggie. Cut a little

hole in that corner. Squished it into our mouths.

It was a yummy camping treat.

Beaded necklaces and bracelets were then made.




The fifth class was tie dye bandannas.

Outdoor games were played for the last group activity.



There were 6 different groups and everyone including me
had fun at summer camp.

I'm glad I went.

An Errand Day.

Low needed a ride home from dropping off the red truck to Steve Whitlocks. After I picked him up, we ate at Chuck -a -Rama, shopped at Costco, the Good Earth and the Real Food Market.

When Clark & Dee lived with me years ago, they had a hammock in the backyard. All the family enjoyed it and since they left with their hammock I've missed being able to swing lazily in the cool of the summer evenings. I have wanted to buy one for a couple of years, but couldn't find one. Yesterday in the paper Cabella's had a hammock sale. Low and I rode to the point of the mountain this afternoon and now I am the proud owner of one that looks like Clarks. There is an old family photo of Dave, some of the grandchildren and some of the neighbor kids all on the hammock one summer afternoon. I need to find that picture.

We are having the wettest June ever. Everyday this past week it has rained. The forecast is for storms to keep rolling in this next week. This evening is a bit chilly so I have my winter blue flannel snowmen P.J.s on. They feel warm and comforting.

I have felt blessed today. The day is winding down with a beautiful double rainbow seen from the back porch. Til tomorrow . . .