Not Just Waiting for Thanksgiving Dinner

Our grandkids arrived from out of state ahead of the storm. We got busy making snowmen and balls. What fun to relax from every day cares and roll up a snowman or two. Finding the rocks for his face was tricky.

It was a smiley kind of day.

First Snow Full of Fractures

A serious winter storm hit last night as we were coming home from a wedding reception. The flakes were big enough to wrap up in by a cozy fire. In the early hours distinct cracking from overburdened branches could be heard.

Our beautiful Imperial Pear tree lined street looked like a tornado went through. Weight from the wet snow on the slow leaf droppers affected one or many of every homeowner's trees. Some split in half and others escaped with only a few downed branches. Although beautiful at first light the damage was sad to see. Our air cooling tree friends took the brunt of the storm, especially the Willows.

High Priest Feast

We had a High Priest Feast at the stakecenter. The cultural hall was filled fuller than our tummies with ten place settings at each table. Ham, funeral potatoes, green beans and more purchased at our nearby grocery store (Do you just love that sunset?) was consumed too quickly. This became my second feast of the week. A former Young Ambassador, Mr. ? Connelly from BYU performed a dozen songs about 'thanks' and gratitude mixing in a little Clair de lune and Dvorjak along the way.

Cuter than usual favors graced the table. We snarfed up a few extra to share with our grandkids for the big Feast Day. The photo of birds on the power lines (The morning rush hour commute was going on below) reminded me of waiting in line for the food and rubbing shoulders with friends to enjoy the season.

Every day brings another reason to be thankful for life and the blessings we enjoy minute by minute.

Bloch is on the Block

Thanksgiving isn't just about food. It's also about doing special things and going to exciting places. Several of us went to the recently opened 'Carl Bloch' art exhibit at the BYU Museum of Art. The LDS Church has accepted and displayed his work for over fifty years.

Carl Bloch (1834-1890), a famous Danish artist is a favorite in this area. He established a name for himself when commissioned to replace paintings of Christ, for the Frederiksborg Palace that had had its artwork destroyed in a fire in the 1870's. He studied art at the Royal Danish Academy of Art, after convincing his prominent parents to allow him pursue his dream. They finally consented, but feared he would die poor.

Looking at these century plus paintings that appear to be freshly finished is amazing. The colors tell stories and share symbolism that is easy for a novice to understand. His pieces of religious work have been featured in magazines and art pieces all over the world.

"Christ Healing at the Pool of Bethesda" was purchased by the Church of Jesus Christ several years ago. All religious and other pieces were appreciated for their beauty and meaning. We loved every minute to be in the presence of such talent as we toured the exhibit.

Seven Signs Thanksgiving is Soon on the Scene

The company 'Turkey Bash' officially starts the seven days of Thanksgiving for me. Everyone brings something adding to the three baked turkeys and trimmings provided by the comapany. Drinks and rolls fill up first on the 'Food list' with this mostly male company. Our employees come from all parts of the globe, making our feast options fairly international. We always have 'flan' and other foreign dishes I can't pronounce or spell.

Heaping plates of both main dish and desserts, eaten slowing over the afternoon expands my torso enough for the need to loosen my pants and bra. I'm satisfied to the point of having to skip dinner, not eating until the next morning.

Oh, the trials of preparing for more feast, is really a hardship. We do our best.

Farewell to Fall

Autumn is breathtaking now and holding out to the bitter cold end. Shops, streets, yards and more are adorned with pleasing feasts of fall. No one can complain there is nothing to see. Just open your eyes and hearts, to God's great gift of color.

Every place you look is a picture waiting to be taken. The camera is never in the right place at the right time nor is the phone. With moments before the chill and rain drive every arrayed leaf from its home, go for a walk. Kick up the leaves, hear them crunch and see them scatter.