Tree Transformed

Plain Jane by day, but in the evening so bright.
This ordinary tree is a beacon at night.
It's adorned with thousands of strands of light.
From its hilltop spot it is quite a sight.

Driving down Redwood Road after dark last week, this tree caught my attention.   In a graveyard at the top of Bennion Hill it really stands out.    During the day you wouldn't notice it, but at night all lit up, WOW!

  Every square inch has a strand of lights out to the very ends of it.    No it isn't as famous or noticeable as the "Tree of Life" in Draper, but no one can deny it isn't a beauty in it's own right.  Here's a big shout out to the workers that dressed it up with such care.  

Forlorn or Fancy Fruitcake

Are you maxed out on treats or are your taste buds in flame?
No matter how you spice it up, fruitcake tastes the same.
A friend bought one at Christmas, but no one was game.
So she put it in the work lunchroom and no one even came.

We snacked on Christmas leftovers in the work lunchroom this week.
By day's end it was all gone, if more you did seek.
Except this forlorn fruitcake, nutty with a bakery tweak.
Our taste buds drew the line and our brain shouted, EEEK!!! 

I couldn't decide which poem to use, so I'm posting both of them.  Enough said.  

Fixing a Flop For Friends

The pressures of Christmas gifts drove me from my bed,
With visions of sweet rolls & pretzel sticks in my head.
The rolls burned and sticks flopped, something we all dread. 
I sped to the store for something else to give my friends instead.

 I had these grand ideas of making cinnamon rolls for the neighbors and my co-workers.  I left the rolls raising while I went to the Candlelight concert.  Allan texted asking how long to bake them.  The program was beginning, so I meant to send back '15 minutes'; but noticed after I pressed 'Send' that it said '25 minutes'.   I immediately texted that it should be 15 minutes instead.    He didn't get the message and wondered why they were so brown.   Each batch he shortened the time, but they were all too brown.   I didn't take any to work or friends.   Funny thing another employee took five dozen on the day I was going to.   It turned out okay, but we sure are eating a lot of sweet rolls.  

Preztel sticks looked easy enough to make.  I had all the ingredients and could bag up a few for neighbor friends and share the rest with co-workers.   Caramel is easy to make and I had some white chocolate, why use a recipe.   Well, bomb number two is sitting on the counter waiting to be consumed.   The caramel ran.  It was too soft.  The white chocolate slid off along with the caramel.
Those visions of sweet rolls and pretzel sticks, were not to be.  I picked out some lovely spatulas to give with some chocolate covered pretzels, both bought at the store.  I made a note that said, "Baking Spirits Bright!"  

 My spirits definitely were not bright, but I felt great after delivering all these gifts and slept well last night. 

Pick Your Perfect Shopping

I love shopping when there's no waiting in line.
You must get out early.  It is so fine.
Goods are replenished and many to mine.
On your way home passing shoppers, it's divine!!

 

 

 

 If you wait too long, plan on standing in every line of every store.   The secret is to go around 7 a.m.  Some stores are open 24 hours until Christmas.   Go early in the morning.  Don't try staying up to go late.  Arrive at the time when the stores with shorter hours are just opening.    Cranky shopper is what I become very quickly.  

Some stores have chronic lines, so go there first.  I guess this is why I hate Black Friday.  Oh, but I love being the first person in line.   It's easy to greet the cashier and wish her well.  I can't imagine having to deal with irritable customers all day.   It would wear me out.  

Try picking your 'Picture Perfect Shopping' between now and Christmas.  You will not regret it.  Save time, be home quickly to roast chestnuts on an open fire or just climb back into bed for a nap.  

Here We Go A Caroling

Light Up the World a-caroling with six boys.
They laughed, sang loud and made lots of noise.
We visited the sick, new move-ins, took no toys.
Had hot chocolate, ate goodies & were filled with such joys.

Our Primary class chose to Light the World with song.  Six of our seven boys came.  Our four girls were sick or had programs and couldn't make it.   Here we are visiting a sister that has had a rough month.   Her smiles made us happy though.  Glad we could share our love with her.  

Thanks to six happy, healthy boys, we were able to visit many families and sing to them.  One family has just arrived from Venezuela.  We sang Feliz Navidad to them.  They were so happy and gave us hugs.  Sharing your love and talents makes you feel so good.   We felt like this little cottage out in the middle of Tooele valley lighting up the world.  

Lights on Our Live Nativity

A tender live nativity is here,
Showing mother, father and Christ child, so dear.
Shepherds, wise men and a new star so clear,
We love to celebrate His birth, this time of year.

This beautiful nativity reenactment of the Christ Child's birth was presented in our ward party.  How beautiful this little family is, as the light shines on them.  The sweet baby in his mother's loving arms.  Shepherds on the far side, kneeling at his bed.   We were in awe at how treasured this moment is and never tire of seeing it portrayed. 

The three wise men were dressed so elegantly.   Two are my neighbors and one is the father of one of my Primary students.   He is Samoan, which makes it all the more special.   The young boy in the white shirt looking at us, will be in my Primary class next year.   What fun! 

Sitting In As a Sustaining Member

A live taping at Highway 89,
Is exciting and absolutely divine.
Jenn Blosil performed and it was fine.
Almost better than finding a gold mine. 

I attended a live performance of Highway 89, because I am a sustaining member.  I didn't know Jenn Blosil, but discovered she was on American Idol 2015 in one of the finale shows.      Since then, she has toured, done shows, produced albums, become quite famous and soon will move to London.  She writes her own music and plays also.  She has an album coming out soon.

Jenn's a local gal, from Utah County and did her first gig at The Velour in Provo.  The second photo is the interview with Steven Capp Perry, where he asks her how it all came about.   She is a darling, spunky woman, and return missionary with a strong voice.   She's been playing piano since she was four.

I'm glad to have been able to sit in of the live taping for KBYU's Highway 89 broadcast this week.   I snapped a photo of Mark Waite in the sound room connecting all the dots to make it a great show.   They are on the radio at FM 89.1 every Tuesday night at 8 p.m.

Pretty in Patriotism

I attempt to get a family picture yearly. Sometimes it's the whole family, but more often than not it is just the grand children or some of them. Every grandmother wants them to color coordinate. Since this photo was in July, red, white and blue seemed the best choice. The kids were good at first then quickly fizzled to crying. I didn't see this photo until a few weeks ago. I fell in love with it and have to share how pretty we are in patriotism on this seventy-fifth anniversary of Pearl Harbor Day.

Do We Want Balmy or a Bear?

The November cold has been on R & R. We've loved and enjoyed warm weather so far. Time to bundle up. Heaters on in the car. Rain, snow and cold are ready and on par.

These magpies are bracing for the cold and all are facing into the wind, as the last warm breezes blow away. They feel that a change is coming. But this morning at 4 a.m. the temperature was an unbelievable 58 degrees. Wow, for November it seems impossible! By 3 p.m. the temperature had fluctuated down to 52' twelve hours later.

When the temperatures are opposite, that is rare. 3 a.m. warmer than 3 p.m., let’s compare? It was 58’ this morning and oh so fair. This afternoon flurries are predicted, what a bear. Well, goodbye balmy weather, we need to accept the cold and storms.

Leaves, Lives and Elections

Don’t you just love the early morning light? Daylight Savings Time is gone ‘til spring and out of sight. We have to adjust to darkness sooner at night. Now the election’s over, rake up the leaves & sit tight.

These two trees were red and beautiful, but within a few days many of the leaves dropped. Some state representative is talking about doing away with Daylight Savings Time. He says it messes with too many folks lives. I agree it's inconvenient for one week twice a year just after we change. But in the long run, I really enjoy light longer at night and not wasting those precious daylight hours in the summer. My vote is, Keep it the way it is. As far as the election goes, with so much bickering and negativity, no one knew what either candidate was standing for. My phone, which seldom rings, was ringing off the wall with candidates, a party person, or representative asking for my vote. It is good to have a winner, change is coming and we must look forward to it with optimism.

Finding a Phillps

A Phillips screwdriver, this builder's wife couldn't find. I searched everywhere and was in a bind. The workbench was overflowing, I wasn't kind. Tossed lots of Al's things, going out of my mind.

It was a simple job I needed to do, but do you think I could find a Phillips screwdriver. No way and no where. Not in the tool drawer, truck or workbench. Okay, I can't find anything on the workbench. I began to clean it. My sweetheart came out and saw the crisis he was in and started to help. I tossed more than he wanted. It was easy for me.

"I won't quit till I find one!" I told Al. He got worried and began to help, what a pal. "Don't you go buy it for this searching gal!" He ran an errand & came back with one. I cried, "Foul!"

Now I have my very own PINK one, and it won't get lost. The area is half clean. SCORE!! I am going to call that my half. Maybe he will help me clean some of my messy spots.

When I Was a Witch

I remember when I was a mean witch. My costume was a cape and I had a switch. My hat was black and I flew without a glitch. My outfit held tight, never needing a stitch.

I have kept the costume all these years and asked the grandkids to model it for me. Jacob was a real sport and looked great. I'm not sure if it was a hand-me-down or new. I remember being about eight years old, exactly Jacob's age. It has held up pretty good all these years. We can't say that for the pricey ones on the shelf today.

Emma is not happy about being a witch. Most girls these days want to be a princess. The best thing is that we can be whatever we want to be. You, go girl!!

Blushing Beauties

The trees are blushing, from yellow to red, Could it be something the weather or earth said? My they look lovely before the leaves have fled. It's sad to think most of them will soon look dead?

To me the trees appear to be blushing. At least the red ones make me think of that. Most will agree autumn is a gorgeous time of year, when the trees change their dresses and appear so stunning. Without the right amount of water or extreme weather, they instantly go brown and/or drop their leaves. How sad to miss their coming out party, when they have finally reached past prime and able to transform for the coming winter's ball (or so I would like to think).

Fancy Favorite Finger

I have a favorite finger. I use it every day. To pick-up papers, grasp and scare flies away. The end is worn off. I'll need one without delay. May have to use my back-up, but the nail gets in the way.

I've tried a bunch of different ones, but always go back to the roomy, brownish finger. The fitted one is hard to put on. The small size just doesn't fit. So I may have to use the red-nailed finger to get by 'til October 31st. Yeah!

Photo Procrastinator

I love to have family photos, but they take forever to get hung. I'm a procrastinator when choosing the best one. Then printing, sizes and such, are unsung. It's all hard to do and the brain goes mung.

I bought this frame for Christmas last year. It has odd sizes for pictures. Then I downloaded the photos to the website, but I can't decide which ones to choose. I received a notice that said some of the photos may be sized too differently. We had the photos taken in June 2015. What am I waiting for? I emailed them to myself at work and made color copies. Of course I cut some of them too small. It's crazy and not that hard to decide. Just Do It kiddo!! Just Do it!!

Tres Cranes

While riding on the parkway, I saw three cranes. Not the kind that fly, the ones that lift trains. Their big booms move around like weather vanes. They lift heavy things, so we avoid back pains.

It feels good to see so much construction going on in the south end of the valley. New buildings being erected and a high demand for work. Although, my husband's crane is only a fifteen ton one, he takes note of the large cranes wherever we go. Cranes help get the heavy work done, so we can accomplish more, faster. Yeah for all cranes! M y family included.

Crisp, Cool and Chilly

Ooh! A crisp, cool and chilly day is here. Pull out the jackets and see a world so clear. The stars sparkle and Orion is near. Straight up in the sky holding his spear.

Early this morning when it was still dark, I looked up into the sky and spied my favorite constellation, Orion, straight above my head. He will be up there protecting us for several weeks. It looked cool as I pulled my jacket around me and zipped it up. The thermometer read 39'. Wow, the coldest day since April or May.

As the sun rose in the southeast, Mount Timpanogos, was outlined in light. I am definitely a morning person. Every day is spectacular and a new birth. Take advantage and get out to see Orion and the sunrise, just for fun.

Securing the Sunrise Halo Fashion

The world awakes and night fades away. Renewed hope for life is here, come what may. It's ours, full of family, friends and love, Hurray! All in the dawning of a brand new day!

I've always been mesmerized with the dawning of a new day. Be it spectacular or crisp and clear. The sliver of moon set this early dawn day off. I couldn't resist taking staged photos to see how lovely the day began.

I pulled over while driving to work because the sun was inching its way to the top of the mountains and leaving such a lovely calm sky. I missed a few lights and barely made it to work, but this was super important to share.

As I arrived at work, the sun was making a halo around Mount Olympus. One more shot before marching in the door. I had to. Then the sun came over the top and the rest is history. Here's hoping you have a great day everyday. May it begin at the crack of dawn like mine did today.

So Long Summer, Now Featuring Fall!!

So long super summer, you were dry and hot. Your time is gone and we'll forget you not. Fab Fall is knocking on the door, why not? Soon he'll be standing in the featured spot.

All cold winter and during the drizzly spring, I long for summer and the fun it brings. Now it's over in just a few more hours of this nice warm day. Looking back on the 100 degree stretched out days, it seems like a split second. Except I remember all the fun things we did such as parties, swimming, trips, laughs, lounging on the lawn, laughter, lunches, gardens, mild breezes and so much more.

Autumn and cold are coming without delay. They say the temperature will drop thirty degrees in a few hours now and rain is on the way. We do need the water. The few storms we had this summer were only dirty car ones. The wind blows dust in the air, a few drops of rain fall from the sky. It's enough to dirty your car but not for the down spout to be quenched. Of course, there is no guarantee we will have a wet fall. I'll take pleasant weather, splashes of color and cooler days, though.

Forty-Three and Happy Anniversary

Our years together now number forty three. We went to the quilt show. How great is he! Then drove the Alpine loop, what beauty we did see. Topped off the night at the movie, Sully. Many thanks, honey!

We took the afternoon off and headed south to Provo. Commercials had advertised the Oregano Italian Kitchen, so we tried it. An old building on Provo's Center Street, boasts a very classy interior with red and white checked table cloths, colorful artwork and cool music. The great food and prices made it a hit with us. My tableside photos were blurry.

Then off to the Springville Museum and the quilt show. What a thoughtful gift for Allan to agree to go there. Both Allan's and my favorite quilts are below. Each received rewards and our vote for Patron's choice.

A colorful canyon drive through the Alpine Loop was next. We finished the evening at the movie theater seeing the new release, Sully. It's hard to top a day like that, but we will surely try spending many more together.

Silver Lake Not for the Silver Years

We hiked 5 miles round trip to Silver Lake, to high fives and congrats. Passed scores of folks, 40 dogs and no cats. Then kayaked around on the lower Silver Lake Flats. Today, we can't move every joint and muscle aches. Oh rats!

It's been fifteen years since we've done this hike, at the top of Granite Flats in American Fork Canyon. It's listed as difficult. It is, with lots of altitude gain and switchbacks. We were just going to go as far as we could stand it, but after we passed the point of no return, there was no going back.

The last half mile I walked like a drunken woman. Now, I don't know how one walks, but I felt and wobbled like one. Many people would say to us, "Wow, you guys on the hike?" I think they meant that we were old. I would reply, "Yeah, we should be in a wheel chair." They would laugh. When we saw folks our age, they would smile and say, "Hey, glad to see someone our age." We were in the affirmative.

There were plenty of people diving in the icy cold waters, fishing or wading at the top. Not us. After a thirty minute rest, it was time to head back down. It seemed much further than we remembered the ascent was. You know we are in our sixties and memory is an issue. With about a half mile to go, my legs felt like jelly. Between a drunk woman and jelly, it was a miracle we made. It is probably our last time up there.

We hiked 5 miles round trip to Silver Lake, to high fives and congrats. Passed scores of folks, 40 dogs and no cats. Then kayaked around on the lower Silver Lake Flats. Today, we can't move every joint and muscle aches. Oh rats!

It's been fifteen years since we've done this hike, at the top of Granite Flats in American Fork Canyon. It's listed as difficult. It is, with lots of altitude gain and switchbacks. We were just going to go as far as we could stand it, but after we passed the point of no return, there was no going back.

The last half mile I walked like a drunken woman. Now, I don't know how one walks, but I felt and wobbled like one. Many people would say to us, "Wow, you guys on the hike?" I think they meant that we were old. I would reply, "Yeah, we should be in a wheel chair." They would laugh. When we saw folks our age, they would smile and say, "Hey, glad to see someone our age." We were in the affirmative.

There were plenty of people diving in the icy cold waters, fishing or wading at the top. Not us. After a thirty minute rest, it was time to head back down. It seemed much further than we remembered the ascent was. You know we are in our sixties and memory is an issue. With about a half mile to go, my legs felt like jelly. Between a drunk woman and jelly, it was a miracle we made. It is probably our last time up there.

A Promise from God

Who loves to see the brilliant morning rays? It's a promise from God of better days. Washed away are the problems, the heat and the haze. In this life full of happiness and craze.

I'm a morning person and love to watch the sun rise. Some are spectacular and others ho hum. We cannot control them, but we can choose to 'Seize the day'! Make the best of what we have. It is hard to understand that some people think there is no God. No way do the glorious gifts given us not declare He exists. The seasons, birth, the body's perfect systems, rotation of the earth all synchronized such that someone had to create it.

Yes, man can do many things, but the resources are before us to use as we wish. However; we cannot begin to imagine what the brain consists of and all that the earth possesses. This did not happen because of a big bang theory. Big bangs destroy. The earth and all inhabitants did not evolve. Evolution must have a master. God is that One! Thank you, dear Lord.