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.