Circle of Friends

Several years ago Susan had the idea to give each of us a Circle of Friend's candle holder.

The Indian legend says that at the end of the evening, friends would gather around a bonfire and share their hearts and speak of the good qualities of each other and remember times shared. As the embers faded, their friendship was said to be sealed anew bringing them closer together. As you sit with the candle lit in the middle of your circle of friends, it will surround and embrace all who sit with you and bring good luck to those who stay together.

It is a blessing to be included in this circle of friends with Lorie, Denise, Billie, Becky, Cindy, Susan and Barbara!

This post is for Susan ~ Our little circle of friends is not complete without her. We send our love all the way to Ecuador!

I remember times shared over many years now and am so grateful for my dear friends.

Friends forever!

This birthday lunch was to celebrate my little Italian friend's birthday.

Happy Birthday Billie!

Buon Compleanno a te,
Buon Compleanno a te,
Buon Compleanno cara Billie Jean
Buon Compleanno a te

FHE at Sundance

For family night, Family Home Evening we took a drive up to Sundance, you know Robert Redford's place to see The Fantasticks.

It is quite a hike up to the theatre and we were so lucky to find a seat on the benches!

Sundance Theatre is rustic but very charming.

The Fantasticks is a 1960 musical. It is a clever story concerning two fathers who put up a wall between their houses to ensure that their children fall in love ... well because you know children always do what their parents forbid! The show's original production ran a total of 42 years and 17,162 performances, making it the world's longest-running musical.

The cast members are great singers and actors, especially Henry! And really, who doesn't enjoy a good love story! It was a fantastic night with Mark and Tiff in another beautiful mountain setting. This is my favorite song from the musical ~ it might be familiar if your of a certain age!
Try to remember the kind of September

When life was slow and oh, so mellow.
Try to remember the kind of September
When grass was green and grain was yellow.
Try to remember the kind of September
When you were a tender and callow fellow.
Try to remember, and if you remember,
Then follow.

Follow, follow, follow, follow, follow,
Follow, follow, follow, follow.

Try to remember when life was so tender
That no one wept except the willow.
Try to remember when life was so tender
That dreams were kept beside your pillow.
Try to remember when life was so tender
That love was an ember about to billow.
Try to remember, and if you remember,
Then follow.

Follow, follow, follow, follow, follow,
Follow, follow, follow, follow.

Follow, follow, follow, follow, follow,
Follow, follow, follow, follow.

Follow, follow, follow, follow, follow,
Follow, follow, follow, follow.

Deep in December, it's nice to remember,
Although you know the snow will follow.
Deep in December, it's nice to remember,
Without a hurt the heart is hollow.
Deep in December, it's nice to remember,
The fire of September that made us mellow.
Deep in December, our hearts should remember
And follow.

Quote for the week

“Find something you're passionate about
and keep tremendously interested in it.”

“I was 32 when I started cooking; up until then, I just ate.”

~ Julia McWilliams Child (1912 ~ 2004)

Julie and Julia is a charming movie out now about the famous chef, Julia Child. I loved it and laugh out loud many times. Meryl Streep was such a good choice to play Julia Child. I say go see it! Perhaps I will dust off my copy of Julia Child's, Mastering the Art of French Cooking.

Bon appetit!!

Three of my favorite words ...

that's my son!

Mark's first steps ~ 1983

Pre-school ~ 1989

The real Karate Kid ~ 1988

My big helper ~ 1989

Kronborg Castle, Denmark ~ 2004

August 2004

It was five years ago today that we went to Denmark to pick up Mark from his mission in Denmark. We had a lovely dinner with some of the church members.

It was 26 years ago today I held you for the first time ~ I knew that very moment you would become an exceptional man. I cannot believe how time flies. I remember your first day of Kindergarten like it was yesterday. You are amazing and I am very proud of you. I wish you the very best birthday. I love you and am so glad I got you!!

Tillykke med fodselsdagen!

Jeg elsker dig!!!

Mark Joseph!!!

Ready for our Sunday celebration for Mark's 26th birthday. On the menu, as requested by Mark ~ steak, Julia Child's shrimp, asparagus, my homemade rolls, delicious cheesy mashed potato casserole that Tiff made ... and more!!

Chocolate cupcakes with butter-cream frosting!

As you can see Chris' gifts were a big hit with Mark!

I sure hope your wish comes true!

Mark also wanted Creme Brulee so I was happy to obliged. He loves the part where you fire up the torch and melt the sugar to form that crispy top. Yummmmo!

We had a wonderful night celebrating Mark's birthday. We always love having Brad and Cindi join us.

Happy, happy birthday son ~ I hope you have a great year!

Quote for the week

The hills are alive

With the sound of music
With songs they have sung
For a thousand years

The hills fill my heart
With the sound of music
My heart wants to sing ev'ry song it hears

My heart wants to beat like the wings of the birds
That rise from the lake to the trees
My heart wants to sigh like a chime that flies
From a church on a breeze

To laugh like a brook when it trips and falls
Over stones on its way
To sing through the night
Like a lark who is learning to prey

I go to the hills
When my heart is lonely
I know I will hear
What I've heard before

My heart will be blessed
With the sound of music
And I'll sing once more

~ Oscar Hammerstein II

A new tradition ~ for several years Tim and I have attended the Deer Valley Musical Festival. It is an amazing outdoor experience of world class music. This year was no exception. We enjoyed the Utah Symphony and three incredibly talented vocalists from a group called Bravo Broadway. This years program was a tribute to Richard Rodgers and Oscar Hammerstein. You haven't lived until you hear The Sound of Music sung in this beautiful mountain setting. Lisa Vroman, who has portrayed Christine in Phantom longer than any other performer sang this song ~ it gave me chills. The night was filled with more favorite songs from The King and I, Oklahoma, South Pacific and of course The Sound of Music. Such a great night.

We also enjoy people watching, with a quite a diverse group attending the festival. This man had on a hairy hat and we discovered when he took it off, that he had NO hair!!

We also enjoyed a glass of wine and some cheese ~ just kidding, hot chocolate for us! It was about 52 degrees so we put on our coats and actually loved the crisp night air.

For Billie

She's small and petite but don't let that fool you. Billie is strong in all the right ways. She is a devoted wife and wonderful mother to three beautiful daughters. She adores her grandchildren and supports them in all they do. We have had many wonderful experiences together ~ trips to Nauvoo, California and Jackson, Wyoming. We have way too much fun shopping and having lunch together! I am blessed to have such a dear friend.

Ten reasons why Billie is a good friend:

1. She keeps confidences
2. She defends me
3. She gives good advice
4. She listens to me
5. I know she cares about my well-being
6. She always helps me when I need it and she allows me to help her
7. Sometimes she tells me when I'm wrong or just plain crazy
8. She understands my sense of humor
9. She loves me when I am at the top of my game or when I am in a slump
10. She is loyal

Happy Birthday my forever friend!

Quote for the week

"The future of this world has long been declared. The final outcome between good and evil is already known. There's absolutely no question as to who wins because the victory has already been posted on the scoreboard. The only really strange thing in all this is that we are still down on the field trying to decide which teams' jersey we want to wear."
~ Jeffrey R. Holland

Quote for the week

"Use it up, wear it out, make it do, or do without."

Mark has had only one car since he turned 16, almost 10 years ago. In our throw away society, Mark is trying to use it up and wear it out! It seems a lot of people think that so many things are disposable ~ and they expect to be constantly discarding last year's gadget and replacing it with this year's model. Mark has held on to his original model and I am amazed and proud of him for not going into debt for a new car. When he does decide to get a new car because his has finally worn out, it will be quite an experience for him. He will most definitely deserve a car that has automatic windows!

Mark takes good care of his car. No one else in this family has had a car that long!

Just a few weeks ago he hit 100,000 miles. So here's to 100,000 more ~ just kidding!

Ensign Peak

Tim and I continued our Pioneer Day celebration by climbing Ensign Peak. It was actually on my "Bucket List" ~ yea, so I crossed that off today!

Ensign Peak is a prominent hill on the northern edge of the Salt Lake Valley. On July 26, 1847, two days after arriving in the Salt Lake Valley, Brigham Young and seven other pioneer leaders climbed the hill to survey the valley. From its summit they laid out in their minds the city they intended to build.

The men fastened a yellow bandanna to a cane and waved it from the mountain peak. Brigham Young named the spot Ensign Peak.

Utah's state capitol building stands on a shelf part way up the hill.

The view from Ensign Peak is amazing.

You can see the Salt Lake Temple and it really is a 5 star view of the city! We plan to explore Utah more and take a few more staycations. I think after over 20 years of living here, it might be high-time we did just that! Thanks for a fun day Mr. Tim!