The Tagging

I have been so busy that I forgot that I was tagged. I am not sure that tagging me was such a good idea. I will see if I can come up with some interesting answers.

Who do I love ? I love my Savior and my Heavenly Father. I love Mom and Dad. I know kind of obvious but true. I love my brothers and sisters for how close we are and I love the fact that my best friends are my siblings. I love my sisters -in -law and my brothers-in -law. Thank Heavens I have you all. I love my neices and nephews so much. I feel that they are my own . I pretend that they are half of the time. I am always thinking about them and worrying about them and enjoying every minute that I get to be with them. They each play a very important part in my life. I am so blessed. I love my aunts, uncle and cousins. I love the young women and leaders that I get to work with. I am so thankful for the blessing of my calling. I love my ward members and my co-workers for the most part.

Who does the dishes? Sadly I do with the help of my trusty dishwasher that I really love.

Who does the laundry? Once again I do but I have help with some Tide detergent with Vanilla and Lavender scent. It makes everything smell so good.

Who pays the bills? I pay the bills myself with my online banking. I also love online banking. It is one of the best things I've ever learned to do.

Who mows the lawn? I usually mow the lawn but Andrew helped me out this past weekend and I really appreciated that.

I also cook dinner, do the shopping, clean the house, and a few other things that I can't recall right now. I know you all feel really sorry for me, don't ya. Sometimes I feel sorry for me too, but then I remember all my blessings and then I remind myself that I have a great life and wouldn't trade it for anything.

By the way I think I am the smartest, the tallest, at times and I hope I will always be the first to say " I love you." I am going to work on that.

The Perfect Day

Well many of you are probably wondering why I haven't been blogging or commenting this past week. I had some technical difficulties. My power cord to my computer shorted out or something and so of course my computer could only run so long on battery. Morgan and Andrew to the rescue. I am borrowing their cord while they are having their 0wn technical difficulties. So Saturday is a big day at my house. The only day that I truly get to do what I want to. In my younger years I would have thought watching TV or movies or playing would be my ideal day. Well I just had my ideal day got to do the things that I wanted to. These are the last of my beautiful tulips that I planted last fall. I have really enjoyed them and will probably put in more this coming fall.
I have been somewhat affected by what is happening in the world and I thought I should be more aware of what I consume and what I waste. I am trying to live up to my pioneer heritage. "Waste not, want not. I had some old bananas on the cupboard and so I put them to good use. I used Jenny's recipe for banana bread and I turned out some pretty loaves.
I happened to have a rotisserie chicken leftover from last weekend and I remembered Anne Adele saying that they make excellent stock. So I cleaned out the crisper in my fridge and threw in the chicken with some good seasonings and made a delicious stock. I ended up freezing it but hope to make lovely things with it in the future.
I also decided that I needed to start working on a quilt for someone. I had some pre-cut squares that I purchased and hope to make a cute scrappy patchwork quilt. I did not start sewing yet. I am still in the planning stages, but getting excited to start a new quilt project. I am hoping to be able to use Lizzy's new machine to quilt it.
Morgan and Andrew came over in the afternoon and then I was motivated to get out and do some yardwork. I think I was the last in the neighborhood to mow my lawn. Actually Andrew mowed it and it looks really good and green. Morgan and I weeded the front bed. I think next weekend I will go get a few new perennials to put in. We also had a little time to play a little Settlers of Zarahemla. Yes, I have taken up a new game. Whitney would be proud of me. I look forward to the day that I can play the game with her. I also got laundry done, went to the library went over to Josh and Stacy's to play more games and have more fun and I also whipped up a little Aunt Chubs Special with Morgan. It really was one of those days where you feel like you got so much done and accomplished what needed doing. Now all I need is for the Jazz to win this game tonight and it truly will have been a perfect day.

The Plan

I guess I am now leaning towards the 3rd option too. That would give us more time in Castle Dale and we wouldn't be spending as much money on hotel rooms. That option is to drive down to St. George and see Sound of Music the night of June 30th and then catch the matinee of Fiddler in Cedar on July 1st. We would drive home on Wed and make our reunion preparations and just hang out and have fun. I need to know for sure who is coming and how many tickets and how many rooms to reserve. Let me know soon so we can make sure all this is in place. I can go ahead and put the tickets on my credit card and then I would just let you all know how much it was. If everyone is okay with these plans let me know. I am getting excited already!

Options for Shakespeare and Tuacahn

We want everyone to be able to go so we (Morgan and I) have planned 3 options for our summer vacay. Please choose one of the following or if you have other plans let us know!

First option:

Monday June 30th: Drive to St. George Monday June 30th. See Sound of Music that night at Tuacahn (8:30). Of course we would be staying at the Budget Inn that night!

Tuesday July 1st: a free day, swim, picnic, temple, whatever! Get ideas!

Wednesday July 2nd: morning/afternoon drive to Cedar City, check into hotel(Stratford) and then see Fiddler on the Roof at the Shakespear Festival that night.
Thursday July 3rd: Drive home! (Castle Dale)

Friday July 4th: a given!

Saturday July 5th: Reunion WE are in charge! Ideas?

Second option:

Tuesday July 1st: Leave in time to be to 2:00 matinee of Fiddler on the Roof in Cedar City. Stay in Cedar that night at the Stratford.

Wednesday July 2nd: Drive to St. George that morning. Stay at Budget and see Sound of Music at Tuacahn 8:30 that night.

Thursday July 3rd: Drive to Castle Dale, prepare for reunion.

Friday and Saturday as above


Third option:

Monday June 30th: Drive to St. George June 30th. See Sound of Music that evening.

Tuesday July 1st: See matinee of Fiddler on the Roof at 2:00. Have a free evening to do whatever.



Wednesday July 2nd: drive to CD

This option would give us more time in Castle Dale to go boating, night in the mountains, camping, fishing, slip n sliding, WHATEVER!

I need to know what everyone would like to do ASAP so that I can order tickets and reserve rooms at the hotels. We really want everyone to go so please pick an option!

Duh!

Sorry, my bad. I guess I shouldn't blog information that I am looking at by the light of the computer. I do mean June 30th, July 1st and 2nd. What about the play options? Anything sound interesting Of course boys are invited. I can't be sexist about our family vacations can I.

The Real Destination for this Summer. Who wants to join me ?

Well I hope this looks familiar to you all. It is time to start thinking about summer plans. A few of us were wondering if it would be easier to plan our Southern Utah trip around the time of the reunion. I was looking at the week of the reunion. I know that I would like to see Fiddler on the Roof. It is playing at Shakespeare on July 1st 2:00 matinee. Othello is playing that night if anyone would be interested.

For Tuachan Les Miserables and Sound of Music is playing. It seems like Sound of Music is on June 30th or we could see it June 2nd. Les Miserables is playing June 1st in case we would want to see that instead of Othello. These are just suggestions and I haven't asked for any time off yet. I just need some feedback from all of you so I can ask for time off and start booking things. Let me know if you are interested in coming and what shows. You can Google Shakespeare or Tuachan to see if other times would work better for you. We need to just start planning.

7th Destination....I think. I am losing count.

This is probaby quite obvious as to what country I am in but I am as usual located in a particular city. It is a city that you might know more by another name than what it is known as now. It is of course a very populous city but most of them are in this country. Enjoy the journey.

Not really known for beaches but here is one.

A tower found in the city. I love towers.

Not so much a part of the city but nearby and a pretty place to go.

This is a most delicious dish called Masala. I really do love it. Leslie has been trying to perfect this dish from what I hear. This is very traditional food here.

This little familiar guy used to live in this city

A means of transportation here

A dabbawalla or something like that. It is a man who delivers hot lunches to workers in these metal pails. They are all over here and are known for being in this particular city

Cadiz It Is

Boy, you guys did it again. I was hoping to stump a few of you. Isn't it a beautiful city? The large building is the Cadiz Cathedral. It sure has a Moorish influence, wouldn't you agree? I just am wondering what happened to my #1 blogging fan. I guess the weather in Idaho has suddenly improved.

For Shelley

The North and South clue is because the city is mentioned in the movie. It is where her brother lives. You need to watch it. Or better yet, you need to come to SLC and you can watch it here with me. I was wondering how you got your picture to come up on your comments? I noticed that Rebecca also has that feature. Do tell.

6th Destination

I now find myself located in another beautiful destination. This is a very old port city with great history.
Another gorgeous view of the city.

I always seem to end up at the beach. I guess it is because I love to wear swimming suits so much.

This city has quite a few narrow little streets and walkways. It is all very picturesque and very European looking.

The code of arms of the city

A little local food. I love the seafood in this dish.

The shopping center of town. This was a wonderful city to visit. I hope you all enjoyed coming with me.

Arm Chair Traveler

My travels will be continuing soon. I just needed to take a little break and come home for the weekend. I hope that everyone had a great conference weekend and hope to read your comments as soon as I take off for my next adventure. By the way the daffodils pictured above are blooming in my front yard.

Conference Sunday

So I decided I better fly home from Africa for Conference Weekend. I did not want to miss out on anything. We had a fun time as usual getting together for the weekend and watching conference together. We all got together today for Sunday Dinner and then watched the afternoon session. I decided to take a few pictures during the sessions. Look at these little angels. I love this picture!

Esme contemplating something. I love the lighting in this picture.

Just getting to know one another.

Leah trying to give a little love.

Getting ready for the victuals.

Maren at the kids table. Notice the cute glasses that Shelley gave me.

YUM!

I guess they planned this. They are such wannabe's

Between sessions we decided to do some Mad Libs. This is what we came up with. It's a Napolean Dynamite Mad Libs book with a conference day theme:

My Date

I didn't want to go to a Raspberry Lemonade dance with Mack Wilberg, but my mom said she'd take away my crouton privileges for a week if I didn't. So he picked me up wearing a ceremonial suit that looked like it came from a secondhand-organ shoe store. We got off on the wrong pulpit the minute he stepped into my gurppins and handed me a parmesan crusted drawing. I tried to be polite and said, "Oh, what a sinful flower!" He stared at me righteously and said, "It's you and your cheerleading scripture power!" From there things went from bad to lemony. At the dance he didn't say more than two mo-tabs to me all night. I even had to get my own cake batter from the banana life saver bowl. Next time I'd rather lose the pediatric privileges!

Correction Mr. Baum

My #1 blogging fan

The aforementioned dish is ACTUALLY a southern African, vegetarian stew by the name of Chakalaka. Sounds like a definition that we would use in the game of bladderdash(Balderdash). I am glad that I have been able to give you a winter hobby with the blogging of my travels. Keep up the good research and the comments, even though some are INCORRECT J/K : )

5th destination

This next destination is a country rather than a city because I have spent more time in the various areas that this country is famous for rather than just in the city. As you may have noticed I am trying to hit all of the continents. I really learned a lot about all of my destinations. Hopefully you have learned a little too. This is definately a desert area.

A familiar dwelling that I see from time to time here.

The flag of this country I am now visiting.

This is the capital city of the country that I am in. Not quite as populous as others I have visited.

Isn't this a cool picture. The elephants had stopped at this watering hole. Our Land Rover stopped to get the picture. Cool lighting huh.

I really did want to put the name of this dish on the blog but I honestly can not remember it or find the name againl It was delicious though. It is a dish native to this lovely country I am visiting.

I am not sure what these are called. I don't know if they are impalas or gazelles or what. I guess I was not paying attention to the tour guide.

From the Home of Anne of Green Gables

You guys are all so smart and pretty good in the geography area or the google area or whatever you use to figure out my destinations. I have had a real good time here on P.E.I and will be flying to another new destination soon. Stay tuned.

4th Destination

This is a green lush beautiful destination with seabreezes in the air. It is a lot quieter and simpler than the previous destinations but so interesting. I am so glad that I did not choose to go to New Zealand and walk the trail to Mordor.

The seafood here is delicious and you know how I love the seafood. You can't ask for fresher fish than this.

A road that I drove on. I love how the ocean is just right there. Beautiful!

This is the code of arms or whatever you call it for this area. I saw it around a few times.

The beaches here are amazing. Not like the typical beach that you think of, but beautiful still the same

This was such a great shot that I got of a bridge that is quite significant in the area.

Doesn't this look quaint. It was very fun to visit this site.