Good Morning...Sunrise...

When we were growing up, we weren't really taught religion. However, periodically, Dad would get out this big golden record and make us listen to it. At the time, I was not aware that I was listening to a record of the Mormon Tabernacle Choir's "Music and the Spoken Word". After all, I had never even heard the name "Mormon". All I knew was that the speaker had the most wonderful voice...deep, resonating, and soothing.

The phrase I heard that stuck with me was: "from the shadow of the Everlasting Hills". It wasn't until years later, after we joined the Church and had visited Utah, that I understood what that voice was talking about.

Now I get to live in the "shadow of the Everlasting Hills" (never thought THAT would happen). Each day as I return from driving my kids to school, I get to view beautiful scenery. Today was no exception.

I drove Amanda to early-morning Seminary. That meant by 6:30, I had dropped her off, and was on my way home. The sky was just starting to lighten over the Wasatch Mountains. Utah Lake was spread-out in front of me, reflecting the towering hills and the lights of American Fork. It was peaceful, quiet, and beautiful.

Not wanting the peace of the morning to end, when I got home, I stood on my back steps and soaked in the sunrise.

I could hear the neighborhood waking up around me...chickens (mine and the neighbors), work-trucks, dogs, etc. But for the most part, it was just me, a cool breeze, and a gorgeous beginning of a bright new day.


I never thought I'd be an early riser. I'm a night-owl, usually. However, I think I could come to enjoy spending my mornings greeting the sunrise in the "Shadow of the Everlasting Hills."

Warped...

Last Sunday, Jackie was helping me peel potatoes when she found a "cute" little potato, drew a face on it, and named it "Bob". The end result is the following series of pictures which I took at Jackie's request.

...and I thought I had a warped sense of humor...

Another First...

It's 5 a.m. The alarm clock rings!!!!

...stumble through morning chores and getting ready...
...with a cheerful attitude...????
...at 5 A.M.?!?!?!?
...somehow you manage the cheerful attitude(Mom is still trying to figure out how)...

Why so EARLY?!?!?

Seminary...(even the early-morning variety) is
SO worth the effort!!!

Welcome to another first,
Amanda.

...And congratulations on making a really
good choice!

Back to School - 2009!!!

ON YOUR MARK!
GET SET!!
GGGOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!

Let the School-Year BEGIN!!!!!!!!!!!!

9th Grader

7th Grader

Future "Back-to-School Catalog Models"?

...NAH!!!...
Just SISTERS!!!!!!!!!!

...then the "Back to School" dinner complete with roast chicken, on china plates and yummy homemade fruit cobbler for dessert...

Not a bad beginning of the school-year...

Rites of Passage...

...if my car and my nerves survive!!!

Amanda is learning to drive!!! ...and Uncle Marc is helping me teach her.

You'll see that Marc is much braver than I am...He actually got INTO the car. I'm still outside taking pictures!

Proud Uncle, Happy Girl, Relieved Mama (who really DID finally get in the car, but is behind the camera again!)

It won't be long before we'll be posting the picture of my Mandy holding her shiny-new driver's permit...then her license...

*sigh*

Tis the Season...for????

...CANNING!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

One trip up North to Brigham City...several bushels of produce...jars, jars, jars....and what do you get???

THIS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

...AND this...

...and FINALLY...THIS!!!!!!!!!!!!!

We owe our thanks to Deb Webster, who taught me all I know about canning; so I could pass it on to my family!!! ...and to ALL the family (Marc, Deb, Kev, Jackie and Mandy) who worked so hard on this project!!!

...And to the trusty red and black-checkered cook book that no kitchen should be without!!! I am SO done with canning for this year!!!

My Newest Teenager...

When Mandy turned 13, we took her out to dinner. For the first time in her life, she was allowed to wear make-up. I was astonished at what a young lady she looked like. So, I shouldn't have been so surprised when Jackie did the same thing.

But here she is at her family-Birthday-Dinner...and what a lovely Young Lady she is becoming...

*sigh* They are both growing up so quickly! Fun to watch, but bitter-sweet, too.