Wee Birthday Girl

Em sent me this photo of Teagan taken while she and Andrew were visiting for the Thanksgiving Holiday. They also celebrated her 3rd birthday while there. Hard to believe three years have already passed since she came to earth! I look forward with great anticipation to the future of this little girl. She is not only clever and very brave, but full of almost too many beans! Spilling out her ears at times! 

A short video I took this past summer before they moved.
(Note the golden curls. She and Libby took scissors to their hair sometime after moving.) I miss my wee ones so!!

Eighty-Five

85 years ago! Happy Birthday sweet Daddy!

Graves of the Prophets

Last evening my friend Harold and I took a drive up to the Salt Lake City Cemetery.

Neither of us had ever seen the prophet's graves, all but 4 buried there ( Joseph Smith, Brigham Young, Lorenzo Snow and Ezra Taft Benson), so we brought along a map and our cameras and set to work searching. 

What an amazing thing to be where so many prophets and apostles have stood, and walked, and where their mortal remains lay. Some of the stones were almost too worn to read, that of John Taylor for instance, but some, like my President Hinckley's were new and clear. 

Brigham Young's grave is located in a tiny cemetery just off of First Ave. with several of his wives and some lovely gardens, just set there between some old homes. I must have passed it a hundred times and never knew it was there. 

I've always been fascinated with death, and graveyards, never feeling the morbid or scary feeling often associated. 

To visit these beautiful places makes me feel even more grateful and excited, for knowledge that these great men and women are very much alive, just in another place for now, and that one day, I will see these and others I love.

                                                              Beside his beloved Marjorie.

 Loved this carved stone of Orrin Porter Rockwell.

 A beloved husband and wife who left Scotland for their new home in Zion. Beautiful carved stones.

Someone's darling baby boy.

And lastly, sweet Harold who loves these kinds of things, as I do.

Golden Plates

Our church recently held a Book of Mormon Gala, and asked members to create pieces of art to share. I knew immediately that I wanted to create an authentic (almost) reproduction of the plates as described by the Prophet Joseph and others who saw and held them. My friend cut a block of wood to the described measurements and I went to work scoring and creating the Reformed Egyptian with a wood burning tool. Wire hangers made the rings, which were "D" shaped, and gold paint finished them off. Check out this site to read all about the original plates and testimony of those who actually saw and held them:

http://www.lds.org/ldsorg/v/index.jsp?vgnextoid=024644f8f206c010VgnVCM1000004d82620aRCRD&locale=0&sourceId=aef870cb7de63110VgnVCM100000176f620a____

The End of Summer

I can't seem to get enough of these gorgeous late-summer/early-autumn days. They are so beautiful! We've enjoyed a very hot, dry summer, and now, finally the weather is cooling a bit.
But here's the rub! I'm having to spend so much time indoors bottling and preserving summer's bounty, I haven't been able to enjoy it much yet! Tomatoes, plums and apples have been provided by our lush back yard garden for preserving. The apple part has been a bit slow going however, simply because our tree is still a wee thing and learning how to make good fruit. The apples however, are anything but wee! (see below)

Yesterday before church I made an apple pie to die for!! All from our heavenly Jonagold apples! I also used one of my Pie Birds, an old-fashioned pie-making device said to be the secret to perfect apple pie. I must say I believe it is!! My sweet dad, knowing my love of all baking, sent me a set of the birds a while ago, and I am sorry to say, I hadn't tried them until now! Forgot about them actually, up in my kitchen cupboard. They are a ceramic hollow bird-shape, baked into the pie in the center, allowing the steam to escape and preserving the juices inside! "Four and twenty blackbirds baked in a pie..." Below are some photos.

Heavenly tasting too, and so light and high! And now, back to the kitchen. The bounty awaits!

Letters from Maka

I miss my girlies. Steph sent me a photo from her mobile of them reading the letters I sent and sticking them all up with the stickers. It's almost as if they are no where now that they live so far away, and I can't hold them. I know that sounds weird, but it is true. Almost as if I have only created them in my mind and they aren't even real. And yet my arms ache to hold them! Such a strange feeling.

Documenting my life

54 years yesterday. Seems I just entered a similar posting, but I guess that was my 53rd. How time does hurry by.

New Cover Photo

Lovely new cover photo, isn't it! I thought I'd better introduce it, so you know it's more than a lovely old photo. My great grandfather James Niven from Aberdeen, Scotland holding his son, my grandfather, Glen Niven. No idea where or when, (need to do a bit of research I see) but Grandpa looks to be less than 1. Love the whiskers!! Anyway, here's to them! And all the blethering that went on in that home, I'm certain!

Two Darling Parents

I know that everyone thinks their grand children are adorable, but may I brag a bit about the parents of my grand children, namely William and Stephanie, my oldest son and his beautiful wife. They married about 5 years ago and immediately began their marriage separated, as Will deployed with the USMC to Iraq. Steph was expecting during that time and Will arrived home just weeks before Liberty was born. One year later they would be separated again, this time to Afghanistan, while Steph would give birth to their second daughter by herself. And now, the Marine Corp behind them, and undergraduate work finished, they are setting off to The University of Iowa Law School, with two little girlies and a baby boy on the way. Today as we celebrated Libby's 4th birthday, I watched once again in awe at the wonderful young couple they are, the darling way they love and teach their girls, my precious grand daughters, and I cannot help but feel a gratitude to bursting with love of them all.

What I Learned Today

Today at Women's Conference I learned how to be a better mother, how to listen to my children without making judgements or adding comments, and asking questions that will help me understand what they aren't saying as well as what they are. I learned how to follow the pattern of Captain Moroni in fortifying my family and home for the battles of these latter-days, both temporally and spiritually. I was reminded that the trials in life have a purpose, and when I pray for help in the midst of them, that I must place my faith in God and not in the desired outcome. I learned that I must say "Thy will be done.", and believe it, and have the faith to hold onto the rod of iron even when I cannot see the tree of life. I learned there are times we must walk to the edge of the light and even step into the darkness for a bit before we can fully see our path and understand where we should go. And then as we were preparing to leave, I received this lovely print, signed by the artist. I'm sending it to Beth. And to think I almost didn't go.

Buck

Saw this inspiring film last evening that a friend recommended. And to think I almost didn't bother. Not only was Buck inspiring in his ability to overcome the past, and he's pretty mild in describing it I'm certain, but in the amazing abilities he has acquired throughout his life based on that past. Watching him work increased in me the desire I've always had to watch and listen more closely to people and things that are hurt, and somehow make a difference in their lives. I was reminded that there are always reasons people are the way they are, whether by their own choices or the choices of others, and we can never judge a person with just our eyes. President Uchtdorf spoke quite eloquently on this subject in this past General Conference when he said "Stop it!"
I've known of a few people like Buck who have faced almost insurmountable odds in life, with every reason or excuse to fail, and have chosen to rise above them to become amazing people, and it inspires me to be a better person.
Here's a bit of simple wisdom I acquired from watching Buck: He said he could tell a lot about a person by the way the animals under their care act. A horse (or a dog) is like a 3 year-old child in capacity to understand and learn, and when that animal misbehaves or acts out, it's usually the person who needs to be taught how to behave, not the animal. I find I'm looking at my wee dog in a whole new light now! Good dog Lily!!

Blooming Things

Previous post was a drag. Sorry about that, but you know, we all have those grey days. Sometimes it's good to remember, so that when you're having one, you can know it will pass, and things will get better. Thank you Patti for your very kind words. What a darling friend!
Beautiful rain yesterday as I was leaving the library and the last few days, the kind of sky with those long streaky clouds of rain falling. I'm not succeeding at describing them, but I can see them in my mind. The world just looks beautiful in rain! And with all the bits of blooms coming out all over now, it is all just too lovely! My yard is, especially to me. The best part are the little surprises that appear each spring. They've been there all the time, but just hidden away until the right time and then almost in an instant, blossoms just appear all over the place!

Late Nights

Sometimes I stay up far too late working on illustrations, or some church assignment, or just sitting before my computer unable to get up because I don't want to go to bed and face the another day.
Here I am doing it again, but this time, I am pondering over some projects I wish so much I could see materialize! For example, I awoke this morning with a picture book stirring around in my mind. I'm talking about names and characters so detailed I can see them! I've had it in there all day today, and can't seem to find the courage to begin. I have several books in the beginning stages, none of which have yet materialized, but occupy several reams of notes and illustrations in file folders, and I wonder why I hesitate. What is it that stops me? Am I afraid they won't materialize and just remain filed away forever along with so many ideas and dreams that begin with the best of intentions? Am I afraid I'm just not talented enough to actually see them through to completion, publication and who knows what else? Am I just too tired trying to make ends meet working a 9 to 5 job totally unrelated to what I've written here and can't seem to find it in me to even care? I don't know, but it's too late once again, so I'll have to ponder on this another time.

Easter Snow

Woke up to this surprise! Everything covered in several inches of snow! Truly a beautiful sight, if it weren't for the fact that most of our fruit trees in the area were in full bloom! Ah well, we take each day at a time, don't we? "Come what may and love it!"

Welcome Spring??

Don't know about the rest of the world, but we missed winter here in Utah. It went from a lovely Autumn to an early Spring, with bits of snow now and again throughout, not lasting more than a day or two. All the signs are here... early morning robin songs, bees and bugs awake, flowers in bloom, popcorn on the fruit trees, grass is greening as are the mountains, and people are wearing shorts and flip-flops to the library! And yet snow is predicted this weekend. Funny.

Ike

Moroni was cast as Ike in Oklahoma at the Jr High. his last play there. We laughed and talked about making even the tiniest role a memorable one, and he did a fabulous job!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SpXlonQ7A8k&feature=g-upl&context=G229a035AUAAAAAAAAAA

Sister Kunz

My lovely sister has been serving with her husband as Mission President in Nebraska for the past 33 months. She is my dearest, and my sweet friend and has been since we shared secrets from our bunk beds many years ago. It was her example that sparked in me a full-time mission, and she has been an inspiration to me in just about everything throughout my life. I have missed her these months and watched with envy as she and President Kunz have experienced this marvelous adventure together. Last evening we spoke on the phone of this and that and I was reminded again how much I love and miss her and look forward to being with her again.

Sweethearts and Pig Herding

Part of the Sweetheart Royalty competition, "Pig Herding" Manure and all!!

Teenagers

Years ago when I was at university I started filing things for the future. Not the hope chest kind of things you will eat with or wrap your babies in, though I put some of those away as well, but advice that would help someday as a parent to know and practice. Among these was a file of ideas for raising teenagers. Imagine that! For example, the babysitter's handbook above from my own youth, that I thought would help my daughters when they began to tend for others. And through the years as my children were born and began to grow, and more came along, I was adding things to my file. And now here it is some 30+ years later and I came across this file. So much for good intentions and planing. We do our best.
Any way, my point - one article I saved was from 1985 about raising teenage boys. Among the much good advice was this line, which incidentally is just what I needed to know with my youngest son - "Just give him a large plate of something edible, and put your arm around his shoulders - keep it there well past the moment when he begins to squirm - and just let him know that you are there for him."
Let me just say that it works.

hehehe

Isn't it the fabbiest feeling to do a secret kindness, and get a way with it completely! and later learn from the person themselves how grateful they are/were for whomever it was, and how they will never know how much it helped them! I could get very used to this!!

About 6 years ago?

Found this photo on my computer from a bit ago, and was amazed at how time had passed without my even realizing it!