Cabin Day 3

 Jennie stayed with us until about 6:30 p.m. on Sunday evening and then decided she ought to get down the canyon before it got dark.  It was raining fast and hard so we were anxious to hear that she got home safely - which she did.  Annie and I worked on my Christmas gift to my little primary class in between playing games.  We were able to get them all completed.  They are little nativity figures with a magnet on the back of them so the kids can put them on their fridge at home during the holidays.  I'll probably give them out the Sunday after Thanksgiving.

Annie badly needed to have some hours of sleep.  She has been fighting a miserable cold and then having to deal with all of the "Ray" issues.  Sunday she 

layed down on the couch about 11:30 and slept soundly until 3:30.  We didn't bother to wake her up.  The three of us just went about playing lots of games and enjoying lots of fun and laughter.

Lynda Ann had made chicken enchiladas for our Sunday dinner.  They were delicious.  We stayed up until about 11:00 and then off to bed.  

Monday morning came way too soon because it ended our three day stay-cation.  Thanks to Lynda for arranging and paying for the cabin in Sundance.  What a beautiful location and the cabin could not have been more perfect.  Cozy and perfect and I hope we can do it again next year.  

Monday morning also brought a happy birthday to Mallory Sue!  We packed up, loaded the cars and headed out in a rain storm.  We figured it probably rained 90% of the time we were up there.  It made staying in the cabin even more cozy.  Annie had a roaring fire going every day.  There was a huge wall TV and we were able to watch lots of Christmas movies.  As we were leaving the cabin, Lynda Ann noticed the back of Mt. Timp was covered with snow.

We also saw a flock of wild turkeys.  Never seen them in the wild before.  That was fun.

We got home safely and met Jeffrey and Andrew at Chicano's for a birthday lunch celebrating Jeff and Mallory's birthdays.  So fun and very filling.   Our stay-cation over and lunch ended, I drove Mallory back to her home in Lehi.  Told her I loved her and wished her a happy birthday. Love this granddaughter of mine and especially our temple adventures.  Happy, happy birthday Mallory!!

Cabin Day 2

 Our day began with Lynda Ann building us a nice roaring fire.  The temperature outside was on the really cool side.  The fire was perfect.  The we were served a delicious breakfast casserole and whatever else we wanted to eat.  After breakfast we put on a Christmas movie and decided to tackle a game of Mahjong for a while.  Annie and I haven't played this for a very long time but between the two of us and looking at some written directions we were able to play and teach Mallory and Jenny.

We then decided with the rain stopped for a while should we go for a nature walk or drive down to Sundance and check that out.  Sundance got the most votes so we piled in Annie's suburban and off we went.  

We wandered around Sundance and took some pictures and of course had to buy a souvenir from Sundance.

On the way back to the cabin we saw some deer.

We did end the day with a quick nature walk and a delicious steak dinner with salad and baked potatoes and after dinner a couple more games before heading to bed.  Fabulous day.  Love being in the mountains in a cabin with stormy weather.  Just can't get much better than that.

Cabin Get-A-Way

Annie needed a weekend get-a-way from Ray and all the responsibilities of taking care of Ray and Russell, paying all of Ray's bills for both homes, providing dinners, taking them to the store, etc. etc.  So she found a cute little cabin up in Sundance, rented it and invited Mallory and me to come along.  I would never turn down a chance for an outing or trip with Annie!  

We left Salt Lake about 11:15 and headed to Heber to have lunch with Susan.  Mallory met us there and had Brinkley with her so we found a place that was dog friendly - but you had to sit outside.  It was called Cafe Bristo.  Nice little place and they served breakfast all day.  Poor Susan showed up and can barely walk these days.  She was using a cane.  Her knees are, I'm sure, bone on bone.  Very painful for her to walk.  That aside we did have a nice lunch and a fun visit before heading up Provo Canyon.  

We were able to check in a little early so we parked Mallory's car at the cabin and she and Brinkley got in the suburban and off we went to explore a new canyon called Kyhv that leads to Buffalo Peak.  It was beautiful.

We figured out that this was the back side of the Y mountain.  Absolutely unbelievable and beautiful.  Look at the rock formation on this mountain!

We were right on the tail end of the Fall colors, but it was still beautiful and colorful.

We didn't see any wild life except for one deer.  Annie spotted the deer off the side of the road but it disappeared before we could get a picture.  We made it back to the cabin about 5.  Annie certainly knows to to pick places to stay.

Mallory noticed the squirrel on the beam of the cabin. 

We got settled in and pieced on chips and salsa, veggies and dip and crackers and bacon spread.  So delicious.  Annie had also made s'mores for dessert.  We played a game of Rummykub that Annie found in the cupboard.  It has been so many years since we played it that it took a couple rounds to remember how to do it.  Annie ended up beating me by 2 points!  Fun game.

Love these two so very much!!  Had a fun evening and turned in about 10:00.  

 

General Conference

As always conference was amazing.  Every speaker has something to share that can touch your very soul.  There is a primary song that says:  "The Spirit whispers this to me and I know that it is true."  I testify to that statement.  It was interesting that after the Sunday afternoon session was over Lynda Ann's family chat started buzzing.  Emmi, Mallory, Abby, Annie, and me all chimed in.  The first text came from Abby. "Anyone have any favorite talks or parts of conference??? I haven't had a chance to watch Saturday sessions but I just finished the Sunday ones."

Lynda Ann wrote:  "I had to sleep today but the one I heard when I was awake for a minute was the Sunday School Presidency guy from Samoa.  Spoke about teaching and loving like Christ.  Loved it.  He was so genuine and from the heart."

Abby:  "He was really good."

Emmi:  "Almost done with Sunday sessions but I liked Elder Cooks talk."

Gam:  "My favorite was Rasband."  I'll add here that he is my favorite Apostle!

Abby:  "I really liked Gilbert and Neil Anderson."

Mallory:  "I really liked Elder Gong and Elder Kearon from Saturday morning."

From there the chat went on to pumpkin cookies and how to make them and the fact that Crumbl has a pumpkin cookie out now and Emmi should go and buy one!  

I LOVE the family chat and am so happy that I'm included in it.  I was happy that the Gertsons were all tuned in to conference and that we each one had our favorite speaker.  I suspect our favorite comes from what we need to hear.  However, whatever Rasband choses to talk on, he will always end up at the top of my favorites.  :-).   Just saying.  I just want to hug him or maybe shake his hand :-)

Picking up Stitching

 It seem for a while that I wasn't interested in stitching and actually thought that maybe my stitching days were over but not so.  I love it so much.  Annie and Mallory got be into the stitching mode again.  Both of them had a project they wanted me to do.  I was happy to do them and now I have the "bug" again.  What will happen to all of these things I have no idea nor do I care.  The point is that I love doing them and seeing them finished and framed.  Who knows, maybe they will bring someone else joy to see one of them on their wall.  I'm thinking of giving one or two to Casey (Mallory's mission companion) but Mallory will have to help me decide.  This is my new project.

I accomplished this much during Saturday and Sunday conference.  Kind of gives you an idea of how long it takes to do such a small part.  This is almost 8 hours worth of work.  But every little bit that gets done makes me anxious to do the next part.  Very addicting and relaxing and most satisfying!

Christmas Exchange

 Four of us got a post from Abby asking if we would like to do a gift exchange kinda thing between the dogs this year?  It would be Brinkley, Sprout, Blue, Truman and Eddie.  Everyone of us responded with an absolute yes.  I think that is such a cute idea.  I did confer with the Sprout and he resounded with an enthusiastic bark (which meant yes).  

Sprout spends a lot of his day hours doing this.  After all a 3 year old needs lots of sleep, right?  Some times (actually quite often) we nap at the same time.  I'll be stitching or reading a book and the next thing I know is Sprout telling me nap time is over and he needs to go out!  And yes, Abby, he probably is a little chubby - but so cute!

And this is his usual pose in the morning when I tell him it is time to get up.  He immediately turn over on his side or back and waits for a tummy rub.  He won't move until Neal or I take care of that routine of his.  Just call him Mr. Spoiled.  Which I firmly attest that he is!