A Total Surprise

 Talk about a blast from the past!  Annie sent me this picture.  There seems to be no way for me to rotate this picture.  I even asked for help and there is no help.  So I'll just have to settle for a picture sideways.  This is the Washburn family who was a great part of Jeff and Annie's lives growing up.  It was AlDean who called us about Lynda Ann, which I shall be forever grateful for that call.  The Washburns had 10 children.  5 adopted.  Clara Washburn is at the head of the table and she was an amazing woman.  I worked for AlDean in his dentist office in Ridgecrest.  They eventually moved to Provo, Utah.  They were certainly a great influence in my life and I love them.  What a great family.  I would name them all but sadly I can't remember all their names.  

Belated Mother's Day

 Maren surprised me with a Mother's Day gift.  We actually had not seen each other since Mother's Day.  Work, travel, etc. prevented us from getting together.  I was thrilled with my gifts.  She gave me a beautiful candle that lights up with colors and a set of darling salt and pepper shakers!  Thank you Maren, I love the gifts.  My candle and the salt and pepper shakers that say home and liberty.  Perfect for the 4th!

This is the candle lit up.  Isn't it gorgeous?  I just love it.  Maren said they are hand made and the candle inside can be replaced with the little tea candles.  

Celebrating 250 Years

 The 4th of July has always been a favorite of mine.  Mostly because it has always been a family time as long as I can remember.  Lots of memories as I was growing up.  Family picnics, parades and the carnivals.  Annette and I were always in the Provo parade.  Always on the floats somewhere for one of the stores.  I also planed the clarinet one year in the Provo High Band marching down the street in those hot uniforms.  

I love America and I always will.  We should fill our hearts with prayer for this country that God will continue to send blessings to this great land.

29 years after the birth of our nation, on Monday, December 23, 1805, Joseph Smith was born.  Tuesday April 6, 1830 the church was organized and six years later on March 27, 1836 a temple was dedicated.

We are all blessed to live in a nation where we have the freedom to worship, to speak, to gather and to strive for purpose in our lives.  We should ask ourselves, do I thank God for this land I live in?  Do I use my freedoms righteously?  We should be motivated by love, liberty, family and God.

I was grateful to have our family gather at our home on the 4th.  We had a taco bar furnished by Lynda Ann, Tucker and Maren.  It was delicious.  After we played games until it was time to wander down to Murray Park for the fireworks.

Funny thing.  Tucker texted me and said, "This may be blasphemous, but would you like me to bring paper plates and plastic utensils?"  My answer was "Nope.  But thanks.  Dishes are already out."  He answered back with "Well, it wouldn't be dinner at Gams with paper plates."  I love it and I do hope that my children and grandchildren will remember that I always tried to have a nice setting for any dinner that I hosted.

The young lady sitting by Neal was Kassy.  One of Mallory's missionary companions.  We were happy to have her with us for the 4th and any time she wants to join us.

I also made the watermelon ice cream dessert.  I usually one do it once a year.  Lots of work but so delicious.  Lime Sherbet is the outside layer.  Vanilla ice cream the second inside layer and the middle is strawberry ice cream with miniature chocolate chips mixed in to look like seeds.  

My men just relaxing after dinner.

I hope everyone had a happy 4th of July celebrating 250 years of our country blessed with freedom!

Finished Project

 Mallory will be happy to know that I've finally finished the Olympic Gnomes counted cross stitch.  I'll press it good and then off to get framed.  This might be one of my favorites.