Category: Family

DC on Thanksgiving

When your niece, from Georgia, will be driving through the area from New York on her way home and plans to stop at the Lincoln Memorial to sing with the group you find a way (you hope) to go see her. Given that I have been sick for most of the month with a cold and (pick a thing), we weren’t sure until the day before that we would be able to get there.

Of course, it also decided to rain. However, the quality of light and colors change in rain. A few other walkers or runners also taking advantage of the calm lapped us as we slowly walked around the paths. Something about being around all of the memorials on Thanksgiving was particularly moving.

The rain meant my niece didn’t get to sing, but I loved that I was able to see her for a moment before they drove down the road towards home.

November 30, 2024
Elizabeth River Skylines

Our wedding reception last month was held in Norfolk.

The view of Portmouth from our hotel each morning.

The view of Norfolk as we’re cruising on the Elizabeth River.

Even a shipyard looks pretty in the right light.

September 15, 2015
Summer Walkabouts : Arlington Cemetary

Summer has been busy here. We’ve had family visiting from other places, gone to visit family ourselves, and had a wedding reception. Most of that was within one month! It’s been a great summer!

We took an opportunity when family was visiting to go with them to some of the sights nearby. One place we visited was Arlington Cemetary.

The view of Washington, DC from Kennedy’s tomb is spectacular.

We also went to the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier.

And saw the changing of the guard. It was 95 degrees that day. Not including the heat index.

There is someone guarding the tomb 24 hours a day / 7 days a week, rain, sleet, snow or sun. The qualifications for the assignment are intense and those that receive it, take it very seriously.

We didn’t complain about the heat.

September 6, 2015
Photochallenge : Early

I don’t know about you, but one of our family’s all time favorite foods is the strawberry.

I have waxed poetic about them before. Every year we start a countdown as we watch and wait for our local farms to open their pick your own fields. Last year we added a few little plants of our own and overwintered them. I wasn’t sure how they would do, but early indications are we will have quite a few this year.

If we can keep the dogs from eating them, that is.

And the countdown is over. Pick your own fields are opening up. Whoo hoo!! Time to go strawberry picking!

May 10, 2015
Does Anyone Have a Magic Wand?!?

What I wouldn’t give for a magic wand at the moment. Ok, ok. Maybe I wouldn’t give up my children or even pay a whole lot of money, but it sure would make some things easier. And I’m pretty sure I want them easier.

Have I mentioned that we’re moving ? No? Yep. We’re headed to the DC area. It was a surprise to us, too. It’s a good thing and we’re excited about it. But there is A LOT to do!! Hence the reason I’d like a magic wand at the moment.

If I had a magic wand I could wave it and *poof* boxes packed! A flick of the wrist and *presto* House sold! Swwwish and *TAAAda* we’ve moved into our new house – with everything unpacked of course.

Of course, knowing me, I’d end up with something much closer to the Sorcerer’s Apprentice with the first wave of the wand. Brooms and Mops everywhere with my dishes landing in a broken heap!

Oh well…. Nice thought while it lasted. I guess I’ll stick with the old fashioned method and be patient. *UHn* I’m NOT GOOD at being patient!!!!

January 3, 2012
What a Crazy Roller Coaster

…. or sometimes I’d like to know what the Lord is up to…. (but I’ll get to that in a moment)

When I last left you the week began on a sad note. That week only got worse. I really do try not to be too attached to things. I promise. But when I was rear-ended by an E250 van I was SOhappy I was driving a truck. You’ll never, NEVER get me to drive a small car. EVER. Sorry. And I do love my truck (her name is Maid Marian -crazy I know) and she is now back to being beautiful again – new hitch, bumper fixed, frame straight again (yes it bent the frame). And I was able to drive her to Girls Camp.

We had an amazing time at Girls Camp this year. Our theme was “Experience the Change” from Alma 5: 13-14 and we used butterflies as our “Mascot” for the week. The great part about it was the girls worked hard to do what needed to be done. I’m not sure if I’ll be able to go next year because my brother is getting married and I think it will be the same week, but I’ll be there the year after. I love camp!

Back from camp and we jumped in to adopting a dog. We found a fabulous rescue organization. Can I just say if you’re looking at getting a pet, please search your area for a local group that is doing animal rescue. You may find you get more information than you would adopting from the SPCA about the pet and it has been a great experience for our family.

Maggie is an absolutely wonderful 2 year old chocolate lab and we just love her already. She has so much personality. She makes us laugh all the time. She fits right in with our family – she’s just as crazy as the rest of us!

So what’s with the roller coaster? All of that is up right? The truck is fixed, Girls Camp was fantastic, fabulous new family member – where’s the loop -d- loops?

I got a new calling. Let me tell you having your husband as the Stake President Executive secretary gets interesting when he walks into the living room and tells you “We need to be at church a little early to meet with….” and I KNEW it was for me! I got cold and clammy. He asked if it would help if he listed all of the callings that currently needed to be filled? ARE YOU KIDDING ME?!! NO!

But of all of the callings that went through my head in the time I had to think about it I never once thought of the words that were uttered.

Early Morning Seminary Teacher. I blinked. Really.

See. I don’t think about the fact that I’ve been driving my children for Ohhh…. 6 years now. So it’s habit to be up at that time whether I drive them or not. I went to seminary when I was High School. Sure.

But Seminary Teachers know stuff. I don’t. What is the Lord thinking? What is he up to. Sometimes I just don’t know. I do love that we’re teaching the Book of Mormon this year – and the Doctrine and Covenants will be next year. And while there are times I get frustrated with the “kids” (they’re not kids) – They are amazing. I’ve known most of them since they were Primary age and I’m So proud to see the Men and Women they are growing up to be.

Talk about feeling humbled…..

August 16, 2009
And sometimes, Old Dogs get tired….

Sometimes, when an old dog gets tired there are many things they still want to do and just can’t. You can see it in their eyes. Sometimes they try. They get a little beside themselves with excitement and forget for a moment that they’re old. It hurts. Because you remember when they could.

Sometimes, even though the mind is willing, the body says, “I’m done.” Our Old Dog was still happy, her tail wagging when we came down to her to pet her, but her body (at 15 years old) was simply tired and it was time to say good-bye.

I would like to think someone was already there throwing a tennis ball for her to catch – or maybe she finally caught that rabbit she was constantly chasing in her sleep.

She was loved and we know she always knew it.

July 8, 2009
The Sparkle of Simple Things

Sometimes, it just the simple things that matter. Hamburgers, hotdogs, grilled corn-on-the-cob with watermelon to top it off. The whole family home for dinner. And Fireworks to top off the day.

How did your Independence Day Sparkle?

July 5, 2009
Things you just don’t hear anymore…

Ethel (Mertz) to Lucy (Ricardo) when insisting she needed to change:

“Lucy, I’ve never worn my blue jeans on the subway before and I’m not going to start NOW!”

July 2, 2009
What Does Spring Taste Like?

Strawberries are one the most wonderful gifts we have ever been given. Fresh out of the box with nothing else added they taste like sunshine, spring and happiness bursting in each sweet bite.

But that’s just the beginning! There’s strawberry shortcake (which I prefer with pound cake as the base), strawberry smoothies, strawberry jam, chocolate covered strawberries (YUM!), strawberry cheesecake, strawberry pie…the possibilities are astounding.

K. and I went and picked 30+ lbs. of these delightful berries yesterday. I’ve already made 6 pints of jam and frozen some of the berries for other things in the year. We had shortcake for dessert last night. And I still have some in the fridge to have fun with now (YES!).

So what are your favorite strawberry recipes? I’d love to try some of them.

May 3, 2009