The Zigs and Zags of Grammyzanne

Can an old dog learn new tricks?

2011-10-30T23:49:00.000-05:00

Two weeks ago on October 16th I was sustained as Stake Home Storage Specialist. Last Sunday I was set apart as Stake Home Storage Specialist. Today, after serving just over 2 years, I was released as Leon Valley Ward Relief Society President. I really thought I'd be mostly relieved - and a weight was lifted from my shoulders. But I have grown to appreciate the sisters in our ward and there is some sadness in leaving that relationship. My first councilor was called as the new Relief Society President. She was an excellent counselor and will be an excellent president and the sisters are in good hands.

My new calling will really be a new calling as I've never served in this capacity before. (My history has been to "recycle" callings - Relief Society president, Nursery leader, Cub Scouting, Stake Primary Presidency most notably.) I'm looking forward to "learning my duty" and seeing what encouragement I can give in helping the people in our stake increase their self-reliance. I intend to make use of Kathy's expertise - thanks in advance Kathy. Time for this old dog to learn new tricks.

Uncle Jack "in a neutral country"

2011-06-01T01:44:00.005-05:00

I spent much of the evening reading selections from Home from Siberia: the Secret Odysseys of Interned American Airmen in World War II by Otis Hays, Jr. Uncle Jack was one of those internees. Uncle Jack was part of the Navy's Fleet Air Wing Four in the VB-136 Squadron. The VB-136 Squadron was one of four that rotated in and out of Casco Field on Attu, one of the furthermost Aleutian Islands. Lieutenant (jg) Jack Ralston Cowles flew the PV-1 Ventura. His crew consisted of Ensign Leonardo Panella (copilot), Ensign Millard B. Parker (navigator), ARM 1st Class Harold R. Toney (radioman), and AOM 3rd Class John R. McDonald (top turret gunner).

On August 20, 1944, after straffing enemy ships in the Paramushiro Strait, the antiaircraft fire they encountered disabled their plane, forcing a landing on the coastline in Kamchatka. The plane split upon landing and burst into flames but the crew were able to escape without serious injury except Ensign Panella who suffered bad burns on his right hand and arm and minor burns on his face. As they walked towards the beach they were met by three Soviets. Their leader gave Lt. Cowles a bear hug and then took the crew to a military base at Petropavlovsk. The Navy Squadron VB-136 commander, Charles Wayne wrote letters to the next of kin of Lt. Cowles's crew that they were missing in action.

The crew's arrival in Petropavlovsk began an almost 7 month internment (Soviets were trying to maintain neutrality with the Japanese) filled with bedbugs, cold, disillusionment, boredom and illness. On September 12, 1944 they along with two other crews were flown to Magadan. On September 14 they were flown to Chita, then Irkutsk, then Novosibirsk and finally Tashkent. Each stop usually involved layovers of up to a couple of days due to weather. The 17 arriving Americans were met by 45 other Americans at the Tashkent Internment Camp.

The Soviets didn't want to anger the United States but wanted to maintain their neutrality with Japan. It took much planning to engineer the Americans escape into Iran. Uncle Jack was a member of the third group of five groups to "escape" into Iran. Just as everything was in place for the group to "escape" and the first portion begun on December 5, 1944 in progress, a couple of articles appeared in US papers indicating that the Soviets had facilitated the escape of an earlier group of internees. The Soviets, concerned how Japan might react, on December 8th sidelined the railroad cars the men were in and after a three days sent them back to Tashkent. Finally on January 25, 1945 they began the train ride again, and this time successfully arrived at Camp Amirabad in Tehran on January 30, 1945 having spent the last 48 hours in cargo trucks. They were deloused, instructed to take showers, their clothes destroyed (a few men who had hidden their diary notes in their clothes managed to save them), given a plain army uniform, and fed. In many ways they still felt like prisoners; for the next five weeks they were separated, for secrecy's sake, from the rest of the troops until they reached the United States. The men were taken by plane from Tehran to Abadan to Cairo. On February 2, 1945 they were trucked to an army rest camp on the Gulf of Suez. On February 10th they flew from Cairo to Naples where they boarded the Sullivan on February 11th. The 130 returning men had the run of the ship. They sailed to Oran, Algeria where they were joined by 35 other ships. The voyage across the Atlantic was fairly monotonous but not without incident. A submarine apparently attacked one of the tankers and remained in the area for about a day. A storm and a high-riding Sullivan contributed to seasickness and suspected food poisoning didn't help either. On March 6, 1945 the Sullivan docked at Brooklyn Port of Embarkation. Security officers boarded the ship before the men were allowed to disembark to remind them they were obligated not to disclose they had been interned in and escaped from the Soviet Union. The Army airmen were sent to Fort Hamilton and the Navy airmen to Floyd Bennett Field in New York. There any souvenirs or clothing that indicated they had been in the Soviet Union were confiscated until the war was over. Some received their impounded property years later; others didn't.

Upon repatriation the men were required to sign oaths of secrecy and could not share their experiences: "I was in a neutral country" was the only permissible response. It has taken a long time for the story of these 291 men to come to light. Some of the official government documents weren't declassified until 1986. Some of the men interviewed for the book in 1987 were hesitant to discuss their experience until they had received clearance from the Department of Air Force to discuss their war-time experiences.

Now I understand why Uncle Jack would never discuss his war time experiences and redirected the conversation to his real estate adventures.

2011-05-25T17:25:00.004-05:00

Hampton Court Palace (Rear)

BJ asked for some pictures of the British Isles for a school project. Since I'm so indecisive about what to include and what not to include decided to post them on a Picassa web album so he could down load what he wants. I've labeled most of them, though they are not in chronological order - long explanation I will spare you.
If you are interested is seeing what Mother and I saw Five years ago (has it really been that long!) here is the link
https://picasaweb.google.com/109981134823798906409/BritishIsles1?authkey=Gv1sRgCMeWypP2j5nYlQE#

A glimpse of what is in the album. Really wish I had the time and money to make a proper scrapbook of our adventure. It was wonderful! Thanks Mother!

Hayes Pub East Dunmore, Ireland

Wagon ride in Killarney, Ireland

Telephone booth in Waterford, Ireland

Rapeseed/canola field

Looking through a guard tower on the York City Wall


Ten Pound Castle, Ireland

Still on the stand

2011-05-15T21:54:00.001-05:00

No picture.
No poem.

"Just the facts, Ma'am."

Bishop Rod Davis after serving 6+ years was released as the Leon Valley Ward bishop today. Marvin Weatherholtz (1st counselor) and Richard (2nd Counselor) were also released. Brad Winter was sustained as bishop with Richard as 1st Counselor and Scott Fulmer as 2nd Counselor. We also sustained a new Executive Secretary (previous one having completed a portion of his medical training is moving).

Because of the 18 moves from our ward that are occurring in May and June (they have completed another rung on their life's ladder) the Elder's Quorum Presidency and High Priests Group were also reorganized today.

There are many more holes to fill.

Those that are moving have greatly blessed our ward and we will miss them. Their future wards will be blessed.

Spring's Promise

2011-03-08T08:02:00.000-06:00

One of the things I like about Spring (besides all the flowers) is that it is so full of promises and hopes of new beginnings.

Here are some of the first "spring promises" in our yard.

The pictures were taken about a week ago and Spring really has sprung now.

Chocolate Pizza!

2011-03-04T10:02:00.001-06:00

It is a well-recognized fact that I like chocolate - and usually the darker the better. We've known that I come from a long line of chocolate lovers on my mother's side(Grandma Bessie Harmon plotting to get some chocolates by moaning on the couch "chocolates" about the time her dad was to be home). And I have passed the chocolate lover genes on (barely a toddler, BJ snatched a Bluebird chocolate out of his dad's mouth just as Dad was about to put it in his mouth). I'm a little slow but, just recently I realized the Cowles line also has a thing for chocolate - else why would "Grandma Cowles' Brownies" be such a treasure?

One of my Christmas presents was a cookbook, "Chocolate Never Faileth." It is fun to read (delightful quips and chocolate information) AND has mouth-watering recipes. When I came across Chocolate Pizza I had to give it a try for our "I Read the Book of Mormon in 2010" Pizza Party.

Armed with the recipe for the crust (kinda a blend of sugar cookies and brownies) and suggestions for "sauce" and toppings, I let my imagination and taste buds soar. On the right is a chocolate peanut butter pizza. - chocolate peanut butter frosting topped with chopped peanuts and mini chocolate chips. On the left is an Andes Mint pizza - Whipped Chocolate Ganache with chopped Andes mints and chopped pecans.

On a roll, I made more for our Visiting Teaching Conference. Used the two above except omitted the cocoa from the peanut butter frosting. Also tried a Heath Bits pizza (chocolate cream cheese frosting with Heath bits, and mini chocolate chips) and I think my favorite, Rocky Road pizza (Whipped chocolate Ganache with chopped peanuts, mini marshmallows, and mini chocolate chips. All four pizzas were glazed with a chocolate drizzle.

Twas Chocolate Lovers Heaven.

Sugar Cookies

2011-03-01T14:26:00.001-06:00

The sugar cookie making fun pictures I couldn't get on the previous posting.

Christmas 2010

2011-03-01T14:06:00.003-06:00

One of our joys this Christmas was to have Jenny and Nina come on the 19th of December and stay through the 30th.

Nina and Abby (second cousins) had a good time together. Among the Christmas activities was baking sugar cookies, of course.

My camera and I neglected to record my mother's visit from the 20th to the 24th and my sister Eileen's visit from the 22nd to the 24th. That meant that the Mother, Eileen, Jenny and I were all together for our shared birthday of December 23rd.

Someone else's camera hopefully has recorded the fun we had on the Riverwalk, at the SAS Factory Outlet/Museum, and just being together. I was touched that Nina remembered her mother sharing with her that I liked cardinals and when she found a cardinal ornament at the SAS store she asked her mother to get it for me.

Camping at Mustang Island

2011-03-01T13:34:00.002-06:00

In spite of some predicted cold weather we went camping at Mustang Island December 27th and 28th. It was windy and cold. But the wind and the cold kept most everyone else off the beach.

Scoobi seemed to enjoy it the most.

Nina and Abby had fun in the sand.

Wendy was a good sport/brave and took the kids into the waves. Scoobi did her best to get Richard into the water.

Pumpkin Pie Bar picture

2010-11-14T22:40:00.001-06:00

Found an excuse to make these again. Just as tasty - and this time I remembered to get a picture before they were all gone. I intentionally added 1 1/2 cups chopped nuts instead of the 1 cup called for in the original recipe. Really like the nuttiness of the bottom crust and streusel-like topping.

Pumpkin Pie Bars

2010-11-02T22:25:00.000-05:00

For our family dinner Sunday I was to bring dessert. I came across a couple of pumpkin recipes I thought I'd try - after all it was Halloween. One was Pumpkin Brownies. They were okay but I probably won't make them again. The other was Pumpkin Pie Bars. They didn't have a bit of chocolate in them but oh my were they good! They are definitely on my preferred recipe list! Thought I'd share.

Pumpkin Pie Bars by Eagle Brand

Ingredients

1 1/2 cups All Purpose Flour
1 cup finely chopped nuts (Pecans are a good choice SL)
1/2 cup sugar
1/2 cup firmly packed brown sugar
2 teaspoons ground cinnamon, divided
3/4 cup butter, softened
1 (15 ounce) can pumpkin
1 (14 ounce) can EAGLE BRAND® Sweetened Condensed Milk
2 eggs, beaten
1/2 teaspoon ground allspice
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 tablespoon All Purpose Flour

Directions

Preheat oven to 375 degrees F. In medium bowl, combine 1 1/2 cups flour, nuts, sugars and 1 teaspoon cinnamon. Add butter, mix until crumbly. Reserve 1 1/4 cups of the mixture. Pat remaining mixture on bottom of greased 13x9-inch baking pan.
Meanwhile, in large mixing bowl, combine pumpkin, sweetened condensed milk, eggs, remaining 1 teaspoon cinnamon, allspice and salt; mix well. Pour evenly over crust. Mix reserved crumbs with 1 tablespoon flour. Sprinkle over pumpkin mixture.
Bake 30 to 35 minutes or until set. Cool 10 minutes. Serve warm. Store leftovers in refrigerator.

I used probably 1 ½ cups of pecans – really tasted good. In my haste to get these put together for dinner Sunday, I forgot to add the flour to the crumb topping.

I served whipped cream with these bars.

For a picture you'll need to go to http://www.eaglebrand.com/recipes/details/?RecipeId=4029&categoryIndex=-1 - I couldn't figure out how to get the picture - we finished the pan before I thought to get a picture. Hmmm, maybe I need to make another batch.

"Backsplash"

2010-10-17T01:21:00.001-05:00

Richard has been diligent in tiling our kitchen walls when not working, filling church assignments or some such.
Today the last tile was put in place - except for the decorative mosaic that is being attempted (the printed design pattern was inserted into the "hole"). The dark caulking was put between the wall tile and counters and between the dark decorative tiles (actually designed for use as a chair rail). Grouting remains to be done once the tile has been in place 24 hours.

We've called it the backsplash for so long but now that it is close to being completed perhaps it would be more accurate to label it kitchen wall. What ever you want to label it, it is GORGEOUS!

Over the stove.

The baking corner

Area over dishwasher (color is off)

Next up on the "to - do list" is to install the vent over the stove - almost hate to cover up any of the beautiful wall. But it will be nice to get the boxes emptied and recycled.

While Richard has been working on the kitchen I've been working on the family room changing things around and getting rid of some furniture. Pictures of that when I'm closer to completing that task.

Backsplash started!

2010-09-16T10:53:00.002-05:00

Dashing through the house
With trowel and tile in hand,
Creating is my spouse,
A backsplash oh so grand.
First a row set straight,
Then the tile vine:
Oh this pattern is ornate,
Each rhombus is in line!

Looking good, looking good,
Looking oh so grand!
Oh what fun it is to see
The kitchen we have planned!

A Functioning Kitchen

2010-09-05T23:36:00.005-05:00

Tuesday was a red letter day in our kitchen remodeling. Our LG HI-MACS(r) Volcanics Solid Surface counters were installed. We chose a color called "Dorado." Once Gecko Solid Surface Solutions had installed the counters and left, Richard and I took out the broom closet cabinet to replace the foot that had been bent when the broom cabinet was put back after the corner counter had been put in place - counter wouldn't go in unless it was cut or we took the cabinet out. The latter was an obvious answer for us. We had to do it right away as the installers had glued the counter to the cabinet and we had to remove and replace before the glue dried.
Richard next tackled the kitchen faucet and sink drains. He was just about to go to the store to get needed parts when the plumber showed up and was able to install the gas line and stove. That evening Richard finished the sink plumbing with a minor problem - one sink basket didn't seal completely. So we put a bucket under the sink and called it good until he could work on it again.
Thanks to some internet research the next day Richard was able to get it sealed and we had a fully functioning sink.
One of the things I've discovered about this gas cooktop is that the setting right after ignition is "hi." "Low" is at the opposite end of the dial so you can't ever extinguish the flame when trying to simmer a pot.

I like the faucet - though I have to learn how to best use it. I am learning (as the water splashes out of the sink) that you really don't need to turn it all the way on to get a full flow. The one we installed is a single handle faucet.

And the display cabinet.

We waited until the counters were installed before putting on the doors and putting my cup and saucer collection in their new home. I was also able to find a home for Grandma Murtle Cowles' pitcher and Great-grandma Shaw's sugar bowl.

Countertops

2010-08-31T13:44:00.000-05:00

Here they are!

Installed but not without some difficulty. Had to remove broom closet so they could fit the corner piece in. When moving the broom closet back in place the back leg twisted so we had to take closet back out, replace leg and then reinstall. Also a problem with the sink install. Some damage to the false sink drawer which they will replace. Such is life and building.

But it looks good and everything I hoped for. Love the wide countertop. Richard is taking care of plumbing the sink this afternoon. Plumber might be here this afternoon to take care of the stove.

Away in the Drawers

2010-08-30T08:27:00.008-05:00

Away in the drawers, we’re finding good homes
For plates and the fry pans, and fine cooking tomes.
The whisks and the flour are all put away.
Soon boxes will not be the job of the day.

Drawer pulls and door pulls are now screwed in tight,
A functioning kitchen is coming to light.
Toe kicks and moldings are next to be seen,
Then tile backsplashes to look so pristine.

On Tuesday the counter tops are to be laid,
On cabinets that Richard’s so carefully made.
An arctic white sink is included too;
How good life will be in our kitchen so new.

Progress hasn’t been real visible this week – with the exception of pulls on drawers and doors.If you were to open those drawers and doors you’d see I spent the week filling them. The box of boxes helped me remember I WAS making progress.

This cabinet is wonderful BUT I think every drawer glide was screwed in at least twice. We didn’t account for the door hinges the first time we placed the glides. Time for plan B. Plan B was great except we hadn’t allowed for the hinge part that attaches to the door to clear the drawers. Three drawers had to be moved. Third time was the charm.

We had a pot luck family dinner at our house last night. Even with temporary sink and counters and retrieving knives from the storage shed and without the cook top, the kitchen was comfortably up to the task. I think I’m going to enjoy our new kitchen as much as I hoped.

Abby and Marshall helped assemble an ice cream sandwich cake.
It was fun but licking the spoons was the best part.

You CAN have too much of a good thing!

Deck the Kitchen

2010-08-22T21:41:00.003-05:00

Deck the kitchen with cabinet hardware,
Fa la la la la, la la la la.
“Tis what gives the kitchen flair,
Fa la la la la, la la la la.
Though it’s been a lengthy process
Fa la la la la, la la la la.
Now we can see daily progress
Fa la la la la, la la la la.

The to-do list grows much shorter
Fa la la la la, la la la la.
Tile the backsplash for the baker
Fa la la la la, la la la la.
Add the trim to make it look fine
Fa la la la la, la la la la.
Oh the lights do add their own shine
Fa la la la la, la la la la.

YES! the counter is on order
Fa-la-la-la-la, la-la-la-la
Now’s the time to stash the clutter.
Fa-la-la-la-la, la-la-la-la
Sing we joyous, all together.
Fa-la-la-la-la, la-la-la-la
This new kitchen’ll be a winner.
Fa-la-la-la-la, la-la-la-la.

Here’s Some Pix!

2010-08-18T00:48:00.004-05:00

Oh the weather outside is broiling,

But the kitchen’s still not cooking,

And since we’ve no fancy tricks,

Here’s some pix! Here’s some pix! Here’s some pix!

Looking south. Note the temporary kitchen sink – YEAH!

The oven & serving storage area – and the pantry & dishes cupboard

Baking and prep areas (from family room looking southwest)

Think light over baking was up in last pictures but light over peninsula was just put up tonight. Now to find the light we took down from the old breakfast area and want to put up in the pantry/oven area. No doubt it’s in one of my infamous “safe” places!

Progress Not Pictured

Countertop selected and ordered – measurements for template will be taken Friday morning.

Cardboard boxes removed from family room – some in recycle, some waiting for empty recycle bin, and some in garage to use to protect floors when they install the counter.

Majority of drawers lined and some things have found a home – though perhaps temporary.

Finished electrical wiring for peninsula area.

Family room floor cleaned and chairs back in family room.

It’s beginning to look a lot like a kitchen

2010-08-14T00:03:00.004-05:00

It’s beginning to look a lot like a kitchen,
Ev’rywhere you turn
Take a look at the cabinet drawers, as empty as can be
But soon they’ll have the tools a cook must use.

It’s beginning to look a lot like a kitchen
Cabinets ev’rywhere
But the prettiest sight to see is the cooking that will be
Done in our own place.

I AM a Shaw descendent. The first ingredient to find a home was the container of cocoa. :)

How Many Butterflies Do You See?

2010-08-10T22:25:00.002-05:00

There were over a dozen butterflies visiting this bush this afternoon – too hot to stick around to count more.

Perhaps the following close up makes them a little easier to see.

See I’m not entirely obsessed with the kitchen.

The Last Shall Be First

2010-08-10T10:28:00.004-05:00

Sometimes it seems like we are working hard and not getting very far. Then all of a sudden it’s looking like a kitchen!

The original plan was to finish the sink/peninsula area first and then the west wall and then the south wall. Guess what got done first!

From the family room looking south. The broom closet is on the left (and it has broom, mop etc. already in it). This is the baking/snacking area. Waiting on countertops before we put in all the drawers or doors. But have to get ALL the cabinets installed first.

From family room looking west. Note the two tall cabinets on each side of the picture. They are waiting the installation of the ovens so they can be put in place. The one on the right goes next to the oven cabinet and completes the west wall. The one on the left is the first cabinet on the sink/peninsula run.

From family room looking northwest. The cooktop cabinet is in the center. The tall cabinet on the right will house the ovens which are sitting on the floor in front of the cabinet. The installation of the last three cabinets and the oven is waiting on the electrician who should be coming this morning to complete the wiring he started several weeks ago and waiting until we got to this point to come back and finish the job.

(That’s Richard – the master builder - in the bottom left corner.)

Last night we purchased tile for the back splash. Even found most of it on clearance! Now we can get the accent pieces I fell in love with.

Off to build another cabinet or two.

Do You See What I See?

2010-08-05T08:00:00.002-05:00

Said Grammy to her friends everywhere,
Do you see what I see?
Off in the corner over there,
Do you see what I see?
A BOX, a Box!
Assembly makes us glad;
For a kitchen’s soon to be had
For a kitchen’s soon to be had.

TILED!

2010-08-01T00:55:00.001-05:00

Richard has been very hard at work getting the tile laid.
What doesn't show up well in the picture is all the careful cuts he made where the floor meets the wall.
We did a diagonal pattern in the "alley" part of the kitchen (it will have 24" deep floor cabinets on each side leaving about 40" of floor space) as it was felt the brick pattern would emphasis how long and narrow the room is.
Grouting should be completed Monday. We are getting there.

He finished just in time for him to shower and get ready for the stake youth dance tonight, for which we were two of the chaperones from our ward. He took me out to dinner after the dance because there wasn't time before the dance.

Progress We Can SEE!

2010-07-29T23:52:00.000-05:00

The ceiling in the family room and kitchen is textured and painted.
[We could even uncover the ceiling fan light now. Plastic will probably be left up until all the sheet rock, tape and floating are completed. (Do you know how far sheet rock dust can go!)]

The old vinyl tile is gone and the black adhesive removed. (The Armstrong tile's surface didn't hold up very well but it certainly stuck well to the floor!) All that remains of the kitchen sink is the hot and cold water pipes. A history of water leaks from dishwasher and sink left the sheet rock in bad shape and needs to be replaced. (The sheet rock left looks MUCH better than what was removed!)

But the rest of the sheet rock work is done except some sanding. The tile area with the white spacers is set in thin set in a brick pattern - a continuation of the family room tiling. The diagonal tiles are laid out to determine if that is really what I want in the "alley" space (cabinetry on each side gives about 40 inches of walkway) in the kitchen. He's been able to set the wet saw out on the patio to cut the tile as needed. Sure is nicer (and faster) than having to go up and down stairs to the garage to make individual cuts.

Hopefully tomorrow Richard can get the rest of the floor put down so he can grout on Saturday and finish the drywall work. And the to-do list goes on. But it is getting shorter.

A Slice of extraordinary chocolate cream pie

2010-06-22T22:39:00.000-05:00

This is the last slice of Dylan's birthday pie. Dylan had requested chocolate cream pie for his birthday dinner. Not wanting just the ordinary instant pudding and cool whip pie, I did some surfing. I found a recipe for Emeril's Chocolate Cream pie. At www.allrecipes.com I found lots of recipes with good reviews for chocolate cream pie. The recipe called "Rich Chocolate Truffle pie" caught my eye and made my taste buds water. Since the Truffle pie had fewer ingredients and better fit the time I had, that's the one I made. It was a good choice - a very very good choice. It will be repeated for special ocassions.

I do want to make Emeril's chocolate cream pie and another recipe that caught my attention which called for chocolate candy bars, marshmallows and cool whip. Need to have a taste test - though the truffle pie will be hard to beat. When's the next special ocassion?

I couldn't bring myself to pay for a prepared chocolate graham cracker crust nor enough Oreos to make 2 pie crusts so I created my own recipe.

Chocolate Graham Cracker pie crust
1 ¼ C graham cracker crumbs
¼ - ½ C cocoa
½ C sugar
½ C melted butter

Mix ingredients together. Press into 9” pie pan. Bake 7 minutes at 350. Cool.

A Wonderful Sight if....

2010-06-22T01:33:00.002-05:00

I will be one of the first to admit this light switch is really rather an eyesore if you haven't had to walk past a single switch into a dark room for the last 27 years and wonder why in the world there weren't two switches here. Soon both switches will be white and behind a white outlet plate.

But it was no easy task for Richard to literally crawl into the hot attic (even when starting at 6:30 AM) and rewire the light fixtures. This one he could do in the attic.

This is the switch that FORMERLY controlled both the kitchen and breakfast area lights. Now it only controls the breakfast area which is on it's way to being the baking area. This one was so close to the edge of the house he had to go through the sheetrock from inside the kitchen to move the switch around the corner. Shortly a cabinet will be covering the old switch location

The unwelcome task of getting into the attic also including replacing the duct work for the hood over the cooktop. You can see the silver tube hanging down from the ceiling. Very basic light fixtures, saved from the landfill at some point in our history, were connected to the fixtures to verify they were now wired properly and to provide working light in the kitchen. (These too WILL be replaced!)

Notice that the soffit areas on both sides of the kitchen now have sheetroock in place.

Not pictured but part of the progress is the 240 watt line moved by an electrician to the new oven area. The electrician will, as part of his fee, come back and connect the ovens.

Next steps - tape and float the ceiling, move some of the electrical outlets and install others, finish preparing the ceiling for texturing, , texture the ceiling - and then start on the floor.

Progress

2010-06-16T22:35:00.002-05:00

This is not a mess (although it is that too!). This is progress. On the east side the wall and soffit are removed. The replacement sheet rock has been screwed into the ceiling studs. The electric box for a light fixture has been installed (the blue circle in the new sheet rock. The sheet rock over the dishwasher counter area has been removed because the outlet had to be moved and the builders had stapled the wire to the original outlet to the stud (one of those "delightful" surprises).

All the cabinets, soffit and wainscotting on the west wall have been removed. Water supply for the refrigerator has been moved. Now a plumber and electrician need to connect to the gas pipe for the supply for the gas stove and move the 240 outlet for the ovens. While waiting for them Richard is figuring out how (and whether he wants to do it or have the electrician do it) to put individual switches for each of the three lights in the kitchen area. Also need to install a few more outlets - homes built in the 60s and 70s (unless Daddy was building them) don't have enough outlets in the kitchen.

The white cabinets (which have served as the pantry) have been temporarily moved to the dining room and will end up in my project room and the garage. Janet will get the range to replace hers which is dying - though it is hard for her to give up her two ovens. I am packing things up - trying to stay ahead of Richard. Kitchen is done except under the sink which can wait until after the ceiling is done. Right now the priority is to get surface things in the family room packed up so furniture can be covered prepartory to refinishing the family room and kitchen ceiling.

Our breakfasts and lunches are things that can be prepared with disposable plates and utensils. Gratefully Janet lives close to us and we have dinner together at her house.

Our IKEA Kitchen

2010-06-16T22:11:00.002-05:00

This is the current state of our IKEA kitchen - all 219 pieces. Delivery weight was around 3,000 pounds. The only thing missing is our oven which they had to order. Surprisingly EVERYTHING else was in stock!

All told there will be 20 cabinets to assemble and I haven't stopped to figure out how many drawers. Rumor has it that after the first couple of cabinets they go together fairly quickly. I hope so. At 30 minutes per cabinet, that's 10 hours of assembly.

The Adventure Has Begun

2010-06-16T21:48:00.008-05:00

Richard's project for the summer is remodeling our kitchen. It is only about 20 years over due.

We have spent many hours using IKEA's kitchen planner to come up with a solution for our rather small and awkard kitchen. Our goal was more counterspace, more storage, more convenient pantry, better appliance placement, more room to work and better lighting/wiring. The kitchen itself was about 9' by 7' and the breakfast area was about 8' x 7'. The east wall of the kitchen backed up to the living room (and 4') and the family room (5') [That's the part of the wall with contact paper for a backsplash (we'd removed the bar/clutter collector and replaced it with a wall and never got a backsplash put up)].

This is our kitchen just before we started destroying it. (It's amazing the amount of clutter we overlook in daily living!)
The west wall looking north.

The west wall from the family room.

The south and west wall from the family room. (This is the only soffit that is staying as it camouflages the sloping roof.)

The east wall looking north.

The plan we came up with combines the two areas and converts a galley kitchen into a L-shaped kitchen with a peninsula. (Unfortunately I haven't figured out how to post the floor plan on the blog though I do have it in a Word file if anyone is interested.)

Instead of a range we are installing a gas cooktop and a 30" double wall oven (Boy am I excited about the ovens!) The counters on either side of the cooktop will be 18" rather than 15"they have been. Over the cooktop we are planning a hood with no cupboards. The refrigerator moves to the other side of the cook top and the ovens are approximately where the fridge was located but moved down 15" for a wall to ceiling storage cabinet with drawers. There will be another 24" floor to ceiling pantry between the dishwasher and the dining room and living room walls. The family room wall comes down with 12" deep cabinets on the other side. The counter will cover both cabinets and extend to create a bar for working, eating and/or visiting. There will be a cupboard with a microwave shelf next to the fridge and over the baking area. The soffits on the east and west sides of the kitchen will no longer exist and we will install 39" wall cabinets or floor to ceiling cabinets. There will be no cabinets over the peninsula - just lighting. Almost all the base cabinets have drawers rather than shelves. We are scrapping off the popcorn texture on the ceiling and doing the same faux suede texture we did in the living room in the kitchen and family room. The vinyl floor (I can hardly wait to see it gone) will be replaced with the ceramic tile we used in the family room. The family room colors will extend into the kitchen. We haven't decided on a countertop yet.

The demo has begun.

Thanks Tamara and Jack

2010-05-07T22:25:00.000-05:00

Tamara and Jack had Shasta Diasy seed packages printed with their name to be given as favors at their wedding reception in August of 2008. I planted a package last spring. This is my first blossom. Sometimes I forget how pretty a Shasta Daisy can be.

The pillows

2010-03-30T12:54:00.003-05:00

I'm really good at planning projects and fairly good at starting projects. Finishing projects is more of a challenge. Wrapping it up and putting it all away is THE challenge. Here is my attempt to wrap this project up and put it away.

These are the pillows I made for our couch using the remnants of the fabric from covering the wing chair and dining room chairs. There are 64 two inch squares in the middle pillow's presenting side. That was a result of starting it way too late at night and not really thinking clearly. But once I'd started what could I do?

NOW these pillows are done. (I would like to make some more pillows out of a coordinating fabric. Later. See what I mean about planning projects?)

Mother and Me

2010-01-30T21:28:00.002-06:00

As Richard, Janet and I were about to leave El Cajon after a wonderful Christmas visit I thought it would be a good idea to get a picture of Mother and me. Here is my favorite.

THE Wing Chair

2010-01-30T21:22:00.004-06:00

Awhile ago driving to work I saw a decent-looking wing chair in a garage sale. I phoned Richard and suggested he go look at it. It was $3. He decided we couldn't go too far wrong at that price and bought it. It cleaned up fairly decently.

Then came our living room remodel. Chair was good but the fabric was an eyesore in our beautiful new room. So we tackled the project.

With Janet's help we have a lovely new chair. (The fabric has a definite nap to it so it looks different depending on how the light hits it.)

We are pleased with the chair. (It is no longer a $3 chair!)

And I have two bits of advice to all who might consider a similar project. 1. Dining chairs and couches are one thing; a wing chair is an entirely different animal - best left to experts. 2. NEVER tackle a project like this during the holidays.

Six Times Four

2009-11-16T12:45:00.003-06:00

A) Four places that I go to over and over: Wal-Mart, Distribution Center (work), church, Hobby Lobby
B) Four people who e-mail me: Richard, Janet, Mother, Jenny
C) Four of my favorite places to eat: Alamo Cafe, Mi Tierra, Olive Garden, Cha Chos (I do live in San Antonio and love Mexican food.)
D) Four places you would love to be: Utah, San Diego, Nauvoo, The British Isles,
E) Four people I'm almost sure will respond: I'm probably one of the last ones to respond.
F) Four of your favorite TV shows: We haven't joined the HD world. Some favorites from the past, Wheel of Fortune, The Price Is Right, Little House on the Prarie, Knight Rider

2 Steps Closer

2009-11-11T22:12:00.001-06:00

Our living room is nearing completion. Last week we found a rug for the floor. Today I finished the curtains. Richard hung them this evening. All that is left is reupholstering the wing chair - that eyesore in the top picture.

In Utah - briefly

2009-10-28T22:48:00.032-05:00

I got to spend some time with Austin (and his parents) this month. I flew out to stay with Austin, Mike and Julie while she had jaw surgery and to be there during her first week of healing. Austin is a little tiger.

Mom and Austin playing "Squish" (Pre-surgery)

Bubbles are okay.

But the bubble blower - now THAT is fascinating.

Helping Grammy crochet.

(Who knew yarn was so fascinating?)

Yogurt - good to the last spoonful - or smear.

Quiet time - missing Mom?

Ensure is pretty good and I can eat faster than Mom.

WHAT A GUY!

WOW!

2009-09-10T15:42:00.000-05:00

Doesn't the chair on the right look good!?!
On Monday Janet and I found and purchased, because it was on sale for half price (and the only way we could afford it), fabric to cover the dining chair seats and the wing chair. We also found coordinating fabric to make curtains for the living room. Since Richard has worked so hard on redoing the living room I thought I should get started on the chair seats. What a difference! The fabric is reversible. Over Thanksgiving break Janet and I plan to recover the wing chair with the lighter side as the right side. I had to special order the curtain fabric because they didn't have enough on the bolt. Time for one more seat before I need to move on to other things.

A Thing of Beauty

2009-09-10T00:08:00.001-05:00

Alright. Beauty is in the eye of the beholder. But if you've suffered through the driest two-year period on record and spent hours hand watering in hopes plants would survive and not even considering their thriving, this is a VERY pretty picture. This was today's rainfall. When the picture was taken we were getting another few sprinkles of rain. More rain is predicated for Thursday and Friday.

Another delight for today. Today's high was only 88 - the first time the high has been below 90 since May 23rd. For most of July and August our highs were in the triple digits.

I might even enjoy this September!

Oh! By the Way...

2009-09-08T05:35:00.003-05:00

On August 16th I was released from the Stake Primary Presidency. On August 23rd I was extended the calling of Ward Relief Society President and sustained on September 6th. For those who are thinking "haven't you done this before," the answer is yes. This will be the third time for me to serve in this capacity: first time in Shreveport when Julie was a baby, and here about 17 years ago.
I have spent much of the past quarter of a century working in the Primary organization - either in Scouting, Nursery or the Stake Primary presidency (with Scouting or Nursery responsibilities). This will be a change!

My third time as a den leader was probably the most rewarding, as was my third time as nursery leader. I'm hopeful the pattern will continue.

As notes of interest:
1 - In San Antonio I was called under Neil Jorgensen. He was released and Roger Davis was the new bishop and I served under him. This time I will serve under Rod Davis - Roger Davis' twin brother.
2 - There are now 3 Lawrences in the Ward Correlation -Janet as YW President, Richard as HP Group Leader, and yours truly.

Happy Birthday Grandma Harmon!

2009-07-14T22:17:00.010-05:00

Elizabeth Thomas Shaw Harmon, known to many as Bessie, was born today in 1892. I don't have a digital picture of Grandma handy but did want to recognize her birthday. This is a picture of the sugar bowl that was a wedding present to her parents. In this picture it is on a doily her mother, Elizabeth Thomas Shaw made. The sugar bowl is something she probably grew up using. Guess it wasn't in the large tub of dishes she was carrying between the dining room and kitchen and dropped. Her comment over the broken dishes, "Thank goodness they weren't washed!" Apparently doing dishes was not a favorite chore. For awhile she succeeded in avoiding doing the dishes by visiting the outhouse - until her Grandma caught on and made sure it didn't happen again.

I had always known Grandma Harmon as a very refined, gracious woman. That is until her mother came to visit us for several weeks in the fall of 1962. Grandma Shaw told us stories that have entertained generations. From trying to convince the Indians mud was a very effective soap for hand washing to fleeing from the dentist's office raising her hands high over her head, "Minnie (her older sister) saved my life! Minnie saved my life!" There were the baby buggy (occupied by infants) races - of course always sedately walked in front of the home. One lunch time when asked to fix a bite to eat for her mother and grandmother, Grandma did just that. When she called them in for lunch they found a bite of bread on each plate! At Grandma's viewing the night before her funeral one of her teenage friends told me the story of how Bessie did her best to embarrass this friend when she was the queen of a parade. One of my favorite stories is how as a newly-wed, her brother-in-law challenged her to an Indian wrestling match. Grandma demurred saying she hadn't brought any pants. Then she went home and practiced with her brothers. The next time this brother-in-law challenged her she accepted - and promptly flipped him. And who doesn't enjoy the story of her scheme to get her father to re-hitch the horses and head back into town to get her some chocolates - the only thing that would make her feel better.

Grandma certainly had a sense of humor and enjoyed life. She was also compassionate and charitable. When she was in her 50's she volunteered to take care of her younger brother's infant son when his wife died in childbirth. She took care of Larry for several years and made sure to send letters and pictures to his father (Byron) so he could be part of his son's growing up. Later when her parents needed more care than they could provide for themselves, Grandma brought them to her home and lovingly cared for them. Grandma served for many years in Relief Society and was a faithful temple attender. Towards the end of my freshman year at BYU I was a little concerned about going home for the summer and having to give up my "freedom" I had enjoyed while living away from home. I asked her advice and she gave good counsel.

Grandma was my escort when I received my endowments. When Grandma passed away in 1984 Mother chose to buy new temple clothing to bury her mother in and gave me Grandma's temple clothing. They washed up beautifully and I have enjoyed using them for many years. They were what she wore when she was my escort and in a sense Grandma came to the temple with me every time I went.

Happy Birthday Grandma! I look forward to being with you again.

And Today

2009-06-04T21:28:00.003-05:00

A three man crew came this evening and cut up our tree. It took them about 2 and a half hours. They did clean up nicely and even blew all the leaves I had so carefully put out 2 weeks ago as mulch into the pile. They were going to haul the wood away but had underestimated the volume of the tree. So Richard and his trusty pick-up will get to do that.

This is what remains of our tree.

(Pictures aren't great since they finished up just as the daylight was finishing up.)

And this is where it was.

Now to decide what tree to plant and figure out the damage to the roof.

Lightning Strike?

2009-06-03T10:16:00.005-05:00

This is what our front yard looked like in January.

This is what it looks like today.

A thunderstorm came thru San Antonio last night and apparently lightning struck our beautiful Chinese Pistache tree. Though it is hard to believe it didn't wake either Richard or me. Richard remembers the storm; I slept thru it.

A section of the tree landed on our roof appearing to have only damaged shingles with no structural damage

A close-up of the tree trunk.

The view from our front door.

There ARE stairs under there.

We will miss our beautiful tree, the shade it provided, and the gorgeous fall color - even if it didn't arrive until November. Maybe the deer aren't so bad. (They came through again last Saturday/Sunday. Enjoyed the geranium blossoms - had waited long enough for a nice selection - and our newly planted impatiens.)

BIG Flowers - and a pretty basket

2009-06-02T12:51:00.012-05:00

There are five blooms on the Hardy Hibiscus this morning - thought you might enjoy. Per Dennis' suggestion I've included one with a measuring tape so you can better visualize the size.

Also including a couple of pictures of a tropical hibiscus so you can compare.

And last but not least - my pretty hanging basket of petunias. The plant is much happier in its new pot - my oh my does it like water!

A BIG Flower

2009-05-30T21:21:00.008-05:00

We woke up Thursday morning to this gorgeous flower on our back patio. It is a hardy hibiscus (as opposed to a tropical hibiscus). Other names for the plant are swamp mallow, rose mallow and dinner-plate hibiscus. The blossoms only last a day but it is a prolific bloomer and there are lots of buds on the plant. It's a bit hard to tell in this picture but the blossom is about 8" in diameter. The petals have the texture of crepe paper. In past years we have had blossoms that approach 12 inches. In looking up the plant to make sure I had the correct name I learned that it really is a wet-lands/marsh plant. Therefore it wants LOTS more water than I have been giving it. We did transplant it to a bigger pot this year so maybe I can better keep up with it's water requirements.

Doesn't This Look Good?

2009-05-22T18:23:00.002-05:00

Our garden is coming along. While the regular tomatoes are still getting bigger our cherry tomato plant alread has some ripe tomatoes. I took a picture and then picked. We've already enjoyed some beans. The sugar snap peas were good. We enjoyed some and froze the rest for stir fry later this year.

We've had a small picking of green beans. Blossoms promise more.
Last Monday for FHE we planted another row of green beans where the peas were. In this picture you can see the first row behind the bell pepper.

And the bell pepper plants now have baby peppers on them. This one looks a lot bigger than it really is.

Along with beans we planted cucumbers around empty tomato cages and they are already coming up. If you look closly you can see the dirt lifted in the background where we should see bean seedlings in a day or so. We also planted zuchinni squash and cantalope. The zuchinni is also making an appearance.

A Handful of Blossoms

2009-05-21T21:17:00.004-05:00

In spite of the warm temperatures my sweet peas produce sporadic blossoms. This is encouraging. I'll try planting earlier next season.

My geraniums are recovering. Perhaps it is about time for the deer to come around again?

This determined little snapdragon is a gift from nature - no human put it there. It is growing within inches of the curb in the front yard and causes many walkers to pause and appreciate.

The Best Hiding Place

2009-05-14T09:51:00.004-05:00

When I came downstairs Mother's Day morning there was this beautiful bouquet of flowers and a card for me on the table. They were from Richard. Knowing he hadn't gone to the store that morning I asked where he had hidden them. With a little grin on his face he replied, "The laundry room." I'm enjoying the flowers - and the perfect Saturday afternoon hiding place.

Oh Dear, Not So Dear Deer

2009-05-13T23:11:00.004-05:00

The pot of geraniums I planted in March have, over the last two months really filled in and bloomed beautifully and profusely. The pot is a most welcome spot of color. Saturday morning the color was gone. Marauders had removed the geranium flowers and the petunia and Gerber Daisy flowers near the front door. If you look carefully at the picture taken a couple of days later you will see 13 flower stems with no flowers. As you can see a new flush of bloom is on the way.I suspected deer and found the hoof prints to back up my suspicions. It's hard to tell in the photo but within the square formed by the sticks is a hoof print.

I am grateful they only enjoyed the blossoms and not the plants - dear, dear, deer.

Our Pioneer Ancestry: Elizabeth Holbrook Shaw

2009-05-04T16:14:00.008-05:00

My intent was to post a short sketch of Elizabeth H. Shaw's life along with her picture. She led such a note-worthy and intriguing life it was had to leave anything out. It is a story well-worth reading.

Elizabeth Holbrook Shaw is a fascinating and remarkable woman. She was born at Arnold, Nottingham, England July 8, 1845 to John and Mary Ann Jeffery Holbrook. Her father died when she was three months old. She was the youngest of 5 children. (There is some discrepancy as to the number but her autobiography says there were five children twelve and under.) The family joined the church when she was nine.

She was six or seven when she began working to help the family finances. She worked at two bleach factories (they bleached woman’s stockings) walking a mile each way to the first and then four miles each way to the second because it paid better. Her next job was at a silk and lace factory. Because of her dependability she was soon given a position at the machines. One day her arm got caught in the machine’s cogs. Before the equipment could be stopped her arm was almost cut off. It took 21 weeks for it to heal enough for her to go back to work. She worked here until she was 16.

Two brothers immigrated to Brooklyn, New York in 1858. They were able to send enough money to bring the rest of the family to Brooklyn. They sailed on the “Benjamin Franklin” arriving in July 1861. Elizabeth now 16 found work at a tobacco factory. The next spring they joined William B. Preston’s wagon company arriving October 1, 1865. Ever industrious, she found a job stripping sugar cane in exchange for molasses. In November she went with a family to Providence in Cache Valley where she worked for her board. “Being a green English girl … they traded me out of all my good clothes as I always had plenty. My mother was a very proud woman and always kept us well dressed, our stomach could go short if need be but never our backs.”

On March 26, 1865 she married Henry Albert Shaw at Paradise where Henry taught school. They were among the first settlers in Paradise. There they built a log house and planted wheat. Their plan was to go to the Endowment House in SLC after the harvest to be sealed. They traveled by ox team. They stayed in the tithing yard where Henry found Emma Rogers, now a widow, whom he had known in England. Henry asked Elizabeth’s consent to marry Emma as a second wife the next day, October 20, 1865 after they were sealed. Prior to this Elizabeth and Emma hadn’t met. The enlarged family returned to Paradise but were caught in an early snow storm and had to walk from Mantua to Paradise about 15 miles. Elizabeth was 2 months away from having her first baby.

The two wives lived in harmony in a shared home, eating “at the same table”. When Elizabeth and Emma had 13 children between them, they “insisted in dividing the house between us each having five rooms.” Henry built a home with each wife having her own kitchen, bedroom, sitting room and pantry with a large stairway dividing downstairs and four large bedrooms upstairs.
Elizabeth took care of the children with help from a hired girl while Henry and Emma taught school. In 1872 when the Paradise Co-op was organized in a room in their home, Emma became the clerk and manager.

Henry died January 26, 1884 three months before their youngest child was born. Elizabeth homesteaded 160 acres in the Avon area raising cows and selling the butter. She would travel to Paradise each Sunday morning to attend church and return to the homestead in time for the evening milking. When the land was legally hers, she sold it and moved back to Paradise. She went to SLC for a course in nursing and obstetrics in 1886 or 7. She also had learned to make powders for nerves, teething and cancer. She was a sought after “doctor” for 30 years. Her picture hangs in the Doctors Room in the DUP headquarters museum.

When she was 51 one of Emma’s daughters had been in poor health and was concerned about surviving the delivery. She asked Elizabeth to take care of her baby if she died. The baby was a week old when the mother died. Elizabeth took care of the baby boy until he died at 7 months.

When Emma became an invalid Elizabeth cared for her for many years until her death in 1904.

In 1910, when she was 65, her youngest son’s wife left him and asked Elizabeth to take care of their two children, a 4-year-old girl and an 18-month boy. She raised the children to maturity.

She was a talented seamstress, the first milliner and dressmaker in Paradise. She made flour sacks for the mill and sold overalls. She did lovely embroidery and crochet. She made many hand-pieced quilts, doing “her stint” – one hand-pieced quilt block – every day irregardless of what else was going on in her life.

Elizabeth was a member of the Paradise Relief Society Presidency for 25 years. As there was no undertaker in town she prepared many bodies for burial. As president of the Sewing in Relief Society for 30 years she tended to the temple clothes and made “them for the living and the dead.” She also served in the primary organization and was active in community affairs.

From her autobiography: “I always despised poverty and would do anything to earn a dollar. My husband was the first school teacher at Paradise and continued to teach for about 15 years then his health began to fail and he discontinued teaching. He was also pioneer postmaster being P. M. from 1871 to his death in 1884. We are and always have been a happy family. My husband’s wife Emma died fifteen years ago but we still hold our family reunions and every member of my husband’s children are as dear to me as my own and they honor me and never forget my birthday no more than my own.”

She was always well-groomed and dressed. According to her granddaughter she “had sparkling black eyes, a ready smile and a quick answer.”

She was very ill the last four months of her life, living with her daughter, Elizabeth Bahen. She passed away December 30, 1928. She is buried in the Paradise Cemetery.

Sources:
Life History written by Ruby Williams Nielsen, a granddaughter
Life History written by herself, probably in 1916 when she was 71. All quotes, except the last, are from her autobiography.
Life Sketch by Carma Danielson
Obituary for Mrs. Elizabeth H. Shaw

A Gem of a Find

2009-05-04T11:49:00.007-05:00

My interest in exploring the internet for information on my ancestors lead to this find. It is the St. Issell church in Haroldston St. Issells, Pemborkeshire, Wales.

This is where David Thomas probably married Elizabeth Nash on 30 September 1828.
David and Elizabeth Thomas are my 3 great-grandparents.

photographed by Rosemary Bevan

http://www.dyfedfhs.org.uk/pem/pemhasi.htm

2009-04-29T07:55:00.004-05:00

Rules: Anything you have done has to be in colored, bold, and/or underlined. How much have you done?
1. Started your own blog
2. Slept under the stars
3. Played in a band
4. Visited Hawaii
5. Watched a meteor shower
6. Played in an orchestra
7. Been to Disneyland
8. Climbed a mountain
9. Held a Praying Mantis
10. Sang a solo
11. Bungee jumped
12. Visited Paris
13. Watched an amazing lightning storm
14. Taught yourself an art from scratch
15. Adopted a child
16. Had food poisoning.
17. Walked to the top of the Statue of Liberty
18. Grown your own vegetables
19. Seen the Mona Lisa in France
20. Slept on an overnight train
21. Had a pillow fight
22. Hitch hiked
23. Taken a sick day when you’re not ill
24. Built a snow fort
25. Held a lamb
26. Gone skinny dipping
27. Ran a Marathon
28. Ridden in a gondola in Venice
29. Seen a total eclipse
30. Watched a sunrise or sunset
31. Hit a home run
32. Been on a cruise
33. Seen Niagara Falls in person
34. Visited the birthplace of your ancestors
35. Seen an Amish community - driven through several
36. Taught yourself a new language
37. Had enough money to be truly satisfied
38. Seen the Leaning Tower of Pisa in person
39. Gone rock climbing
40. Seen Michelangelo’s David
41. Sung karaoke
42. Seen Old Faithful geyser erupt
43. Bought a stranger a meal at a restaurant
44. Visited Africa
45. Walked on a beach by moonlight
47. Had your portrait painted
48. Gone deep sea fishing
49. Seen the Sistine Chapel in person
50. Been to the top of the Eiffel Tower in Paris
51. Gone scuba diving
52. Kissed in the rain
53. Played in the mud
54. Gone to a drive-in theater
55. Been in a movie
56. Visited the Great Wall of China
57. Started a business
58. Taken a martial arts class
59. Visited Russia
60. Served at a soup kitchen
61. Sold Girl Scout Cookies (how about Campfire Girl peanuts and chocolate bars for orchestra)
62. Gone whale watching
63. Got flowers for no reason
64. Donated blood
65. Gone sky diving
66. Visited a Nazi Concentration Camp
67. Bounced a check
68. Flown in a helicopter
69. Saved a favorite childhood toy
70. Visited the Lincoln Memorial
71. Eaten Caviar
72. Pieced a quilt
73. Stood in Times Square (probably when we toured NYC when I was in 3rd grade)
74. Toured the Everglades
75. Been fired from a job
76. Seen the Changing of the Guards in London
77. Broken a bone
78. Been on a speeding motorcycle (seemed like it was)
79. Seen the Grand Canyon in person
80. Published a book (Do all the booklets I've made for Nursery count?)
81. Visited the Vatican
82. Bought a brand new car
83. Walked in Jerusalem
84. Had your picture in the newspaper
85. Read the entire Bible
86. Visited the White House
87. Killed and prepared an animal for eating.
88. Had chickenpox
89. Saved someone’s life
90. Sat on a jury
91. Met someone famous
92. Joined a book club
93. Lost a loved one
94. Had a baby
95. Seen the Alamo in person
96. Swam in the Great Salt Lake
97. Been involved in a law suit
98. Owned a cell phone
99. Been stung by a bee
100. Visited Italy

I added a #6 - thought if playing in a band counts so should playing in an orchestra.
My score: 41 out of 100.

One At Least or A Day of Discovery

2009-04-28T13:30:00.005-05:00

As I was hauling a trash can of garden debris to the street I discovered one sweet pea blossom. I was afraid the weather was getting too hot and I wouldn't get any blossoms. But there it was. The sweet pea vines may not be as lush as I remember Grandpa Cowles' wall of vines, but at least I have one blossom.

On my way in from taking the picture I noticed some unexpected color in one of the flower beds. One of Daddy's epiphyllums (ugly plants but survivors with exotic blossoms) had a bloom. Looks like we will be favored with another bloom soon. (For picture taking purposes the blossom was laid on top of a miniature rose bush - that's why the background is attractive.)

Our Pioneer Ancestry - Samuel and Helen Mar Cutler Henderson

2009-04-21T02:39:00.009-05:00

Janet's and my trip to Utah included a stop at the Daughters of Utah Pioneers Museum in Salt Lake City. Having previously researched via their website which of our Utah Pioneers had pictures and/or personal histories, we came prepared to find things - and we did. These pictures are from their collection and the brief biographies are from biographies I previously had, from those I found there and from websites I have recently discovered. This is my first installment.

These are photos of Samuel Henderson Jr. and his 3rd wife Helen Mar Cutler.

Samuel Henderson joined the church in Missouri and with his father's family moved to Nauvoo in the fall of 1839. Shortly after his arrival there he married Maryetta Coray. They had 3 children - the first died at birth and two others who had died by the time Maryetta left Samuel seven years after their marriage. He left Nauvoo in 1846, reaching Mt. Pisgah where he stayed for apparently two years. He was among the last to leave Nauvoo, probably staying to help harvest the crops and help his father and stepmother. When the mob forced them out of Nauvoo they apparently lost much of their belongings and benefited from the miracle of the quails. In the spring of 1849 he moved on to Council Bluffs. There he met Harriet Hawkins and married her in 1850 before they joined a company going to SLC. They first settled in Kaysville. On May 5, 1855 he married Helen Mar Cutler and Harriet received her endowments. They moved to Brigham City in 1862. In September of 1865 he married Mary Jane Chivers. In the fall of 1886 he went to Star Valley, Wyoming and eventually settled in Dry Creek. He was president of the 70s quorum in Star Valley. He died in 1904 and was taken to Clifton, Idaho for burial.

Helen and Samuel had 10 children together before they were divorced. Helen later married a William Marley.

Helen Mar Cutler was living in Clymer, New York when her family joined the church in 1843. She was 5 years old. They shortly thereafter moved to Nauvoo. Her father, Perley Cutler, died in in October of 1846 in Iowa a couple of months after her younger brother died. A month later, November 30th, another brother, Perley Pratt Cutler was born. In 1850, Helen (12), her mother, Caroline , and brother (3 1/2) left with the Milo Andrus Wagon Company for the Salt Lake Valley. To pay for their food and transportation Caroline and Helen knit socks by firelight and Helen drove an ox team. They first settled in the Sugar House area. Because her mother's health had suffered from the trek west, Helen assumed much of the work to care for the family. Her mother had remarried twice before Helen married Samuel Henderson in 1855. Samuel and Helen lived in Kaysville then the Brigham City area. She lived in Brigham City until she moved to Clifton, Idaho. She died there in March of 1904 and was buried there. (This information was culled from biographies of Samuel Henderson, Jr. and Caroline Sophia Freeman Cutler Van Valkenburgh Thompson Hawkins. The DUP has a personal history for Helen that we didn't have time to get.)

Websites for Samuel Henderson Sr. which include information on Samuel Henderson Jr. :
http://www.hendersonfamily.us/
http://www.carrollscorner.net/HendersonSamuel1785.htm

Mmm, Mmm Good - and Easy Too!

2009-03-20T12:36:00.004-05:00

I came across a recipe for Unbelievable Cookies that only has three ingredients. I was intrigued so today I made a batch. They really are easy and tasty.

Unbelievable Cookies
1 cup peanut butter
1 cup sugar
1 egg

Preheat oven to 325 degrees. Cream peanut butter and sugar. Add egg and mix until well blended. Shape into 1 1/2 inch balls and place on ungreased cookie sheet. Use a fork to flatten balls in a cross hatch pattern.

Bake until lightly brown and just firm to the touch about 10 minutes. Let cool on pan for about 5 minutes before putting them on a cooling rack. (They are very crumbly when just out of the oven.) Makes about 2 dozen cookies - I got 20.

Enjoy prudently.

Gardening Time in San Antonio

2009-03-20T12:20:00.007-05:00

Monday morning there were a few sugar snap pea blossoms. By that evening there were noticeably more and they have continued to pop open all week. Hopefully we will get some peas before the weather gets too warm.

Monday evening Richard and I planted a row of green beans and mulched our vegetables. Richard picked some of the spinach which we are enjoying in salads.

Wednesday I purchased some Sunmaster tomato and Camelot bell pepper transplants which I plan to get in today before I go to work.

One of my camillia bushes is still blooming and had a particulary gorgeous bloom on it this week. An azalea bush is about to burst forth in color.

Richard brought to my attention a very good sale on annuals at Home Depot this morning. So I went there and got 62 plants in 4 1/2" pots to put in our flower beds. I also got a trailing petunia that is supposedly heat and drought tolerant. Unfortunately it will no doubt be put to the test. I also saw some stock I couldn't resist - they remind me of Grandma Harmon. She had some in a planter by her front door for many years. They smell sooo nice.

Time to go plant.

Why Mormons Build Temples

2009-03-12T13:35:00.003-05:00

A television program on Sunday will, as part of the storyline, depict an endowment session using the "expertise" of a former member of the church to help the set and wardrobe designers depict as accurately and in as much detail as possible the sets and wardrobe. There is an article in the TV Guide with a picture.

It is unfortunate that the shows creators have violated their assurances to the Church that the show would not be about Mormons. It is a reference to their character that they have chosen to depict that which they know is sacred to many people - sacred enough that they had to use as a consultant someone who is disaffected with the church.

You might find the following links interesting. http://www.newsroom.lds.org/ldsnewsroom/eng/commentary/the-publicity-dilemma

and http://www.youtube.com/mormonmessages

Spring has progressed

2009-03-04T15:28:00.005-06:00

Several years ago I planted some freesia bulbs. They have bloomed with varying degrees of abundance over the years. This is the first of this year's bloom. They are in a cut glass bud vase I purchased in Ireland.

The tangerine bush is bursting into bloom. It smells heavenly. The bees and other insects are enjoying a feast which I don't begrudge. Notice the teeny baby tangerines.

I really enjoy the ground orchids. They are a colorful color spot. Individually the flowers are really pretty.

PH

2009-03-02T08:14:00.006-06:00

This weekend I found some amazing information on my Hazelbaker ancestory. My 5G grandfather, Peter Hazelbaker was conscripted into the British Army in Germany in 1778. He was one of the Hessian soldiers in the Revolutionary War. He was captured when Lord Cornwallis surrendered in Yorktown in October 1781. When it came time to exchange prisoners, Peter apparently decided he wanted to stay in America and hid in a barn. He married the daughter of the farmer whose barn he hid in. (Wonder if she had something to do with his decision to stay in America?) The farm was in what is now West Virgina. Peter and his wife, Elizabeth Shievely, had 6 sons there. They moved to Allen Township, Washington County, Pennsylvania. Peter died at 41 in 1800. He was buried in the family cemetary on the Sphor family farm. The cemetary has succumbed to time with just a few headstones remaining. Efforts to find Peter's grave have been unscucessful until this past summer when Craig Hazelbaker found the marker. For many years it was thought that the marker was DH but after studying it, Craig determined it was really PH - Peter's headstone had been found.

You will enjoy reading the story of the discovery at http://www.hasselbacher.us/hazelbaker/phgrave/spahrcem.html. These pictures are from that address.

You can find the Hazelbaker Family Tree at http://www.hasselbacher.us/tng/index.php lbacher.us/tng/index.php. Search for Henry Franklin Ralstin or his mother, Margaret Hazelbaker. The line goes back to Steffan Hasselbacher born about 1570 in Gresten, Austria. His three sons were protestant refugees from Austria during the Counter Reformation and followed each other into an area of Germany following the Thirty-Years War that had suffered greatly during the war sometime shortly after 1655.

The Hasselbacher family website, http://www.hasselbacher.us/ , has lots of information with much to explore.

A Walk in Our Yard

2009-02-19T22:24:00.025-06:00

Spring is making its appearance in San Antonio. It is one of my favorite times of the year. I love the promise of good things to come. My citrus trees/bushes are budding with a few buds already open.

The white buds are the Satsuma orange tree.

The pinkish buds belong to my Meyer Lemon.

The pot of ground orchids are in bud and beginning to bloom.

This camellia bush seemed to burst into bloom overnight.
.

The Fan-Tex Ash tree in our backyard is beginning to leaf out

And our vegetable garden - such as it is. The bugs are enjoying our spinach more than we are.

One determined beet seed finally germinated after we planted the edible pod peas.

Two rows of peas are up and a third is beginning to make its appearance. (You can see the third row if you look carefully in the upper righthand corner.)

My sweet peas are finally poking thru the surface.

They do have to contend with the pea gravel we've been trying to get rid of for 26 years.

The pansies are continuing to reward us with lovely blossoms.
Spring - good things are coming.

The Rest of the Story

2009-01-30T09:01:00.006-06:00

In response to my email to Bethlehem Master as to who the benefactor was I received the following email.

Hi Mrs. Lawrence,

We hand carved this set out of Bethlehem Holy Land for you because your son is a good friend of ours and we asked him if he would like us to carve something for him. At that point he said make something nice for my Mother

Your set was also blessed at the Holy Nativity church in Bethlehem where Jesus was born and here are the pictures during the blessing http://www.bethlehemmasters.com/pictures.htm

Best Regards,

Bethlehem Olive Wood Supplies Team

Ghasan Darwesh Workshop Manager

Jared's version:

We have a supplier of Bethlehem Olive Wood who I was talking to one day. I happened to mention that my mom really liked nativities, and so he made me give him your address.

This nativity will be a reminder not of where someone has been but of friendship and love.

The company really does produce some beautiful work. You might enjoy looking at their online catalogue. The URL is http://www.bethlehemmasters.com/

Who Is Our Benefactor?

2009-01-29T19:13:00.014-06:00

There was a loud knock on our front door, followed soon by another knock - sterotypical deliveryman knock. Sure enough there was a delivery man standing on the other side of the door. I needed to sign for a package. As I was signing he mentioned that it was from Israel. That was news to me - I hadn't ordered anything from Israel. I checked the package and it was clearly addressed to us and was from Jerusalem. I opened the box to discover this beautiful Bethlehem Olive Wood nativity from the Bethelehm Masters Collection. The tall pieces are about 7 1/2". The carving is very detailed. It is far too beautiful to keep packed away for 11 months each year. I am hoping to put a mirror behind the set to reflect the back of the pieces and make the area brighter. To whom do we owe our gratitude?

Thought you might enjoy these close ups.

It's the Year of the Ox

2009-01-26T15:19:00.016-06:00

In a nod to the Chinese New Year Richard and I hosted the San Antonio Family dinner last night and served Chinese food - as authentic as I could make it. I've learned that we prefer Chinese Chinese food better than American Chinese food. I set the table with a red table cloth and our place settings were dishes Beverly found for us in China.

The first two dishes are from recipes Beverly got when she was in China from a Sister Dong.

Spicy Chicken

Beef with Broccoli

The next three dishes are from from recipes I found at http://www.rasamalaysia.com/

Sweet and Sour Pork

Chinese Jiaozi / Leeks and Pork Dumplings

Cashew Chicken

The finale was a lemon cake - not Chinese but good.

I use two Meyer Lemons I managed to grow on my tree this year.

I'd be happy to fix any or all of these dishes for visitors.

Nativity Collection

2009-01-14T11:06:00.003-06:00

This may seem an odd time to post pictures of my nativity collection but who's to say I'm not odd. I have finished the finish/trim painting in the family room and the next on my priority list is to put Christmas decorations away. Before I did I wanted to get some pictures of my collection - or at least part of it. I hope you enjoy.

The top center nativity is from China made from bamboo. The pewter set next to it is from Ireland. The ceramic set just below is from the Dominican Republic. Below that is the olive wood set from Israel. Directly below that are three nativities made in Peru. The set on the bottom left is from Columbia. Just above it is a silver nativity from Mexico. The very colorful set in the middle is a marzipan set from Ecuador.

The white display at the bottom is a reminder of Elder Jeffery R. Holland's writing in his booklet "Christmas Comfort:"

“The true meaning, the unique and lasting and joyous meaning of the birth of this baby, would be in the life he would lead and especially in his death, in his triumphant atoning sacrifice …and in his prison-bursting resurrection.

“It is the life at the other end of the manger scene that gives this moment of nativity in Bethlehem its ultimate meaning. Special as this child was and divine as was his conception, without that day of salvation wherein he would gain an everlasting victory over death and hell on behalf of every man, woman, and child who would ever be born – until that day should come – this baby’s life and mission would not be complete.” Jeffrey R. Holland, Christmas Comfort, pp. 3 – 4.

Family Room Remodeling Saga

2009-01-08T11:32:00.028-06:00

Richard spent much of his Christmas break remodeling our family room. (He did the tile this summer.)

He removed the old and inexpensive-when-new paneling.

(We didn't get a before picture so this one of the removed paneling will have to do. )

He also scrapped off the popcorn texturing on the ceiling.

The next step was putting up sheetrock and removing wallpaper from previously sheetrocked walls.

Then came texturing the ceiling and walls. It took a lot of preparation.

And then the paint and baseboards.

(If you are interested we used Lowe's Valspar paint.

Accent wall: Seattle Haze 4003-4B

Other walls: Misty Morning Dew 4003-3C)

Finally about 11:00 PM Saturday night we started moving the furniture back into the family room from the kitchen and entry hall.

We're not finished yet but getting close!

Camellias

2009-01-02T00:56:00.007-06:00

Camellias remind me of my father. My father enjoyed camellias. He raised many lovely camellias, especially when we lived in Orangevale. He chose some of his prize blossoms to make corsages for us to wear to church. He seemed to be especially pleased with one called "Dinner Plate" - aptly named because of its size - and would choose that one in particular for my mother.

Camellias are a challenge to grow in San Antonio because their soil requirements and San Antonio's soil are not compatible. So I have a couple of plants I grow with marginal success in pots. Today the first blossom on one of the plants fully opened. I wanted to share its beauty. After taking a picture of it on the plant, I picked it and put it in the attractive vase we received this Christmas. They are a winning combination.

THE cake recipe

2008-12-31T00:01:00.005-06:00

For the recipe for THE birthday cake go to

http://smittenkitchen.com/2008/08/chocolate-peanut-butter-cake/

It is a recipe from Sky High: Irresistable Triple-Layer Cakes. I may have to seriously consider getting that book.

I found these pictures on the interenet at Food librarian's photostream on Flicker.

THE Birthday Cake

2008-12-30T08:05:00.006-06:00

Dinner was good. But the cake was what Abby and I had been looking forward to. It was a triple layer chocolate sour cream cake with peanut butter cream cheese frosting and a dark chocolate glaze. Adjectives would include scrumptious, yummy and decadent.

Abby almost patiently waited with much anticipation for the cutting of the cake.
Dad wasn't going to get any of HER cake.

Marshall tackled his piece first with a fork.

But hey, this is serious business. You need a fork and hand to enjoy the whole thing.

Six Decades - and Counting

2008-12-30T07:11:00.007-06:00

We (Richard, Janet, Wendy, Dylan, Abby, Marsahll and I) celebrated my 60th Birthday at Janet's on the 23rd. The brisket dinner was good - thanks Janet and Wendy.

The family got together to give me a Cricut to give my scrapbooking more options. Of course, it will be put to other uses also.

Janet also made sure I had some Chocolate Covered Cherries - a Christmas/Birthday tradition.

Abby and Marshall gave me a counted cross stitch calendar. The creative juices are flowing.

Not so little purple pansy

2008-12-27T23:06:00.000-06:00

I have enjoyed pansies since I was a little girl. In San Antonio pansies are a winter flower. This year my pansy plants are producing some lovely huge flowers.

I have arrived

2008-12-27T22:10:00.009-06:00

With much encouragement from family I am entering the blogging world. Part of the delay is that I've spent the last four months scrapbooking our family's activites for the year. As it was to be a surprise Christmas and birthday gift for my mother and I wasn't doing much else of note I didn't have much I felt I could blog about - afraid I'd spoil the surprise. I did realize as I was gathering pictures that I had to have an identical scrapbook. My "small" project turned into three volumes - and growing. Hope you enjoy some sample pages.