Arrow of Light

Daniel is a good scout and this means he usually has a pocket knife and a screwdriver handy. He is good with tools, first aid, and swimming. He received his Arrow of Light last night and we are proud of him.

Texans can cook

The spicy smell of Beth Parks’s pumpkin bread fills my house. I realized today that many of my favorite recipes are from my Texas friends. And beyond the recipes, there was a hospitality that I learned as I sat in their homes. The Armgas, Mary O’Neill, and Nancy Judd were truly gracious in sharing their homes and celebrations. There was Leslie Woodfield who taught me how to make shaved ice and Sharman Grimmer who demonstrated the power of blueberry muffins or apple crisp in a meeting. There were the generous and well-timed dinners from Julie Smith that saved my life and my amazing sister-in-law, Melinda and all of her Sunday dinners. That woman can even make Chinese food. I have many friends to thank for their recipes that I have used in the past few weeks:

Christine Giles: Taco Loco, chicken casserole, spinach salad with cranberries and poppy seed dressing

Beth Parks: pumpkin bread

Andrea Dickinson: chicken tortilla soup

Aileen Duncan: meatballs

Rebekah Calabuig: taco soup

Heather Helquist: broccoli soup

Cinnamon…allspice…nutmeg…*sniff* I miss all y’all.

Room Makeover

Paige awoke to a curtain of flowers hanging in her doorway.

We announced that it was bedroom makeover day and we were there to help.

Do you see a surprise under this gift bag?

Mark and some new baskets and picture frames emerged from the wrapping.

Mark, we told her, was in charge of all jobs involving a screwdriver.

Timothy was the hammer and nail man, ready to help with any picture hanging.

Daniel was the carpenter. He built her new shelves all by himself.

He also took photos of bedding, lamps, frames, and throw pillows at Target so she could make her selections from home.

(The Target website was not good enough for these room makeover specialists.)

Richard was sick, but pulled himself out of bed to hang her new mirror.

Her room is calming and peaceful and coordinated. It is decorated with her original artwork. The painting above her bed is the Mesa Temple.

I like her new chandelier lamp. I also love her iris painting and baby Picasso.

Later that night we went out to Olive Garden dinner. It was a good day.

The day I studied Richard

Richard and I met when I was 18.  We did many things among friends. My apartment met with his apartment to go to concerts or go on hikes or whatever you do when you’re in college. (I forget.)

He was so nice, smart, and talented.

One day I watched him walk around during church fulfilling some responsibilities. I remember several impressions I had. One was that I wanted to feed him something. Another impression was that he looked very dear. I can’t think of any other way to say it. (Sorry, Richard.)

It wasn’t for another year that we even went on a date or talked much. But he remained a study for me. For instance, I remember him driving me and my friends to the base of our mountain hike. He let us crank the radio of his car and I remember singing really loudly. He had a car (sigh) and he was fun to be with.

There were more leaves to turn and more important qualities revealed during that year before we dated.

When I see him I still want to feed him and I still think he looks dear.

Sunday Sounds

Click below and listen as you read:

How was your Sunday? How was church? Did you make a decision to be better about something? I decided that I need to focus on a topic as I read the scriptures. In my study of the Book of Mormon, I am going to catalog the tender mercies of the Lord, specifically how he imbues his children with power.

How was your Sunday dinner? Ours was nice. We had a salad and some fruit and Rice Krispies squares for dessert.

Did you think about someone far away? I did.

Did you get a nap? I didn’t, but that’s ok.

Are you ready for a new week? I think I am. We still have fresh groceries, clean laundry and sheets, and the school lists are made. We have a birthday in our family this week. Paige turns 14.

Sweet dreams.

-A