Swiss Days in Midway

This past weekend for Labor Day, Roger and I attended Swiss Days in Midway, Utah
It was a great way to spend the afternoon. This year I saw lots of great booths and lots of great ideas of wonderful things that I could use.

One of my favorite booths outside of all my very favorite LDS Artists, like Greg Olsen and Jon McNaughton, was a booth called Fiber & Ice. They had the cutest furniture that they had painted and re-upholstered in bright fun colored fabrics. They were absolutely darling. If you are looking for something fun and different, they have it.

Now, if you know me, you know that I have a dear love for photography. There were two photgraphers whose photos stood out among all the others. One is "Impact Photgraphy" The other is Portrait Art Photography by Doti & Rolf . So if you are in need of family photos, the ones that you will want to keep and display ever and ever contact one of these two. Now, we saw something else that was really wonderful in photography. Andrew Morrill Photography is developing scenery photos onto aluminum and it gives the photo the illusion of a backlight. It was awesome. My husband whose degree is in photography insisted that these photos were back lit. I asked, and No they are not. It is the process they are developed onto these sheets of aluminum, then have a glossy covering over them to protect the photo. They pop out to you. The colors are so vivid and beautiful. He said that he makes 2500 numbered prints and the first of that 2500 sold are less expensive than the last of the 2500 sold.  He has a number of prints that are so gorgeous I would love to have.

One other booth that I really liked was The Photo Board Store  They had some great wall boards to display photos. I really liked them. I don't have a place on my walls that is large enough for them. I'd have to depart with something that I really love already... but perhaps If I get a new home, It will come with more walls than I currently have in my present home.

Well, I have shared with you the things that I really liked the most. One of my favorite Swiss Days contributor was not there this year, she has retired. That is Hella Pope and her European Decorative Tole Painting. There is none better at her skill and her workmanship is the very best there is in the United States! 

The above photo is her baby buggy that she painted for a dolly buggy. She shared it with me when we went to lunch one day, so I took photos in the parking lot before we left the restaurant. She was sharing her pattern with me and teaching me her skill. If I practiced like she does perhaps someday I'll be able to create such beautiful treasures.  I love her buggy! Mine is Red and no flowers yet... but there will be some someday! When I get brave enough to try to put them there . I haven't wanted to try in case I make a big mistake. Perhaps the bigger mistake is in not trying. Ok. Before Christmas my buggy will have flowers. Have many pokers in the fire, so it will have to wait its turn.

Hella Pope is the best at her trade and many of her products are a one of a kind and well worth the price you pay. They are heirloom quality.


Wow, what a wonderful weekend we enjoyed.

The Key of Kilenya

Hey Book lovers, Check out my friend, Andrea Pearson's NEW BOOK "The Key of Kilenya" It's sure to hit the best sellers list.  If you act quickly you may download it for FREE, Yup, I said FREE!!!


Andrea has generously offered it online for free for the next couple of weeks. Here's where to go to get it: http://www.smashwords.com/books/view/68856
If you follow the link she has a video that will give you a description of her book. I watched it and I need to get started reading!  Have fun reading. This book is the first book in a series of six.
Congratulations Andrea!!! Way to go!

"Purple and White" Dance 2011

Just looking pretty and waiting....

During Eve's surprise Birthday Dance Party and on her first date, she was asked by a different young man to go with him to the final dance of the year, "Purple and White". This dance is one that is for the Seniors to celebrate the end of their high school years, however all students are allowed to attend.

She attended Purple and White with Jacob "Jake". He is such a sweet young man. This is the same Jake that attended the Christmas program at the Conference Center in Salt lake with David Archuletta and Mo Tab. I really like Jake. He is a cute young man and he and Eve have so much in common. They are both singers, well most of the boys that she likes are.. Maybe thats why she has such wonderful young men as friends. They are all singers. Well, here are the photos.

Perhaps a song will calm the nerves. "Eve, that piece is to be played much slower"

Jake was calling to say that they were running a bit late but would be right here.. She kept saying Ok, and her thumbs would go up with each "OK", We were dying laughing at her. She is so funny and so full of life!

He has finally arrived and whewwww He matches the dress perfectly!!!  Now lets get the flowers put on. Wow how beautiful they are!!  He says that his neigbor made the wrist corsage for Eve.

"Mom, Please help me! I've never done this before" 

We ordered a white rose and we got a yellow rose.. what do you do?

Be grateful that you remembered to order it and that you got one at all ,I guess.  

 She has finally arrived home and says that she had a wonderful night. They went to another young man's home where the boys provided a potluck dinner for the girls. They talked and played games and then they went to the dance which was held at Weber State University in Ogden, Utah  

Carl Bloch Exhibit at BYU

6 May 2011

Our family had decided 6 months ago that we wanted to go to Provo to see the Carl Bloch art exhibit that was at BYU. We have made many trips to BYU in past 6 months but always with another purpose so we ended up with the final two days of the exhibit upon us.  Sounds like me, doesn't it? Im the great procrastinator. We decided  to make the trip and off we went. 3 hrs. later we were in Provo. There was especially heavy traffic from Salt Lake to Provo in the construction zones.

Well, we went to Provo. Eve brought along her best friend, Skylar and we all enjoyed the most wonderful evening. What beautiful art that brought such a wonderful spirit.

Finally after 3 hrs, we arrive.

BYU rented is IPad's which was ourr tour guide and explained each painting and gave you a photos in complete panoramaic vision of the church where these Alter pieces call home. All these paintings came from various churches in Denmark and neighboring Countries. What a treat to view all these paintings in one location. Never will anyone have this opportunity again. It was an honor to be able to view these remarkable paintings.

Roger is standing in line to Rent an Ipad just $3.

The rest of us are standing in line to enter the exhibit. Good thing Dad is in the line to rent the ipads while we are waiting in line to go in.. saving time.

Eve, Skylar and Fuzuki are making new friends while standing in line,

  

They were all so wonderful. I was touched by many of the photos, When I came to one, it brought tears to my eyes and it touched my heart.... only because I can relate to it so well, it is the old woman feeding the irds. I love the paintings of Christ, they are beautiful and very reverant and spiritual. However, probably because of my love of birds, the tiny creatures, my heart was truly touched by the old woman who gave of her meager meal to share with one of Gods creatures...  If you know my love of birds and how I feel a need to feed  them, then you can understand my bonding to this old woman. She is beautiful. Of all the paintings I saw by Carl Bloch, this is the one I'd love to have in my home.

I hope that you enjoy the photos. We loved them all. All of them were inspiring. Well worth the trip to Provo. In the next room at the MOA, there was a huge cube made of books. When the exhibit is done on that the books will be donated, I was told. It was pretty inspiring as well.  Matthew told me it was ok to take pictures in that part of the musuem, since the other parts were NO PHOTO Zone.. I pulled out the camera and took this picture.. well, it only took 2 seconds for the security guard to come and give me a curt warning that there are no photos allowed in the MOA. He told me I could keep the one that I took, but NO MORE.. Ok. I am grateful for the ones that I have and the ones that I sneeked. ;)

Since we left home right after school was out, we were all hungry, so even though it was late, we all stopped at the Golden Coral in Orem and we treated Matt and Priscilla to dinner with us. They had met us at the exhibit when they were finished with work and we all had a great time. Skylar and Eve spent so long gazing at the ipads and reading every morsel, the security guy came and told them they had to move from the room they were in, they could go back, but they had to move... I don't think Eve and Skylar understood what he was telling them and they remained right where they had been til they were completed in reading about all the paintings that reside in the Castle.  Very intersting information.

We were very pleased with the use of our time and our childrens hunger for the knowledge of such good things. I can't express how pleased I am in my daughter and her choice of friends. We love Skylar. He will be putting in his papers for a mission in the next year and then be gone for two years.  I hope that when he returns that he and Eve continue a relationship and friendship. He is a wonderful young man.

                        Skylar, Fuzuki, Eve, Priscilla, Matt and Roger

Sweet 16th Birthday

Skyler and Eve beginning her first date.

I told her to stand up straight, she said she was!   

                                

We celebrated Eve's Sweet 16th Birthday with a surprise Dance Party in conjunction to her very first Date!! Woohoo!! She went on this date with the most gentlemanly young man around. He is a mere 6' 9" in height. Eve is a whopping 4'11". They double dated with another couple, and they went bowling then he brought her over to the ward cultural hall where we were waiting to surprise her. 

 The Surprise didn't turn out like we wished... as they showed up without telling me that he was on his way with her, there was a problem with his phone.. so they just walked in.. and we were all dancing and having a great time... but it was a surprise in that she didn't know a thing about it and there were alot of her friends there. We danced and had such fun. We had plenty of treats and games... and great music... thanks to some of the kids who helped me gain access to their groveshark accounts on my DROID.  What a cool thing to have found. It worked out great in accessing all those cool line dance songs that they just love to dance to and the pop hits that the kids really enjoyed!

The kids had a great time dancing before Eve showed up. There were lots of friends who came to offer their support and love for Eve. We had a great evening. Can't wait for the next dance !!
Here are a few precious memories of the occasion.

Dancing away! or were they doing the german 2 step..

 Jake is giving Eve the hug she wanted for her birthday. He said that he asked her what she wanted and she told him she didn't want anything, other than a HUG... so he gave her a card with those two little wierd guys that talk high pitched and they says something about hugging her, and he gave her a bag of hershey's hugs. Inside the card, he also asked her to Purple and White.. the senior prom. He is a great young man as well. He went with us at Christmas to the Mo. Tab Christmas concert with the Archuletta kid. Names escape me tonight. We had a great time singing while waiting in line to get inside the Conference center that night...  He's a good young man as well. I really like Jake! I really like Skyler too!! Both are wonderful young men!!
Jake and the Neeley boy are both giving the hug in this photo. Angelica is there too.. :)

Sloan and Fuzuki are lifting Natalie.. why she opened her legs up... no idea!! Kids.. how fun it is!!
Natalie has been one of Eve's best friends since 1st grade. Fuzuki is our Japanese exchange student for the school year. We have really grown to love her and she had made friends and fits right in with the group.

 This is the Neeley Boy, Brad, Dillon and Jake. All these kids are so much fun!! They are also boys which at one point or another have been on the list of Crushes or still are..and some are not on her list, but she still remains on theirs. It's a fun group of young men. Brad came early to help us set things up. I really like her friends for the most part. Good young men and women.

There were lots of friends, standing, dancing, sitting, or playing twister or singing. I really do like this young man.  This is Skyler. He was watching Eve open up Birthday Gifts. He is such a gentle giant of a young man. Treats Eve like the Princess that she is. Behind Skyler is Nina talking to Jake.

Just nothing like a good game of Twister to add to the fun. Teenagers love it cause they can still touch and hug and fall all over each other and its acceptable if you are playing Twister. Right?

Half sheet cake and we only had one piece left over when it was over. (I didn't even have one piece) 

Bethany is a friend of Eve's and she had a birthday a few days before Eve's so she invited her to help her blow out the candles. Bethany was a great friend and she helped her accomplish the task at hand. Hope their wishes come true. Bethany will be moving in another week.. We will miss her. She is a lot of fun and a good friend. She is a few years younger than Eve.

This is Jake, Eve and Angelica singing Karaoke. They were having such a great time. This group of friends are so much fun. Most of them are in either vocal music or instrumental and all of them love to perform. Doesn't matter if its head standing or dancing or singing or piano playing.

This is Clarissa and her boyfriend, whose name I think is John. If I am wrong, I'll correct when the critics come forth. She is a good friend to Eve. She is a senior and will be graduating in a few weeks.

They asked if they could make a human pyramid. I told them only if they didn't get hurt.

Actually, I told them to Ask Dad... and he said Ask Mom... haha..

These were the brave ones.. the others were more smarter than risking injury.

Easter Break

For Spring break we took Fuzuki and Eve and the family to Arches National Park. Fuzuki chose the site since she will be leaving and returning to Japan in approx 5 more weeks.  We had a most enjoyable time.  We picked a hotel in Green River which made the cost of lodging 1/2 of the price of staying in Moab. We had a great time and the 40 minute drive between Green River and the park wasn't that far at all. Well worth the savings.

Now if you go to Green River, Utah do not miss eating at Cathys Pizza and Pasta. I believe that was the name of the little place. They delivered the most wonderful pizza, well worth the money, which wasn't bad either. I think it was just shy of $20. Plus they deliverd to our hotel room after a day of hiking the park. They even included disposable plates and napkins.

There just isn't anything in the world like Arches National Park. There is a wonderful spirit there. I love history and there is plenty of that there as well. The hiking can be quite tiresome, but if you just go slow, anyone can do it. If I can do it... anyone can do it!!

We had a little incident with a young man who was visiting our foreign exchange student in our home right before we left on this little trip. That was the only distraction for us. Other than that we had the most wonderful trip. The weather was very cool, much better than our last trip there which was last August. It was much better for hiking. We didn't need as much water and we could hike much faster than in the heat of mid to later summer temperatures.

This trip we hiked into Devils Garden, to Landscape arch, it was absolutely beautiful!  It was just shy of a 2 mile hike round trip.  Not bad, it had up and down hills, some sand, which is always a little tougher to walk in but we did just fine. I always get worried hiking, wondering if I get out there in the boonies, will I be able to walk out.. or will my poor husband have to call the helicopter to airlift me out, if I get too winded with my asthma. But we did just great!.

I'm hoping for a trip to Yellowstone if at all possible before she leaves for Japan. Not sure it will happen, but if we can I hope that it is something that we can do this year.

St. George Weekend Trip

This past Saturday, Roger and I took a trip to St. George. We stayed with our friends, Jerry and Marie Ohman. We arrived at their home at 6pm. Marie being such a gracious hostess and good friend, she had dinner waiting for us. We ate a delicious meal and then we played a game that I have never played before, called hand and foot. It was fun. Its not that its a new game, only to me as I am not much of a card player. We had a delightful evening and then we went to bed.  The Ohmans are from our home ward and have just purchased this beautiful home in St. George to escape the winters of Northern Utah.  We were so glad for their kind offer to come and stay with them.

 We were down there to attend Roger's youngest son's newest arrival, Serenity McClellan's, baby blessing in Cedar City on Sunday Morning.  The Ohman's genearosity made that a much more enjoyable trip than it would have been. It's difficult to drive that 6 hrs down there just to turn around and drive it home again after a church meeting.  We had such an enjoyable time with the Ohman's.

The trip from St. George to Cedar City was very short in comparrison to the trip from Brigham city to St. George. When we left St. George the temperature was 23 degrees and before we arrived in Cedar City, the thermostat showed that the temperature was 3 degrees. Brrrrrr.. it was so very cold!

We had an enjoyable fast and testimony meeting. Echo and her Mother both bore their testimonies. It was good to hear their testimony. The ward in Cedar city has alot of members strong in faith. It was good to attend their meetings and share in their joy and faith. Weston was so glad to see his Grandpa that he just jumped up in Rogers lap and hugged his neck. It's always good to see the grandkids. Jolly Roger, wasn't so Jolly. He spent his time with Katie and Dana who sat behind us. Clark and Ashley sat on the row in front of us.   We took a few photos then we took off to head back to Brigham city.  We had a good trip. Riding in the car that long is a real killer to my back. Other than that, it was a great trip.  Can't wait to return to St. George and visit with Jerry and Marie again and play alittle more hand and foot.

Clark McClellan, Devon Day, Matt McClellan, Serenity McClellan, Roger McClellan and Devon Day's son,.

Matt, Serenity and Echo McClellan