Well, the Minnesota girl in me has come out! I love trees. There is something about being here that feels so comfortable and feeds my souland I know in part it is the terrain. Yesterday, I drove to Belle Plaine to see my older sister, Bonnie. Along the way I rejoiced in all the trees. As you can see, I even snapped a picture from the highway. Those of you closest to me know that I've had the hardest time growing trees in my yard. Clark and I finally got a little maple tree start from a friend a number of years ago. I prayed over that thing and it took off. It is in my front yard and home of my bird feeders. Well, I noticed this spring a little maple tree growing by my front door. A seed took root. I cannot bring myself to just pull it out. It's like when flowers grow in obscure places and you wonder how they can find enough dirt to grow between the cracks in the cement. So my latest challenge...or maybe the challenge for Scott and Brian since they are the ones that usually rescue me...is to see if we can transplant that little seedling that is growing. I know it is just more proof that the older I get...the weird comes streaming out of me!

Nothing like a wonderful Fourth of July hat to make the day complete. This is my niece, Savannah in the lovely hat she made to celebrate the holiday. Our Fourth was spent together at Mom and Dad's. Good food, great company!

Funny Folks

So, many of you know that I like to do word searches. The other day I began working on a page called Funny Folks and I circled the word "Laurel" and started laughing. Yes, Laurel is a Funny Folk! So I have to blog this picture, well, just because! I love that girl and her sense of humor!

The Tradition of Prizes!

So, last weekend Vanessa went to San Diego for Anna Lisa's wedding. I got periodic calls and pictures via my phone as she visited the area, went to the beach and into Mexico. We've always done this "prize" thing...which can I say is wonderful when it starts out a little tradition when your kids are little and you bring home prizes after a trip or something and the tradition spills over into their adulthood. And even after a divorce as Clark and I still give each other prizes...anyway - Vanessa calls me this week and says she stopping by to say hi and that she has prizes from her trip for me. Yes, I am like a little kid. I got excited. It is always fun to see what Vanessa will come up with. When she came in with a killer purse from Mexico (Laurel you'll be jealous!!!) I thought - she did have fun in Mexico! So, she pulls out the mexican vanilla - which is always a treat - especially in chocolate chip cookies! Then a fun, colorful little saucer...with purple in it. And three little rocks, collected from the beach. Oh, how well, my children know me. It wasn't so much the things...it was looking into her face as she gave them to me. It was seeing her joy in giving, knowing that she had thought of me and carefully picked up these things. It was the pausing as she handed me the rocks and I sensed her memories of being on the beach. I often think to myself, oh, please let the memories I have cherished from this life (that don't always come back as quickly now cuz there are so many), please let them all be there when I leave this body - that they all really will be connected to my spirit. Oh, how I treasure the interactions we have in this life. I am a very lucky and blessed mother.

Fried Dill Pickles from Lon's Cooking Shack...

First Julie talked about the potato salad at Lon's Cooking Shack. So, I had to investigate. Then last Sunday Scott was talking about fried dill pickles. I couldn't even image that but today, I was a bit adventurous. I had forgotten my lunch in the fridge and had already planned to go renew my license on my car. So I ventured to Lon's on my way back up University Avenue to work. I realize that I am not very extreme in my adventure of new food - not like that crazy guy that Brian and Julie showed me on cable TV. Yuck - that was disgusting. My children are leading me astray...and I go so willingly. The only thing I could think of though is that I wish I could give some to my Dad to taste. My father is known for his unusual combinations. But, I just don't think they would taste very good if I smuggled some on the plane. So thanks for the tip Scott!

Birds

I have shared with many of my friends and family that I have been feeding the birds. Well, I'm pretty sure I'm feeding all the birds in South Utah County. As quick as I put it out, it gets eaten. I've discovered the birds that usually visit my bird feeders like the cheap stuff.

It has paid off tremendously, though. I am awakened in the morning to the song of birds. My favorite this week was the song of the Mourning Dove.

Most of the birds that frequent the feeder are typical little birds you would find in this area - lots of house wrens, but I have been happy to see a few others. It has been a while since I've been in Minnesota - land of many birds and have played the "name that type of bird" game. Yesterday found me at Barnes and Noble buying a bird book. Sometimes living in a place where we have so many options of things to buy makes it a bit time consuming to dash in a buy a book. I finally decided on the one pictured in this blog. Okay, it was mainly due to the pretty pictures. I figured if I was going to be able to decide on what type of bird I was seeing, I'd need good pictures.

So picture Simon (my ever faithful cat who plays dog to appease his master-and keep her from buying a dog) and myself sitting in my living room staring out the front window looking at the birds. Simon makes a weird clicking noise as he watches. I'm sure he's thinking he wants to chase after and eat the birds! I know why my Gram Elliott enjoyed birdwatching so much. I also have been reminded of Hitchcock's movie: THE BIRDS. Ah, the trauma that caused in my little girl head. Fortunately, my birds are more friendly looking. Oh, and PS - they love the bird bath...and are hilarious when taking a "bath".

Flowers from my Son

So, I admit it my heart melts when I get flowers from a man. And when that Man is my son...well - you know! So, I'm at work this week and Scott tells me he is going to stop by which, of course, is always a highlight in my busy days. (I love it when my kids come by.) When he walked in with these beautiful gerber daisies he made me smile. I love that kid! It isn't just the flowers, it is the kindness and love he shows me. It is the tenderness I see in him. It is the way in which he listens to the spirit and blesses my life and those around him. From the time he was young he showed this side of him. I remember saying to Clark, "I just hope the world doesn't gobble him up." (The world can be pretty cruel...well, especially when your the mom looking out!) Scott had a teacher, Marthanne Argyle, that said to us, "Scott is a gentleman and a gentle man." How true it is and how blessed we are - those that are touched by his life.