So on Monday morning, amongst all the pitchers I was pricing to take to the mall, we played zilch with the Smiths. Its feels good to stay connected to friends in Finland, and hear the news.
Then I dropped Dad off at Darby's to work on the basement, while I went around to a few thrift stores. While we were driving up I worked on repairing Madi's somewhat shabby blanket. I had to cut off about six inches all around. This is the dinner Darby made for us.
After thrifting I came back to Darby's where I finished up the work on the Micky Quilt. This quilt has had a lot of love. Aunt Nina actually gave it to Titan when he was born more than ten years ago. Reagan used it too, but when Madi received it, it became her blanky. When we were watching the kids last week, I talked to her about fixing it for her. I told her it would get a little smaller, but she said that would be good. Later Becca said she thought she wouldn't miss it for a few nights, so last Sunday when they came to our homecoming, Madi proudly handed me the quilt, quite ready to live without it until I was done. The next morning Becca messaged to say it had been a tough night, so I agree to get it done and back to Madi by bedtime on Monday.
Here she is with her mended quilt as we dropped it off on our way home from SLC.
The kids show off their cute new masks.
Even Mac got one.
Sister Love.
On Tuesday I went and worked at the mall for an hour, putting out new things, then we headed over to get our first vaccination in Spanish Fork. We drove by these Texas Longhorn ex-pats. It must have been all that snow that drove them north.
Here we are at the 'pop-up' clinic at the old Shopko on Main in Spanish.
First we ran into the Kews, and had a nice chat, then it was the Coltrins, shown here. How fun is that?
Dad shows off our certifications.
Back home again, and Dad worked on replacing the original window seal that the previous owners have cut off to facilitate tiling the wall. So once Dad pulled the tile down, and stripped the plaster to reveal the brick it left the window seal looking unfinished.
We had leftover quinoa stuffed peppers from Darby's the night before, along with my new favorite bulgar and kale salad, I made after eating Cubby's quinoa and kale salad.
That afternoon it was time to get my hair cut. Here I am at Diva's with my favorite hair dresser, Kari Best. Her husband is now working with Dad at church, since they are both in the Elder's quorum Presidency. It was also interesting to realize this week, that we have three sons serving in their wards as Executive Secretary, Trevor, Sam and Spencer. I thought that was funny.
When I got home and was doing some chores, I was sweeping in the dining room and parlor and I noticed that a rainbow of light had fallen on the dust and trash in the dust pan, and thought how wonderful it is that light can make such a difference. The next morning when I was doing my scripture study I ran across these scriptures in 2 Nephi 7, verses 10 and 11. In verse 10 it says those that accept Christ will have his light. Then in verse 11 it says that if we try to create our own light, that is, if we try to do things without accepting Christ's help, all we can do is create sparks, and in the end we will lie down in sorrow. I thought that was interesting, and it made me think about the rainbow light and how it changed things. I know that sparks would have never made something as mundane as dust, beautiful, and it reminded me to be grateful for the light of Christ in my life.
That night we had our basement renters come to dinner so they could meet another young couple in the ward. I may have mentioned that Andrea Draught, who grew up in our Orem ward, has moved into our Payson ward with her husband and little boy. We invited them too, and had Navajo tacos. Andrea said she had never had them until on her mission when she was serving in Montana, and they were served to them by Indians on a reservation there. I thought that was fun. We hope that Rolle and Kiki are feeling welcome in the ward.
On Wednesday I started out the day with my temperature. Its still feels so funny to me.
I worked on putting together this display of plaids and Finnish knits. The blue and red plaid picnic tin did not match the kitchen color scheme, so alas, its now for sale.
These two cute BYU students came in to interview me about being an antique dealer. The one on the left, it turns out, is a friend of Kiki's. How crazy is that? The gal in the pink is writing a paper on the ins and outs of a career as an antique dealer. It was pretty fun to share.
That night the Elder's Quorum President, Kenton Phillips, on the right, and his councilor Jeff Peterson came by to set Scott apart (Jay Best works evenings) and then to go to two other new members of the organization and set them apart as well, one of whom is Andrea's husband Dallin.
On Thursday it was fun to have Janet and Bill Liberty drop by for a walk about and a nice visit. I used to visit teach her in the Geneva Heights ward, what a darling girl, and one of the few people I know who are true southern belles.
I brought home a black trunk to replace the green one in the family room that is full of duplo blocks, because I wanted this green trunk for my shoes in our bedroom. Isn't Dad just the buffest?
Its the perfect green for the new direction that we are moving in our bedroom. My friend Shari Oldham pointed that out to me when she came by last week.
And while I was at work on Thursday Dad headed up to Darby's where he spent the day working on her basement apartment.
It takes a lot of wood.
Which fortunately fit perfectly in the back of her truck.
On Friday, while Dad was finishing up his work on the window seal in the kitchen, I polished up our china cabinet, and polished and cleanred the domes and silver pieces displayed on it. Doesn't it look so much better?
Also at work on Thursday a lady had come in who was looking for a Primary Bandello. I had one, not the one I had as a girl, but thought, I am not doing anything with it. So she came by the house on Friday, just before we left.
We met up with the Moes and Heuers at the Tai Village in American Fork. Its in an old house, and I have always wanted to try it.
Look how beautiful my curried vegetables were.
Here we all are ... so good to be together again. Robin said it was their first time to eat out in over a year.
Randy bought the tickets for us to see Blythe Spirit, and they were having a special on the recliner seats. Boy that was so comfy.
Here we are after the movie.
Here are the sweet old people holding hands. Isn't that the cutest?
If you look very, very hard you can see three bored children hanging out on the exercise equipment at DI, as their Mimi checks out rugs for her bedroom.
Here are the same, slightly less bored in Elias' case, children at a tea party at Mimi's after baking Ginger Snappers (Adi's name for my triple ginger snaps, which I like very much)
Sweet little ladies.
Don't you think?
Nenna found my Jane Austin hat ... how cute is she?
It was great to hang out with them all.
Even this cheese ball.
We also played the Farm Game, which was perhaps a bit over their heads, but they were so nice to be patient with grandma and play anyway.
The pizza Papa brought home might have helped.
What a fun family tradition.
After watching the Road to Morocco, which was very, very silly ...
We tucked them in. The girls wanted to sleep on the hide-a-bed, though I told them the family room can get cold at night. Fortunately I have this fun electric blanket that Darby got for me years ago. With that I thought they would do well enough.
Then there were blueberry pancakes, and purple lips.
When Dave and Bri came to get them in the morning, they brought me these beautiful flowers. How sweet is that?
This afternoon we got to drive up to Salt Lake to meet this sweet charmer. She is such a calm and beautiful baby. What a blessing during these crazy times. She is wearing a cute little Finnish dress we sent her soon after we found out she had been born and was a girl. She is now four months old. What a wonderful opportunity.
It was fun to see Van too. He is such a little man now, and has so much energy.
Spencer and Brit invited us to stay for dinner, which was a lovely bonus ... and how cute are these napkins?
What a precious family.
It must be time to go ... see you later cuties.
And Dad wanted me to save a picture someone took of him when we spoke last week as well.
It was a good week for us. We loved getting to see more people and catch up. We hope you are all well, and finding beauty in the word around you.
