HAPPY BIRTHDAY #13 Lorien

My youngest grand daughter is now a teenager...amazing how fast the days go. Here's some collages I made of her growing up. Just wish they lived closer so we could interact more.

Time for Christmas parties

Got invited to a neighbor's house for lunch today and visiting at Wanda's home with her ministering partner Akemi helping out. Was nice to just sit, eat and talk with others about experiences of Christmas past. Loved all Wanda's Christmas decorations-many from Texas with cowboy motifs. She's a quilter too.

December is here!

Today is my mother's birthday if she were still with us. She would be 105 years old, and left us in 2006 at age 89. She lived a long life and lost my dad to an airplane accident when I was only 5 years old. I appreciate all her sacrifices and love she has for the family. One day we will be together again.

Born and raised in Silver City Ut, lived in Utah and California

Thanksgiving Guests arrive

My son Daniel, his wife Tina and all of their family will be here for Thanksgiving. Dan has rented a condo for his extended family to fit in which will help as our retirement home is small. While here we'll go to walk through the Tabernacle of the Old Testament exhibit here in town then feast together tomorrow.

Family visitors: l-r Lin, Dan, Gabby, Emilee, Tina and Heather

 

Youth guides explain the Tabernacle of Old Testament exhibit 

At the Tabernacle entrance gates, guides explain what we'll see

Inside the Tabernacle-Altar of Sacrifice where lambs were offered 

Altar of Laver of Water for High Priests to wash their hands 

Inside The Holy Place the Altar of Incense was burned
by the High Priest, and displays were kept with a 
Table of Shewbread displayed and Menorah candles

Seven Branched Lampstand or Menorah candles
burn symbol of their faith and deliverance by God

Inside the Holy of Holies, is the Ark of the Covenant that held
the precious reminders of their faith-see below for contents

Inside Ark of the Covenant: l-r Bowl of Manna, Tablets
with 10 Commandments + Aaron's Twig that bloomed

For more info & videos, see their website below

For more history and details see http://tabernacle2022.com

Autumn Leaves are Here!

Went for a short ride to nearby Gunlock and Veyo little towns just outside of St. George then a drive through colorful Snow Canyon. Loving the warm weather and prediction of rain much needed here.

Lots of golden leaves near Gunlock 

Easy to see where the river runs in this valley north of Gunlock

Love this picturesque little pond near Gunlock

Golden Cottonwood trees dominate the scenery

Snow Canyon has beautiful bedrock scenery

Interesting layers of color from sedimentary action

Love those St. George colors everywhere in Snow Canyon

November is here...

So busy on FACEBOOK that my blog gets forgotten and I discover it's already NOVEMBER-the month of giving THANKS...

I'm thankful for MY FAMILY...

Love the FALL SEASON traditions/colors!

Thankful my BFF Caryn is back so we can shop/do lunch

Thankful for my home and my hubby-all our comforts!

 

It's another new month OCTOBER

Thought I'd share some fun photos of our resident LIZARDS who live in our patio area outside our kitchen window behind a pottery Sun plaque. When the sun creeps over the rooftop and shines on the plaque, it warms up their resting place and little by little they poke their heads out to get warm before eventually heading off for the day to catch bugs for their meals. I love the designs they make as they peek out-don't know how many are there but they are amusing to watch as we eat breakfast. Oh the joys of desert life! Click to enlarge photos.

I can see two heads peeking out checking the temp.

Three of differing sizes have appeared

 

Four now and more to appear as soon as temps rise.

Lunch with Hubby

 

View out the window of Paula's Mexican Restaurant

Every window has a great view of red rocks

View of the golf course in reflection

One of our favorite places to eat and relax

Drive on Indian Hills parkway feels like country

Love this xeriscaping landscape

Purple sage is in full bloom all over

Looks like California streets

SEPTEMBER almost half gone...

Rain today, glorious needed rain but with flood warnings in parts of St. George. Love the sound of thunder in the night then the drops of rain begin to fall. So happy summer and its extreme heat seems to be over and we made it through our 15th summer in St. George. On to fall. Here's some photos to remind me of what's ahead...Yipee!!

Fall at Kolob Reservoir near Zion Park

 

Driving to Enterprise for Branch BBQ

It was 105 degrees today so a good day for an air-conditioned drive to Enterprise to enjoy a Branch BBQ of chicken, fresh corn, salads and desserts and visiting with Church members....

Love our red rock mountains and cliffs in our desert landscape

Not a lot of traffic on the road back through Gunlock

Enterprise is about 30 miles north of St. George and cooler

Honoring our outgoing Branch Presidency with a program

Still 100 degrees as we return to hot St. George

This the high desert landscape and climate