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"Lilac" Memories

I have two Lilac brushes in my garden and I love them.  I planted them because I've always loved Lilac, as far back as I can remember. They may also be the reason I love  fresh flowers in the house.
When I was a little girl we lived in this little very little town {if you can call it that, there were only 4 families} call Indianola in Utah.  Out in front of our home was this amazingly big Lilac brush, and every year when they were in bloom the air was filled with Lilac perfume, and I loved it. Mom would have us girls cut some each day to put in vases in the house. To this day, if I smell "Lilac" in the air, it takes me back to that time.
So today in honor of that memory I brought "Lilacs" in the house, and cried just a little. {That's just me, must be getting old}

Hippity Hoppity....

And Carlee....

Beard

Mason is growing a "Beard"   He thought he would try and look more "authentic" for his part in the "Savior of the World"   five stake youth production.
The program starts next week and goes until April 7th.
He helps move the props on and off stage- but he also has some walk on parts when they need a group of people on the stage. 

Okay, so here's the deal, make a guess how long you think Mason's beard will be by April 7th- the one who comes closes will win a prize.  All guesses will need to be in by April 1st { mainly so those who live close by won't have an un-fair advantage.}

I will announce the winner on April 9th.

Phase Two

Yes , we are on phase two of the tree house- Sam came down this week end to help Dad put up the walls {frame}

They started early Saturday morning, and right away walls were going up. And by early afternoon, they had all four walls up.

Carlee got in on the action and was the first Grand-baby in the house.

In fact we got the whole family up there.

"There's a tree house Up in the oak tree, A platform of planks Jammed between the branches. to get there, Climb a stairway of sticks Nailed to the trunk Like a busted xylophone, Mountaineers and pirates Ascend and descend, Busy as inchworms,  How many are up there now? It's any-body's guess; Green leaves keep it secret.  Could be on one, could be three. Could be ten With peanut butter sandwiches And an excellent view of France"  --James Stevenson

Propagation

While at Shannon's home last month, I took some cuttings from her Curly W illow tree- Just to use as decorations. They look so cute in vases and in center pieces-
  Then I had an idea..."curly willow trees are very vigorous and seem to grow good just about anywhere, why don't I see if I could propagate one of the branches I brought home, I would love to have a curly willow tree here".
So, that's what I did. I took one of the larger branches, put it in water for a couple of days {After re-cutting the bottom and smashing it a little}  Then dug a hole and put it in. Well here is what it looks like today-

It was fun to bring a little bit of Shannon's home to mine.

     I've been asked to be the guest speaker at the Stake Relief Society enrichment meeting, and I'm searching for some ideas.  The subject they gave me is "Wear Your Testimony"  there will be a fashion show and dinner before I speak. {Just typing this makes me nervous about my assignment!}
     I know many of you that may read this post are much younger than I'm, so I hoping that you can give me some insight, along with any challenges that you fill you have encountered while trying to dress modestly.
    The RS has also invited the Laural's {last year Young Women} to attend. I ran into a women the other day, who heard that I was speaking, came up to me and said how excited she was and that she would make sure to have her daughter there! Talk about putting the pressure on!
    So I'm turning to my blog friends to help-  Here are a couple of questions I have...
When you go to a stake meeting what do you most what to get out of it.
1. Spiritual mixed with humor.
2. Just Spiritual
3. Do you like visuals {items used to get across a point}
4. Personals stories mixed with scripture
5. Just Scripture

Thanks for helping.

P.S. any guys out there {Kent and Sam} who read this, give me your ideas, why modesty is important to you.

Thanks for all your advise, it helped tons!

    
   

Birthday Boys

Happy Birthday Mason-
The shirt is a gift from Denver- From Brazil soccer team.

Denver's Birthday is Tomorrow- if you what to leave a B/day wish leave it here. He will be reading them on Wed.

Musica Viva

Last night I was invited to attend a private concert at a home of an acquaintance. Show casing some classical music "Romance in C"  Music by Julius Zellner, Dmitri Shostakovich and Johannes Brahms.
What a lovely evening. About every other month, the music Department in Turlock California State College has a concert presenting great classical musicians, and before the concert they get together to practice. The music director of CSU is LDS and he arranges to have a private concert at a member home in Merced. She has the most amazing "Grand" piano I have every seen. Needless to say it was fun just to sit that close and watch every expression on their faces. What a talent they have.  There was a violin, viola, violoncello, and piano.  They played String  Trio in c minor, op. 36, Piano Trio No. 1 in c minor, op.8, and Piano Quartet No. 3 in c minor, op.60.
As I was listening, I couldn't help think that this must of been what it was like  back years ago,  sitting and enjoying good music, kind of like something from a "Pride and Prejudices" movie.
Also thinking how amazing it would be if they could preform at my house outside and just let the music swell the whole area. Now that would be amazing.
And just in case we didn't get enough culture last night, tonight we are going to a stage production of "Thoroughly Modern Millie"   Julie Andrews was in the original one, back in 1967- Not sure who is staring in this one.  It's in a theater in Sonora. We have gone there before to see "Hello Dollie" I was very surprise on how good it was. Stage, costumes, acting,and singing, so we are going back tonight, Mason too.

Island

How does that old saying go..."No Man is a Island... I would like to modify it a little to "No Kitchen without an Island"
The best conversations happen around our kitchen island.  Many times we have laughed, shared feeling, hopes and dreams: sorted out differences; solved the problems of the world {Dan}; prayed, and recognized how fun it is to have Grandbabies that love to play on and around the Island.

I love when my grandchildren run round and round. {I know that sounds funny, but I do} I have played "Your it" many a time.
  I love "Taco" night at the Island. And what would a Young Women's activity be without an Island?

I think a Woman must of invented the idea of a "Kitchen Island" because "Men" don't make bread or cook cookies {at least my man doesn't} and that okay, he's the lizard chaser.

I not sure why I posted on this today- other than I was working in the kitchen and a thought came to me.
"Man, I like my Island"

Amazing Event

     This week end we had a marvelous time! Most of my family  were here for Libby's baptism. So we had time to catch up with everyone and participate in an amazing event. {which I will leave for you to read about on Libby's site}
     I do what to share with you some fun photos of the group at my place.  I really didn't take many pictures. I kind of turned that over to other people. {Can't wait to get them from Sam and Heidi, I know they will be spectacular!}
    Hollie, Martel, Grandpa, Sam, Heidi, Carlee, and Kent stayed with us, along with L.B. So we had a house full, but it was great fun.  Not a lot of time to do things , but we did manage to take a walk and go shopping at a couple of my favorite shops. 
Carlee, found that is was fun to pull Kent's hair while he was eating.{ Notice- the standing while eating cereal}
Carlee and Sam's hand- Thought they looked cute.
Sam, Carlee, and Great Grandpa Blain
All the group out for a walk.
Hollie and Martel enjoying a romantic moment. :}

Saturday the whole crew came to my home for Dinner and smores at the fire pit. It was lots of fun and noisy- but hey that's what it's all about. The kids ran around, climbed to the top of the tree house, had a girls gift exchange, and ate homemade ice cream. {Sorry L.B.!} He didn't get any because he was hidden away talking on the phone.  It was very good.
I'm sure some of my other family members  will be posting picture, I didn't take any, hoping to get some later.
I enjoyed spending time with the family, it was great fun!