WOULDN'T BE SUMMER WITHOUT ONE!

Root Beer Floats.

I have to have more ice cream than root beer and I have to stir it together to get it a little bit mushy. Almost like a runny soft-serve root beer ice cream.

How do you like yours?

A Little Hard Work Pays Off

I've been putting this off for 4 years. It is one of those things that would make things so much easier but you are okay getting by without it.

But I finally said I'M DOING IT and I DID!

We have a very sophisticated Panasonic phone system up here. The original owner put it in so he could work when he was up here, and then the church used it as well. I downloaded the online instruction manual and read through 200 pages of material on how to use some of the features of this phone.

The two most important features for me were the intercom and paging systems. Christine and her friend, Lindsey, ran all over the cabin while I pressed buttons to figure out which code went with which phone. Eureka! Now we know the extension for all 10 phones and how to transfer to each one. We won't have to yell anymore or send runners. AND I figured out the paging feature. I use it all the time now to make announcements: Dinner is ready. Where is so-and-so. We're leaving in 10 minutes, etc. I just dial it up and the message goes to speakers all over the cabin so everyone can hear it.

YAY! It took me the better part of a day, but now we KNOW!

Not Much New To Report

Natalie and Robert finally found a place to live! It is a 2 bedroom basement walk out apartment up in the Indian Hills neighborhood. They signed papers on Monday night. Natalie is much relieved to have their housing secure now, especially with the baby coming. They will move in just before they start school.

Duff went down to meet a friend he grew up with, Jim F., for lunch in Salt Lake. Then over to Saratoga to pick up Christine and then home. I'm cleaning out the fridge for dinner this week so we can use up what's there before we leave. I made an apple pie with the rest of the apples. I only had Granny Smith's left, and I usually make my apple pie with sweeter apples, but this turned out so well I think I'm going to convert over. Oh sweet, divine goodness!

Crocheting away! I finally gave up last night at 1am on getting the stitch right. I ripped it out again. In the light of day after a good nights rest it became clear--it was a counting issue! It's working up just fine now.

It was much cooler today. We didn't even have to use any A/C. The wind came up and blew in some clouds, but we were disappointed when it didn't materialize into a storm. We watched the new episode of Royal Pains.

W.E.D.N.E.S.D.A.Y.

Today was a l o n g day.

I had a lot of 'to do' things to get done. So after the kids woke up, disposed of the dead mouse in the family room trap (we are in the mountains...), I made breakfast burritos to start the day. Then get ready and go down the mountain. We went around Park City way to our first stop: Gardner Village. Christine, Taylor, and Jonah walked around and visited with the ducks while I headed to Pine Needles to pick up some pillow forms and a pattern.

I just let them go wherever they wanted while I visited a couple of shops. I could spend hours here, but the must-sees each time for me are: Upon The Shelf, The Village Whites Shop, Pine Needles, The Quilt Shop, and The Christmas Store. Oh, heck. What am I talking about! That's almost 1/2 the stores. Today I ONLY went to UTShelf, VWhites, and PNeedles. Here they are sitting on the banks of the stream at Gardner Village.

Meet Affleck.
They named this duck and followed him/her around all over the waterways!

Then down Redwood Rd. to the boys house in Saratoga where they talked Jennifer into letting Christine stay over. I guess we will have to start packing a bag. Whenever those two are together they end up sleeping over at the last minute without any necessities. Geesh!

Then to 2 Walmarts, Saratoga and American Fork, looking for a certain college fabric that I have a very hard time getting in California. The store in AF had it. When I was checking out, the male employee looked at me horrified and said, " I'm going to put this in two bags to cover it up. You ARE in Utah county you know! I'm afraid you'll get mugged as soon as you get out to the parking lot!" Funny thing was, he was serious!!! I assured him my blood ran deeply 'blue' and that this was for a family member who hadn't 'seen the light' yet. He felt better and I had a good laugh.

Next stop: to see Sue. I haven't seen her since she did the flowers for Natalie's wedding a year ago. I've been missing her and they have had a very difficult year. I went to the last address I had for them and the house was empty, so I gave her a call and she told me how to get to where they are now. They moved last Thursday. They knew it was coming but the timing was tricky finding another place. We visited for over 3 hours and had a wonderful time getting all caught up. When I left, it was already 8:30pm. The sun tricks you here. It felt like 5 o'clock to me. but when I looked at my watch and then noticed where the sun was I had a decision to make: go to Orem to finish my errands, or head back up the canyon. I headed for the freeway to go to Orem and then changed my mind and went to the canyon for home. It would be almost dark when I got back, and I realized how hungry I was and that I was getting tired. The other errands will have to wait till next time we are here.

But by the time I got home, I had my second wind and was all wound up. Everyone else went to bed and I stayed up to continue crocheting the next set of baby blankets. This edge is giving me fits. I've ripped the 3rd row out 6 times. I think I finally have it now. So I'll stay up a while longer and make sure.

Bad, bad thing to get a second wind at 11pm!

T~U~E~S~D~A~Y

We were quietly busy--kind of an ironic phrase--today. Some of the mundane chores needed to be done. Then I sat down and crocheted away. The mountain quiet is a restful thing. In the 17 days we have been here we have entertained/had people over 8 times. It has been fun to visit and see so many family and friends.

Tonight Jennifer and Shane came up for dinner. We had spaghetti and meatballs. The cousins played away!

They decided to make the brownies. Two boxes.

Into the pan they go. Chris is really good in the kitchen!

I think they licked the bowl pretty clean, don't you? Ahhh, licking the bowl. We all learned this as a child. Doesn't it bring back memories? Why don't they do this on the food channel? We all know they do this when the camera isn't rolling, right?

This was a big sheet of brownies.

It will be gone tomorrow.

The kids conspired to have a sleep over. Jenn and I would be smart to just start packing a bag for them 'just in case' from now on!

Ah. Summer days!

Horseback Riding

Mountain mornings are uniquely beautiful. Duff took Christine over to the Lindahl's at 7:30 so she could help them get the trailer loaded and pick her horse to ride. She chose a mare named Cinnamon.

Let me introduce you to Sassy and Rambo.

Sustenance. They grow all their own alfalfa on 7 acres of their land. They just put this new barn in last year. It is really nice.

Miss Cinnamon.

Cinnamon with Cori, a granddaughter that was visiting from AZ.

Mr. Ebony.

They rode above Strawberry. A famous Utah fishing spot. She said it was breath-taking. She took a sweatshirt for the morning chill but soon didn't need it.

A beaver dam recently built.

Chris. Stopping to let the horses have a drink. A Lindahl rule: you must wear a helmet.

Beautiful. Beautiful.

Thank you Hobbins for all the riding lessons over the years.

A stream with the morning sun shining on it.

Patriarch Lindahl relishing every minute of it. He is quite the horseman. He jokes that he may be old, but he can still get a leg over the horse! (so he can ride) His daughter from AZ is along on the ride too.

Gorgeous country.

They went to a very late (noonish) breakfast in town afterwards.

I think I want to learn how to ride horses now.

Am I too old?

She Gets To Ride Horses!

It felt good to sleep in this morning, since we had such a busy weekend. We have the late church schedule up here. I put a turkey breast in the oven. We don't have these in California and Duff's mom used to always roast these. It was delicious!

We finally connected with the Lindah's. They have a ranch in Heber/Daniel. We have run into each other at Costco, Walmart, and various other places. We always talk at home and here that we need to get together while we are in Utah and we finally did! They have invited us to come ride their horses for 3 years now and we are always on off schedules. Duff called them to say hi, and Patriarch Lindahl insisted we come over right away.

The horses are beautiful. They invited Christine to go riding with them in the morning. She is THRILLED. She is going to ride one of the mares, Cinnamon. One of their daughters and granddaughters were there from AZ, where they have horses and a ranch as well. So they will be going on the ride also.

Blaine and Duff talked land, church, property, sunset, and Joy and I talked quilting, canning, and crocheting. We had a really good time.

Came home and Christine went to bed early since she has to be up early. I watched a little tv about the pioneers and worked on some more receiving blankets.

(I went to church with some pressing things on my mind. I kind of tuned out during sacrament meeting and sunday school. RS was good and there a little time left at the end of the lesson, so the president stood and said she felt that she needed to bear her testimony in regards to the lesson material. It was like she was speaking to me. What she said was exactly what I needed to hear. She even used the same words and phrases I had been using all morning long in private conversations with myself. She doesn't know me. I don't know her, other than seeing her when we attend church here. There is no question that the Lord used her to direct a message to me today. I left with a much lighter heart.)

Evening Family BBQ

The moms picked up the cousins around noon to go and swim at the Homestead. Everyone came up a little later in the afternoon so we could have a family bbq together.

Jack working a word search puzzle. I keep these books all over the cabin.

We had a good spread of fixin's. Everyone brought something. Julie does a fabulous fruit platter and fruit dip. Jules--send me an email with the recipe so I can put it on the blog for everyone, 'k?

Nicky sang for us. He fell in love with ping pong, and finally settled in with the Jungle Book movie.

Jack was in charge of beverages, and surprised us all with some homemade canned grape juice. I mixed it with some lemonade just like Grandma Duff used to do and we all commented that it was like she was there with us in spirit! It sure brought back memories.

Thanks for coming everyone! Good Times. Good Times.

Happy Anniversary to Natalie and Robert

Wow. That was a fast year!

Happy Wedding Day...

...and Happy 1st Anniversary.

Cutting the cake topper. Only this bakery gives a fresh cake topper for the first anniversary so you don't have to take the year old cake out of the freezer, have one bite, and then throw it away! Klaus (the baker) makes it like the top of your original cake. Isn't that nice?

And of course, Robert surprised her with some flowers.

HAPPY ANNIVERSARY, NATALIE AND ROBERT!

Christmas In July

It all started last December, at Christmastime. In Duff's family, we have a set of 'older cousins' and a set of 'younger cousins'. So for the 'younger cousins' for Christmas they got a puzzle from us. They had to put it together, siblings only--no adult help, without fighting, and when they were done send a picture of themselves to me with their finished puzzle. I would then announce the 'prize'!

Jacob, James, Josh

William, Elizabeth, Abby

The 'prize' was a sleepover in the cabin bunkroom during the summer while I was here! Oh yeah! They were down with that!

Tonight was the night. They arrived around 5pm sooo excited and ready. All their pillows, blankets, and bags followed them to the bunkroom where they claimed which bunk they would
sleep in. Then it was time for the promised Taco Dinner. The girls set the table.

A 'thumbs up'. I made 60 tacos. There were 9 left.
We also had Meredith's brother with us. Erik had been at a BYU cross-country camp all week, and we picked him up at 4 this afternoon. He's going to spend the night and Duff will take him bright and early to the airport to catch his 6:30am flight home.

William and James discovered that they could swing on the barstools and bang into each other. They really liked that! But these kinds of things are very important discoveries for 5 year olds!

Several games of hide and seek. Lots of places here to hide! Under the game room floor stairs was a popular place.

Josh and Abby playing pool.

Abby was my shadow in the kitchen. One of her jobs was to put everyone's name on a cup and personalize it in some way. Abby is a good artist.

The finished cups lined up on the counter.

Erik and Elizabeth playing ping pong.

After the dishes were done, we had a Dance Dance Revolution contest.

Everyone was a winner.

Elizabeth and Christine doing one of my favorites: Walk Like An Egyptian!

At 9:30, the fireworks started in Charleston. They shoot them off over Deer Creek Lake, so we sat on the deck and watched the show celebrating Pioneer Day.

Josh and Elizabeth forgot their PJ's, so Elizabeth wore some of Christine's, and Josh got to wear Uncle Don's Y t-shirt. He was PROUD! Go Cougars.

Watching TV on the humongous bean bag.

They picked a movie to watch: Pirates of the Carribean/At World's End. We turned out mostly all the lights. Around 10:30, Will, James, and Josh conked out. A storm came up and boy did it thunder and lightening! We stopped the movie and watched it for a while. At one point the power went out. The rest of us stayed up until 1am (!!) when we finally carried the sleeping cousins down to bed and went to bed ourselves to quite the rain storm. Abby was concerned she wouldn't be able to sleep because there is no attic in the bunk room and you can really hear the rain in there! No worries, though. Duff had to get up at 5:30 to take Erik to the airport. What a trooper.

In the morning, they got to pick breakfast. Pancakes, eggs, bacon, orange and apple juices. There was lots of coloring and picture drawing.

More pictures with happy smiles.

William and James can't get enough of Darla. They learned how to play with her very well and she loved chasing her tossed 'babies'. First thing in the morning these two came in our room looking for the dog, who sleeps at the foot of our bed.

We just had to get a silly face picture!

And so, here was the rest of their Christmas a few months later in July.

Thanks for coming guys.

I had a blast!

Love You All--Aunt Cindy

Pioneer Day

Today is Pioneer Day. And we are in Utah. This is B I G. We couldn't quite find it in ourselves to get up early and go down to the Days of '47 parade, but I did watch it on tv. The whole state pretty much shuts down for today. Businesses are closed and most people have the day off. Very different from what how we celebrate it in California.

I have always been fascinated by the pioneers. I have several books about their journeys. One of my favorite books of all time is The Price They Paid. You are changed after you read that book. I love the heritage of the pioneers. Whether you have their blood running through your veins, or whether you are a current/modern-day pioneer, their courage, devotion, and unmistakeable faith can be a part of each of us.

Charleston is having a huge fireworks show out over Deer Creek Lake tonight. We will sit on the deck and watch and in our own way pay tribute to those men and women.

Here's What We've Been Doing

....the last few days. Watching movies. Puttering in the yard. Cleaning out the upper/south garage. It's July, but now all the mud and salt are gone from the winter! Enjoying the views. Reading. Playing games.

And I've finished two sets of receiving blankets and burp cloths. One 'sweet' and one 'cute' so far. I've really enjoyed doing them. I had forgotten how much I like doing fine crochet.

Christine went down the hill to Lindsey's house (a friend in the ward here), and played with the new kittens. Then they came back up here for the afternoon. Around 5pm, Lindsey fainted or had a small seizure right in the kitchen area. It really scared us all. We got in touch with her parents, one was in Park City and one was in Orem, and took care of her until they could get here. She seemed to be her old self right away. They took her to the ER and so far they think she was just dehydrated and had low blood sugar from not eating. Duff and Robert gave her a blessing. I think she'll be okay, but it was pretty frightening.