Signs of Spring

It's been a long gloomy winter but there are some sure signs of spring. This little guy was given full access to pick the daffodils.

He was dressed for the occasion. A real boy needs a coon skin hat while picking daffys.  (He is from Kentucky).

The bucket was his own invention. A great holder of flowers. Yes, the grandmas put them in vases just cause he got them for us.  If that isn't proof enough of spring in the air-

Found this little mommy in the parking lot at the BLHubbs place of industry. I'm reluctant to say that I felt compelled to look up what kind of birdy she was. Why would I be reluctant? Two of my darling sisters are "birders". Hard core birders. Like, keep life lists and travel to different continents to see more birds kind of birders. Me, never so much. But, I have been gifted with the "Field Guide to the Birds of North America" just in case I should be tempted to "bird".

S & J would be proud to know that I know this little bird is a Killdeer. She's a little south of what the Field Guide says her nesting area is but not by much. I'm a little sad that she chose to nest so close to the cars (I could have hit her nest with my car door) but it was a treat to see her and her pretty, camo eggs.

Bearing the Unbearable

It's been a full, full week. The Best Loved Family has been transplanted Arkansans for nearly 20 years. In all that time we've been members of the Benton Ward of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. We've come to love this group of people and in this congregation we've watched our children and our friend's children go from diapers to adulthood. Today we, and about eight hundred others buried our friends 22 year old daughter, Alesa. We are a lay church and her father serves us currently as our Bishop. She was a missionary for our church, assigned to the Oklahoma City Mission and she was "posted" to a small town in north west Oklahoma. In a sad accident, she was struck by a pickup truck last Friday night while walking her bike and died on site.

On Saturday, the word spread through the Ward. We were in Home Depot, buying kitchen cabinets when we heard. It seemed strange to be doing something so mundane. She was the same age as our youngest boy. In a weird fluke, they were the only ones in the Ward  the same age and were always in the same classes.  Her family had four girls and then finally a boy. We had three girls and three boys. We always joked that we wanted one of their girls for a daughter-in-law.  In truth, if we lived in a different society we would have sent the baba to their house to negotiate. We would have had to bring quite a few goats, and at least one cow as we wouldn't have been the only ones.  When our youngest son was about 9, only half in jest we said that it looked like our older sons weren't going for the older Smith sisters, so our baby boy would have to marry Alesa. "I don't want to marry Alesa" he said, "she hits me with her scriptures in Sunday School". I'm sure he deserved it.

We "Mormons" love our missionaries. There are 60,000 world wide. Many of our children serve 18 months or 2 years at their own expense and are assigned all over the world. We feed dinner to the ones that are assigned to our area and greet any we find wherever we go (and buy them dinner) just like they are our own kids, because in a real way, they could be. Even so, I was amazed by the outpouring and support from our entire 14 million church membership. Elder W. Craig Zwick, a General Authority of our church, was sent  from Church headquarters to preside and speak at the service. The accident has been front page on Church news and websites. For us, this was a big deal, but to our congregation Alesa was our own beautiful girl. Her parents and siblings our dear friends. In spite of great faith, our grief is great and her family's even greater.

We have a scripture:
"Thou shalt live together in love, insomuch that thou shalt weep for the loss of them that die, and more especially for those that have not hope of a glorious Resurrection. And it shall come to pass that those that die in me shall not taste of death, for it shall be sweet unto them. " D&C 42:45, 46
There's been a lot of love, and weeping. 

Back To Normal

I'm having trouble getting back into "normal" since coming home from the epic trek that was our holidays.  These dear folks were celebrating their 60th Wedding Anniversary.  In Southern California.  They were married the day after Christmas. As many as their descendants as possible came to celebrate Dec 27.

On the way to celebrate we stopped in Utah for Christmas with these kiddlets and their parental units and some of our own BL Grown Kids.

We had the best time. Huge thanks to the  BestLovedDaughter-in-law's family for including us in their Christmas Eve Bash. Two kinds of turkey, more pies than you could shake a stick at, fried artichoke hearts and homemade root beer. So much fun when three families, united by our kids, get together from New York, Arkansas and Utah.  Then wonderful Christmas morn. It is best with kids that believe.

We took off Christmas evening to rescue the BL Baby Boy who never made it to Utah but got stranded in Vegas. Nothing like a car trip with your bachelor sons. Lots of uninterrupted time with  grown kids is the best thing ever. Doesn't happen enough now they're grown and flown. 

My sisters shouldered the party and hosting tasks in California.  Sandy found the best beach.  Aliso Creek County Beach on the south end of Laguna Beach area was perfect. Mom and Dad love the beach but need easy access. There was metered parking right next to fire rings. Bathrooms were close and no steps or stairs. Plus, it's cozy with rocks, tide pools and great sand. It was such a beautiful day. Lots of sand was consumed with hot dogs and my brother's amazing home made shortbread and gingerbread.

We broke camp mid afternoon to dash back over the hill to change into party clothes for a great dinner together. (Huge thanks to Sis Carol). Sister Sandy had a fancy cake made (did you know that your 60th Anniversary is the Diamond Anniversary?) and made festive party crackers! Some had questions for Mom and Dad or prompts for us to tell stories about them.  Sadly, no one's pictures seem to have turned out. After putting our bachelor boys on the plane for their homes we had a last get together at my Sis's the next morning before everyone started for home.

 My parents raised 7 kids and we are all over the country (San Francisco Bay Area, Southern California, Pullman, WA, Wisconsin, Utah, Chicago and Arkansas). 5 of the 7 were able to make the trip and a few of the grands and great grands.

Our friends had let us know that Arkansas had been hit with 8 to 12 inches of snow and ice Christmas evening and our whole neighborhood was out of power (as was most of central Arkansas). We had been following the power situation and felt no need to hurry home to freeze so we took the scenic route. We've always passed by the turn off on I-40 to go to the Grand Canyon cause we had deadlines, etc. so we decided to check that National Park off our Bucket List.

In the spirit of always passing the tourist attractions by, we stopped at the Big Texan Steak House in Amarillo, TX. We've always seen the billboards and this is the place of Food Network and Discovery Chanel fame where you can get your meal free if you eat a 72oz steak with shrimp, rolls and salad in one hour. No one was taking on the challenge while we were there but the steak was great and now we've been!

 Power was restored at our house Saturday evening (we kept calling our home number - when the answering machine picked up we knew the power was back on) and we came home Sunday afternoon.  Cleaned out fridge of spoiled food but big freezer in garage kept everything frozen just fine.  Now time to clean house from the neglect the ensued while I handled the holiday rush. Real Life, bring it on!

Late Thanksgiving Recap

We traveled over the rivers and through a lot of woods to the greater Atlanta area to share Thanksgiving with a branch of the BestLoved family that relocated there this year. Haven't been to that area of the country for a decade or so since the BL Son-in-law graduated from UGA. We were joined by one of the BL son's and his kiddlet for turkey, pie and lots and lots of carbonated juice drinks. 

Mom with Friend

Hubbys Mom went with us. She's fun to travel with and a great sport. We did get to check out the emergency room Thanksgiving morning (Mom had a bad cold that got better then much worse and we were worried about pneumonia but all was well.) What's a family get together without a trip to the emergency room?

The "Bigs" and the "Littles"

Mostly loving spending time with these rug rats. "The Bigs" are getting so big - in shoe size (can you say 15's!), height (6 feet and growing) and maturity.  B, our oldest BLGrand is actively making plans to "get out of here" as he says, and college, mission, life are in spitting distance.

The "Littles" were pure fun. I have to brag about our girl, K.  She's newly 10 and quite the kiddlet. She was so sweet to her 4 year old cousin. She spent LOTS of time with him doing things he would like and she never complained.

 In fact, she was the one planning things for him to do.  I found her making him booklets to color in, playing computer games he liked and generally looking after him.  Her mom says she is a natural organizer and general caretaker. A few weeks ago their childless neighbors had a death in the family and lots of family visitation with quite a few children. Miss K had organized games in the back yard for them and was keeping everyone happy.  She does it without being bossy.  I don't know how.  I think we should elect her to congress right away. She would have everyone in line and loving it. Proud of her.

Zombie Invasion

You don't have to wait until tomorrow for Zombies to invade.  I got to witness an invasion of  small zombies last night.   On arrival, we hit the make up booth.

The Zombie helpers did a great job.  Behold, the Best Loved Zombie:

There were many Zombies, though they were short.  They did have a tall leader. With a bucket on his head.

I'm so sad that I didn't get a good picture of this preschool teacher with his real life Zombiefied baby. What terrible purpose brought these together? They formed lines.

And then, they danced!  (To the tune of "Thriller", what else).

All were satisfied. Especially the adult units associated with the short Zombies. 

Fall Traditions

Fall is my favorite time of year.  Maybe because I was born in the fall? (I was also married in the fall.) For a long time I lived in Southern California where there isn't really a "fall".  They have a hot dry season (Summer) and a cooler, sometimes rainy season (Winter) but the differences are slight.  Living in Arkansas for 19 years, I love having four distinct seasons.  Fall comes earlier in the north but it arrives here for sure in October.

For me it's Fall, not Spring or New Years, when you start fresh and make new plans, do something different or visit a new place.  Weird?  Hear me out. I came from a farming family.  Summer was nonstop work.  Hay had to be put up. Lots of crops tended and harvested.  We might take a half day off for 4th of July but there was so much work that needed done we didn't do much else. In the Winter cows had to be fed every single day. No time for going or doing anything else.  Spring is for new baby calves and that was also a round the clock job.  It was Fall when we had time for trips or new projects.  As farmers my parents also got paid in the fall (when crops and cows sold) so we might have more income to be able to do a little something.  Add to the farm cycle the fact that school schedules always started in mid September (I know now they start mid or early August for most).  So, Fall makes me want to redecorate, start a new exercise program, make lists and travel a bit even though I'm not bound by a farm or school schedule.

Some of the family this summer

Our family trip in July to Old Faithful really made me remember going to Yellowstone National Park on day trips when I was in High School.  I  remember walking on the board walk around Old Faithful Geyser on my 16th birthday, sporting my best outfit.  October in Yellowstone is beautiful and usually only visited by folks who live near by.

Go ahead, rake leaves, go to the fair or a pumpkin patch to celebrate Fall.  I'll be making Christmas lists, deep cleaning the pantry and learning yoga.

Highlights of Yellowstone

We had a great time visiting Yellowstone with the family.  When I was in high school, my parents ranched about 80 miles north of the North Entrance to the park.  For us, visiting Yellowstone was a day trip taken in the spring or late fall when the work on the farm was light.  We spent my 16th birthday there.  Visiting in the off season was colder but the park was uncrowded and the animals down from the high country and easy to view.  It's been a few years since I last visited.  The BLBiggest Boy had just celebrated his first birthday.  Now we were here with his own boy.  So, what are the highlights I took pictures of?

The Grands, naturally.  Look how much fun they're having with their binoculars. Like true naturalists.

Those obligatory pictures in front of the signs.  Old Faithful is the signature sight in the Park.  It had changed a bunch from my last visit.  When I was there last there was the Old Faithful Inn, a General Store and a Gas Station.  I love, love Old Faithful Inn.  Did you know it's style is "National Park Rustic". Now there is a whole complex around the Best Loved Geyser. The newest building is the Old Faithful Visitors Center.  You can see the geyser erupt from the windows of the building and browse the museum and information while you wait.  But what did I think was the best part? 

The handcrafted tiles in the ladies room!  Yes, I took pictures of the tile in the bathroom.  Loved it! 

The glass tile was inset with metal tiles that had an inset outline of some of the animals common to the Park. 

Love the fish.  And the Wolf is the best.

Something for everyone! 

Cousins

As a child, summer was when you got to see the cousins.  Either they traveled to us or we visited them.  Visiting relatives was the only real vacation my family took.  Summer still sometimes means seeing those same cousins.  On my mother's side I have 22 first cousins.  Every three years Mom's sibs and their descendants get together somewhere.  This year it was Island Park, Idaho.  Why? Where? It's beautiful and just down the road from West Yellowstone, MT and Yellowstone Park's West Entrance.



100 descendants of my Grandparents - My cousins

 I haven't been to the reunion for a few years and I rarely see most of the family any other time but it's really great to visit with them.  I'm the oldest cousin, and only two others are close to my age, still, I know a lot about these people's childhood.  I remember when Oscar put the cat in the dryer.  Margie was who I wanted for a bridesmaid. I remember Angie being potty trained. I know which Carlson sister was a TV child star (Romper Room).  I remember how proud David was when he took the bus by himself to see Grandpa and Grandma. Now we are parents and some are  grandparents and we throw our kids together and tell them to "go play with your cousins". 

Cousins

What we really have in common is that our Grandparents, Wayne and Evelyn, fiercely loved each of us and I believe still do.  The BestLoved DIL comes from a large extended family and has so many girl cousins near her age that it's like she is a member of an exclusive sorority that meets every so often.  In the movie "My Big Fat Greek Wedding" she had dozens of first cousins that lived near by and he had only 2.  Lucky is the child who has cousins and gets to visit them in the summer.

Sister Dresses

I remember being about 6 years old and going off to the Utah State Fair one summer day dressed in a red calico print dress with short sleeves, full skirt and rick rack trim.  It was identical to the dresses worn by my two little sisters.  Sister dresses!  I think my parents thought it was a bit kitchy at the time but that didn't stop them.  I remember a comment my Dad made about how it would be hard to lose us.  I can't believe they didn't get a photo of the event. 

Evidence that matching sister dresses at the fair aren't the worst thing that can happen

I've been guilty of indulging in dressing my oldest daughters alike when they were small.  Usually I would sew different outfits out of the same fabric. The girls were only 14 1/2 months apart in age (I know) so they were "almost twins".   I loved this summer garb I made for them. 

I wasn't the only one that couldn't resist.  They were gifted often with Sister Outfits by grandparents and other doting relatives.  Unfortunately, or fortunately depending on your outlook, the first born BestLovedDaughter developed a strong self identity early in life.  She was only three and I had made matching pajamas for her and her sister that were opened Christmas Eve.  The object was to have cute, cute Christmas morn pictures.  First Born BLD kept removing her pretty pj's and donning a thrift store nighty she bought herself for a quarter at the thrift shop around the corner from Nanny's house.  When she was asleep I dressed her in the new pj's and. . ta da. .  she was wearing the thrift store nighty when we filed into the living room to see what Santa had brought.  They never wore Sister Outfits again.

Fast forward a generation. One of the BestLoved Grandaughters got a baby sister a few weeks before Christmas.  Big sis was seven and was so excited to have a sibling and even more excited that the baby was a sister.  She really wanted Sister Dresses for Christmas.  Go figure. I guess 7 years of individuality were enough. 

 It's pretty hard to do matching outfits for a babe in preme sizes and one that is almost as tall as I am.  After Christmas I did come up with these dresses.

Mom reported that they wore them for Easter. Tiny sister grew big enough to wear her matchy matchy Sister Dress.  Tall Girl got her wish - A Sister Dress.   Maybe I should have made a  grown up one for Mom as well?

Classic Toys - Swings

When I discovered the over the top Money No Object Monday play sets I couldn't help but think of what always was in my back yard growing up - plain old swings.  Yup, that's me above.  I  was introduced early to the joy of swinging back and forth for hours.  I loved it.  Loved it when I was little and loved it even more as I got bigger.  In High School we all met at the swings at lunch. Swings at a High School?  Our school included grades 1 - 12.  Back and forth on the swings was acceptable because we were "hanging out" and visiting as well.  

My favorite swing set was made by my Dad.  He had a lot of two inch iron pipes that came out of a defunct water well on the ranch and he welded them together into a very tall "A" frame that held two basic board swings. We all spent a great deal of time swinging. The only photo I could find of the Best Swing Set Ever is below:

It looks like a pose of my brother in his baseball uniform but look in the back ground - right by the fence.  That slim bit of work was a fantastic swing set and it didn't cost anything but some of Dad's valuable time, a welding rod or two chain to hold the swing seats (which were made of some left overs) and some cement to anchor the set.  You could swing so high that the set would tip over.  It took a couple of tries to get enough weight to anchor it down.  

Any one else have home made swings or play equipment?

Christmas Reveal

We had the happiest of holidays at the Best Loved House.  The sweetest three year old was very enthused.  We put out reindeer food (rolled oats and a little glitter) and cookies and milk for Santa.  Hung the stocking his daddy had hung as a kid.  His daddy read the Christmas story to him (and to us) using "This Is The Season Beloved of The Year".  This was a great book to use with little ones.  It tells the story with simple words from a Primary song under beautiful pictures by Simon Dewey.  The text from Luke is on the opposite page as well as a brief commentary designed more for adults. You can use what is most appropriate for your family. 

On Christmas morning he was so pleased with his gifts.  I think we could have wrapped up socks and he would have played happily with them.  Santa's gift was this amazing bit of goodness.  Behold, a Jedi in training.

Technology is finally catching up with the movies.  I remember light sabers as flashlights with a translucent, collapsing sleeve that would extend if you "flicked" you light saber.  This one hums, lights up from the handle out like the one in the movies did, and the sound changes if it's touched.

 Much more merriment.  BL BIL arrived with Grandma and niece and nephew.  Big nephew brought his girlfirend and her nephew for dinner so we had 3 little boys 3 - 7, oh, there was a puppy. (Can't leave it home alone on Christmas).  The BIG littles arrived late in the afternoon so we had more presents and visits. 

We loved it all.

Public Art

I just came home from a great visit with my parents and sibs.  Traveled with the BestLoved First Daughter and her kiddlet.   Mom and Dad have lived in Olympia, WA  for nearly two decades but before that they've been pretty nomadic and have somehow encouraged their children to roam the world (or at least the USA). This was the first time in 17 years they have had all 7 of their children together at once.  We ate, painted Dad's garage (he's 80 and built a proper building all by himself including building a homemade crane to lift his self built trusses), taught baby Simon to roll over, ate, slept very little, visited the farmers market and generally enjoyed the fellowship.

I love flying into SeaTac Airport because they have public art installations - some have been there and loved by me for years.  It's really worth it to down load their brochure "Art in the Airport" to locate what's there.  My favorite piece is an installation titled "Flying Fish" in terrazzo stream by husband wife team Judith and Daniel Caldwell.

The floor of Concourse B is cream colored terrazzo (a cement with stone flecks) with grey and blue flecks.  The flecks in the terrazzo make a meandering path that resembles a stream and  embedded in the "stream" are flat, carved bronze leaves and fish.  People have been walking on it since the floor was built and it still delights me.  When we pointed it out to the BestLoved Kiddlet she happily skipped the entire length of the concourse, weaving side to side to stay on the stream.  Together we looked a some of the bronzes more closely.  There are salmon of all kinds, big fish, little fish, some eel like fish and beautiful leaves.  For the first time I saw a fish holding a suitcase and a fish who's fins are arranged so it looks like a flying plane.

It was pure magic to share it with the kiddlet.

4th of July

We live in a southern state where anyone of any age can purchase enough explosives to mimic a small war.  We usually don't spend a lot on fireworks. We all have favorites - mine are the big Roman Candles.  The BL Boys love bottle rockets which give you hours of fun for little cash outlay.  Some towns prohibit fireworks but if you  live in the county you can set the world on fire!  We came to Grandma Merry's lake condo for the holiday  (which includes a preschool nephew's birthday) and expected to take the kiddlet and cousin to view one of the municipal, big,  firework displays but were disappointed to find that Hot Springs did their fireworks July 1.  ?  Reminds me of Southern California where they would do Independence Day fireworks at  5am the morning of the big day.  They had fewer problems with huge crowds.

When we took the girls swimming Sunday evening, we discovered that another family was setting up for a huge firework display.  (They had a entire porch stacked several feet deep with flammables.) Grandma's condo is located on one of the prime "points" on Lake Hamilton.  Each unit has nice lake views but the pool is one of the best locations to view the lake and to enjoy a beautiful setting.  The fireworks were being lit just below the pool right on the seawall.  To make it short - we attended!  It was a better show than most commercial events!  The only difference between this show and one you might pay for was the huge starbursts didn't seem to go as high, so it felt like we were in the explosions.  Awesome.  I love living where they let you live dangerously.

Summertime

I know that there are folks that live for summer.  Me, not so much.  I missed school. (Yup, a total nerd.)  I lived for the Summer Weekly Reader to arrive.  I missed friends.  I did love being able to read a lot, though my mom thought I should do a fair share of garden weeding and house cleaning.  (What a hard life!)  I did love that I pretty much learned to sew, embroider , cook, knit and crochet on summer vacation.  4-H projects and some Primary girls activities gave this instruction some structure and 4-H gave me Dress Review and County Fair to show off my projects.  In this spirit, we've got a Best Loved kiddlet for a couple of weeks and though she's no bigger than a gnat she's big enough this summer to share in some of my passions and her reading ability has leaped ahead so we can enjoy really good chapter books.  One thing she wanted to do was to learn to sew On The Sewing Machine.  She took to it like a natural. 

Behold. . . an elastic skirt made without a pattern, made by the kiddlet herself!  My first 4-H sewing project was a gathered skirt without a pattern.  The project guidelines said it had to have a waist band, a placket and a hand hem.  I was a year older than our kiddlet but this is a bit easier.  Only straight line stitching. We bought a yard of fabric and just seamed it lengthwise, folded the top over to hold elastic and hemmed it by strait stitching it down.  She picked out the fabric (her Mom and I really urged her to choose this not another orange and pink print as it would be better for fall). To use my sewing machine we had to put her on a booster seat and then put the foot pedal on top of a Rubbermaid bin.  Yea, she's short.   We practiced on paper without thread in the machine, then progressed to scrap fabric.  She will tell you that she's crafty and she really is.  I had such flash backs of me sewing my first projects with Mom on my shoulder telling me to slow down the machine - "you're not a racehorse".  Yes, I said it, too. 

We also did some basic embroidery  instruction.  Behold, the first sample piece of Stem stitch and straight stitch.  

We think this will become a doll pillow.  What kind of fun is summer fun at your house?

Arizona Week

The Best Loved household has migrated from AR to the great state of AZ for a week of kid cuddling and family togetherness.  First things first.  I decided it was time to pass on my childhood dolls to the BestLoved Grand girls.  I have two Madame Alexander dolls that I treasured as a child and thought my own daughters would love them.  Alas, they were indifferent to dollies and when they were old enough to take care of my beauties I felt that they wouldn't really care if they had the dolls or not so the babies stayed in the drawer.  Now the grands are getting old enough to enjoy them and they DO like dolls.  I have two childhood dolls and (at least for now) two Grand daughters.  It's kismet, the planets are aligned and I'm ready to pass them on.

Baby girl 2 is now the custodian of my Little Women Jo doll.  Her stringing broke years ago and I was able to find several tutorials on restringing and think I did a great job of putting her back together.  I did some research, and she is a Lissy doll body - eleven inches tall and straight legged. From what I can find Madame Alexander has always made Little Women dolls but this model from 1962 or 63 was a little unusual.  The most common ones are in the 8 inch Wendy doll body or I found a few on line that had bendable knees.  Apparently the greatest value in these dolls comes from their clothes and my Jo's dress is in fantastic shape with her labels still intact.  I did replace the elastic on the waist of her petticoat and the black braid trim on her pinafore was stitched down  where it was coming unstuck a little.  I was sad to find her pantaloons and socks had vanished somewhere in the last I won't say how many years.  Her original shoes are still perfect, and a good thing cause on ebay these things cost more than I spend on my own shoes.  

I wanted to make her some modern clothes and went on a search for doll patterns.  I feel lucky that I found MHD Designs at DollOutfits.com.  I got to "play dolls", BL Girly girl was excited. I can't tell who's prettier.