The Soundtrack to your Life...

Have you heard that before? I love the idea of having a life soundtrack. People really do. The Mormon Tabernacle Choir, The Utah Symphony & James Taylor are all part of the soundtrack in our family which made Saturday, September 7th a night to remember when all three were together for a once-in-a-lifetime performance. They played so many favorites. The evening was magical and unforgettable.

Soldier Hollow Classic Sheepdog Championships...

Photo credit Salt Lake Magazine and more info HERE...

Thanks to my friend Sarah, when I saw the ad in the paper about the Soldier Hollow Sheepdog Championships... I tore it out and saved it. We don't have a dog, but my kids are big dog lovers. I have to say that I thought attending this event was one of the more amazing things I've seen in my lifetime. I'm a total novice so a little patience... this is what I saw. People release these wild sheep about 400 yards up the mountain and the trainer commands his dog via whistle and vocal commands to drive the sheep down the mountain through a series of obstacle courses.. including shedding (which means splitting the group of 5 in to two groups of 2 and 3) and then finally penning them. It was amazing to see how smart these dogs were and the relationship between trainer and dog and what they were able to accomplish together. Truly inspiring!!

It was hot up there and I will come prepared next time (WE WILL BE THERE NEXT YEAR!) with.. camp chairs, ice, more water, hats and umbrellas for everyone. I might even pack a picnic although there is really delicious and tempting food up there.. not a lot of healthy choices though and if you're staying all day.. you could use a carrot or something.

This event is a testament to excellence... something I love to see. And, it has further added to my prejudice that Utah is the best place in the whole world largely because so often people who are excellent at what they do come here and share their talents with us. Thank you.. amazing people!

They also have a diving competition for just your average dog, which my little one thought was hilarious and everyone else enjoyed. This whole day was a surprise for little c who thought it was one of the best days of her life... Great fun!

Light from Within...

People are like stained-glass windows. They sparkle and shine when the sun is out, but when the darkness sets in, their true beauty is revealed only if there is a light from within. 
~Elisabeth Kubler-Ross

I like this quote so much and was reminded of it when I took these photos of the beautiful stained-glass of the Kaysville Tabernacle...

LDS Museum of History and Art: The LeConte Stewart Exhibit... Part 1

If you grew up in Kaysville, then you have no choice, you must see this exhibit. Many of these paintings are pictures of my memories.. places that no longer exist today or no longer exist like they were. LeConte Stewart is our painter, biographer of the land, farms and barns that have passed away and been replaced . "Barnes are going" he said, "they tear them down or they fall down." We aren't an agrarian society anymore, but farms are our foundation, they are what we came from.

My ten year old home stands on the site of some one's old farm. It makes the land sacred to me. Someone carved an existence out of the wilderness and survived on this land. It gave them the very bread they ate. LeConte Stewart had the talent to paint anywhere. I am so grateful that he recorded this place that is so dear to my heart and did it with such care. His life was glorious and he new success in his own time, which is something for any artist. But, he was troubled by great tragedy in his life losing all his siblings and his mother within a few short years. I wish I knew how and why they all died, but I can't find it anywhere.

In any case, LeConte turned to nature and art for comfort.

Painting is more than expressing the appearance of things; it is expressing the spirit of things. When you know and love a tree, you can paint its spirit, the quality God gave it.  ~LeConte Stewart

He was a fan of this little bit of Whitman...



AFOOT and light-hearted, I take to the open road,
Healthy, free, the world before me,
The long brown path before me, leading wherever I choose.
Henceforth I ask not good-fortune—I myself am good fortune;
Henceforth I whimper no more, postpone no more, need nothing,
Strong and content, I travel the open road.

I also loved this declaration of faith:

I would like to tell you what kind of Latter-day-Saint I am. I couldn't be anything else, and that's why this church- the things that it proposes have got me enraptured. The Lord started it, and all I can do is fall in line. I tell you, it's over powered me. When I go out now and paint a tree, I just feel His spirit. I tell you it's marvelous... ~LeConte Stewart

Go! See the exhibit and those pictures will sing you a song that you'll remember from when you were very young.

LDS Museum of History and Art: Part 2...

 The LDS Museum of History & Art is a summer tradition, but we should go even more often. It is really excellent. And, if you have questions, the missionaries there are really knowledgeable. In addition to the really great LeConte Stewart exhibit (REALLY excellent).. there is a quilt show and a very fun children's activity center. .. In fact, don't take your kids unless you've planned to stay because they can learn some Mexican dances wearing the big skirts.. collect eggs from chickens and play farm etc... They won't want to leave.

I'm sorry about the terrible photos. I have never been able to take a decent photo w/out natural light. But, anyway I wanted to show you a few of the beautiful quilts they have on display. This one above was my favorite. I love crazy quilts. It's fun to read about them too. They all have an amazing story.

I don't know how to make quilts, but I know enough to know that this one was hard..

They have a fun magnet board for children to design their own. L likes crazy quilts too.

Dirty Rotten Scoundrels: At Hale Center Theater...

Kyle Olsen & Angela Jeffries who brilliantly played Sydney Carton & Madam Defarge in Hale's production of Tale of Two Cities (which I hope they will bring back very soon!) were cast as Freddy Benson & Christine Colgate. I laughed so hard my stomach hurt and my face was sore.

The cast and crew at Hale are very hard working. They do 3 performances on Saturdays! The Ensemble must have had 10 costume changes. And, the dance numbers were spectacular. This wasn't a show for wimps. The set designers and the costumers at Hale knocked it out of the park! Lucky Angela got to wear about 6 different, lovely yellow frocks and you should have seen her matching orange luggage!

Now that you're all excited to see the show.. I hate to say that I went on the very last day... :( I won't do that to you next time. But, I hope to see Kyle and Angela in a new show very soon... They are such great talents.. I worry that Utah won't have them for long.

Giving Blood...

I am squeamish about needles. You'd think after having 2 children, all my immunizations including flu shots every fall and allergy shots every week as a teen that I would be over it. I'm not, I'm a wimp.

My husband is not. He thinks it's pretty dumb not to be a blood donor. "It's so simple and you can save a life." He has faithfully donated blood about 4 times a year, but sometimes he's done it more often. He has kind of a rare blood type and so ARUP will call him personally and ask. He always runs in to the donation center in SLC. Once they called him and said that they had twins who were going in for surgery and could he come. We were on vacation. Had they not been able to find another donor, he was prepared to leave our vacation and drive a 12 hour round trip in order to help those twins. I know I'm blessed. This is just one of the million ways that C is a quiet hero.

Last night I decided it was time to stop being a wimp. There was no excuse. I had a good friend who was in a terrible accident at Christmas. It was time to step up. I hated it. They ask you all these questions that are icky to think about. For example, "Have you traded sex for drugs recently." No. I'm more of a pharmacy patron. I hated the needle. My kids were with me and when the little one saw a whole room of white coats.. she freaked out. There was screaming. It was embarrassing and little c had to take her out. It feels weird to be sitting there while your blood drains from your arm. When I got up, I felt woozy and nauseous basically until I went to sleep.

Who cares!!!

When I woke up this morning I felt wonderful!

Am I going to do it again. Yes. Am I going to hate every minute of it. Yes.

C said, "Just concentrate on the color blue.. It's very calming." He was wearing a blue shirt. I love you C.

Benefits of donating blood:

It reduces your risk of cancer.

Male blood donors are 17 times less likely to suffer a heart attack.

Donating blood helps you look and feel younger. (HERE)

Your body burns about 600-650 calories in its efforts to replace the blood you gave.

... and ....

YOU CAN SAVE SOMEONE'S LIFE!!!

A Tale of Two Cities... Hale Centre Theater

So, we finally went last night to:

A Tale of Two Cities at Hale Centre Theater

A Tale of Two Cities is one of my favorite books. It's my favorite if you count the fact that I don't even know how many times I've read it. Since the director's (John Sweeney) wife Ally is my very dear friend, I wanted it to be amazing. I had no worries. It was a great evening of theater. The actors who play the central characters are incredible. I will put Utah voices up against any I've heard in New York or elsewhere. Ally and I were able to speak with the writer of the Book, Music and Lyrics Jill Santoriello during intermission and she agreed. (She was gracious and lovely. It was a treat to meet her. Her story in incredible.)

Angela Jeffries can raise the roof with her powerful voice but, the feeling she puts into the character and the depth of the script makes this Madame Defarge the first one I've seen that is at all three dimensional and true to the story. Madame Defarge is one of literary fiction's most evil villains, but Dickens is careful to point out how she became so hateful. Madame Defarge is truly the product of brutality. This is the first production to show that.

An introduction to the French people has cast members literally seen crawling from under ground like rats symbolic of how they are treated. Then, when caskets of wine are spilled in the streets, the starving people are seen licking it up the foreshadowing how the streets will run with blood and the people will become blood thirsty. I was stunned at how these crucial elements of the book were included seamlessly in the production.

The staging of the little funeral for Gaspard's son is so tender and touching that I was weeping by that point.

Sydney Carton is sensitively played by Kyle Olsen who has the voice of an archangel, which is fantastic in this production because it is one of the most musical, musicals I've seen. The show doesn't have musical numbers that put a point on the action, rather the music in Tale of Two Cities moves the story line along. In this way, it has an operatic quality.

The show is chocked full of fantastic talent. Charles and Lucie are brilliant. I thought Jeffrey Whitlock gave a stand out performance as Mr. Cruncher.

The costumes are amazing and made in house according to my friend Ally.

I could go one about it, but at the essence, A Tale of Two Cities is one of the most beautiful stories in our literary canon. Tales of redemption are poignant to all people who yearn to be better. The writer Jill Santoriello and this amazing company have created a glorious piece of art. The kind that inspires the best in us... that part that hopes to be more.

Now That I'm FAMOUS... I have a big head

I was asked to participate in THIS article about Provident Living.. I am so excited to be part of the article and thrilled with how it came together.

The Little Seamstress: A Tale of Two Cities...

A Tale of Two Cities is my favorite book. I have other favorites, but I've read this book over and over. It is dear to my heart. The other day, a friend recommended a book to me and I asked her if it was good. "It's pretty good, It's not A Tale of Two Cities." That right there is one reason we are kindred spirits :)
A Tale of Two Cities was made into musical theater and played on Broadway for a very short while. The show had the misfortune of opening in August just three days before the stock market crashed. How I would have loved to see it in New York. But, like everyone else, I wasn't thinking of Broadway at the time. The show closed after only 60 performances. You can see highlights from the show HERE.

In Utah, A Tale of Two Cities is now playing at Hale Centre Theater
in West Valley City and I have been excited about it for months. We have some amazing talent in Utah and I know the show will be incredible.

If you have a minute... Take a listen...
HERE...
We will meet where the weary find peace...
little peg people. peggies, wedding cake toppers, cake toppers, cupcake toppers, birthday, decorations, painted, anniversary, available in love boxes shop...

Peter Pan at BYU...

On the right... is my cousin Jillian practicing her flying for her performance as Wendy Darling in BYU's production of Peter Pan. Go! It runs just one more week until Jan. 29th. Everyone over the age of 2 is welcome and it is pure sugar for the little ones. They just love it!

Salt Lake Magazine's Best of the Beehive...

One of my favorite publications. This issue is always the best one of the year. Find out what is THE BEST in Utah! I still have my last years issue and it's a good one to just keep in the car. If you find yourself in the city or even out of the way in Utah, you can check this magazine and find a new and wonderful place for lunch, a great treat, or even a wonderful place to have your skirt hemmed... they think of just about everything... except for Love Boxes... hint. hint.

January beauty...

Eagan Automotive...

For the first time in 10 years.. I had some car trouble. My family recommended this mechanic and I was very pleased with the service here as well. So, if you live in Davis County and have some car trouble.. these guys are honest, quick and priced very competitively.

Bun Basket.. A Favorite Spot...

The other day, some of us around here got talking about the fabulous treats there are right in our backyard. So I thought this week, I might highlight a few. The Bun Basket has many of our family's favorites... yummy mint/choc. brownies, the best ever veggie sandwiches, amazing Cheezy Potato Soup, the cutest shape sugar cookies. They also sell amazing wheat breads, my favorite Blue Cattle Truck Mexican Vanilla, some great local jams & honey and fabulous cinnamon roll mix.

Salt Lake City Magazine... Best of the Beehive!

If you purchase just one magazine this year.. this is my favorite. It's so much fun to go through and see all the the great talent we have in our fabulous state!

Autumn Day at Temple Square...

We had such a fun family day today. We went to see the Reflections of Christ exhibit at the Joseph Smith Building... it was quite beautiful. We had lunch at the Lion House Pantry.
We walked around Temple Square's beautiful Autumn gardens and rode the Trax train around town. It was like a mini vacation. I just loved it all.

Summer Flowers at Temple Square...

c and I had a fun morning taking photos. If you get there around 9:30 you can almost have the place to yourself, which is so peaceful and amazing. I love this garden.

Les Madeleines...

Yesterday my mom, c and I went to Les Madeleines lovely bakery in SLC. I was dreaming of a eating Kouing Aman, which is something that I have no idea how to pronounce, but is sure is delish! Les Madeleines isn't a very well kept secret anymore, it's been in so many magazines and television programs these days, but they did move in the past few months from their State St. location to something much better on 5th south at 216 East. It's a more spacious space where you can sit down and eat a fabulous turkey sandwich and read a paper before you begin to devour the divine treats in the case. I didn't have it, but next time I go, I'm ordering the limeade too. YUM!! See more about Les Madeleines at their site HERE.

SLC Restaurants...

I get in a restaurant rut sometimes. I asked my very organized friend Jenneece for a list of a few new places to try. Some of these places are old favorites, but most of them I haven't yet tried. Since many of you live in the greater SLC area.. or show up here occasionally... I thought I would share. Bon Appetit!

Cannellas-Italian, Best known for their lunch salad with sausage-never been yet
Tiberon-Located in Sandy area, American food, never been yet, comes highly recommended
Tuscany-Italian/American food, pricey but great atmosphere especially in the summer
Epic-sister restaurant of Tiberon, located in Holiday area, really good food
Al Fornos-Italian, great brochette, moderately priced
Faustina's-Italian, good food, priced well
258-Ogden-
Luganos-Italian, everyone that has gone here said it is great
Rivers-American
Bayou-Southern
Lemon Grass-Thai/Asian, heard great things about it for dinner
Tin Angel-
Café Trio-Lunch, heard great things about it for lunch
Stoneground-Italian, good food, very relaxed atmosphere and good prices
Tres Hombres

To this list.. I'll add a few of my tried and true favorites..

The Dodo
Hires Big H
Market Street Grill
The Garden
The Lion House Cafe
The Red Iguana
The Rio Grand Cafe
The Avenues Bakery
Les Madeleines - just treats
Ruth's Diner
Mrs. Backer's Pasty Shop
Bakers De Normandie
Z Tejas

What are your favorites?