Oh dear,

I didn't mean to leave anyone hanging on to their seats by yesterday's post.  I just didn't want to get up and take a picture, and I needed to blog something.  Misty called and asked Dad what it was.  She was envisioning a huge mess or disaster in the kitchen.  As messes go, this has been a relatively small one.

Kind of.

But, really, Gary just literally meant, "Oh my Stars."

I'm in the process of making a star banner for our Relief Society Birthday party.  I was just going to make flat stars, but when I searched "stars," I found these fun ones.  I'm going to connect them with ribbon into a swag banner.  The large ones are made with 6 12"x12" sheets of paper, and are just about 24" wide.  The smaller ones are made with 6 4"x4" sheets of paper.

Here are the great instructions which I found on this very cool blog.
  http://kristasewinspired.blogspot.com/2011/11/vintage-paper-star-banner-tutorial.html

Just think, if you make them, maybe your family will come home and say, 

"Oh my Stars."  

By the way, Gary thought he was very clever for using that play on words.  

And it reminded him of his Mom, because she always used that phrase.

Gary came home

today and said, "Oh, my Stars."   I'll show you why tomorrow.

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I've been waiting for this little guy to arrive . . .

Because Harrison and Marshall's birthday are so close together, they had their birthday celebrations together.  Misty sent pictures showing them opening the musical cards from us. 

 She wrote: 

"They LOVE their musical cards.  Marshall showed his to everyone at Hyrum's game today.  He's a little disturbed because the cupcake on Harrison's chair is "Papa's."  (Note, it is the felt one that fits over the back of the chair)   The only other place he's seen it is on the video of Grandpa's bday in UT.  He just took it off of the chair and said he's "taking it home."  I guess he's walking your way."  

We are still waiting for him . . .

Happy Birthday Marshall!

An Academy awards night dinner Gary and Lynn's. They make it fun by seeing who can guess the most winners.

Harrison turns 8

today!

Harrison is such a delightful boy. He is anything but a Grinch, though he loves that hat and wore it everywhere in Florida.  He is very intense and dedicated to whatever he is involved in.  We are so excited to go out for his baptism.  He's putting it off so we can go during Gary's spring break and can spend more time.    

Tiffany posted this

on instagram today, and I asked her to forward the pictures so I could post them on my blog.  It is me and Tiffany and Tiffany and Lucienne.   I still remember the feelings.  There is nothing sweeter than a sleeping child.   Except for snuggling with a sleeping child.  

This seriously looks

so amazing.

Devils Food Layered Cheesecake

Wondering if it should be a Bunny Hollow treat when the girl's come in . . . 

For Christmas

I bought Gary the book, "Acting in Doctrine" by David Bednar.  We are reading through it together (rather slowly)

One of the subjects he examines is "Character."  He suggests, as a help, to think of the word ACT in the middle of CharACTer.   I'm too lazy to go downstairs right now to quote directly from the book (not sure what that says about my character).  But, thinking of the word that way, helps as we evaluate the connection between our actions and our character.  And, as he also points out, it helps to think of the first 4 letters (CHAR) as being charity.   Charity + Act = Character.    It has been a good reminder for me.

Yum.

Today while I was working, I was also catching up on Studio 5 segments.  In one segment they were showing some of the best places to buy waffles in the area. 

That got me really craving waffles. 

Then in another episode they had this recipe for the Mini Dutch Apple Pancakes. 

Then I knew that I was going to make breakfast for dinner.

It was so good.  

 

Here is the link:

Mini Dutch Apple Pancake

and here is the recipe.

 

Mini Dutch Apple Pancakes

Ingredients:

• 1 egg
• 1/4 cup milk
• Pinch salt
• 1/4 teaspoon vanilla
• 1/4 cup flour
• 2 tablespoons sugar
• 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
• Dash nutmeg
• 1 tablespoon butter
• 1 apple, peeled, cored, sliced
• Serve with cream or ice cream

Method:

Preheat oven to 425 degrees.

Whisk together until smooth egg, milk, salt, vanilla and flour; set aside.

Stir together sugar, cinnamon and nutmeg. Peel, core and slice apple. Toss apple and sugar until coated. Over medium-medium low heat, melt butter in 5" cast iron skillet.* Add apples and cook, gently turning slices until apples are tender and golden brown. Pour batter over hot apples; bake 10 minutes or until puffed and golden brown.

Serve in the mini skillet or invert on serving plate. Serve with a little cream for breakfast, or with a scoop of ice cream for dessert.

We met

Charlene and Greg, Richard and Laraine, and Gary and Lynn for dinner tonight.  We always thoroughly enjoy our time together.   Charlene did make a suggestion that we should all learn sign language, and that's not a bad idea.  Another suggestion was that we could all just sit at the table and text each other.  Then we wouldn't need to worry about hearing each other.  

We all suffer from the "Hall" genetic disposition of hearing loss.  I've worn hearing aids since I was 17, and I actually needed them long before that.  Gary, Richard and Charlene didn't start to lose their hearing until middle age.   According to Tom, he hasn't lost any of his hearing, but I've heard Lynn give another opinion on that.

It can be a comedy of errors when I try to talk to Gary (my brother) on the phone. Because of his Parkinson's disease, he has difficulty projecting his voice because of the muscles in his throat. Add that with my hearing loss, and we're in trouble.    But we can laugh about it and still try to communicate.

Thank goodness for hearing aids and closed captioning. 

We are here right now.

Gary is getting ideas.

A used car lot, maybe?

I'm very grateful

that I have been saving all of my documents to "dropbox."  Gary had to reinstall windows on my computer, and I've had to set up all my accounts again.  But because of "dropbox" I haven't been worrying about data or pictures that I may have lost.

I've generally been working about 4 hours a day with work now.  I feel very blessed that I can do it from home.  With my laptop acting up, I've had to use the desktop computer for the last two days.  It takes me back to when I did my doc management work and would sit at the desk for hours.  It gets so chilly in the family room in the winter, and I remember being layered up and wearing gloves with the fingers tips cut off so I could type.  I eventually got a space heater and that helped.  

It is amazing how spoiled we get when we get used to having everything so comfortable, nice, and fast.  I'm sure the pioneers would be feeling really sorry for me that I had to sit in my nice home and type on a computer.  Sometimes I think I forget just how easy we have it.

Happy Valentines Day

Beautiful new runner made by my friend, Dianne.

Time to take these down I guess . . .

 

I felt an extra amount of appreciation for Gary today.  Not only because he is my sweetheart and I woke up to a find sugar cookie (bought from the PTA), a monetary gift, and that he took me to dinner.   But, he's also fixed my computer after it stopped working today.  (Not just once, but twice).   It's running a little slower, but believe me, I'm not complaining.  



This is my HAPPY PLACE

as I walk down the stairs in the morning.

And then the grins just get bigger and bigger as I stop to look more closely.

All of these little valentines are on this earth because we loved each other.

I remember hearing the term

 "man cave" for the first time a few years ago.    According to the web dictionary it is:

"A man cave, sometimes a mantuary^[ or manspace, is a male sanctuary, such as a specially equipped garage, spare bedroom, den, or basement. It is not a cave but rather a metaphor describing a room inside the house, such as the basement or garage or attic or office, or outside the house such as a wood shed or tool room, where "guys can do as they please" without fear of upsetting any female sensibility about house decor or design."

 

I bring it up, not because Gary has a man cave (the closest he comes is his recliner in the family room).  But, rather, because I've been literally hanging out  in my "woman cave" (aka craft room) for days at a time as I do my online work, watch TV, and otherwise pretend to get things done.  The only time I really leave it is when Gary is home because there's usually not room for both of us in here.

 

The interesting thing is that it should be very "upsetting to my female sensibility" about decor, design, tidiness, and order.  In fact, right now I'm sitting here amongst a half sewn apron, my make up bag (I usually put on my make up in here), the cricut machine, the sewing machine, 2 empty glasses, my jacket, and piles of papers I need to go through (just to name a few of the items I looking at).  

 

I think it baffles Gary that I can sit in such a mess.  It kind of baffles me, too.  I know it would baffle Mom if she were here.   

 (I'm practising living without pretending, but I won't show a picture today).

 

 

 

 

There are so many cute

Valentine ideas out there.   Since I'm pretty sure Gary won't be reading this blog before Valentines, here is something I got off of this website http://www.somewhatsimple.com/tic-tac-valentines-free-download/

I've already bought the tic-tacs.

Valentines dinner with Natalie

Another snowy

day that makes me want to nestle inside.  So that's what I've been doing since about 3 pm.

 Gary went to the funeral of the boy on his football team this morning, and I stayed in my robe until about noon.  Then we went to visit a friend for a little bit, went to Costco, and came home.  I immediately nestled in the recliner with a blanket and skimmed through about 8 "Studio 5" segments.

The theme on "Studio 5" for February is "Live Without Pretending."   A very interesting and thought provoking ideal.   How do you live without pretending?  Isn't pretending just trying to be your best self, even when you don't feel like it?  I don't know.  If everyone went around saying and doing what they may feel like at the moment, life would not be very civilized.   But pretending that all is well, when it's not, projects a false image.  Is it right to project only the good and not the bad?  I'm asking these questions because I don't know the answer.

Of course, Gary gets totally in to the Studio 5 segments when I do.  On "living without pretending," he said he is an "open book, much to his chagrin and detriment."  ( Does that sound like him? )    I think I am a closed book with crinkled pages that's stuffed somewhere down in my "deep."

Speaking of the "deep," the show is asking you to send instagram picture of what your life looks like without pretense.  Both Gary and I decided that I should instagram a picture of the "deep."  

I can tell this is going to take some real thinking about.  I'll keep you posted on how Studio 5 suggests you should live without pretending for the rest of February.

I didn't take

many pictures at Gary and Lynn's 50th Anniversary, but here are the few I took.   I wish I had taken more.

Since my brother, Tom, is in

Tahoe for the week, he won't know that I've plagiarized him.   Actually, I 'm not even plagiarizing his writings, I readily acknowledge that I cut and pasted them from his blog to mine.  Why?  Because he is a wonderful writer and expresses what I feel better than I could.   I want his writings to be a part of my life history.  

Tom prepared these thoughts for Gary and Lynn's 50th Wedding anniversary party in December.   It brings tears to my eyes just reading this. He truly captures the essence of Gary and Lynn.  Thanks, Tom, for letting me share this, even though I didn't ask you and you may sue me for rights.  (I'll pay you in cupcakes next time you visit.)

"I was fortunate to have a wonderful family. My parents loved me, each other, and all of their children equally, except they loved Annette the most. I was also very fortunate to have 2 big brothers who treated me so well, and continue to do so. Over the years I have spoken with many brothers and in almost every case when I tell them that we 3 boys never fought they don't believe me. They all had fisticuffs with their brothers. We never did, not once that I recall. First of all my parents would not have allowed it, but more importantly we had love and respect for each other that would not allow that to happen.

As this is about Gary I will leave Rich for another time. Also, when I speak of Gary it is almost as if I am speaking of Lynn as well. In my mind, for almost all of my life, they have been "one". It is hard to think of one without the other. And, again, in a very positive way.

I am going to label Gary in order to make some points. I normally do not like to label, but in this case I think it makes the points I want to make. I am viewing Gary (and Lynn) from my perspective as various points of my life.

The Romancer----Through the wide eyes of my youth, one of the wonders to behold was my oldest brother's romances. I not only saw it play out, but I heard about it constantly just by being around my mom. She could tell a tale of romance about Gary and his young loves. I did not have to read novels--I could get it first hand about Gary and his young loves, especially Lynn. No matter who Lynn was dating he was no comparison to Gary. And, we heard about it. Those were interesting times to a young man 10 years old or younger as I listen with great interest. Gary was my first brush with romance, albeit vicariously. I learned from Gary through these times about how to treat girls with respect and how to have manners around them, like pulling out chairs, letting them walk on the inside of the sidewalk etc. Many times in later years I would go to Gary and ask the great romancer about girls I was dating. Lynn was a source of good information, Gary not so much. Their opinions always mattered to me.

The Dresser----Working at Clark's men's clothing store was a big deal in my eyes. It was THE place to buy clothes in Provo back then and my big brother worked there. To me that was a very big deal. I was pleased, then, to receive dressing hints from Gary. He matched my clothes with my socks and showed me just how high to have my jeans rolled up. Back then, dressing well was a big thing, not like today. Gary was my fashion police. He did a good job, though my Lynn will swear I lost it someplace along the way.

The Dancer---Our home was one of music and fun and dance. I looked up to my 2 big brothers and their dancing moves. But, after they taught me do dance they became somewhat irrelevant as I could way out-dance either one of them, especially Gary who lacked the natural movements that I had and continue to have. But, he tried and he did know the mechanics of the dances and did teach me those well. What he lacked in talent he made up in effort. Actually, all 3 of us loved dancing and were very good at it. We were the best in town, just ask us. My dad was a natural dancer, my mom not so much. We danced in our home all the time. It was so much fun. Annette and I were really good dancers, but I was better than her even though mom and dad loved her most. By the way, it made mom so angry when I tease her that Annette was their favorite. She said they loved Charlene just as much. The silence regarding us boys was deafening.
The enforcer----Rich and I loved to play basketball. Even in winters we would go out back and shovel the snow off the court that Dad had made for us. We would invite friends and neighbors over for games, challenging them to try to beat us. Nobody could. If somebody got close we would call in the "enforcer"--guess who that might have been. Gary was older and somewhat talented. However, Rich was smooth and I could shoot, but we need somebody under the boards to make bodies fly. In comes the enforcer and in no time the bodies were flying and lying on the ground buckled up. That opened the way for my shooting and Rich's driving and making his spin shots. Gary was a good but not great shooter or dribbler. But, he could rebound like nobody I knew. Never mind that he was not tall. Strength and guts was what was needed and the enforcer had plenty of that. After a while, our friends would not play us if we called the enforcer in. Perhaps that is why we never lost, but I doubt it. Nobody was stronger or had more guts than my big brother. I thought that then and think so now.

The Hosts--I lived with Gary and Lynn for 2 summers. This was the time period I really got to know and love Lynn. I found out that she was really as nice and kind and wonderful all the time as she was just seeing her on a periodic basis. She had her hands full with all her young kids, and especially with Chuck and Christine. I just sat back and marvelled at how organized and compassionate she was. She always had time to chat with me and ask about how the dates went with the girls she had lined me up with. I can think of 4 girls I went out with and one I became engaged to because of Lynn's match-making. I loved those summers getting to know and love her more. What Lynn did not know was that I was comparing the girls to her. She was the Gold Standard for me. And, they all fell short.

As was usual in many things, Gary helped me those summers in finding work that paid well so I could have some money to pay for school. He knew Ren Hoops, the VP of Safeways and he got me a really nice paying job at the Safeway yards.

During those summers I taught Gary how to play tennis. The first summer I was really shocked at how good he became in such a short period of time. We played 4-5 times a week and it was great fun. I know he was busy he and Lynn were, as I look back. Lynn was patient in allow that to happen so frequently. He became so good that he almost beat me once ( I was sick and had a fever and could hardly walk). Gary will say he did beat me, but that is not so. I have great memories of those times. It was then that I got to know their children better and developed a real love for all of them as well. I saw how Gary loved, pushed, expected, and motivated them to do good just as he always had done with me. I saw how Lynn was a softening influence and displayed a constancy and love to them. Together they made wonderful parents, as is shown by the children and grandchildren they have nurtured along.

The Motivator----On my mission I received letters from Gary that were meant to both keep me humble and to motivate me. I recall early on that he had read a letter I had sent to mom and dad. He then wrote me a letter correcting my spelling and hinting that I should study harder. When I was made Assistant to the President he wrote a letter stating that was good but reminded me that he was an AP also and longer than I would be so stay humble and keep my feet grounded. Later, Lynn wrote me a separate letter telling me that Gary was so proud of me that he was telling everyone but would not admit it to me. She stated she was not surprised that I had done so well on my mission. Almost like good cop, bad cop. Always the motivator, Gary pushed for the best from me. I took it as a compliment and tried harder.

Gary is the one who called me from California and suggested I apply for the honor's program at BYU. He suggested some names of people to use as references. I followed his counsel because it was always good. I was admitted into the Honor's program and that was a defining moment for my learning. Gary also suggested I try to get into the Blue Key Honor society. I did that and that helped me as well. Being 8 years older that I was Gary was aware of the things that would matter on my applications for Law School or any other graduate school. He was a resume builder for me and I am very grateful he was. Gary has taught me that you pretty much get from people what you expect from them. He pushed me, motivated me, guided me and supported me in making it through many of lives important passages. I am forever grateful to him and Lynn for all the wise counsel they have given me over all these years.

The exemplar----All my life I have looked to Gary as an example of how to live my life. He has been a good example to me in so many different ways. His example as a husband, for example. He has always treated Lynn with kindness and love. He does get impatient at times, and frustrated with himself, but his love for Lynn is evident at every turn. He thinks of her first and places her at the top of his universe. He does the same with his children. His children love and adore him despite his pushing them to their limits (for their own good). He has the deep respect of all of his friends and family.

Whatever Gary does he does well and with vigor and enthusiasm. His career as a lawyer attests to that. For those outside the law, his accomplishments are really not known that well. When Gary was practicing law he was a very big fish in a very big pond. He was regarded as one of the best in all of Northern California, California and in the nation. He belonged to a national trial group of lawyers that only allow in those of exceptional ability. He never bragged of these things and always stayed in tune with the common man. But, he was the best and considered so by the best. His reputation was so good that when I had a case against a Bay Area attorney I would always find a way to mention that I had a big brother who was a lawyer in the bay area and then drop his name. I gained instant respect by so doing. They had seen or heard of Gary in action--you know, making bodies fly and seeing others on the ground under the basketball hoop.

Gary and Lynn are wonderful examples of how to be generous with time, talent, and money. Generosity is a wonderful virtue and they each have an abundance of that. I recall being at a church public affairs meeting where I met Gary. He was meeting with some people there prior to the meeting trying to have them lent financial support to a group of Black lawyers in the Bay Area, trying to increase the Black influence in the law in the Bay Area. He had some pledges of a substantial amount of money. Then there is Lynn who has devoted much of her adult life to raising money for her foundation, millions of dollars I am told.

The friend----in later years he became not only my big brother but also my good friend. I always enjoy being around him. He is interesting and is not afraid to express an opinion. If my opinion differs he accepts that while politely making his points. When he talks, I listen. Throughout my life I have listen carefully to his counsel regarding girls, dress, sports, relationships, money, career, and more recently retirement issues. I am so grateful for our relationship.

The prototype---I listen to Gary now to learn what I am facing as I grow into his age. I just seem to be 8 years behind him. My knees are starting to hurt. My memory is not what it used to be. Gary called me right after his diagnosis of prostrate problems for the specific reason of letting me know that that problem was now part of my family history--always the concerned big brother.

It has been a wonderful and fulfilling journey I have taken with Gary and Lynn. I am so grateful that they have been by my side on my journey. Lynn has been like a sister to me for a very long time. I have always felt a real connection and real love with Lynn. As I said. She is the Gold Standard.

I could not have asked for a better and wiser big brother. Gary has always taken very seriously his role as a big brother. He has set the example for me of how one should live a life of compassion, service, and faith in the greater good.

I love Gary. I love Lynn. I love this journey we have shared. I wish them the very best for the rest of their lives here and in all the eternities. I am certain when they meet the "keeper of the gate" that He will tell them "Well done thou good and faithful servants".

 

I love this

French bread recipe.  I got it from Tiffany a few years ago, and it has become a go-to recipe for when I want to make bread to go with pasta or soup.  It is so easy, and It has only failed on me once when I must not have had the temperature of the water warm enough. 

Today I was making soup and bread to take to a couple of families that had babies.  For this many I tripled the recipe.  Really, it is so easy.  Instead of making two long ones, I like to make 4 short loaves with each recipe.

Here is the recipe:

French Bread

2 1/2 c very warm water

2 T. cooking oil
2 T. sugar

6 c. flour, divided in half

1 T. salt

2 packages (2 T.) dry yeast (I use SAF)

 

In a large warm mixing bowl, pour warm water and then stir in sugar, salt, oil, and half the flour with the yeast mixed in.  Beat vigorously several times.Stir in remaining flour and mix until all ingredients are completely mixed.  Leave wooden spoon right in heavy batter.  Allow dough to rest 10 minutes, then stir down.   Allow dough to rest another 10 minutes, then stir down again.   Repeat this process until dough has been stirred down five times.  Turn dough onto floured board, knead only enough to coat dough with flour so that it can be handled, then divide into two parts.  Roll each part of dough into rectangle about 9x12" and roll up like a jelly roll, rolling from long side.Arrange lengthwise on large cookie sheet sprayed with cooking spray.  Cover lightly and let rise at room temperature for 30-45 minutes.  Bake at 400 for 15-20 minutes, or until hollow sounding. Make sure to let it cool (preferably on a cooling rack) for 10-15 minutes before cutting. Makes two loaves.

Variation: This French bread recipe also makes excellent crusty soup bowls.Make the recipe as directed, but instead of dividing into two parts and shaping into loaves, divide the dough into 4-6 parts (depending on the size of bowls you want) and shape into round balls, tucking the edges under to the bottom for a nice round top.Rise and cook as directed above.When cooked, let cool for 5-10 minutes then you can cut off the top and scrape out the insides to make a bowl.Use the insides that you scraped out for dipping in your soup.

Fun and creativity

with friends.  Tonight my friends Taunya and Trish came over and we made some cute valentine boxes.  We haven't done this in a long time, and in fact the last time we did,  Jean was with us.  She was kind of the link that brought us together, and it was nostalgic to get together again.  I shared with them news of Jeans family -- that Jared had a new baby girl on Sunday (whose middle name is Jean), and that Stephanie is having another little girl in April.  

I've tried to be a balanced

person today, by doing normal things, and by not stressing about what I'm not doing.  I unpacked,  got my car inspected, went grocery shopping,  made cupcakes, did laundry, and accomplished various other household tasks.   It felt nice to have a day like this.

No naps yet ...

But lots of food and feeling freezing.  We couldn't figure out why it was so cold downstairs when we had the furnace up so high. Finally Gary went walking around trying to figure out what the problem was.  Oops, I guess I forgot to close the sliding glass door when I went out to get a folding table. It's a little warmer now.

It seems like there

are a lot of people going through hard things right now. 

Just this morning a 15 year old boy from Gary's football team passed away after having the flu and then getting a staph infection.  This happened all within a few days.  We have two neighbors and friends who are experiencing unexpected, extreme, and scary health problems.    It makes you realize how quickly life can change. 

It serves as a reminder to cherish each other and to be "present" in our relationships. 

A nice change of scenery

For a few days.   Blogging off my phone is great.