Sanctuary

After many years of working outdoors with the plant kingdom, I have a real need on a regular basis to breathe fresh air, touch something living, and hear the cadence of nature. Without that I start to feel like a caged animal. We have been very blessed in recent days with warmish winter sunshine, and I have gotten out on my walks again. Today was especially refreshing. I spent several hours at a nature preserve not far from home. I found incredible peace in the sound of the rustle of reed grass. I was able to study tree buds and seed pods and sit by a creek and listen to its gurgle. How grateful I am for this source of personal replenishment.

Manna

I've been thinking about my current jobless state and my seeming inability to find employment, even after six months of trying. True, my skills and talents are somewhat specialized, but I have branched out in my search to quite a variety of job possibilities, and still nothing. Mostly I want to figure out the "what am I supposed to be learning from this?" question. No grand revelations, but I have some initial thoughts that have been comforting.
During my seven years in Georgia I made several job changes, sometimes to improve my situation, sometimes to pursue more school, sometimes to take advantage of an opportunity. In every circumstance--the shift from one job to another, or from job to school--the transition was absolutely seamless. I literally would quit a job on a Friday and start a new one on a Monday. Or I finished my time at school and had a job lined up and waiting for me. I was single, I had no family nearby, and I had a legitimate need to be able to support myself. The miracle though, is how well my Father in Heaven took care of me.
The best analogy I can liken it to is the children of Israel and their manna from heaven. I felt over and over again in my Georgia experience that manna was simply laid before me, freely given from a merciful Father, and I only had to choose to pick it up.
So many of my initial experiences and connections with people became important a few years down the road in other opportunities and experiences. For example, the skills I gained in my first job were incredibly valuable as the grounds supervisor at the temple. My relationship with the professors at Gwinnett Tech made a huge difference in my graduate school application to the University of Georgia. If I had not been in the Mountain Park single's branch with President Heaton, I think my history would have been much different, especially in regards to the opportunity to work at the temple.
Because of all these experiences I have great faith in the fact that we are given those things that we need, at the time, and in the manner we need them. I was given my manna, and it was always sufficient for my needs, and it was always so perfectly bestowed. The timing of the gift was always the miracle for me. I recognize gratefully, humbly that I have been supported and uplifted and helped, especially in my employment, in ways too numerous to name. And, consequently, I have faith and testimony that if there is ever a legitimate NEED to work, I will again be likewise blessed. It appears that now is not a time of need.
I have confidence in these beautiful words. They have been true for me, they are true for me now, and as the song teaches, they will, in the future continue to be true.
My shepherd will supply my need; Jehovah is his name;
In pastures fresh he makes me feed, beside the living stream...
The sure provisions of the my God attend me all my days;
May thy house be mine abode and all my work be praise!
There would I find a settled rest while others go and come,
No more a stranger, nor a guest, but like a child at home.

(Trying to) keep it in perspective

The other night Dallin and I read in Matthew 23:23 about those who omit the "weightier matters of the law" and I was reminded of a talk I gave in my old ward from that verse. In my preparations, I had found some comments by Elder Oaks about means (or mortal methods) and ends (or eternal goals). He taught that when we focus solely on means we are in effect, omitting the weightier matters of the law. Our challenge is to not lose sight of the eternal goal, the desired end, by focusing too intently on the obvious earthly method. The weightier matters of the law are spiritual patterns, qualities, and attributes that move us strongly toward our eternal goals.
I have been thinking on this because I am struggling, as most every newly pregnant woman does, to remember the long-term purpose to all this current everyday grossness. Yesterday was horrid. (Yes, I am complaining). But then Dallin gave me a blessing, and it somehow seemed manageable. And I read Mara's blog and realized it could always be worse. And then friends started to hear the news and give their encouragement and congratulations, and I remembered that I am not alone in this season of life.
Becky Paget was one of the friends that wrote and among other things said simply, "It's worth it." I read that with tears rolling down my cheeks, but I read it with courage and faith that it is true. Another friend, Noella, wrote to tell me that she is also pregnant with her first and now in her second trimester, but was so sick during her first trimester that she actually lost weight. I also thought of my friend, Hitomi, who was sick for the entire nine months with her first pregnancy. And, so, I am counting my blessings.

Yesterday, I got out of bed, took a shower and got dressed. I cleaned the kitchen. I made dinner. And, really, that was about all. But, because I continued to breath in and out and try to eat food as best as I could, so did baby. My life is no longer just about me. Every time I breath, whether I feel disgusting or not, I am giving our baby time to grow. Hard as it is, that is the end I am trying to remember. The end that means I will be a mommy, now and through all eternity.

Reason no. 47

Dear Dallin,

One of the things I appreciated about you right from the start was your chivalry. I suppose your acts of gentlemanly behavior were carefully noted because I was beginning to think the art form was dead. From day one you opened my car door and helped me in and I remember thinking at the time, "Yes! This is what it should be like!"

And, I love you all the more that the chivalry wasn't just a show during our courtship, but is very much a part of your character. It is a manifestation of kindness and respect for me every time you open a door, or let me go first, or carry all the heavy stuff, or insist on washing all the dishes, or carrying up all the groceries, or dishing my food first.

Every night at dinner, you pull out my chair for me, when no one but the chair sees you do it. You know how it makes me feel? Like a queen! And I love you for it.

For always, Liezel

Meet Amos

I have a small, but growing, collection of children's books; I find a certain magic in their combination of captivating story and charming illustrations. My dream list includes (amongst MANY things) the plan to write and/or illustrate a book for children in my lifetime. And, to keep fresh inspiration around me, I own several and peruse the public library and bookstores for gems I might someday like to own. It should come as no surprise, therefore, that I asked for a book or two (with a list of five or six as ideas) for Christmas. What was a surprise, however, was that Dallin got everything on my list, plus a handful more! I have too many favorites to name, but would like to review just one new favorite.
A Sick Day for Amos McGee, written by Phillip C. Stead and illustrated by Erin E. Stead, is new as of June 2010 (first edition). Without even cracking the cover I knew it would be good. It has that whimsical, endearing kind of quality even at first glance. Page one introduces our main character Amos McGee--just look at him! He is that perfect sort of rosy cheeked sprightly little grandpa-man that adores his grandchildren and still keeps his roses pruned and his front porch neatly swept. I feel like I could write a page worth of character sketch on him just by looking at his delicately sketched face.
The story follows Amos, the kind, old zookeeper who tends to each animal with utmost care providing personalized attention. For example, Amos lends his handkerchief to the rhinoceros (who always has a runny nose) and sits quietly with the penguin (who is very shy). Amos's kindness is rewarded by his animals friends who care just as much for him as he does for them.
The illustrations are very simple, echoing the simple, but completely fresh story idea. I love the minimalist, but bold primary colors used only on key characters or action. The artist, Erin Stead uses pencil and applies color using woodblock printing, which further enhances the home-spun, approachable quality.
Aside from the main story line, we have lovely little details and just a touch of artistic embellishment. For example, Amos has a teddy bear and a pet mouse that you are never introduced to, but who appear throughout the book. (Little children would love to point out all the mouse sightings!) A little mouse is seen waiting at a miniature bus stop as Amos trundles off to work. A rabbit rides the number 5 bus to work with Amos. A little bird tags along with the zoo animals and, incidentally, becomes friends with Amos's pet mouse.
I think it is charming. And, I find it great inspiration. Happy reading!

If I Only Had Six: Kitchen Tools

We live in a world of abundance ("for there is enough and to spare"). But let's just say I had to pick just six kitchen tools and make do. What would I pick?

• Two-tier bamboo steamer: a recent discovery of mine that is very simple, efficient, and so easy to use AND clean. Steam meats and vegetables in 20 minutes or less in a healthy, non-labor intensive way. Rinse the layers when you are finished and let the bamboo air dry. Done. Easy as that.
• Food processor: the quickest easiest way to do guacamole, pesto, hummus, homemade salad dressings, mince ginger, garlic, etc., etc. I have also used it to mix cookie dough and puree pumpkin. Throw in the ingredients, push the button, wah-la!
  
• My super-duty red Rubbermaid spatula: I don't know what they do to it to make it so perfectly effective, but it does a better job than ANY spatula I have EVER owned. I can mix waffle batter, or bread dough, or pasta salad, or anything with this and then use it to scrape the bowl PERFECTLY clean. This particular tool certainly earns its name of "child cheater" because it doesn't leave even a morsel behind for little fingers to lurp up.
• Good old fashioned non-stick 12" skillet: I probably use my skillet five times a week. In fact, half the time I just pick it up from the pile of hand washed dishes from last night because it doesn't even have time to get put away.
• Measuring cups: When I cook I am usually a two glugs, season-to-taste kind of girl, but when I bake, it's a different story. I have had too many flops to do it otherwise. Hence, the measuring cups are essential. Dallin and I came into our marriage each with a set of nice metal measuring cups and there are times when I am on a baking spree that all eight cups are dirty.
  
• Cutco knife: I have been spoiled right from the get-go. We are lucky enough to own a set of Cutco knives and there is no going back now! But since this is a minimalist's kitchen, I would pick just the "petite carver", a medium size serrated knife with multi-purpose slicing/chopping/dicing/mincing ability.
  

Plant Psychology

So someday I'd like to have a greenhouse and/or a sun room, but right now I have one south facing window and a crowd of five plants vying for the best rays. And, in the last few weeks I have made some interesting plant observations that could almost be a fascinating study in human character (but then I'm a plant nerd and I read way more into these things than is practical.)

1. The Aloe vera purchased in July started with four fleshy leaves and was a scrawny 4" tall. I now have a beast with at least twenty appendages spiraling out in all directions that has grown to almost two feet tall. This plant literally grows a new shoot every week. I am not joking when I say I can see this one grow. Some plants have a serious will to live; give this one some occasional water and good sun and stand back.
2. The African violet also from this summer has made a nice comeback. I started applying a light liquid fertilizer every month and have been richly rewarded for my small efforts. Currently the little bloomer has twelve open flowers and fifteen buds (yes, I did just count!) Amazing. The existing twelve flowers opened the week of December 13 and on this day not a single one has even begun to fade. Amazing. I am grateful for a plant that has such super curb appeal and seriously exceeded my expectations.
3. My orchid is my lesson is patience. The little beauty still looks great. It has good light and routine fertilizer, but has grown only slightly and added only one or two little feeder roots in three months. I am grateful for its consistency.
4. In October I moved the geranium (Pelargonium spp.) from our borrowed outdoor garden plot to our apartment dining room. Since then it has followed an interesting course. When I moved it in it was incredibly happy and blooming like crazy with plentiful rich green leaves. Slowly, those flowers faded, but were not replaced with new blooms. Then, slowly it stopped growing. Then the nice deep green leaves started to shrivel and curl and drop. All the while I was tending and deadheading, and watering as needed. But, to no avail. The geranium seemed to be giving up. Little do I know! In the last week it has made a transformation. Instead of continuing to drop leaves and shrivel, the leaves that remained doubled in size and started reaching for the sunlight. They are a nice rich green and no other leaves have dropped since. I have an unsuspecting hero, a champion adapter, a tenacious fighter. (By the way, the pot fellow to the geranium was a lavender. It pooped out in week 2 of the move from outside to inside. All the more reason for a kudos to the geranium).
5. An avocado seed. Okay, so I have two lessons in patience. But, I know that it works, I know what to expect, so I can be patient. In Atlanta I grew an avocado from a seed and waited six months for it to germinate in a glass of water. (It works, it really does!) When my Atlanta avocado finally had some roots and a shoot, I planted it up and in time had a three foot tall indoor avocado plant. My current avocado has taken just as long, but at long last it has three beautiful white roots and two upright shoots. In the next few days I intend to plant it up.
   

New Year's Resolution

Don't look back. Choose to change. Forgive and forget. The best is yet to be.

Good advice for any year. The best advice for every day.

2010 has been amazing. This is me choosing to make 2011 even better.

The Gift of Music

My Christmas 2010 has been blessed with the gift of music.
My calling in church is choir director; Dallin is the choir accompanist. I started thinking about the Christmas program around Halloween and we began practicing that music in mid-November. We had a beautiful program, which included the Primary children, the choir, and a vocal soloist. The true spirit of Christmas was communicated through the sacred music.
As the wife of a musician I have also enjoyed hearing Dallin play at many events, mostly on violin, where I was his official page turner. Our ward had a Christmas devotional (instead of a Christmas party focused on Santa) with the theme "Come to Bethlehem" that yet again communicated through music the miracle of the Savior's birth, and our invitation to come and see.
We attended the popular and talented Colorado Mormon Chorale who gave a wonderful concert full of the message of the season. One of the treats during the time we visited my family was going to a musical theatrical performance called, "Savior of the World", which begins with Elisabeth and Zacharias being blessed with a son and ends after Christ's resurrection. The play was full of emotion as some of the most miraculous events in history were portrayed.
Dallin and I learned Christmas music on soprano recorders and shared it with others, including my family. Dallin played some Christmas mandolin, and I was privileged to hear him practice, at least ten times the Adolphe Adam piano accompaniment part for "O Holy Night" ( I never tire of that beautiful piece!)
When I was at home or in the car, almost without exception, I was listening to the local classical music station. The station focused on the sacred and traditional, and played amazing choral arrangements of some of the best loved Christmas carols through the ages.
I am so impressed by the plethora and quality of music celebrating the birth and mission and life of the Savior. What a blessing to hear these timeless favorites and their powerful message! What a gift to be reminded how in "once in royal David's city stood a lowly cattle shed" where the "little Lord Jesus laid down his sweet head". How beautiful to remember the prophesies fulfilled, "baby Jesus will be born in a land far, far way...how blessed that are Lord was born, let earth receive her King." And the joy that comes in looking forward to the return of the Son of God as "King of Kings and Lord of Lords."

The Christmas Stool, Revisited

For several years I have used a bar stool as my Christmas "tree". This year Dallin and I decided to use the stool again. It is always a special time for me to bring out the Christmas ornaments and decorate, mostly because the great majority of my ornaments are handmade by my mom. She started a tradition of making each child an ornament every Christmas. By the time I moved out, I had a box full of beautiful creations, one for every year of my life. I love her for this gift of time and talent.I am my mother's daughter and have been realizing more and more that so many of the things that I love I gleaned from her. Why should I now take an interest in sewing, except that I saw my mom sewing often as a young girl? Why I should enjoy scrapbooking, except that she became an expert at it and spent many hours putting random pictures into a coherent history of our family? Why should I care about family history work except that I accompanied my mom often to the Salt Lake City Family History Library on Friday nights for evenings of microfilm searching together. Why should I have a desire to preserve family memories in written form, except that my mom first started the pattern of oral history recording with my great-grandmother when I was just a baby? And why should I now find delight in creative endeavors of a dozen varieties except that she did, and does now, love using her hands to create?
Our Christmas stool is full of her homemade ornaments, I have her homemade dolls and bunnies, I have her paintings, I have the book of remembrance she organized that gives voice to ancestors long since past, and I have her creative spirit that needs avenues for expression.
Recently, I discovered that my mom was much-in-demand as a tole painting instructor in Houston when I was in elementary school. Despite her notoriety and acclaim, she ultimately decided to put what could have been a career as a gifted artist aside, in order to be a fully-invested mother. Perhaps there were students who could have gained much from her tole painting teaching in a studio setting. But, how grateful I am that her teaching instead focused on home and family where her young children-pupils were quietly absorbing by example. And there was so much to absorb! My mom has an insatiable appetite for learning and then doing all things that are "virtuous, lovely, of good report, or praiseworthy." How grateful I am for her.

In Jane verbiage, this is me, and I have big shoes to fill.

"I give unto you a pattern..." (D&C 52:14)

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints recently organized another worldwide leadership training conference https://new.lds.org/training/worldwide-leadership?lang=eng. Remarkably, the leadership conference took place on 13 November, less than six weeks after the Semiannual General Conference held over the October 2-3 weekend. How they could prepare for both in such a close proximity of time, I don't pretend to understand. But, they did and I am amazed.
Dallin and I watched part of the archived leadership conference on-line. I realize what a blessing not only organized religion is, but also an organized religion, which is what I see in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. I appreciate the very clear, very orderly manner that material is presented and discussed. I love that the teaching model in the church is not a stuff-it-down-your-throat approach, but (ideally) full of earnest, inspired, spirit-imbued presentation, with invitations to learn and apply. I am impressed by the following principles emphasized in this conference that have application in church AND family government:

• Leaders/parents listening more than they talk in church AND family councils and much participation by every member, which fosters revelation.
  
• A focus on ministering, a focus on people, a focus on the resources and talents of all.
• The council is an inspired pattern applicable in many settings, and when properly used brings unity and a greater portion of the spirit.
• The inspired council shares the burden of responsibility for work of the kingdom.
  

Each of the above principles, of course, have direct application to the family council. I love the idea of family government according to the Lord's pattern; a pattern and model that is organized by a father and a mother, and allows children equal opportunity for participation.
Last night Dallin and I went to a fireside on the topic of "Science, Religion, and Revelation". The speaker emphasized the importance of seeking after truth instead of comfort in each of these three areas. I see the inspired pattern of the Lord in the work of the church, as we are encouraged to use both the priesthood line AND the personal line for seeking truth. We are not to coast along comfortably relying on every word the bishop speaks, while neglecting the gift of the Holy Ghost and personal revelation in our stewardships. We are invited throughout scripture to seek that we may find, especially in our seeking for divine truth to govern our families.
It is an empowering principle ordained by God to have personal governance and accountability in church and family life. Our Father in Heaven desires our participation in his work. Inspired delegation, self-reliance, and salvation are His principles. He supplies the pattern, and grants us agency, guides us to truth as recorded in scripture, and the living Prophet, and holds us accountable according to the light and knowledge we have received within the realm of our divinely appointed roles. Our Father in Heaven desires to give us all that He has. He tutors us in His ways, we gain instruction as we consider His way of organizing, preparing, watching, and counseling. In the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints I find a divinely revealed framework for operating in His way. In personal revelation I find the manner to work out the specifics for my time and place and stewardship.

The Best Start

Dear Dallin,

I love that you make breakfast for us everyday. I love our morning routine. The day is so much better when we start it together. The last two mornings I haven't had that luxury, and the day is still good, but it just isn't the same. What can compare with that half-hour of starting with prayer, watching a General Conference talk and having smoothies and homemade bread or waffles (with a healthy dose of love)? Nothing, I submit. And I have missed our mornings. How grateful I am for you and your multitude of little kindness. "By small and simple things, great things are brought to pass..."--how true that is in love.

All my love, Liezel

Her Labor of Love

Some of my current "nesting" activities include sewing projects, and through these projects I have gained a whole new appreciation for my maternal grandmother's incredible quilting ability. My grandma made the quilt pictured here and intended it to be my wedding gift. Unfortunately, she didn't live long enough to give it to me at that happy event. Shortly before she passed away, she gave it to my mom, who gave it to me while I was still single. Instead of a gift to celebrate my new life as a married woman, it became a beautiful treasure to remember her earth life.
I have been making new pillows for the living room. The design I chose is simple, just four squares on the front and a solid color on the back. I consider it a small triumph if all my corners match up. I made a picnic blanket from old blue jeans this summer and I had a victory dance every time I finished a row. So, it is with great awe that I consider my grandma sewing together hundreds of little pieces in such an intricate design. I have not ventured beyond squares--and for good reason! Her quilt pattern included pieces of fabric just 1" by 1.5" that all had to be cut and arranged and sewn together. And all this was done while she was battling cancer. For my grandma, quilting was truly a labor of love. Grandma was never very good at saying how she felt, but her quilt was the way she could show how she loved me. I am so grateful for her.

I AM Grateful

Last night Dallin gave the family home evening lesson about expressing gratitude, especially for those things that are easy to take for granted. I realize how wonderful my own family has always been, and how easy, therefore, they are to take for granted. To each of you I want to say: I am proud to call you family! I love our family culture. I love our nicknames and pet names and playful teasing. I love our traditions. I love our game nights and together time. I love how we can laugh together. I love our memories. I love each member individually. I love your unique personality. I love to hear of your successes. I marvel at the challenges you are working through, and handling so very well! I am amazed at your talents and abilities. I am so grateful for the divine institution of family, so central to the plan of salvation, which allows us all to be together forever. I love you each and every one.

Be Not Ashamed

Most mornings I take a walk in a smallish natural recreational area across the street from our apartment. This morning I came across a very interesting scenario. In a heavily forested part of the path there were a dozen or more black crows making an excessive amount of noise all in one tree. I thought they were expressing their angst about the sudden turn in the weather. As I studied the tree closer, however, I discovered a large owl at the center of the crows; it was a taunting session, a gang of 12 crows to one owl. The crows were making an obnoxious scene squawking (decibels multiplied by 12) and swooping closer and closer, trying to tease, pressure, or disarm the owl. The owl seemed very calm and collected and would only occasionally shift on the tree branch. It sat silent and still as a statue. After enough taunting, though, the owl would suddenly fly to another tree, and the persistent crows would immediately follow, purposely flying into the owl in flight and continuously squawking. I watched this scenario be repeated four times before I continued on my walk.
The little forest drama was good food for thought as I continued on my way. It reminded me of Nephi's prophetic vision of the Savior, "Wherefore they scourge him, and he suffereth it; and they smite him, and he suffereth it. Yea, they spit upon him, and he suffereth it, because of his loving kindness and his long suffering towards the children of men" (1 Nephi 19:9). In Mosiah 15:5 the prophet Abinadi further teaches of Christ, "[He] suffereth temptation, but yieldeth not to the temptation, but suffereth himself to be mocked, and scourged, and cast out, and disowned..."
I thought of the prophet Lehi's vision of the tree of life with those "in the attitude of mocking" and "point[ing] the finger of scorn", (with the noisy, persistent voice of the world!) but the faithful "heeded them not."
Elder Neil L. Andersen reiterated this message of courage and faith in his October 2010 General Conference message. "As disciples of Christ, we stand apart from the world. There may be times we feel uncomfortable as the fingers of scorn mock and dismiss what is sacred to us. President Thomas S. Monson warned, 'Unless the roots of your testimony are firmly planted, it will be difficult for you to withstand the ridicule of those who challenge your faith.' Paul admonished, 'God hath not given us the spirit of fear,...Be not...ashamed of the testimony of our Lord' (2 Timothy 1:7-8). We never leave Him...Whatever challenges arise, we never, never leave Him."

Paint the Town Red

Autumn was a little slow in coming here, but it has (finally) officially arrived now. The signs of the season's arrival are all around. We have a jack-o-lantern on our patio. The basil plant succumbed to the cold; all the leaves are shriveled and black. Jackets and scarves (hooray!) are needed in the morning. Soup season has started. Fresh cooked pumpkin has overtaken the kitchen and is finding its way into many recipes (pumpkin soup, pumpkin bread, pumpkin pudding, and pumpkin pie). And there are fallen leaves everywhere that MUST be walked through. (I think I might have some kind of deficiency of fall leaf crunching because I grew up with mostly pine needles). Before the trees are completely naked, the horticulturist in me begs to give voice to the colors of the season here.
Many of the trees in this area turn yellow/brown in the autumn (ie, poplar, aspen, willow, green ash, honeylocust, linden, sycamore, most of the oaks). But, there are a few trees worth mentioning individually that are real stand-outs amongst all the golden leaves. Maples are often wonderful showstoppers in the fall. Sugar maples in the northeast provide most of the stunning color. Sugar maples aren't very plentiful here, but other types of maples give quite a show. For example, both the Acer rubrum 'October Glory' (red maple) and Acer x freemanii 'Autumn Blaze' (a cross between a red maple and a sugar maple) have brilliant orange-red fall color. The 'October Glory' maple has a nice rounded form and grows to 40' or more, and its fall color can persist for three to four weeks. The 'Autumn Blaze' maple has much more deeply lobed leaves, similar to a silver maple and has extremely long-lasting color. It grows rapidly and is hardy to zone 4 (ie, Iowa wind-chill hardy), and is also quite drought tolerant. Another tree that really caught my attention was the Fraxinus americana 'Autumn Purple'. This is a cultivar of the white ash with a spectacular range of fall color from deep purple, to maroon, to red, finally to yellow-orange. I enjoyed seeing this tree slowly make its color change over an entire month. Another added perk of this tree is that is is male, so there is no messy fruit dropping everywhere (ash trees have a fruit that looks like a canoe paddle).
Finally, a note on one of the lovely native trees with great fall color. Acer grandidentatum (big tooth maple) grows as a large native shrub or small tree from Montana to northern Mexico and is found in Colorado at elevations between 7000-8000'. The leaves are 4" in diameter with blunt edges and nice red-orange fall color. It is often found growing in association with gambel oak, chokecherry, and box elder.

Reason no. 24

Dear Dallin,

It started simple enough. You were interested in finding a more convenient and accessible place for my cookbooks. Your kind thought soon evolved into a total reorganization of a portion of the kitchen, with amazing results. I love your way of thinking, the kind of thinking that focuses on finding the better way to do something. I love that your way of thinking is so often focused on how to make my life sweeter. You show me your love by your actions, and it means so much.

All my love, Liezel

Nesting

Our neighbor downstairs moved in recently from upstate New York, and the third day after her arrival she was fixing up her outside patio space. She pulled all the weeds, washed off the fence and concrete, put down new rocks, and set out a fancy outdoor dining table with a stone top. The table is now decorated with an interesting seasonal display of gourds, pumpkins, watering cans, and flower pots. I am intrigued by her creative impulse to make her living space, even a 6' by 6' patio, more beautiful. My mom calls all those instinctual efforts to beautify and create and make a house feel like a home nesting. Birds build and pad their nests mostly for the comfort of their young. In a similar way, I believe these creative desires, these "nesting" efforts are part of the divine character of a woman. It is part of the nurturing nature of women, whether or not they have children, to create an environment for learning and growth. A home that has the feeling of home is one that emulates the feeling of the temple. The temple, of course, uses the very best materials and the finest fabrics and furniture, but the feeling comes by the holy work performed there and the devotion of the people found within its walls. However simple the home, the feeling of holiness is there when creative and inspired efforts build a loving and nurturing place. No creative effort is wasted because creativity toward worthy ends has divine origins.

A Room with a [Gilded] View

Every day for the past two weeks I look out ANY window in our apartment and have this gorgeous golden-leafed view (from a Honeylocust, Gleditsia triacanthos):













Life is simple, really, and so is this little blessing, but even still, I see many reasons to give thanks. I am grateful to be alive. I am grateful for color and sunshine. I am grateful for windows that help me to see the good right in front of my face. I am grateful for the influence of the Holy Ghost that helps me to choose to recognize my abundance and tend that garden. I am grateful that after the fleeting glory of autumn there still exist the unchanging truths of life: God lives, Jesus Christ is His Only Begotten Son, we are each beloved spirit children of our Father in Heaven, and there is victory over death through the Atonement.

Upward Ever Upward

We went on a hike that started in the Chautauqua Historic Park on the northern edge of Boulder. Our end destination was near the top of the mountains pictured below. The day was absolutely picturesque, which I am discovering, happens a lot here. I never expected a Colorado fall to be this fantastic, but I keep being surprised. We have had weather in the 70s and 80s for the entire month. At night it cools down to 35 or 40 so we are still getting the coldness required for good color.
These mountains are called the Flatirons and have very interesting steep-angled flat fronts that are immediately recognizable. The hike was only 3 miles and was marked in our guidebook as "moderate", but it gained considerable elevation in a short amount of time. We started at 5710' above sea level and went to 6950'. This low-lander with southern gills was huffing and puffing like a chain smoker, but I did it! Pictured above is the view from the mountain down to Boulder.The triumphant team after about 6600 steps and lots of climbing over rocks (they don't call this Boulder for nothing!). The "Royal Arch" is the entrance to the final ascent and the sort of gateway to completion of your journey. Hoorah!

Paint me a picture

A recent conversation with some women turned sort of unexpectedly to memories of childhood play. I was fascinated to hear the accounts of each woman; each had a unique picture to paint. One woman reminisced over her pet June bug that she kept in a shoe box padded with cotton swabs. Another woman grew up with chinchillas and chickens and had adventures with her brothers in the empty lot behind their house. Another remembered having Saturday afternoon picnics on a grassy knoll in a small bit of forest close to her house where she would read for hours. My childhood play memories include trying to catch tree frogs and lizards, collecting cicada skins in yogurt cups, hide-and-seek with my brothers and the neighbor boys, creating aerobic-exercise obstacle courses on our driveway, bike rides, playing "house" in the fort my dad built, or going on "camping trips" in tents made from paint drop clothes and PVC pipes.

And so, reader, I am curious--what memories do you have of your play time as a child?

The Power of Association

The 180th Semiannual General Conference of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints was held last Saturday and Sunday. I love listening to the conference broadcast! I look forward to it for weeks in advance, but despite all the anticipation and preparation I always feel like I come with a one-gallon bucket to receive a veritable deluge of teaching and testimony. So, I play happy little sponge and absorb what I can in the moment.
One of the talks that made an immediate impression on me was Elder D. Todd Christofferson's talk, "Reflections on a Consecrated Life", which he gave in the Saturday morning session. In particular, the idea of the power of association has made me ponder quite a bit. The ultimate association, of course, is with our Father in Heaven and His Son, Jesus Christ, as expressed in a quote by B.H. Roberts included in Elder Christofferson's remarks:
“The man who so walks in the light and wisdom and power of God, will at the last, by the very force of association, make the light and wisdom and power of God his own—weaving those bright rays into a chain divine, linking himself forever to God and God to him.”
In addition, Elder Christofferson notes the power of association here and now with our fellow men. He taught:
"A consecrated life is a beautiful thing...Of particular significance is the influence of a consecrated man or woman upon others, especially those closest and dearest. The consecration of many who have gone before us and others who live among us has helped lay the foundation for our happiness."
From The Book of Mormon we have the example of Amulek's association with Alma and the potent power of their missionary companionship. Surely the 40+ years of association with the brethren helped men like Gordon B. Hinckley and Thomas S. Monson more fully polish their characters to become Prophets of the church in these latter days.
My own life is so full of powerful and influential associations that it seems unfair to even make a list because I would inadvertantly leave someone of by accident. But, to bring this down to my life and station, I did want to site just one example. Several years ago I worked with a woman about my mom's age named Mollie. She and I became fast friends almost instantly. She adopted me as the daughter she never had. We talked about everything, including religion at great length. She grew up Catholic and was a modern-day saint. On her days off she went to the homeless shelter in downtown Atlanta and worked as a volunteer washing stranger's feet.
In time we talked about all the gospel principles, The Book of Mormon, temples, prophetic authority, and the plan of salvation. I bore my testimony to her on many occasions. She did more than just hear what I would say, she began to incorporate the faith that I expressed to her into the way she spoke to me. For example, I sometimes expressed my concerns about dating and my desire to find someone to marry. Without missing a beat she would say to me with complete conviction, "You know how to pray and you know how to receive answers. You have faith. Why are you worried?" On another occasion I was being hammered by my boss to work on Sundays. Week after week he would call me into his office to see if I would change my mind and just work this one Sunday. I always said no, but after so many confrontations I was beginning to waver a little in my resolution. Just before I was called in again to see my boss, Mollie pulled me aside and looked me straight in the eyes. With incredible fervor she said, "Don't you dare give in. You know the blessings that come from keeping the Sabbath day holy. Don't you dare let him sway you." With her words of courage I was able to tell my boss in no uncertain terms that I could not, nor would not ever work on Sunday, and then I told him why. He never bothered me again.
How grateful I am for Mollie and the power of her association. She taught me. She listened to me. She encouraged me. She had a wonderful way of praising my personal convictions. I know the power of a righteous influence and have been richly blessed because of this influence.

Mouse Musings

I found a dead mouse on the sidewalk near my apartment yesterday. My very first thought was, "I wonder what kind of mouse life he lived?" Mouse characters abound in children's literature and I immediately started an internal review of every such creature I could think of.
Perhaps he was a mouse like Gus or Jack in Disney's animated version of Cinderella who were all kindness and helpfulness to their trapped friend. Or a Stuart Little type who was on vacation from New York with his human family and tried to befriend the birds here--with sad consequence. I could imagine him as Despereaux from Kate DiCamillo's book with large ears and eyes wide open and courage enough to save a Princess Pea.
These little animal creatures are so appealing to little children because they can see themselves in the character; they relate to someone small and weak, someone with big ideas, but perhaps lacking in courage or strength.
My mind next turned to little children and then with gratitude to the many people of my acquaintance who teach or nurture them. My sister, for example, is in her second year of teaching fifth graders and puts her whole heart and soul into giving them the best possible education.
One of the women I visit teach in my new ward has a very heavy case load teaching elementary aged children with special needs (physical, emotional, and behavioral), and has a depth of passion and compassion for them that is truly humbling.
My friend Katie took a teaching job in a school 40 miles from home in a disadvantaged school working with children with learning disabilities because she hoped to make a difference.
Of course, I also thought of all my college roommates, most recently Heather, who are now mothers and doing such an amazing job at building the next generation.

Oh the [Colorado] places we go!

Have I mentioned that I love it here? May it be known that I do. Have I mentioned that I am rather smitten with Colorado? It will tell you right now, I am.
Our most recent adventuring included seeing four extreme landscapes in a two day period. We saw a huge hole in the ground (Royal Gorge, Canon City). We experienced a sand dune, or two...or five...(Great Sand Dune National Park and Preserve, near Alamosa). We marveled at aspens in all their autumn glory (10,000+ mountain peaks off Highway 149 in the Rio Grande National Forest near Creede). We explored giant red rocks (Garden of the Gods, Colorado Springs).
During the peak of the autumn color viewing on gorgeous mountain roads we had Aaron Copeland's Appalachian Spring narrating our tour. It was glorious! It was majestic! I felt patriotic seeing America and listening to America and getting to see it all with Dallin, my most excellent traveling companion.

Plant Nerd Gets a New Pet

My little plant collection grew by one when Dallin (the sweet) gave me a birthday orchid. It is of the Cattleya species, cultivar Haiwaiian Thrill 'Paradise'. I think we will call her Catty for short. This is a young plant, so it may take up to a year before she blooms the first time, but when she does, it will be a vibrant orange with a red lip and very fragrant. The bloom should look something like this:
Catty gets some pretty posh treatment here. A nice sunny window, vitamin water, and other plant friends, like Aloe (who is nice, but can seem a bit prickly on first impression), and African Violet, (who is content, as long as there is no water on her leaves). And Dallin, who supplies regular entertainment and companionship. This morning he danced for the plants. Adorable.

The Great Zuchinni Race

Think outside the frying pan folks. Put away your food processor. Hold the juicer. This goes way beyond zucchini relish, zucchini gratin, zucchini salsa, or zucchini souffle. We are dawning a new day of usefulness for the piles of oversized zucchini in your garden. Brought to you by some super creative people at the Boulder Creek Hometown Fair Dallin and I saw with our very own eyes the first ever (cue drumroll and obnoxious gameshow announcer voice) GREAT ZUCHINNI RACE! Yup, that's right for a small fee your child can give new life to a neglected garden veggie. Simply attach four wooden wheels and decorate your zuchinni-gone-racecar with an assortment of provided pipe cleaners, glitter, puff paint, tissue paper, and googly eyes. Finished specimen are then fitly equipped for the race they always dreamed of. It's the ten-minute or less pinewood derby for the green-thumb third grader. I call it dang cute.

Gluten-free, round two

Last month when Dallin was out of town for a week I made some kind of gluten-free baked item every day. There were some real winners from the experiment, like a nice dried fruit Irish scone recipe, a chewy cookie with oatmeal, golden raisins and walnuts, and a sweet potato pie with a almond meal/brown sugar crust. During that week and the weeks since there were also some less than stellar performers, like my attempt to convert a naan recipe to gluten-free (denture-wearers ought not to taste test), or the gluten-free gnocchi that turned to mashed potatoes as soon as it was mixed with other food. We are still perfecting a homemade gluten-free/egg-free waffle without spending six dollars on a store bought mix. Sweet brown rice/tapioca starch combos seem promising, but success continues to allude us. Yesterday was a good day in the amateur gluten-free kitchen. I tried a new recipe for gluten-free Italian amaretti (almond) cookies that turned out pretty well. Egg whites beaten to a frothy state and almond extract give this cookie a very unique flavor and airy texture. Dinner was a Dallin favorite and a good way to say "I love you." Gluten-free AND vegan macaroni and cheese...yes, yes, I hear you. Just trust me, this macaroni and cheese without the cheese tastes amazing. And it means my Dallin has a happy tummy, which is worth a lot.

Practicing

Dallin and I have been practicing being spontaneous.

Ridiculous isn't it?...we are making plans for spontaneity. Neither one of us are free spirits, though, and this fly-by-the-seat-of-your-pants business is not really in our comfort zone. So, occasionally we will be driving and Dallin (who is usually the instigator of such things, his spontaneity impulses being more highly refined than mine) will say, "Let's be spontaneous." And we do, and it is surprisingly delightful.
In our latest sort-of-planned/sort-of-random adventure, Dallin decided to turn down an unfamiliar street instead of going home. In short order we found a custard establishment that was still open. So we got custard because it seemed like a perfectly unplanned thing to do. While we were eating custard we discovered a Mediterranean grocery store and cafe in the same shopping center. So we decided to eat our custard and browse the aisles. It was lovely. We ended up buying a few things on a whim. In the near future we will culminate our spontaneity with a dinner via Turkey. The most interesting impulse buy? Mediterranean sesame fudge (sesame paste, sugar, pistaschios).

Wisdom and order

Yesterday Mama Bear, Dallin, and I went to the Denver Botanic Gardens on one of their "free days". It was my first time (during the growing season) to see the property. I am trying to learn Colorado plants, so I took advantage of plant photo opportunities right and left. I enjoyed the various garden rooms and thematic displays (perennial garden, herb garden, prairie garden, scripture garden, rose garden, seasonal flower cutting garden, native flora garden, desert mesa garden, Japanese garden, water garden, etc.) I enjoyed having so much to touch and see and feel and hear. I enjoyed my perfect company.
Towards the end of our day I was able to catch this dragonfly on a lotus pod with just a little Kodak point-and-shoot camera. Dragonflies at the garden were plentiful and busy in their flight patterns and meal acquistion, but they were also very attentive to their resting time. I was impressed by these dragonflies that recognized their abilities and energy level and took needed routine breaks. A particular phrase from Mosiah 4:27 came to mind, "and see that all these things are done in wisdom and order; for it is not requisite that a man should run faster than he has strength...therefore, all things must be done in order." A lesson from dragonflies that I needed to remember.

A Favorite Local Adventure

At around 6:00 am on a clear day with fair winds in the open field across the street from our apartment complex, you might notice an interesting gathering of people. At first glance, you might think it is an overnight camping group packing up from a sleepover under the stars. Upon closer inspection, though, you realize that the people are actually unloading, not loading.

This particular open field is the launching pad for several local hot air balloon companies. Just as the sun is coming up, they arrive in 15-passenger vans with yellow-shirted employees and sleepy-eyed customers and lay out their baskets and colorful balloons.

By 6:30 am they have started to fill the balloons with hot air. Many mornings I have woken to the sound of blowing propane tanks from our open windows. The deep-throated sound makes me think of a tottering old near-sighted troll fogging up his spectacles to clean them.
This morning when I went out to watch, there were five balloons being filled for take-off. The balloons move amazingly fast from half-filled to full and upright. Passengers climb inside the wicker basket, ropes are removed, pictures are taken...

...And lift-off!
The balloons are all up in the air by no later than 7:15 am, each following just one or two minutes behind the previous one traveling wherever the wind may take them.
And the going rate for this unique form of flight technology?
Monday-Friday, $245 per adult, $195 per child
(slightly more on the weekends)