Aloha!

Our family vacation this year was a week in Hawaii at the Turtle Bay Resort on Oahu's North Shore. It was only possible because Brian was the chairman of the Calorimetry Conference here, and, as a result, we were given the royal treatment. We love this location away from the hustle and bustle of Waikiki. It is billed as "True Hawaii" and is indeed beautiful.

(Abby and David)

(Kellie)

One of our favorite things to do is to hike through the nearby "jungle".

Our first stop is the old bunker with lots to discover along the way.

(Travis)

Next up is the Banyan Trees (where some LOST episodes were filmed.)

Finally, we make it to "our" private beach.

Eventually we were all out there treading water. And, I must say it was heavenly having everyone old enough to enjoy the ocean at the same time and in the same way. As luck would have it, though, both Kellie and Abby were stung by something as they neared the shore.

(Abby and Brian)

It's still a bit of paradise.

Vacationing

We've been vacationing this week, but we'll be home soon. Here are two iphone photos taken from our balcony for a clue as to where we've been:

A stormy morning

A sunny morning

A Beach on my Mantel

I love to vacation at the beach. Gathering shells and other treasures is still a favorite past time. This year I was in the mood to decorate my mantel with finds from both the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans. A beautiful beach is my idea of relaxation and calm. 

The Woodpeckers Return

The woodpeckers have returned to their nest in our Aspen tree. Last year what I thought were baby woodpeckers actually turned out to be chickadees. This year, however, I am certain I captured the real thing.

I had no idea there were so many different species of woodpeckers, especially ones residing in Utah. These look like Downy Woodpeckers to me. (Sally, am I right?)

They were tricky to photograph. The male, in particular, was quite elusive.

 

The female appears to stay close to the nest. I assume there is a nest hidden within that knotty trunk. We shall see.

Even though their home isn't that far off the ground, Linus is oblivious, and that's just fine with me.

Heart-Shaped Rocks

I have a heart-shaped rock collection. It started when Brian and I were engaged. We were a continent and half an ocean apart when I received a package of wood roses from him one summer afternoon. Tucked inside that box was a tiny heart-shaped rock. (He doesn't recollect putting it in there, but I know it must have been fate.) I had found it and a tradition was born.

My collection has grown over the years--gathered with help from children mostly. Perhaps one of my very favorites was found just last week on our family hike.

I think it is practically perfect. It's been added to the grouping we keep in the back yard amongst the ivy.

Smaller versions are kept inside in my grown-up treasure box.

The top one in this set is one of my favorites. I think I found it at Myrtle Beach. The last tiny one was discovered at Carnelian Bay in Lake Tahoe. I suspect it is the real deal--the semi-precious gem, carnelian.

I hope I never get too old to have a fondness for simple, beautiful things.

Slate Canyon Hike

We live at the mouth of Slate Canyon. On Memorial Day we ventured into its vertical depths for a family hike.

Here is the group at the outset minus me. (I'm behind the camera.)

There were many a stream to ford. (Love how Rachel carries her water bottle.)

Kellie got a bit creative with her river-crossing skills.

Travis was the trailblazer and grew tired of waiting for us to catch up.

Everyone worked together and when we reached snow. . .

the snowballs were flying. Travis ended up being white-washed, of course.

Our goal was a meadow at "the top", but after a good two hours the middle-aged folks and Abby were worn out. Our shoes and socks were soaked clear through and Abby had one too many encounters with the rocks. The last quarter mile or so she got a ride from a VERY kind soul.

We left this group to forge ahead. The meadow ended up being only about 3/4 of a mile further, and it was covered with a foot of snow.

Abby's adventurous attitude returned as we descended the canyon where she searched for treasures amongst the mounds of slate.

 

 A Perfect Day!

Lark Rise Winner and Blog Guidebook Giveaway

I loved hearing about all of your favorite things. Thank you for sharing them and for giving me new ideas of things to see, do, and enjoy.

The winner of the Lark Rise to Candleford; The Complete Season One DVD is

Ginger!

I wish everyone could receive a copy of this DVD. We just watched another episode tonight--still and ever will be a favorite.

********************

For more giveaways check out The Blog Guidebook. They are having 30 Days of Giveaways--a giveaway each day this month! Click here.

Reaching Out

Yesterday I spoke in Sacrament Meeting and shared this story:

(Jane Sutherland as a young woman)

My great grandmother, Jane Sutherland, grew up in a small fishing village in Scotland. As a young woman she chose to leave her home and accompany her sister and her sister’s three small children to Vancouver, British Columbia where they would meet up with her sister’s husband and another young man from their village, Daniel Davidson. While they were in Canada Dan introduced Jane to the Mormon Church. She read The Book of Mormon and gained a testimony of its truthfulness. For 10 months she studied until (in her own words) she was “thoroughly converted” and desired to be baptized. When her sister and brother-in-law discovered that she was investigating the Mormon faith, “they were simply furious and did everything they could to make [her] unhappy.” Jane’s brother-in-law even threatened to kill Dan if he didn’t stop preaching the Gospel to her.  This did not deter Jane, however. She wanted to be baptized and felt that the only solution for her was to go to Salt Lake City, Utah. Dan told her that if she was going, he was going with her.

(Jane and Daniel Davidson on their wedding day, June 21, 1905)

With continuing bitterness against the two, they secretly left Vancouver and arrived in Salt Lake City very early one cold snowy November morning. With no place to go, no friends, no job, and very little money, they waited for the gates of Temple Square to open.

That day Jane met up with a prominent Mormon family who hired her as a live-in housekeeper. Her first Sunday in Salt Lake Jane wanted to go to church. She still had not yet been baptized. The family, however, told her that she could not go until she finished her morning work. When the dishes and other chores were done she hurried off to church. Jane arrived during the passing of the Sacrament. The chapel was packed, but there was one lone seat up near the front.  Jane made her way to that seat and sat down. After the sacrament was passed and the Priests and Deacons returned to their seats, one fellow came up to where Jane was sitting and made it perfectly clear that Jane had taken his seat and he wanted it back.

Can you imagine how Jane must have felt as she got up and walked slowly back down the aisle searching and searching for a place to sit? She passed row after row—no room. She kept walking and walking and as she neared the back of the chapel, a woman suddenly reached out, grabbed her hand, moved over, and invited Jane to sit down. My great grandmother said that if it wasn’t for that woman, she would have kept right on walking—all the way home to Scotland.

(Jane Sutherland Davidson)

I, personally, am so grateful to that unknown woman who reached out to my great grandmother. She joined The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints soon after. Today she has over 1000 descendants—most of whom enjoy the blessings of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. My life wouldn’t be the same without it. I am so grateful for my faith and for my knowledge of God and his plan.