Rich Irony

The irony lies in this poster advertising the BYU/Utah women's soccer game we attended earlier this week. See that cute #7 on the right? That's my Kellie.

The irony is that this gal is now a BYU Cougar (at least in all aspects but soccer--in that sport we are still a house divided.) Last Fall she made the toughest and most painful decision of her life--to leave a Division 1 collegiate athletic team after 2 1/2 years and transfer to BYU. The reasons are complicated and personal, but she just knew it was the right thing for her to do at this point in her life. In December she moved back to Provo, found an apartment, and began an interesting transition.

Soccer will ever be a deep and abiding love for Kellie. In March she pursued and obtained a National D Coach's license. Her soccer fix is now partly met by assistant coaching an awesome U13 Celtic Storm team.

They took State Cup this year!

Kellie proudly sports her Utah apparel on the BYU campus, and just smiles at the stares and comments. (They have no idea.)

Intramural athletics is a new love as well, and of course, her Utah shirts are ever-present--be it an ultimate Frisbee, soccer, or flag football game.

Tuesday night was tough; really tough. In a sea of blue fans Kellie proudly sat with her Utah shirt and scarf watching her friends and former teammates battle it out on the soccer field without her. She made her choice, and she is very happy at BYU, yet the look on her face. . . what I see behind her eyes. . . what I know about my daughter. . . is . . . I don't have the words.

Forever a Ute. Forever a Cougar. And, that's OK.

Vintage View-Master

It was a Sunday. The role of "mean mom" fit me perfectly as I tried to make the Sabbath different from the other days of the week. I suggested an electronic-free afternoon, and the moans that followed were pitiful. I was not deterred, however, and encouraged a peek into the depths of the toy and game closet to find something that had, perhaps, been forgotten or ignored in the recent past.

Peace returned as a plastic bin was brought upstairs. The objects were studied and after a brief moment of confusion, figured out. She took my advice and turned towards the light.

I thought nothing more of it as I prepped in the kitchen. A glance in her direction captured my attention and made me smile.

Each and every slide was carefully viewed, read, and discarded. She experienced a picture tour of the Apollo Moon Landing, Carlsbad Caverns, and New Orleans Square in Disneyland. Casper the Friendly Ghost, Popeye, and Woody Woodpecker danced before her eyes. There were even a few reels of The Christmas Story--biblical version!

For a good 20 minutes she was content as she ventured back to the early 1970s and her parents' childhood. Perhaps not vintage, but definitely dated.

Next Sunday we're pulling out Francie and Skipper.

Stewart Falls Hike

Hiking to Stewart Falls on Mount Timpanogos has been my favorite hike of the summer (so far). Why? It was beautiful and kind on my knees.

My sister and nieces were in town from Virginia so along with my mom and Abby we began by taking the Sundance ski lift to the trailhead. 

I love love love riding this ski lift in the Summer and Fall. The views of Timp are spectacular. I think it (along with the hike) would make a most romantic date.

The trail to Stewart Falls from the top of the ski lift is clearly marked (about 1.5 miles), but we thought we knew best and went the wrong way for a little while. Because of this wrong turn I did, however, get a picture of the girls (those three dots) frolicking in a meadow.

Here they are up close:

The best part of the journey was crossing a stream of snow runoff.

Once we arrived at the Falls the girls had fun playing in the water. Abby thought that the best way to deal with the slippery rocks was to travel on all-fours.

When we had our fill of the waterfall, we took the trail (another 1.5 miles) down the mountain back to Sundance.

Great day in the mountains with my family!

I get to use my passport!

Finally after 13 years of having one, I get to use my passport in a few weeks!

I originally obtained a passport to travel to England with Brian, but then I became pregnant with Abby and was sick, sick, sick. Last year I almost got to use it to go to Japan, but then Rachel became engaged and that trip (scheduled a week before the wedding) was no longer feasible for the mother-of-the-bride.

This time Brian has meetings in Geneva, Switzerland and I am going with him! He has wanted to take me to Italy ever since he traveled there a few years ago so we are venturing to Venice and Rome as well. We'll be in each city two (maybe three) days each.

I don't know how to DO Europe. What do I pack? What do I wear? What MUST I eat? What MUST I see? Any and all tips are needed.

I DO know that I won't be packing this guy along:

The Smile

I love Kellie's smile. I captured this one during some type of animated story telling on the soccer field this week. There's something about my "child's" smile (even if said child is 21) that just brings joy to my heart.

Sigh. . .Yawn. . .Sigh

I'm feeling lazy, and idle, and melancholy. What is the deal? I have PLENTY to do, yet I have no motivation to do it.

Could it be the summer heat? Could it be the reality of midlife that is settling upon my soul? Could it be that half of my children are now adults and "on their own"? Could it be the thoughts of a dear friend (my age!) whose mortality may soon be coming to a close? Could it be the realization that the long Utah winter is fast approaching and that I will no longer be able to lounge in the grass on a fine summer evening?

Yes, I know I must pull myself together soon. I can and will do it. But, for now I'm just gonna

Sigh . . . Yawn . . . Sigh

Stubble and Stuff

This was the highlight of my week--getting Brian home--stubble and all. I didn't even mind (too much) kissing those prickly things when he walked in the door.

He and three other leaders had just spent a week in the Uintas with eleven 14 and 15 year-old boys, and I missed him!

These captures from Brian's iPhone show how absolutely gorgeous it was. They camped at Island Lake.

(Travis is 6th from the right and Brian is behind the "camera".)

They hiked, played games, jumped off the cliff into the lake, caught fish with their bare hands, weathered thunderstorms, and had a GREAT time. Brian is convinced he needs to take me there next month--just the two of us. He has it all figured out.

As for me, I'm just glad the man is home--stubble and all.

Heaven in a Box

Light

My heart has been heavy with sadness this week. I need it to be light.

The Hors d'oeuvre Party

Last week the newlyweds (how long can I call them that?) packed up their belongings and drove 1900 miles to Atlanta where David will start graduate school in the Fall. Before they left Rachel insisted on throwing us an Hors d'oeuvre party.

This gal loves to cook. She has made her own birthday cake every year since she was 12--not because I refused, but for the pure joy of it. The more complex the recipe, the better, in her eyes.

For three days Rachel toiled in my kitchen--heating up the house and producing mounds of dishes. The results were extraordinarily delicious.

Served warm:

(Leek and Ricotta Tart)

(Pigs in Blankets)

(Bacon and Onion Tartlets)

(Bruschetta)

Small bites:

(Cheddar Cornmeal Icebox Crackers)

(Gruyere Thyme Icebox Crackers)

(Crudites with Canelli Bean & Roasted Red Pepper Dip and Homemade Ranch Dip)

(Parmesan Puff Pastry Straws)

Crunch and munch:

For dessert:

(Chocolate Dipped Strawberries)

(Glazed Lemon Cakes)

(Chocolate Pretzels)

(We also had fruit kabobs with cheesecake cream dip, but for some reason I didn't get a picture of those.)

Abby made the signage, menu, and place tags. She had carefully painted clothespins to resemble each invited guest. 

We had an abundance of food that lasted for days.

It was fantastic!