Film fotos of friends

I stayed with the Cox family while I was on vacation in Utah and the kids were not happy that I was gone so much seeing other people. Isaac asked one day, "Mom, how many friends does Ellen have?"

I had trouble sleeping last night...

...so instead of counting sheep, I counted the fabric stores that I went to on my vacation (from north to south).

1--The Quilted Daisy in Idaho Falls
2--Sage's in Pocatello
3--Pine Needles at Gardner Village
4--Quilts Etc. in Sandy
5--Thimbles and Threads in Draper
6--Broadbent's General Store in Lehi
7--The Fabric Mill in Orem
8--Corn Wagon Quilt Co. in Springville

I fell asleep thinking of all the fun projects I'll be making with all my amazing fabric (starting with a blue quilt).

Stan's

A trip to Provo isn't complete without stopping by Stan's (9th East across from Gold's Gym which was a grocery store when I was there!) for a shake. I ordered what I always order: chocolate banana. The shakes are higher than the top of the cup and are delicious (and made with real bananas!).

Here is the link to an article that I wrote which was published in the BYU Magazine a few years ago (after my last trip to Utah). It summarizes how I feel about Stan's!

It looks like Stan could use a few more letters.

A dozen photos from two hours at BYU

It was really fun to walk around the campus of my alma mater. Here is a quick description of the photos: the last of Deseret Towers, the Maeser Building, the structure that used to be in front of the Library, the Kimball Tower windows, steps at the Eyring Science Center, the view from the addition to the Library, the sign by the entrance to current periodicals (Robes and I used to meet up there except he called it "current menstrauticals"), the Harris Fine Arts Center, my old dorm--M. Smith Hall in Heritage Halls, the Brigham Young statue (if you run in front of the statue it looks like he's doing the "funky chicken"), mint brownies from the Creamery (they aren't as rich as the ones I make but they are yummy), and the sign at Roman Gardens where Robes and I and our two cousins lived. I enjoyed spending time on campus and it brought back lots of fond memories of my years as a BYU cougar!

Blogging buddies

It was fun to meet two blogging buddies while on vacation! Blackeyedsue is really cool (and taller than I thought she was--hahaha!). Heather White is really cool too and unfortunately we didn't get a picture together but here is a link to her blog. It was fun to see their houses and visit in person.

I have two new real live friends!

The Hiltons

This is what greeted me at the Hilton house/hotel--how nice!!














These are some of my favorite kids in the whole wide world. I had fun taking photos of them and hanging out with their family for two days.

Cousin Marie

On Thursday I drove to Nephi with plans to visit the cemetery to take pictures of grave stones. My mom reminded me that her last living cousin lived in Nephi and encouraged me to visit her. I debated about going by and then realized I'd regret it if I didn't. I found Marie's house, rang her doorbell, and told her who I was. She smiled and invited me in. She's 94 and was delightful! I gave her some of the cloth napkins I made and brought with me and she loved them and we talked about sewing. I'm so glad I went to see her! I think she was a bit uncomfortable with me photographing her but I kept clicking away with both my digital and film cameras (these pictures are from my film camera)! I used her bathroom and wished I had taken my camera in with me; she had a booster toilet seat and her bathroom counter cluttered with medicine, cream and kleenex--both reminded me of my grandparents' house. She probably wondered why I was taking a picture of her phone but it was a classic! Visiting Marie was definitely a highlight of my trip.

Things you don't see in Lexington

I'm home from vacation. I have lots of photos and stories to share so stay tuned. It was a great trip filled with friends, food, family, fabric (whoa...lots of it!), and FUN!

So Utah

The Cox kids

Cafe Rio

Now I know what all the fuss is about...

Nephi, UT

Roommate Reunion/Cousins Club

Vacation photos

Hilton Hotel

I am in Idaho Falls with my dear friends the Hiltons. Their guest room actually has a bathroom right in it so it really is like a hotel. It's been great to see them. I've only seen their youngest but the other 5 kids will be home from school soon. The three oldest were born in Boston when their dad was a Ph.D. student at MIT and they are some of my best friends ever.

I was there!

Here is some proof that I was at General Conference. I went to both Sunday sessions which made for a great day!

Ummm...I can't get my picture to upload on my friend's computer. Stay tuned...

My bags aren't packed (yet)...

...but I'm ready to go! Hooray for vacation!! My friend brought me this nice care package for my trip (with my favorite magazines, candy and treats).

The King & I

A few weeks ago I gave my friend's kids a ride home. We got chatting about what was keeping them busy and the boy said he was in a play at the local children's theater. I asked which play and he said, "The King & I". I said, "what part do you have?". I looked in the rearview mirror to see him smile and say, "The king".

Tonight I saw the play and he did a great job. When my friend emails me a picture (she took over 600 at the dress rehearsal last night-----sound familiar?!?) I'll post it.

Spillage on the subway

This morning when I got on the subway I remembered that the book I was reading was on my couch at home which added to my frustration; the top of the list being that I can't get my palm pilot to sync (imagine me w/out my palm pilot...).  Luckily I had an overdue library book with me so I read a chapter.  And then I felt something on my leg.  I looked down and the lid to the travel mug of the guy next to me had fallen off his mug and was on my wool skirt and so was some of his pineapple mango smoothie (it could have been that but didn't smell that good).  He was very apologetic and embarrassed.  I was annoyed and didn't even bother looking for a kleenex.  Whatever.  After I got off the train I thought I should have asked him for money to clean my skirt.  And then I realized what I should have said was "No worries; I barfed on the T once and it got on someone.  Have a good day."

Blog over, man

I've thought a lot about it and have decided I am going to shut down my blog. It's taken a lot out of me to keep up with blogging every day and it's not as fun as it used to be and I'm tired of finding something to take a picture of or write about every day and I can't imagine that my life is all that interesting to people. For a few years I've had an idea for a book and I'd like to spend time working on that project so I will shut down my blog and try to focus on my book idea. Thank you to all of my faithful readers. I have appreciated your comments and encouragement. A few friends have even said my blog is the first thing they read in the morning.  How nice is that?  I've really enjoyed this blogging chapter of my life but it is time to move on to hopefully bigger and better things.  I really think my book is going to be a best seller.  

Click here for info about my book idea.