A.W. Christmas brunch (yesterday)

There's a lot of love in these photos

Tonight I took some family photos of my friends the Burnetts. I worked on this project for Mat a few years ago. When he saw the big picture of their family above their fireplace he said, "There's a lot of love in that photo." That's how I feel about these. Even though the lighting is kind of wonky, there's a lot of love in these photos.

Note: that's Mat with his freshman year BYU dorm buddy Joe who is visiting this weekend.

Junk tree

I went to visit a new friend today and she showed me this tree she made this week. I love it! She said she glued "stuff" to it (from her junk drawer) and then spray painted it gold (her daughter called it her "I spy tree"). Clever! I'm going to save "stuff" to make one of these.

CLICK HERE TO BUY ONE OF MY 2011 CALENDARS!

I wasn't kidding

I saw a comment on a blog today that someone went to their Trader Joe's and there were no peppermint pretzel slims and they weren't getting anymore. Panic set in. Someone picked up 3 bags for me at lunchtime today and I picked up 3 bags after work. We'll call it food storage.

CLICK HERE TO BUY ONE OF MY 2011 CALENDARS!

Have you tried these?

You should. You don't live near a Trader Joe's? Then move. These are amazing. The perfect mix of pretzel-peppermint-salty-sweet. I practically (practically) ate this whole bag myself. I'm going back for more.

CLICK HERE TO BUY ONE OF MY 2011 CALENDARS!

My Thanksgiving friend

After Jenn, Adler and I ate at Chili's in the Detroit Airport (that was Thanksgiving lunch, not Thanksgiving dinner), we rode the red tram and then went to our gate (#78--the last one in that terminal). As we approached the gate we saw a sister missionary waiting for the SLC flight (my brother John returned from his mission on Thanksgiving). She was delightful and it was really nice visiting with her.

CLICK HERE TO BUY ONE OF MY 2011 CALENDARS!

The wedding on film

I shot 2 rolls of film at Alicia's wedding. One color and one b&w. When I shoot film I just have the negatives scanned onto a CD and I don't get prints.

I like candid shots.

CLICK HERE TO BUY ONE OF MY 2011 CALENDARS!

The card factory

I made lots of cards tonight. And I organized my card stuff.

CLICK HERE TO BUY ONE OF MY 2011 CALENDARS!

Baby blessing

Santa's workshop

I'm teaching R.S. tomorrow (and haven't started my lesson), I have a few hundred photocards to make, a boatload of other projects, but I'm sewing Christmas presents for my family so I can mail them on Monday.

My Christmas tree

I actually set my tree up before I went to Utah but didn't decorate it until last night. The tree is 9 feet tall, pre-lit (sweet), and I love it.

When did this happen?

The guy at the gas station today was really nice. I looked over and saw how much unleaded gas is now and couldn't believe it. We talked about driving old cars and then he pointed to Silver Belle and said, "baby it and it will treat you good."

Thanksgiving dinner

My friends and I had Thanksgiving dinner at Denny's in Provo. I had the Holiday Turkey Melt.

Note: What a crappy photo. If Walmart had seen it they wouldn't have made such a fuss over my photos.

Flattered by Walmart

Today my friend Alicia (the bride) called me. She needed some photos to use at her Open House in Oklahoma tonight. I got on-line and uploaded some to her Walmart account and it said they would be ready to pick up in 1-hour (amazing). Alicia called back and said they almost didn't give her the pictures. They told her they were professional pictures and she was going to need a signed release from the photographer. Wow. Alicia told them her friend took them and that she has a really nice camera. The pictures were printed using her account so I can't figure out why there was so much fuss. But hey, I'm flattered.

2011 CALENDARS FOR SALE

I am selling a 2011 calendar with some of my favorite photos I've taken in New England. You can click here to buy one. Or click over there to the right on the link to my etsy shop. Or you can email me (patton_ellen@hotmail.com). Or you can call me.

The calendars are $20 (+ $2 for shipping).

Hey, NieNie's not the only one with a calendar.

A month of THANKSgiving

If you read my blog through a reader you may not have noticed my month of THANKSgiving list to the right. I got sucked into the vortex of listing things I am thankful for. I am thankful for a lot more than 25 things but take a look at my list, if you wish. And I hope you had a nice Thanksgiving.

Wreathmaking Party

Tonight was our Wreathmaking Party. The program was wonderful. My favorite song was "This Christmastide". I'm not going to lie; it made me cry.

Since I'm the RSP I did the welcome: It has been said that as humans we all need 4 things to have a happy and fulfilling life: 1) someone to love; 2) something meaningful to do; 3) something to believe in; and 4) something to hope for. I think this evening of wreathmaking perhaps touches on all four needs. The program is centered on HOPE...and on belief in our Savior Jesus Christ. Making these beautiful wreaths from fresh pine boughs (a 47-year tradition now) is a very meaningful and enjoyable activity for most of us. And certainly there's a lot of love here as we meet together with friends to share this wonderful evening. Welcome everyone and thank you everyone who helped prepare for the party.

That is my friend Erin in the last photo; we worked together in Governor Romney's office and she attends the party every year with a few other former coworkers. She says it's the highlight of her holiday season. Her first year she went into the Temple (not far from our chapel) and asked for Ellen Patton and the wreathmaking party. We always have a good laugh about that!

I was in charge of clean-up and my goal was to lock the building by midnight (we drove away at about 11:30pm). I'm so thankful for everyone that helped, everyone that attended, and for the Christmas spirit this traditional event brings into my life.

Tonight's the night

Mini-van maven

When I went pick up my rental car they told me that most of their employees had gone home (it was Thanksgiving night after all) and they hadn't filled their inventory so they were giving me a free upgrade-----to a mini-van! It drove more like an SUV; I felt safer driving through Spanish Fork canyon and during a snow storm. I miss my mini-van.

Hotel Truscott

The Truscotts are good company and always fun to hang out with. I was surprised that Sam ran up to me and gave me a big hug when I first saw him. I miss seeing Tadd at MIT but he's settling in at BYU and I'm sure he's a hit.

I love their new home. That picture is the view from their living room. For reals.

Catching the Browns

I really wanted to catch up with my friends Gordon and Pat Brown on this trip since I missed them the last time. Gordon was one of my bishops at BYU. On January 1st he'll start his new calling as the President of the MTC. It was so nice to see them.

Cox kids

I got to watch the Cox kids decorate their Christmas tree! There were lots of laughs and a few tears.

Pingrees

I met Valerie (my sister-in-law's sister-in-law's sister) when she and her husband Scott moved to Boston to finish his graduate degree at The Big H. We had a lot of good times during that year they lived here. Rachel, their oldest, was born in Boston (Valerie walked down the street to the hospital when she went into labor!). Now they've got a kid for each hand!

Memory lane

A trip to SLC isn't complete without a stop at the Bell Wines where my Pitchforth grandparents lived for years. Oh the memories...

Temple Square

I went to Music and the Spoken Word which was really nice. I was hoping to visit with my friend in the Choir but couldn't catch her eye and then they closed the Tabernacle for their choir rehearsal. I love how the snow looked on the roof of the Tabernacle.

The bride's niece

Alicia has lots of nieces and nephews (she's one of ten kids). I love this picture.

Mr. and Mrs. Hale

The night before the wedding

Sanpete County