Easter weekend

On Friday we went to Provo to Emma's apartment to hang out again while our house was besieged with paint fumes.  (Adam stayed behind to be at the helm and use the faster internet at home.)

While Emma did homework, Mark and I went to campus to visit Braeden.

They have the same smiles and the same curly hair that needs cutting and the same football team.

They differ in that Braeden is never cold like his dad and Mark is more like me (hence the different outfits).

Every now and then I consider cutting Mark's hair but then I kind of think there's no point because he sees no one except us.  Also, he has SO MUCH hair and I would prefer to wait and let someone at Great Clips tackle it.

Saturday we put the kitchen back together and admired it.  The kitchen is a happy place.

Sunday was a lovely Easter day.  It was by far our smallest Easter gathering.

Just four people around the table (and one very bent candle for reasons beyond my understanding).

In the morning we had the sacrament and read aloud some passages Adam had marked in Jesus the Christ.  We read about the crucifixion and then the resurrection.  We also watched a Facebook live of Liberty and her companion.  How we miss the sweet and talented Liberty!  We decided we miss all the Johnsons--Sundays aren't the same without them.

We drove to a pond in Lehi that Adam inexplicably knew about and walked around it.  It was cold and windy, but the sun was shining.

In the late afternoon we played Quiplash with Braeden and Anna and the Johnsons.  Google meet for the win!

Other than that, we are enjoying being together, enjoying Reese's peanut butter chocolate bunnies (they are 6 carbs each if you have a diabetic in your life) and enjoying spring.

Popcorn is currently popping on the apricot tree.  (They aren't really apricot trees.  I have no idea what kind of trees those are.)

Spring break: friends, from distance

Well, the painters didn't come yesterday.  They had scheduling problems because painters have been quitting because of the virus....

They are supposed to come today.

So, that was frustrating when my entire kitchen has been moved to the family room, but not the end of the world.  It was still a very lovely day.

I trimmed the laurel bush that the deer had decimated except only about halfway up so it looked like it was wearing a corset.  (Also, I love pruning!  It has brought dismay to Adam at times when he thinks I got carried away.)  I also cleaned up the front flower beds and saw tiny green leaves at the base of my hydrangea and spoke encouraging words to the spot where the marigolds that I never planted inexplicably grow every summer.  Nola was in her yard, repairing deer damage as well and we chatted (loudly) across the cul-de-sac while we worked and it was nice to see her.

I dropped off a birthday treat for Cortney and we caught up a little on her front porch from several feet away.

I stood outside Shannon's car in the parking lot where the Greek gyro truck is while our husbands stood in an unruly social distancing kind of line.  We all visited and compared working from home notes.

We ate dinner on the deck because it was such a gorgeous day.  Trees all over Pleasant Grove seemed to blossom overnight.

Then, Adam picked the John Wayne version of True Grit for our nightly movie and I sort of felt like I'd spent the evening with my dad and Tabor.

Even though the coronavirus has caused a lot of disruption and mayhem, there's still a lot of loveliness in the world. (And also, the blossoms don't seem aware that so many other things are on hold.  They are still doing their thing.)

Easter

Saturday we went to Trader Joe's for flowers.  They were almost gone.  The lady working there said, "Isn't that sad looking?  I didn't order enough."

Trader Joe flowers for Easter = not an original idea.

They're so pretty though, that's why everyone wants some.  I came home and made three bouquets with the flowers I got.  Then I started taking pictures of all the Easter cheer because I like holidays and holiday decorations.

In lieu of Easter baskets, I assembled these little bags for my Sunday kids (a slightly bigger group than my actual kids.)

the ones with ribbons are for the boys

Someone gave me these blue goblets and Adam said they don't go with anything so now I'm determined to use them ALL THE TIME.  (I like them.)

I made a lemon cake and decorated it with rosemary and  candied oranges (also from Trader Joe's).  I thought maybe it looked more like Christmas than Easter but at least I didn't smash this one with the cake cover.

I read an article in the New York Times that was sort of shocking to me.  Granted, I don't get out much.  It was an interview between the author and a Christian minister.  The minister said she didn't believe that Christ was born of a virgin, nor did she believe in the Resurrection.  When the author countered, "But you call yourself a Christian?" she said what she believes in is love.

It gave me pause.

Because what I believe in is miracles.

The miracles of Christ's birth and of His great atoning sacrifice really happened.  I wasn't witness to either of them but I have felt the Holy Ghost confirm their reality to me.  Also, I have been forgiven and I have found the power to forgive.  Those feel like miracles.  I have been strengthened in my darkest hours.  I have found the strength to go on and I have found that strength through Jesus Christ's grace.  Miracles.

Braeden taught our gospel discussion Sunday.  Beforehand, he asked us to come prepared to talk about which of the many witnesses of the Resurrection was most meaningful to us.  I couldn't decide. I loved different things about all of them.  Mostly, I loved the way they made me feel.  I loved the reminders of what I know and what I believe.  Ours is a God of miracles.  He sent His Son to earth to teach us and lead us by His example.  Then, incomprehensibly (so maybe that's why the minister in the article doesn't buy it) He somehow suffered for all of our pains and sins.  He died for us and on the third day, He rose again.  He conquered both sin and death for you and for me.

I believe in miracles.

Rain washed

I lived in the Pacific Northwest long enough to give rain the side eye.  Give me sun, lots of sun.  And blue skies.

But.

I've lived in the high desert long enough to know that rain is a welcome guest.

And it does make the world lovely and fresh.

I love the barely there spring green leaves clinging to the trees and a sprinkling of blossoms just starting.

Daffodils shining among the dead stuff from last year I should get rid of but haven't.

green green grass--and a niece sized hole in the trampoline reminiscent of the time she didn't sue us for damages and emotional suffering when our trampoline failed

Here are things I'm ready for:

sitting on the deck

complaining about how hot it is

barefoot evenings on the grass

watering flowers in pots

the night sounds of sprinklers

more BBQ and less oven

picking fresh tomatoes for dinner



It's coming!  And all the green is the first sign.  It's coming!

Opening

Adam is a baseball fan.  There's no two ways about it.  I had never watched a professional baseball game--or maybe any kind of baseball game--before we were married but I've clocked some time in now.

And I like baseball.  For one thing, it's easy to follow.  For another thing, you can usually do something else with it in the background but then sometimes it gets exciting so that's good too.

Also, ballparks are gorgeous.  There's nothing quite like a warm summer evening in a ballpark, especially if there are garlic fries.

I don't really follow baseball, it's more like I follow Adam as he follows baseball.  Most years, he tells me when opening day of baseball season is and that night we might have hot dogs, peanuts and cracker jacks for dinner, which feels like a pre-summer celebration of sorts, and watch the game.

When Braeden was a toddler and we were living in our apartment on Prospect Street in New Haven, Connecticut (which I only remember as lovely and light filled because time has passed and nostalgia has moved in), Adam announced to me one day that it was the opening day of baseball season.

He started singing "Take Me Out to the Ballgame."

Little Braeden toddled out of the room and came back with the baseball bear Linn and Geri had given him.  When you pulled the cord, the bear played "Take Me Out to the Ballgame."  (We of course thought Braeden was a genius for recognizing the song.  We of course were his parents so we thought everything he did was genius.)

Yesterday was the opening day of baseball.  The Mariners played their game in Japan.  It was on at 3:35 AM and Adam got up to watch the beginning.  (I did not.)

But baseball season is upon us!  It's spring!  We will root root root for the Mariners.

Grateful Friday

When I was in elementary school I had to wear undershirts during the winter.  I hated wearing undershirts.  I also had heavy coats and boots and mittens.  As I trudged through the snow to and from the bus, I felt weighed down.

Then, in spring, I could stop wearing undershirts (late spring, because Elko county).  Eventually I could trade in my boots for regular shoes and skip taking mittens.  Eventually I didn't even need a coat.  It would be wonderful.  I'd feel light and unfettered and happy.

Spring used to be my favorite season.

Then as an adult I lived in Seattle and spring was sort of the worst.  It just meant more rain.  Since the winters weren't too terribly cold, it just felt like an elongated winter.  But with flowers.

Moving to Utah, I hadn't really rekindled my love affair with spring until this year.  The difference is recess.

Not since I was a child has my daily wardrobe or disposition been affected so thoroughly by the weather.

This week, spring has felt near.  It's not here yet, but it is waiting in the wings.  I've heard birds.  Some of the trees have bulges where they will blossom sometime in the months to come.  I haven't been freezing cold all day.  There is a different quality to the light.

Yesterday at work, I passed one of the first grade teachers in the hall.  She said, "Wow, you have a spring in your step.  I don't think I'd be able to keep up with you."

Last night Adam told Marianne and Robert that I hadn't complained for three days.  (I set a goal for one day and look at me overachieve!)

It's because I'm not cold!

Rejoice!  Let the sun shine!

Grateful Friday

A list:

I'm grateful that today is Dillon's wedding and since it is practically in our backyard (Mt. Timpanogos  temple) we get to go.  I'm excited to see Stephanie--OK, the whole family.

I'm grateful for spring weather.  (For real spring weather, not the snowy kind.)  I want to set up the deck furniture tomorrow and let the evenings out there commence.

I'm grateful for creative projects that make me happy.

I'm grateful to Emma for teaching me how to use Snapchat and then sending me snaps.  Is that how we say that?

I'm grateful Emma has extra money on her meal card so we can all join her for family dinners from time to time.  Even though "The Canc" as Emma calls it is not as good as it was in the Pax Thelma, I like family dinners there.  We're the only ones sitting around laughing too loud.  It reminds me of when I was a freshman and laughing with Adam and Robbie and Erin and Rachel.  Adam is still making me laugh, but now we have these witty kids too.

I'm grateful for Braeden's and Mark's relationship.  They are straight up friends where they used to be big brother and little brother.

I'm grateful the semester is almost over and we will 24/7 be together for awhile.  I'm bracing myself for the noise/laundry/dishes/groceries.  Totally worth it.

I'm grateful I get to volunteer and tutor.  When kids have that I get it now look in their eye it is one of the best feelings in the world.

I'm grateful for book club (we had it last night).  One of my book club friends told me about some books she read set in Seattle.  She said, "I thought of you.  You might like them."

I'm grateful there are SO many books I haven't read yet.

Springing

Came the Spring with all its splendor

All its birds and all its blossoms,
All its flowers and leaves and grasses.

Henry Wadsworth Longfellow

Spring blossoms are making me happy.  That's all.

The grass is slowly getting green and the white blossoms are slowly converting to bright leaves.  The tree in the front yard is just showing off.

This is the view down the street behind us.  Layers and layers of blooms.

I bought a new geranium friend for the front porch and a hanging basket too.  (I hope the deer won't climb the front steps and eat my flowers.)

We have one solitary daffodil left, but the hydrangea bushes are promising great things.

and I spy with my little eye a dandelion in that pot....

If we had no winter, the spring would not be so pleasant: if we did not sometimes taste of adversity, prosperity would not be so welcome.

Anne Bradstreet

An arbitrary collection

Emma and I came home to find loud noises coming from the basement.  Mark and Adam.  We went down and found them in the throes of a shuffleboard tournament (we have a small tabletop shuffleboard).  Mark was being a commentator on his own sport radio station. He was recording it on his phone.

We listened to the "show" and it was pretty funny because Mark is pretty funny but the really surprising part is that he sounded exactly like Braeden.  Their voices are somehow identical.

*****

Emma got her ACT scores back.  She gets her smarty pants ways from her smarty pants dad.  Adam wondered what his score had been.  I ventured a guess--highest score possible?  Adam said no.  He said he thought it was like a fisherman's story and his score kept growing in his mind.  He decided to call his mom to ask her to look up his score.  Before he dialed he said, "I hope Emma beat me."

She did.

(She has the advantage of a really great elementary teacher.)

Ha.

*****

I pulled out my spring decorations.  Emma approved everything and said, "I like how the angel is spanning the seasons."

I'd never thought of a season spanning angel but now that lady is never going away.

Emma and I may make a patriotic sash for her in July.

*****

Our youth wrote letters to some missionaries in New Zealand (including but not limited to my favorite NZ missionary, Clarissa).  Armed with the horror stories of how much it costs to mail packages to New Zealand, I went to the post office.  I don't particularly like the post office.  The lines are always long and the self serve machine is always broken.  It's a shining example of inefficiency.

When it was finally my turn, I explained what I needed.  The guy produced a flat rate envelope for me to send my letters.  He said it would be $33.  Then he started thinking. "Try this instead.  That is cheaper if it will work."  Then he produced envelope after envelope--they all had some slightly different rate.  He helped me wedge the letters in so that that envelope was as flat as possible.  He honestly spent 5-10 minutes helping me.

The final cost was $13.

I suddenly had a much higher opinion of the post office.

*****

Yesterday was the high stakes event where next year's seniors (shhh...I'm pretending I didn't just write that) could register online for classes.  Emma and her friend Hayley burst through the door.  "My mom's not home," Hayley explained, laptop in hand.  "I need adult supervision."

I said, "I'm not sure I will be any help."

She said, "I really just need love."

Don't we all?

I logged her onto our wi-fi and she and Emma sat side by side at computers.  When the clock struck 3:00, they were off to the races.  After "the most stressful two minutes of their lives" they were each registered for next year. 

Now I need to figure out a way to slow down time.  (Just for Emma though.  I want to speed time up for Braeden.  Does it work that way?)

March 2

It feels like spring. 

I saw a fly yesterday.  (I got it with my fly swatter.)

I know it's not officially spring yet but I am itching to move things around and box up anything still about that's wintry and pull out my spring decor. 

I need to move all the plants from the windowsills so I can close the blinds now that the sun is starting to beat down again.

Which reminds me I need to wash the windows....

It's almost time to start thinking flowers.  I learned that columbine are deer resistant and since we are foster parents to a herd of deer, that matters.

I need to take one of the quilts off our bed and put away my sweaters.  At least the heavy ones.

The light is different and I want to take a walk along the trail by our house since the ice and snow and finally mud are gone.

The best part of March 2?

The thing that is making my heart sing?

Braeden has been gone 6 months.  He is 1/4 of the way done.  I miss him every day and 1/4 of the way done is a beautiful thing.

Springtime

It's that time of year when I hear birds in the morning.

Fresh strawberries are starting to be in season, so they're inexpensive.

Adam's creation:  how we celebrated after Emma's concert

It's the time of year when the trees have a light green gauzy cloud around them that is the very beginning of leaves.

For the first time in my life I have trees with blossoms.

And I'm in love.

Also, daffodils!  They were a surprise left from the last homeowners:

Apparently tulips are like candy for deer but they don't like daffodils.

Then there's this:

Nothing to do with spring but it makes me happy.  That's Emma with her friend Adri who has the most infectious wonderful laugh you'll ever hear.  Adri is also a genius with hair.  They had been playing around with turn of the (last) century styles for the upcoming play Emma is in.  First Adri did all those curls then she did this amazing arrangement that reminded me of Mr. Selfridge.  (I wish I'd taken a picture of Emma but you get the idea...)

I had to stop at the store and pick up hairspray for the occasion.  We didn't have any, much to Adri's dismay.  I told her that Emma and I don't use hairspray because we're not really good at hair and we hope the wind can improve our efforts.

Three cheers for spring.

Three cheers for friends with infectious laughs and hair skills.

Spring-ish

unrelated to the post, but what a pretty world...

I am praying for rain and snow, which is familiar.  I grew up in the desert and I grew up with prayers for rain and snow being part of my life.  It's not anything against the mild sunshine-y days we've been gifted with, it's wanting water this summer. (Happily, we have been getting a little snow lately.)

Anyway, I'm praying for snow but ushered spring into my house all the same.

There ended up being a lot of birds around here, which wasn't intentional.  I just gathered up things I like.

See the little pink bird nestled in the rocks of the fireplace?  She has a little blue friend and used to have a little green friend.  I climbed up on the hearth (multiple times) to arrange things and accidentally knocked down the little green bird.  Turns out he couldn't fly.  It was a sad time.

I guess I like birds.

And glass bottles and pretty pillows:

And elephants.

Maybe elephants aren't immediately associated with spring, but I like elephants.

Sunshine

Oh it is glorious around here.  If I was a truly good blogger and better at photography and things like that, I may post a picture of how glorious it is.

Because it would knock your socks off.

(But you wouldn't be wearing socks because it is sandal weather.)

I know it won't last.  We all know it won't last.  Spring in Seattle breaks your heart.  You have wonderful sunshine and you bust out your t-shirts and sandals and then the rain returns.

And stays until the 4th of July.

But for now.

Wow.

I love the blue blue sky.  I love the warm warm sun.  It's all divine.

The best part?

The Cat Walker.

For the past two days when I have been driving (at different times of day), I have seen him.  He's an otherwise unremarkable man, wearing shorts and a tank top.  He pushes a stroller.  There's a cat in the stroller.  It leaves me with unanswered questions but it also makes me really, really happy.

Because quirky unexplained things are delightful.

Spring

I remember that I used to like spring when I was growing up.  It was my favorite season.  I loved the tentatively warm sunshine.  I loved the brave little buttercups poking up amongst the sagebrush.  I loved shedding gloves and heavy coat and especially cumbersome snow boots.

Now spring makes me cranky.  I complain more about the weather in spring than any other time.  The endless rainy/cloudy mild days wear me down.  Maybe because we've had rainy/cloudy mild days since October.  Yes, there is a lot more light.  Yes, flowers and trees are blossoming.  Yes, the grass is vivid and lush and so very green.

But I've got to get out of here.

What makes it worse is when a day like Friday comes along.  It was the first officially sunny day in 41 days.  (It has be less than 30% cloudy to considered officially sunny...according to the weatherman.)  Friday was glorious.  I spread out my new rug on the deck.

See how some of the deck stain is wearing away after only one year?  That's unrelated to this post, but what gives?

I knew as I was spreading the rug that I was setting myself up for disappointment.  It's not deck weather yet.  I'll probably have to roll the rug back up so it doesn't float away. Or mold.

I know.  Just call me Pollyanna.

Since it was sunny though, we headed to our favorite street, the one we'll live on when we decide to become bank robbers and can afford it:

Grand Avenue:

I'll keep referring back to these pictures until July.  They might help me through.

A Post Without Teeth

Except I have to apologize for slandering sweet Desi.

And I have to thank all of you for your kind words and encouragement towards me going to the dentist.

I put on my list for today "dentist".  That means try to find one.  It won't necessarily happen just because it's on the list.  But as my children will tell you, it has a prayer of happening if it's on the list.  They get a measure of comfort when the things they want from me are on the list.

Here's what I want to write about today though:

THE IRONY:

The principal at the local school asked my homeschooled niece to come to school next week for three days.  The school knows that they need her test scores to improve their own...to ensure further funding. 

Clarissa, you're a poster child for homeschooling.

But not every homeschooled child looks as charming in a headband as you do.

I'm just saying.

THE CRUEL FATE:

Last night, minutes before my friends came to my house for book club, Emma dropped--and broke--a bottle of (bright red) nail polish on the (generic light beige) carpet in our bedroom. 

If this ever happens to you, let me know and I'll give you a head start in cleaning it up.

I now know what doesn't work.

THE CONSOLATION:

Adam said, "Well, you did want new carpet."

THE REALITY:

But not anytime soon!

THE TRUE CONSOLATION:
  
There are still a lot of treats left in my kitchen from last night.  Sometimes chocolate is the only rational route to take in the face of ruined carpet.

AND SINCE IT'S WEDNESDAY:

Why I love it:

Here's what's happening all up and down the streets of my neighborhood.

And if you think it looks great, you should walk through it all on a warm afternoon and get unsteady from the intoxication of the scent.

 

  

  

  

 

Spring has sprung.

Boing.