Celebrating . . .

Family

Friends

Memorial Day

Celebrating a little harvest of

flat leaf parsley

spinach

basil

tomatoes

peppers

zuchinni

Brunch and a swim-Jake, Bryan and Morgan

Morgans breakfast "taco" of sourdough hotcake, eggs and sausage

Tessa and Morgan

Tessa wanted to do everything

just like Aunt Dori

Morgan mid-air

Celebrating friends but so, so sad they are moving across the valley.

Yeah for Mitchell. This guy gives thee biggest hugs.

Paige and Jane I will so miss you and all your sweetness.

Dori provided and arranged the centerpiece especially for this gathering.

Since dear friend Becca (and Matt too) is the one moving and she blogs at

The Daily Grapefruit...

look at this clever arrangement. Sooo well done Dori!

The lilies smell so great.

Old friends will be remembered as new friends will be made

Hi young friend Lily

Oh Megan, I will miss you.

Michael's post surgery leg. Heal well great one and

you'll be back on your mission in no time.

Wishing you all well and safe

Happy day, msk

A Late Tribute

Several months ago SLK and I traveled to California for the funeral of our dear friend Richard P. We became friends with Richard, Linda and girls back in the 80's in Oregon where we attended church together. We were living in a very beautiful, rural area, raising young families . . . and Rex rabbits, gardening, and very active service in our ward/congregation. We all ended up moving and doing other things. Richard and SLK at one time were working for the same company and kept close. Friendship is a wonderful thing!!!

Richard was such an upbeat, happy, smiling, teasing, real-life cowboy who married a talented, gifted, beautiful, hardworking real-life cowgirl although she looked like a model.

Some of the grands.

Linda with daughter's Andy, Leigh and Kim.

Sue B. and daughter Melody drove over from UT to attend, share love and memories and join us. Having the three musketeers reunited was choice even under the circumstance.

Still sending love, prayers and best wishes

Happy day, msk

The Farmer's Market That Wasn't

Recently I was feeling a need to take advantage of this great Arizona winter. After an online search I decided to contact a few ladies and see if any wanted to go to the Cave Creek Farmer's Market with me.

I really like the C.C. area and it's a rather short drive from my home. I had 4 "takers" that ended up being only 2...dears Cheryl W. and Kathy. We drove, chatted and chatted and chatted. We were to find out that the market was cancelled that day instead was an Art and Wine Festival. We decided that we'd each shell out the three buck fee to walk around the public streets and look at art. Hum.

It was fun and I did my usual amount of oooing and aaaaing. Just how do you spell those sounds anyway. Anyone? Anyone? Shades of Ferris B. ;)

The gals seemed camera shy so here are the photos this one who wants to be a better photographer but isn't progressing in that area took.

Love just about any water feature I see. Loved the hugeness of this one and awe, the sound. This rock wall was probably 20 feet high.

This looks just like any kitchen shelf and I have much of those contents...only this is a painting. This artist was one of my favorites. Oh I have too many favs.

I wish the shadows weren't on this grand display of blown glass. I blew me away.

A close-up. Luscious, delightful.

I really appreciated the artists talents in most of their individual booths.

Sorry that the tent reflections got on this painting. The artist surged toward me and told me he did not want me taking pictures of his works. I felt a bit sheepish and said I could respect that. I meant no harm but he didn't know that. Yikes, I do not like confrontation." Backing away. Backing away" (from Into the Lions).

These 2 photos are from another fair down the road and my cell phone camera. I really, really, really like French table cloths and these imports did not disappoint. I wish that man hadn't stepped in right when I snapped.

Wonderful native American music and then dancing. I love this.

What a treat to enjoy friendship, outdoors and window(less) shopping. Feeling grateful.

Happy day, msk

Images of Christmas

So many but not all of the nativities are sturdy and kid friendly.

I love that the kids want to handle them.

Here's "our" garland Skippie (bought last January at Hob*by Lob*by at 75% off...

my favorite way to purchase decorations.

Our new star this year on the "grands" tree is grandson Beckett - our even dozen!

Alot of food prepping going on.

Entry table. "Old Father Christmas" was handmade by Jody and his sack, backpack is a

former maternity dress both she and I wore.

Stitchery from Trevlyn that I so admire and appreciate.

Aunt Dori passing along the tradition of making pomanders to Tessa and Jake.

These smell so good and looked cute as part of the centerpiece.

Becca's cheesecake...oh my it was lovely to behold and eat.

Sorry I didn't get a picture of Trevlyn's coconut cake, equally lovely.

My green beans were not a hit with the kids who put very little green anything on their plates.

This was the first year we've had a "kids table". The Mr. and Mrs. Claus were painted by my grandmother in the early 1950's.

Cutting up the ham for Mitchell and Jane with Becca letting me ;)

Our after dinner program participants: Megan on violin

with Becca accompanying (Jane danced a bit).

Paige sang oh so sweetly.

Jake read the book "The Three Trees".

Bryan entertained us with his great piano playing.

Tessa recited a poem.

My favorite nativity. SLK put Tessa's pink sunglasses on

the camel which was rather fun.

Thank you friends and family for the cards and letters.

Each was read with smiles and gratitude.

"Such a big Miracle in such a little child."

Still sharing many memory ornaments and loving

what each brings to mind.

Front step decorations since nothing can be hung on the door (bummer).

Not at all ready to put any of this away. Savoring it all and

the sweetness of family and friends.

Happy day, msk