THEY'VE DONE IT AGAIN...   





"BABY ITS COLD OUTSIDE"

This video has been cruising around social media and its adorable. What sets it apart is the silky voices of Idina Menzel and Michael Buble lip synced by British child actors Emily Carey and Harry Collett.

Set in the lobby of a glamorous vintage hotel, Emily, dressed in a flapper gown, dances with Harry the bellhop, who has shed his uniform for a dapper tuxedo in an effort to persuade her to "stay"

Refreshing!

 OLIVIA DE HAVILLAND 

98 years old... she's still got it!

 

 

 "THANKS-MAS"

My mother's favorite holiday was Thanksgiving. Every year she cooked an enormous turkey with amazing gravy, stuffing and homemade rolls. The side dishes were always the same... candied yams with marshmallows stuffed into hollowed out orange halves, parsnips with bacon, mountains of mashed potatoes and pumpkin chiffon pie. 

I didn't know for twenty years that regular pumpkin pie is dense and not very high. 

After we all left home it was almost a command performance that we gather for Thanksgiving. There was lots of traveling, lots of excitement and when the grandchildren came along Grandma had to turn her living room into an extension of the dining area.

 image from pinterest

Since our homes were far flung it was really not practical to return for Christmas so... one year, a long, long time ago, we decided to celebrate Christmas as a family the day after Thanksgiving. 

In those days no one, not even the retailers would dare to put anything Christmas on their shelves until after "turkey day" Even if they had, there was no such thing as a fake Christmas tree and it was next to impossible to find a real one. 

We finally located a tree farm that would allow us to come early. They thought we were crazy!

After the dishes were done and the mess was cleared away, we set about to decorate the tree and arrange all the gifts.  It was the strangest experience... it felt exactly like Christmas Eve.  It turned out to be so magical that we continued that tradition for about five years, celebrating together on that day and then returning to our homes for our own private family Christmases. 

Finally it all got to be too much and we had to give it up, but not before my brother coined a wonderful new term.  He called our celebration... "THANKS-MAS" and it stuck.

Christmas stockings from Pottery Barn Kids

I would never dream of skipping Thanksgiving, but for me it is inseparable from Christmas. Its just one long holiday. And when I begin to decorate even before the guest list has been finalized and the turkey purchased I know there will be comments.  Its OK, it  brings back such happy memories and I just smile and say...

HAPPY "THANKS-MAS"

MY FAVORITE THINGS ABOUT FALL...

Fall is winding down. The trees in the valley are dropping their leaves and the mountains have lost their color, our first storm is on the horizon. Here are just a few reason why I'm sad to see it all go...

Williams Sonoma's Pumpkin Seed Brittle! Its only available in the fall and it is delicious! 

Pumpkins up the staircase... they make me wonder what's at the top???

The Widow's Broom 

by Chris Van Allsburg, author of The Polar Express and Jumanji. This is the best ghost story I know of.

The smell of wet leaves!

Chunky socks and PLAID! boots

Apples purchased right from the local orchards.

 Perfect weather!

 And of course... Halloween!

I hope you enjoy the last few days!

MIRROR, MIRROR...

Someone sent this to me on facebook and I laughed my head off.  This is how I feel every morning when I stand in front of my mirror trying to look presentable. I would describe my once  predictable and easy to manage hair as a bonafide crap-shoot.  No two days are ever the same. You see, the grey hairs are coarse and wiry and have a mind of their own. I thought at my age I wouldn't be so vain but.... I am. 

photo taken from pinterest

I'm conflicted about whether I should continue to color my hair.  I've seen all the gorgeous pictures of older women with beautiful white hair. But I'm not "white" yet... just grey. Its that in between stage... I've been there a few times. 

So many things have changed.  I've given up high heels, anything with a waist, and wearing bold prints. I'm lactose free, gluten intolerant and on a good day I'm a vegan. I've always been a "morning person" but now I'm a "night owl" as well.  I take little power naps. Ok, I will say it... I remind myself of my mother.

We are all headed in the same direction and there's no way to stop it. So, looking forward, I intend to buy prettier clothes (that requires a trip to Nordstrom) smile bigger and be kinder to my fellow man and woman and the 600 hundred children that come through my library every week. Life is good!

photo taken from pinterest

This is the young skinny person trapped inside my body... 

Oh to have my 25 year old figure and my 65 year old brain!

JENNY OAKS BAKER...  
a remarkable woman, mother and musician

Shortly before I graduated from college, Brigham Young University welcomed a new president. His name was Dallin Oaks. He was only 39 at the time but from my 21 year old perspective that was ancient. 

Four years later, when his youngest child was thirteen it was announced that his wife June was expecting a baby. Although a little surprised, the whole community was thrilled when a beautiful baby girl was born. 

I remember hearing that their their daughter was taking violin lessons at the tender age of four. Deep into my own family I lost track of any other news.  

Years later a violinist with Grammy nominations and Julliard Music school behind her, performed with the Mormon Tabernacle Choir.  I knew instantly who it was... Jenny Oaks Baker... our former presidents surprise and gift in mid-life.  She is beautiful and plays the violin with her whole soul.

Listen to Jenny play ...

This is a nice story but the remarkable part is Jenny's family. Supported by her husband she has managed to instill in her children not only the love of music but the discipline it takes to become musicians. Listen to their performance of "Its a Small World"  They are precious!

How has she managed it all. Listen as Jenny talks of her love of music, her family and the gift she believes came from God.