Sweetest Pleasures, Pure Delight

October Break

2009-10-19T15:47:00.000-07:00

I spent the first part of the week thinking about cleaning the pantry. Didn't happen.
On Thursday Stew and I drove up to Vernon to stay with Dad so Judy could go on a Quilt retreat.
Noticed lots of fall colors, but I think the peak was the weekend before. We were a little disappointed. Then we turned the corner in front of Aunt Millie's old house and found this.

Dad's fruit trees.

It was a glorious sight to behold.

It took my breath away.

The weather was perfect outside, we were able to a little yard work and Stew resealed the our deck up on the mountain. Glad to be home in my own bed, but where did this warm weather come from.

Summer over?

2009-08-03T16:59:00.000-07:00

I realize that summer is not even to the halfway mark, but school starts next week. I still have projects to do, places to go and mornings to sleep in.

In June I went to Vernon to take care of Dad while Judy took a vacation. Spent the week planting flowers and taking care of the chickens (nearly killed one). My family came up the last weekend and we spent a nice weekend up on the mountain. I love it when it just my family up on the mountain.

Sweet Abbie enjoyed her time on the mountain.

In July, Stew and I went up for a weekend, just the two of us. Nice and peaceful. Warm the first day, but on Saturday it started raining and turned cold. We had to go into the trailer and turn on the propane lantern to keep warm, it was only 3:30 in the afternoon.

In case you can't make out the clock, it says 3:20pm, 57 degrees, Sat, July 18.

The next weekend I went to Long Beach with Jan and Judy to an International Quilt Show, lots of fun, but spent too much money.

This the at the end of an eight hour bus ride with 45 quilters. A long day, but a really fun trip. I'm ready for next year.

Last weekend we were back up to the mountain for a family reunion. I enjoy seeing and visiting with family, eating good food, playing games. I won a neat wall hanging that Patti made that shows all of the family brands. Lots of fun, but no rain, first time in many years that it did not rain during the reunion.

A view from my porch.

I love going to the ranch, the beautiful scenery, the cooling breezes and my wonderful porch.
My family is blessed to a part of the Naegle clan. To have aunts and uncles who said little, but taught by example is truly a blessing. I love to hear their stories.

This year there were only five of Casper and Helena's grandchildren there, but not to worry there are plenty of fourth, fifth, and more generations.

But my absolute favorite moment was taking a picture of a two headed dear.

In between trips I took care of Abbie, what a treat. She is learning new words every day, and she knows where the treats are (she takes Grandma there several times a day). She smothers Scamp with affection, and is always looking for "Cally". Her new word for Grandpa is "Popper", I think this one might stick. I will be going through withdrawal the first few weeks of school.

Abbie found her own special chair.

Except for the oral surgeries, it has been a great summer!

Three Sisters and a Boat

2009-07-26T20:58:00.000-07:00

We just returned from Long Beach. Jan, Judy and I spent the last four days at the Long Beach International Quilt Show. We traveled on a bus with about 42 other quilters, along with a second bus full of quilters. In all, about 90 quilters from Arizona.
We stayed on the Queen Mary, the Grandmother of Cruise Ships.

We spent two nights exploring the decks of the ship, and marveling at the workmanship and history of her many voyages. Tiny rooms for modern beds, ancient plumbing, interesting electrical switches, but absolutely beautiful woodwork.

We spent two days at the quilt show. Saw some beautiful quilts, saw some interesting quilts and saw some quilts that look like--well I'll just say one quilter's treasure is another quilter's bag of rags.

Here are few of my favorites.

This one was exceptional. It was done from a photograph that was cut into ten different pieces and the quilt was done in ten panels done by ten different women.

Now we are home, determined to finish a few projects so we can start some more quilts.

Salt River Canyon

2009-05-25T20:36:00.000-07:00

Salt River Canyon

This afternoon Jan and I drove down through Salt River Canyon, our favorite way, due to many reasons, including there are more bathroom stalls in Globe than in Payson.
But there are a few drawbacks, mostly stupid blankety blankety A-- Drivers.
If you fall in any of these categories, please take note.
IF YOU ARE PULLING A TRAILER, GO THROUGH PAYSON,
IF YOU ARE AFRAID OF CURVES, GO THROUGH PAYSON,
IF YOU ARE ONLY GOING 15 MPH, GO THROUGH PAYSON.
IF YOU CANNOT TELL THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN YOUR GAS PEDAL AND YOUR BRAKE, GO THROUGH PAYSON.
IF YOU INSIST ON SPEEDING UP IN THE PASSING ZONE AND NOT LET ANYONE PASS YOU, GO THROUGH PAYSON.
IF YOU CANNOT LOOK OUT YOUR REARVIEW MIRROR AND SEE THE TWENTY-PLUS CARS BEHIND YOU AND REFUSE TO PULL OVER, GO THROUGH PAYSON.
IF YOU ARE DRIVING THROUGH ARIZONA FOR THE FIRST TIME, GO THROUGH PAYSON.
Salt River Canyon is not for the faint of heart. Only the brave and fearless drive this highway.
Here is another suggestion, just stay home if you are not capable of driving the speed limit.

Otherwise it was a most pleasant trip. A couple of good rainstorms on Saturday and Sunday. The mountain is beautiful. Really green and lots of flowers already blooming. This morning it was 36 degrees. Thank goodness for propane lanterns that warm up our trailers.

Our many thanks to Uncle Cecil and Aunt Millie's family for allowing us to use this beautiful place to rest and enjoy the cooling breezes. It is our heaven on earth.

2009-05-10T08:16:00.000-07:00

Happy Mother's Day

Today I will remember my mother, because that is all I have now. Memories.

My earliest memory is riding in the car with her. I always felt safe. She had her own GPS system, we never got lost.

I remember her curling my hair and fixing my ringlets.

I remember her sewing, she made all of our clothes, I only remember three dresses that were purchased. Since we always wore dresses to school, that was a lot of sewing.

I remember her doing the books at the plant. She let me play office with the typewriter and adding machine. And she never seemed to panic when I climbed up to the top of the tanks.

I remember her making fruit cake every Christmas for Dad's customers, The batter looked like vomit, so I never ate it, besides it had nuts.

I remember she always put aside a little bit of fruit salad for me without the nuts, I do not like nuts.

I remember her reading her scriptures.

I remember coming home from school and she would be laying down on her bed playing solitaire and hiding a bag of chocolate star candy under the pillow. We were banished from the room if we tried to tell her the next move she could make. I could stretch my arm up under the pillow and grab a few pieces of candy and then run, thinking that I got away clean.

I remember her waltzing around the kitchen with us while she was fixing dinner.

I remember singing in the car with her on the way home from Yuma and trying to be the first one to sing "I see W- E- L-L- T- O- N" when we came out of Telegraph Pass. We are not a family of singers put in the car we were the King Family and our Love at Home was just a beautiful as theirs.

But most of all, today I will remember her laughter and will be happy because Heavenly Father let me choose her to be my mom.

We Got Abbie

2009-03-20T19:46:00.000-07:00

Today is the last day of Spring Break, and I took care of Abbie, sweetest grand baby ever.

She played with Scamp

She read books

She check out Grandma's garden

She watched TV

And she ate strawberries

It was a great day!

Today was also G-tew's birthday, so we went to Joe's BBQ. After the girls stood in line and bought his dinner, they found out that on your birthday you get a free dinner. So G-tew went through the line with me and got a free meal that he will enjoy for lunch tomorrow.
He was going to stay home from work today and visit his favorite thrift stores, but since he was at home sick the first of the week he went to work. Which made him miss his favorite birthday wish. Our former Stake President, Pres. Huber always called all the adults in the stake on their birthday, (an absolutely amazing man), anyway he still calls and it always such a treat. I took the message for G-tew and visited with Pres. Huber for a few minutes. It made my day.

Now for the insantity going on in Washington, I found a few quotes that I think fit the occasion. Funny how they are relevant today.

Mark Twain -
Suppose you were an idiot.
And suppose you were a member of Congress....
But I repeat myself.

Robert Frost -
A liberal is a man too broadminded to take his own side in a quarrel.

Abraham Lincoln -
You cannot help men permanently by doing for them what they could and should do for themselves.

Theodore Roosevelt -
Every immigrant that comes here should be required within five years to learn English or leave the country.

Benjamin Franklin -
We are all born ignorant, but one must work hard to remain stupid.

Our congress sure is working hard. We should require that all legislators pass a reading exam before be sworn into office, and take occasional pop quizzes on the Constitution.

Happy Birthday Dad

2009-03-05T18:59:00.000-08:00

Today is my Dad's 88th birthday. I have been thinking of some of the things I learned from him.

1. Be on time. We were never late for anything, and it really bugs me to wait for other people or be sitting in church and the same people always come in late. Now I am an attendance clerk at the grade school down the street and have little patience for late students.

2. Make do with what you have. Dad was always taking old things and making something new out of it. Like our old TV cabinet, he made a chest of drawer out of it. In Wellton, he took some old poles and made a beautiful grape-stake fence. Our patio was made from some old brick he found. Now I am making jean quilts out of old blue jeans and finding great satisfaction in making do with what I have.

3. Take care of your animals and treat them like a member of the family. Dad loved his dogs and they loved him. There is nothing like having your dog curl up at your feet on a cold night.

4. If your are lost out in the desert, look for power lines and they will lead you to civilization. That may seem to be not really important, but I think Dad was telling me to always look for the source of the power in everything and I would find my way, in my schoolwork, in my everyday problems and in finding my testimony. I have always remembered riding in his gas truck and looking for the power lines.

5. To be charitable. Dad was always helping someone who was less fortunate than we were. He brought some home to sleep in the room out back. If someone ran out of gas out on the highway he would stop and give them a couple gallons of gas off of his truck. If someone came to the plant and ask for money, he would go to the store and buy him some groceries. Now as I watch what is going on in this country I realize I need to be more charitable to those that are less fortunate than I.

6. Here are a few JT'isms
If your feet smell and nose runs, you were built upside down.
If you were standing in the way of him trying to watch TV, you have been drinking muddy water.
One finger means pass the milk, two fingers means pass the bread.

7. Forgiveness is possible. He finally forgave Jan for shaking the french dressing without a cap and throwing it all over his freshly painted kitchen wall.

8. Work until the job is done. Dad worked long hours providing for his family. We always waited until Dad got home to eat dinner, but we always ate together as a family even late some times. But we knew that there was a farmer who could not do his work unless he had the gas to do it, and that was Dad's responsibility.

9. If you accept a calling from the Lord magnify your calling. If it includes going to meetings you better be there, even if the meetings are 30 miles away. Dad and Mom always gave 100%+ to their callings.

10. Love the Lord. I know that my Dad has a testimony and it has never wavered from the day that he was baptized. He has an amazing ability to remember scriptures and a knowledge of gospel principles that I have relied on many times. I am now trying to fill my own lantern with oil.

Happy Birthday Dad, thank you for the lessons.

Anniversary

2009-02-06T20:24:00.000-08:00

38

Today is our anniversary, seems more like 10 years, but amazingly we have been married 38 years. The day we married was just like today, the weather was perfect. We had no idea what was ahead, but we had each other. The road has not been smooth, lots of bumps, a few detours, but we have made it this far and whatever comes next, we will still have each other.

I am grateful that I am married to a man who can fix anything, cook everything, pack a car so that everything fits, stay up with sick babies, and be patient with me and my many projects.

Thanks for the journey so far, and looking forward to our eternal destination.

Christmas is Over

2009-01-01T12:13:00.000-08:00

Christmas is over, time to pack up the ornaments,
put away the nativities

and write the 'Thank you notes' with these really cute cards my daughters made and gave for Christmas.

We started a new tradition for Christmas this year.
We exchanged names and that gift can be purchased, but if you want to give other gifts to everyone they need to be homemade. The girls made these absolutely adorable calendar books and cards. Angie made fabric covered boards that hold pictures, can you guess whose pictures will be in there. Megan gave certificates for a free dinner prepared in their homes. Menus have already been selected.

The day after Christmas we went to Famous Dave's BBQ for Aaron's birthday dinner. He really gets gypped when it comes to birthdays, it is hard to distinguish between birthday presents and Christmas presents.

Today we are celebrating Jacob's birthday. Pepperoni rolls for dinner, his favorite. Later we will go shopping for a new coat. On Saturday we will celebrate Megan's birthday.

This morning, Kristy, Shana, G2 and I took the new light rail into Phoenix to check it out. We paid the price, but there was no crowds. For your information there is no need to go past the Heard Museum. It will be nice for trips to Phx. Museum, Dodge theater and the Orpheum theater. Nice stop in front of the ball park and Suns Arena. Pretty close to the Wells Fargo Arena, too. It was nice and clean, I highly recommend it for trips downtown for jury duty. The girls were checking out the restaurants and G2 was counting all of the thrift stores. (I can see his fingers getting itchy for old books) I did not see any fabric stores along the way, oh well I'm broke anyway.

The engineer posed for a picture with us, a very careful driver. We sat right behind her, it was cool to watch the control panel and figure out how it operates.

Happy New Year to everyone.

Thanksgiving Repeat

2008-11-28T05:23:00.000-08:00

Okay, my sister and my daughter told me that part of my last post was gobbly goop. Here is what I quoted:

Be Thankful

Be thankful that you don't already have everything you desire.
If you did, what would there be to look forward to?

Be thankful when you don't know something,
for it gives you the opportunity to learn.

Be thankful for the difficult times.
During those times you grow.

Be thankful for your limitations,
because they give you opportunities for improvement.

Be thankful for each new challenge,
because it will build your strength and character.

Be thankful for your mistakes.
They will teach you valuable lessons.

Be thankful when you're tired and weary,
because it means you've made a difference.

It's easy to be thankful for the good things.
A life of rich fulfillment comes to those who are also thankful for the setbacks.

Gratitude can turn a negative into a positive.
find a way to be thankful for your troubles, and they can become your blessings.

Author unknown

Thanksgiving

2008-11-27T05:39:00.000-08:00

Happy Thanksgiving

I got up early this morning to make rolls for other friend's and relative's Thanksgiving dinner, not ours. Today I am going to relax and enjoy the afternoon with my sister at the movies. Do not fear, our Thanksgiving dinner is on Saturday, when everyone will be there. Last night G-tew suggested we make lefsa, mmm what a treat! So I mixed up the mashed potatoes to cool. For those of you who do not know what lefsa is I will explain, tortillas made with potatoes. Lefsa is a German/Scandinavian dish, it is great with left over turkey and cranberry sauce, also warmed up with cinnamon and sugar. So we will mix a little of G-tew's Norwegian heritage with our Thanksgiving this year.

As I was kneading the dough I was thinking about my Mom, and all the Thanksgiving meals she prepared. My Mom was a great cook, she could take anything and make a meal out of it. When I was young we lived away from our extended family, so it was just the five of us, but Mom always made Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Years Day meals grand, the good china, the nice tablecloth, the whole works, just for the five of us. Today I am missing my Mom, but I know where she is and she is happy. Today I am thankful for my testimony of the Plan of Salvation and eternal families, and I know that I will be with her again.

I think that Thanksgiving is my favorite holiday. I love the colors of fall, and we still have cooler weather ahead, after Christmas it is a downhill slide to the summer. Maybe I like it because it does not involve a lot of money, but my family is together and we like each other, we laugh and play and clean up together and that is the best.

Be Thankful
Be thankful that you don't already have everything you desire.
If you did, what would there be to look forward to?
Be thankful when you don't know something
for it gives you the opportunity to learn.
Be thankful for the difficult times.
During those times you grow.
Be thankful for your limitations,
because they give you opportunities for improvement.
Be thankful for each new challenge,
because it will build you strength and character.
Be thankful for your mistakes.
They will teach you valuable lessons.
Be thankful when you're tired and weary because it means you've made a difference.
It's easy to be thankful for the good things.
A life of rich fulfillment comes to those who are also thankful for the setbacks.
Gratitude can turn a negative into a positive.
Find a way to be thankful for your troubles,
and they can become your blessings.
Author unknown

May your stuffing be tasty

May your turkey plump,

May your potatoes and gravy

Have in them no lumps.

May your yams be delicious

And your pies take the prize,

And may your Thanksgiving dinner

Stay off your thighs!

~Anonymous

2008-11-19T19:19:00.000-08:00

Hip Hip Hooray for Jessica!!!

Jessica passed her physical fitness test and will be graduating this week. Jessica has joined the Air Force and has been in Texas completing her basic training. She struggled completing the requirements for sit-ups, 45 in one minute, but she did it, and we are all pleased as punch about it. Now she will go to Florida for training in Signal Communications, Way to go Jess!

I returned this afternoon from our trip to Disneyland. Thanks to my daughters for treating me to a lovely time. And I will forgive them for finding so much amusement in Judy and I getting drenched while riding the Grizzly River ride. Except for the hot weather, we had a great time, no large crowds and not much wait time for rides. Now its back to work and getting ready for Thanksgiving.

Spelling correction

2008-11-11T21:29:00.000-08:00

Please forgive the misspelling of 'filled up' in the second paragraph, its late and I'm going to bed!!

Fill up, pray some more and go on.

2008-11-11T20:27:00.000-08:00

Well, I made it through another birthday. Somewhat depressing, but finally at peace with the election results. We had an amazing Stake Conference the Sunday before the election, where a lot was said about having faith and moving forward. One story that was told was about one of the first parties to be sent to Arizona from Utah. They went about fifty miles south of the Colorado River and ran out of water. They prayed that night and when they woke up, it had rained and there was snow on the ground. They filled there barrels and turned around and went back to Salt Lake City. When Brigham Young heard the story he was interviewing a Bro. Jones. He looked at Bro. Jones and asked him what he would do if he had been with that party. Bro. Jones said he would have filled up, prayed some more and gone on. Well, I think that is what I am going to do, fill up, pray some more and go on.

I have been thinking about my Dad today. He served in the army during WWII. His brother Junior and brother-in-law, Luther Nash, served also. Dad was in Hawaii for most of the time. I cannot imagine having a husband, father or son in harms way for so long. But I think my Mom and both of my Grandmothers must have 'fill upped, prayed some more and gone on'.

Luther Nash, my uncle and my Dad, in Hawaii

My father, J.T. Hunter, my grandfather, Albert J. Hunter, my uncle, Junior Hunter.
My grandfather served in WWI. All three of them have their names engraved on the War monument in Gilbert.

My mom had three brothers serving their country during the war.

This headline for this newspaper article say "This Family Rates One Gold Star, 3 Blue". Casper Nicoll served in the Army National Guard, Don Carlos Nicoll Jr. served with the Marines and Guy Nicoll served in the Navy. All returned home except Don who was killed on Iwo Jima.
I am thankful for those who served so that I can enjoy the freedom to 'fill up, pray some more and go on'.

2008-10-28T20:01:00.000-07:00

Oh, how I love my new oven. Tonight we baked twenty plus dozen cookies for Halloween, and we did it half the time it used to take. Love it, love it love it. No more staying up till midnight baking the cookies.

Tomorrow is the Ward Fall Festival and Stew and I, with the help of a couple of friends will be making the fry bread. This is really kind of funny, cause everyone calls it Indian Fry Bread, but the recipe comes from my Norwiegen mother-in-law. Angie is bringing Abbie in her adorable lady bug costume. I will post pictures later.

Thursday we will be decorating the cookies. Megan promised to help since most of the cookies are for her friends at her job. Anyway, by the time Friday gets here I will be wiped out. All of this busyness (is that a word? makes sense to me) is a nice diversion from the liberal media and the election.

We filled out our ballots on Sunday, and they were mailed this morning. No waiting in line this year. Next week I will have either a really great birthday or a really depressing one. Either way I am going to Fuddruckers for dinner on Thursday.

Miss Molly

2008-10-23T16:00:00.001-07:00

Here is the update on the new kitten. I spoke to Judy this morning, she has named her Molly Mouse, Dad calls her Miss Molly Malone. They are still bottle feeding her. Molly has taken a shine for Dad. She climbs up his leg and sits in his lap and goes to sleep. Judy said she hasn't pooped yet. I told her check under her bed (where Molly hides), and bet she finds the poop. So I guess Dad has a new friend who hasn't heard all of his stories. Check Megan's blog for a picture of Molly.

Sisterly love

2008-09-21T18:46:00.000-07:00

Disclaimer: I am not responsible for any damage my daughters do to each other in the name of revenge.

Shana and Kristin, before they thought of mean things to do to their sisters, they were so sweet.

Carly and Megan, before the war began.

As you can see, they were once sweet and innocent, but alas now they are up to shenanigans. I tried my very best to be the kind of mother who taught them to be loving and kind. But what can you do when their Dad's driving techniques border on revenge/road rage. It's that blasted Norwegian onriness.

G2's Gift

2008-09-11T20:36:00.000-07:00

Abbie's Tutu
Nikki made Abbie this adorable tutu for her 1st birthday

Grandpa's Gift
G2 gave Abbie a rocking chair.
We celebrated Abbie first birthday with lots of family, aunts, uncles, cousin, grandmas and one grandpa. G2 searched high and low for the rocking chair, of course his search included a few thrift stores. Eventually he settled on Cracker Barrel for the chair, but it was a good excuse to go searching for used books, his favorite hobby. He came home tonight with more treasures. Maybe I will go to the fabric store tomorrow and find my own treasures.

2008-09-07T19:31:00.000-07:00

Thank goodness for my daughter's patience, she very carefully walk me through the set up of this blog. Maybe tomorrow she will show me the rest. Isn't it amazing how much our children can figure these things out so quickly. I do know where the off/on switch is, so I shouldn't embarrass them to much. But it sure is easier to call them for help, than it is to read the instruction.