My GREEN Homeland of Arizona

Have I mentioned that my favorite color is green? Anyway, growing up in Arizona people wonder if anything is green there. They always associate Arizona as a brown desert. That is sad, because Arizona has lots of green things, even in the summer - which to me can be the greenest when all the trees have their leaves. Our yard growing up was always green because of all the fruit trees and the grass, which was usually a foot tall before I got to the last section to mow! It was a jungle.

Anyway, this past weekend Von and I traveled to Arizona for our granddaughter's, baptism. A quick, but special occasion for going. The thought of getting some wonderful sunshine and warmer temperatures was going to be a treat along with seeing our children!

It was a scenic drive as we drove through the Grand Canyons, the pines of Flagstaff and then the high desert of cactus, palo verde and mesquite trees. Unfortunately the wild flowers were not blooming.

Most of the trip I was reading and would look up occasionaly to see what we were passing by. It was during one of these moments as we were about to turn onto I-10 that I looked up to see multiple fields of green alfalfa.

I started to cry. To see that lush green field of sweet alfalfa made me so homesick and long for a big bear hug from my father. You see, my father was a farmer, but he also was a teacher. Whenever we were with daddy, he would stop and teach us about what was growing in the fields that we passed. It became a game to guess what the crop was. But of all the crops, alfalfa was my favorite, especially just after being cut. The smell would linger for many days, it was sweet and refreshing.

I didn't have my camera with me, but here is a picture of an alfalfa field, but not as green as the ones I saw.

Here is a picture of my father with four of his six brothers. My father is the one in the middle. This past week his youngest brother, Mel, and his oldest sister, Thelma, passed away. Mel was 88 and Thelma was 100 years old. I think my dad's family has had a beautiful reunion this week. Maybe when I saw that green alfalfa field, it reminded me of my family's farming legacy. They were all tillers of the land and took great pride in working the earth and helping create life with God's bounty. I am blessed.

Birthday Tulips!

Tomorrow is my birthday. I am still over the age of 50, darn, and the numbers keep increasing!

Anyway, after grocery shopping this afternoon, I walked into the kitchen to see some beautiful tulips! They are light orange with shades of yellow in them. I wish I had a better vase, but this will have to do. Aren't they lovely?

I had been thinking about the individuals that gave them to me all day, so when I opened up the card to discover who had sent them, I cried. I want you to know how much I love you.

I received some other gifts this week too, again, not expected, and so generous. I am loved by such wonderful family and friends, I truly am blessed.

I am taking a sewing class because...?

I wanted a job on campus as a TA - so to get the job I had to take Intermediate Sewing 287. Fortunately the professor saw my work and gave me a pass on the beginning sewing class. Two things about this class, I enjoy sewing around other people! I like socializing when I am sewing. And the only new thing I will learn in this class is a differnt way to alter patterns, which has been great!

I finished up our first project - a HOODIE! Normally I do not sew for myself, but I decided to make myself something! I don't think anyone in the school has this color of sweatshirt fleece,cha-ching! I decided to line the hood and use the same fabric for a facing. Of course I see all the imperfections in the hoodie/jacket. Who knows - I might even wear it! Our instructor is very adamant about making clothing items that DO NOT look homemade. Do you think it passes?

Tomorrow we start on a man's shirt - but instead, I am making myself a tailored PINK shirt. Von didn't want me to make him one, which I am OK with. Anyway, maybe with all this altering I am doing I will end up with some patterns that fit and I can finally sew for myself!

Food Class Update

Lets see, 24 women signed up and 11 ended up coming. That was OK by me! Even 5 or 6 would have been perfect! Next month it will be a "Cooking with Children" class. I think I will handpick 3 children in the ward to participate.

If you want recipes Cami, I will email them to you. I just need your email address.

FOOD

Tomorrow I am teaching a cooking class in my ward. "Dinner for 2, or Dining Alone." It is geared for cooking in smaller quantities. Lots of women signed up - we shall see how many show up!

Our ward has lots of young married couples and single women. Their concerns are time, budget and healthy foods. I will post on whether it was a successful evening!

GRATEFUL

Today was a good day for our family. We need those once in a while.

SINGING IS SO FUN TO DO!

This past Sunday we had our last ward conference. We visited our Spanish Ward. They have the smallest Primary in the stake. I had the privilege of speaking to the children. It was such a treat to share with them a message and my testimony, but more importantly, it was a testimony to me to feel their love and excitement for Primary! These children were beautiful. Every one of the boys were either in a suit and tie or a white shirt and tie! And the girls were dressed in their Sunday best.

But the best part of our visit was singing time! They learn all the songs in Spanish. Their chorister knows the songs and teaches with such great enthusiasm - it was contagious! And the children's voices - oh how sweet and joyful. Even though their numbers are small, their voices were anything but small! If we could only capture that moment and share it with others - I guarantee you would smile and feel unspeakable joy!