Friday, November 15, 2013

Looking at these gorgeous sky pictures is a great way for me to start my day!

"I pray that we may prepare ourselves to give whatever service the Lord may set before us on our mortal journey."  - President Henry B. Eyring

"Are we serving priorities or gods ahead of the God we profess to worship?  What is your ultimate priority?"  - Elder Dallin H. Oaks

The weather has been in the 60's for the past few days but it turned cold and windy today.  James made potatoes and eggs for breakfast before he left for work.  He went in to the city of Show Low to get permits, and guess who is in charge of plans and permits for the city of Show Low?  Our friend, John Wilhelm.

While he was at the city, James gave them our check for the community fast.  Over 7,000 people participated to help the poor in the city of  Show Low.

 

 It is raining hard and there is also lightning and thunder.  

 

Our Christmas movie this evening was: "Christmas with Holly,"

 

I finally got all of the Halloween decorations taken down!

Thursday, November 14, 2013

James had two people tell him that the steaks at the dinner last night were the best they ever tasted.  The Curtis's like my rolls, so I baked some this morning and took them, along with steak and cheesecake to them. 

After James left for work I wrote a thank you note to Trenda.  I called James about taking his workers to lunch.  He thought it was a great idea so I get ready to go to town.  I dropped off Trenda's note at the post office and take the food to the Curtis's. 

When I picked up James at the job he said Francisco and Reuben turned him down for lunch, so it was just he and I.  LaCasita here we come! 

We introduced ourselves to our waitress, whose name is Charlotte.  She is so warm and friendly and always makes us feel so glad that we came. 

After taking James back to work I get gas and do a little shopping at Walmart.  James called and says he's on his way home.  He actually beat me there. 

I paid some bills and talked to my sister-in-law Cathi on the phone.  I had a funny dream about her and Terry last night so I called to see how they were. 

For dinner James and I have steak, potato, and salad.  I wish I had Analee Hunsaker's self-control.

This evening we watched Person of Interest, Elementary, and a Christmas movie, "Christmas Dance."

Tonight's sunset.

I love this Thanksgiving veggie tray!

Wednesday, November 13, 2013

A room with a view.

Sunrise over Mt. Vernon.

One of the first things I do when I get up in the morning is open the dining room blinds so I can see the sunrise.  This morning it was especially beautiful.

I got up early to make more rolls and then I finished spraying the roll baskets black. 

Chuck and Kathy Crane brought over their 2 roaster ovens and I got mine out of the cupboard.  Two will be filled with potatoes and the other will be used to heat up rolls.  

Around noon Blain and Diana Curtis come and take everything to the church except the rols, potatoes, and black baskets.  James came home early from work.  We both needed and took a nap.

I got up from my nap and began writing the talk I am giving tonight on the Virtue value project, which is reading the Book of Mormon.  I found a couple of good talks, one by Sharon Larsen and the other by President Faust.  The talk only needs to be about five minutes long so I have plenty of information.  I hurried to get ready to go so I could be at the church at 5.  Let the fun begin!

Trenda came early to help.  She is the best help.  Analee and Diana were also a great help in the kitchen.  The young men were our servers and James, Blaine Curtis, and John Wilhelm cooked the steaks.  There weren't as many people as we had planned for so we had tons of food left over.

Here are some of the photos I took.

"Stand Ye in Holy Places"

 Diana did the decorating, I did the dinner, and Kaeli did a slide show

of the girls at camp.  The girls loved the slide show!

Tyler Hunsaker and Brother Ulmer.

Alice Wilhelm and Hope Lootans.

Two of our servers, Kendall Hall, and Glenzo Swift.

Kendall, Jace Applegate, Glenzo, and Tyler.

Others who served: Westin Hall, Rusty Allen, and Talon Wilhelm.

They did an awesome job!

For dinner we had steaks cooked in the dark that were delicious, baked potatoes, salad, rolls, and cheesecake for dessert.  I got lots of compliments on the salad.  I think it was the Olive Garden dressing.

It was a fun everning, but I am so glad it is over.  Again Trenda stayed until the kitchen was completely clean.  I appreciate her so much!

Tuesday, November 12, 2013

I made more rolls again today.  I am making them for the Young Women in Excellence dinner on Wednesday evening. 

James started his job a Horne's in Show Low today.  He is trying to tear out the concrete but he is having trouble with his equipment.  Francisco and Reuben are here helping. 

I went shopping at Walmart today to get salad stuff and other last minute items for tomorrow night's dinner. While I am loading things in the back of my car I drop the chocolate covered ice cream I just got a McDonald's.  Boo Hoo!!
 On the way home I stop at Bell Mart to get propane tanks filled for our grill since we are using it to cook the steaks on tomorrow night.  The clerk inside was super friendly.  I really liked her.

On the way back to Vernon this is what I see.  Kathy Crane said she actually saw the flames.

  Yikes!

This fire is a little to close!

There is no room in my refrigerator or freezer for much of anything except food for tomorrow night's dinner.  I had to sample the dessert just to make sure it was going to be okay.

It was delicious!!

Kathy Crane called and offered to let us use her two roaster ovens to cook with tomorrow night.  She really is a very thoughtful neighbor.

Monday, November 11, 2013

 Happy Veteran's Day!

I am trying a new simpler roll recipe which only makes a dozen or so at a time.  My other recipe makes about five or six dozen and takes most of the day to make.   This recipe takes a little over an hour, and it is a good one if you are in a hurry for a dozen rolls.

I couldn't sleep this morning, so I got up at 4am and watched "Once Upon a Time."  It's a show that James doesn't really care for so I don't have to wait for him to watch it. 

James worked on the road for awhile today and then we watched "The Mentalist."  The Red John suspects are down to three.  I don't think it's any of them, I think they are all accomplices. 

I watched the finale of "Master Chef, Jr."  A thirteen year old boy from New York names Alexander won.  It is such a good show.  It is amazing to see these kids cook!

I also watched "The Voice" top 12 perform and then James and I watched a Christmas movie. 

For FHE James worked on his talk on the two great commandments.

Sunday, November 10, 2013

As much fun as our trip was, it feels good to be back home again.  I've missed the Vernon skies.

This sky in on fire.

James leaves early for his high council meeting and while I am in the bathroom getting ready for church, he walks in and scares me to death!  We do get to go to church together.

Jordyn Applegate was the youth speaker in sacrament meeting.  She spoke on repentance.  Sandra Wilhelm and Judy Hunter both spoke on keeping the sabbath day holy.

In Sunday School the lesson was on the joy of doing family history and temple work.  Of course Ruth Wallace's name came up.  She is a sister in our ward who has submitted thousands of names for temple work.  Everyone in our ward who goes to the temple has taken at least one of Ruth's names.

Sandra Wilhelm taught all of the young women today instead of just the Mia Maids because none of the other teachers were prepared.  Shelly, Trenda and Jordyn all shared why going to seminary is important.

At home James and I had our Burger House burros for lunch.  Afterwards we took a short nap and then James went home teaching to the Peeler's and the Hunsaker's.

When James returned home from home teaching we read our scriptures and two conference talks.  Afterwards we watched a Hallmark Christmas movie.

Something really sad happened in the world this week.  While we were spending an enjoyable vacation in California, the people in the Philipines we being hit by a deadly typhoon.  Thousands are dead and thousands are without the homes or any worldly possessions.  Thank goodness all the missionaries are safe and accounted for.

Saturday, November 9, 2013

James and the boys went down for breakfast while I was getting ready.  By the time I got ready to go down there was a broken elevator and the other one was so busy, I got tired of waiting.  We get ready and leave for home. 

While we were driving home, Brian, Kim, Joe, Alex and Adam were enjoying a day at California Adventure:

Kim's favorite things: 

Brian, Joe, and Tower of Terror!

Santa really is coming!

The Radiator Springs ride.

Radiator Springs was open today and Kim said it was awesome and that Evan and Rowan would have loved it! 

The boys were hungry and needed to go potty so we stopped at a Jack in the Box in Indio.  Our next stop was at a Burger King in west Phoenix.

Two kingly guys.

Goofy, kingly guys!

We arrived at Sheri's somewhere between 4 and 4:30.  Trina came to pick up Rowan and took him to her parents house.  Addy and Ruby and Kayla, Kylie, and Kreed are already there.  Her parents are keeping them this weekend while Bryce and Lexy are in Texas.

As soon as Evan got home he had someone help him build his Lego set.  Sheri sent me this picture.

Evan loves Legos!

James leaves in his truck pulling a trailer with a piece of equipment on it that he is going to use on the Horne job.  I go shopping at Sam's Club for cheesecakes, etc., for our Young Women in Excellence dinner which is this coming Wednesday night.  After I do my shopping I go back to the house and load up my steaks, and other goodies, and leave.  I decide to go the Globe way to make James happy.  Since he couldn't stop at Burger House because he was pulling a trailer, I stop and pick up four burros for us.  

As soon as we get home we unload and go to bed.  James has an early high council meeting in the morning.  We had alot of fun with Rowan and Evan on our trip, but now it's back to work!