Featuring Phyllis

GIVEAWAY BLOG

2010-03-28T10:23:00.001-06:00

My daughter Sarah has a giveaway blog and is giving away some great prizes. Here's the link:

solutionssleuth.blogspot.com

Good Luck to everyone!

Great Giveaway Blog

2010-03-28T10:21:00.001-06:00

My niece has the greatest giveaway blog. Here is the link:

trying2staycalm.blogspot.com

She's giving away some wonderful prizes!

THOUGHT FOR TODAY

2010-03-11T12:26:00.001-07:00

BE THE BEST YOU CAN BE!

If you can't be a pine on the top of the hill.
Be a scrub in the valley-but be
The best little scrub by the side of the rill;
Be a bush, if you can't be a tree.
If you can't be a bush, be a bit of the grass.
And some highway happier make;
If you can't be a muskie, then just be a bass-
But the liveliest bass in the lake!
We can't all be captains, we've got to be crew.
There's something for all of us here.
There's big work to do and there's lesser to do
And the task we must do is the near.
If you can't be a highway, then just be a trail,
If you can't be the sun, be a star;
It isn't by the size that you win or you fail-
Be the best of whatever you are!

A NEW YEAR - 2010

2010-01-10T11:55:00.003-07:00

JUST FOR TODAY

Just for today I will be happy. This assures that what Abraham Lincoln said is true, that "most folks are about as happy as they make up their minds to be." Happiness is from within; it is not a matter of externals.

Just for today I will try to adjust myself to what is and not try to adjust everything to my own desires. I will take my family, my business, and my luck as they come and fit myself to them.

Just for today I will take care of my body. I will exercise it, care for it, nourish it, not abuse it nor neglect it, so that it will be a perfect machine for my bidding.

Just for today I will try to strengthen my mind. I will learn something useful. I will not be a mental loafer. I will read something that requires effort, thought and concentration.

Just for today I will be agreeable. I will look as well as I can, dress as becomingly as possible, talk low, act courteously, be liberal with praise, criticize not at all, nor find fault with anything and not try to regulate nor improve anyone.

Just for today I will try to live through this day only, not to tackle my whole life problem at once. I can do things for twelve hours that would appall me if I had to keep them for a lifetime.

Just for today I will have a program. I will write down what I expect to do every hour. I may not follow it exactly, but I will have it. I will eliminate two pests, hurrying and indecision.

Just for today I will have a quiet half-hour all by myself and relax. In this half-hour sometimes I will think of God, so as to get a little more perspective into my life.

Just for today I will be unafraid, especially I will not be afraid to be happy, to enjoy what is beautiful, to love,and to believe that those I love, love me.

THINK AND ACT CHEERFULLY

MERRY CHRISTMAS!

2009-12-25T00:17:00.000-07:00

Here is a Christmas recipe for you. Enjoy.

ENGLISH PUDDING

Cook on low 3 hours day before and 1 hour day served:

3 c fine bread crumbs
¾ c milk
½ c melted butter
1 c walnuts (break)
1 c sugar
1 c seedless raisins
2 eggs well beaten
¼ tsp. allspice
¼ tsp. cloves
1 tsp. cocoa
1 tsp. vanilla
pinch of salt
1 tsp. soda
1 tbsp. flour
1 tsp. cinnamon

Mix and steam in double boiler for 4 hours.

Hard Sauce for English Pudding:

½ c soft butter
2 c powdered sugar
1 tsp. vanilla
½ tsp. lemon juice

Cream butter. Add sugar. Beat until fluffy. Add flavoring. Mold in cylendar. Freeze. Cut a piece of hard sauce and put on English pudding. Serve with hot caramel sauce.

INFLIGHT HUMOR

2009-12-10T12:48:00.006-07:00

On a recent flight from the US to China, the airline hostess gave a humorous monologue. Here are a few of the things she said along with some others I found. Enjoy!

The green button is to call the Flight Attendant. If you press it morer than twice, you will be ejected from your seat.

If we go down in the water, this aircraft will become your cruise ship. Grab the cushion and scream like hell. Please jump out of the plane. If you do not, the flight attendant will be glad to push you out...she's just that type of a gal.

When the aircraft takes off the lights will dim. This will enhance the appearance of the flight attendants.

Please move all body parts to the inside of the isle so we don't wipe them out. We will be collecting trash and unwanted items such as old money, gold jewelry, or anything of value which does not include unwanted husbands, children or pets.

There may be 50 ways to leave your lover, but there are only 4 ways out
of this airplane..."

"Your seat cushions can be used for flotation, and in the event
of an emergency water landing, please take them with our compliments."

"We do feature a smoking section on this flight; if you must smoke,
contact a member of the flight crew and we will escort you to the wing
of the airplane. Movies showing there are: "A Walk in the Clouds" and "With a Wing and a Prayer."

There may be 50 ways to leave your lover, but there are only 4 ways out of this airplane..."

"Your seat cushions can be used for flotation, and in the event
of an emergency water landing, please take them with our compliments."

"We do feature a smoking section on this flight; if you must smoke, contact a member of the flight crew and we will escort you to the wing of the airplane."

"Smoking in the lavatories is prohibited. Any person caught smoking in the lavatories will be asked to leave the plane immediately."

Pilot - "Folks, we have reached our cruising altitude now, so I am going to switch the seat belt sign off. Feel free to move about as you wish, but please stay inside the plane till we land... it's a bit cold outside, and if you walk on the wings it affects the flight pattern."

And, after landing: "Thank you for flying Delta Business Express. We hope you enjoyed giving us the business as much as we enjoyed taking you for a ride."

As we waited just off the runway for another airliner to cross in front of us, some of the passengers were beginning to retrieveluggage from the overhead bins. The head attendant announced on the intercom, "This aircraft is equipped with a video surveillance system that monitors the cabin during taxiing. Any passengers not remaining in their seats until the aircraft comes to a full and complete stop at the gate will be strip-searched as they leave the aircraft.

Once on a Southwest flight, the pilot said, "We've reached our cruising altitude now, and I'm turning off the seat belt sign. I'm switching to autopilot, too, so I can come back there and visit with all of you for the rest of the flight."

As the plane landed and was coming to a stop at Washington National, a lone voice comes over the loudspeaker: "Whoa, big fella...WHOA..!"

"Should the cabin lose pressure, oxygen masks will drop from the
overhead area. Please place the bag over your own mouth and nose before assisting children or adults acting like children."

"As you exit the plane, please make sure to sure to gather all of your belongings. Anything left behind will be distributed evenly among the flight attendants. Please do not leave children or spouses." "Last one off the plane must clean it."

And from the pilot during his welcome message: "We are pleased to have some of the best flight attendants in the industry... Unfortunately none of them are on this flight...!"

Heard on Southwest Airlines just after a very hard landing in
Salt Lake City: The flight attendant came on the intercom and said, "That was quite a bump and I know what ya'll are thinking. I'm here to tell you it wasn't the airline's fault, it wasn't the pilot's fault, it wasn't the flight attendants' fault.....it was the asphalt!"

Overheard on an American Airlines flight into Amarillo, Texas, on a particularly windy and bumpy day. During the final approach the Captain was really having to fight it. After an extremely hard landing, the Flight Attendant came on the PA and announced, "Ladies and Gentlemen, welcome to Amarillo. Please remain in your seats with your seatbelts fastened while the Captain taxis what's left of our airplane to the gate!"

Another flight Attendant's comment on a less than perfect landing: "We ask you to please remain seated as Captain Kangaroo bounces us to the terminal."

After a particularly rough landing during thunderstorms in Memphis, a flight attendant on a Northwest flight announced: "Please take care when opening the overhead compartments because, after a landing like that, sure as hell everything has shifted."

From a Southwest Airlines employee.... "Welcome aboard Southwest Flight XXX to YYY. To operate your seatbelt, insert the metal tab into the buckle, and pull tight. It works just like every other seatbelt, and if you don't know how to operate one, you probably shouldn't be out in public unsupervised. In the event of a sudden loss of cabin pressure, oxygen masks will drop from the ceiling. Stop screaming, grab the mask, and pull it over your face. If you have a small child traveling with you, secure your mask before assisting with theirs. If you are traveling with two small children, decide now which one you love more. Weather at our destination is 50 degrees with some broken clouds, but they'll try to have them fixed before we arrive. Thank you, and remember, nobody loves you, or your money, more than Southwest Airlines."

An airline pilot wrote that on this particular flight he had hammered his ship into the runway really hard. The airline had a policy which required the first officer to stand at the door while the passengers exited, smile, and give them a "Thanks for flying XYZ airline." He said that in light of his bad landing, he had a hard time looking the passengers in the eye, thinking that someone would have a smart comment. Finally everyone had gotten off except for this little old lady walking with a cane. She said, "Sonny, mind if I ask you a question?" "Why no Ma'am," said the pilot, "what is it?" The little old lady said, "Did we land or were we shot down?"

After a real crusher of a landing in Phoenix, the Flight Attendant came on with, "Ladies and Gentlemen, please remain in your seats until Captain Crash and the Crew have brought the aircraft to a screeching halt up against the gate. And, once the tire smoke has cleared and the warning bells are silent, we'll open the door and you can pick your way through the wreckage to the terminal.

Part of a Flight Attendant's arrival announcement: "We'd like to thank you folks for flying with us today. And, the next time you get the insane urge to go blasting through the skies in a ressurized metal tube, we hope you'll think of us here at USAirways."

CAMBRIA PINES LODGE - BIRDHOUSES

2009-09-29T19:35:00.002-06:00

CEDAR MOUNTAIN IN ALL ITS SPLENDOR

2009-09-26T22:10:00.015-06:00

Here are some pictures of our day trip to Cedar Mountain. It was such a beautiful drive through the canyon. The hills were painted yellow, orange and red with the brilliant colors of the fall leaves. This is such a glorious time of the year. The weather was lovely. The day was very enjoyable.

COMING SOON! OUR TRIP TO SOLVANG...2009

2009-09-23T06:21:00.001-06:00

FANTASTIC GIVEAWAY BLOG

2009-09-15T17:36:00.001-06:00

Check out my niece's blog. She has the coolest giveaways! You might win something wonderful! www.trying2staycalm.com

ENJOY LIFE

2009-09-08T21:51:00.002-06:00

In all of living have much fun and laughter. Life is to be enjoyed not just endured. It is great to be alive and well.

Today is the first day of the rest of our lives. Make the best of it and have a positive attitude.

TODAY'S THOUGHT

2009-09-01T21:51:00.002-06:00

Faith is putting your trust in things unseen. It can carry you through theroughest o times and become strengthened during the best of times. It has inspired millions to overcome insurmountable odds. The smallest acts of faith can sometimes reap the greatest rewards. It is the lifeline God has given us to assure us of His infinite love, power and mercy. Faith can move mountains.

FIRE IN SOUTHERN UTAH!

2009-08-31T21:43:00.005-06:00

Randy has been out in New Harmony for several days fighting the fires. Several homes have been reduced to ashes in New Harmony.
The sun was bright red this morning from the glow of the fires. The Southern Utah skies are filled with ashes.

ENTERPRISE CORN FESTIVAL

2009-08-29T21:09:00.022-06:00

Today, August 29th was the Enterprise Corn Festival. We traveled up to Enterprise which is forty minutes north of St. George. There were so many people there! Every year there are more and more people. This year we decided to stop and pick up our corn first thing before going to the booth area which was held at the Enterprise High School. Our grandson Chance was working at the Navajo Taco booth. We had a Navajo Taco and it was delicious! Too bad I didn't get a picture of it. Jandi was working at the car wash in town. Lacey was home helping her mother Annette make cakes for the dinner. Annette was busy making batches and batches of bread dough for the Navajo Tacos. They were a big hit and they were selling out.

The American Tribal style Sha'waza dance troupe was only one of the groups entertaining at Enterprise's annual celebration of the harvest of locally grown produce.

Although the Corn Fest is renowned as a city-wide farmer's market that draws more visitors than the town's population, the event has grown into a family festival that features rides for the children, a car show, a concert stage for local and visiting groups, a volleyball tournament, a petting zoo and an array of business booths.
Along the main street through town, other produce vendors took advantage of the increased traffic. About 90 cars were entered in the car show this year, and more than 80 vendors had set up booths.

Here is a picture of Enterprise Corn. Yummy!

They also had a car show there. These are just a few of the cool cars that were there.

Here's Jandi at the car wash.
The Jack Holt home has lots of activity. They sell THOUSANDS of ears of corn. They had a five dozen limit this year. Their corn sells for $4.00 a dozen and is worth every penny. We bought our five dozen. They also have a tent set up and sell all kinds of fruits and vegetables. I bought a watermellon, cantalope, peaches as well as tomatoes. Oh, my goodness, the peaches are WONDERFUL!!! So sweet, juicy and flavorful. They also had all kinds of baked goods. They sold hot buttered cooked corn and Navajo Tacos. We have been friends with the Holts for many years.

BY THE WAY, HERE IS A LINK TO A FANTASTIC GIVEAWAY BLOG! YOU'LL LOVE IT! CHECK IT OUT.

www.trying2staycalm.blogspot.com

TRUCKIN' ABOUT

2009-08-18T19:02:00.011-06:00

Recently we went on a day trip and came across this old rusted truck. I thought it was really cool and took these pictures:

SOUTHERN UTAH ADVENTURES

2009-07-18T20:47:00.020-06:00

We took a Saturday ride to Berle to see our friends Bonnie and Ray Stokes and their house they are building in the "valley". It is past Enterprise and near Berle just past Berle junction. Then we went over to Pine Valley and visited some more friends, the Spilkers. This is the Pine Valley Chapel.

Pine Valley was so lovely with a cool stream running through the trees. It was so beautiful, peaceful and cool.

You can see Pine Valley off in the distance.

I picked some sage. I want to plant some sage bushes in our yard.

Enterprise is a farming town. We saw many tractors and farm machinery at work. There are approximately 3,000 people living in Enterprise.

This was the coolest cedar tree.

We passed by a dairy farm at feeding time.

A tower in the town of Berle. There are only a few houses in Berle. Most of the houses are spread out around the area.

Here is a cool old building in Berle. There are about 1,000 people living out and around the Berle area.

Another view. Just imagine this was someone's home at one time many years ago, way out in the middle of nowhere. What is the history of this little house? What stories would it tell?

An abandoned train station in Berle.

A small shed behind.

Well, that was our trip to Berle and Pine Valley. I love Pine Valley and would love to have a cabin up there so we could get out of the hot summers here in St. George. It was 113 today in some parts of St. George. It's so hot that the house doesn't cool down when it gets to those temperatures. It's really nice in the wintertime, though. You just have to get through these hot summer months. We had a lovely spring this year.

A NEW LOOK FOR THE HANCEY HOUSE

2009-07-12T20:28:00.007-06:00

Here is our house with it's new coat of paint. It's not quite finished and only the front is painted to this point. As you can see, there's still paper up to the windows.

Ever since we built the house I wanted to add these additional boards. It's only taken 18 years now to get them on the house. The color change was a whim from a website I was looking at where I saw a building in Solvang painted something like this. The one I liked had the red basic color with blue boards and small white boards next to the blue ones. We were discouraged from the blue color so we went with the boards white and the house red. I think it turned out pretty cool. Notice the picture with the small blue boards next to the white ones. It certainly is not like any other house on the block...or in Ivins anymore. I really like it. What do you think?

IN MEMORY OF A DEAR FRIEND

2009-07-04T21:25:00.004-06:00

Yesterday was the funeral of my dear friend Sherry Lyn Petersen. She was an amazing person and she will be missed very much. Till we meet again.

CHINESE NEW YEAR DINNER 2009

2009-03-21T09:47:00.020-06:00

Chinese New Year 2009 is the Year of the Ox. We had our annual Chinese New Year Dinner on March 14th with 35 guests attending. Here I am in my Chinese dress.

THE CHEF - DENNIS! He works hard preparing all the food for the evening. He starts several weeks in advance shopping for his special ingredients at the Chinese markets. We usually make a trip to Las Vegas around the middle of January. Most things you can get here but some things you have to get at the Chinese market. He is a fabulous cook and everything he made turned out so yummy and delicious!

The menu was as follows:

Appetizers:
Spring Rolls
Paper Wrapped Chicken
Shrimp Skewers
Sweet & Sour Dipping Sauce

Main Course:
Corn Egg Flower Soup
Sweet and Sour Chicken
Teriyaki Vegetables
Ham Fried Rice
Lion's Head

Dessert:
Mandarin Orange Sherbet topped with Mandarin Oranges
Lychee Nuts

We played games and socialized after dinner. We always play a Chinese game called pop, pop, pop. It is named that for the firecrackers they light off at New Year's.

Here we are after the dinner cleaning up. My sisters-in-law Helen (left) and Nadine (right) worked hard after the dinner helping clean up the dishes, kitchen and dining room. What would I have ever done without them? Thank you very much!

It was a fun evening and good to just sit back and relax after it was all over. Until next year.

Dennis had a long day! Another triumph, my dear!

GETTING READY FOR CHINESE NEW YEAR DINNER

2009-03-13T23:14:00.012-06:00

ITS THE YEAR OF THE OX!

Dennis is chopping, chopping, chopping, stirring and cooking up a storm. The rice is cooked ready to be made into fried rice tomorrow. Lyons Heads meat is marinating, spring rolls are wrapped and mighty tasty. Ron and Helen came tonight along with Kevin and Nadine and helped wrap the spring rolls and paper wrapped chicken. Helen, Nadine and I set the tables. It all looks great! No I am tired. It's 11:20 pm and I'm going to bed. I'm excited for the dinner tomorrow night. We have 50 people coming...if they all show up. Dennis is a fabulous cook and the dinner will be great! I'm excited.

There is also a picture of the Chinese plates that are set on the tables.

LITTLE BABY LUKE

2009-03-03T17:37:00.002-07:00

My daughter Sarah had her baby last Thursday. He weighed 7 lbs. 5 ozs. They are naming him Luke James Spilker. He is so adorable and cuddly and smells so good. It was wonderful being there and seeing the new baby and all the other grandchildren that live up north.

BEAUTIFUL SOUTHERN UTAH

2009-03-02T21:43:00.003-07:00

This is a picture taken a few years ago when we went hiking around Southern Utah. This is my granddaughter Sammie. We went to see the dinosaur tracks and petroglyphs. It was a beautiful day and we had a wonderful time.

2009 PARADE OF HOMES - ST. GEORGE, UTAH

2009-02-22T08:08:00.003-07:00

I love going to the Parade of Homes here in St. George. Cassidy and I went to a few and I went to some by myself. They were fantastic! I look forward to it all year.

HELLO, MY NAME IS...

2009-02-19T06:43:00.002-07:00

It’s harder than it looks! Copy to your own blog, erase my answers, enter yours, and link to my blog. Use the first letter of your name to answer each of the following questions. They have to be real. . .nothing made up! If the person before you had the same first initial, you must use different answers. You cannot use any word twice and you can’t use your name for the boy/girl name question.
Have Fun!!
1. What is your name: Phyllis
2. A four Letter Word: Pack
3. A boy’s Name: Paul
4. A girl’s Name: Penny
5. An occupation: Physician
7. Something you wear: Pedal Pushers
8. A food: Pork
9. Something found in the bathroom: Powder
11. A reason for being late: Police stopped me..
12. Something you shout: Punt!
13. A movie title: Payton Place
14. Something you drink: Pink Lemonaide
15. A musical group: Papas and the Mamas
16. An animal: Pig
17. A street name: Pennsylvania Avenue
18. A type of car: Plymouth
19. Something scary:
20. Ice cream flavor: Pistacio

A NEW YEAR

2009-01-26T18:04:00.005-07:00

Ok, it's about time I posted something new on my blog. Right now I feel very satisfied with life. A new year, new opportunities, A NEW ME! (Those of you who know me know what I'm talking about)! Whahoo! Life is good. Life is GREAT! I have great plans for the new year. We found out that the Heritage Choir is planning a trip to CHINA in October. They plan to see the Great Wall of China. What an opportunity. Unbelievable that we may have the opportunity to see the Great Wall! I love to travel. I don't even mind sitting in airports. It's fun to see all the international travelers going to and fro. I'm excited for this new adventure.

CHRISTMAS IN DISNEYLAND

2008-12-16T22:42:00.004-07:00

We just spent five wonderful days with our daughter Jenny and her family. We left Wednesday, Dec. 10th and traveled to Anaheim. Thursday, Friday and Saturday we spent in Disneyland. We had such a great time. I don't have my pictures transfered yet, but when I do I'll post them on my blog. We all had a great time.

THE SUNSHINE CLUB

2008-11-06T10:36:00.002-07:00

I thought of something I want to start today. Its called "The Sunshine Club"! We could spread sunshine everywhere; talk about sunny things, be happy and have a great time. Do you want to be part of my sunshine club?

Stanley Wanlass Poster

2008-10-22T18:47:00.001-06:00

Here is a picture painted by our friend Stanley Wanlass. I think this is really cool.

AN OREGON BARN - BY DENNIS

2008-10-20T22:12:00.004-06:00

Here is one of my favorite paintings of Dennis'. He took an art class when we lived in Astoria from his friend Stanley Wanlass. They went out on a hillside and sat for the afternoon and painted. He did this painting of an old barn in Astoria, Oregon. I loved living in Astoria.

Here is a picture that I took of the Astoria bridge. I used to work at the Port of Astoria. I was the Executive Secretary for the Port of Astoria Director. I had a great job.

Sometimes I wish we still lived in Astoria. I loved it there. We had so much fun. Oh, how things would be different had we stayed there. We made the right decision to move. Life takes many twists and turns, even now.

A NEW LOOK

2008-10-20T06:19:00.001-06:00

Thanks to Sarah my web page has a beautiful new look. I love it, Sarah! Thank you so much!

PARIS

2008-10-18T08:45:00.002-06:00

I painted this picture a few years ago. I thought it looked like what I imagined Paris to be. Last year we went to Paris, and this IS what it looks like! I loved Paris.

RANDY AND SMOKEY THE BEAR

2008-10-16T20:14:00.002-06:00

Ivins recently had their Heritage Days celebration. There was a display at the Ivins City Fire Department where they took pictures of the kids with Smokey the Bear. My oldest "kid" got in the action and got his picture taken with Smokey. (He's a full-time Fireman with the Ivins Fire Department.) The City had a lot of activities going on during the week to celebrate. Dennis and I were in the Ivins Community Choir and we performed patriotic songs on the program.

OUR FIRST APARTMENT - 1968

2008-10-10T19:36:00.003-06:00

40 years ago - wow. I can't believe it's been that long. Here are pictures of our first apartment we moved into when we were first married. The top picture is actually a side view from the yard. The bottom picture is what you see from he street. We lived on Lehi Drive in what was then known as Granger, Utah (now called West Valley City) to the west of Salt Lake City. It was a 2 bdrm. duplex. We lived in the one behind. When you look top photo, you can see the side yard. Each unit had a nice wood fence around their yard. In this picture there is no fence. This picture was taken about 3 or 4 years ago, so it's quite a bit older than when we moved in. I remember when we got married we had a 1964 Comet, red and white. I purchased the car before we were married. We went to the Granger 6th LDS Ward. We had some good friends there.

SARAH AND DAD AT DISNEYLAND 1977

2008-10-09T22:37:00.003-06:00

Our family took a trip to Disneyland when the kids were small. The year was approximately 1977. This is a picture of Sarah and her father. We had SO much fun. She was almost 2 years old in this picture. I remember we went in May, and her birthday is in July. I love you, Sarah. You're such a wonderful mother, wife, homemaker and person. I love you very much.

I remember on the way back from Disneyland we stopped somewhere and FORGOT OUR DOG! We drove about 150 miles for about 1 1/2 hours and realized we had left the dog! We turned around and went back thinking she would surely be lost forever, and there she was just wandering around the campground where we had stayed. She was glad to see us, and we were so happy to have her back with us.

MY ARTWORK

2008-10-09T06:33:00.003-06:00

Here are a couple of watercolor paintings I did a few years ago.

MY BEAUTIFUL LORI

2008-10-07T20:16:00.002-06:00

Here is a picture of my beautiful daughter Lori. She was the happiest and most joyful little girl you could ever imagine. She was always "Jumping with Joy". She has the most beautiful smile and is always thinking of others and what she can do for someone less fortunate. I think she must have been about 16 in this picture here. I remember this dress I made for her. She looked so beautiful in it. Lori, you are such a beautiful person. You really lighten the lives of those you come in contact with. I love you so much.

SOLVANG, CALIFORNIA

2008-10-05T21:22:00.006-06:00

We recently went on our annual trip to Solvang, California with friends. This year there were 14 of us that went. Dennis' brothers Gary, Kevin and Ron and their wives Linda, Nadine and Helen went, our good friends Lynn and Linda Erickson and her brother Richard and his wife Renee, and Wayne and Loyann (Oyunn's host parents and good friends). We had a lot of fun. We started out Thursday morning from our house at 7:00 am. Our first stop was at Mesquite for breakfast. Then we traveled for about 4 hours and stopped at Peggy Sue's Diner for lunch.
It is a really fun place to eat. It's a 50's diner and really good food. Everything on the menu has a really unique name like the Elvis burger, etc. There milkshakes are to die for. They even bring you the shake can with the rest that can't fit in the tall glass, just like we used to get them.

We stopped the first night in Cambria, CA. It is right on the ocean. We had a view of the ocean from our motel there near Cambria - we actually stayed at San Simeon, CA, just 6 miles from Cambria. We walked along the oceanside and picked up rocks. It was wonderful. We really enjoy the ocean. The next day we arrived in Solvang. They have so many activities going on during Danish Days there. It's so fun. We have been going for over 30 years! The first year we went we took the children and I made red vests for them all of us. They looked so cute. It was so fun having them with us and enjoying the festivities. This year we saw a play on Sunday night called "The Hot Mikado." We had a great time. It's fun to look forward to some special thing each year. This year I made a new costume for Dennis and I. I'll have to take a picture of us in our costume and post it. I failed to get our picture taken while we were there in our costumes. Here is a picture of all of us but Wayne and Loyann:

Top row right to left: Lynn Erickson, Gary & Linda Hancey, Kevin & Nadine Hancey, Ron & Helen Hancey; Front row: Linda Erickson, Phyllis (me) & Dennis Hancey, Renee and Richard Coburn.

While we were there we went to church on Sunday at the Solvang ward. It's fun to go year after year and see the people you remember from last year.

There were chainsaw woodcarvers that were really fun to watch. Some of us bought woodcarved items to bring home. My favorite were the chain saw bears they carved. They were so cool to watch how they could take a piece of wood and in a matter of an hour or so have a finished carving. Of course the Danish Dancers were there dancing in the streets. It reminds me of when Sarah and JW got married, and how they were on their honeymoon at the same time we went to Solvang. They actually met us there in Solvang and spent the night there. That was fun.

One year the Ericksons couldn't go, so we decided to take our granddaughters Kaya and Jandi with us. I think they were 13 at the time. We had so much fun with them. They were so cute. I have the most beautiful grandchildren. Here is a picture of Jandi who is a cheerleader for Enterprise High School. Isn't she beautiful?

I love all of my grandchildren soooo much. They are so fantastic! Madison sang in the children's choir last Saturday in General Conference. She was shown on TV about 6 different times! She looked so cute! I'm so proud of her.

SERENITY

2008-08-12T21:52:00.003-06:00

I feel serenity when I look at this picture. I can see our Enterprise house looking like this someday. Can't you just feel a babbling brook running just beyond the fence of this house? I love everything about this picture. I pictre myself on this horse just riding away into the apple orchards and hearing the horse crunch on the fallen apples as it takes a rest. My sister and I used to love to go to the apple orchards behind my grandmother's house and feed the horses apples and listen to them crunch. I remember my grandmother taking a little pot into the orchard with some eggs, salt and pepper, and she made a little fire and boiled the eggs. We ate them with salt for our lunch. She was a wonderful grandma. I loved her very much. She died when I was 14. I miss her.

MY AMAZING FAMILY

2008-07-24T22:04:00.003-06:00

Here is my family. Everyone is in here except Chris, Lori's husband, who is in the Air Force. Also not pictured are the two youngest grandchildren, Felicity and Nicholas. I love my family. They are so precious to me. What would we do without family? I am very fortunate to have such a wonderful family that I am so proud of.

Today was July 24th. We started off the day with a parade. Kaya, my oldest granddaughter who is 16 now, drove my Mini Cooper in the parade. I had red, white and blue balloons on it. We had a lot of fun. There were 31 entries in the Ivins parade. It was pretty neat. At noon Dennis and I went to the park where they had booths. I bought a couple of pair of earrings from a lady who makes jewelry. I saw my friend there, Janet, who has lost tons of weight. She is now down to 125 pounds and looks fabulous!

Later in the afternoon Randy, Kaya and Nathan came over (Oyunn is in Norway visiting her mother). We had grilled salmon, baked potatoes, corn on the cob and home made chocolate cake for dessert. We played Wii and I fell asleep in the recliner downstairs. I was so tired I slept until they went home. Now my night is gone and I have so many things I need to do to get ready to leave for Salt Lake tomorrow. I'm excited because Jenny got tickets for the Osmond concert Saturday night with the Tabernacle Choir in the new conference center. We are going to 2 family reunions. One on Saturday, the Woodard family reunion (my newly discovered family which is another long story I will write about later), and the Hancey brothers reunion which they always hold around Dennis' mom Norene's birthday. That one is in Mill Creek Canyon. It should be very nice and cool up there. We will spend the day up there on Sunday, and then come home Sunday evening as I have to work on Monday. @%*$$*!!! job. Well, anyway, I am thankful that I do have a good job with benefits, even though it ties me down so much.

I'd better go and pack my stuff now. See you soon! Love you all.

MY FRIEND THE BARONESSA

2008-07-21T23:00:00.002-06:00

This is a picture of my friend from Germany, Baronessa Helene Christina Hoffman. She moved in next door to us in about 1987, just after we built the home we are living in now. She was the most interesting person. She had so many stories of Germany and growing up in a small town and being part of the "royalty" there. She was in the summer olympics in about 1932, as I recall, entering the swimming contests. She showed me her swimming suit which she still had, and told about seeing Hitler come along and congratulate the people. For a long time I would go over to her house just about every day and spend several hours in the afternoon just sitting and listening to her stories. She taught me how to make veinerschnitzel and German potatoe pancakes. She had cancer and died about 10 or 12 years ago, if I recall correctly.

ADVENTURES IN SWEDEN

2008-07-20T20:30:00.003-06:00

This is a picture I took last 2 years ago when we went to Sweden. I loved Sweden, so did Dennis. We had a great time there. This is a part of the town called "Old Town" where the buildings all look like this. The streets are cobblestone, and it is really beautiful. It was very cold there and I didn't bring my jacket with, so we went into a little sweater shop on a side street and bought a Norwegian "Dale" sweater. We walked and walked and loved every minute of our trip.

DINNER AND A MOVIE WITH FRIENDS

2008-07-19T23:02:00.004-06:00

Friday night we had a great time with our friends Lynn and Edna. We hadn't done anything with them in a long long time. We went to dinner and talked and talked about everything, especially our kids. Then we came back to our house and watched a movie.

t was so great sharing what has been happening in our lives and the lives of our families. When we were raising our children years ago, before we both got jobs and became working mothers, we used to spend so much time together with our kids. We went camping together, shopping for sales, etc. It's great to have friends, and great to get together. Thanks for being such good friends!

BRIDLES AT LONE TREE

2008-06-03T21:14:00.005-06:00

My mother was raised on a farm in
Vernon, Utah. I remember playing at the ranch when I was a young girl. We would go there when we went to Grandma's house. The ranch was a few miles away from Grandma's house, in the town of Vernon. The ranch house still stands today. It belongs to my cousins now. They have named it the "Lone Tree Ranch" because there is a giant tree by a fresh water well. It is the best tasting water. We always have to have a drink of the wonderful fresh water when we go there.

This is a picture of the bridles hanging on the wall in the ranch house.

I remember playing outside the house one summer with my cousin Linda. We were having a great time playing with an old wood burning cook stove and making mud pies (my favorite thing to do when I was a kid). We would use rocks to make raisins in the imaginary cookies, and sprinkle sand for nuts and sugar. One day we were playing outside, and a bunch of bees came sworming down on us from a nest that was above the wood stove. My cousin Linda ran away before the bees hit, but they attacked me and I ran screaming. I must have had a hundred bee stings. Linda didn't get a single bite. My mom tood me to grandma's and put baking soda plasters all over my bites. They hurt for a long time.

I have a really cool picture of my Uncle Mack standing in the doorway of the Lone Tree house. I'll see if I can find it and post it.

I REMEMBER MAMA

2008-06-02T17:18:00.003-06:00

I came across this picture of my Mother and me recently. I must have been about 3 years old when this picture was taken. Isn't my Mama beautiful? She was a beautiful person. I remember the day we went to have our pictures taken. The studio was very dark and there was a bench at the far end of the studio. My sister and I had our pictures taken together, then they wanted to take our pictures alone. Ivadel went first, but when it was my turn to have my picture taken I was so frightened of the dark end of the room that I would not sit on the bench by myself. So I got to have my picture taken with Mama. Strange, the things that you remember so clearly like it was yesterday.

THE HEALING POWER OF JESUS CHRIST

2008-05-28T21:38:00.001-06:00

Last night Dennis and I went to the St. George Visitor's Center and saw the exhibit of sculptural masterworks created by Angela Johnson depicting the healing miracles of Jesus Christ. It was an inspiring exhibit. There were exquisite depictions of Jesus Christ's biblical miracles which bear quiet witness of the Son of God. The exhibit was fantastic. When we got there, there were several Young Women groups that were viewing the exhibit. They said the groups were full for the evening, but we stayed around a few minutes and some of the people did not show, so they took us in. There were young Missionary Sisters that were directing the tour of the exhibit. They took us through and told us the stories behind the sculptures. There were about about 10 or 12 sculptures. They were absolutely fantastic. It was a wonderful evening.

MEMORIAL DAY BARBI & WII PARTY

2008-05-26T20:32:00.002-06:00

Today we went over to Dennis' brother Kevin's house and had a barbeque. It was fantastic! We had hamburgers, brautwurst, and I had barbequed fish. We had all the trimmings, relish dish, watermellon, macaroni salad, my baked beans, corn on the cob. It was all wonderful. Kevin and Nadine's yard is absolutely beautiful. Accalia and Daren are living in their second house next door, and that's where the beautiful yard is. It used to be Gloria Tunbridge's home and when she moved they bought it. It has tons of trees and bushes. To the side of the house there is a beautiful walkway path over to Kevin's original house. The birds were chirping, it was cool and nice, just the right temperature. A perfect memorial day.

Then we went inside and played Wii. We played baseball, bowling and golf. Kevin must practice a lot because he was really good at all the games. Nadine won bowling, she got a lot of strikes. It was lots of fun.

Also, it was Amarissa's birthday. We had ice cream cake roll for her birthday. It was lots of fun.

Hope all of you had as wonderful a memorial day as we did. Only thing, I wish Randy, Oyunn, Kaya and Nathan had come over. There was tons of food left over. We missed them a lot.

Goodbye till next time.

THE CHALLENGE

2008-05-26T08:29:00.003-06:00

A young army officer who had a history of anger-related problems was ordered to attend a mindfulness training class to reduce his level of stress. One day, after attending the class for some weeks he stopped for groceries on his way home. He was in a hurry and and a bit irritated, as usual, and the checkout lines were long.

The woman in front of him had only one item but wasn't in the express line. She was carrying a baby and talking to the cashier. He became more irritated. Then she passed the baby to the cashier, who spent a moment cooing over the child. He could feel his anger rising, but because he'd been practicing mindfulness, he became aware of the heat and tightness in his body. He breathed and relaxed. When he looked up again, he saw the child smiling. As he reached the cashier, he said, "That was a cute little boy." Oh, did you likehim? That's my baby," she said. "His father was in the military, but he was killed last winter. Now I have to work full-time. My mom tries to bring my boy in once or twice a day so I can see him."

How wrong our perception of things can be at times. Challenge: Look for the inner nobility and dignity in three people. Notice how this affects your interaction with them, as well as your own heart. Choose five more days when you're in a good mood to do this practice with as many people as you can. After that, add more days and include strangers and difficult people, until your heart learns to silently appreciate and bless all whom you meet. Watch how it will improve your own self.

Do something special for someone today, something you would not ordinarily do. It will brighten your day and improve yourself. It will take a little effort, but it is well worth it.

Have a GREAT day!

ON BEING A GRANDMOTHER

2008-05-15T20:40:00.004-06:00

I love being a grandmother. I have the most wonderful grandchildren ever. Each one of my grandchildren are beautiful, wonderful individuals, each with their own unique personalities. Tonight I went to a violin concert of my granddaughter Cassidy. She is in the 6th grade and this is her second year playing the violin. She played about 10 songs in the violin orchestra with about 30 members. She was awsome.

My grandkids are the light of my life. I love you all so very much. I love spending time with them, anytime, anywhere, and in any way. One of my fondest memories is last spring when I was able to go to my daughter Sarah's and spend a couple of weeks several times during the spring. I was between jobs, and it was so wonderful just relaxing and not worrying about work. I had so much fun with Sammie and little Felicity. It makes me smile just thinking back on the time we had together. Sarah is a wonderful daughter. She is very good to me. I love her very much.

I feel so fortunate and blessed to have my wonderful five children.

MY FIRST BLOG

2008-05-13T22:30:00.003-06:00

It has been a goal of mine to create a blog of my own. Today with the help of my beautiful and talented daughter Sarah, I have my own blog. Wahoo. Life is good. Life is great. I will start tomorrow with a little introduction about myself, my interests, hobbies, etc. Till then, a bid you good night.