I just keep on cookin'

Another week has come and gone and Dad informed me that this week we passed 50 days. I admit that that sounds like a lot...and I just kept cookin'-

I think that I would say that my favorite time of the day on this mission is our half hour of scripture study...and I just keep on cookin'-

We are reading the D&C and then the official study guide. Every day I learn new things about church history...and I just keep on cookin'-

Still haven't had a huge snow storm yet, in fact the weather today was sunny and up to 55 degrees...but I still keep on cookin'-

I'm making an effort to get to know members of the branch and members names. We do not have callings yet, which we expect to get soon...along with cookin'-

We have been told that we can have Sunday only callings, because during the summer on any day but Sunday and our P-day we won't be able to leave because we will be so busy. We don't do visiting teaching or home teaching either. But...I'll be cookin'-

I have thought about the "cruise group" this week and am fine that I'm not there. I'm so excited for all of them and the fun time they've had. As you all know little winter time get away retreats with my sisters and cousins are something I have always enjoyed. Dad always supported me in going, but there were two rules. I couldn't come home "tired" or "grumpy"! And I'm still cookin'-

I have finally made some progress on my "Quilt Block-of-the-Month" quilt that I was supposed to have been making ALL last year. I have actually finished three months worth...along with cookin'-

Time to get ready for bed, after all it is 7:15 and I do need my beauty rest so that I can keep on cookin'-

Love, Mom

Where I do my cookin'

Blue skies and rain this morning-

 This morning as we left for church there was a brilliant blue sky, the sun was shining bright, but as we looked out at the little pond right outside our door you could see it was pouring rain right there. The sun continued to shine and glisten off the snow on our way to church until we suddenly had to drive right through a cloud that had settled on the highway. I think I'll relate that to what's happening up here in Cle Elum, Washington. In general we are both doing really good. We are glad to have this opportunity plus we are glad we are "here"' not singing and dancing in the evening shows in Nauvoo (at least I am!). However, we both will have moments of discouragement, maybe some nostalgia and homesickness, and then interspersed will be the random aches and pains that gets us down. The part I want to emphasize is that it comes at different times for each of us so that we can support and buoy the other one up. In other wards it goes a step further in that we can rely on the other one to help and take care of each other as needed. Early on, as I reached out to hold your Mother's hand, and as i have continued to do so, it has come to me that it means more to me than when we were first dating. I am so grateful we are together, not just to experience this together, but to really "be" together with very few outside influences. This is a special time for us and we are grateful for it.

As of this point I have graduated beyond tepee poles to birdhouses. They want to encourage more wildlife and birds on the property, as well as want to add a decorative element to a lot of old ugly tree stumps, so they would basically like a whole village of bird houses. Thus, all daughters and daughter-in-laws take note, I have become an active, participating member of the great world of Pinterest! Yes, I have my secret password and my very own bulletin board with the various items (birdhouses) I have "pinned." I have been to the two hardware stores in town, as well as the one lumber yard. They did have the basic cedar wood I wanted - but that's it. This then necessitated a trip of about 70 miles to the "dark side" as we locals call it, to the Michael's Craft & Hobby Shop of  Issaquah, Washington. Who knew there would be little wooden butterfly's and picket fences for me to paint and add perspective to the project.

Potential future birdhouses for my village, from my Pinterest Board

This weekend we had another several hundred boys on the property in the name of the Boy Scouts of America and their Klondikes. I am so glad I am not a boy scout leader any more. I am way too old for all of that! It's much more fun to be a grandpa and a missionary companion to Sister Kenney. Stay strong. Love, Dad

Another week, another month and another year has come and gone

Another week, another month and another year has come and gone. It's been five weeks since we ran away home to this strange little cottage in the middle of the Washington woods.

I am going to tell you about my work days. We set the alarm for 6:30 - Dad is always awake but I am not.

I usually take about 10 minutes to wake up and then I have "to hurry fast".

I get the bathroom for 15 minutes to complete my ablutions while he does his back exercises (Dr. Whipple please take note). Then it's time to officially fuss about my hair. To curl or not to curl - that is the question, unless it is to cut or not cut. FYI this week "to cut" won out.

Ready or not we must leave by 7:23 to give us time to get to scripture study. I would have to say that "I love this time". We are reading the D&C with the BYU study guide. It just so happened that they were starting it on our first day. We also take turns giving a spiritual message which I really enjoy.

Next comes the daily planning meeting with Larry, the manager. We review who is leaving and who is coming that day, then talk about what needs to be done. This is where the Tepee pole project gets talked about. We have had unusually good weather so that's why the emphasis on the poles. Dad has done a beautiful job on them, all smooth and polished up like 25 foot walking sticks. As of yesterday, he has been commissioned to do another set (there being 15 to a set.)

As for me at the end of the meeting, I don my apron and begin doing my thing. I have the menus and recipes ready to go a week in advance. As mentioned previously I  am soliciting new ideas. This week we are having Jacob's Meatballs, Laura's Chicken Noodle soup and Liz's Spicy Pasta.

The noon meal is the bigger one with a main entree and sides, mini salad bar, bread item and of course dessert. For supper it is lighter basically doing two of these three things - soup (homemade of course), salad or sandwich and then a dessert buffet of leftovers.

Interestingly enough they all love cottage cheese and canned fruit, so this is on for supper as one of the two items a couple of times  a week.

So, back to my routine, I get part of the evening meal prepared as much as possible in the morning after I have the lunch ready to go. The work is not hard and I enjoy just working by myself at my own pace. If and when I need to sit down for a few minutes, I do.

As for dishes, I try to have the preparation dishes all done before we eat. Then the sisters stay and help until  all is cleaned up after.

At about 2:00 I go back to the cottage and rest for an hour (play Spider Solitaire ) and try to do something productive until I need to go back to the kitchen. By 6:00 PM we are cleaned up and can go home to where Dad is so exhausted we read and listen to music and are asleep by 9:00.

Now you know what my day is like.

We do laundry on Friday morning as our assigned time, not on P-day. We haven't ventured west yet, but plan to this week. The nearest civilization going that direction is Isaqua, where Wes is from. There is a Costco there, where Dad can replenish his cashew supply.

All is well - although seemed to miss you all more than usual- even a few tears last night. I wanted to see Lindsay in her glasses and watch James eat a piece of bread.

Talked to Dixie today and she says her life is changing soon because the babies are starting to walk. I will be thinking about the Patterson's at Disney and the retreat girls on their cruise this week. Have fun - love you all.  Mom

Over the river and through the woods-

the view from our Front Porch

Over the river and through the woods-

As home from church we go!

The usual 10 minute drive took almost 45 due to the snow. They are all happy to finally get some snow. This Friday we have 25 different scout troops coming to have their winter camp out and Klondike Derby. (Poor little guys-Moms hate winter camp outs!)

This week I have kept busy with almost finishing up the 34 Tepee pole project.

Being a Lumberjack from Week 1

Lumber Jacking before the snow

Also I am officially designated as the sign maker. I was going to send a picture of the ones I made this week, but they are covered in snow. They say: area closed for winter - no sledding! This was on the area of the slip n slide that the 11 year old scouts had it in mind last week to turn into a sleigh riding hill. Very bad idea.

Anyway- was able to get to sleep at my regular bedtime of 8:30 on New Years Eve- surprise / surprise. We've got a single young Elder here that Mom has befriended and taught to play Runs and Bunches. I'm afraid to say that he loves it so much that he wants to play EVERY NIGHT - so gotta go. Love, Dad

with our Name Tags

our Missionary Group