Goodbyes and new temple

I went through the hard ordeal of saying bye to the Ranes boys twice in one week. First time when they left one day before we did for Provo. The second days later when they left Provo for California.

We played some ball on the front lawn while their mom packed the car.

Ray has a pretty good arm. Hopefully it won't be long before they are waving bye again before a road trip back home.

While in Utah, we experienced the new Draper Temple. Who would have ever imagined that a temple would sit on the mountainside above Draper and Relation Street. Certainly not me that first time that Glen turned off the freeway just past Point of the Mountain in 1974 and drove east in the dark. He claimed that his grandparents lived here. It was only like the 2nd or 3rd date and I hoped it was true as we drove along a very rural dark road. There was no temple to light the way.

It is beautiful and peaceful and there are incredible views of the Salt Lake Valley AND Relation Street. We enjoyed our session and a celestial room which rises dramatically overhead. So lovely!

Miriam's special day

We had a great time being a part of Miriam's wedding day while in Utah. To look at all my pictures of her special day go HERE.

Congratulations to Miriam and Jared Marshall!

Memorable Memorial

It isn't often that we are in Utah for Memorial Day. We enjoyed the opportunity this year to visit the grave sites of those we love and miss. We appreciate the many years that our children have represented us by visiting their grandparents' graves over the years on Memorial Day.

It was all the more special as Glen's mother was born on May 24 and my father on May 26.

It's hard to believe that Elma has been gone for 22 years. She made a special trip to Mesa for Nathan's baby blessing on her way home from attending Grandma Baker's 80th birthday bash. We feel it was a blessing that she was able to hold her youngest and last grandchild before her passing.

She and Grandpa J are buried in Sandy, Utah in the shadow of the beautiful Wasatch Mountains.

My parents are buried in Provo, Utah, a place that my mother loved. She began her love affair as a student at BYU made possible through the GI Bill. She was the first college student ever in her family.

She met Gary after her studies and after he wrote the woman in this picture while on his mission. I found this picture the other day and wanted to share it. I am the owner of the cedar chest in the entry because he received a "dear John" and the chest reverted to my grandmother who in turn left it to me filled with her treasures. Both Gary and Elma died in their fifties. So young! We will always think of both of them on their birthdays.

Velva's and Gary's grave site also lies in view of the beautiful mountains.

We were also able to visit the graves of Glen's grandparents in the Draper City Cemetery.

They also lie near the mountains. Utah was so green and beautiful.

Nathan's magic number day

This fairly big bundle of joy will make number magic on his birthday this year. Two's will reign as he works his day away in far off Pennsylvania. We hope that his birthday package makes its arrival in a timely fashion, just as he did 22 years ago.

Thanks for being the "big" little brother to this clan. Never was a baby loved more than you. They could scarcely believe their good fortune in having a real live baby in the house.

Janae just added you to her collection. (She told me just recently that she wishes she could recycle her boys through their babyhood because she misses having a baby in the house, BUT not enough to sickly have another.)

Anyway - enjoy your day and thank you for making so many of our days brighter and happier. Tell Nichelle to give you an extra big hug for us. Now I will practice my Spanish.

* ¡Feliz cumpleaños! *

Salsa and gutter splashing

This morning before church I harvested tomatoes from 7 different tomato plants. Doesn't this picture just scream "SALSA"? There was cilantro in the fridge (I can't keep cilantro alive when it gets hot. Any tips out there?) so after church we made salsa. After the salsa and a few pitter pats of rain, we cooled off with a little gutter splashing. The gutter was not running from the rain, but a swimming pool being drained up the street.


We soon gave up and ditched the shorts.

We finally retrieved a boat to float. As the sun went down, the lawn sprinklers came on. Perfect! A shower before pajamas and bed. Their mom and dad are expected later tonight.

Lilies AND Hollyhocks

It's very colorful out front this week. The hollyhocks have joined the lilies in a blooming frenzy. Both have buds galore so I don't think it will be ending anytime soon.

These white ones are from the original seeds I collected at Lynette's house in Centennial.

The pinks are from 4" plants we picked up locally. I have loved hollyhocks for fifty years. My Scottish great grandma Lucy Hendry Ostler Jacobs grew them in her backyard in Sugar City.

Before the day is over . . .

To my daughter and daughter-in-laws, I so appreciate your love and efforts in serving my children and grandchildren. To all of you, I love my cards, signs, gifts, and good wishes.

THANK YOU!

Roasting weather and green things

It's official. We are at 100 degrees and will most likely have at least another 100 days of 100+ degree weather before the end of 2009.

I picked these Anaheim chilies in the garden this morning. I'm going to try roasting them in the oven. I googled roasting green chili and found this link helpful. I really want a green chili quesadilla or relleno.

I did't want fried green tomatoes. Ruby's bushy, strong stalked tomato plant was brought down by this abundance of tomatoes. Upon picking up the broken branch, it was obvious that even a strong branched tomato plant was no match for a baker's dozen of these. Perhaps they will ripen inside to match this lovely stand made by Sally.

In this heat, I'm not sure how much longer the Swiss chard will last. The first crop (planted last October) has already bolted. This second crop of "Rainbow Lights" chard pictured above (planted in February) has been lovely to look at as well as eat. I chop the stems into bite size piece then add them to a hot pan of olive oil with sauteed diced garlic and crushed red pepper. Once the stems are softened, I add the leaves which I have stacked in groups of 5 or 6 and then rolled up like a tortilla which is sliced crosswise in strips. Cover the pan and cook until the leaves are softened. Glen likes chard prepared this way much better than spinach. Most classify Swiss chard as one of the wonder foods for nutrients.

I planted out my basil seedlings to take the place of the bolted spinach and Swiss chard. Basil loves the heat which means lots of green pesto this summer!

I have a dozen basil seedlings left in the greenhouse.
First come, first served.

Glen's view

Glen picked up my camera this morning to capture some things that were making his day in his garden. I've decided to share for him. The lilies are finally blooming!

His "rock"/desert garden.

The Australian woolly bush was planted on Saturday. Be sure to touch it when you come for a visit.

Boldly blooming bougainvillea you can't miss!

Remember the posts with "coleus up high?" He's worried about our triple digits this week. However, the bright green sweet potato vines love triple digits!

His Australian down-under pot and coleus are loving each other.

We couldn't resist these peacocks with bobbing heads we discovered at Target. They are pretty fancy with their bejeweled tails. Our granddaughters will love them.

I've noticed that Glen didn't quite complete the circle so I'm adding a few shots.

The Arizona Sweet 100's tomato plant has turned into a jungle. Look closely and you will see not just 100 cherry tomatoes. It looks more like a 1000!

The hibiscus have been especially lovely this Spring.

The heirloom tomatoes in the greenhouse may have been a bit finicky but are, oh, so delicious! As you can see, round two is starting to ripen.

The Gerber daisies have been absolutely ecstatic in their new home with the tomatoes.

Today's tour has been brought to you mostly by Gardener Glen. Thanks for stopping by!

We've summerized!

It was a busy Saturday. Inspired by last week's garden show in California and a neighborhood social at our house tonight, there was lots of trimming and planting and sweeping and blowing and moving things around. We had some help - lots of help. The two blue down under pots from Australia are now hung upside down. Hopefully those lime green coleus will be more sturdy than the orangish coleus (which couldn't handle Arizona sun) that they replaced.

Next time you are over, check out what has changed behind this bench.

Arizona summer has officially arrived because:
-the wimpy plants are checking out
-vinca seedlings have taken their place
-shade cloth covers the greenhouse and garden
-tomatoes are ripening rapidly
-times for low rates have switched and rates in general have risen
-lap swims have begun
-we are getting up earlier to "beat the heat"!