Fall is for bicycles

Personal "me" time- that's what it's called at our house- those few precious hours a couple of times a week when even the littlest one is at preschool and I have a few magical hours all to myself, in a quiet house. The weather in these parts is unseasonably warm. I keep expecting it to turn rainy or cold (or both) every day, but it continues in the 80's everyday. It perfect for drying clothes on the clothesline, opening all the windows, doing a little yard work (if you are so inclined- I currently am not), or going on a bike ride. As long as the good weather holds I will use personal "me" time to ride.

We went up Hobble Creek Canyon today, I busted out both forks, about 40 miles. I haven't ridden that far in a while and I can feel it now.
I just about crashed taking this self portrait. My Bridgestone RB-1, as you can see- is still treating me right after all these years- like, 15 years?!

Sunflowers lining the sides of the road. Where are all the fall colors in this picture?

This past weekend we went by bicycle to the Sego Arts and Musical Festival in Provo. Riding around town like a middle-aged bike gang was a riot. Here is my second favorite picture of the night.
First favorite picture of the night. "Can I please hold you spiderman?"

it's not all bad news today...

Modernista Apartment Building Barcelona Spain
Originally uploaded by ATX787

Barcelona, Spain
Originally uploaded by benthemorrison

Casa Batlló, Barcelona, Spain
Originally uploaded by tomcosgrave

One piece of good news in the midst of the Wall Street/government doomsday drama going down- my lovely spouse has done some reorganizing and made it possible for me to accompany him on a business trip to Barcelona, that happens to fall on our 17th wedding anniversary. I have never been to Spain and I am so very excited. It's a quick trip, just 5 days, but since we might have to eat saltines from our suitcases because we can't afford any food once our dollar is exchanged for euros- 5 days might be enough.
Here's to hotel soap as souvenirs, it's a good thing taking pictures is free.
Travelers- where should I go, what should I see? I need some suggestions...

a long overdue makeover

Our bedroom has long been due for a makeover. For awhile now I've had this grandiose plan of a funky headboard, repaint, new wall decor, perhaps a new chair or two. I thought I'd redo it all this summer, but that just didn't happen. Well, it came to a point one day when I just couldn't take it any longer. The pillow shams and duvet were showing their years of hard living. They were threadbare, lumpy, shredded and stained. Something snapped and at that shocking moment I realized, "how could I have let myself sink into such embarrassing dishevelment, especially as a seamstress?"

I decided to compromise the grandiose dreams for now and simply settle for some new bedding. Although I did move a few things around on the walls from other places in the house. As you can see I left the quilt on the wall. I still love it after 7 years or something like that... someday I'll change it out for another quilt or some pictures- but for now it stays. The "squash blossom" walls look a little washed with this coverlet- at least for my taste, but like I said- it'll do for now.
Wow, what a difference a few yards of fabric can make to a room and my psyche. I almost took the super easy way out and purchased the bedding pre-made, but who am I kidding- I love to sew and that route would have been way too boring.
To be completely honest, I hate matchy-match bedding where all the fabric is the same from head to toe and beyond. I'd much rather mix and match pieces myself.
To fancy things up I added a narrow strip of the blue fabric to the side seams that were unavoidable because of the fabric width. I could have put in some welting to add a round shape the strip. But I didn't have enough welting on hand and I didn't want to go back to the store- I think I like the flat look better. It might even wear better flat.

I was thinking about a duvet with different fabric on either side but the fabric I finally picked was rather thick and it would have been way too heavy, a pain to take completely off every night and switch out for my beloved down comforter ( I can't quit you) and way too heavy with the down comforter inside (can you say- suffocation?).
So, I made 2 one-sided coverlets that just lay on top of the down comforter, I finished the edges of both with the blue fabric from the pillows to tie it all together (ohh, too matchy-match maybe?). I found some gigantic wacky buttons at Confetti Antiques to jazz up the lighter colored, geometric patterned pillow shams. One coverlet looks summer/springish with lighter colors and the other looks rather fall/wintery.

I must admit, I did find the one silvery pillow at TJ Maxx. I fell in love with the quilty squares and the metallic sheen, and had to have it. The room looks so much better and cozier. I feel like a grown-up now.

random post

*Here is a much less controversial post.

*I am throughly in love with fall- the weather and the abundance of farm fresh fruit and garden vegetables.

*I wish I had gone for a bike ride today (instead of cleaning the bathrooms and mowing the lawn) while all the kids were at school.

*In the picture is a reversible apron I just made for a little friend. Her Mom is having a cooking theme birthday party for her. What a clever idea for a party.

gettin' ready to vote

As a general rule, when it comes to blogging, I like to leave the topics of religion and politics alone, probably because I don't feel especially learned on either subject. But election time is coming near, and like so many others of you out there, I've been feeling a bit more passionate about politics lately. I came across this article on Zina's blog a few years back. It's content has always stuck with me. I thought I'd pass it on, it might be of some interest to some of you, Mormons and non-Mormons alike. So, if you are still holding to some party line logic, here's a little something to help.


Why Mormons should vote Democratic

By Fred Voros

Salt Lake Tribune

Article Last Updated:10/28/2006 03:55:02 PM MDT

"Principles compatible with the gospel may be found in the platforms of all major political parties," declared the First Presidency of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. This is certainly true of the Democratic Party.

Mormon descriptions of a just social order read like a Democratic manifesto. The Book of Mormon decries a society in which every man prospers according to his genius, and every man conquers according to his strength (Alma 30:17). It condemns those who ignore the plight of the hungry, needy, naked and sick (Mormon 8:39).

This brother's-keeper principle animates government programs pioneered by Democrats. In 1937, Franklin Delano Roosevelt saw "one-third of a nation ill-housed, ill-clad, ill-nourished" and acted.
 LDS scripture warns incessantly against economic stratification: " . . . it is not given that one man should possess that which is above another, wherefore the world lieth in sin" (D&C 49:20). Yet Republican tax cuts on one end of the economic spectrum and aid cuts on the other have widened the gap between rich and poor.
Thanks to our Republican Congress, the world lies a little more in sin.
 LDS scripture also calls us to "renounce war and proclaim peace" (D&C 98:16), and condemns offensive wars (Alma 43:45-47; Mormon 3:8-16). Yet the Republican administration misled America into invading Iraq, a nation that had not even threatened the U.S. Nor does LDS teaching justify the administration's fall-back rationale that the invasion was justified by our attempt to impose democracy.

In 1942, Church President David O. McKay declared, "Nor is war justified in an attempt to enforce a new order of government . . . however better the government . . . may be.
"
Astoundingly, the Republican Congress is borrowing money - from China, Saudi Arabia and federal trust funds - to cover the war, lavish tax cuts and their own profligate spending.

Even on abortion, the Democratic position is friendlier to LDS Church teachings. Mormonism does not teach that life begins at conception. President Gordon B. Hinckley declared that abortion inevitably brings "sorrow and regret."

Yet Church policy makes allowance where pregnancy results from rape or incest, where the life or health of the mother is in serious jeopardy, or where the fetus suffers from fatal defects. In such cases, Latter-day Saints are to consult with priesthood leaders and seek confirmation of their decision in prayer before proceeding.

The 2004 Democratic national platform says Democrats uphold Roe v. Wade; "strongly support family planning and adoption incentives"; and believe abortion "should be safe, legal and rare." This position grants Latter-day Saints freedom to follow the prophet.

The Republican position does not. The 2004 Republican platform declares that "the unborn child has a fundamental individual right to life which cannot be infringed." In other words, it would prohibit all abortions. Consequently, a Latter-day Saint's decision to seek an abortion may be allowed by church policy, approved by priesthood leaders, confirmed by the Lord in prayer, but forbidden by the Republican Party.

We need both parties. As the First Presidency foresaw in 1891, "The more evenly balanced the parties become the safer it will be for us in the security of our liberties; and . . . our influence for good will be far greater than it possibly could be were either party overwhelmingly in the majority."

This will never be achieved in Utah, however, until Mormons see the light and vote their values. By which I mean, of course, vote Democratic.



* FRED VOROS is a lawyer living in Salt Lake City.

look what the kids dragged in

The kids came home from school on Friday with this little fella. The story I got was something along the lines of:
-We saw a free kitten sign and we just had to stop and see!
-The other kids found him but, their Mom said they couldn't keep him...
-And they said we can't bring him back!
-I also got, "We tried to call you, over and over, but we couldn't get through..." (yeah, right...)
I think it was more like- ask for forgiveness instead of permission- that was the conclusion they came to. How can you say no to the tiniest, skinniest (under the fluffy coat) little homeless kitten? It's true, our other cat "Ivan the Terrible" went to kitty heaven in the spring after 13 ornery years. We knew that someday we'd get another cat, I guess that someday is now.

After trying on many names, I think it's going to be Pierre (that's right Ziebarths- were bringing it back because it's such a great cat name). Pierre has got two really great things going for him, his precise and unfailing use of the litter box (so far) and a wonderfully calm, patient temperment as seen pictured above. Unfortunately, Ivan (may she rest in peace) did not have this quality. We are all very excited about the prospect of a cat we can actually pick up, carry around and treat like a infant.
Hiding from Izzy, the dog, in the bushes. Izzy just can't keep her paws off of Pierre- literally. Soon, little Pierre will be a more even match for Izzy (she is only 20 lbs.) but for now we've got to keep a close eye on the two of them when they are together.

could there be a more perfect SNL skit?

I must admit I did not see this one coming...
Oh Tina Fey and Amy Poehler you two are the best, as a die hard Saturday Night Live fan I have always admired these two ladies comic abilities. (for some reason most female comedians usually try so hard and are so not funny- at least to me) But, these ladies rock, and this skit is hilarious, perfect in content and look-alikeability. I sure wish McCain had chosen Tina Fey as VP instead of Sarah Palin, she might even be better qualified for the job.

Another absolutely perfect SNL skit that had me rollin' in the aisle...Andy Samberg as Diablo Cody at the Oscars

overheard

I was making lunches for the kids to take to school today when I asked my 8 year old daughter which kind of cookies she would like in her lunch.
She pointed to the Rainbow Chip bag and replied enthusiastically, "Oh, this kind please, I had them in my lunch yesterday and they were delightful... -pause-... they changed my life!"

a must read book

This brave, inspiring memoir is a excellent read for anyone who wants to gain more insight on the Muslim faith. I picked up this book (actually, the audio recording) on a recommendation from my friend Val, to which I owe a huge thank you.
FYI: the audio recording was especially enjoyable because it was read by the author- so names, places, and Arabic phrases I would have never been able to read correctly rolled off her tongue smoothly with her beautiful voice and accent.

It is an absolutely amazing tale of Ayaan Hirsi Ali's life growing up in Somalia, Kenya, Saudi Arabia and Ethiopia where she endured violence and female circumcision, but was lucky enough to be educated unlike most young African girls. She escaped from an arranged marriage and took political asylum in Holland. In the Netherlands she worked hard to learn Dutch, graduated from Leiden University, became a member of Dutch Parliament, a spokeswoman against radical Islam and advocate for women's rights.

This book was inspiring and insightful, I felt like I gained such a greater understanding of so many things including the political situation in Africa, and the unbelievable repression of women within Islam. I feel so grateful for my education, and the freedom and privileges I enjoy everyday living in the West.
I am almost the same age as Ayaan, It was hard to believe that the barbaric and backward fanaticism against women she endured in her life was taking place also simultaneously with my life and not decades earlier- and, even worst, continues today.
Every human being, male or female, deserves inalienable human rights- the right to an education and to chose for yourself how to live your life. I respect Ayaan immensely and her ability to speak out denouncing Islam, enduring death threats and alienation from her family and clan, and working to make this world a better place for everyone. Women with guts make the world go around.

wrap-around skirts

There is a new skirt in town... In all of my free time, usually from 10 pm to 1 am, I have been making some new skirts for the little ladies. I really like the way they are turning out- the reversibility and the colorful fabrics I've been finding. I've got some available on etsy and- you may even find one if you take a peek in Utah Valley Magazine back to school section this month.
Soon, with just a bit more organization and some more time management on my part, I will have some adult wrap-arounds available. But, I'll for sure have adult sizes at the Beehive Bazaar this December. Can't wait.

Camp Yuba Triathlon

Race day finally came. I feel like I've been training forever. This was my very first Olympic distance triathlon (1 mile swim, 25 mile bike, 6.2 mile run), it was so fun, and went so well. I loved the swim and the bike- even though the road was very bumpy and there were some long climbs. It was the run that killed me- for the last mile or so I wanted to stop and walk or puke. But I did neither and finished with a time of 3:02:28. (My goal was around 3 hours) Phew! thank goodness it's behind me now, I can cut back on work outs and get busy with the list of "to-do's" that have been piling up at my house. For race results look here. (Pictured L to R: Kanani, Noelle, Stephanie, Matt, Colett, Val, Shawn)
Here are my ladies Stephanie and Kanani after the race, I am soo proud of these hotties (Colett- you too)! It was their very first triathlon. They have been working hard training all summer long and and they did awesome!

one final hurrah

We've been looking forward to spending Labor Day weekend at Lake Powell for weeks and weeks. The most fabulous lake did not disappoint. The water was about 80 degrees and perfect for swimming all day. Here is a view of our tiny campsite in Slickrock Canyon with the main channel in the background. This picture was taken from atop a crazy difficult climb up a sandy, prickery hill.

One of the most amazing things to witness in the desert is a thunderstorm/rainstorm. One night- there was a crazy thunderstorm with tons of thunder and lightening at dusk and on into the night, followed by quite a bit of rain. Luckily, we were pretty cozy all sleeping in the boat and Steve O and I just got our toes a bit wet, the kids stayed dry in the cuddy cabin. The next day- another storm rolled in, it rained hard and then the moment we had all been waiting for... this waterfall started pouring off the cliff next to our camp. The cliff was so high (hundreds of feet- my best guess) that when the water finally made it to the rocks below it was just a misty spray.

This little chump (the squirrel, not my son) had been trying to break into our food all weekend. He chewed the plastic tubs until his little squirrel mouth bled (gross). Finally, he caught a break and sniffed out some goldfish crackers left in the pocket of this chair. He'd either been around people a lot on this particular beach where we were camping and been somewhat tamed throughout the summer or he really loved goldfish crackers and didn't care if he was being petted at the same time. When I got my turn, I could have picked him up- but I figured that might be pushing my luck.


On our last trip in June, we camped in a canyon with amazing acoustics and listened with delight when our neighbors played guitar and ukulele. This time, my eldest remembered her violin and we were treated to the concert of a lifetime, complete with written program, intermission, and assigned seats thanks to her little sister/manager. It was a wonderful and proud moment for the parents.

We experienced some boat problems with our '77 Sea Ray- like we couldn't get it started and were "stranded" the whole weekend until our camping neighbor, a diesel mechanic, came over and helped fix it. When they finally got it running, (without neutral or reverse) we counted ourselves extremely lucky that we didn't have to call a very expensive mechanic or beg someone for a tow back to the marina. We quickly packed it up and hightailed back to Bullfrog Marina with our fingers crossed. Needless to say, we didn't get to explore the lake like we usually do. But, we were glad to have the kayaks and Pack Cats (pontoon boats) for little trips around Slickrock Canyon where we camped.