Blueberries

 Blueberry tarts.

I read in the newspaper about a place in Ripon where you could pick your own blueberries.  I love blueberries.  My uncle Clair lives in Oregon and grows all kinds of wonderful berries and I had picked from his garden where it was green and lush and cool so the idea of blueberries doing well in this hot dry valley interested me.  I took a couple of my young women and went early one morning.  We had fun and picked a bunch of berries before it got hot.  I made blueberry muffins and a lemon blueberry pound cake.  I also froze a few.  A friend was interested so on Monday we went out again and picked a bunch more.  My freezer was full of muffins and so I froze most of the berries but I did make a few blueberry tarts.  They weren't half bad. 

Vegetables from my garden.

I love growing things and harvesting and using the things I grow.  This year, so far, we have enjoyed spinach, onions, radishes, carrots, zucchini, tomatoes, chives, basil, yellow squash, and peppers.  We had a long, cool, wet spring and I got off to a late start so it is still early but we have had salad, fried zucchini, stuffed zucchini, sauteed vegetable, and just fresh vegetables.  The space in my yard is limited but I like to try growing something new each year.  This year it was radishes and carrots.  I got the carrot seeds from Craig's brother David.  He has an amazing yard that is full of wonderful produce.  Thanks for sharing David.  Hopefully I will still have a garden to enjoy when I get back from Richard's and Amy's. The garden has struggled a little this year.  I think it knows I will be abandoning it for a while. Craig said he will take care of it for me but his time and priorities are limited. 

Dearest Kimberly

"Anyone who imagines that bliss is normal is going to waste a lot of time running around shouting that he's been robbed. Most putts don't drop. Most beef is tough. Most children grow up to be just people. Most successful marriages require a high degree of mutual toleration. Most jobs are more often dull than otherwise. Life is like an old-time rail journey—delays, sidetracks, smoke, dust, cinders, and jolts, interspersed only occasionally by beautiful vistas and thrilling bursts of speed. The trick is to thank the Lord for letting you have the ride." - Gordon B. Hinckley

My beautiful daughter with the amazing smile and huge, giving heart.  Welcome to adulthood.  I am so sorry that you are having all of these struggles so far away, on the other side of the country.  I wish I could shelter you, help you, protect you but if I did you wouldn't be the exceptional young woman you are becoming. You have grown so much this past year and I am sorry to say it, but if the trials had not been there it would just been a year of fun experiences and not one of personal growth.

Like the shirt says, have faith and trust, in yourself and in Heavenly Father's plan for you.  Discouragement is Satan's tool.  You are smart, resilient, talented, hard working and great things are in store.  "Peace be unto thy soul; thine adversity and thine afflictions shall be but a small moment." Oh, and you know where to find Pixie dust, don't you?

"It isn't as bad as you sometimes think it is. It all works out. Don't worry. I say that to myself every morning. It all works out in the end. Put your trust in God, and move forward with faith and confidence in the future. The Lord will not forsake us. He will not forsake us. If we will put our trust in Him, if we will pray to Him, if we will live worthy of His blessings, He will hear our prayers."                                      — Gordon B. Hinckley 

 You have all of us cheering you on and remembering you in our prayers and sending help and comfort and good thoughts at you. We are far away in body only and are with you in heart and spirit. You will get through this all. I know that deep down you know that. I want you to know that we know it too. We love you tons and miss your buns. Hang in there, great things are headed your way, but on the Lord's schedule, not ours. After all He knows what is best for us in the long run and can see what is ahead. 

"If Life Gets Too Hard To Stand, Kneel."
— Gordon B. Hinckley

The Hills Are Alive!



For Father's Day I had planned on a quiet day of puttering around the house and then taking my husband out for a nice dinner and a movie. Of course he had other plans. He really wanted to go fishing and none of his fishing buddies were available so he asked me to go along. I really did have other plans but it was his day so I packed a couple of books, the camera and a folding chair and we picked up sandwiches and off we went. We headed for our favorite spot at Frasier Flats. It was really beautiful and the weather was perfect but the rivers were very high and very fast and very cold. Not the best for fishing.

He strapped on his gear and after making repeated promises to be very, extra, incredibly, super careful, he drove off and left me settled in with my book. It didn't take very long for me to get restless so I put the book away, got out the camera and set off exploring. There was amazing water, beautiful flowers, and I even came across a ladybug hatch. 

 There was so much water in the rivers and it was really just spring for the rest of the forest. So many flowers and insects and trees budding out. I truly do love the mountains. They feed my soul and nourish my spirit. I want to go camping.

I actually walked quite a ways taking pictures and looking for the flowering dogwood I had seen on the drive down.  It didn't take Craig long to figure out that the fishing was lousy and dangerous so we met up as I made my way back to the picnic site.  From there we headed up to Clark's Fork to check out Camp Liahona and see if the fishing was any better up there. (It wasn't)

Then we stopped at Pinecrest reservoir.  We went on a lovely, twilight paddle boat ride and watched the fish jumping around us while my husband wished he hadn't left his gear in the car.  It was a lovely day in the beautiful mountains.  Maybe next time he can even catch some fish.

One Wiser Then I!

Fall 1988.

Lately I have had a great desire to just go back in time.  Back when all of my children were home, safe and sound.  Where the only worries were who's turn it was to do the dishes and if homework got done.  Back when problems were usually fixed with a kiss, a hug, and a care bear band-aid.  Back when we didn't have to worry about being so far apart and cars and jobs and being alone, and being left out of fun times and everything else.  I miss my children and miss being able to fix what is wrong with a kiss and a hug. 

April 1990.

Of course, today I'd want to have Amy, Job, Kurt, Isabelle, Wendell, Porter, Brooklyn, Annie and Mary with us also. 

I wonder if Heavenly Father has these feelings as He sends us out into this world, knowing that we will struggle and fall and get hurt and get lost.  He is much wiser so I think it is probably easier for Him knowing that only through the struggles and challenges will we be happy, progress and grow and become more like Him.   I think the hardest thing must be watching us struggle and waiting, hand outstretched, for us to turn to Him. He can see what is ahead for us and know so much better what is for the best. I hope I have gotten quicker at reaching for His help.  He is always there and always makes the burdens lighter to bare.  Especially now, with all of the children grown and on their own I feel great comfort in turning them all over to His care each day.  After all they were His children first and His love for them is so great and He is so much wiser. 

Grandma Beth, Kimberly, Brooklyn, Isabelle, Brenda, Lori, Wendell, Richard, Amy, Grandma Palmer.

Job, Brittney, Porter, Christina, Annie, Grandma Palmer, Brenda, Craig, Brooklyn, Lori.

The struggles are still there and we still have car problems and get sick and miss being with the ones we love but with Heavenly Father's help the burdens are a little bit lighter and the way to go is a little more clear.  I really do love and miss all of my family.  It is always wonderful to spend time with them but it is usually to short and to quick.  Remember you are in my prayers always and my kisses and hugs, though not always able to solve the problems, are always here for you.  Especially remember that you are watched over by one far wiser then I who waits, hand outstretched to help.  Ask!

P.S.  We really did miss you Kurt!

The Girls

Our family hasn't been big on nicknames.  Christina was supposed to be Chrissy but she is Christina.  A few people may use Rich or Britt but the in the family they are Richard and Brittney.  Kimberly named herself Kimmy when she was 5 and most people use that but she is pretty much Kimberly to me.  Nicknames aren't our deal but we do group people.  For example "The Grandmas" which technically could include me but doesn't unless my husband is being cute. 

Grandma Beth Brooksby and Grandma Lorraine Palmer,  "The Grandmas".

One label that had lasted for years is "the girls".  Occasionally this included all the kids except Richard but for the most part it was Christina, Richard and "the girls", which meant Brittney, Lori and Kimberly.

The Girls  1990.

The Girls 1994

  When Richard married Amy we quickly added her to "the girls" and she fit right in.

Amy, Christina, Brittney, Lori and Kimberly.

As time went on and Brittney married Job and Lori married Kurt, Christina and Kimberly acquired the label "the girls". 

Kimberly and Christina.

Today, it may mean any of the above groupings.  Grand children seem to have a special designation and as of yet Isabelle, Brooklyn and Annie haven't really been included as one of "the girls" but only time will tell and someday they may inherit the designation.  Hopefully they will do it as proudly as their mothers and aunts.  I really do love all of  my "girls".

Fun in the Sun

What an amazing week at Walt Disney World in Orlando Florida!  We had been trying to get back there to spend time with Kimberly for a year and it was great.  We "adopted" Kimberly's friend, Candace for the week and had a wonderful time getting to know her.  They were the best tour guides and we rarely had to wait in lines for very long.  We did it all! (or at least all we had time and energy for.)

Brenda, Kimberly, and Candace trying out the chic french look.

Lunch in France!

In front of the Tree of Life at Animal Kingdom. 

 Wandering around the world of animals!

Brenda, Kimberly and Candace.  Craig was on camera duty.

Going on an African Safari!

The girls knew Mulan so we had a chance to visit with her.  She was so cute.

Hanging out with celebrities!

Brenda and Craig at Typhoon Lagoon.  Our favorite day!

Lounging by the lagoon and sliding down waterfalls!

It was so hot we actually went shopping for fans and a parasol in China.

Shopping in China!

Saving the world in Mexico!

We had a blast in Hollywood Studios.

Learning all the tricks in Hollywood!

I really wanted to go on this ride.  The girls love it and Craig was a good sport.  The rest of the trip the rides were all compared to Tower of Terror on how much he would enjoy them or not.  His worst Rides: Tower of Terror, Star Tours, Everest.

Experiencing thrills, chills, terror, fantasy and adventure!

Kimberly's room mate, Kaarina, Kimberly and Candace, waiting to eat at Planet Hollywood.

Spending time with beautiful young women!

Craig cooling off.  He was such a good sport with all of us women!

And yes, it was HOT! HOT! HOT!

Candace , Kimberly, Craig, Brenda.  Being at Walt Disney World we had to try out some ears.

Fireworks, rides, shows, food, fun. Sharing old memories, making new ones.

It was wonderful, fun, and exhausting.

An AMAZING week thanks to an AMAZING daughter.