Wednesday- Antigua

On Wednesday, we woke up docked at the island of Antigua. It is famous for it's many beautiful beaches. We chose Dickinson Bay to spend the day all together. It was a beautiful, perfect day. We had so much fun, floating in the ocean and relaxing on the perfect, white sand beach. It was the one day we were all together. Here's our motley crew:

The gorgeous beach

Hangin out at the beach

Patty and Hal shared their lunch with me

After showering, we enjoyed a beautiful sail away with Pam and Roger. It was so gorgeous.

Bye, Antigua!

Dinner was definitely a highlight each evening as we gathered around our table for ten and ate and ate . . . and ate!

Ken was thrilled to find on the "available every evening" menu, his all-time favorite dessert. Creme Brulee! He had a standing order for two brulees every night along with the homemade ice cream of the day.

Please click "Older posts" to see the rest of our fun adventures.

Thursday- St. Maarten

While on St. Maarten, Ken went snorkeling with Tom and Joan, and I went shopping. Neither of us took our camera, so we have no pictures until the evening- the last formal night.

This is our waiter, Michael. Poor, poor Michael. Let's just say he brought a whole lot of food to our table during the week. I'm very sure he was glad to see us get off the ship.

Formal Night shots:

Delicious Seafood Dinner

Escargot

The Traditional Waiter Parade

Baked Alaska

The Silly Finale Show

Late Evening Entertainment: Our Favorite Quartet

This was THE funnest night. We all danced and danced and just had a ball, so to speak! I didn't get many pictures as we were too busy dancing. It was so fun.

The Midnight Chocolate Buffet

Friday- St. Thomas, VI Sister Shopping

Friday was our last day- spent in St. Thomas. It was designated as "sister shopping" day. The men all headed to Megan's Beach and the women to the stores. We have so much fun shopping together and talking each other into buying things. For me, it was the highlight of the trip. We had Cindy with us until John found her and spirited her away. That always happen. But it was fun while it lasted! We pause for refreshment:

Years ago, we all went to St. Croix with our parents. Dad bought Mom a beautiful larimar ring on that trip. So on this one, we all bought some larimar- in remembrance of our Mama.

The last supper

I had grilled chicken. It was delicious.

It was a fun week together. I am so grateful to be part of a wonderful family! Thank you, everyone!

My Favorite Things: Chopped

I love the Food Network show, Chopped. Love it. I record all the episodes, and when I have a 45 minute or so down time, I watch it. Here is what Wikipedia says about the show. They can explain it better than me: C hopped is a reality based cooking television series created by Michael Krupat, produced by Daniel Kay, and hosted by Ted Allen that pits four chefs against each other competiting for a chance to win $10,000. New episodes air every Tuesday at 10pm EST on Food Network.

In each episode, four chefs compete. The show is divided into three rounds: Appetizer, Entrée and Dessert. In each round, the chefs are given a basket containing between three and five ingredients, and the dish each competitor prepares must contain each of those ingredients. Generally speaking, the ingredients are ones which are not commonly prepared together. For example, in "Yucca, Watermelon, Tortillas," the episode which originally aired on February 10, 2009, the appetizer course boxes contained watermelon, canned sardines, pepper jack cheese, and zucchini. The competitors are also given access to a pantry and refrigerator stocked with a wide variety of other ingredients. Each round has a time limit: twenty minutes for the Appetizer round, and thirty minutes for the Entrée and Dessert rounds. The chefs must cook their dishes and complete four platings (one for each judge plus one "beauty plate") before time runs out. After each round, the judges critique the dishes based on presentation, taste, and creativity. The judges then decide which chef is "chopped," who is then eliminated from the competition. Thus, by the dessert round, only two chefs remain. When deciding the winner, the judges consider not only the dessert course, but the entire meal presented by each chef as a whole. The winner receives $10,000.

I just love how these chefs have to be so creative in such a short amount of time. I've said for a long time, they need to get some "real" people on there. Not professional chefs; just mamas that cook every day for their families, and see how they do. Well, evidently the producers heard me because on the Food Network website, they are advertising for Amateur chefs to apply to be on the show. A part of me really wants to apply. But then I think, what if they give me rattlesnake or gooey duck or lamb testicles- all things I've seen in those baskets. No, I think I'll dream at home of what I'd make when they open those baskets. If you want to do it, here's the web address:http://images.foodnetwork.com/webfood/pkgs/2011/chopped/pdf/casting.pdf

My favorite episode is one I can't bring myself to erase from my dvr. It was an episode where they invited previous losing competitors to come back and try again. The last two standing were a young woman and a young man. The young woman, whose grandmother from Italy was her inspiration, desperately wanted to win the money so she could travel to Italy to see her grandmother before her grandmother died. The young man was a chef for a Christian camp of some kind. He won. Usually they announce who is chopped, they leave, then they celebrate the winner's victory. This time, as the young woman was getting ready to leave, the young man said," wait. I wasn't counting on the money anyway, and I really want you to go and see your grandmother, so I am giving you the plane ticket." She, of course, melts into tears. Before that day, they were total strangers, yet he generously gave her her heart's desire. Ahh. It was sweet. Anyway, I really like this show. It's one of my favorite things.

Jaron Brian is Born!

Our sweet new grandson, Jaron Brian Prince came to join our family last Tuesday, October 11th. I was in the air between Vegas and Boise( the first leg of my journey) when he arrived- on my way there to help. Brian texted that she was at a 5 or 6 just before I got on the plane. I was so anxious on that flight. As soon as we landed, I turned on my phone and soon the text came that Jaron was born. By then we were in that awkward time on a plane: you know, after you're landed and at the gate, when everyone is just crammed in the aisles, waiting for them to open the door and let you out. I called out, "My daughter just had a baby boy- 9 1/2 pounds. A lady a few rows back said, "What did she say?" The man right behind me yelled, "Her daughter just had a baby!" The plane was then filled with "Ah's!" and "Congratulations!" It was fun. I've decided that my daughters just need to pick the date they would like to have their children, let me know, then I'll schedule my flight for that day to ensure they will have the baby that day. For my last experience see this post. Even though I choose my flights weeks in advance, I seem to have a gift for choosing the exact day. Well, I guess I was two days late on Jacob, but still . . .

I spent a wonderful week in Virginia with the Prince family (except I got a cold which I then passed on to Melli-stink!) It was so fun to get to know Gabbi and her adorable personality. She was a very fun roommate. We even spent most of one night up together. Her "trying " to go back to sleep and me singing every song in the Children's Songbook I could think of. Michelle's described it on her blog before, but you just can't believe it until you see it: One evening after dinner, Michelle turned on the Raffi music. Gabbi flew into high gear. She knows most every word of "Baby Baluga" and every song thereafter on the playlist of 10-15 songs. When one song finishes, she launches into the next, beating Raffi to the punch. She dances and twirls and sings. With the mother that she has, she knows all the terms for her dance moves, ie: arabesque and other words I can't spell. That little girl, much like her mother, is born to be on the stage. She loves an appreciative audience and just hates it if anyone she loves is missing the show.

Jaron is a sweet, good-natured baby. He is so sweet. I held him the first day I was there, but then got the cold, so didn't get to again until the last day. He is so sweet and so soft and so new from heaven. He was 9 1/2 pounds, but it seems it's all in length. He's tall. He doesn't cry much unless you change his clothes or he's hungry. I hope he continues to be a good baby for his parents. Speaking of his parents, he is one lucky little guy to come to their family. And to Gabbi, who was WELL prepared for his arrival. Michelle and Brian had talked to her a lot about things she could do for her new brother when he came. She remembered every one of them. We colored pictures to put on the door when he came home and yelled, "Surprise!" when they came in. She then shot down the hall, climbed into the rocking chair and started singing, "I Am a Child of God" while she rocked with all her might. Her parents had suggested that that was one thing she could do for him when he came was sing to him. She remembered and did it first off. Michelle and Brian did a cute thing: They had Gabbi get Jaron a gift (a car) and Jaron got her a gift ( a doll.) They exchanged their gifts. Frequently thereafter, we would find that car or a rattle in the bassinet with Jaron- just in case he woke up and needed to play, I guess.

Here are some pictures from my week:

Gabbi meets Jaron at the hospital

First family photo

Gabbi kept pulling at Jaron's blanket. She wanted to see all of him, not just his head. Michelle unwrapped him, and together they counted his toes.

Brian and Jaron

Grandma's turn

At home

Gabbi with her block tower (wearing her much-loved Princess nightgown)

Welcome to the world, Jaron Brian. We love you!!!!

April, 2011 Conference Report

Can you believe it? I finished my study of the April, 2011 General Conference today. My goal is to have it done before the next conference issue arrives. So, I finished with time to spare. So, here we go . .. my humble attempt to capture this conference and preserve my thoughts and feelings about it.

Theme I think most people who listened to all of this conference would, with a chuckle, suggest that the theme of this conference was that Latter-day-Saint young adult men should GET MARRIED! In fact, it was mentioned no less that five times. All of those who admonished the young men were prophets, seers, and revalators: Elder Oaks, President Monson- who quoted Harold B. Lee and Gordon B. Hinckley on the subject, and Elder Scott. I loved one young man's response at the end of conference on Facebook, "Wait. . . I think I missed it. What should be my priority be right now? Sometimes I just wish they would be more clear." And another, "They are coming down hard on my kind."

Another theme I noticed was following the spirit/ Listening to the Holy Ghost. In reference to the Holy Ghost's promptings, President Eyring prophesied," Some of you will need that inspiration in the months ahead."

We also heard a lot about the need for faith and obedience, and, as always and especially in the spring session, a great emphasis on the atonement.

Have you noticed the great increase in the use of the phrase "tender mercies" since Elder Bednar's talk about that several years ago. Elder Bednar loves to find those special phrases in the scriptures, ponder them, then present them to us. In his talk, he used at least eight of these phrases from scripture, ie: "apply unto it ," "a still, small voice," and 'Look beyond the mark."

In the news lately, we are hearing of Baptist preacher, Jeffress calling Mitt Romney's religion a cult. He SO needs to read Elder DeHoyas's talk. It will answer his every question and concern.

ATTENTION PARENTS! ATTENTION PARENTS! ATTENTION PARENTS! Have you ever wished you had received an owner's manual with your children? How To Raise Children, Parenting 101 is Elder Robbins talk on page 103. I admonish (who am I to use such a strong word??) to study and read and read and study this talk over and over and over again. It is truly what parents need.

My favorite talk: Need you ask? Almost always, my favorite is Elder Holland (I was sad that in last week's conference he spoke in Priesthood so I didn't get to hear him.) This talk made my heart sing. Remember, he was the last speaker before President Monson's concluding address. It was called "An Ensign to the Nations". It was about one of my favorite topics- you guessed it- GENERAL CONFERENCE! I loved how he gave us insight to how conference topics are decided (blood, sweat, tears, faith and prayer) "I testify that the proceedings of the past two days are yet one more evidence that, as our hymns says, "Lo, Zion's standard is unfurled." and surely the dual meaning of the word standard is intentional, it is not happenstance that one English publication of our general conference messages is in a magazine simply titled the Ensign." Conference sets the standard. In it, we learn what we need to do and become. "And whatsoever they shall speak when moved upon by the Holy Ghost shall be scripture, shall be the will of the Lord, shall be the mind of the Lord, shall be the word of the Lord, shall be the voice of the Lord, and the power of God unto salvation." (D&C 68:4) There you have it, folks! We get new, modern-day, right up to the minute scripture every six months. It just doesn't get much better than that! Unfurl your flags, spread the word! General Conference is where it's at!

In case you are interested, here is the tally of references in this conference:

Book of Mormon: 122

D&C: 119

Quotes from Latter-day apostles and prophets: 89

New Testament: 85

Old Testament: 32

World Literature: 32

Pearl of Great Price: 22

Hymns: 12

An interesting note: The source used by the most speakers was . . . . drumroll, please. . . . Quotes from Latter-day apostles and prophets. Thirty different speakers quoted apostles. The D&C was next- 27 speakers, and The Book of Mormon next- 26 speakers.

I want to close with the admonition from our prophet, Thomas S. Monson, "As we receive the issue of the Ensign magazine which will contain these messages in written form, may we read and study them." Yes, we may.

Escape

Escape by Carolyn Jessop My rating: 4 of 5 stars Escape is the compelling story of Carolyn Jessop, a member of the FLDS cult. At the tender age of eighteen, Carolyn is forced into an arranged marriage with a vile man in his 50's. She is his fourth wife. Several years and eight children later, Carolyn escapes. She is the only woman to have ever escaped from this cult WITH all of her children. Having lived just an hour or so away from this community for many years, I have been fascinated with these people and wondered what their lives were like. We shop in the same stores and I've even had a group of them in my home, as they installed my wood flooring. It was a man and several young boys (Carolyn mentions these "construction crews" made up of young boys- her own son was part of one.) The man was very congenial, but the boys would hardly even respond when I spoke to them. I now know it was because they had been taught that I, and all people outside their community are evil and they should not interface with us. Those little boys worked hard. They worked right through lunchtime. I could see that that man was going to make them work all day without food, so I made a big plate of sandwiches and insisted they eat. Anyway, I've always had a "live and let live" attitude toward these people, but no more. I now see that this is evil at it's worst: in the name of religion. There is nothing Christian at all about this society. They treat each other terribly. The abuse, tyranny and domination are anything but Christian, and yet it's all done in the name of Christ and religion. Carolyn even talks about joking with other women about the warning they'd give to each other "don't drink the punch"- referring to the Jim Jones cult that were all killed by drinking the cyanide- laced punch. That shows me that they know they are a cult and that they are in danger. I think Mark Shurtleff, Utah's attorney general is one of the great heroes alive today. Though knowing it would be personal "political suicide" to do so, he saw the evil and pursued Warren Jeffs and other leaders of this cult. Though the arrests were made in Texas, they were chased there by pursuit and pressure from Utah attorney general's office. When he could have easily turned his back, he chose to follow his heart and try to help these innocent people. My only regret is that they didn't keep those children when they had the chance in Texas. That was a huge mistake. Do I recommend the book? Guardedly. It is a book that is difficult to put down, and yet difficult to read. Even when you do put it down, it stays with you and colors your world. It is powerful. If you want to go on that journey, then, yes, I recommend it. Am I glad I read it? Absolutely. It strengthened my testimony of my own faith- The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. In my faith, women are honored and even revered. We are vital to the working of the church and our opinions are valued. In a recent press conference following a temple dedication in our church, a reporter commented that she had observed how well the men treated their wives. Then she asked, "Is that real or fiction?"(see Walter F. Gonzalez, ENSIGN magazine, May, 2011 issue, page 13 on LDS.org) It's real. Contrast that with their religion, where women are property and of no more worth than service cattle to populate and further the evil work. My hope for Carolyn is that she and her family can find truth and peace and maybe even help others of her former faith win their freedom. View all my reviews