Flowers of Wisconsin

We recently spent a couple of weeks in Door County, Wisconsin.  It is on the peninsula between Green Bay and Lake Michigan in northern Wisconsin.  It's referred to as the Cape Cod of Wisconsin.  It is just beautiful there.  I have a post of our trip all ready, but I wanted to make a separate post of the flowers there . . .and this isn't even all that I took.  They were just breathtakingly beautiful.  So, if you like flowers, here's to you!

My Favorite Things- Fresca

Here's one of those deep questions for you:  For the rest of your life you can only have one beverage besides water.  You can have all the water you want, and then all you want of  just one other beverage.  What would you choose?  I used to always say milk, but I think I may have swung to the dark side, and now I say Fresca. My reasoning is that I could meet dairy needs (I know, some argue there are no dairy needs) with yogurt and cheese, etc, so why not choose something low calorie and sweet and sour and refreshing and yummy.  Yes, I choose Fresca!  What would you choose?

Fresca- one of my favorite things!

In case you're interested in others of my favorite things, click here.

My Husband is a Movie Star!

Ken had his fifteen seconds of fame last weekend.  About a year ago, our neighbor, Bob Sonju, who works for the Washington county school district asked Ken to be in a documentary they were making to celebrate 100 years in Washington County School District.  So, during the last year he had on-camera interviews and he provided pictures of himself as a child.  The premier of the movie was Saturday night.  It was a huge, red carpet affair.  It was held at Desert Hills High School.

Ken on the red carpet

One of the high school jazz bands was playing

There were tables set up and balloons and popcorn and candy and cold drinks.

There were a lot of people there.  It was a big affair.

Ken by the movie poster

Ken's name on the poster.  Wilford Brimley was the narrator and Jeffrey R. Holland was in it.  Dia Frampton was also in it.  She won "the Voice" a couple of years ago.  She and her sister sang the song written for the movie.

The movie begins

They had a lot of wonderful, old shots from the early days

Ken told about his first grade teacher in his part.  He did so well.  

Our neighbors, Macy and Maddie Sonju were also stars.  

They took pictures of everyone.

This picture of Ken as a child was in the movie.

If you want to see more about it, go to this link!

https://www.facebook.com/pages/On-Dreams-of-Dixie/407930112703477?fref=ts

It really was well done.  It was chosen to be in the upcoming St. George film festival in September in the documentary category. 

My husband- the film star!!!

Help Everyone I Meet Feel Comfortable, Needed, and Loved

Wow!  That is a tall order and so far out of my comfort zone.  This mantra came from a talk in sacrament meeting given by a brother in the stake that I admire a lot- Lynn Bloxham.  I still remember when I first met him.  He knew Ken as Ken was in our stake presidency, but I had never met him.  He did exactly this: he helped me feel comfortable, needed, and loved.  It made a big impression on me. I was overwhelmed with the love and honor he gave in just my first encounter with him.  Years later- just a month ago- he visited our ward as a high council speaker.  In his fabulous talk, he presented his mantra.  He presented in such a way that he was honoring someone else who did that, but, to me it was obvious because I know him that it is his life mantra.  Because I remembered how I felt when I met him, it has made a big impact on me and has caused me some serious thought.  Could I really do that?  Could I make everyone I meet feel comfortable, needed, and loved?  Probably not, but maybe in the reaching for it, I could become a better person.  Anyway, I offer it as food for thought for you.

For other mantra ideas, click here.

Look for the Helpers

This mantra comes from a quote from Fred Rogers:
        “When I was a boy and I would see scary things in the news, my mother would say to me, "Look for the helpers. You will always find people who are helping.” 
                                                                                                           Fred Rogers
I love this idea of looking for the good that is in a bad situation.  And Mrs. Rogers was right.  There are always those who selflessly serve during and after tragedies.  Always.  I urge you to consider this as a mantra: "Always look for the helpers."  It will help you keep your faith in mankind.  

To view other of my mantras, click here.

Trip to Boise and to the Mountains

Ken and I drove to Boise to spend a week.  Ken went hiking with Tom, Jonathan (Sara's husband), Devin, Rick Hurst, and Ammon Taylor (a guy who works with Tom and conincidently my friend Debbie's daughter's husband.)  I spent the week with Joan and her family.  It's been a very long time since we did this. We used to do this every year- spend a week together while our husbands hiked.  But it's been a long, long time. We started the week by getting pedicures while we still had babysitters as the guys didn't leave until noon on Monday.

Whitney and Sara.

Joan and I

The guys ready to lock and load in the cars and go.

That evening, Lucy taught us a great FHE lesson on the Parable of the Ten Virgins

We watched the church movie of the story.

Meanwhile, the guys arrived at Challis and went to a natural hot springs- Goldbug Hot Springs.  It is gorgeous up there.  They texted pictures- just to make us jealous!

Tom, Jonathan,  Ken, and Devin

Tom and Ken at the hot springs

The next day, Taylor came home with a new mountain bike.

On Tuesday afternoon, we met Taylor for a lunch picnic near his work.

It was a beautiful park on a lake.

We then drove to see the progress on the new Meridian, Idaho temple.  It will be beautiful.

Zachy and Taylor loved playing a video game together.

We had a fun pool party with Missy and her family the next day.  I visited with Missy all afternoon, but she neglected to tell me she was famous.  If you get the Costco magazine, you'll see her front and center on the cover of it this month.  She and two friends started a blog HowDoesShe.com and Costco has an article about them.  She is the nicest person on the earth and has the cutest little family.  We missed her boys, though as they were at scout camp.

Sara, reading by the pool.

Missy's daughter, Ellie

Joan, Missy, Ellie, Claire, and Lucy

Ellie and Lucy

Taylor

Ellie, Leah, and Lucy

"Joanie Bologna, when are we going to have popsicles?" little Anderson asked.  Joanie Bologna responded.  I thought it was so cute he calls her old childhood nickname.  

Little Claire

Taylor's favorite pool game is catching the football midair as he comes down the slide.

He taught Zachy the ropes.

All ready for the 24th of July parade

Joan and I playing duets.  It's tradition when we get together.  

While we were shopping and pool partying and the like, the guys were hiking.  Ken says this may be his last long back pack trip.   It was pretty grueling but beautiful.  

Ready to go. Devin Morris, Ammon Taylor, Tom Morris, Rick Hurst, and Ken.  

Jonathan and Ken

Jonathan- Sara's husband.  He's the nicest guy!

Jonathan taking a selfie with the others in the background.

Love this picture!

Tom and Ken

Wilson Lake and Harbor Lake.

On the trail.  

One small portion of the Big Horn Crags.  Aren't they beautiful?

Ammon, Jonathan, and Ken with Ship Island lake in the background and the "end of the earth."  You saw it here first.

Lake Shoban

Shoban Lake

Airplane Lake

Airplane Lake with clouds.

Female Dusky Grouse

Ammon, Tom, Ken and Jonathan at Ship Island Lake

Another Dusky Grouse.  Both of these hens had baby chicks with them.

View from the summit between Big Clear Lakes (behind Ken) and Gentian Lake (on the right.)

Big Clear Lakes

Golden Trout.  He caught the fish in the lake on the right above.  Ken says this picture doesn't do it justice as it was so colorful.  He really enjoyed the great fishing in these beautiful lakes.  This was the first Golden Trout he ever caught and he caught it within two seconds of casting his line.

This is the most beard I've ever seen on my always clean-shaven husband.

Thank you Tom and Joan and family and friends for a wonderful week, full of wonderful memories!