Spring Break and Heritage Dinner

We had a whirlwind week the week before Easter. It was Joan's spring break, so everyone decided to come and spend the week in sunny St. George.  Joan drove to Provo on the weekend, then Shonna and the kids met her in Provo and climbed in with her to come on down.  I made Ritzy Chicken that night, then we watched the NIT BYU game.  Yea!

On Tuesday, we went shopping at Tai Pan Trading and I got a big old pot.  It’s big.  Then we went to Michael’s and got flowers to fill er up.  I LOVE flower pots- always have.  But they die when we’re on vacation in the summer heat, and it’s frustrating.  So I filled them with permanent botanicals (artificial flowers and greens), and Joan and Shonna arranged them and they look pretty on my front porch.  In the afternoon, we went out to Pam’s and went to a museum in Santa Clara and then to a couple of stores out there.  I didn’t buy much.  That night I made pasta.  After dinner, we were supposed to have our online book club, but Joan's car died, so we ended up having an adventure in the Target parking lot, and then getting a new battery installed in her car.  

Wednesday, I had two Keynote performances at Assisted Living Centers in the morning.  Joan and Shonna and kids went to both; John, Cindy, and Pam came to the 2^nd one.  It was so nice of them.  John and Cindy drove down from Patty’s that morning to be there for the 11:00am one.  I felt so supported.

  After the performance, we went to lunch at a Greek place.  It was yummy. 

 Then Joan helped me get set up on the church’s website on family tree.  I’d actually been there before, but she taught me a lot and got me excited.  It was fun.  We did that until my first voice  student arrived.  Joan left to go to Vegas to shop and pick up Tom at the airport and they stayed down there that night.  It was fun to have hot dogs with Shonna and kids that evening. 

Thursday, I tended Caleb and Lily while Shonna went to the temple.  Blake’s parents stopped by while I was tending them.  They had been to Vegas and were just passing through.   I taught voice lessons all afternoon.  After lessons, we all went out to dinner at Pasta Factory- at least those who were here:  Pam and Roger, John and Cindy, Joan and Tom, Shonna and kids and us.  We forgot the camera.

Friday was a busy prep day for the Heritage Dinner. We have a dinner with foods from the countries of our heritage. It makes a great excuse to all get together.  This year, we had all Scandanavian Food, since that is where most of our ancestors are from,  and everything was delicious. Pam hosts it and set a beautiful table and decor.

   We made the rolls, salmon, asparagus, rice pudding and yummy butter cookies.  Patty and Hal arrived that day and so all of my siblings were there.  Joan, Shonna and I went to the arts festival downtown in the morning. I haven’t been for years.  It has really grown and was fun to see all the cool stuff.  I bought a little bit of,  you guessed it- jewelry!  It's my one weakness.  The guys had the Gabrielsen Open golf tournament.  Ken  and Joan's husband, Tom tied for the win.  So they sawed the duck in half. 

After a couple of hours at the festival, we came home  and finished prep. for the dinner and went to Pam’s.  It was a delicious meal and we all ate way too much!.  Here are some pictures of the beautiful meal.  Like Blake teased, only in the Gabrielsen family would you find labels on the food!

 It was so fun to be together.  We played a fun getting to know you better game after dinner. We would have learned a lot more about each other, but Whitney was there!(inside joke)

 then the sisters looked at family photos and decided what to scan to put on family tree.  It’s a big project.

Whitney (Joan's daughter) and a friend, Ruthann, came down and got there late for the dinner, then Blake (Shonna's husband)  arrived and had dessert.  It was such a fun evening and even worth all of the work to get it ready!

I was kidding about the duck- it's still in one piece.

Spring Break Week, continued- Easter!

Saturday, we had egg Muffins and then Patty and Pam came over to visit for the morning (John and Cindy had already left to head back home to be there for Sunday, and the other guys were golfing again.)  It was so fun to visit and get their advice on my kitchen remodel.  Little Lily loved all the aunts and also Whitney’s friend, Ruthanne.  She really likes people.


We went on a picnic to the water park at lunch.  Both kids got soaked to the skin and came home in diapers only.  But they had a blast.

Maybe my favorite part of the whole week was Shonna and Whitney making music for us.  Whitney played and sang, Whitney played and Shonna sang, and Whitney played and Shonna played the flute.  It was heaven.  They are so good!!!

We decided to have our Easter dinner that evening while everyone was still here.  We did a huge ham, I made more rolls, asparagus, Funeral potatoes, lemon salad and scotcharoos for dessert. .

The kids colored eggs and hid them.  We put on our Easter feast, and somewhere in there, Ken put together his new smoker grill.  We’re looking forward to trying it out.

After dinner and clean up, we played some games.

Memorable Quotes from the Week:  (see if you can guess who said them)

"Fi Fi Fo Fum!"
"We need to work on family history."
"Where does the Easter bunny live?"
"Odder side."
"I pooped!"
"Leave Lily's head alone."
"Where Wee Wah?"
"These Danish cookies are damn good."

Can you guess who said what?  Here's the answers:
"Fi Fi Fo Fum!"  is how Ken greets the kids.  All of the grandkids know that's what Grandpa says.  He comes in the door from work and says it and they all know he's home.  They look a little scared(cuz he chases them and "gets" them.) and a lot happy when they hear him.
"We need to work on family history."  That would be Joan.  She got me going.
"Where does the Easter bunny live?"  Caleb wondered.  Hmmmm!  I didn't know.  So we googled it and found that he lives in deep burrow on Easter island.  It is very deep so that us humans won't find his immense candy stash.
"Odder side."   This was cute Lily.  She loved to play a game where she would give Ken or I a kiss on the cheek.  We'd blow out air that made a noise that she thought was hilarious.  She'd giggle and giggle, then say "Odder side," so we'd turn the other cheek.  She could play that game for hours!
"I pooped!"  On Sunday, the Primary president came and got me out of Sunday School to play the piano in primary, as the pianist hadn't shown up.  On the way down to the Primary room, I peeked in the nursery to check on Lily and Caleb.  So, a few minutes later, the nursery leader, knowing I was in Primary, brought Caleb in.  Sister Steck, the primary president was right in the middle of teaching the children a beautiful Easter sharing time when Caleb very loudly announced, "I pooped!  I pooped in the nursery!"   It took poor Sister Steck two minutes to calm all of the children back down.  Oh, my.
"Leave Lily's head alone."  That's Shonna, well all of us really.  Caleb loves his sister, and sometimes likes to torment her!  Sounds like normal siblings to me!
"Where Wee Wah?"  That's Lily.  She calls Caleb Wee Wah.  We don't know why.  If you say, "Caleb" she knows who that is.  If you say Wee Wah she knows who that is.  So it's not just how she says Caleb.  We've decided she has the Gabrielsen inclination to give a nick name.  It's just her pet name or nick name for her brother.  When all of the aunts were here on Saturday morning, Caleb was bouncing off the walls, so his Daddy took him on a field trip to see Grandpa's office.  Lily kept going to the window and asking "Where Wee Wah?"  "Where Wee Wah?" She didn't like having her tormenter/ best friend gone.   All of the aunts tried to convince her to just relax and enjoy the time!
That last quote, well, it will just remain anonymous.  It's the least likely one who said it- someone who likes to shock others!  It worked! 
(Those cookies were, by the way!  They were goooooood!)

Shanghai Girls

Shanghai Girls by Lisa See

My rating: 3 of 5 stars


First, I must say that this is a very aesthetically pleasing book. It's beautiful- in my favorite color of pink. It was a joyful experience to handle this book and look at it. I just have to say that in this world of the e-reader, Kindle, and I-pad. There's still value in holding and reading a book with real, turnable pages.
This is the story of two Chinese sisters set first in Shanghai before, during, and then after World War II in America. The reader lives through that difficult history in a very personal way with these two girls,then women, so it definitely has historical significance. It certainly explores the complex relationship of sisters. But I think it's greatest value is that it is a study of perspective. We hear the entire story through the voice and perspective of the oldest sister, but only at the very end when the two are having a very heated, intense, and candid conversation, do we recognize that there are two sides to the story. Reading this was very eye opening to me. What we see and feel and seems like truth to us may not be at all what others are seeing and feeling. Though not graphic, this book deals with some very intense scenes and may not be everyone's cup of tea. My biggest complaint is that it leaves the reader hanging at the end. I have and plan to read it's sequel, "Dreams of Joy." Hopefully that will complete the story. Maybe then I will rate it higher.



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She Logged On

Because Ken is over family history work in our stake, he has access to the Indexing records.  A few months ago, he was looking at those on his computer and shared with me something that really touched me.  The records show who in each ward has done indexing during the month and how many names they did.  Our ward had quite a long list of brothers and sisters who had indexed during the month.  But I was most touched by the record of a young mother.  This sister was, at the time, just about due with her fifth child.  Her oldest child is six, she has twin four year olds and  a two year old and was just about to have her fifth child.  The record showed that she had logged on.  No names done.  But she had logged on. I can imagine the scenerio:  She probably got her kids to bed or they were otherwise engaged, so she thought she might have a few minutes to index.  But, as so frequently happens with young mamas, she was called away and didn't quite get back to it.  I am deeply touched, though, that she tried.  About due with a baby, I'm sure she felt like lying down if she had a minute's free time, but she offered her widow's mite.  She showed her intention to serve.  She showed up.  She logged on.

1 Samuel 16:77 "But the Lord said unto Samuel, Look not on his countenance, or on the height of his stature; because I have refused him: for theLord ^aseeth not as ^bman seeth; for man looketh on the outward^cappearance, but the ^dLord looketh on the ^eheart."

The True Easter Story

I post this for your Easter week enjoyment.  This is my granddaughter, Brielle when she was three years old. She is now seven.  I love to watch it each Easter to remember the Easter story according to a precious child.

My Favorite Things- Larkrise to Candleford

If you know us very well, you already know we love this BBC series, "Larkrise to Candleford."  We started watching it on Netflix, but ended up buying the boxed series on DVD.  This character- driven series is not high action, but each episode is entertaining and satisfying. It took awhile to watch them all, but we found ourselves looking for an odd hour here and there to sneak downstairs and watch an episode.  I guess you could say we were a little addicted!  Just seeing these pictures of characters we came to love makes me feel happy inside:

Larkrise to Candleford:  One of our favorite things.  

The View From the Cherry Tree

The View From the Cherry Tree by Willo Davis Roberts

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


I just reread this murder mystery for the third time. I've been reading "hard to plough through" books lately, and needed a page turner. I knew this one would fill the bill. I try to wait long enough between readings that I don’t remember "who done it." I didn’t wait long enough this time. Before many pages, I remembered who the murderer was, but still that didn’t spoil it for me. I literally couldn’t put it down. The book is written for older children, but it is intense! It’s the story of a child who accidentally sees a murder from his favorite hiding place in the cherry tree. His family is so busy with preparations for his sister’s wedding that none of them will listen to him when he tries to tell his story. The killer knows he saw, though, and keeps trying to kill him so that he can’t tell his story. It is page turning intensity right to the last page. It’s the classic “Kid verses Evil Adult” story, and I’ll bet you can guess who wins!



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Practice is Nine-tenths

Ralph Waldo Emerson's mantra:  Practice is nine-tenths.  This, at first reading seems incomplete; but a little reflection suggests that Emerson is deliberately giving us a chance to finish this idea in terms of our own experience, while recognizing the major contribution of sustained, repeated work.  "Practice makes perfect" is another way to say it, but I like Emerson's better.  It allows that 10%  comes in other ways- often Divine help. "Perfect" may never be achieved, but there is great value in the effort- in the practice. Now if you'll excuse me, I need to go and practice the piano.
 To see other mantras, click here.

Jennifer, Hecate, Macbeth, William McKinley, and me, Elizabeth

Jennifer, Hecate, Macbeth, William McKinley and Me, Elizabeth by E.L. Konigsburg

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


I really like E. L. Konigsburg. I like her writing style. I like her ability to create children characters that help you remember what it was like to be a child. I really like her books. This is the story of two “misfit” girls who find each other and eventually learn how to relate normally to one another and become friends. It’s an interesting journey getting there. Both of the main characters use anti-social defense mechanisms to cope with their harsh social world. Through their friendship, they gain confidence and learn how to relate to others and eventually to each other in a more normal way. It’s a journey many, many young people travel. I think this book’s greatest value is that other adolescents might read, then recognize these symptoms in their peers. . . or even themselves. My only question is why “Hilary Ezra” wasn’t included in the lengthy title of this book? He plays a lot bigger role than William McKinley or Macbeth. I guess it’s too late to change it now!



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Seven Miracles That Saved America

Seven Miracles That Saved America: Why They Matter and Why We Should Have Hope by Chris Stewart

My rating: 3 of 5 stars


I’m not a history buff. I like to blame it on Miss Baldwin, my high school history teacher. She was nice, but certainly didn’t light any history fires in me. So reading a book like this is a bit like reading a text book for me. I’m glad I read it, but it’s a bit of a chore. I have to set reading goals and make myself accomplish them. This book has a lot of historical facts and dates and, well, history, but it’s interspersed with fictionalized stories of someone living in the time being discussed. That helps to internalize it for me. The premise of the book is that there are seven times when God provided miracles to save America- His promised land. I think I could name a few more than seven, but these are the seven discussed by the authors:
1) Christopher Columbus
2) Jamestown
3) The Battle of New York in the Revolutionary War
4) The Constitution
5) Abraham Lincoln’s prayer that turned the tide in the Civil War
6) A series of miracles at the Battle of Midway that made us win; thus winning WWII
7) The assasin’s bullet missing Ronald Reagan’s heart, thus preserving him to be so instrumental in bringing down the iron curtain.
I really did learn a lot about each of these events and to appreciate how God truly did preserve us a nation. I needed to read this right now. I’ve had a feeling of hopelessness about our country and this renewed my hope. But , I have to admit, I’m ready to read a mindless, fluffy novel next. Any suggestions?




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Embarrassing Moment at the Bank . . . Very Embarrasing!

I guess I'm ready to tell the story. I can't believe I'm telling it, because it's so embarrassing.  Oh man.  Last week one day, I made dinner for a friend who just had surgery.  I take it over to her.  I l look like, well, you know:  No make up, food-spotted clothes (from cooking), hadn't combed my hair since  morning. . . not good.  I decide since I'm already out, I'll run a couple of errands on my "to do list." ( Dang "to do list.")  I drop off some dry cleaning, then go to the drive-through at the bank.  I pull up real close to the post at the bank so I won't have to get out to get the tube. ( Dang tube.)  (Dang lazy me)  So I take care of my business at the bank and then try to start my car.  Click.  I try again.  Click.  Again, click, again, click,   . . ., well you get the picture. I just drove here- why isn't my car starting???  Okay, what do I do?  I try to get out of the car.  Nope, too close to the post.  I can't even get the door partway open.  I get in my purse to get my cell phone and remember I left my cell phone home on my dresser.   I can feel the panic rising in my throat.  I've read that phrase in books.  Now I know what it feels like to have panic rising in your throat.  I. AM. STUCK!  " Stay calm, Kay.  Stay calm," I tell myself over and over.  "Okay,I'll try to climb out the other door."   I can't.  I can't get over the middle hump.  I. AM. STUCK!  I pray and pray.  I try to start the car again, and again.  Click. Click.  I try the door again.  Nope.  I try not to panic.  I try not to cry.   What do I do?   I meekly push the call button. and say, "I'm stuck."  Oh man. Can you say humiliation?   About then, the guy in the next lane over sees my predicament and says he has cables and will come and jump my car.  Then two guys from the bank come out.  Their plan is to push my car out of the way and get me some help.  I can't get it in neutral.  I can't find the lever to pop the hood.  One of the bank guys has to reach through the window to pop my hood.  Humiliating.  Meanwhile, many other cars come to the drive through.  All watch.  I look at the window of the bank.  Employees are gathered, watching.  A guy in one of the other cars calls out,  "Hey, could you change my oil?"  One of the bank guys responds, "Sure, we're a full service bank."  The nice jeep guy comes over and attaches his cables.  He says, "Give it a try."  Oh, blessed, blessed relief.  The car starts.  He unhooks his cables and closes the trunk. My only goal in life right then is to get out of there. . . or at least get away from that pole!   I wave and thank them all and drive away, praying hard that the car will keep going and that none of them will recognize me if they ever see me again. It takes hours for my heart to calm down.  When Ken gets home, I don't even let him get inside the house before I start telling him the story.  I tell him we're going to have to move. . . .or at least change banks.  He tries to comfort me by telling me that it will  make a good blog post.  I hope he's right.