Party Time

More cute pictures from the birthday celebration for Marty and Sarah - birthday twins!

A decision must be made - who will blow out which candles??!!

So whose turn is it to open the next present? - why aren't you all looking at the most important people here?!

Well, is that all there is?

Marty actually grilled the chicken himself with his famous mango/ pineapple sauce - made with fresh mangos - so delicious!

I really only have eyes for Alice. She was full of sweetness and laughter and I was full of love.

Uncle Frank was the most popular guy there with a crowd of children surrounding him and wanting his attention. Felicity found a "quiet" moment to get all the attention herself. Elsa was loving to visit with Aunt Annethel and Oma when Uncle Frank was busy with one of the other kids.

Happy Birthday Marty

Happy Birthday to a wonderful, sweet, generous, kind, funny, man without guile - a truly great man - Marty Bielefeldt. Here's a few pictures of Marty through the years. Marty shares his birthday with granddaughter, Sarah Hollenbeck born also on March 9, fifteen years ago. Happy birthday to a sweetheart of a young lady - Sarah!!

Early this morning, before I even started teaching piano, Marty suggested I take pictures of the tulips my friend gave me before they wilt. Thankfully, I did at the time as now, 3 hours later, the sweet gift is wilting. I am reminded that we need to take time to notice the small things in the midst of all the confusion of life. Some opportunities are only for a moment; some precious gifts are fleeting; cherished friends and loved ones are not always present; time passes but memories remain; the sweetness and joy of the moment can last forever. My heart is so touched at the thoughtfulness of my friend and I am reminded in my memories of her kindness to me. This is symbolic of all the kindnesses I receive from so many. Sometimes I forget to remember. The scriptures say "Remember, remember". So with gratitude, I share a few pictures of the temporary beauties around me. When seen in the scope of the world, they might seem but an insignificant piece of beauty; when seen in detail, they become an overwhelming part of my gratitude for the creations and gifts and people that surround and bless my life and take my breath away.

I placed the tulips on a precious table cloth my mother embroidered in detail with her aged and shaking hands, fingers that tediously created a gift of love.

The glorious apple blossoms trying with all their might to create an apple to please, but perhaps will never come to fruit. The blossoms themselves give joy and promise. This is the last rose of winter, so high it can only be seen up close from my balcony. As we arrived home Sunday evening, the fragrance of freshly opening citrus blossoms overwhelmed me and instantly reminded me of the month I became engaged to my sweetheart 41 years ago.

A Star Valley Weekend

A trip to our hodge-podge cabin in Star Valley was a visit to our own "Walden Pond" - a welcome simplification for a couple of days to have uninterrupted time to read, write and meander through dreams with the nourishment of fresh air and without schedule.

I could almost pretend I painted this magical evening of peace on canvas - instead I admit it's my amazing photographic creativity. Chilly enough to enjoy a fire, to feel the joy of our private "castle", to eat barbequed ribs, watch a wild 007 movie, then to drink hot chocolate, to read a little before gently falling asleep where even the midnight visit from the elks did not awaken me. (Marty told me the next morning that Spice frantically anounced the elks arrival with her shrill barking). Sunday morning we enjoyed our spiritual feast at the Christopher Creek branch. We enjoyed meeting many wonderful people and enjoyed the wonderful lessons on charity and faith. Even though this area had 3 feet of snow two weeks ago, most had melted in the warmth of recent days. Two weeks ago church had been canceled due to hazardess driving conditions and some people had been stranded in town due to the sudden storms.

Our trip home was peaceful as we enjoyed the many moods of the setting sun and the wonderful Arizona dessert.

Family Soup

This delicious chicken soup (a take off of Marsie's Soupa Ranchero) was made by Marty, Sylvia, Joe and Jared. Due to popular demand, we are releasing the secret recipe and expect it will be wildly popular. I soaked 1 cup of navy beans for several hours in the morning. In the afternoon she started them cooking with one onion chunked up - not finely, but chunked - in about 3 quarts of water, with powdered chicken soup flavoring from Sprouts and about a tablespoon of red pepper flakes, in a big stainless steele pan. (I forgot to start them early enough in the crock pot) Jared had his niece Jill and friends, Jared and Jenny over for lunch. While they were over, my son Jared (not the friend Jared) baked 3 large chicken breasts with heavenly seasonings (which are secret) to tender perfection for me to use later in the soup. Later Joe peeled and chopped 4 potatoes and added them to the soup. Marty brought home cauliflower from the Carol Rae School garden and Joe chopped it and also chopped fresh brocolli from our own garden. We added that to the pot along with some Costco frozen corn and the prepared chicken. At the last minute I added a package of ramon noodles. This was served with jalapenos from our own garden and freshly grated tilamook cheese in a large roll scooped out to make a bread bowl. Yummy!!! I had so much generous help due to the fact that I was very sick and had also slipped on the freshly mopped floor that my kind son, Jared had cleaned for me, but which I forgot was wet. I took a flying leap in front of Joe, Jared and the lunch bunch and broke a dish and my toe, but the glass of water in my hand was totally unspilled and unbroken.

Joe