The Big News in Blanding this Week...

Southeastern Utah has had a huge amount of snow and rainfall this year. (Do you remember the reports of 4 feet of snow in Blanding this past winter?) As a result, the big news in Blanding this week is that on Friday, Recapture Reservoir is full and water is pouring over the spillway! This is only the second time this has happened since the reservoir was built.

The 'thing to do' this weekend is drive out to the dam, within five minutes of town, and see the water spilling over. For a high desert area, water pouring over the spillway is big news. WATER is a big deal in Blanding.


We drove out Friday and Saturday afternoon just to take a look. Too bad I didn't do a movie of the spillway, as the picture doesn't really capture the significance of this event!



The spillway from the other side, Concrete walls with water going down the center. Albeit, a very small amount of water. It would probably only be 2-3 inches deep!

Truthfully, I like events like this, which is why I have always wanted to live in a small town. Our move to Blanding is fulfilling another one of my lifetime goals. Thanks Mike!!!

Thursday evening's scrabble game.

The Kitchen is FINISHED!

Today, at 10:50am, Mike and I finished painting the kitchen! We are both rejoicing that this big project is completed. We probably spent 30 hours total working on it. What do you think???


Completion Pictures...

Mid-way Picture...

I think Mike's face describes how we both felt at that point!

The Beginning...

We have ordered two new windows for the kitchen. The windows will be installd on the 29th. When we return in June, I will then paint the framing around the window. Otherwise, our paint job is complete. Hip-hip-horray!!!

P.S. I just realized I could download pictures from our camera onto Suzanne's computer. No need to wait until we return to Salt Lake.

Pre-Blanding Experience

Mike and I are in Blanding this week, doing a little painting in the kitchen, ordering new windows and linolium for the kitchen. (pictures when we return to SLC)... We have been working hard and today, we are taking a break, at least I am. We gave Suzanne a break today, so Mike's caring for his parents. He's trying to get the routine down!

We've had time for a little 'fun' if you will. We went to the park and ate lunch on both Monday and Tuesday. I felt like we had two dates in two days. Yea!

Tomorrow we are going to finish painting the kitchen and Friday, we'll clean out the shed. Then, we'll be on R & R until we leave on Monday.

In another month, we'll be leaving for the Oregon Coast. I'm getting excited for this vacation!

A new address...

I guess it is time to let the 'cat out of the bag' and announce our 'big decision'. Mike and I have decided to move to Blanding to care for his parents. We are moving in June, after we return from our trip to the Oregon Coast.


Q & A


Q: When are you getting released as Relief Society President?
A: I do not know. My guess is late May.

NOTE: I am not moving to obtain this release. I am moving because it is the right time and coincides with a release already in the plans by our Bishop.

Q: Does the Bishop know you are moving?
A: Yes.

Q: Are you selling your home?
A: We are not selling our home. This is not meant to be a permanent move, but a temporary move. We have committed to living one year in Blanding and then reevaluating the situation.

Q: What are you going to do with you home during this time?
A: My brother will be living in our home which will allow us a place to stay when we come to Salt Lake.

Q: What about your rental properties?
A: We still have them and will manage them from Blanding.

Q: What about Mike's job?
A: Well, as hard as it is to believe, Mike will be 62 at the end of May and he will take 'early retirement'. Social Security will provide our income for the next year.

Q: When did you make this decision?
A: Over a year ago, we've just kept it quiet until recently.

That's about it. Another new adventure for Mike and I. Mike believes I will not like living in a small town (pop. 3,500) and I believe I will. I have always wanted to live in a small town.

So, if you are headed to the Four Corners area, don't forget to look us up.

Mike & Sidney Christensen
88 W. 200 So.
Blanding, Utah 84511
Cell: 801-859-3300

My New Motto!

This evening I was driving home from 'Survivor Night' and listening to KBYU 89.1 FM. From what I could gather, they were celebrating 50 years of KBYU FM radio. The host said,

"Fifty is the new Forte"

I liked that thought! In case you are wondering, Forte is a musical term which mean louder. With my upcoming birthday, I think I'll keep this thought in mind. I think I'll continue to Crescendo on with life!

More Quilting - Flying Geese

I enjoy making this quilt pattern that involved flying geese. I've made four different quilts. Here are a couple of different versions...

This was my first quilt from his pattern.
I made it to go in our Living Room.

This one I gave to my sister-in-law!

Go to this link to see the one I made for a friend for Christmas last year.

Scrappy Quilts

I cannot throw fabric scraps away!!! Instead, I make scrappy quilts. Here is my latest...

'Rainbow'

The latest scrappy quilt!

You can see more of the design.

It is my version of a 'crazy eight'.

Before the Quilting...

No matter what type of quilt I am making, the thinking process is always the same. Once I have the quilt top put together, I think, "Oh, I don't think it is that cute." Then, I find a cute back and have it quilted and then, no matter the quilt, "It turns out darling".

This quilt is no exception. It turned out darling. It is twin sized and I am going to donate to a local organization for Refugees.