The Christensens

A BIG Decision

2012-02-12T08:24:00.001-07:00

Okay, don't get too worried by the post title...

The other day Mike and I were talking and we decided that we are undertaking NO BIG PROJECTS this year! I am so relieved. We did put together a list of unfinished or day projects (hopefully) that we will do, but NO BIG PROJECTS! Here is our list for the year

1) Summer Projects

a. Finish Painting Entry Way

b. Remove Elm Tree in Front Yard

c. Plant Lawn on East Side of house

d. Shelves in pantry on back porch

e. Replace Windows in front room

f. Paint outside trim around front room and guest room window.

Considering all of the projects we have undertaken here in Blanding over the past couple of years, we are both relieved at this decision. This will be a restful year, so to speak!

We'll keep you updated as these projects come to fruition. But since it is technically winter, we won't begin until Spring arrives!

Our Trip to Las Vegas…

2012-01-15T17:42:00.001-07:00

As a child, I (Sidney) drove the stretch from Salt Lake to Vegas many times with my family. I remember seeing the sign from the freeway for Valley of Fire State Park and asking if we could go there. Of course, we were 20 miles from home so the answer was ‘no’. (I don’t blame my parents for saying no!)

This trip, I saw the sign, mentioned my childhood desire to Mike and the next thing you know, we were driving the desolate 13 miles to Valley of Fire State Park. Basically, it is red rocks and slick rocks, much like the terrain of where I currently live, but… I have another item knocked off my bucket list!

This picture makes me look like I hiked quite a long distance, but in reality, it was about 15 feet!

Mike, posing in a couple of different formations.

We then drove Shoreline Road, which goes around Lake Mead into Boulder City and then drove into Las Vegas.

Our timeshare was at The Grandview. We were amazed by our accommodations!!!

We fulfilled our goal of eating at a Chinese Buffet.

Mike went to his favorite gift store, only to be disappointment because it has turned into a real tourist trinket shop, not the odds and ends shop of 2005. The only good news is that it sells pottery from Cedar Mesa Pottery. Mike’s Uncle Joe originally started the business and now his cousin, Joe B. runs the business here in Blanding.

Sunday we attended the Calico Ridge Ward in Henderson, Nevada. We loved the building because it dates back to the early ‘60s.

Afterwards, we drove out to Hoover Dam and walked along the new bridge that was recently completed.

If the light pole were not in this shot, (and the people) it would be a beautiful print!

We drove up to a view spot to view Lake Mead. Mike specifically wanted me to take of picture of him fixing his tie.

Mike is the best husband. He graciously drives me around to fabric stores. I went to all of the stores in Las Vegas, plus JoAnn’s.

One night, we rented five movies from Red Box. We had a movie marathon. (The good thing about living in Blanding is that we don’t see all of the new movies that come out. So, in this case, going to Red Box, they had many movies available which we had not seen! Otherwise, we don’t generally like Red Box’s selection.)

Our FREE MONEY - $39.40. Okay, we do not gamble our own money. I need to make that clear. But, the Grandview had an agreement with the casino next door. The casino offered us free cards which entitled us to $25.00 of money to gamble with as well as discounts on food, etc. I told Mike, “I wonder if we can cash in the $50.00.” The answer was no. But, I found out that if I played the slot machine, when I ‘won’, I could cash out the money. So, we played our $50.00 and ended up cashing out $39.40. We definitely made money on the hotel. Yea!

All and all, Mike and I are so grateful to his sister Marjorie, for offering us her timeshare and to his sister Suzanne, who came and stayed with Mike’s mother. We had a GREAT TIME relaxing. We have returned to Blanding RELAXED and REFRESHED.

Quilt Tops

2011-12-19T10:32:00.001-07:00

Recently I made a couple of quilt top, 51 x 72. They would be more for the bottom of a child’s bed. Anyway, I sold both of them on Etsy. I have to tell you, I think they turned out darling.

At a glance, they probably both look the same, but this first one has a dark/light color scheme. Example: Hot Pink and then a softer hot pink, Bright Lime green, then a softer lime green. Of the two quilt tops, this one is my favorite, but both are darling and I’ll probably make another with the remainder of my leftover scraps. Yes, these two quilts were made with my scraps!!!

The second quilt top is below. Can you see a difference between the two quilts?

The pattern is a variation of one that I found on line. I quite like the look of this quilt. I’m trying to decide if I want to make one for me to keep!!!

2011 Christmas Card

2011-12-17T11:33:00.001-07:00

Dear Family and Friends,

This year, our Christmas letter is electronic! With all of this technology, it seems like the best option. (Not to mention that I can tell that cards are just not going to get mailed this year!)

What’s been happening with the Christensen’s in 2011?

In February, Mike’s father passed away. He was 90 years old. Mike served as an excellent care giver to him. All of Mike’s siblings came to Blanding as well as other family members. While a sad occasion, it was enjoyable having them all in town at the same time! Mike continues to care for his mother. He is so kind and patient with her. Sidney continues to learn so much…

In April Mike and Sidney took a mini-vacation to Colorado Springs to visit Sidney’s brother, Dave, and his family. We had a delightful trip. One of our favorite spots was stopping at Glenwood Hot Springs. So fun!

We worked on several ‘projects’ this year.

• We painted the ‘junk room’ aka the room where Mike’s dad kept everything. Mike’s mother wanted a guest room and graciously allowed Sidney to move in her sewing machine in as well.

• We had a bountiful garden this year. Sidney kept busy canning tomatoes any way she could. Mike has suggested we not plant as many tomatoes this year (we had 18).

• We also sold all of our rental properties this year and no longer have any rental units. We are actually glad to be out of the business as it too difficult to manage from long distance.

• We painted the living room and entry way of his mother’s home in October. His mother chose the color, sage green. A bucket of paint goes a long way in transforming a room!

• Mike painted our bathroom after the living room was painted. Sidney could not stand the thought of ONE MORE PROJECT and thus, watched.

Sidney decided to participate in the local Farmer’s Market this summer. It was a new adventure and she thoroughly enjoyed it. It was fun to come home each week with a little cash in her hand. Spending money is nice to have.

Mike’s been having success as an author, here in Blanding. He was invited to the local book group where he talked about his novel, The Tomb of the Devils. Sidney also sold several copies of his novel at the Farmer’s Market. Mike has listed his novel as an eBook on Amazon.com and Barnes and Noble. Humble as ever, Mike is always surprised when ANYONE purchases a copy of his novel. (Sidney here… This is one of the reasons I love Mike, he is a very humble man.) He continues to SLOWLY work on his second novel.

In September we traveled to Northern California to attend Mike’s 45th Class Reunion. Even though we had a tire blow out the first day, the rest of the trip was uneventful, so-to-speak. After the reunion, Mike continued to fulfill Sidney’s dreams of going to The Hearst Castle and Solvang, California. Even though those places were interesting, the highlight of that portion of the trip was viewing hundreds of elephant seals along the coast. It is interesting that nature always seems to win out!

Throughout this past year, we have been continually reminded of the many blessing our loving Heavenly Father has blessed us with. We are so grateful for the atoning sacrifice of his Son, Jesus Christ. We wish you and your family a Merry Christmas, as we celebrate the reason for the season, the birth of our Savior.

With love,

Mike and Sidney Christensen
88 W. 200 So.
Blanding, Utah 84511
435-678-2941
Email: sidney7705@gmail.com or mchris1966@hotmail.com

Quilt Tops

2011-12-06T15:12:00.001-07:00

I’ve sold a couple of quilt tops lately. Even though I am not keeping these, I still like to take pictures and keep a record of items I have made.

The first top I named “Oregon Coast”. It reminded me of the colors of the coast when we visited last summer. This quilt measures 74 x 90.

The second quilt I titled “Goin’ Camping, II” I had scraps left over from a previous quilt of the same name and pieced together this brick looking quilt. It goes together so quickly that it is worth the time and effort I take to make and sell it. It measured 62 x 84.

I still enjoy selling items on Etsy, although I haven’t been a diligent in recent months. Maybe things will change after Christmas.

What Was I Thinking???

2011-11-18T07:07:00.001-07:00

I’ve been telling Mike for the past month that we are done with projects for this year. Then, Mike decides to paint the bathroom. Well, I did it again, I decided to have our carpets cleaned in the front room… Why??? It was another project…

Our empty living room, minus the two chairs we were having cleaned.

Our kitchen, now a storage area…

Caroline, always the good sport, was relegated to the back porch yesterday. We had two small space heaters running and I must say, the back porch was mighty warm yesterday afternoon!

I am sure that I will be grateful for clean carpets once we have the living room put back together today, but honestly, I’m dreading moving the furniture back in the room. I am just sick of projects!

Bookin’ It Book Club

2011-11-14T13:41:00.001-07:00

Mike was invited to Blanding’s Bookin’ It Book club this morning to discuss his novel. He was GREAT! It was so fun to watch him talk about this novel and then have Kay Jones interject comments, as she’d read the novel. Kay definitely understood what Mike was trying to communicate.

Afterwards, they had a luncheon, as is tradition for their group. It was fun and Mike even sold three copies of his novel, even though he told everyone, “I would just prefer that you check it out of the library.” Thanks to Kay Jones for inviting Mike to participate!

The “P” word…

2011-11-04T09:26:00.001-06:00

I mistakenly mentioned to Mike last week that next year, I’d like to paint our bathroom.

Mike decided he wanted to get it over with… I couldn’t bear to watch, especially because I still haven’t completed painting the trim in the entry way! (I’m still suffering from painting burnout!)

The painting mogul!

Hard at work

Finishing in two days, he can now RELAX!

Now Available on Kindle and Nook: The Tomb of the Devils by Michael D. Christensen

2011-10-28T10:58:00.000-06:00

The Tomb of the Devils is now available as a Nookbook (Barnes and Noble) for .99 or as a as Kindle book (Amazon) for $2.99.

OVERVIEW...

NINETY-FIVE YEARS ago the enormous interplanetary space vehicle, the Pacifica, with a numerous crew, suddenly and inexplicably disappeared as it neared the planet Pluto. None of the probes directed towards the planet after the disaster found any evidence that the vessel and its crew had ever existed.

Now, a century later, the wreck of the huge ship has been sighted, lying shrouded in the hazy-black starlight on the Plutonian surface. A shuttle has been fitted for the dangerous journey to the ninth planet, with three crewmembers aboard, and has made the first attempt to reach Pluto since the loss of the Pacifica. As the shuttle approaches the planet, it also "suddenly and inexplicably" disappears and is lost.

Although the crew of three is believed to have perished, they have not, and will carry on with their mission: to determine how the Pacifica met its fate. The truth, however, may be found only beyond reason, or even beyond imagination, and the three astronauts may wish that they had never sought an answer to the great mystery.

Kindle & Nook now includes The Tomb of the Devils by Michael D. Christensen

2011-10-28T10:02:00.000-06:00

Well, it's official. Mike's novel is now an e-book. It is available for both a Kindle (Amazon.com) or Nook (Barnes & Noble). We'd price it the same, BUT Amazon won't let us. So, the Kindle book is 99 cents and the Nook book is $2.99.

I've had them listed for a few weeks and he's even sold a copy from each store. I love it! The other good news regarding the Author, Michael D. Christensen, is that he's been invited to speak at the local book group here in Blanding in November. I'm kind of excited about this. (I think he is too, but he won't admit it!) Mike is too humble to get all excited. He just can't believe people are even will to buy his novel. But, I'm not. It is a good book and worth it!

Okay, I guess that's enough self-promotion for the day on my wonderful husband! If you know anyone who reads, pass this along to them!

P.S. Thanks Brenda for making me aware of this months and months ago!

Rainbow Quilt

2011-10-17T10:28:00.002-06:00

“His Promises are Sure” is the title of this rainbow quilt. I am giving this to a friend in town for Christmas. These quilts always turn out so cute, that is, if you like scrappy type of quilts, which I do!!!

Jeri Montella machine quilted the quilt for me in a stipple design.

The back…

Day 5 of Painting the Living Room

2011-10-14T17:23:00.001-06:00

Well, Mike came home from the temple yesterday and said, “I just need to start painting.” So, he finished painting/rolling the sage green in the entire living room.

This was great, because this morning, I woke up and started finishing all of the edge work. And now, the front room is 98% complete. I just need to do the trim work around this window – the one with sheets. Because it faces south, I’ll need to do it first thing in the morning or about 3:00 in the afternoon. This will be come next weeks project! (Our couch from Salt Lake will go in front on this window. Somehow, we need to get it to Blanding in the next month or so! Any ideas???)

We’ve moved back all of the furniture. Caroline is staying in the same spot!

Drapes are up on the west window and chairs are arranged.

We’ve moved the grandfather clock. In moving the piano, we discovered an outlet. This was exciting news!

Mike is now painting the entry way sage green. But, we welcome visitors. Drop by and see our new living room!!! IT IS DONE!!!!

Day 4 of Painting the Living Room

2011-10-13T12:52:00.001-06:00

Today Mike was took a needed day off. While Mike went here… Sidney arose and painted the west inside window white – it took about 1.5 hours. She also painted the baseboards on one wall.

Sidney painted around the other two windows with sage green so tomorrow morning they will be dry and ready for the white coat around the inside windows.

Quitting time for Sidney – 12:30pm. She’s taking the rest of the day off!

Day 3 of Painting the Living Room

2011-10-13T12:47:00.002-06:00

We both awoke thinking that this project was WAY TO BIG and would we ever be able to finish it? (You always think this in a the middle of a project!)

Muscleman Mike moved the piano ALL BY HIMSELF. This was Mike’s nemesis, but he CONQUERED!

Caroline was relegated to the corner for a while. No, we were not ‘putting her in her place’. She was a good sport about it!

Mike, vacuuming to make ready for the piano placement!

The piano in its new spot and Caroline returned to her regular spot.

Oops, a little paint was dropped on the carpet and Mike diligently cleans it up!

Just in case you are wondering about what was accomplished on Wednesday, here’s the scoop.

Piano Moved (big accomplishment)
Lots and Lots of prep work
Mike painted the remainder of the ceiling
Sidney painted the upper walls against the ceiling and the baseboards on two walls.

By the end of the day, both of us felt that this project was doable and that we are way past the mid-way point. We are hoping that by the end of day Friday, painting will be completed!

Day 2 of Painting the Living Room

2011-10-11T18:12:00.001-06:00

It must be stated that Sidney’s effort to paint the living room are limited. A chest cold is forcing her to be an onlooker. Mike gets ALL the credit for the work!

Beginning of the day…

About 30 minutes into the work….

Closer to the end of the day…

Time to relax and it is well deserved…

The days work… (Hey, that sheet looks great against the wall!)

Tomorrow’s goal: Paint all the edges and trim work on the two plus walls that have been paint, move the piano over to the other side of the room, and be ready on Thursday to do the last half of the ceiling and paint the rest of the walls! Quite ambitious, but hopefully, Sidney will be joining in the fun.

Okay, now for the paint color: Caroline wanted a Sage Green color. After looking at samples, she chose True Value’s Delicate Leaf.

Day 1 of Painting the Living Room

2011-10-10T17:46:00.001-06:00

Well, the day has come. The Living Room is being painted. We only work about 4-5 hours a day.

Today we moved furniture and wall hanging…

Prepped…

Caroline In Charge!

Painted 1/2 the sealing. You can tell the difference if you really look. We are painting the sealing white, it looks like it was a light peach before.

Day 2 Plans… We begin painting walls before shifting to the other side of the room.

Are you wondering about the wall paint color? Well, you will just need to wait one more day to find out the color that Caroline chose!

Jannica’s First Quilt

2011-10-06T09:41:00.001-06:00

The first week in August, I went to Salt Lake to help one of my beautiful nieces, Jannica Lang Mundy, make her first quilt. We bought all of the fabric right after New Years and the fabric has been sitting in the bag, waiting to be put together into a beautiful quilt!

With the help of niece Alexis, we cut and arranged and sewed together the front of the quilt.

Jannica took the quilt to Bethany Christiansen of Two Quilting B’s for it to be quilted. Bethany does GREAT WORK. She does everything free hand. I am completely impressed.

As I’m not in the Salt Lake area and Jannica is in College, time to get together is limited. So, when Mike and I drove through Salt Lake last week, I picked up the quilt at my parents and brought it to Blanding. I finished the binding last evening. I think turned out darling and Jannica should be so pleased with her first quilt!

NOTE: The greatest honor was when Jannica emailed me recently and asked if I was coming to Salt Lake again in December or January. She wants to go fabric shopping again! I think I’ve created another quilter in the family! (Sidney, Alexis, Madison, and now Jannica!)

California Vacation – September 2011

2011-10-06T09:14:00.001-06:00

We went to California for Mike’s 45th High School Reunion and then to fulfill more items of Sidney’s ‘bucket list’, that of visiting Hearst Castle and Solvang, California. We took Mike’s mother with us and dropped her off at her daughter’s home in Sacramento.

Mike parking our car under the carport – a place it has rarely occupied.

Caroline is ready for the trip….

Our blowout, just as we were driving up Price Canyon. Needless to say, we were delayed.

We gave Janet Wilcox a ride to Tooele. She never expected such excitement. Janet was a good sport about the blowout! We arrived in Tooele about 10:00pm and dropped of Janet. We were going to stay in Tooele, but THERE WAS NOT ONE HOTEL ROOM AVAILABLE. What was all the excitement about in Tooele. We then drove to Wendover, Nevada and stayed in a nice room at the Peppermill. The only downside is that we did not get to participate in the buffet…

Our helper… after ONE HOUR OF WAITING.

Thursday afternoon we visited with Aunt Marj and Mike’s Cousin Doug in Reno, Nevada.

Mike and I now stay at Motel 6’s. We just need a place to sleep and no fufu. Our room in Sacramento, California on Thursday evening.

One of the hidden secrets of California is the River Road aka level road running from Sacramento to the East Bay Area along the Sacramento River. (Highway 160, by the way). It takes you back to the 1950’s and is delightful. We travelled this road at sunset five years ago, so I was anxious to see everything in the daylight. It is still beautiful and serene.

One of the bridges along the River Road.

We stopped in Locke, California for lunch. A little town along the River Road. One of our goals was to have Chinese food on our trip. We had Chinese twice!

We stopped in Del Rio at Foster’s Bighorn. This guy Foster was a game hunter in the early 1900’s. He came to Rio Vista and opened a restaurant and hung all of his trophy’s. Mike remembers visiting this place two or three days after moving to Antioch, California in 1959. The restaurant and all of the ‘trophies’ are still around.

On Sunday we drove to Solvang, California. Sidney always wanted to visit this place. Let’s just say it is a tourist trap and she wasn’t that impressed. They did have a good bakery and Sidney was also able to find a couple of good fabric stores. So, it wasn’t a lost cause.

(Notice the LANG sign. A picture was necessary as this is Sidney’s maiden name.)

Driving up to Hearst Castle, we found this town…

It has a glass blowing shop, and we both found it very fascinating to watch.

Hearst Castle, another dream of Sidney’s. But again, it was a little disappointing. From Sidney’s perspective, she feels like Hearst squandered his money building this ‘castle’ and buying 15th century furnishings from Europe. No one needs 69,000 square feet.

Dining area…

Outdoor swimming pool…

Indoor swimming pool… Okay, now if they would have let us swim in this pool, Sidney would have said that the trip was worth it. It was stunning!

Sunset at San Simeon, California…

Honestly, the highlight of our trip was finding the Elephant Seals just north of San Simeon. There were hundreds on the beach and a few out swimming. They were so fun to watch!!!

Suzanne in front of her home. All I can say about her home is “Cute, cute, cute!!!” Suzanne has done so much with her home. It is warm and homey. I loved it!

Mike, Suzanne, and Caroline

I should have a picture of my parents. We stopped at their home on our way back from California where my mom fed us a delicious, healthy lunch. The rest of the way home, we all kept commenting on how good lunch was. (I think we were all tired of restaurant food and ready for a home cooked meal!)

Thanks again mom for a delicious lunch!

Completed Scrappy Quilt

2011-09-19T09:19:00.002-06:00

I finished binding this quilt last week. I love the scrappy look and flying geese. I’m actually going to make another one, just because!

Is our garden producing or what?

2011-09-02T20:35:00.001-06:00

I canned 15 pints of tomatoes this afternoon. I loved every minute of it! It brings back fond memories of canning tomatoes with my mom and Grandma Brown.

Canning Season…

2011-09-01T08:16:00.001-06:00

Tuesday I canned four pints and three quarts of tomatoes, all of which came from our garden! Yesterday, I picked at least a 1/2 bushel of tomatoes which I will be canning on Friday (tomorrow).

We planted 18 tomato plants so we would have plenty to eat and can. We are definitely enjoying the fruits of our labors. We have tomato sandwiches regularly for dinner and we’ve made lots and lots of fresh salsa. I love gardens that produce!!!

Today’s Outing…

2011-08-24T20:18:00.001-06:00

I went to Monticello today to attend the temple. As I passed the Blanding Cemetery, I decided to slow down and see if the headstone had been installed. It had! So, off we went to see the headstone…

Caroline enjoys putting flowers on graves and she just happened to have these red/white/blue carnations, which she placed in the vase. Perfect for Doug’s grave as he’s a veteran of WWII.

Latest Scrappy Quilt

2011-08-18T19:41:00.002-06:00

I finished this scrappy quilt recently. I have decided that I really like making scrappy quilts. This one originally caught my interest because it had flying geese, WHICH I LOVE TO MAKE! Lots and lots of flying geese all around the border. Now, I am saving my $$$ so I can have it quilted. I can’t wait to have it finished!!!

This Morning’s Harvest

2011-08-15T07:09:00.001-06:00

We have been picking produce from our garden for about three weeks. We’ve had several tomatoes, zucchini, crook neck squash and onions. Last week, I even made Jalapeño Poppers and we have another dozen Jalapeño to make more this evening! I’m so excited, because we are having tempura and rice for dinner. Mike and I are looking forward to eating the ‘fruits of our labor’!

Alexis & Mona – The Final Chapter

2011-08-15T07:06:00.001-06:00

Tuesday, I took Alexis & Mona touring. I think this was their least favorite part of the trip…

We went down to the swinging bridge along the San Juan River to find petroglyphs. But, I was wrong. There were none…

We headed over to the Bluff Fort. They really didn’t get too excited about this either. I made them pose for this picture!

We then drove down to Sand Island to see the petroglyphs on the walls. Again, they were more excited about posing for these pictures rather than looking at the actual petroglyphs!

That afternoon, they went swimming again and Sidney had a nap!

Alexis and Mona were so excited about Monday’s fishing adventure, they wanted to go again Tuesday evening.

They braided their hair in ‘fish tails’!

We decided to go to Recapture Reservoir…

But, we didn’t have any luck, so went went back to the 4th Reservoir where they again found success!

Mike and I enjoyed their visit and I confess, when I met my brother Bryan in Green River, Utah to transfer the girls to him, I was a little sad. Thanks so much for visiting!

Part Two of Alexis & Mona’s Visit

2011-08-09T09:17:00.001-06:00

Sunday was a quite day. We went to church and the girls posted photos on Facebook. We also ate good food! Alexis wanted Omelets and hash browns. Dinner was delicious!

Monday, we went swimming (of course)! Later in the afternoon we went to Edge of the Cedars State Park. The girls loved it! They enjoyed looking at the artifacts and going down into a Kiva.

I think the best part of the day – at least for the girls – was when we went fishing up at the 4th Reservoir. They had a great time! They both caught two fish (blue gills). One using a lure and one using a fly.

Alexis & Mona’s Visit

2011-08-09T09:06:00.001-06:00

Mike and I have thoroughly enjoyed having my niece, Alexis and her friend Mona visit us in Blanding. I brought the girls home with me last Friday and they will be returning tomorrow – Wednesday. Here’s what we’ve been up to…

Friday afternoon we made seven, yes seven, different foods in two hours. Some of the items were Seven Layer Dip, Pasta Salad, Jamaican Jerk Chicken, Jalepeno Poppers, Fresh Salsa, Chicken Enchilada’s and Lexi’s Cheese Cake. Lexi requested all of her favorite foods that we have made in the past. (It seems we have a Mexican food theme here!)

Friday evening we went to a Ward Dinner at Blue Mountain Ranch. It’s only about 15 minutes from home. It was a delicious dinner!

Sleeping arrangements… The girls took both of the mattresses off of the bed and put them on the floor. They love it!

Saturday – the girls help me set up at Farmer’s Market. Then they went exploring. Afterwards, we went swimming at the pool!

On our way home, I drove them over to the ruins that are on the edge of town. They thought this was cool!

I have included this picture for one reason only. By the time they leave, we will have gone through SIX BAGS of tortilla style chips. With fresh salsa and seven layer dip, we’ve eaten a lot of chips!

Quilts

2011-07-27T08:13:00.002-06:00

I’ve made several quilts that I have sold on Etsy. I’m just recording those quilts here. Again, it may be boring to you, so you don’t need to worry about viewing it!

Pink Stuff

Spiderman Rag Quilt

Tinkerbell Rag Quilt

Quilt Tops

2011-07-27T08:06:00.002-06:00

I’ve been making quilt tops and selling them on Etsy. I haven’t been very good about keeping a record of what I’ve been making, so I’m loading several of the pictures I have onto the blog… It may be a little boring to you, so don’t feel that you need to view this!

The Crown Jewels

Goin’ Campin’

Rainbow Sherbet

Rainbow Quilt

Completed Projects…

2011-07-19T08:57:00.001-06:00

Do you remember this post of last September? Well, I’m pleased to report that Mike and I have been working on several of these projects AND they are now complete!

1. Nailing up the door frame – CHECK.

2. Extending our sprinkling system – CHECK

Mike hand dug all of these trenches.

I am so impressed with my husband!

3. Hanging up this picture - CHECK

4. Painting around the trim of our bedroom closet – CHECK

5. Repairing the strip that came off our bathroom sink – CHECK (completed many, many months ago!)

Now, what is our next project? Well… we are going to do a little R & R. Mike is going to continue working on his second novel and I’m going to read a few books. We have no more projects scheduled until the fall, when we plan on painting the front room. We just need to have it cool enough so we can work. We’ll probably start this in early October, after we’ve returned from vacation (Mike’s reunion and the Hearst Castle!)

Moab Day Trip!

2011-07-14T18:52:00.002-06:00

Mike arose this morning (after 10:00am) and said, “Let’s drive to Moab and go to the Chinese Buffet for lunch! Well, I immediately accepted. Mike spoke with his mom and she quickly agreed as well. So, here’s a synopsis of our trip to Moab!

Out the door!

Lunch at our favorite Chinese Buffet in Moab

(It’s probably the ONLY Chinese Buffet in Moab!)

Sidney's Fortune: Your charm has inspired a secret admirer

Mike's Fortune: Soon wedding bells are in a family member's future. (Okay, Jeff, Nathan, Ryan, Stacey, or Alishea, do you have anything you are wanting to announce to us???)

Caroline's Fortune: Time makes one wise. Ask advice from someone older than you! (Okay, anyone older than 87 who wants to give Caroline some advice!?!?!)

We drove down the road to Castle Valley, along the Colorado River.

Caroline mentioned the ‘River Spring’ about 1/4 mile down this road. She and Doug would go there when they were dating. We stopped and I filled up my water bottle!

We drove Caroline over the ‘new’ bridge that was recently completed. It is at the north end of town over the Colorado River.

We bought gas. At $3.42 a gallon, we thought it was a steal! (Gas in Blanding is $3.72 a gallon.)

Every trip means a trip to the Quilt Shop. This trip was no different!

We went to the Moab Cemetery and found the gravesites of several family members.

Mike with his Grandmother, Marjorie D. Christensen. Marjorie died in 1930, when Mike’s dad Doug was only 9 years old.

Mike with Granddad Christensen’s (Butch) headstone.

Mike at Great Grandma and Grandpa Goodman’s headstones.

Other Goodman relatives…

Severina Christensen was Mike’s Great-grandmother. She was the 2nd wife of Christian Lyngaa Christensen. We had been wondering where she was buried because her husband is buried in Monticello.

The Same Old Same Old

2011-07-05T10:57:00.001-06:00

Well, Mike and I have gone fishing quite a bit the past month, but honestly, we’ve been skunked most of the time. I caught this VERY SMALL fish – a blue gill - but it was a let down, because I wanted a trout!

Mike weeded the entire garden. Now, you can see the plants!

On June 24th, Mike invited me on a date to The Lamplighter Restaurant in Monticello. Afterwards, we went over to the Monticello Cemetery and found the tombstone of Mike’s Great Grandfather, Christian Lyngaa Christensen. Christian walked across the plains as a five year old boy. Later, in the 1880’s, he was called on a mission to the different Indian Tribes of Southeastern Utah. Christian and his family settled in Monticello, Utah.

The After Parade Traffic Jam

2011-07-05T09:32:00.002-06:00

After the parade, we sat on the front porch and watch the ‘traffic jam’ – Blanding’s version that is!

Our 4th of July!

2011-07-05T09:20:00.002-06:00

Mike’s traditional mode of transportation on the 4th of July!

I made us breakfast! (I never make breakfast!)

The Parade!!!

This entry had everyone peddling to make it run. Quite clever!

The Guymon Family had a reunion this year celebrating 100 years of living in Blanding, Utah.

The Gadianton Band, aka the Francis Lyman Band the rest of the year. This is my favorite band! Uncle Joe tinkers and tinkers with this truck to get it going for the parade. Evidently it was touch and go yesterday. When it drove up to the high school Aunt Dutch said, “Oh, they must have got the truck running.” YEA!!!

The Hurst Family has this cute train that they usually enter.

Mike and I actually have a photo together!

Caroline and Mike viewed the parade from the front porch.

The ‘Bike’

We had lunch at Scot and Julene’s home. Julene’s family is in town and so she was cooking for a crowd. Two more really didn’t matter! Actually, we ate there on Saturday and Sunday as well. Thanks Julene for feeding us for the past three days!!!

The afternoon was spent, for Sidney, at the 4th of July Quilt show. Then Mike came down for a quick tour.

Caroline, Mike and I watched fireworks from our driveway at home. We had a GREAT view. We heard all of the booms and bangs. The only thing we missed was hearing the crowd going ‘oooh and aaaahhh’.

Happenings…

2011-06-17T09:24:00.001-06:00

I know I haven’t blogged much recently, but here’s a snapshot of what Mike and I have been doing.

Fishing at the Fourth Reservoir which is about seven minutes from our home…

Yes, it is true. I bought my first fishing license last week! I actually enjoy going fishing. With lures, it is so much fun. (I had preconceived ideas on how it would be done and fishing didn’t interest me at all.)

Attending the temple and doing lots of temple work for family!

Working in our yard, planting new perennials, etc.

Watching our garden grow… and the weeds too!

Of course, Sidney is back at the pool every day at noon enjoying her swimming social hour! (no pictures!)

A Fishing Story

2011-06-08T17:42:00.001-06:00

A couple of weeks ago, Mike went fishing at Recapture Reservoir.

On his first cast out, he caught a good sized bass. His next cast out, he caught a ‘DINOSAUR’ fish aka Pike. He came home with great stories. Luckily, nephew Kevin took pictures to back Mike up!

Mike, the fish, and his brother Scot

Mike’s Birthday

2011-05-29T19:37:00.001-06:00

Today is Mike’s birthday. Sadly, we have both been sick with bronchitis for several days so the celebration wasn’t much. I didn’t even invite anyone over for cake and ice cream. (That’s how sick we’ve been. I don’t want to give this bronchitis to ANYONE!)

Mike with his cake!

For Mike’s birthday I have him a fishing license and fishing pole so he can go fishing with his brother Scot.

I have one other gift, but I haven’t picked it up from the individual who made it for me. I’ll let you know what it is as soon as Mike knows!

Our garden, after planting last week. I’m not sure how it’s doing today. It has been windy ALL day!

Monday’s Labor…

2011-05-18T21:22:00.001-06:00

Mike spent about three hours on Monday tilling our garden. This years garden will be about three times the size.

Mike viewing his ‘work’!

We planted our garden on Tuesday. We have 18 tomato plants, 3 cherry tomatoes, 100 onions, green beans, jalapeno peppers, habanera peppers, green peppers, pumpkins, cucumbers, zucchini, crook neck and spaghetti squash. Can’t wait for harvest!!!

Caroline’s Birthday – 14 May 2011

2011-05-15T10:47:00.001-06:00

Saturday was Caroline’s birthday. Here is a synopsis of our day!

The birthday girl – 87 years young!

Caroline with the Navajo Twins in the background.

Mike and I took Caroline to lunch. We drove to Bluff and ate at Simpsons. Afterwards, we drove over to where the swinging bridge used to be before it was flooded and then took a drive around Bluff.

We had company! Adrienne, Jett and Tenli dropped by for cake and ice cream!

Scot dropped by and brought Caroline some candy. Turtles! They are her favorite!

Melanie Holliday (back left) dropped by with her sisters and niece to wish Caroline a happy birthday. Melanie and Caroline have been friends for a long time, since Melanie was called as Caroline’s Visiting Teacher.

The Best Vacation…

2011-04-23T07:44:00.001-06:00

Mike and I took a mini-vacation this past week. It was absolutely the BEST VACATION I have had in a long time. It ranks right up there with beach vacations. Why? It was so relaxing.

We stayed in Motel 6. They’ve redone the rooms in a retro look. It was actually very appealing.

We stopped at Glenwood Spring, Colorado and went to the hot springs. It was SO FUN. They have the largest pool I have ever seen. I highly recommend it!!!

We attended the Denver Temple!

We went to Colorado Springs and visited my brother Dave, and his family. Chantelle is a great hostess!

Dave and Chan showed us around Colorado Springs. We went to Manitou Springs where they have different artesian wells with different water wells containing different chemical compounds. Let’s just say the water tastes awful, but it is fun to try. Mike thought this was the best place. He wants to go back!

We drove home via the southern route, US 160. Mike starts talking about ‘somewhere in Colorado there is this motel that butts up to an outdoor movie theater and you can water movies from your room. Well, not two minutes later, I find a sign telling us the motel is in just a few miles. We had to stop for a photo shoot!

We stayed in Durango, Colorado our last night. No photos, but a great memory!

Ta-Da… Introducing THE GUEST ROOM

2011-04-09T09:00:00.001-06:00

Mike and I have been working diligently the past couple of weeks, cleaning out Doug’s (Mike’s dad) room, repairing walls and then painting. Thursday, April 7th, the carpet arrived and we quickly began to put the room together again.

We painted a bookshelf of his parents a pale yellow. We are all enjoying the contrasting colors.

Caroline – Mike’s mother – did some painting about 20 years ago. When Mike & I painted the room we now occupy about six years ago, I remember seeing these paintings in the closet. I remembered them as we were planning this room and thought that they might work. I brought them up from the basement the other day and asked Caroline if we might use them. She was thrilled! There will be three paintings that we will hang. Caroline also had some frames, which I am going to paint white, and then the other two pictures will be hung.

This room will serve as a Guest Room/sewing room. We actually have a second twin mattress, so two people may sleep in this room! I have begun moving in my sewing items. I confess, I have really enjoyed decorating again. I haven’t decorated a room for a while and this has been wonderful! This has been an inexpensive remodel!

Suzanne – Mike’s sister – will be our first guest. She arrives on the 17th.

RSVP’s may be made by calling 435-678-2941 or via email at sidney7705@gmail.com!

Quiltin’ Again

2011-04-09T08:48:00.002-06:00

I’ve been quilting again! This first quilt is from my favorite pattern – Geese in the Field. I believe this is the fifth quilt I’ve made from this pattern. It whips up so quickly – which I believe is one of the reasons I like it! This quilt is going on the twin bed in our ‘Guest Room’. It was the inspiration for the paint color (lavendar) and room design.

A few months ago, a friend’s husband died suddenly. I offered to make her a couple of quilts out of his t-shirts. He was heavily involved in scouting and also the Fire Chief of the volunteer fire department here in Blanding. I ended up making two lap size quilts. Jeri Montella, here in town, volunteered to quilt them for free. How kind she is!

Boy Scout Quilt

A Little Bit of Everything/Fire Fighter Quilt

In process... From Junk room to Guest room

2011-04-08T20:52:00.000-06:00

Mike and I have been painting the 'junk' room. These pictures provide only a 'sample' of what the room is going to be like. We are having carpet installed on Thursday afternoon and then we'll put the room back together and send out some REAL pictures!

The Mail Run!!!

2011-03-16T21:21:00.001-06:00

Friend, Judy Lyman, contracts with the postal service to do the mail run to several remote areas in San Jan, Garfield and Kane County. Today, I went on the mail run with her. After six hours and 291 miles and lots and lots of talking and laughter, I returned home. It was a delightful trip!!! Thanks Judy!!! (P.S. I saw so much scenery. I love this area. San Juan County continues to grow on me!!!)

Judy at “Natural Bridges” mail drop

Stopping to look at White Canyon

Hite Ranger Station. Just over the mountains in the backdrop is Moab!

The scenic view looking towards Hite.

Ticaboo, Utah Mail Drop, yes, the Napa Parts Store!

Bullfrog, Utah Post Office

Our Eighth Anniversary!

2011-03-09T10:32:00.001-07:00

Mike and I celebrated our 8th Wedding Anniversary yesterday (March 8th). Wow, the time has gone by so quickly!!! I bought Mike this pop from that was popular in the 1950’s. Mike loves nostalgia and I knew he’d appreciate this simple gift! We went to lunch at a local restaurant and reminisced about our wedding day – which was wonderful by the way.

Mike, I love you!!!

Mike with his nostalgic pop

Double Mourning

2011-03-08T08:44:00.001-07:00

We were in double mourning last week as the demolition of the pool coincided with my father-in-laws death. We lost two good friends last week….

The Week of February 28th

2011-03-08T08:41:00.001-07:00

Marjorie and Caroline looking at photos of Doug

Kirk, Mike, Marjorie, Suzanne and Scot

Holding ‘Lucky Bucks’

Grandson, Tyler Christensen, giving one last salute to Granddad.

I am thinking...

2011-02-26T07:57:00.000-07:00

SPRING!!!

Lori's Quilt

2011-02-16T23:04:00.001-07:00

Because of an unexpected trip to Salt Lake, I was able to give my sister-in-law her new quilt. I named the quilt, "The Good Earth". It has all this brown fabric with a little strip of light heather green in between the blocks of squares.

The Good Earth

Lori with her quilt!

Granddad's 90th Birthday Party

2011-01-28T20:31:00.000-07:00

Today is Doug's 90th birthday. Caroline hosted a little celebration this evening with cake and ice cream. Julene made sure that his picture was in the paper(s)!

Quilting Again...

2011-01-19T21:18:00.000-07:00

I completed my sister-in-law's quilt last week. I've decided to name it The Good Earth.

The Good Earth

The second quilt I completed is one of my scrappy rainbow quilts. I made it for a friend in my town who is helping me create a perenial garden. She has that talent, and I have the quilting talent. We are exchanging services. We are both pleased and excited! I can't wait for my perenial garden to florish come next spring!

Ward's Rainbows

I created a blog for our quilt guild. Check it out at: http://graysoncountryquilters.blogspot.com/

Bluff Hot Air Balloon Festival

2011-01-15T19:02:00.000-07:00

This morning I arose very early and drove to Bluff with friend Kirsten Hendry and her son Adam. We had fun watching all the hot air balloons fill and take off in the early morning sky!

Spectators watch from the bluff

My favorite!

Another staging area

One of three staging areas

I liked this photo as the Hot Air Balloon went behind the bluff.

Kirsten

The Easter Egg!

Add caption

Italian Village

2011-01-12T09:57:00.000-07:00

Last Wednesday, while in Salt Lake, the extended Lang Family went out to dinner at Italian Village. It was such a fun evening. I love my family!

Mike and Sidney

Phayvahn, Mike Jannica, Roger, Lori, Steve, Aimee, Mom

(Aimee, what are you doing???)

Alexis, her friend Jaime, Phayvanh

Grandma, Grandpa, Dylan, Alexis

Jannica and Travis

Steve and Aimee

Quote of the Evening: "We're sharing because we are so in love"

Winter Wonderland

2010-12-31T10:18:00.000-07:00

Blanding has experienced its own Winter Wonderland. The snow began about 5:00am on Wednesday and didn't let up until 10:00pm that evening. Ten it began again during the night. We have at least a foot of snow! The solar lights are now covered with snow.

We REALLY like our nephew Kevin who came over

and plowed out our driveway midway through the storm.

It saved Mike from a lot of shoveling!!!

Images of Christmas 2010

2010-12-27T20:58:00.000-07:00

Merry Christmas!

2010-12-08T09:06:00.001-07:00

Change. The Christensens have experienced many changes this past year, the biggest being a move from Salt Lake City to Blanding, Utah, on May 31st to live with and help care for Mike’s parents.

Home. The Salt Lake City home is currently occupied by Sidney’s brother, Steven, and Sidney’s niece, Alishea. Mike and Sidney spent some time, even before moving to Blanding, painting rooms and doing some redecorating in the portion of the Blanding home in which they now live, so that there would be a bit more of that “feeling of home” for them.

Retirement. Mike grumbled just a tad, but retired, also at the end of May, which made the move to Blanding possible. Mike has discovered that while he’s officially retired, there is still much to be done, as in helping to care for one’s elderly parents. Sidney is also busy being a caregiver to her husband, so that he can meet his responsibilities. They are both learning a great deal about this sort of work.

Inspiration. Sidney was released as Relief Society President two weeks before the move to Blanding. After 3 ½ years of service, the change was welcome, but Sidney continues to miss the sisters she came to know and love. Mike too was released from his calling as an assistant to the High Priest Group leader. Currently, Sidney accompanies the Blanding First Ward choir.

Sunshine. Blanding is full of sunshine and Mike spent countless hours working in the yard, digging up weeds down to the tap root (or it does not count) and preparing the soil for planting grass. Five trips to the Blanding dump were required during this process, and all of this in addition to assisting his parents.

Technology. Sidney will have completed several family history projects this year, thanks to improved technology. She has written three life histories and has submitted a couple of hundred names for temple work by utilizing the new.familysearch.org computer site.

Mike. Now that the weather has changed, Mike is finally finding time to work on his second novel. This was one of the goals established when the move to Blanding was planned.

Accompanist. This fall, Sidney began accompanying a local women’s singing group, Hometown Harmony. This group practices on Tuesday mornings and performs locally at a variety of different events.

Swimming. Sidney’s dream of being able to walk to and swim in the Blanding City Pool every day was fulfilled this summer. Mike’s parent’s home is directly across from the pool and Sidney swam every day. It’s a good thing because this is the last year of the pool’s existence. A new pool will open at the south end of town come next spring!
We are extremely grateful for the birth of our Savior Jesus Christ and for his atoning sacrifice for all mankind. From our family to yours, we wish you a Merry Christmas.

With Love,

Mike & Sidney Christensen

Thanksgiving 2010, etc.

2010-11-25T18:36:00.004-07:00

The Family...

Doug, Caroline & Mike

Before dinner table...

Mike insisted I take this photo...

Fudge Season arrived early. I wanted to make sure I had all my christmas gifts ready to give my parents when they came down to Blanding for Thanksgiving. The weather postponed their trip. Bummer. But, thanks to Scot and Julene and Kevin and Jeff, the gifts will be delivered!

Ingredients in the Pot

Boiling...

Completed batches of fudge - I made 10 batches last Friday

Messiah...

I am singing in the community Messiah this year and decided to audition for a solo. I was selected. I'm shocked. I've never soloed before and never thought I could sing a piece from the Messiah. Now, I'm in practice mode!!! Come and join us on December 12th & 17th.

Etsy

2010-11-10T11:25:00.004-07:00

Last Saturday, I put this unfinished quilt top out on Etsy and it sold within an hour.

Last evening (Tuesday) I put this unfinished quilt top out on Etsy. This morning, it also had sold!

I honestly don't understand Etsy. I put thing out there and they sit for months. Then, within a couple of days, I've sold two high dollar items.

I am GRATEFUL!!!

Thursday's Purchase

2010-11-06T07:55:00.001-06:00

Which means.... fudge season is just around the corner!

Honk 'Em Home

2010-11-02T08:13:00.004-06:00

Well, Mike and I learned of another Blanding tradition on Sunday afternoon. I was over at the church playing the piano for choir practice. All of a sudden, I hear lots and lots of sirens and horns honking. Angela Hurst walks out of church like she knows exactly 'what is wrong', her daughter Klea follows quickly behind her. I'm clueless...

We finish singing the piece we are working on and then someone said, "Oh, the Volleyball Team is home".

(In case you didnt' know, on Saturday, the San Juan High School Girls Volleyball Team took the State Championship in Division 2A.)

THE TRADITION: When a team takes a state championship, the fire trucks and police lead the winning team home along mainstreet with their sirens. Cars then follow along honking their horns. It causes a smile to come to your face. So, at 5:00pm on Sunday afternoon, we are at Main Street watching this impromptu parade go up and down mainstreet as the town "honked 'em home". I loved it!

NOTE: The town is expecting another parade in two weeks when the San Juan Bronco Football team is expected to play and WIN the State Championship. I guess last year when they won, they returned home in the middle of the night.... We'll see what happens this year!

Other news...

Last Friday afternoon Adrienne brought Jett and Tenli over in their Halloween Costumes to visit Granny and Grand dad. Are they not just darling?!? It's a good thing I had bought the candy the day before. Mike and I gave them boatloads of candy!

Jett, Adrienne, Tenli

Quilts, photos, etc.

2010-10-27T08:32:00.004-06:00

Roger's Quilt...

Psychidellic Flowers Quilt...

Dylan's Quilt Front...

Dylan's Quilt Back...

Family at Jannica's Wedding....

Dad, Mom, Sidney, Steve, Ryan, Dylan, Lori, Roger, Stacey, Andy

Afternoon Date

2010-10-23T18:58:00.003-06:00

Today Mike's sister Marjorie was visiting from Aztec, NM. She volunteered to sit wtih Mike's parents for a few hours and invited Mike and I to leave for a date.

Plan A: Drive to LaSal-->Paradox, CO.

We are not ten miles out of town - at Devil's Canyon - when we run straight into snow and ice on the road and an overturned car. We decided to turn around and head south.

Plan B: Bluff and the Bluff Fort

Neither Mike nor I were too excited about Plan B, but honestly, it turned out great!

First, we ate at Simpson's. Their fries are delicious and so is the fry bread! Eating at Simpsons is always good. (This part of the plan we were okay with.)

Mike at Simpson's with the Navajo Twins in the background

Our next stop was the Bluff Fort. Members of the original Hole in the Rock company settled the Bluff area in 1880 and built this fort. When here three or four years ago, the fort was rundown, but so much renovation has occured. It is really cool!

Mike standing outside of the meeting house

Mike pointing to Walter C. Lyman,
his great-grandfather who came through
Hole-In-The-Rock at age 17.

Sidney holding the hand of a prophet (John Taylor).

John Taylor was the prophet who issued the

mission call to those families who settled Bluff.

Hanging out of a window of the Barton Cabin

General view of the fort

Thanks so much Marjorie for giving us a few hours off. We so enjoyed our date!

Happenin's

2010-10-23T10:15:00.005-06:00

I feel like a broken record, but I am SO TIRED of working on projects. I am burned out. I keep thinking Mike and I are finished for the summer/fall, and then something else crops up! So, here's what we've been up to the past couple of weeks...

The junk collecting behind our house is now at the 'transfer station' (not the dump). The good news about this is that we won't need to look at it all winter from outside our bedroom window!

This morning I went to our garden and picked all of the unripe tomatoes. They are now safely stored on top of our refridgerator!

Well, it's a good thing the grass we planted on the side of the curb didn't grow too well because the telephone company came and dug a HUGE hole and installed new phone lines for the area. Mike and I are taking the positive spin on this and grateful that the phone company 'tilled the soil' for us so that the seeds will take hold next spring!

This past week I've been working on Christmas. I've been ordering on-line and then I made this wall hanging for my mother-in-law. She had a fabric calendar from 2002 hanging in the kitchen - before the redo - and she kept it because she loves cardinals. So, I told her I would create a wall hanging for her from the cardinals. This is how it turned out. As I know she doesn't view our blog, I can put it on display here. Caroline will need to wait until Christmas to see the final product. I'm quite pleased with how it turned out. (Thanks to Brenda and Bethany for their suggestions!)
The Blue Mountains, aka Abajo Mountains. This picture was taken from the transfer station. These are the mountains down here in Blanding. They are beautiful. The scenery grows on me more and more. I truly am coming to love this part of the country.

Finally, I've been reading a book, Edge of the Cedars by Albert R. Lyman, a distant relative. It is the history of Walter C. Lyman, Mike's great grandfather. He was the one who had a vision to create the town of Sidon/Grayson/Blanding. The book as been very interesting. The longer I am here, the more spiritual feelings I have about this place and reading this book has only intensified those feelings. This area truly is a sacred area. Why? I'm not sure, but I just feel that it is.

It's Fall...

2010-10-09T14:14:00.002-06:00

Monday...

I mowed our lawn on the east side of the house. (This was its first mow!) If you look closely at this picture, you can see the lawn mower tire prints!

Thursday...

Caroline and I drove over to Monticello to attend the temple. This was Caroline's first trip back since being endowed in July. Thursday evening, Mike and I went on our first 'date' that lasted more the 30 minutes since arriving. We went back to the temple and did a sealing session. We had about 25 family names that were sealed. (Thanks Scot for coming over and sitting with your parents!)

Friday...

The tomatoes are finally on in our garden. I think we are all getting tired of eating them so I decided to bottle some. I ended up with two quarts and four pints. Oh, how I wish I would have brought down more quart bottles from SLC on my last trip up there!

Friday Evening...

I went to Cortez with several women from Blanding. We attended the Taste of Home Cooking School. It was fun and there were some delicious meals cooked. I even won a prize, but sadly, it wasn't one of the meals. I guess I'll have to just make them...

An Example of Small Town Livin'

2010-10-01T22:03:00.005-06:00

SCENARIO...

Today about noon, Mike and I heard a lot of sirens. I finally said to Mike, "There must be a big accident". So, I decided to look out the window to see if I could see emergency vehicles driving by.

I looked over at the church parking lot and it was FULL. (No funeral today). Then I remembered seeing my neighbor this morning putting together something that reminded me of a float, and wondering about that. The lightbulb went on as I put two and two together.

There was a PARADE in town for the San Juan High School Homecoming. I walked down to Main Street to view the parade...

The band from our driveway

Navajo Nation Representative

Queen & First Attendant

San Juan High School Football Team

(I think they are still undefeated.)

I thought football was big in Texas, I think in San Juan County, it is even bigger!

The Royals (Drill Team)

Volleyball Team

(This was the float I saw being put together.)

Blue Mountain_____.

My favorite picture!

As you can see, there are not a lot of attendees at this parade. I'm not sure people even knew about it! But a parade in Blanding means CANDY. These two little girls had a TON of candy thrown at them. I bet they gather more at the parade than they will ever get on Halloween!

There was a lull in the parade.

Mike had just ridden his bike down,

so he 'joined' the parade for a moment!

My wonderful husband!

Cheerleaders

The End.

Four Month Anniversary

2010-10-01T10:04:00.002-06:00

Yesterday was our four month anniversary of living in Blanding. Wow, what a summer. We've done so much.

Today, October 1, 2010, marks the beginning of our 'resting' period. Mike begins a new job today. he is going to start working - again - on his second novel. I am so excited for him! Writing is what Mike loves to do, so I encourage him any way I can!

This week's happenings...

Today's harvest.

I'm looking forward to Pumpkin Soup soon!

Caroline loves flowers. The past few years she hasn't planted any and resorted to planting 'plastic' flowers. I changed those out this morning...

Summer flowers are now...

a Fall Bouquet

The rocks designate the section I am creating for my perennial garden. I planted bulbs, tulips, daffodils, and hyanciths (sp?). I'm looking for perennial suggestions so if you have any, please let me know! The rest of the dirt has grass seed planted. Hopefully next week, we'll have a picture of GREEN GRASS!

I planted grass in this small section this morning. Mike had prepped the area and I didn't want his efforts to go to waste!

Mike and I are burned out with the projects we worked on this year. We are so looking forward to the 'winter' and resting. We still have a couple of small projects to complete, like take items to the dump! But that will be a project for next Thursday, when the dump is open!

Happy Autumn!!!

Jannica's Wedding

2010-09-22T14:55:00.008-06:00

I spent the last week in Salt Lake for my niece's wedding. Jannica and Travis were married on Monday, September 20th in the Salt Lake Temple.

Jannica and Travis

Alishea and Alexis

Alexis, Stacie, Dylan

Ryan, Stacie, Dylan, Travis, Jannica, Roger, Lori

Mom, Roger, Lori, Dad

Jannica's 'Grinch' smile!

Dylan, Lexi, Ryan

Family at temple

Dad, Mom, Steve, Ryan, Dylan, Lori, Roger, Stacie, Andy

Roger hugging his newlywed daughter Jannica

Siblings...

Stacie, Dylan, Jannica, Dylan, Jessie

Jannica, Travis, Alishea

Mom and Ryan

Phayvanh, Lexi, Alishea

Roger & Lori

Roger's Family

"Roommates"

Steve & Alishea

Ruth, Dylan, Lori, and Roger

Stacie and Andy

Steve & Jannica

Steve and Aimee

The only regret I have of the wedding is that Mike was unable to attend with me. Caring for his parents was also important. So, while I was away, Mike did the following...

Watered our newly planted grass and kept it growing...

Spent 20 hours in the emergency room with his dad...

Plus lots of other things...

I'm glad to be back home with my wonderful husband. He's the best!

Free Lunch Friday

2010-09-10T15:33:00.003-06:00

So, this ad was in the local paper, The Blue Mountain Panorama on Thursday.

Wells Fargo was inviting us to lunch today. I just happened to need to go to the bank and went over. LUNCH was delicious! Catered by a sister in our ward, they served Mexican food at its finest. As the only Mexican spot in town is Taco Time, I thoroughly enjoyed my meal. I came home and convinced Mike, mentioning words like "Free", "Your Favorite Price", and "Mexican Food" who was easily swayed, to drive over to the Bank and enjoy his own free lunch! (I of course went along for the ride and a little more chips and guacamole!)

Mike later commented, "You would never see a bank in Salt Lake offering free lunch to its clientel."

You didn't even need to bank at Wells Fargo for the lunch. Some vacationers from Indiana were driving through town and had stopped at the local hardware store across the street. The Hardware Store employees invited them to go on over to the bank for lunch. They two couples loved the friendliness of Blanding and the meal too and were even able to have the RV repaired because they met someone at lunch who helped them out.

I think I'm liking small town life!

To Everything There is a Season...

2010-09-10T09:47:00.003-06:00

... and our season of projects is coming to an end. I think we've worked so hard that we are not motived. Here are some of the projects that will be left until next season.

Painting our bedroom closet doors and molding and touching up the blue paint around the molding.

Repairing the strip that came off the bathroom sink yesterday.

Nailing up the molding (I've already done it once!)

Paint touch up

Painting around all of the windows and molding.
These are the new windows installed in June.

Here's to NEXT SEASON!!!

The Stump, etc.

2010-09-02T09:36:00.003-06:00

An old tree stump that needs removal.

VICTORY!

Today's Harvest - Sept 2, 2010

Our first corn on the cob

Cherry Tomatoes

Yellow Squash (We've had lots of this item!)

The poles are now history are as the weeds.

The results of Mike's work.

Doesn't it look great!

Now, we plant grass, which is my responsibility.

I have to keep it watered!

Another Jubilee Year experience... a pair of glasses for reading and driving.

Aghhh... the glories of age!

We Like Kevin!

2010-08-21T03:21:00.005-06:00

Subject One - Weeds

Remember this pile of weeds from last week? (We actually had three weed piles, but this was the largest.)

Thanks to our nephew Kevin, the three piles are gone. Two truckloads packed tight, now at the landfill. Yea!!! How lucky could we be? Kevin just volunteered to come over and load up the truck while he was down here in Blanding for a couple of days. Mike didn't even make it out to help until going to the dump on the first load. We can't thank him enough. (Kevin is also the one who mowed down the weeds a few weeks ago. I'm wondering.... what other projects do we have for him?!?)

Kevin working hard!

Kevin relaxing - he deserved it!

Kevin & Mike with the second load.

Second Subject... Our Garden!

We really have corn growing.

I am amazed as I have never grown corn.

Red tomatoes - the big ones.

We picked our first three this week

and had tomato sandwiches for dinner.

Hummm, hummm Good!

Blanding Update...

2010-08-17T11:17:00.006-06:00

Mike and I were excited to return to Blanding to see how things had been progressing. Overall, our yard looks good. We have items growing in our garden....

We have GRASS!!! (I even mowed it Monday morning!)

Check out the 'before picture' here.

I have become the sprinkling system expert. Just before leaving for vacation we figure out that there was also a sprinkling system on the east side of the driveway. I've been repairing the sprinklers and Mike...

... Well Mike has been hand digging out weeds. He loves it! Mike so enjoys working out in the yard. While there may be easier ways to remove weeds, he prefers digging them out by hand.

Notice the BIG pile of weeds. It is taller than Mike now!

Someday, we'll have grass in this area.

The Rest of the Vacation!

2010-08-17T11:08:00.004-06:00

We concluded our vacation in Lake Tahoe...

Mike swimming at the motel pool - our car and room are behind him.

Ice Cream!!!
We visited every ice cream shop we could find during our vacation.
There were several fun shops along the coast.

Mike is Parasailing!!!

Mike's landing - he didn't even get wet!

Mike's thoughts on the experience.

Sidney parasailing

Vacation Highlights!

2010-08-16T19:44:00.008-06:00

This is the reason we came to the Oregon Coast!

A Toll Bridge - this picture is for my dad

Mount Hood, from the Washington State side

Mike and his flip flops - they go everywhere with him!

Bell Buoy - where Mike had his Oysters!

Sunscreen - before parasailing

Salmon Patte anyone?

Feeding the chipmunk at Crater Laker

Columbia River Gorge

Jelly Fish

Hot Sauce @ Blue Herron Cheese Factory

"Gypsy" our fun GPS unit that Scot & Julene loaned to us!

Visiting with Family - Janice, Jill, and Doug

Mike's favorite sign!!!

Buckling up for parasailing!

Mike would use the binoc's to watch me walk up and down the beach.

A Beautiful View

Aunt Marj!

A distant rock...

We Have...

2010-07-30T08:02:00.005-06:00

A sprinkling system that has been repaired so the front curb is now watered!

Cherry Tomatoes turning red!

A weedless backyard thanks to Mike and our nephew Kevin!

Grass that is GROWING!!!

Butterflies!!! There are so many butterflies here in Blanding. I don't think I hardly saw any when living in Salt Lake.

Skunks... Well, I haven't actually seen one, but I have smelled them. A week or so ago, I was awakened by a pungent skunk smell. I honestly thought the skunk was right outside our window. It took a while for the smell to leave. Otherwise, the other times I smell the smell, but it dissipates quickly. (Someone in town caught 27 skunks in their skunk trap in 2009.) Can you believe that?

Dragonflies... Again, I hadn't seen many in Salt Lake but in the evening when the sun is setting, they are all over! It makes me wish we had those bugs that 'light up' when they move their wings. They were fun to watch in Austin, Texas. What ARE they called???

Three days until we leave for this... http://mikesidney.blogspot.com/2010/02/jubilee-year.html

A Little Bit of Everything...

2010-07-23T20:45:00.004-06:00

Monday I made White Asparagus Soup. I had to peel every piece of asparagus because it is stringy. The soup, wasn't that great. The same type of recipe when I make Pumpkin Soup, but aspargus doesn't thicken very well.

Tuesday evening we had a wonderful rainstorm in Blanding. Mike and I sat out on the porch for an hour and a half and watched and listened to the storm. It was wonderful! (No pictures)

Wednesday we were out on the porch again after dinner when the young women of our ward showed up and said, "We are doing a service project this evening for some of the older people in our ward. We want to pull the weeds from your curb. Mike and I were a little embarrassed, but at the same time realized the service was for his parents. They did such a great job that we are now repairing the broken pipe of our sprinkling system and tomorrow, Saturday, I will be planting grass. I can't wait!!! We want them to see the fruits of their labors.

This morning Kent Hawkins who is with the Blanding City Fire Department came around and noticed all of our weeds in the yard. They are WAY TO HIGH! Then he said, "Well, I'm sort of contributing to this because Scot said I could buy the car - in the back of the yard - and I never came over and picked it up. We told him we had just obtained the new title on Wednesday and so he came over around 5:45pm this evening and picked up the car. We sold it for $1.00. The 'yellowbird' has been a part of the Christensen Family since 1976. It was a little sad to see it go.

The Yellowbird...

The Yellowbird's former home

I thought we needed a picture of the license plate

Our tall weeds, and this one isn't as tall as some of them!

(I'm 5'4")

Finally, I volunteer to prepare Apricots for our Relief Society Meeting on Tuesday, July 27th. Mike, Caroline and I pitted all of these apricots this evening and then I blended them up and froze them. Apricots are bountiful this season here in Blanding. Trees are loaded. I'm looking forward to some apricot jam!

Mike's Typical Day

2010-07-18T09:57:00.003-06:00

Since moving to Blanding, Mike has provide the majority of care for his parents. I have been so impressed with him. He is such a kind and gentle man and that carries over to the care of his parents. Here's his typical day - no pictures - just a timeline.

7:30ish - Wake up, read scriptures, gets ready for the day and turn the heat up to 80 degrees for his parents (luckily we have the swamp cooler going on our side and the heat vents covered) and waits for the first "GONG" of the day. (The 'gong' is a battery operated doorbell that we bought shortly after moving here. Whenever his dad or mom need anything, they ring the doorbell and we can hear it on our side of the house. It is a much better way to notify us that they are in need.)

9:00ish - His dad wakes up. GONG. Mike does several things for him at this time: wheels him into the front room, gives him a washcloth to wipe off his face, brings him his pills, fixes him the SAME breakfast every morning (a waffle with LOTS of syrup!), opens the drapes, etc.

11:00am on the dot! Mike's dad takes additional medication. Doug is a little particular about some things, eating at a certain time and medications at a certain time. So, these things never vary!

Between 11:00am and Noon the Senior Center delivers lunches. Mike takes them and puts them out on the table and puts the items that are hot in the oven to warm.

1:00pm - We eat lunch! Mike wheels his dad into the dining area for lunch. Medication is prepared and given to his dad.

2:00pm - Mike gives his dad additional medication

3:00pm - Another medicaiton is given to both parents

6:00pm - Dinner is served! Mike wheels his dad into the kitchen, more medication is prepared and given. We clean up and his parents head back into the front room.

8:00pm - Mike usually goes in and sits with his parents for the last hour of the day. The front room isn't as hot!

9:00pm - The final medication of the day is given to his dad. Mike gets him more water and his med pass, organizes things and helps him into bed.

9:30ish - Mike is finally 'off' for the day. He comes into our bedroom, turns on the TV, and relaxes, family prayer and scriptures.

10:30pm - We always end the day watching Perry Mason on KBYU. I fall asleep around 10:43pm and at 11:16, as the show is ending, I wake up and ask, "Who did it?" Mike answers and I fall back to sleep!

What I haven't included is the many times a day that the GONG is run. It isn't often but probably 5-6 times each day. Mike is always willing to assist his parents with anything they need.

I have such a respect and deepened love and appreciation for him as I have watched him serve his parents. There are things that I do for both Mike and his parents, but they are limited compared to what Mike does on a daily basis. He follows this schedule and then does their wash - and ours too - works outside in the yard, piddles in the shed, runs errands with me, etc. He is constantly going. In some ways, I'm on 'vacation' compared to what he does on a daily basis.

NOTE: This post is meant ONLY to show what a great man Mike is as he serves his parents. Anything else you take away from it, I didn't intend for that to be.

One-One Hundreth

2010-07-11T10:14:00.002-06:00

In the Book of Mormon, from time to time the writer will state, "This is only one-one hundreth of what we can write" or words to that effect. In a sense, I feel like these pictures are only one-one hundreth of what Mike and I have been doing this past week.

I went to a quilt show in Montrose, Colorado on Saturday with members of the Grayson Country Quilters Quilt Guild here in Blanding. I bought this fabric to make the quilt from the pattern - which is also in the picture. I'm quite excited to begin, although I have quilt in the works for my brother Roger. That quit top will need to be finished before I can work on this one.

Our Garden is growing! We water and weed and 'pray for our crops'!

Corn... It just shot up this week!

Green Tomatoes on our plants!!!

Mike has been digging out elm trees and its stumps. These elms have shoots all over our yard - the part that isn't in grass. We are working towards putting in a sprinkling system and putting grass in our back yard. The good news is that we found the reason why the front curb was weeds instead of grass. A pipe was broken. Now, that's an easy fix!

Mike picked up our "Bountiful Basket" on Saturday. (The green grapes and blueberries are in the fridge.) This week's basked included white asparagus - which I've never seen nor eaten and lots and lots of brussel sprouts. I'm reading up on how to best prepare them. Last time we had chard in our basket and it has become a new Christensen favorite!

My dad has always taught me that when ever I move somewhere, I need to find a hardware store. Not a chain like Home Depot or Lowes, but a true mom & pop hardware store. Redd's Hardware in Blanding is my choice - my only choice. I am a LOYAL customer, patronizing the store 2-3 times a week. I can't wait until all of our projects are completed so I don't have to go over so often!