Pie Party in the News

Just remembering back to 2001 when Mom was in magazines because of her legendary pie parties.  This was before Social Media and cell phones and all the things... so it was pretty cool. Mom was a pioneer.  Now there are pie parties everywhere around Thanksgiving.  The funny part was the photo.... the ones represented from each of our 4 families, Hayden Call, Austin Brown, Becca Cole and Monson Welch were the LEAST favorite fans of the pie party.  They didn't really like pie and had to pose for the picture with their mouths full of it.   And the pie recipe posted is from Christine Cole - my sister in law- and not one that mom ever made herself. 

The article reads:  "We celebrate twice --with a pre-Thanksgiving dessert party!"
 It was the night before Thanksgiving, and my new husband and I had stopped by my parent's house to drop off my contribution to the feast; pumpkin pies!  "They look wonderful,: my dad sighed, breathing in the sweet aroma.  "But I'm going to be too full to enjoy those pies tomorrow.  Do you think I can have my slice now?"  I glanced at Mom. "Why not?" she smiled. "that sounds like a good idea.  I think I'll have mine now, too," my husband smiled.   "Well, then I'm having mine!" my brother, Steven, chimed in.  Before long, Mom and I were at the table too.  the next year, a few days before Thanksgiving I kidded Dad by saying, "I suppose you'll want your pie before Thanksgiving again."  "Well, now that you mention it.." he winked.  And once again, our family sat down the night before the holiday and had pie.  After that, my day before the feast pies were as much a part of Thanksgiving as turkey was.  then I had an idea.  Others might enjoy this too, I thought.  So I started inviting friends and neighbors and as our guest list grew, so did my assortment of pies.  Wanting everyone to have a slice of their favorite, I made fruit pies and cream pies and mincement pies and more.  Today, 30 years later, with the help of my now grown daughters- we make 20 different pies -- enough for 150 guests-- in one morning.  And each year, as I look around at all the smiling faces, a wave of happiness washes over me. -- Sheri Cole, Bountiful, Utah.

Fab four with the Fab six

 We finally got to have a Belnap weekend!  We went down with the Lakes and Belnaps to enjoy the gorgeous weather, hiking in the mountains, dinner at Capelettis, and we had tix to Tuacahn for a Beatles tribute band the Fab Four.  It was cold, but we loved it.  We sang almost all of the songs..and it was a gorgeous night.  I didn't really grow up on Beatles music in the 60's, but we got the Boys Guitar Hero Wii game and it was all Beatles music, so I learned it all then, along with the boys.  

We went to Belnap church and Eric taught Gospel Doctrine class about the Jaredites.  He's a great teacher. Then games and watching football, more games, delicious food..and amazing friends.  We are so blessed.

This is the joke the comedian told us at the concert, and now we can't stop talking about the talking frog

Sister Act Closed

Men of the show:  David Hales, David Simon, Flash Kiernan, Jacob Draber, Jaron Rose, John Lee Roroing, Jordan Wheeler, Matt Ford, Nate Petersen

Women of the show- Front row: Kaylee Wheeler, Erin Roring, Melissa Virgin, Heather Braegger , Catherine Washburn, 2nd: Melinda, Alyssa Stevens, Ashley Williams, Angela Warnock, 3rd: Cassie Dibbins, Shawnee Johnson, Amber Storm, Jen Petersen, Carla Zarate,  (missing- Holly Lowell)
Back;  Alyssa Horton, Olivia Lusk, Maddie Smith

 Sister Act has been a joy this fall.  I'm really grateful to have had the opportunity to play Mother Superior. She is a great character who changes from black and white, us vs. them thinking into a person filled with love, sacrifice and inclusion.  She has a lot of faith and really relies on her relationship with God...and I try to do all of those things in my life..so she was a good reminder for me of how I want to live.   

I had so many family and friends and ward members come to support me. I am really grateful for that.  

Sweaters

 I taught myself to crochet this year and it's been so fun.  I googled an easy sweater pattern and followed a youtube tutorial and I made me and all my grand girls matching sweaters!  

George was feeling ad so he put on Sophia's sweater.... 

I'm grateful these littles still think it's cool to be like Meema!  

Grandma Butters and flatties.

It's my Grandma Butters' birthday today. She was a FORCE of goodness and love. Her dad was George Sylvester Heiner. My great Grandpa Heiner was noted for this statement: “Don't become so open-minded your brains fall out!" While being a little open-minded is helpful, being more OPEN - HEARTED is the real winner. Curiosity and compassion my friends - this would change our world! My Grandma was soooo good at this.

In memory of her....we are drinking a 1/2 real coke 1/2 diet coke drink - she called it a "Sweet Aloha" and eating a "flattie" - the regular hamburger from Paces -- two of her favorite things!

Election loss

I can’t believe the results of this Election.  Over 71 million people elected a man for president who spewed racist and discriminatory rhetoric about Black and Brown people and immigrants. Who has vowed to deport millions of immigrants. Who is a proud misogynist- who doesn’t care about women, who’s been found liable for sexual abuse, who is a 34-count felon for shady business dealings, and who has already been impeached and indicted for inciting a violent riot at the Capitol. Who preaches hate, conspiracy theories, false truths, and fake news - “Anybody who isn’t a fellow Trump follower is clearly untrustworthy.”   Trump is a narcissist who truly wants to be a KING– not just a president of this country. 

 I am sad.  There is a heaviness around all of this for me.  It actually makes my stomach hurt when good Christian people compare him to our Savior and say he has been “saved” for this time.  I can’t. I just can’t.  He’s the antithesis of everything I’ve been taught to believe about Jesus and being a follower of Jesus Christ.   I blame misinformation- and the media people interact with for this.

I sent this to my kids when Trump won:  Wow. I can’t believe America fell for this con man again. We lost our humanity because the price of eggs is too high.   I’m going to grieve for a bit then take the next right step.   

I like this from Venice Williams:    

You are awakening to the 

same country you fell asleep to.

The very same country.

Pull yourself together.

And, 

when you see me, 

do not ask me

"What do we do now?

How do we get through the next four years?"

Some of my Ancestors dealt with 

at least 400 years of this 

under worse conditions.

Continue to do the good work.

Continue to build bridges not walls.

Continue to lead with compassion.

Continue the demanding work 

of liberation for all.

Continue to dismantle broken systems, 

large and small.

Continue to set the best example 

for the children.

Continue to be a vessel of nourishing joy.

Continue right where you are.

Right where you live into your days.

Do so in the name of 

The Creator who expects 

nothing less from each of us.

And if you are not "continuing" 

ALL of the above, 

in community, partnership, collaboration?

What is it you have been doing?

What is it you are waiting for?

Anyway….. The supporters of Trump think they have won….but I believe we have all LOST.  I hope that Donald Trump will do the good things the Republicans are hoping he will and I pray he will do none of the bad things that I fear he will.  

Halloween...again

 Happy Halloween .....again!

This year Wayne and I were Fred and Wilma Flintstone.  Wayne can still sing every word to the Flintstone cartoon song.... we had a yabba dabba do time!   We got all of 3 door bell trick or treaters... so we give out full-size candy bars knowing we will have so few trick or treaters.  We wanted to do a firepit on our driveway with hot dogs and fixins, but Wayne is sick and has jet lag from just returning from China....so we will try that next year.

We went to Addison and Bre's photoshoot that they offer every year in their garage for  anyone to stop by and have pics and candy.   This way we can see most of our grand kids before they are off tick or treating.  George was Spider Man, Alfie was a "sports" guy--  jersey and a baseball cap, and Poppy was Litle Red Riding Hood and Addison was her wolf, complete with glued on fangs.  

Andrew and Sophia were part of the Harry Potter world, and Landon was Freddy Mercury...

Truman was at a Halloween bash the weekend before in San Francisco..he went as a Lazer Light show..

Monson and Lexi's family did the characters from the Inside Out movie along with their friends in Saratoga Springs..  Rebecca (Lexi's mom) was Fear, Monson was Embarrassment, Elsie was Sadness, Lexi was Anxiety, Lady was Disgust and Tayla was Ennui.  

Laila ordered in scary make up, fake blook and scar wax to create her Halloween face.  She loves the scare factor.