Notes from Ogden Canyon

Clyde comes to live at my house

2012-02-19T10:09:00.000-07:00

Clyde with his deliciously large cookie, an Etsy purchase from Lorraine Young Pottery, came to live with Mollie and I.

Isn't he handsome!

Bookstore

2012-02-18T21:54:00.002-07:00

I visited the bookstore today, and of course added more books to my bookshelf, waiting to be read.

Relaxing

2012-02-16T22:15:00.002-07:00

Ymm! A hot bath! The bathroom is filled with lavender scented steam.

2012-02-14T21:27:00.000-07:00

Happy Valentines Day!

Illuminated Spring D

2012-02-12T09:55:00.002-07:00

Still drawing letters.

Small Conversations

2012-02-11T20:25:00.000-07:00

I have often thought that the handwritten letter as my favorite form of correspondence. In this modern age of e-mails, telephone conversations and text messages, I still write letters. Although, I also use all these other forms of communication.

Members of my family and friends have travelled away from my Ogden Canyon home. I find ways of communicating with them, checking in with them. I enjoy any form of communication I receive, wonderful gifts of their time.

Interestingly, I find I miss those small conversations that are shared while doing the dishes, driving in the car or a small job at work. The sharing of stories, remembering of past experiences, a shared joke. The small conversations that don't transfer well into the written word.

Aaah!

2012-02-11T09:44:00.001-07:00

The weekend, time to relax and reboot!

Too

2012-02-08T18:22:00.000-07:00

Too many projects, thoughts and ideas spinning around in my head. Mostly work related. I am putting together the Spring and Summer Class Schedule, preparing a press release for the March exhibit, taking reservations, cataloging art and preparing for the center's annual fundraising art auction. -Overload- psst!

Sunset/Moonrise

2012-02-04T18:12:00.000-07:00

A lovely sunny winter Saturday, ends.

Significant Storm

2012-01-22T10:45:00.000-07:00

Jeweled droplets

2012-01-21T22:36:00.000-07:00

Jeweled gem drops of water sparkle in Mollie's fur and on my bedspread, melting snowflakes from our evening walk.

Jealous

2012-01-21T16:45:00.000-07:00

I am slightly jealous. The blogs I have been visiting today have been showing pictures of early spring flowers. This while the world outside my window is turning white. We have had rain for days, which now has changed to snow. The trees are coated in snow. The top line of the fence is edged in white. Even the sky is white. Winter has arrived and looks like it plans to stay. It will be a while until I see spring flowers anywhere other than on others' blogs.

2012-01-18T21:03:00.002-07:00

It's raining, it's snowing, the weather changing.

Words

2012-01-15T09:46:00.000-07:00

Do you ever think that we have a limited number of words that we are able to use? Not a limited vocabulary, but a limited number say one billion. Most recently, I have been using my written words to create request for grant money a new part of my expanded job as assistant director at the Eccles Community Art Center. In doing this job - writing grant requests; I didn't seem to have the words or thoughts to share with friends in letters or on this blog.

Who Knew?

2012-01-13T21:18:00.000-07:00

My Dark Chocolate Dove Bite wrapper suggested that I should catch a snowflake on my tongue. Who knew that this would be so hard to accomplish this winter?

2012-01-13T20:22:00.001-07:00

I just finished "Major Pettigrew's Last Stand" A Novel by Helen Simonson - what a sweet love story.

Illuminated letter for Rose

2012-01-07T19:33:00.000-07:00

White landscape with powder blue skies

2012-01-07T18:10:00.001-07:00

After the morning snowstorm, the sun came out. The landscape is a fresh white. The skies powder blue with fluffy cumulus clouds.

In the late afternoon, the sun painted the mountains in golden tones. The clouds glisten, as Mollie and I took a late afternoon walk.

Fresh Snow

2012-01-07T06:32:00.001-07:00

After such a dry December, I awoke this morning to snow in my yard. As it was morning, my dog Mollie politely asked to go outside. She walked out about three feet in the inch deep snow, turned around and came back on to the back steps, requesting politely to come in. Apparently, she doesn't like water in an form.

New Year

2012-01-01T10:39:00.002-07:00

Mollie and I have had our morning walk, beginning this first day of 2012 as we begin everyday, enjoying the beauty around us. My wish is that 2012 brings joy!

Donuts

2011-12-30T08:00:00.003-07:00

Commercials show donuts as the perfect food to destroy your diet, but do you remember how fun they were when you were a child. You could eat them by taking a huge bite all the way to the hole, or loop them over your index finger and eat them in a circle. My grandfather always recommended eating the hole first.

Grandpa loved to buy and share donut holes with us - glazed, cake with white powdered sugar or rolled in chocolate sprinkles. Watch out! Don't inhale the powder sugar.

My father on the occasions that he took me to school would stop at Lee's donuts to buy his favorite chocolate cake donuts with chocolate frosting. He would buy me one with sprinkles.

And do you remember when Albertson's first moved to town. They had a donut machine that would make warm donuts while you watched. Warm cake donuts with cinnamon and sugar.

I think on my way to work, I will stop to get a donut. My favorite is a sugar donut. Then I think that I will take a huge bite all the way to the hole.

Just so you know ~ I had my usual bowl of whole grain oatmeal for breakfast. Oh, I wish I had thought to add sprinkles.

Illuminated N

2011-12-29T22:28:00.000-07:00

Unseasonably warm

2011-12-29T19:37:00.003-07:00

Although it is winter, we are experiencing temperatures 10 to 15 degrees above normal and so far very little snow.

2011-12-27T21:47:00.001-07:00

I hope that you all had a lovely Christmas celebration and I am sending out best wishes for the New Year! May the year 2012 bring you all many happy experiences!

I hope that it, 2012 will bring me a few wonderful experiences that I may share with you here on this blog.

White Christmas ?

2011-12-23T20:05:00.001-07:00

A white christmas is not in the forecast for Ogden Canyon. Sunshine and blue skies are forecast along with cold temperatures.

White Christmas?

2011-12-18T13:00:00.001-07:00

Yesterday

2011-12-14T20:39:00.002-07:00

Yesterday, we received a light dusting of snow. Now the temperatures have turned cold, so I guess our dusting of snow will stay with us. Not the white Christmas, of which we dream unless another storm hits before the 24th.

Last night, my friends and I attended a fundraiser and Christmas concert. Kurt Bestor, his friends, band and orchestra put on a lovely performance.

Princess Mollie sitting on her pillows

2011-12-10T20:36:00.001-07:00

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas

2011-12-08T19:10:00.001-07:00

We have been decorating trees at my work for an open house on Friday, December 9th. Check out a few pictures at https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10150381747845736.340126.79845845735&type=3

Winds speeds bring destruction

2011-12-02T03:01:00.001-07:00

Wow, what a day! The high wind speed took down trees, took out power lines, and left Ogden in a mess. In the canyon, we were with out electricity for around 8 hours. Looking toward morning to see how the clean up has started.

Thanksgiving Memories

2011-11-24T11:17:00.001-07:00

Thanksgiving morning, the kitchen is filled with scents of apples, bullion, onion and herbs. My mother is set begin the Thanksgiving Day meal. My niece arrives, herald by a greeting bark from Mollie. The preparations begin. My niece MandiAnne apprentice, watching and learning how to make dressing from my mother. She cuts two apples, two onions, and four celery stalks, adds boxed herbal bread crumbs, then bullion and shortening. My mother tells her that our dressing distinctive flavor comes from adding summer savory. MandiAnne laughs she finds it funny that no one in the family measure ingredients.

Then to the turkey, MandiAnne whispers "uncooked turkeys are gross." She is really freaked out by the turkey neck and giblets. The cooking, mixing, chopping, baking continues with congenial ribbing.

I set the table for the family, memories of childhood Thanksgiving dinner come to mind. Dinner at my grandmother house with cards tables lined up with the dinning room table through the kitchen and into the living room. The children's table in the small front bedroom. Aunts, uncles and cousins passing sliced turkey, mashed potatoes, grandpa's indian corn and more. Then later when the families got larger, we shared Thanksgiving day dinner with my aunt Phyllis at the farm. And when her family grew, we started having them at home.

My brother and nephew arrive. I have built a fire in the living room. Its flames curl around the wood, then scent of its smoke mixes with the scent of the baking turkey.

While waiting for the Turkey to cook, we all create paper sack turkeys.>

Zack & Curtis' turkey

Mom's & mine

MandiAnne's. All different. Which do you think turned out the best?

Dinner was served. Mom put together a delightful meal. Turkey, dressing, potatoes, gravy, vegetables, cranberries and rolls were pasted. Later pumpkin pie was served.

Then those with in-laws and ex-in-law left to attend other gathering. Those that stayed did dishes..... dishes ... dishes, and more dishes. Kitchen and dishes clean. Turkey and left overs in the frig....

We sit by the fire for a nap. After all we all know that turkey makes one sleepy.

Have a Happy Thanksgiving day!

Snowy Afternoon Walk

2011-11-20T16:05:00.001-07:00

Lazy snow flies as Mollie and I take an afternoon walk. The road is no longer muddy, the mud has frozen. Mollie finds a stick, throwing up in the air she then chases it and throw it in the air again. She is very talented at entertaining herself.

Neighbors are heating their house with wood fires. The scent of it fills the air and upon our return this scent clings to Mollie and I.

Tis the season

2011-11-20T06:49:00.001-07:00

Yesterday, my mother, niece and I had our picture taken with Santa at the mall. Such a practical Santa, he said that he could not fulfill my wish for world piece, but he would have no problem putting a large Christmas bow on Mollie.

More Snow

2011-11-19T06:12:00.001-07:00

A snowstorm came through last night and took out our power for a few hours right at dinner time. The food was prepare, so we ate by candlelight.

Hibernating

2011-11-18T05:19:00.001-07:00

As another weekend promises another snowstorm, I continue to hibernate and read finding warmth in books and with Mollie snuggled close.

More Blankets

2011-11-08T20:21:00.000-07:00

The weather has gotten cold. Time for more blankets to snuggle under, a few good books to read and Mollie at my side.

180 degrees

2011-11-01T19:16:00.001-06:00

We woke to rain and snow this morning, a 180 degree turn from Monday's sun and 70 degree weather. More snow is forecast for later this week.

A Fine Autumn Day

2011-10-30T21:42:00.000-06:00

Today, was one of those autumn days that is just about perfect. A blue sky in bright contrast to the yellow box elder and cottonwood leaves still on the trees that line the river. The river is clear, and slowly flows by as I rake up fallen leaves. Mollie lies nearby, chewing on a stick. The sun just warm enough to work without a jacket

Later on a mid-day walk, I realize that this might be one of the last fine days of autumn. Snowstorms have already hit the East coast, and other are forecast for our area in the coming week.

A Little More Preparation

2011-10-29T19:54:00.000-06:00

Looking ahead to the holiday season....

Preparing

2011-10-23T18:33:00.002-06:00

Yesterday, we harvested bushels of colorful autumn leaves. We added them to our composite pile.

Today, we headed to the cabin to winterize it. While Curtis drained the water out of the pipes and appliances, I mowed the lawn. Our mower chopped the Maple and Cottonwood leaves in to small flakes of autumn confetti - mulch.

Tuesday a hard freeze is forecast.

My bookshelf is stocked with a number of books. Cold weather is the perfect time to snuggle up with Mollie and read a good book.

A handful of pine nuts

2011-10-16T19:40:00.000-06:00

A handful of pine nuts, their scent and taste, brings back memories of my grandfather. We would take my cousins and I to Yost, Utah to harvest pine nuts. We would place tarps under the trees, then knock down the pine cones. I was young, but I seem to remember that the cones had to be warm to open up wide enough for then pine nuts to be harvested. I remember the pine sap being sticky and hard to get off your hands and extremely difficult to get out of clothes.

Now, I harvest pine nuts by purchasing them from the grocery store. I found some today at the Valley Market.

A week away from the computer

2011-10-16T08:37:00.000-06:00

I have been away from my computer, but still carried my journal. Here a couple of Haiku poems that I noted in my journal, and that I would like to share.

10/10/11

Autumn Evening Walk

A chilly fall rain

Finds me bundled in a shawl

Warm - I walk Mollie.

10/14/11

Dark black silhouettes

Against golden orange sky

October sunset.

Crisp Autumn Morning

2011-10-09T11:13:00.000-06:00

This morning is a cool crisp autumn morning. The rain of the last few days have intensified the autumn colors. What little color, we have. Most of then maples have already dropped their leaves and the oaks have not yet changed.

Mollie and I took a drive up to Ogden Valley. The mist rising off the reservoir reminds me of costal fog. The cottonwood along the water edge are starting to turn yellow.

Yesterday

2011-10-09T11:02:00.002-06:00

Not expensive crystal but just as lovely!

Sunrise flames

2011-10-01T08:25:00.000-06:00

Above the mountains,
Rays of morning sun ignite
embers, gray clouds burn

A Vacation

2011-09-30T20:23:00.000-06:00

After mowing the lawn, Mollie and I decided to visit the reservoir. In the summer, many people visit Pineview reservoir, sunning on the beach, swimming, boating, etc. But you should visit it during the Autumn. Clear crisp days, golden Cottonwood leaves, reflected in reflective mirror like water.

Mollie, who rarely likes to get wet, decided to walk along the shore.

Mollie and I took a vacation, an at home, hour long vacation.

Thursday - Time off

2011-09-30T20:03:00.001-06:00

I had a day off. In the morning, I took my car to be inspected. Then in the afternoon, Mollie and I went to the cabin. We mowed the lawn and took a walk.

Autumn color, especially reds were in abundance. Along the river, yellows could be enjoyed. I just wanted to share a few shots of the autumn leaves and autumn landscape with you.

Breakfast

2011-09-24T08:00:00.001-06:00

Waffles with black cherry jam and dark hot chocolate.

An Early Walk

2011-09-24T06:45:00.000-06:00

The sky glows a predawn blue, scattered with pin point stars and a fingernail slivered moon, while the breeze rustles leaves that dance in silhouette.

2011-09-17T17:53:00.000-06:00

2011-09-15T21:36:00.000-06:00

Littered Lawn

2011-09-11T21:23:00.000-06:00

Falling leaves litter the lawn. The evening temperatures have dropped. I wore a shawl on my evening walk with Mollie. Autumn has arrived.

A Touch of Fall

2011-09-10T16:48:00.001-06:00

A touch of autumn color is showing up on the mountain trees. A rainstorm is expected, I already hear thunder. The clouds have made the afternoon dark. A good rain would be a good change and maybe brighten the autumn colors.

Only a few drops of rain fell.

We Attend a Play

2011-09-04T22:40:00.000-06:00

What an enjoyable evening's entertainment, we had.

Zuni Basket

2011-09-03T18:48:00.000-06:00

My friend, basket artist Rebecca Lasiloo wove me a basket. She delivered it this week while visiting.

Isn't it wonderful.

Quiet Evening

2011-09-01T07:00:00.000-06:00

Mollie and I had a quiet evening at the cabin. We took a walk. Our cabin neighbors were enjoying the evening, chatting on their patio. One was finishing up mowing her lawn. Mollie and I settled in. A short time later, Mollie informed that we had a visitor. A doe and two yearlings visited the commons. We watched them for a time, although Mollie would have really liked to play chase with them. She was extremely frustrated that I would not let her out of the cabin.

The evening light moved up the mountain.

On our drive home the clouds where beautifully lit.

Deb's Garden in late August

2011-08-27T16:08:00.000-06:00

Oh! Bother!

2011-08-26T20:46:00.000-06:00

Works got in the way, such a bust week! But tomorrow is Saturday. The weekend - two days of housework, relaxation, a visit to the farmer's market and maybe sometime for fun! I hope that your weekend is filled with time for fun!

Tangles

2011-08-21T07:26:00.000-06:00

From yesterday's garden walk - My Mother's garden

2011-08-21T07:17:00.000-06:00

Pre-Dawn Walk with Mollie

2011-08-21T06:43:00.001-06:00

Today- began with a predawn walk. The sky is lit in pastel shades of yellow, pink, lavender, blue. There is just enough light to see green leaves and mountain edges silhouetted against the predawn sky. A silver-white half moon shines overhead.

The breeze rustles the leaves, in the distance the river's constant rush. A bird chitters, we have awaken it. These are all almost quiet noises.

The lit windows of houses, tell of neighbors awakening. The morning air is fresh and cool but promises, the coming of warm with the sun.

The paper retrieved, Mollie and I return home to the light in our window.

My Mother is featured in the local paper - Again

2011-08-15T18:21:00.002-06:00

http://www.standard.net/stories/2011/08/14/hostess-carriage-house-enjoys-volunteering

Inside of A Dog by Alexandra Horowitz

2011-08-14T21:17:00.000-06:00

Vase of Poppies

2011-08-14T16:44:00.002-06:00

Add caption

Revisited

Bear Country Update

2011-08-09T07:56:00.000-06:00

http://www.standard.net/stories/2011/08/08/boy-tells-story-bear-meeting

Arts & Crafts Inspired

2011-08-07T08:20:00.001-06:00

I took inspiration from the wallpaper designed by Charles Francis Annesley Voysey as shown in the book The Arts and Craft Movement Rosalind Blakesley, 2006 Phaidon Press, Inc.

Dragonfly Closeup

2011-08-06T09:01:00.000-06:00

Small evergreen cone

2011-08-01T20:41:00.001-06:00

Painting everyday objects as recommended by Jane LaFazio of Janeville

Summer Monsoons

2011-08-01T20:30:00.000-06:00

Last night we had a wet storm that dropped much needed rain. It continued throughout the night into the morning hours. While waiting in my car for an appointment, I worked on this:

The falling raindrops
Splatter against my window;
My view distorted.

Pleasant View Evening

2011-07-30T15:01:00.000-06:00

Through evening shadows
Sunlight like golden syrup
backlights grazing sheep.

New Doodles

2011-07-27T08:39:00.000-06:00

Cool Pop-up Books

2011-07-27T08:00:00.000-06:00

http://edenvalleyscribes.blogspot.com/2010/09/quarto-sept-meeting-pics.html

Check out these cool pop-up handmade books!

Sketchbook Drawings

2011-07-23T07:51:00.000-06:00

Last Night's Storm

2011-07-20T08:28:00.000-06:00

A quick storm passed over last night.

Bee Charming

2011-07-19T17:59:00.001-06:00

This felted purse sold today from the Carriage House Gallery at the Eccles Community Art Center.

Sunflowers

2011-07-18T21:26:00.000-06:00

I saw the first blooms of the summer sunflowers on Thursday afternoon,
July 14, 2011.

Watercolor Pine Cone

2011-07-16T17:26:00.000-06:00

Serendipity

2011-07-15T19:18:00.001-06:00

Sketching, Again

2011-07-14T21:17:00.000-06:00

Sketch & Doodle

2011-07-13T22:26:00.001-06:00

Sunlight

2011-07-12T19:32:00.000-06:00

My boss retires

2011-07-12T19:24:00.003-06:00

http://www.hersutah.com/story/bye-bye-love-sandy-havas-steps-down-director-eccles-art-center

Dragonfly, Closeup

2011-07-12T19:11:00.000-06:00

A Week of Sunsets

2011-07-09T09:10:00.000-06:00

Work Doodle

2011-07-08T19:09:00.001-06:00

I got a new scanner - printer. I need to learn how to position small items.

Happy July 4th!

2011-07-03T18:59:00.001-06:00

Have a great day!

Summer

2011-07-03T18:52:00.000-06:00

Summer Rain

2011-06-29T20:55:00.000-06:00

Ymm! A summer rain,
The heady scent of water
And sun-warmed earth.

Housesitting with Chloe & Smudge this weekend

2011-06-27T19:08:00.000-06:00

My friend's cats: Chloe above and Smudge below.

Seasonal Doodles

2011-06-27T18:24:00.000-06:00

September: Acorns & Sunflowers
October

Art Day

2011-06-27T18:14:00.000-06:00

Zack's Mushroom Butterfly and drawing on one of my doodles.

MandiAnne's work.

One of my doodles.

Bear Country

2011-06-26T08:06:00.001-06:00

A bear was spotted in the canyon earlier this month, these posters started to appear and a story was reported in the local papers.http://www.standard.net/topics/utah/2011/06/14/deep-snow-forces-bears-lower-elevations

Flashes of Morning Light

2011-06-24T07:00:00.000-06:00

Light flashes off wings
Of quick darting dragonflies
In the morning sky.

Evening Light II

2011-06-23T20:58:00.001-06:00

Shadow of the blogger

Evening Light

2011-06-23T20:37:00.001-06:00

The golden sunlight
Thick, paints the evening landscape
Before the sunset.

Through the golden sunlight

White cottonwood seed fluffs float

On the evening air.

Last night, after the rain!

2011-06-20T20:37:00.000-06:00

Happy Father's Day!

2011-06-19T17:58:00.000-06:00

Shy Bunting

2011-06-19T17:53:00.000-06:00

Evening Showers

2011-06-18T19:59:00.000-06:00

Across the valley
The layering of gray clouds
Forecasts evening rain.

Golden Evening Light

2011-06-15T21:16:00.000-06:00