The Winner is . . .

The winner of the book What the Bayou Saw is . . .

Lisa

Lisa said...

I'd love a new book to read.

Congratulations, Lisa. Just send me an email with your information so that I can send your new book. I'm sure you'll enjoy it.

"What the Bayou Saw" -- Book Review and Give-away

Over the past six months I've received three books to read and review. The first book had potential but also included several things that I found offensive and so I'm sure most of you would too. The second book was frequently compared to Twilight and if you know me at all, you know that I didn't care too much for Twilight. This other book was definitely in the same genre as Twilight and I ended up appreciating Twilight so much more (that's saying A LOT)--but that's a post for another time.

So, by the time What the Bayou Saw arrived in my mailbox, I really wanted to like it. Thankfully, it didn't disappoint me.

Patti Lacy, the author of What the Bayou Saw is fairly new to the writing of fiction. She published her first book, An Irishwoman's Tale, last year. While I occasionally found myself tripping over extra words in her second book, Lacy is an expert story teller and as the plot gains momentum the writing improves and finally begins to disappear within the tale.

In What the Bayou Saw, Lacy weaves a story about Sally, a middle-aged college instructor living with her family in Normal, Illinois. Sally is your typical woman, concerned with her weight and worried about her relationships with her family members, but is in no way a static, flat character. She is deep and real and reminded me of many women that have touched my own life.

While Sally seems in control of her life and "normal", she is actually hiding dark secrets from her childhood spent in Louisiana during the 1960s. However, an act of violence against one of Sally's students, causes her to face the truth of her past; repair a damaged friendship and find healing in her own life.

Ultimately, Patti Lacy tells a contemporary story that handles hot topics such as racism, sexual abuse, middle age, marriage, Christianity, repentance and redemption with an honesty and integrity that is rare in literature today.

I enjoyed it and think you will too so I want to share it with all of you. I planned to give away the copy that the publishers had originally sent me but, well, I liked it. I am a bit of a "book hoarder" (as Utah Dad calls me) and besides that, the book experienced some minor water damage from an overzealous two-year old and her sippy cup. So, I contacted the publishers and they were so sweet to send me another copy so that I can give one away to one of you.

To win a free copy of What the Bayou Saw leave a comment on this post and for an extra chance do one or more of the following:

1. Become a follower of Utah Mom's Life Blog.
2. Add the Utah Mom's Life Blog Button to your blog.
3. Write a post about this give-away on your own blog or Facebook or just tell a friend if you're old fashioned and still communicate with people face-to-face (then come back and leave another comment so I know).

Good luck. The winner of What the Bayou Saw will be announced on Friday, October 30th.

Hogle Zoo - Out and About in Utah

Last Friday we joined Utah Dad's parents at Hogle Zoo. They buy a grandparent's pass each year and we enjoy going with them to the zoo quite frequently. It's a great deal. We haven't been since Hogle Zoo has welcomed its newest members. There are all kinds of new babies at the zoo.

A crowd had gathered around the elephant encounter in anticipation of viewing the new baby elephant. My older kids and their grandparents worked their way to the front. We waited for about five minutes before little Zuri and her mother came out. I never would have guessed that watching a baby elephant could be so much fun. Zuri ran around, rolled in the hay, splashed in the water and even slipped and fell right on her backside. The kids were delighted. From her vantage point on my shoulders, Lilly could see all the action and she laughed and laughed.

The baby giraffe was much more reserved than the little elephant. He stood near his parents, quietly looking around. We couldn't see that he has been named, so we called him "Melman" and my kids serenaded him with the song from "Madagascar 2". Fascinating creatures, giraffes.

There are baby tigers at the zoo too but I couldn't get a picture of them. Of course, I had to include another picture of my little Molly in her usual place in the Snugli with Utah Dad. She's so cute.

Park City - Out and About in Utah

The kids were out of school on Thursday and Friday last week so my husband (now known as Utah Dad) took some vacation from work too. My sister and her husband rented a condo in Park City, Utah for the week and they invited us to join them for a day. We drove up to Park City on Thursday morning and spent the afternoon with them exploring beautiful Main Street.

The weather was perfect--jacket weather for some and short-sleeve weather for others. We walked up and down Main Street exploring shops and art galleries. It was, by the way, a decidedly adult adventure. The kids enjoyed some of the galleries but mostly they whined about being bored and they begged to go on the Alpine Slide (I was being too cheap for that expensive thrill). I suppose being told not to touch things a hundred times could grate on the nerves of even the most patient little person. We did bribe them with yummy fudge and they really were pretty good about keeping their hands to themselves.

We found some cool places to take pictures of my sister's family and my willing children. We had intended to our family pictures as well but it had been a chaotic morning getting ready and I wasn't in the mood to pick out coordinating outfits or do fancy hair dos. Some day we will actually get a family picture taken.

After our walk, we returned to the condo where we made steak fajitas for dinner. My brother and his family joined us later. We made plans to build our own family lodge (dreams), learned how to play the European version of Ticket to Ride, watched Glenn Beck (man, he gets excited) and didn't get very much sleep even though the bed and pillows were really rather comfortable.

Park City, Utah really is a neat place to visit. Utah Dad and I are trying to figure out how we can escape there again sans children.

Pom Wonderful 100% Pomegranate Juice

As the healthy benefits of  pomegranates become more well known to our health-conscious society we've started to see the trendy fruit pop up in everything from cereal to soda. While it will take more than the addition of pomegranate to convince me that soda is good for me, POM Wonderful is the real deal. The pomegranate juice that comes packaged in these adorable little bottles is 100% pomegranate juice from happy "Wonderful" pomegranates grown in California.

The lovely people from Pom Wonderful sent me a box containing eight bottles of their pure Pom Wonderful 100% Pomegranate Juice last week. I have to admit my immediate infatuation with the bottles. They are too cute and I have a weakness for cuteness. I would have drank the first one right then if I had been able to get it open without the assistance of my strong husband.

While I waited for him to be able to help me, I read the enclosed information. The brochure listed some of the clinical research on the healthy benefits of Pom Wonderful 100% Pomegranate Juice. I read words such as "cardiovascular health", "prostate health", and "erectile function" and decided to make my husband drink it. I would sacrifice for his health.

I did drink one bottle and he drank the other seven--one bottle of Pom Wonderful 100% Pomegranate Juice each day for a week. Honestly, he didn't immediately love the tartness (I often tease him about his wimpy taste buds) but the taste grew on him and he didn't mind it by the end of the week. I personally enjoyed the taste and would compare it to 100% cranberry juice.

While I believe that it would take more regular and longer consumption to really be able to detect medical changes in his cardiovascular and prostate health, he did claim to have more energy last week and his digestive health seemed improved (we don't really want to discuss that--let's just say any improvement is good). It's also loaded with antioxidants.

Enjoy the healthy benefits of pomegranates the pure way. In Utah, Pom Wonderful 100% Pomegranate Juice can be purchased at Smith's, Harmon's, Albertsons and Wild Oats.

Carry On!

After he coached Neal's final soccer game of the season (we only had eight players and should have forfeited but the other team wanted to play. The score was 0 to 0. Our best game of the season.) my husband and I rushed to attend the funeral of one of the dearest, wisest people I have ever had the privilege of knowing.

I first met Alice Ruth not long after I met and married my husband. She lived in the same canyon as my in-laws. It was her canyon. And you could not spend any time in the canyon without meeting her. She taught Relief Society then and I loved hearing her lessons. I honestly don't remember most Relief Society lessons. I find it hard to sit still that long (I suppose that's why I'm in the nursery). But I remember her lessons. I can't forget them.

She taught me how to pray unceasingly--to pray for my husband and children while I served them by making their dinner and matching their socks. She taught me to have faith in miracles and the power of the Priesthood. She taught me to enjoy and love my children--to forget about the dirty dishes occasionally and pull my little ones onto my lap for a hug and a story. She taught me to take a moment for myself--a little nap--so that I would be ready to serve my children when they needed me. She taught me to proclaim the gospel. She taught me to study my scriptures more diligently.

When my oldest children were very little, my mother-in-law and I would take the kids over to Alice Ruth's house to visit occasionally. She and Neal worked on a jigsaw puzzle while she told us stories of her adventures as the wife of a mission president in Brazil (twice). She told wonderful stories and she always bore her testimony of the gospel of Jesus Christ. You could not doubt that she knew that Jesus Christ was her Savior. She knew it.

Her funeral, yesterday, was amazing. The talks given by her children and friends so perfectly described who she was and what she stood for. But the hymns, more than anything else, seemed a final message from Alice Ruth to those of us left in mortality. The opening hymn was "There is Sunshine in my Soul Today". Her grandchildren (she had many lovely grandchildren) sang "True to the Faith" and the congregation sang "Carry On" for the closing hymn.

Alice Ruth will be missed. Is missed. But she has taught those of us who had a chance to listen to her speak the things that really matter. And now it is up to us to have sunshine in our souls, remain true to the faith, and quite simply, carry on!

The Winner of the "Jump Into Reading" Book

Congratulations! The winner of a copy of the recently published Jump Into Reading is

Tara L.

Tara, send me an email with your mailing address so that you can get your new book. I hope you enjoy it. And thanks for reading Utah Mom's Life Blog.

Cornbelly's at Thanksgiving Point - Out and About in Utah

We decided to spend our afternoon at Cornbelly's at Thanksgiving Point yesterday. We took advantage of some coupons (keep your eyes open for them--the kids usually get some from school) to get in for less. So, we met Mamau and Gramps (my husband's parents) as soon as the kids got out of school. The parking lots were empty. The gate was closed. We were an hour early (just so you know--Cornbelly's opens at 4:00 p.m.).

We had some time to wait so we decided to check out the Art Institute. We knew nothing about the Art Institute but we parked near it and saw a sign announcing that they were doing blowing glass inside. Ever since I visited a glass store in Portsmouth, NH and read a Dick Francis novel about a glass blower (I can't remember which one, they're all rather fun though) I've been fascinated by glass blowing. It is an amazing art. Curiousity got the better of me and we wandered inside.

We spent most of the next hour watching two artisans create fantastic pieces of blown-glass art work. The kids were amazed and so was I. Did you know that you can go to the Art Institute and actually create your own piece of blown-glass art work for $20. I am so there!

We also wandered through the gallery and enjoyed looking at the beautiful folk art of Eric Dowdle. My Amberly was in her heaven. She is an artist, after all. We enjoyed looking at the art outside too.

This was our first experience at Cornbelly's and the kids were immediately drawn in every different direction. We gathered them up like little chicks so that we could avoid spending our afternoon looking for lost children. And then the fun began. Seriously, fun. The kids had giant smiles on their faces the entire time with the brief exception of when we wondered if we would ever find our way out of the giant "Larry H. Miller" corn maze. Oh, and Thomas was scared to tears in the belly of the monster. He wasn't the only one. We heard a lot of crying while we were in there.

There are so many fun things to do at Cornbelly's. Some of us blasted pumpkins and corn. Neal got a direct hit on this old car. We rode on the rides. Played on the slides. Jumped. Ran. Climbed. There were pig races to watch. And all the food smelled delicious (we did our best to avoid the concessions). There was even a Pumpkin Princess, who was sweet and gracious to my little princesses. We had a fabulous time and stayed much longer than we had planned.

Good Bye to Soccer Season

Amberly decided that she wanted to play soccer this year. She enjoyed watching Neal play last year and she thought it looked like fun. We signed her up and she lucked out to be on a team with our favorite coach. She played on a team with many other kids from our neighborhood.

Each Tuesday evening at practice, Amberly was excited to go. She kicked the ball around a little, skipped around the field and joked with her friends. Most of the time she appeared to be on another planet from the other soccer players. I'm very sure she wasn't on the same planet as her coach.

That's my Amberly with the pink soccer socks and the pink skirt (fashion is important even during soccer).

During the games she ran with the other kids and sometimes she even seemed to know where the ball was. She always had a positive attitude. Just before every game she'd tell the coach with honest enthusiasm that she'd score a goal for him.

I actually got one picture of Amberly kicking the ball. If the ball happened to come to her, by some miracle, she did do her best to kick it or at least try to kick it. Her dad offered to pay her a dollar if she kicked the ball ten times in one game. He saved his money.

Amberly's final game of the season was on Thursday night. It was cold--as in 44 degrees cold. She wore layers. Stylish, don't you think.

Amberly's coach really wanted her to get a chance to score a goal, so during the final quarter of the game, he sent her to stand by the goal and wait for the ball to come. If it got close to her she was supposed to kick the ball right in the goal. She obeyed her coach and hurried to her position. In fact, she never left it. Even when the goalie from the other team gave her a shove and she fell flat on her back. She just got back up and stood there some more. I wish I had gotten a picture of that shove. I did get some pictures of some of the other goalie/Amberly interaction.

She did a great job of distracting the goalie, that is for sure.

Can you see her in the back ground of this picture? Does it look like she has any idea where the ball is? Do you think that if the ball had gotten any where near her she would have known it? She is very focused on the goal and that darn goalie.

When the game was finally over and the soccer players hurried over to get their treats and their medals, Amberly was still standing by the other team's goal box. She may have been frozen solid. I called her name for a few minutes before she realized that the game had ended and she joined her team on the sidelines.

Amberly's major contribution to her soccer team this season was the beautiful poster she colored for her coach. She made sure to include each one of her teammates in the picture. What can I say? The girl is an artist. A soccer player, not so much--at least not until next year. Because after the game, I asked her if she wanted to play again next year. I was expecting her to say "no" like she did when I asked if she still wanted to take dance classes (she loved the tutu). She surprised me. She got a big smile and said, "yes! I love soccer."

"Jump Into Reading" Book Give-Away

As a mom I'm always looking for new and creative ways to teach my children to read. And more importantly to teach my children to LOVE to read. The new book Jump Into Reading (written and published locally in Utah) is packed with awesome activities for parents to do with their children of all ages to promote literacy.

If you're a mom or a teacher or a home schooler, you are going to want to get a copy of this book. This could be your lucky day because I have one copy of Jump Into Reading to give away to one reader of Utah Mom's Life Blog.

You can get multiple chances to win by doing the following:

1. Check out the Jump Into Reading website (http://www.readingideasforkids.com/), then leave a comment on this post.

2. Become a follower of Utah Mom's Life Blog.

3. Add the new Utah Mom's Life Blog Button to your blog.

4. Spread the word on your other social media networking sites.

The winner of the copy of Jump Into Reading will be announced on Friday, October 16th.  And  watch for Jump Into Reading to be featured on Good Things Utah next week.

Halloween Block Winner

The winner of the Halloween Blocks from Vinyl Lettering Decor is . . .

Heather

Heather said...



"I love the Vinyl Lettering, and they have cute ideas and some neat phrases. :) (and of course I am a follower. wink wink ;)"

So, Heather, send me an email with your information so we can get the Halloween Blocks to you so that you can display them during the spooky season.

US Talking Puzzle - Fave Educational Toy

For Neal's second birthday we took him to Toys R Us so he could pick his own birthday present. We had wandered through the entire store and the only thing he wanted was a big red ball. We were already in the check-out line when he spotted the United States of America Talking Puzzle. He got so excited and we were excited too--it was an educational toy. And it was a map. Maps have special importance and significance at our house. My husband LOVES maps. There is always an atlas in our bathroom.

However, the box contained the warning: ages 4 and up. Neal was just turning two. There were really small pieces. He was a pretty careful kid and rarely put things in his mouth. And I was a pretty careful mom (possibly a little too attentive to my first child). So, we bought it.

Within a week, Neal could put it together by himself and knew the names and capitals of all the states (he could already talk very well). He referred to it as "The United States of America--Neal's Map". He carried it around to show everyone that came over to visit. They were all so impressed. We were so proud and positive that we had a genius child on our hands.

Amberly was eighteen months old when she pulled out the US Talking Puzzle. She examined all the pieces in her chubby little toddler fingers and put them carefully in their places. Thomas was not quite two years old when he discovered the puzzle. He too could do it right away and learned the names of the states.

The puzzle spends most of its time on a high shelf in the kids' closet (it does have a lot of little pieces). They can't reach it by themselves. Last week Lilly pointed to it and asked me to get it down for her. She asks for it every day. She puts it together over and over and repeats the names of the states as she places each state in it's spot with her stubby fingers while I watch to make sure she or Molly doesn't swallow West Virginia.

And so, either I have four genius children (which I'm inclined to believe) or nearly every toddler could and would master this toy if given the chance (more likely).

179th Semi-annual General Conference

General Conference weekends are typically some of my favorite times of the year. We usually pack up the kids and spend the weekend at my husband's parents' home in Emigration Canyon. We lounge around in our jammies, eat great food, visit with other members of the family who congregate, and of course watch General Conference on the big screen. This year my children had very runny, gross boogers (seriously, they are sick again!) so we decided that we better stay home. We watched conference on the computer in our loft, snuggling under blankets and wondering what happened to fall. My husband did join his dad, brothers and nephews for the Priesthood session and their traditional ice cream party. And he brought home left over stuff to make our traditional Reuben sandwiches. My mouth was happy.

Even though it didn't go exactly as planned, I still enjoyed conference weekend. Elder Holland has long been one of my favorite speakers and I have enjoyed his book Broken Things to Mend which is a compilation of some of his great talks. I think we all agree that he definitely did not disappoint this year. His testimony of the Book of Mormon was awesome and powerful and I'm anxious to watch it again (hopefully by Thursday).

We're all excited for the announcement of five new temples. My kids are already talking about attending the open house for the temple in Brigham City. Sister Dibb is just so cute. Her delivery was just like her father's and I loved it! My children are anxious to start their own jar of warm fuzzies and if it helps them be kinder to each other, I'm all for it. I'm thankful for all the reminders to love more and serve more. I am grateful for the optimistic messages in a troubling time. The musical numbers by the Mormon Tabernacle Choir were beautiful and moving.

Toward the end of the Sunday afternoon session, I start to feel a little like I do the day after Christmas. I'm sad that it's over and I'm already anxious for the April Conference. We are so so blessed to have living prophets and apostles speak to us and deliver God's message. I am grateful, rejuvenated and anxious to work at becoming a better mother, wife and friend.

The Witches at Gardner Village

Honestly, I've never spent a bad day at Gardner Village. It's just such a great place with fun shops and good food. And don't forget the fudge. October is one of my favorite times to visit Gardner Village because the place is simply haunted with witches.

This morning, I had the privilege to meet three very special miniature witches at Gardner Village for a photo session. These little witches were so adorable and their costumes (created by their fabulous mom) are awesome. You can't go wrong with photos at Gardner Village but we were blessed with especially good light today.

Make sure to include a visit to Gardner Village on your calendar this October and check out more of the little witches at Cindi Braby Photography Blog.

Halloween Blocks Give-away

The temperatures are chilly. The air is crisp. The pumpkins are on my front porch. The kids are finally thinking about what they want to be for Halloween. Yes, it's October.

To celebrate, I am giving away these adorable Halloween Word Blocks from

 Vinyl Lettering Decor.

You can enter to win by:

1. Check out Vinyl Lettering Decor. Then come back to Utah Mom's Life Blog and leave a comment about the awesome products at Vinyl Lettering Decor.

2. Become a follower of Utah Mom's Life Blog.

3. Tell your friends about Utah Mom's Life Blog on your blog or Facebook or Twitter or whatever other ways you use to get the word out. Back in the day, we used the phone but then we really didn't have all the awesome give-aways on blogs, either.

The winner will be announced on Friday, October 9, 2009. Good luck. By the way, this give-away is only open to residents in the US/Canada.

The Cereal Box Book Report

Neal took his finished book report to school this morning, one day early, and I breathed a sigh of relief. I should have taken a picture because I doubt I will ever see it in one piece again. His assignment was to create a cereal based on the book he read and then design a cereal box.

This would have been one of those assignments that I would have LOVED as a kid. I adored projects. Say the word project--science project, art project, history project, service project--man, I was all over it. I could even make projects out of simple assignments. Once in seventh grade the teacher assigned the class to make a timeline of our parents' lives (ours had been too short). I went home and spent the afternoon, evening and into the night working on a poster-sized timeline complete with pictures, artwork and big block letters detailing every event in my parents' lives (theirs hadn't been too long either, in fact my mother would have been younger than I am today. Oh, that makes me a little depressed).

The next morning, I handed in my huge project while the other kids handed in their time lines on lined notebook paper. They, of course, received full credit. They had indeed completed the assignment. I received full credit and a strange look from my teacher. He looked at me with that strange look the rest of the year. Hey, my science project on baldness that year took second place at the State Science Fair, but that's a story for another time.

So, fast forward about . . . um, several years and my son is assigned the cereal box book report. He has no problem reading the book or writing a report but anything involving scissors, glue, and markers completely alludes the kid. Add to that my perfectionist nature and excitement about projects and we have some serious issues. Last year I had to just turn my back, walk away and let him complete all the book report art projects on his own. His handwriting seriously pains me. This year I pulled out the construction paper, scissors, glue, markers and colored pencils and told him to get busy.

When I came to check his progress, I took one look at his drawing of a . . . he said it was a bear, and taught him how to look up clipart on the computer. And the computer is something the kid understands. With a little help from Microsoft Word, Neal soon had a completed (a little messy) book report. **Sigh**

Then I remember that the school year has just started and we must endure many more book reports and even some Utah history panoramas. One day at a time. One day at a time.

Cascade Springs and Alpine Loop - Out and About in Utah

I wanted to go for a drive up Alpine Loop and to Cascade Springs all weekend. For one reason or another (soccer games, lunch with grandparents and home teaching) we didn't make it. I knew the leaves were changing and I did not want to miss it so Neal and I concocted a scheme while I dropped off the other car pool kids.

As soon as we got home, Neal ran upstairs to finish his homework while I got shoes on the other kids and convinced my dear husband that we just had to go for a drive (it wasn't hard). Forty five minutes later (a record for us) we were on our way.

The colors are breathtaking (right now! don't wait too long to go). I loved hearing the "oohs" and "aahs" of my children from the back seat of the minivan.

The canyon road and overlooks were crowded with "mature" seniors in sporty convertibles and Lincoln town cars. As we got closer to our destination of Cascade Springs, I explained to the kids that there were mostly older people and that they needed to behave nicely and not run around the trails and board walks (I had horrible visions of them pushing nice old ladies with walkers into the springs). I continued to tell them that we wanted to hear the people say things like, "oh, what a lovely little family" or "what adorable children" and not things like, "I'm so grateful my children are all grown and have moved far, far away."

We got the very best parking space in the crowded lot, right next to the restrooms and the trail head. While my husband and I used the restroom and then took a few minutes strapping Molly into the Snugli, I was pleasantly surprised that the other kids waited patiently and didn't run on ahead.

It was only a few minutes after we started down the trail together that we passed an older couple returning to their car. With a smile, the sweet white-haired lady commented, "what a sweet family." I returned her smile and nodded my "thanks". Neal hurried to my side, beaming. "You were right, Mom," he said. He continued to be absolutely obedient the rest of the afternoon.

There really were a lot of senior citizens there--cute couples holding hands. When Amberly headed up a different trail with stairs where the stroller could not go, I called her to come back with us. She ignored me and continued up the stairs. An older gentleman had been sitting along the trail with his wife. He commented, "just leave her. She'll come back." Later as the kids all headed off the trail, I scolded, "don't get near the water." Another older gentleman, passing, whispered with a smile, "what's wrong with getting near the water? They'll just get wet."

I was grateful for their sweet words that reminded me to let my kids be kids and I was grateful that my kids were sweet kids.

I packed my camera along (of course) even though I hadn't planned on taking portraits. The kids' hair was messy and their clothes were dirty, but I got some good shots of the kids who would hold still. You can see more photos from our adventures at Cascade Springs at Cindi Braby Photography Blog. And look, some actual proof that I accompanied my family on this adventure. My son Neal, a budding photographer, took this picture of Lilly and me (without a shower and make-up and with my silly sun glasses).