Changes

I got a message from the website that provided the so cute background to my blog and it said I must change my settings because things have changed at Shabby Blog.com.  I am usually really easy going when it comes to change - in fact I embrace it - except when it comes to changing my template and settings and backgrounds and .  .  .on my blog. 

Why is this so hard for me?  I don't know how to answer that question.  So I'm sure that the "few" who like to check in on my ramblings you saw the changes that were made.  The page is still a bit goofy but I guess it's not the package it's the content within that you come to visit my world for.  Regardless of the reason I am so happy you do visit - I feel your love.  I love your comments!  It helps me feel connected somewhere!  There may still be some changes made as I adjust some things.  Enjoy your day, enjoy my blog.

As Helen Keller says -

All that we love deeply becomes a part of us!

Yummy!

For Christmas this year my sister Nancy and her family sent Dad, Mom and I to the Irving Berlin play of White Christmas at Pioneer Theatre.  It was such a fun evening and we had a great time!  Well part 2 of this gift was dinner out at Market Street Grill - http://www.gastronomyinc.com/

 Market Street Grill - part of the

Gastronomy Inc. chain of restaurants

So on Saturday we went to Market Street Grill for a late lunch and had such a yummy meal!  Mom ordered Halibut Fish and Chips and Dad and I had broiled Salmon with Market Street Potato's.  And of course they make the best clam chowder in the state!  Fresh and delicious!  Our waiter was Brad and he attended to Dad and Mom's needs superbly!

Fresh Fish Case

On our way out we stood in front of the Fresh Fish Case.  The Ahi Tuna would be the fresh fish I would take home with me if I hadn't just had such a great meal!  And you can take home a quart of fresh Clam Chowder.  Everything in the case looked so yummy!  Right next to that were the delectable desserts, oh my I think we may just need to go back someday!  Thank you Clark family for such a wonderful gift! 

. . . Leaving on a Jet Plane

I have always had a fascination with airplane's.  Once I got my drivers license I loved going out to the airport and sit there and watch as the airplanes would land and take off.  There was this great place and the end of the runway I could park my car and the planes would fly right over the top of the car.  Vaarrrooom!  The rush and speed of the airplane as it passed over the top of me!  I wanted so bad to be in one of those and to go 'somewhere'!

 My very first experience with flying was a trip my Dad asked myself and my sister Ruth to go on.  We were going to go in my Dad's company plane and visit my sister Nancy in Portland for the day.  It was winter time and as luck would have it we had a MAJOR snow storm.  I was a little, ummmm - OK, A LOT scared about flying in this small jet in all this snow!  Needless to say the trip was cancelled that day and we delayed the flight.  But when we finally flew out I was still a little scared.  I had the barf bag clutched tightly in my hand the whole trip there!  (I am still teased about this fact to this day!).

My next experience came a little later when the Credit Union I was working for asked me to fly to Madison Wisconsin.  I was to go there to learn how to build and create the software for our Mortgage department which would enhance our closing documents.  Once again I flew during the coldest month of the year - January, and I was flying to an even colder state.  I had a connecting flight from Chicago O'Hare into this little airport in Madison.  I was there for a whole week alone and a brave girl!  It was such a great opportunity and experience and I decided that flying was incredible and I wanted to do more of it!

 When Southwest Airlines was opening their new hub in Salt Lake City, my daughter Amanda went for an interview and got a job as a trainer in their call center.  One of the perks of her employment was she and her immediate family could fly anywhere Southwest flew, we just had to fly standby.  And we did this all the time.  There were days when we would fly out on the early morning flight, spend a day for example at Sea World in San Diego and then take the 2nd to last flight back home (there was reason to our madness of the 2nd flight - if no room on the flight we could most likely get on the next one as a standby customer to get home).  We flew EVERYWHERE!  I loved it!

This morning on my way into work I traveled along Redwood Road and caught the incoming flight pattern during my commute.  Have you ever noticed during those flight patterns how several airplanes are lined up - one behind the other as they synchronize their landings?  My daughter Amanda and I call this fireflies in the sky.  It is beautiful in the nighttime hours or early morning like today.  And I always wonder where they are coming from or where they are going.  I always say - I wish I was on that flight to "somewhere".  My wishes to fly somewhere are on hold for now but I will get 'back in the saddle' again soon and the sky will be limitless!  I've missed it but will return soon.

Happy Birthday Utah

On January 4, 1896 The State of Utah was admitted

to the Union as the 45th State.

So on Tuesday, 2011 we were 115 years old. 
Happy Birthday! 

The name "Utah is derived from the name of the Ute Indian Tribe and means "people of the mountains" in the Ute language.  Our nickname is the Beehive State and our motto is Industrious or Industry.  Our population as of the 2010 Census is 2,763,885. 

State Quarter 

 State Flag



Utah is home to some pretty amazing State, Federal Parks and recreation area's, such as Arches National Park, Bryce Canyon, Canyonlands, Capitol Reef, Zions National Park, Glen Canyon National recreation area, Goblin Valley, Dinosaur National Monument.  And then we also have "the Greatest Snow on Earth" (this slogan was adopted in the 1980's).  Utah's ski resorts are primarily located in northern Utah , just to name a few - Brighton, Alta, Snowbird, Solitude, The Canyons, Deer Valley and Park City.

I have lived in this state for almost all of my 55 years and I like it!  I love the changing seasons, my favorites being spring and fall.  I triple love the beautiful mountains and the fact that I can be in the valley but within 30 or so minutes I can be driving the winding roads of Millcreek Canyon or Big Cottonwood Canyon.  And let's not forget the Great Salt Lake!  As a young girl we would drive out there and run on the sandy beaches and "float" in the salty water.  Not so much these days, but it is still nice to go out and remember when.  I love the wide streets and the down town area.  I love the beautiful green spaces in the city like Liberty Park and Memory Grove.  I love the drive up Emigration Canyon and breakfast at one of my favorite places - Ruth's Diner.  You look well for your 115 years Utah!

So - HAPPY BIRTHDAY UTAH!