Something I Don't Want to See In Italy!

Wow! That cross is way bigger than the one St. Matthews Church offered me free in a letter I got in the mail last week. Although, they do look almost the same--only my free gift cross was conditional upon me mailing back their little paper prayer rug that they sent me and filling out a form in which I could request money or a new car. Dang! I always miss out on the good gifts! Not only that, if I would have used the prayer rug, I could have been RICH!!!

THREE DAYS LEFT TO ITALY!!! Ok, so I am super stoked for my trip to Italy! I am leaving right after work Wednesday to head to Salt Lake and then I am off for the rainy skies of Italy Thursday morning. (I hope the weather forecast changes before then...) I will tell you all about the adventure when I return on June 5th!

First Sculling of the Season

Tuesday night we went sculling at Benson Marina and it was WONDERFUL! It is so nice to be able to have so much fun after work again. I missed having that extra time--it makes all the difference. The water was a little cold, but the sun was quite warm and the water was pure glass. It was gorgeous. I wish I had taken a camera with me on the boat because there were so many birds. The pelicans were on their usual log with their harem of birds all around them. It was such a lovely evening. I can't wait to go again. Maybe tonight?

The docks at Benson Marina

Benson shore by the boat loading ramp

Missing My Mother on Mother's Day

What can I say about my Mom... well, the first thing that I think about is that she was my best friend. She was so wise and helpful when I needed her and always knew the perfect thing to say. She was also full of fun and entertainment and could put a smile on anyone's face. She had a contageous laugh and a twinkle in her eye and was just a joy to be around. So many times while growing up I remember being stopped by people I didn't even know and having them tell me how lucky I was to have such a wonderful mother and how she had helped them in their life. This was a great legacy for me. I remember how tears of joy poured down her face in church when she sang, "I Believe in Christ" and knowing that she had a testimony of our Savior. I remember her fun stories and her silly songs that she would sing to wake us up in the morning, I remember sorting socks with her, canning, gardening, pic-nics in the canyon, her love of the outdoors, and her love of her family. She was always proud of her parents and where she came from and taught us to be the same. I miss her greatly. It has been 16 years since she passed on and I would do almost anything to be able to talk to her again now and hear her delightful stories and just be in her warm presence. Happy Mother's Day Mom!
Here is a clip from her obituary that I found online:
Eleanor Brough Huff died Tuesday, March 3, 1992, at her home in Brigham City after a long battle with cancer. She was born April 16, 1938, to Benjamin Orlo and Doritt Harvey Brough in Kaysville, Utah. She married Sherrill Owen Huff in the Logan LDS Temple on Nov. 18, 1966.She graduated from Davis High School, where she was editor of the Davis Dart. She received her B.S. and M.S. degrees from BYU. She received a special education degree from Weber State. She taught in various school in Colorado and Utah. She taught at Lynn Elementary in Ogden until Dec. 20, 1991. A talented actress and a gifted director, she always served the community by sharing her talents in dramatic arts. She founded the Richmond Civic Theater Association and directed many of their melodramas for Black and white Days. She was active in the LDS Church, serving in various leadership and teaching positions. She was an assistant director of the Martin Harris Pageant for seven years.

Weekend of Concerts and a Bit of Outdoors

This weekend was so nice because for once, the weather was good. :) I must say that a nice warm day can make all the difference. I started out my Saturday morning up logan canyon for a little hike. I love the Crimson Trail and have hiked it many times, but I always go up the Guinavah side. I like going up that side because it is the steepest and in the shade so not as hot. I say it is always best to get the worst over first. This Saturday, I didn't get to do the entire trail because of the muddy trail and lack of time, but I started up the Spring Hollow side (the official trailhead) because it was warmer. The scenery was beautiful and there were several hikers on the trail. I always forget how beautiful Logan canyon is. I could see across to the wind caves as well. They look so small from the other side. It was a very enjoyable hike.
After hiking, I went home and showered and headed to Brigham City to watch my friend's children in the TaVaci concert. I swear that there are a hundred children in that group and it is a lot of fun. All the songs were adorable and it was a blast watching the kids perform, especially the 4 year olds. :) After that, I headed to Salt Lake with some friends to see some other friend's perform the oratorio Elijah by Felix Mendelssohn. It was amazing! I must say that I enjoyed the choir parts more than the soloists though. All in all, it was a very fun weekend.

Hiking:

Eric and Amy before the TaVaci concert:

Gardner Hall in SLC for the Elijah concert:

Getting Ready for Benson Marina

For many years now, I have spent a good part of my summers at Benson Marina. However, for the past two summers while I was in Salt Lake City, I think I only came up two or three times. I have so many great memories here. We have had many jet skiing parties with the Reeder family, going out in the duck hunting boat under all the canals, canoeing with the ward, trying out my water otter and not doing too well, playing around in my silly inflatable raft, swimming, and the best sculling in the world!

The weather hasn't been too cooperative yet up here in Logan, but as soon as it will stop raining and snowing, I am definitely coming out here to add to my already long list of great experiences. There are so many birds out here too. When I came out yesterday, I saw a heron, two swans, a field filled with pheasants, a little flock of some smallish white bird, tons of ducks out with their young ones, and pelicans. It is so open and pretty and always enjoyable--except during the biting fly season and when you see an occasion dead fish floating in the water or the rare small garden snake swimming beside you.