POTD Thirty-One

So here I am... the last day of my potd for December. I've enjoyed this journey so much. It has been fun to make this trip, with a few unexpected detours to the past.



I end up my month and year with the last of my wonderful family. This is DS, Spencer and DGS Riley.

Happy New Year to all of you... {Hugs}

POTD Thirty

I had to get creative with this photo of our son Erik, his lovely wife Megan and children, Brandon, Melissa, Bryan and Braden. I added a colored pencil filter to try to minimize the pixels. They live in the Houston area... again, too far away.

Sharing...

We have almost no photos of our parents together. The few we do have are blurry, over-exposed, or both!

So when I wanted to do yesterday's post about them I decided that it was time to take matters into my own [photoshop]hands! I took two photos that they'd taken of each other in about 1940 in some field with an unidentified house in the background. I extracted Momma from her background and added her to Daddy's photo, a few magic blending tricks, some cool texture (thank you Cindy) and now I have a lovely heritage photo of my folks together... where they belong!!

I made a 12 x 12 scrapbook page for my lesson (visual aid, you know). When I got home from church I put it up on my workroom wall. But then I got to thinking... I would really like that for my wallpaper on my laptop. So I created this digital version that fits a wide screen.



Then I thought... I'll bet that more of the family might like it as well. So if you want this, right-click, save image as, after saving, double click, right-click and set as wallpaper.

Love you all... enjoy.

POTD Twenty-Nine

Oh, my, I am getting down to the last few days of the month! Today is our daughter, Kristi and her sweet family, husband Jim, and children, Makenzie, Preston and Madison. They are all the way in West Virginia (insert groans here!) Love this happy Christmas photo of them.

POTD Twenty-Eight

Today's potd represents a very tender subject to me. I share a personal story with those who may not know me out here in cyberspace.

A friend asked me if I would teach her Relief Society (the womens' organization in our church, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints) lesson today. This week's lesson was Jeffrey R Holland's General Conference address The Ministry of Angels. When I watched conference back in October I was very touched by this address. It spoke to my heart for very specific reasons and I appreciated hearing an Apostle of the Lord, Jesus Christ bear testimony of a principle that I, just-Joanie, know so well.

Elsie and Jake circa 1940

After the death of my two children, Tony and Amanda in August 1981, I received two separate Priesthood blessings from two different men in which I was told that I would have "guardian angels to buoy me up and strengthen me". There were times in those first days of grief that I would feel myself sinking into that pit of grief and despair and then I would literally feel someone pick me up under the armpits and pull me out again.

Fast forward to August 1995 and a family reunion that lead to many sacred spiritual experiences with our deceased parents. My oldest sister, Ann, wrote me a letter in September and asked, "We all know what Mom feels like, but what does Daddy feel like?"

I sat at my dining room table with the sun shining in on my back to write my reply. I wrote, "Daddy is soft, but hard, and smells like Doublemint Gum!" The spirit washed over me and testified to me that my Daddy (and Momma) ARE those guardian angels that were sent to buoy me up and strengthened me. What would make more sense? What would be more perfect than that my loving Heavenly Father would send these two people, who loved and cared so much for me in mortality, to be my guardian angels?

I join my testimony with Elder Holland's, "I testify of angels, both the heavenly and the mortal kind. In doing so I am testifying that God never leaves us alone, never leaves us unaided in the challenges that we face."

POTD Christmas Day

So, do you know how busy you get at Christmas? Yeah, me too! So today I get to play a little catch-up with some of my favorite Christmas day photos.



Stuart and his furry little pal, Simba. What a funny pair! This cat will let Stuart do almost anything to him... including sharing his sweatshirt.



Our little grandchildren LOVE FRUIT so when I was doing my grocery shopping down at Ream's I picked up a whole bunch (bwa-ha-ha) of their luscious fruit. My aren't we lucky to live in such a wonderful, bounteous land?



And speaking of said fruit-bat children, here they are. It is so nice to have them close. I wish all of the grand-kids were!



Lastly, Merry Christmas and a Happy and Prosperous New Year from our family.

POTD Twenty-Seven

These funny girls are back!! I looked out the window and what did I see? Four little deer traipsing across my yard. By the time I got my camera they'd run down the street (thanks, snowball-Stuart) but I got them anyway. I enjoy looking at the snow every morning to see what the girls have been up to.



They don't see to be too intimidated by us moving into their neighborhood. We've had them literally on the front porch!

Last year their favorite treat was to eat my ivy right up by the front porch... and you know what they left me in return? Reindeer candy just like Granddad Wayne's little poo-ing reindeer. When the snow finally melted last March we had a trail of deer poo across the corner of our yard.

Funny girls... welcome back!

POTD Twenty-Six

Bah... I missed getting my post up yesterday... but this is POTD 26 nonetheless!



Camille has been home for the Christmas holidays and it has been so fun to watch Camille and Stuart interact. They are so cute together. As they worked on the puzzle (this is the second on this week) I heard things such as: Shock-A-Booey, Your face looks like a puzzle piece, and other quippy lines that they love to say to each other.

Santa got this puzzle and when it got home [s]he realized that just looking at the pictures, not titles, it was of Lassen Volcanic National Park. Happy choice.

POTD Twenty-Five

Earlier today I was blog reading and was asked the question; what am I thankful for? I wanted to include my response here.

Oh, Kimi, so many things to be thankful for! First, I'm thankful for my faith in Jesus Christ, without that I would not be here. Second, family, how blessed I am to have all of them. Third, I live in this wonderful free country where I am free to choose so many things. Fourth, the relative affluence of my life. We aren't rich by a long shot, but I have a warm home, quiet neighborhood, good friends, plenty to eat, a reliable car, suitable clothing to brave the elements. And, lastly, today I am thankful for a beautiful white Christmas, with a roast in the oven and family coming for dinner. I am truly blessed.

Credits for this inage- MCO_TypewriterKeysAlpha_Blank, FONTS- iNKed God, VTPortableRemington, PHOTO-http://www.sodahead.com/question/204393/the-nativity-scene-fair-or-unfair/

POTD Twenty-Four

For over 25 years I've made cinnamon rolls on the morning of Christmas Eve. Some years I've made a double batch and taken them to friends, sometimes it's just for family. Now my Camille-y is 23 and we make them together. Gordon walked into the kitchen this morning and commented on how nice it was that we were doing this together.



We have carried on the Christmas Eve tradition of making taquitos from scratch. This tradition goes back to having Christmas Eve at Auntie P's. One year she was pressed for time and needed help so I sent Camille down and that became their happy tradition.

Our first Christmas in Utah (4 years ago- and may I add the first time in 19 years that we WEREN'T with Auntie P) I went to Albertson's in Orem to buy the meat and tortillas. I called P and started crying; when I couldn't find the meat I found a clerk and bawling asked him for help finding the canned meat!! Poor guy! He didn't know not being able to find canned meat was such an emotional subject!

I love these wonderful traditions that add depth to our celebrations.

POTD Twenty-Three

Camille is home for Christmas. It is so nice to have her laugh in the house again! Her laugh is happiness... I wish I could bottle it!

POTD Twenty-Two

I've been trying to get the Flynn Fam Featured here for their Foto(har, har) ... but I've had some technical difficulties. But I got them worked out and so here they are in living color.

I love the little stair-steps of the redheads in back and the brunettes in front. I knew this had to be entitled Christmas Red.



Bek told me when she sent me these photos that Grandma (who was taking the pictures) told the boys to make a funny face to try to get some real smiles... I just loved this one of Caden being totally goofy. Poor Bek... the only Flyncess with all those boys!

POTD Twenty-One

POTD Twenty

Wow... day 20! I can't believe it! I am enjoying this project so much.

You would think that long before now (my 4th winter in Utah) I would have bought some good snow boots, but alas, I hadn't... UNTIL YESTERDAY!

I wanted to do a little Christmas shopping and had a limited amount of time. I thought, "Where can I go that will be one-stop shopping?" And then it hit me... the BYU bookstore! Yea! The first thing I saw when I walked in the door were these boots (and you may not believe this); they were calling my name! Better yet, they had my size. I asked the very helpful salesgirl to hold them along with some other secret presents while I went further into the store do the rest of my shopping.

When I left the Wilkinson Center I was taken by surprise by a blizzard (well, maybe not that bad, but it makes for a good story). I'd only been inside a scant hour and there was already a couple of inches on the ground and more coming down... Now where did that come from?

I drove the short distance to the Provo Temple to work as a substitute for the evening and ran inside in the same shoes I'd left the house in. When I came outside it'd stopped snowing but there was about 6 inches on the ground and all over my car. Now I ask you... what should I do? Yup, I pulled my boots out of the trunk and put them on. They were so nice and warm and fuzzy and tall... THAT I DID A HAPPY-BOOT DANCE RIGHT THERE IN THE PARKING LOT! singing- Happy Boots, happy boots! (Do you suppose anyone was watching?)



Here's the rest of the story... no boots...yea... and no ice scrapper either! So there I am... happy-boot-dancing and scrapping 1/2" of ice off with windows, headlights and tail lights my insurance card!

POTD Nineteen

One of my distinct December memories from my childhood was my sweet Momma being sad and crying a few days before Christmas. She would tell me that she missed her mother who’d died just before Christmas many years ago. But children don’t seem to comprehend that their parents once were children and what a blow this had to be for my own mother.

Elsie Marie & baby Elsie Louise summer 1913

Sadly, my granddad’s world came crashing down around his ears when his sweetheart wife, Elsie Marie Ernestine Pump, died and left him with 3 children; my mom, Elsie, 14, Jack, 8 and baby Fred, only 3 months old. From family photos and what I remember my mom telling me my mom was sent to a Catholic Boarding School (Presentation Convent graduating in May 1930) and Jack and Fred went to the IOOF Orphans' Home Gilroy CA (I have a photo dated May 1928 taken there) and eventually ended up with Mrs. Tennant in foster care (where I’ve found them listed on a census as boarders).

Bill and El circa 1910

After graduation young Elsie, just 17, came home and raised her brothers.

Undated photo of Elsie Marie Ernestine Pump probably 1910

That is all I know about this Gra’ma I never met. But as I get older I feel more and more longing to know her and the woman that she was. I can’t help but think of the Primary hymn (again, with the Primary songs! LOL) The Hearts of the Children… another one that speaks to my heart.

The hearts of the children turn to their fathers.
Malachi prophesied the hearts shall turn.
Elijah fulfilled the prophecy.
And fam’lies can be sealed for eternity.

An interesting aside: I don’t remember specific lessons or teachers but I have hundreds of primary song that fill my mind. I suppose that tells plainly why they effect me.

POTD Eighteen

Today I get to feature my other local family... Kevin and his family, Suzi and baby Ethan. Since Kevin served his mission in France I thought it was fitting that the photo captions should be Joyeux Noel.

POTD Seventeen

I am really enjoying my POTD project. I've asked all of the kids to get me a family photo of their little families. (Sadly, the chances of ever getting them all together in one place at the same time is slim.) I'm excited to have these family photos in my keepsake POTD Album.



This is our son Doug, Jessica, Ashton, Christian and Roxie. It is so nice to have them close by.

POTD Sixteen

We woke up to fresh snow again this morning. I wanted a little snow maiden, so here is my mini-version.

Miss Joanie goes to 1st grade

Today I got to help Miss Camille in her classroom. I haven't been a classroom helper with her before so this was fun.

Several weeks ago Grannie Annie and Granddad went to Miss Sarah's class to help with an ornament project. (It is so fun that these cousins are both educators!) I thought it looked like such a good idea that I showed Camille; she thought it was darling and just the ticket for her 1st graders to take home as a Christmas gift.

You start by painting the child's hand with white paint. Some of them giggled; they thought it tickled.















Then you put the glass ball in their and and have them slowly close their fingers. Most of them we needed to press their fingers so we would get a good print. I was surprised with how fast it went. We got all the hand painting done before lunch.














By the time they'd finished with lunchtime the ornaments were dry and they were ready to add the snowman parts. Miss Camille thought it would be easiest to use permanent ink markers and she was right... it went like a charm. With just a little instruction we ended up with some very handsome snowmen.


















So here is one of her random little 1st graders (no names, please) feeling quite proud of her creation. What a fun day.

Kiva- Part Trois

As promised, oh so long ago, I finally have photos of Camille's kivas in her classroom with her little first graders. They seem to be very useful and the kids all get a good view of what is being taught.




















Notice that they have their folders on the bookshelves behind.

POTD Fifteen

In 1990 my dh bought me this southwest nativity. Since our home was decorated southwest it stayed out all year long. When we moved to Utah 4 years ago (amazing, huh?) and we changed our decorations it just stayed packed away except at Christmas time. This year when I got it out I realized how much I've missed this sweet little nativity and I am very likely to leave it out this year. (Along with the Christmas quilt that stayed up all of 2008!!)



This little nativity always make me think of the wonderful Primary Hymn Samuel Tells of Baby Jesus by Mabel Jones Gabbott. I love the Hosanna chorus... it just speaks to my heart!

Said Samuel, “Within five years A night will be as day.
And baby Jesus will be born in a land far, far away.”
Hosanna, hosanna, O let us gladly sing.
How blessed that our Lord was born.
Let earth receive her King.

Across the sea in Bethlehem,
Lord Jesus came to earth
As Samuel had prophesied,
And angels sang his birth.
Hosanna, hosanna, O let us gladly sing.
How blessed that our Lord was born.

POTD Fourteen

For years we had the tradition of getting new festive socks for the holidays. This pair of snowman socks was one of my favorites.

POTD Thirteen

POTD Twelve

Detail of my Heartwood Nativity.

POTD Eleven

Tonight Gordon and I were running errands; just as we were leaving Costco there was the full moon peeking over the top of Cascade! It was a beautiful sight! One slight problem... all I had was my Razor camera phone (yeah, potd? what am I thinking going out of the house without my camera??) I zoomed in so I could miss the street light and compromised my picture quality, so I had to get artistic when I got home. I worked some PhotoShop magic adding an Orton Effect, a High Pass Sharpening Action and a good old watercolor filter. The results aren't to shabby considering what I started with!

POTD Ten

I am so grateful for so many witnesses of the divinity of our Savior.



Samuel's prophecies recorded in the Book of Mormon proclaim the signs of the birth of our Savior, Jesus Christ.

Behold, I give unto you a sign; for five years more cometh, and behold, then cometh the Son of God to redeem all those who shall believe on his name.
And behold, there shall a new star arise, such an one as ye never have beheld (Helaman 14:2,5)

POTD Nine

I love this glorious season when we celebrate the birth of our Savior. Years ago I heard this quote, "Wise Men seek him still."



I love my collection of Nativities. This is one made by Willow Tree.

POTD Eight

Close to 50 years ago (now that is truly frightening!!) my Daddy granted my every-little-girl's-wish and got me a horse.

The most wonderful thing about this particular horse is that he didn't require any special care to remain my healthy friend!



If this faithful friend ever had a name I don't remember it. What I do remember was how excited I was to see him. He was sleek, smooth and tan. He had shining silver eyes (made from chair leg protectors) and the coolest bridle (made with two eye hooks and a piece of rope). His sturdy body was an old piece of telephone pole and his long slender legs and beautifully shaped head were made of 2 x 4 scraps. I rode him for many a miles, never leaving the comfortable shade of our back porch.

When a few more years passed and I got a real-live-breathing-eating-has-to-be-taken-care-of-horse my first friend was not forgotten. In fact he wore the saddle and bridle far more than Blue, and later, KC ever did.

He's traveled with me in all of the years since he first became my friend and for the last 10 of those years he has waited patiently outside my front door to welcome all of my visitors.

Do you suppose that Daddy knew how much companionship this wooden horse would bring his little Joanie?

Amanda on my wooden horse. Taken Sept 1977 in Baker City, OR

POTD Seven

I love singing the songs that proclaim the Savior's birth. I hope that I was one of those herald angels so many years ago.

POTD Six

POTD Five

Years ago, when our children were small, we instituted the tradition of Chris Mouse. Chris Mouse is one of Santa's helpers. He arrives on December 1st and he hangs around until Christmas Eve when he makes a report to Santa on who's been naughty and nice.

The kids loved it. Every day it was a contest to see who could find Chris' new hiding spot (which was always up high since- he bites!)

As the kids got older they joined in the fun and the first person to find Chris was the one who got to hide him for the next day (or next hour). It again became a contest; this time to see who could find the best hiding spot so no one else could find him (he'd learned manners by then and had stopped biting.)



Last January year when it came time to pack up the Christmas decorations Chris begged me to stay out all year long. So for the last 11 months Chris Mouse has been keeping watch from the high shelf in the dining room... still waiting to make one more report to Santa.

POTD Four and a half

When I was out taking photos of Beatrix's lights I saw the sun coming through the trees and the light just called to me...

POTD Four

Nine years ago just after I'd gotten my little Beetle-car (whose name happens to be Beatrix) I was at a New Year's soccer tournament in Simi Valley, CA with Stuart. There was a lady there who had these wonderful vinyl Christmas lights on the back of her Suburban. I HAD to have some!! I contacted the person who made them and ordered two sets; one for me and one for Bek. By the time Christmas 2001 rolled around this person was no longer in business and I couldn't get lights (*sniff*sob*).

Since moving to Utah, where everybody and their brother has a vinyl cutting machine I've tried to get someone to make these lights for me, but (*sniff*) I couldn't get them.

So this year I took matters into my own hands and went to Robert's Crafts, purchased some window vinyl, got out my scissors (I don't need no stinking cutting machine) and made my own lights (said the Little Red Hen!!).



I'm happy enough with the results and have enough material left to make similar lights for 3 more years! Who knows, maybe by next year I will find more colors!

POTD Three

This is my Temple day and this just seemed like the perfect photo of the day.

POTD Two

This is my funny little granddaughter, Roxie... she thinks she's been raised by wolves! What a character!

My New Look

After a day and a half of working on the computer with blogger codes and one phone call to my darling niece, Cindy, I have been able to rework my blog design. Yay!

Now that it is done I will say that it isn't too difficult once you know what code to change and how to get there and what to put there!!!

Stay tuned for a post later today with my POTD... you won't be disappointed!

POTD One

I received a challenge to take a photo a day (hence POTD) for the month of December. I thought I would like to take this challenge. I've seen it done elsewhere and I love the photo journal that it creates. I am excited about this challenge.



Raindrops on my Japanese Maple. I love the effect! You can see the neighbor's house reflected, upside down, in the drop. What a beautiful sight. (BTW I am using a point-and-shot Panasonic DMC-FS12 7MP)