This edition begins on the last day of January and carries through until March 3, 2024.

January 30, 2024 - 60 degrees...  Our neighbour sent this picture titled:

"The Calm Before The Storm"

Somehow, I believe it.  It seems one day we have beautiful weather, and then Mother Nature realizes what she's done and drastically changes the situation.  But, it sure is beautiful today.

There's a winter storm warning for Thursday through Saturday...  just sayin'...

Well, this is the result of the snowstorm on  Thursday... My neighbour says it's really windy, and they got a couple of inches of snow, but they aren't snowed in by any means... Kinda the look you want for Christmas Eve...

We found handles for the loft doors, this past weekend.  They haven't been powder coated yet, but, we bought these and the railings that go to the top of the door.  The door is unfinished wood, so this is going to look fantastic.

                  I don't know if this is going to work, but I downloaded the snow falling off the roof from our door camera, onto this blog... Might work...might not work... I'm trying something different, however!

                                                                                                                                                                                                           

Jim and I went to the Snow and Ice festival in Provo over the weekend.. There wasn't a whole lot of snow and ice, but there were a couple of ice sculptures.  This is one we really liked... so, we had to recreate a previous picture...

And, here's the recreation!!!

 

Here's the original... And, yes... he did propose, again, when we were at the top of the tower... sigh..

Another Valentine's Day has come and gone - and on this day, which I always call, "Cheri loves Jim Day", my sweetheart opened his lunchbox and this is what he found.  He was a little surprised, but pleasantly.  Seriously, how can anyone not be excited when you find chocolate covered strawberries.  I just told him, that somebody loves him...

I got these pictures from our neighbour this morning...  It's snowed, and is still snowing at the cabin...

Our neighbour said that her husband had plowed the road three times today, and needed additional help...  and advised anybody who wanted to come to the mountain this weekend, perhaps should reconsider.  They've pulled out a couple of cars that got stuck - and I don't want to be one of them.

You can see the progression of the snow...  I am so glad I am in Provo - not as pretty, but much less snow!

I was watching a program on Netflix - The making of the song, "We are the World".  It's really an interesting show...There were a few things that impressed me.  First, the music and lyrics were already written and sent to the performers before they showed up.  The process started at 10:00 pm after the American Music Awards concluded and ended at 8:00 am the next morning. Second, before any of the performers showed up,  Quincy Jones put a note on the door that simply read:  Leave your ego at the door.  And, finally, in an interview with Lionel Ritchie just recently, he talked about a conversation he had with his father.   When production was finished, his father said when referring to the experience, "You can never go home... the house might still be there, but it's the people in it that will be gone".  He was talking about the performers today, who are no longer with us.  Ritchie was in the recording room during this interview, and said things like, Billy Joel stood there, and Diana Ross stood there, and Bruce Springsteen stood there and Michael Jackson stood there... The room is still intact at A&M Records, but some of the voices are gone.  With that, remember, you can never go home. I can walk the property where my childhood home is/was, but it's the people who made it a home, are gone... Thought

provoking.

Well, the hockey season has ended, and the kids spent two days at the state tournament.  As you can see, they're all pretty stoked! I am so glad they have found something that they enjoy and are making memories and friends.

I must admit, this bunch is pretty cute... and a little crazy.

Ben has decided that he wants to be a goalie... Oh my...  But, he seems to do well and is enjoying the position.  I told Brad and Melody that this summer, they should put him in ballet lessons to help with his flexibility.  I'm sure he'd love it!

On the first day of state finals, Brad sent me a link to the game, and this is how I spent a little time, while at work...  Giggle.

It was so fun watching Brea play, and just as fun to every once in a while, see pictures of my Brad...  Brea's games are live online, and I find myself looking for Brea on the ice, and Brad and the family in the stands... Brad is the dad standing in front of the glass in the green hoodie and blue toque... Makes me smile.  

I was telling Brea that I watched her games... on Saturday, it was just on my phone - which is a little small and difficult to see sometimes... BUT, as I walked around Lowe's and Wal-Mart and the grocery store, and the fish store, EVERYBODY shared seeing Brea skate...  I was so proud of her and I really don't care if anybody else minded... they all got to know what a proud grandma I am..

I found some frogs for my grotto at the cabin.  This is a big bullfrog... I showed it to Jim and he just had the "look", so I know it's gonna be amazing.  I asked Jim how big he thought the bullfrog was, and he just said "enormous"....  I think it's about 2' x 2'... He's a big boy...  When we left the house on Saturday, this is what he looked like.....

And, when we returned, this is what he looked like... wearing his "snow coat".  

And, I found a smaller frog also..  This one is considerably smaller... less than half the size of the bullfrog... But, this frog is made to put tea lights in the body...  Makes me smile.

On Saturday, we found this light fixture that is going to go into the loft bathroom... A couple of years ago, Jim installed a light in the loft bath, and I don't really like it, but, I couldn't find anything that I really liked to go into that area.  Saturday, I came across this piece, and I think it will be perfect! It's a little different, but I think it will look spectacular.

We are planning on insulating the cabin this summer - so, every payday, whoever gets paid goes to Home Depot and buys a roll a insulation.  We've got a storage issue, so we have to be really careful what to buy and where to store it.  This was the best way we knew how to get what we need by the time we make it back down, and to stay within budget.  But, while I was there a couple of weeks ago, I saw this mat for the front door.  Made me smile.  I showed it to Jim and told him when he sees it, he will know exactly WHY I had to buy it... No question... he knew and didn't try to dissuade me on this one!

And, I bought some digital doorknobs for the cabin.  I don't know exactly how well they are going to work, but we are going to try them.  I'll let you know at a later date!

 And, I'm moving offices at work from one side of the building to the other, and cleaning out my office after 13 years has been an interesting experience.  I'm finding things that I haven't seen in a long time, AND finding things I flat don't remember and why they are in my office is a mystery to me... But, here's a couple of things...  

This is a piece of rock for our grotto outside.  It's a dyed quartz geode - and I love the purple colour.

And, this one is a natural coloured geode... It's super pretty also.

And, lastly, a piece of labradorite.  I know I must have purchased it because of the blue colour... but, that's about all I got.  

And, last, but not least, a chicken soup tureen....  I showed it to Jim and his line was..."Another chicken?"  I also found several pieces of the rock that is on the hearth, and a Boeing 787 cookie jar... But, the cookie jar is not going to the cabin, so I didn't take a picture.  Cleaning out the office has been like Christmas all over again.

Our neighbour told us that it's super windy today - not a whole lot of snow as predicted... Just super windy.  Here in Provo, we had snowstorms on Saturday, and a little more has just started... but, it is also super windy...  grumble, grumble, grumble... I hate winter...

On that note, this edition is ending...  the adventure continues... This edition has taken a little longer than usual - there isn't much going on, except snow, so I combined a couple of days/weeks/months into one edition.  As summer approaches, I'm sure things will change.  Thanks for reading.

Love, Jim and Cheri

"In the stillness of the quiet, if we listen, we can hear the whisper of the heart giving strength to weakness, courage to fear and hope to despair."

Me and Manzanita - First blog entry of the year!!!

 Happy first blog entry of the year!!!!

Well, welcome to the 2024 Manzanita blog!  Another year of adventure begins!

With all the severe weather warning we have been getting for Utah, this is about as far as the snow has made it this year.  Northern Utah has been hit pretty hard, but our little piece of heaven at Bryce has only got a spattering.  Last year at this time it was horrendous... but, this year, I shouldn't complain, but, Mother Nature is doing us a solid.

Well, I guess I spoke too soon... We got 6 - 8 inches last night... I think from now on, I'm not going to jinx the situation and just keep my mouth shut.

Jim and I were talking about going down to the cabin and working in our CONEX - trying to get it emptied out... We figured if there wasn't too much snow, it would be a decent project.... but, then...

This nightmare happened...  I can appreciate that some people love the snow... I personally hate it.

Well, here's the hockey jersey I sent to Ben.  He wore it to practice a week ago, and told his mother that he has a Toronto Maple Leaf's jersey, so he might as well play for the Leaf's hockey team when he grows up...  Made me laugh..  He's a solid little player and loves it.

We aren't doing any work on the cabin at this time of the year, but every once in a while we find something that we are going to need.  I don't know what these are called, but they are the rollers that fit on the top of doors or wood pieces... We have a couple of pieces of raw wood that are going to be suspended on these rollers in the loft.  Jim and I can't quite remember what kind of wood the pieces are, but I somehow think it is burl..  It's really pretty.  We bought four of these rollers.

I am one step closer to getting the issue with my passport looked after.  I went to Immigration and Naturalization last week, and even though it's going to take another year to get everything looked after, I feel a little better about the timeline.  I won't have the actual card forever, BUT, I did get a stamp put in my passport that allows me to travel... I've only waited over a year now...

Jim and I were at our attorney's office on Friday, and as we were leaving, I noticed a rock shop.. just had to stop in.  They had some beautiful rocks and I just had to purchase a couple of them for the grotto... This is Selenite. .Kind of interesting looking and I think it will shine beautifully in the sunlight.

And, this is Sodalite.  It's used mainly for jewelry, I am told, but the blue colour really caught my eye.  Again, more pieces for my grotto.

Ben played in the Polar Bear Classic this past weekend and we watched him score a goal! We are so proud.  You can tell he is working hard - showing off the rosy cheeks and the sweaty hair!  I talked with Brea and Ben on the phone, this past Sunday for just about an hour.  I told Brad afterwards, that we talked about everything from hockey to school to Santa Claus...  It was lovely.

We found these end balusters this past weekend.  They are going to go on the stairs going up to the loft.  We had some pieces that didn't quite fit the bill - they would need a whole lot of modifications.   These will work a whole lot better so I am excited.  One step closer.

With all the snow, I am counting down the days until the cold and the snow and the sleet go away.  I'm looking forward to spring and especially summer... 

And, this is a first for our Brea.  She had a couple of hockey games over the weekend, and she got her first ever 2 minute penalty... for tripping.... but, she said it was an accident...  I like her thought process and attitude!  Brad said it was a really physical game, and the whole team pushed it to the limits...Made me laugh, and made me proud.  Giggle. You go, GIRL!!!

Jim had to have some bloodwork for an upcoming doctors appointment on Saturday, and as we went into the phlebotomy department at Utah Valley Hospital, a little boy, about 3 or 4 started a conversation with me.  It went as follows:

Little Boy: Hi, what are you doing here?

Cheri: I came to get some lunch

Little Boy:  I like lunch

Cheri:  What are we having for lunch?

Little Boy: Sandwiches

Cheri: Oh good, I like peanut butter

Little Boy:  I like peanut butter too!

Cheri:  I like grape jelly also.

Little Boy:  Me too!

Cheri pointing to Jim:  He likes strawberry jam with his peanut butter sandwiches

Little Boy: I like strawberry jam...

At this point, the little boy's mother got called to see the tech, and as she was leaving, she said to me that she appreciated me talking to her son.  She said that little kids talk to everybody, and most of the people just ignore him. I told her it was a grandma thing. But, it was nice that we had a little crazy conversation - in a hospital waiting room!  So, just remember, little kids want to be noticed and they are exploring a whole big world.... so, give them a little time.

And, we are patiently... no,  not really patiently waiting for spring... sigh... I really hate the cold and snow.

In saying all this, the adventure continues....

Love, Jim and Cheri

"The greatest step towards a life of simplicity is to learn to let go"

And, 2023 has come to a close....

 Another year has ended, and the hopes and aspirations for the new year have begun.  This year, Jim and I decided to bring in the New Year at the movies and we chose, "The Boys in the Boat"... We loved it.  Very uplifting, very inspirational and if you know a little about history, you already know the ending, but, we enjoyed it nonetheless.  We got out of the show right at midnight, so our traditional kiss, was not at the Kissing Place in Provo, but in front of the movie theater. So, happy New Year to you all.

We really try to stay off the streets of Provo at New Year's...  There were lots and lots of police on the streets, but didn't see any crashes which is good.. Growing up in Toronto gives me a whole different perspective of New Year's - Provo is VERY different - but, I think I still have memories of mum and dad telling me to be VERY careful driving... probably due to a combination of celebrating Torontonians and snow... Giggle.

We haven't been at the cabin in a couple of months.  I have been seeing pictures from the neighbours, but, we have avoided the journey.  We don't have the furnace in, (actually we have the furnace in, we don't have the duct work in...) so the inside of the cabin usually is somewhere in the mid 20's, even though it is warmer outside... and that's just too cold for this cowgirl..

There's still a lot to do, but almost impossible with the cold.

But, I did find something interesting for the cabin - I am not sure what this piece was originally used for, but I am going to put walking sticks in it, and store it by the front door.  It almost looks like it could be used to shovel ash out of a fireplace, but, I seriously don't have a clue.  I thought it was interesting.

And, my son Brad, had his first hockey pick up game this past week.  I bought him a Wayne Gretzsky jersey and a Mike Eruzione jersey for Christmas, and I was pleased he wore the USA jersey for his first game.  So proud of him... He was telling me he was super sore the next day - which is expected.  But, he stuck with it and is an amazing example to everyone.  Proud of you Brad!  I sent Ben a Davey Keon jersey (my all time favourite player of the Toronto Maple Leafs)... He politely said thank you, but said he wanted a Gordie Howe jersey because Gordie Howe had the same number that he wears... Oh my... Where did I go wrong?  After I picked my teeth up off the floor, I told him I would look for a Gordie Howe Red Wings jersey...  Did I actually say that?  I must be getting old or something...  I'll go with the something...

I still like the Keon jersey over the Howe jersey... I guess Ben and I are just going to have to disagree on this one...

Ben... really?

Here's my boy... I still think of Bradley as being only 3 years old... He plays pretty decent hockey for a 3 year old.   Giggle.

Over  Christmas we were in Los Angeles visiting friends... Our friend had these old 7Up cases.  I absolutely love them.  I am not sure what my style of decorating could be called exactly.... I know what I like and a lot of my conversations with Jim go: "Cheri,  where are you going to put that.?" .."Jim, I don't have a clue, but I really like it."  Same with these crates.  I didn't know where to put them, but 2 of the 5 already have a home.  The other three, the gentlemen asked if I could sell them for him.  So, if this is your jam, let me know, and I'll hook you up.  I used two of them stacked on top of each other as an end table with a lamp on top...  It looks great!

Jim and I are making plans for 2024, and it's exciting... He is excited about insulation and I am excited about duct work... I personally think the duct work is more exciting than insulation, but different strokes, I guess.  So much was accomplished this past year.... Jim is an amazing carpenter... I would say I am an amazing project manager, but I think Jim would define me more as just a pushy/demanding project manager... C'est la vie.

Well, the 2023 Manzanita blog will go to print this next week... One more year of blogs is literally in the history books.  Thanks for everyone's love and support.  It's been a difficult year for us, lots of laughter and lots of tears, but we are managing.

With that, the adventure continues...  I thank Jim for taking me on this incredible journey with him.  I can't think of anyone else I would ever consider travelling this road with.

Love, Jim and Cheri