It Makes You Wonder

Saturday I went to my local Fresh Market to get some canning supplies.  The sign above the aisle read "Beer...  Canning Supplies..."  And sure enough, the aisle had beer on one side and canning jars on the other.  Who hates canning so much that they have to pick up a 12 pack before they make jam?  That's what I want to know.

Weekend Recap

This weekend I had the opportunity to attend President Monson's 85th Birthday Celebration at the Conference Center.  The Mormon Tabernacle Choir and Orchestra performed, as well at three Broadway soloists.  And Steve Young (one of the MC's for the night) sang along with the Choir for the closing song.  Do you think he ever thought he would sing with the Tabernacle Choir?  There were short video clips throughout the night highlighting President Monson's life.  Would you believe he has seen the musical Annie in 11 different languages because he likes it so much?  I found this to be particularly endearing.

Also endearing?  Lauren sharing her drink with Corduroy and giggling every time it was his turn for a sip.  Saturday we went to the Open House for the Brighan City Temple.  It's a beautiful building and it was a very peaceful experience.  We also went to Maddox before our tour (as did most of the intermountain west - CALL AHEAD FOR RESERVATIONS) and enjoyed fried chicken, rolls and the best peach pie ever.

Yes Sir

My boss dropped a list of projects on my desk last night that he needs before he flies to Paris for 10 days later this morning.  Sure.  I'll get right on that.

How would it be?

Life Changing

Several years ago, I remember hearing one of my Mom's good friends refer to Les Miz as life-changing.  I'm going to admit that I've seen the musical and I love it, it's one of my favorites, but I always thought "life-changing" was a bit much.

And then I saw Les Miz at the Shakespeare Festival in Cedar City last weekend.  It was the most incredible production I have seen in my life.  Life-changing is the only way to describe it.  The actors were excellent and the man playing Javier was extraordinary.  I think everyone in the audience was giddy when he walked onto the stage.  You could feel the excitement, "He's going to sing again!!!"  And Javier is not a sympathetic character.  But we couldn't get enough.  It was emotionally gripping and each song was better than the last.  By the end, I had determined how I could improve my most troubling relationships and how I needed to treat people.  Are you getting the picture here?  Life-changing. 

Here in Utah, we give standing ovations for EVERYTHING: a 3 year old's dance recital, a home school play, a preview for the next Twilight movie, everything.  This play, however, deserved to have  the entire audience on its feet by the end of the last song.  We really couldn't jump up fast enough.

I also need to say that I thoroughly enjoyed "The Merry Wives of Windsor," even though I haven't read it.  (My Dad reminded me that some people go through high school and college without reading a single book.  So it was okay that I hadn't read the play before I went to see it performed.)  And I should note that I brought two pairs of shoes on this trip - and Tricia only brought one.  Which is much more representative of our relationship than the strange phenomenon in St. George where I had fewer shoes than my sister. 

All in all, I love the Shakespeare Festival.  It's a tradition I started last year that I hope will continue for years to come.  I invite any and all to come to Cedar City with me to see Les Miz again in the next two months.  Or if that doesn't work for you, I am available next summer as well.

My Grocery List

You know when you go to the grocery store specifically for string cheese?  And walk out with milk, yogurt and cheddar cheese.  But NO string cheese.  It's so irritating.  Why do I even make a grocery list if I'm unable to follow it?

Am I A Bad Person?

I'm going to see "The Merry Wives of Windsor" this weekend at the Shakespeare Festival.  I haven't read the play.  The English major in me is having a hard time with this - but not enough of a hard time that I've been able to force myself to read the play from the Norton Shakespeare Anthology that has been sitting patiently on my kitchen table for weeks now.  That big red book reminds me of college and the pain and anguish of Dr. Jensen's Shakespeare class. 

Am I a bad person if I don't read the play before I go to see it performed?  I should know the characters, the intricacies of the language, the societal norms of the time and how Shakespeare was cheekily critiquing them with his words.  And I don't.  I feel like I'm going to hell  I mean...  H-E-Double-Hockey-Sticks. 

I am a bad person.  DANG IT.

Cutest Chunk Ever

I know I am an annoying aunt.  Whatever.  But if you don't want to pick this little chunk up and give her a squeeze, there is something really wrong with you.  I'm just saying.