Winning

Had to share Brandi's post on Facebook about Halle and Bingham High's High School win:



This past weekend we got to cheer our Lady Miners on as they clinched the State B-ball Title! Such a fun ending to a great season!!

 It was particularly fun for us because Hallee tried out for their sophomore team this year. She put in many hours, 6 days/week, learned a lot and made many new friends. However, their team unlike the Varsity and JV squads had a very challenging season. I know that social media posts are typically snapshots of all of the "best" moments of our lives - but we couldn't be more proud of this girl for working hard when things didn't go her way! Unfortunately, life is usually made up of a lot more of these moments.... when we work as hard as the other guy/team but the cards don't fall in our favor. We love that she is learning that how we choose to respond in these circumstances is more important than the outcome - even though winning is always more fun ;) 


"The only way to prove you are a good sport is to lose." - Ernie Banks#lifelessons #Binghamminers #growingup #lovehersomuch

My Circle

 

 Last night was our monthly GNO hosted by Tauna.  I picked up BFF Cathy and BFF Brendalyn- but this sunset was from the driveway of Cathy's house (the home I built....)  If you look under the branches of the main tree on the right, you will see the Jordan River Temple way off West.  Love this view.


Tauna set a wonderful table and served a yummy dinner.  You know me and food but honestly, the friendship of these women surpasses everything for me.  40 years of friendship and GNO's- we've covered a lot of territory in life together.  Love these friends- Cathy, Brendalyn, Elaine Christensen, Tauna Isaac, Terri DeJulis (Loretta Duncan and Kathy Wilson couldn't be there last night.)

 Tauna served Coconut Milk Shrimp and a wonderful chopped salad and fruit salad with bread sticks.  Delish.  Recipe on the cooking blog.

 
As I was pondering the love of these women (and my Bucket group) (and my Visiting Teaching group) and my study group, my temple friends and MY FAMILY and my Ward and The Charm Girls and other friends from past and present that I choose to spend my time with- this quote touched my heart.

So thankful for my honest and true circle!

A New Yum Yum

Saturday Brendalyn and I usually do our "Saturday Errands" together.  It's our sweet friend thing.  We go to lunch - then do any errands we have, then finish with a grocery shop for Sunday's meal.

Brendalyn's son Rocky and two kids came out last week for a long weekend.  Brendalyn was so excited because they were taking the kids skiing for the first time.  Also (and I thought this was so wonderful)- Kira, Brendalyn's granddaughter loves to bake and she had been frustrated trying to make  French macarons.  Brendalyn found a cooking class that they all went to (imagine grumbling Joe)- to learn how to make macarons!  She said it was so fun!

Kiri also made dessert one night for them- Salted Caramel Rice Krispie Treats.  As soon as I heard that, I knew I had to make them!

I liked them!  A grown-up version of our favorite kiddo treat!  Recipe on the cooking blog!

Lu

Luann Miller Rudelich

1954 - 2019

 

Luann M. Rudelich
1954 ~ 2019
On Friday, February 8, 2019, LuAnn Miller Rudelich, loving wife, mother, and grandmother, passed away at the age of 64 after a long battle with leukemia. She fought this disease with courage, strength, optimism, and a sense of humor-just the way she lived her entire life. But it was her unwavering faith in her Heavenly Father's eternal plan that sustained her throughout.
LuAnn was born on April 6, 1954 in Whittier, California and was raised there until she moved to Utah to attend Brigham Young University. On November 27, 1981, she married Nick J. Rudelich in South Jordan, Utah and their marriage was later sealed in the Salt Lake Temple. Together, they built a wonderful life in Sandy, Utah, where they raised their four incredible children, Jayme, Christopher, Luke and Hanna. LuAnn served actively in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints in a variety of callings. She loved teaching Sunday School and serving in the Relief Society. But it was her calling as a temple worker at the Draper Temple that most inspired her and she continued that work until she became too ill to do so. LuAnn's life was "wonderful" as she once described it. She loved attending Jazz games with Nick, traveling to Hawaii with her family, and taking care of the family's beautiful yard. But, most of all, she loved Christmas. Every year, she enjoyed decorating the house, inside and out, and she hung beautiful stockings on the mantle-for her children, grandchildren and Nick. She would say that her life was not important in the grand scheme of things, but she was wrong. To so many, she was everything. LuAnn always believed that her divine calling was as a wife and mother-and she fulfilled this calling each and every day with her abiding love, constant support, genuine kindness and unfailing humor. While her physical presence will be missed more than words can say, she will continue this divine calling within the walls of her families' homes forever. "All is well, all is well."
LuAnn was preceded in death by her parents, William and Lorna Miller, and her sweet grandson, Nicholas. She is survived by her husband, Nick, their four children, Jayme (Paul) Swint, Christopher (Nydia) Nelson, Luke (Kristin) Rudelich, and Hanna (Brian) Kofoed, twelve grandchildren, her brothers, David Miller and Gil Miller, her sister, JoLynn Kania, and numerous nieces and nephews. Our sincere gratitude to the doctors, nurses, and staff at LDS Hospital for their kindness and support throughout LuAnn's many stays there.
A funeral service will be held on Saturday, February 16, 2019, 11:00 am at the Granite View Stake Center, 9880 south, 3100 east, Sandy, Utah. Viewings will be held on Friday, February 15 from the hours of 6:00-8:00 pm at Larkin Sunset Gardens, 1950 east, 10600 south, Sandy, Utah and Saturday from 10:00-10:45 am at church. Interment will take place at the Larkin Sunset Gardens Cemetery.

Published in Deseret News from Feb. 12 to Feb. 13, 2019Our sweet friend and neighbor, LuAnn died after a two-year bout with leukemia.  It has really affected me- such a wonderful woman and fun positive person.  She was one of my counselors in Young Women's when I first moved to this Ward (and knew no one!)- and then we were privileged to work together in the temple a few short months before she was diagnosed.  I want to record and remember this sweet tender mercy that happened.  I love how God plans way before the fact to accomplish what he needs to happen.  You know I love the story of the coin in the fishes mouth when Peter inquired where to go to get money to pay the taxes.  I wonder how long before the event, that fish happened to swallow a coin- in preparation of that event.About a year and a half ago I taught a Relief Society called Hard is Good- and as I prepared the lesson, I felt impressed to ask several women to share their life experiences and challenges they faced and overcame.  I also felt impressed to ask friend Thoma Lee who lives by friend, LuAnn- who at that time was about a year into her chemotherapy and bone marrow transplant.  LuAnn is so beyond positive and I wanted Thoma Lee to video an interview with LuAnn- having her teach us what she had learned and was learning.  LuAnn, wearing her baseball cap with bald head was delightful.  She said, "I don't want any grumpy faces around me.  I have had a great life and so blessed."  And she shared her love of her family and of God.  It was beautiful....After LuAnn died- Thoma Lee remembered the tape- and that not any of LuAnn's family had seen it!  She took it over to the house.....When I went to the viewing, LuAnn's son Lucas (who tearfully said at the funeral that he was "President of the Momma Boy's Club"- just hugged me and thanked me for having that tape made.  Their family has listened to it over and over and over.  It will be a family heirloom.I love how God works- over a year in advance- to make sure LuAnn got the last word with her family- and that they received this wonderful gift of her loving words.

And It Just Keeps Coming!

Catchin' Up

 Random pictures and events from my phone-

David and I had a fun date with Dick and Diane Emery- who invited us to dinner and a Jazz game.  To say our tickets were unbelievable would be an understatement.  Right behind the press box.  A fabulous dinner before in the Lexus room, then treats and drinks delivered to us throughout the game.  Oh man.  A little spoiled.  We had a great time!  (Jazz beat Phoenix Suns)

 

Grand- Rylee had sweethearts.  They do such fun "events" now for dances.  Their dates are all day events.  Here's what they did.  In the morning they went to breakfast and then went to someone's house and painted portraits of each other!  They (the girls) took their dates home and them picked them up later to do pictures.  Pictures are a big deal.  Sometimes professional photographers are used. (We used to get our photos taken in front of a back drop at the school!)  Then Ryls and her group went to dinner at the Cliff (nice!), and then to the dance.  After the dance they went bowling and then hung out at someone's house.  (my thoughts- I think the dance is really an afterthought!)

 

 
Finally- THE DANCE! 

I was driving through the parking lot of a shopping center and saw this random site.  Oh man!  Does someone live in this car?  Unreal!!!!

 

 

 

Okay- next grand's dance.  this time it is Gracie- who invited a neighbor to the dance.  Gracie and her group did a ropes course for the day date, then did pictures and the dance- fondue at her house for dinner and then they played pool and card games after the dance.  Good time had by all!

 

 

 

 

One of my favorite memories as a child was making Valentine boxes!  I loved this one that Sadie did!  She cracks me up!  (Or Tenillie does!)

 
We had a couple of earthquakes here in Utah the week before last.  Brandi's whole house shook and Addi said her chandelier in her bedroom shook and clothes fell off their hangers.  it was pretty frightening for them all.   We didn't feel anything to wake us up across the valley.  This is pretty much how we felt.

 

Summer and Tanner had an awesome Daddy Daughter date.  I love this sassy little girl (and her daddy) and boy did she love the princesses and dancing with all her little girl cousins from Brooke's side of the family!

 

 

 

 

Brandi and Doug went on a belated anniversary trip with their good friends- the Boswells- to San Antonio. 

 

 

 

 I was very happy for them but more than happy for ME!  That meant I got to have Gracie and Addi and Hallee for several days!  We played games and shopped and played games and went out to eat and played a few more games.!  (no picture of Gracie on our last eat out!)

 

 
I'm so sad Valentines is over.  I loved my little porch setting and the new love sign I made (on the back of my Christmas JOY sign!)

And last but not least, I'm loving our Sunday dinners.  Granddoggie Bridger is in his prime when he's asked to sing.  Let him keep going....he gets better and better and louder and louder!  Such a hoot!

 

Silence and Loss

Recently a story has been featured in the news here in Salt Lake and across the world.  A local rabbi- Rabbi Avrohom Zippel- empowered by the #MeToo movement, finally broke his silence of abuse at the hands of his former nanny.  I actually wept when I read these words-

He was reeling as he suddenly realized that it could all be over — after more than two decades.
But the more he thought about that, the more he realized it wasn’t true, and the most difficult reality of all settled in the pit of his stomach.
It would never going to be over, it was never going to end. He would still struggle with the trauma he experienced every day. Being a sexual abuse victim seemed to him like a “terminal illness” — no matter how much money you had, no matter how good your doctor was, you couldn’t fix the problem.

“My life was irrevocably damaged when I was 8 years old. I’m not fixed, I never will be. I never had a chance at a normal childhood, I never had a chance to have a normal teenage experience, without my mind having been severely warped. It’s gone. It was taken from me,” he said.  Rabbi Zippel



Having suffered abuse as a child- from the hands of a relative and caretaker- my heart breaks for all the children, women and men- who have  had that beautiful and innocent part of their lives shattered forevermore.  For Rabbi Zippel.  And me.

Love to Serve

 This is how it started.  The date....

Then Funny Kathy, of all people, pointed out that I had put the wrong date on the invite!  Duh!  It was one of those moments when I was making the invitations that Logic said, "Look up the date before you print them" and my brain said, "Oh man, I know what date it is."  You know how that goes....


Yesterday was Bucket.  It has been so fun to have something to plan for- over plan for- all month long.  I love Valentine's Day/Month and have hosted many a time during February so I needed a different twist.

I found these darling aprons at Seagull Book.  I love their aprons. I bought one for each guest and wore mine to the party.  My theme was "Love To Serve."

Myrna was here to help me (gimpy me still)- and we folded the aprons and I had made Valentine's wrappers (something else for me to do with my time- lol) and covered Hershey bars with them and tucked them into the bundle and tied them with tulle.   I also found this darling soap dispenser. 

 

 

I thought my table turned out pretty.  Springy although it was a snowy day.  I heard a quote that said, "Happiness is the first sign of spring"- and I was happy to pamper my guests so I guess spring is in the air in addition to the Love Bug.

 

 (note: I was just re-reading this and noticed the spoon on the left.  I did a demo for Myrna- who is Filipino.  Fork on the left then knife and spoon on the right.  I think what threw her off was I said, "Goblets on the top right."  Goblets?  Glasslets?  We had a good laugh over that.  I love her to pieces!)

I was so proud of myself for preparing most of the food the night before.  Thankfully I didn't have a "churro" experience like last week- when I prepared everything ahead of the game and then it bombed.

I made:

Creamy Sun-Dried Tomatoes with Cheese Stuffed Ravioli.  (made in less than 1/2 hour)  Friend Sophia's recipe with variations

I baked Chicken Tenders in dry Italian dressing and julienned them to add to the Ravioli plus toasted pinenuts.

Old Fashioned Seven Layer salad  (I have been craving it all month.  I haven't had it for at least 15 years!)

Grilled Asparagus with Parmesan Cheese

Artisan Rolls.    Just sayin'- I MADE them!  Easy Peesy.  The best Bocci rolls ever.  Truly!

For dessert, I went to Sweet Tooth Fairy (winner one season of Cupcake Wars) and bought an assortment of cake balls- Red Velvet, Coconut, White Raspberry Chocolate and Funfetti.
 

 

 

 

 

 

Recipes on the cooking blog.  Well, except for the cake bites....

Several people couldn't come because their busy lives just get in way of the fun.  Gail M. had flown someone in to either speak with her family or corporation - and that was the only day he could come. (what a life-lol),  Annette and her husband are VIP Church escorts when someone flies in to SLC, they get to escort them all around.  Cousin Zella spends the winters in St. George, Diana is still on her mission in Long Beach for another month and BFF Cathy had to be a grammie and help her DIL who just had her tonsils out.  But the rest of us had a great time!

I made a conversation game that we rolled dice and answered questions about service- and it was so fun to hear everyone's responses. 

Valene and Erica had almost the same responses to a sweet service their husband does for them.  Valene's husband makes the bed every day.  Erica's makes theirs every Sunday.  But both men do funny things with the pillows.  George (Valene's husband) gets pillows from other rooms and "mixes it up" (to be funny- you know men and pillows-lol)  Sometimes he'll dramatically drape a blanket in funny places.  Erica's husband likes to make pillow sculptures.  At Christmas, he put all the pillows in the middle of the bedspread and then brought up the corners of the quilt and tied it with a big bow!

I'm so blessed to have such a variety of really, really good women to associate with.  My Bucket Group. My GNO Group.  My Visiting Teaching Group.  My Besties. The Charm Girls.  My daughter and DIL's.  My best friends from different times in my life- that we move away from each other and still have a wonderful, deep connection,  I didn't have sisters growing up- and so friends were very important to me.  I'm a lucky ducky.  And yesterday I was blessed to be able to serve a few of them.  (Friends, not Duckies.)