California

This weekend Matt and I roadtripped out to my hometown of Redding, California. Driving out there isn't bad, unless the rental car you secured doesn't have cruise control!

The Sundial Bridge

When we were walking on the river trail with one of my oldest friends, Adrienne, we found a mulberry tree. Some of the berries were too high for us so Matt had to take his shirt off (the berries stain EVERYTHING) and pull down branches for us. Mulberries are so tasty.

Skipping rocks at Brandy Creek.

The area around Whiskeytown Lake is so beautiful. It was especially green from all the rain. I shot so many photos, while we were eaten alive by mosquitoes.

Nor Cal...

My little brother graduated from High School, so some old family friends came to help us celebrate. We had a lot of really delicious foods. Matt couldn't stay away from all the berries. My mom supplied us with a refilling cache of berries. Matt was in heaven.

The day of the graduation it poured all day. We weren't sure how that would go for the walk. But by the time it started the sky was dry and beautiful.

When I'm in Utah, I miss my cat Noni. Matt loves her now too. Especially since she slept with him every night.

Saturday we went to Lake Shasta Caverns with Adrienne and Evan.

The caves were so cool. Photos from my little Cannon just don't do it justice.

Cave Bacon.

Sunday we drove back to Utah. I was unbelievably carsick almost the entire time and poor Matt had to drive a lot. We saw this lovely little gem of an election poster in Lovelock:

She needs a better photographer.


When we arrived in Utah Valley there was the most beautiful lightning storm overhead. I was still too sick to take many shots but I got this one over the Jordan Temple. I couldn't believe how colorful the sky was. I was in awe. And I am very thankful to be home and not in a car anymore.

Letter

Dear High School,

My little brother graduated tonight. Being back on your campus made me reminisce a lot about what it was like to be that age. I admit I do not miss you a bit. Do I miss being 10 lbs lighter and in the best shape you could image -yes, of course. But when I was talking with a dear old friend (still attending) I remembered all the things about you that terrify me. The drugs, the sex (so much sex, what are these kids thinking? children should not be making babies!), the parties, the drama, the alcohol, the politics, the fashion, etc. I do not miss you one bit. And, actually, some of the things shocked me. I feel old, but maybe being in Provo for so long has made me feel so far removed. I remember a girl showing up to class with acid boils, and a girl in my class graduated pregnant. I remember tons of people getting stoned during lunch or having sex instead of going to second period. But that never affected me. Now that I know loved ones are in high school and possibly doing things that I think they shouldn't be doing, it stresses me out. I know so many kids attending you right now who are doing things I would never dream of. and yea, I know their standards aren't the same as mine. But can't they see that hard drugs will destroy (like physically destroy, like sever synapses and cause permanent damage to) their brains?! Is abstinence really harder than raising a child? Is it? I feel a little sick from hearing about your dark side. I hope these kids can pull their lives together after their 4 years of acid trips.

Broken Heartedly,

Former (always sober) High School Student

Let's Recap

A week or so ago Matt made me lunch. It was delicious. Spaghetti with vodka sauce and kielbasa sausage and stuffed portobello mushrooms and garlic toast. So good. Lucky my man is such a good cook.

Spring City Pioneer Festival:

Last Saturday we went to Spring City for the historical pioneer festival.

This church (including banister down which Matthew is sliding) was built in 1902.

Awesome.

There was a reconstructed log cabin. I was so excited. It was just like the cabins built in Little House on the Prairie, except that it was Norwegian built and they didn't use chinking like Pa Ingalls.

I was in the middle of saying something to Matt when he snapped this shot. I think it's funny because I'm making such a mean face! I promise that I'm not this mean. Or at least I don't make mean faces like this frequently.

We took a horse drawn carriage ride. We thought it was going to take us around town. False. The driver took us way outside the map and all around in the country. It was a beautiful day and a really nice ride though.

Cool old fireplace.

We found a house on the side of the highway that was half sunk in water. It was so neat that we had to take a few photos. It would have been a great setting for a zombie movie.


Ryan and Kathryn's Wedding:

Everything was perfect and beautiful -including the cake, if I do say so myself. It was a really nice wedding and the weather was perfect. By the end of the night I was exhausted though. I had to get up at 4.30 the next morning to work a few hours before...

Matt and I headed off for California!

More awesome Californian photos to come!

Welcome June

Matt and I went to a historical Pioneer festival on Saturday -photos to come.

I made a Peach Lemonade wedding cake -photos to come.

I went to another wedding for two very good friends -photos to come.

I leave for California tomorrow. I will post more plus photos then.


ps. A year ago I decided I would never make another wedding cake. But now, I LOVE making wedding cakes. I think I will make a wedding cake blog. I also think that I would love to make your wedding cake. They are delicious and less than half the cost of normal priced wedding cakes -because I don't think a cake should cost $400 even if it is worth it.