Thanksgiving 2023

   Kicking off the Thanksgiving season, I enjoyed a fabulous       production of the "Music Man" at the Orem Hale Theater

     Our ward women and girls made weekend food kits for Provo kids

    The end of my backyard fall leaves; my daughter Emily's front yard

                 I found lots of great books at the Provo library book sale

The Springville Art Museum has a beautiful collection of spiritual-themed art by Utah artists. We will be more successful if we yoke ourselves to Jesus Christ

The bronze of the angel pointing out the place for the wise men to find Jesus

Moses can no longer be hidden

            Anne Gregorson: when our time comes for a "bitter cup"                                        it is good to have a friend at our side.

        Jolynn Forman in the "Little Match Girl" shows her lighting the             last match before her end comes and she hopes for happiness

                                         The Widow's Mite

                 Seven Nielson's Ethiopian Epiphany Circle Dance

 I love this beautiful watercolor by a friend, Jana Parkin, who         invited me to the book group I enjoy so much

Brian Kershisnik's "Apres la Guerre" is a study of a much larger painting (9x20 feet). As tempting as it is to assume order and delight in reunions after a conflict, the rejoicing is often mingled with loss, fear, deprivation and deep injury. It make take years to be resolved.

Tyler Pack's "Gethsemane." The Olive motif has wide reach in the olive branch, healing and anointing, faith, the suffering of Jesus

                                                                                      "Gathering"

         A lovely patio in the museum with a Brian Kershisnik's painting

Kathleen Peterson (a friend who had triplets)'s depiction of Incarnation (bringing a child into the world and teaching him/her)

Dennis Slott's "Fathers Escalante and Dominguez" organizing party to establish northern routes to access the missions in California

                         Samantha Newton's "A Child Brought Forth" to nurture

Katelyn Field Garcia. Utah Lake was a sacred place for thousands of years for the Timpanogos people, violently displaced by settlers

I love this painting of Mount Timpanogos that looms large in Provo

"My name is Ousmequin, leader of the Wampanoag," a Native American Tribe based in current day Massachusetts and Rhode Island. "Massasoit means great sachem or leader."They were friendly with the first pilgrims, until new arrivals began to buy and cheat them out of their lands.

             Yosemite Park in California is one of my favorite places

Valoy Eaton's At Sundown demonstrates  the inspiration the artist draws form sunlight and shadow hitting the scene/object.

In the first half of the 17th century the early ancestor's of the Fairbanks family left England and settled in Dedham, MA. (as did many of my early English ancestors). It is the oldest remaining timber house in N. America. The large Fairbanks family of artists  moved west to Utah and settled in Payson, which became the home base of this amazing family of painters, sculptors, drawers.

Avard T. Fairbanks "Winter Quarters" where Fairbanks's own grandparents suffered greatly as pioneers on their way to Utah. Other important works include his many depictions of Abraham Lincoln and Native Americans

I enjoyed the exhibit with my oldest daughter Anne and her husband Neil Chandler who came for the week from Vermont

 Bridal Veil Falls in Provo Canyon will increase in volume with the snow melt

              Sundance resort is a place we always love in any season       

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    It is still beautiful after the end of the gorgeous array of fall leaves

Thanksgiving was great with almost the whole family for a turkey feast, singing, performance of talents, play, and recounting of our Mayflower ancestors who paved the way for us. 

I was grateful to have my 5 kids: Marc, Julie, Anne, (Miriam), & Peter together for the first time in almost a year. The next morning we had our first snowfall in Provo.

 

Friday we drove to Green River (southeast of Provo) a few hours to spend the night. Saturday morning we explored amazing Goblin Valley

                                                                 "The Temple"

Strange and beautiful sandstone formations at Goblin Valley State Park

                           Marc, Hannah and Fernanda de Schweinitz

John Carlston (15), stranded on a ledge (if you look carefully you will spot him) needed the encouragement of his twin brother Luke, while Uncle Marc went to get the park rangers to use harness and ropes to rescue him. It was a bit harrowing for those of us fearfully watching.

Some of the gang. Most had continued hiking unaware that a few of us were watching John's rescue. Fortunately it all turned out well! We found lots of geodes waiting to be cracked open...gems inside dirty rocks!

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As we prepare the festivities of Christmas, may we pray for greater peace, joy and well-being for all who suffer throughout the world at this time. May the light and truth that emanate from our God and Savior abound in our thoughts, that we may share time, love and kind deeds with others of all persuasions, beliefs, cultures, backgrounds.