Chicken for dinner ...

For those of you who don't know that I've learned a lot about chickens over the past 9 months... well, I have. Dan raises chickens, and it's been a fabulous opportunity for me to learn more about chickens and the natural order of the farm. I've really enjoyed it. There is much more to say about this point, but for now, I just want to let you all know that if you would like to purchase amazing free-range chicken for eating, then you now have the chance.

Here is the info: http://homerootsfarm.blogspot.com/

They will be available to eat Monday, if you're interested.

Computer down time

So, when I need a computer break, I love this game: Bookworm. I guess it makes me feel better about spending 10 minutes doing something like this because it actually uses my brain ... and increases my vocabulary. I usually give myself 10 minutes and see how high I can get.

Enjoy! You may get addicted.

My tomato plant

I have to say that I'm really proud of my one, red tomato. Since I don't have anything but a balcony to plant on, I'm a bit limited, but I do have 2 tomato plants and an herb pot. For some reason, I only have one tomato so far, but there are plenty of blooms.

I ate my one tomato last night...it was amazing. There is something so rewarding about eating something that you grew...you know where it came from and what has happened to it.

Bulgaria in October

As of August 13, I've been home from my mission 7 years. Wow ... can it really be that long ago? I've been wanting to get back for all that time. A couple of months ago, I decided I just need to it. And, I coupled my want to get back with my desire to do some humanitarian work. The plan right now is to head to Bulgaria in October to work in orphanages for 2 weeks and then travel a bit. Yesterday, my good friend Anna said she wants to come! I'm so excited. We are going to have an amazing time. More details to come.

The Perfect Dress

I don't know about all of you, but I love dresses. I just love them. But, they are often hard to find.

A couple of my friends (thanks Dave and Vicki) told me about this amazing site: ShabbyApple.

Go there. Bask in the beauty of a perfect dress.

Adopt the pace of nature: her secret is patience.

Ralph Waldo Emerson

Meteor Shower

In case you've never seen this amazing meteor shower, it will be next week. Here is a new article with more info.

The Spiral Jetty

When I was a senior, I took an art history class. I remember there were two pieces of art that I remember seeing in the book and knowing I had to see them in front of me. The first is Winged Victory; she is in the Louvre. I saw her the summer of 2007.

The other was the Spiral Jetty. Funny thing is that I made it to Paris before making it to the Jetty, which is right here in Utah.

But on Saturday, Natalie and I went to the Spiral Jetty--it was amazing.

Here is some background: Robert Smithson's monumental earthwork Spiral Jetty (1970) is located on the Great Salt Lake in Utah. Using black basalt rocks and earth from the site, the artist created a coil 1,500 feet long and 15 feet wide that stretches out counter-clockwise into the translucent red water. You can learn more here and here.

It was under water for 20 years, but the lake has been low for quite a while now.

Be sure to take water and a 4-wheel drive vehicle. It is definitely worth the trip. It took about 2 hours from Centerville. We spent about an hour out there, and then 2 hours back.

Here is the view on the way out.

There is a jetty just before you get to the Spiral Jetty. It's left over from oil drilling.

Then we could see the Jetty.

It only got better as we got closer.

Here it is up close.

And then on the Jetty.

To the side of the Jetty.

Another shot of the Jetty.

Then we climbed the hill and got these shots.

And, the final shot.