Creole Wisdom

back to my prairie

You know how sometimes good things happen to me?  Like last night.  My mother called, "would you like to go see the Guthrie's production of Little House on the Prairie?"  Obviously. How could I pass that up.  You know, I thought I was Laura growing up.  I'm serious. I had it all: the hardcover books, the paperdolls, the picture books, the cook book, a pioneer Halloween costume, trips to historic Ingalls sites with cousins during hot Midwestern summers. 

{ I cannot wait to get back home to my prairie to see this, we're going the night of my homecoming.  Life is good.

on why family rocks, et all...

•Remember my cousin Dennis who graduated in May?  He just got hired to be in... the secret service!  We are over the moon excited for him.  He packs up his bags and heads out to Washington D.C. pretty soon.  Again, another plug for how important it is to have goals and achieve them. 

•My mom is here visiting and was a wealth of help for working on my pedigree chart.  I also was able to get almost four generations back with a few phone calls to my maternal and paternal grandmothers.  Nothing is more rewarding that doing this- it is so cool.  I love seeing the older names, very fascinating. 

•A few months ago my second cousin LaTonjua contacted the family about creating a family website- dad sent her pictures as requested and we all waited.  I had no idea she would be done so quickly, and I had no idea she had not only created a family site, but also had done a huge amount of geneaology work.  Talk about things coming together- I was thrilled to find so many dates, names, places and the site is amazing- you can see all different family tree views, connect with members, look at photos, see what new babies have been born, it is fantastic! 

•I am also on the family reunion 2011 planning committee!  I cannot wait, I am imagining fantastic t-shirts and goodie bags.

•Since my mom is here, we headed down to Salt Lake again, primarily Temple Square area.  I went to the giant Deseret Book and found this- I cannot wait to write it all out.  I might possibly buy a few more and send them as gifts-

So ya, in a nutshell- my family rocks. 

celebrating dad, utah style

There are lots of fun ways to celebrate dad, but starting off with showing him around Provo and having him sit in the studio- listening first hand to the story I did on father's day was pretty thrilling. 

We set out for Park City Friday morning after a full-fledged BYU tour complete with lunch at, you guessed it, the MOA. 

Dad never gets lost and can navigate a place without a map in his rental car of choice, a hummer.  Our first stop landed us in the gorgeous, idyllic Sundance. 

I felt in love immediately as I smelled the mountain air, eyed the steep lift, and stepped up the wooden planks to their "general store" filled with goodies.  I found presents for mom and sorority sisters alike-

On to our destination, we checked in at our condo at the well-appointed Silver Queen Hotel.  Park City is exactly how you imagine an old Western Town, with modern upgrades, and all the shopping, site-seeing, eating, and photograph opportunities abound-

So, one of the highlights of the entire adventure was having root bear with Dad in an authentic, old, western saloon.  It was pretty memorable!

celebrating dad

You know you have a good dad when: he takes time out of his busy business life and flies out to Utah to take you to fabulous places and spend quality time with you- and spoils you rotten.

My father is simply the best.  I don't blog about him enough, really.  We don't look alike, but I am proud to say I attribute many of my quirks/personality traits from him.  He is kind, he is funny, he is accepting, he is da bomb! Haha.  But really, thanks dad, thanks for taking me to Disney Land to see Thriller in 3D when I was only 3, and not being upset when I peed on you (3D is pretty intense!).  But years later I love our father-daughter adventures just the same-

mom's day

Another good mother's day has come and gone!  I can't believe it.  Planned this one out pretty well, too!  Mom and I started out Sunday with church at Calvary Lutheran.  Quickly after communion we dodged out to make it to our 12pm reservation at Figlio's.  A restaurant to die for.  I was actually worried about getting a good reservation, but I got one with no problem.  They were packed though.  Good thing I plan ahead.

Mom's gift with fun wrapping and our divine eggs benedict.

Mom's gift: picture of us (from mother's day 2007) in cool frame and willow tree figurine.  Plus a "singing" card. 


We finished off the day with a mega shopping trip at MOA (per mom's request) and pedicures oh, and yes ice cream. 

first shower

I threw my very first bridal shower for Mrs. Jana (!) Saturday.  I gathered ideas from all around and consulted other people who had btdt.  Here's how it turned out.  Ya, I'm sort of proud.  I love doing this stuff!

•Decorations: MSL luminaries and floral heart

•The menu, oh the menu.  It was divine: fruit & veggie platters + dip, sour cream coffee cake, 3 kinds of quiche, and petit fours.  All homemade.  Lots of work.  Thanks to marvelous mom!

•We played two games: "Guess that Love Song" and "Have you Ever."  For the first one I simply made a CD of love songs, had the guests guess, and the winner won some chocolate.  "Have you Ever" is just a fun party game for any type of shindig- you put 5 fingers up and go around saying "have you ever _____ " if you have done _____ you put a finger down.  The last person with a finger up wins.

•Gift time.  I put an antique shutter I have been carrying around for 2 years up for those who brought cards and not packages.  I just stuck them in between each shutter.  Jana got some great goodies, no lingere though ; P  But I'm pretty sure she doesn't even need it!

•Portrait of each guest + mom.  I wanted to do sort of a photo-booth inspired shoot.  Love how it turned out:

•All in all it was quite the spectacular event.  It would not be complete however without my beverage of choice: perrier served a la lemon slice in a vintage champagne glass.  Ya for parties!

Éire go Brách

I may not be Irish, but I have a head full of curly black hair and a face of freckles so today I am. Happy St. Paddy's. What did you sport? I had a clover necklace and outrageous green headband. Really, it is so 1995 kindergarten school portrait. So I hope some luck snuck into your day, from this KathERINe to you.

And, get ready for the next blog entry where I will feature the charming Curtis (i.e. Elder D) in a little interview-photo montage so that you may get to know him a little.

in the spirit of sundays

So you obviously know what I do Sunday mornings, but what about the rest of the day? So, in the style of the blog-famous Nie I present:

Don't I look pensive, serene, and calm? That is what Sundays do to me! They chill me the h-cough-heck out. I love em'

I like to look around my surroundings (in this case, my parents' home). In this room alone (counting behind me) there are over 9 antiques. My mother is always dragging me to antique stores! She has great taste!

Walking around the living room, for the millionth time that day. Just thinking about things and drinking sparkling water (common).

Something fun to do...

Happy Sunday afternoon. And would you believe my self control? I did not take a nap... not once!

a good thing happened to me (finally!)

Let me tell you something good.

This morning, at exactly 10:00 am while the rest of the world was in class or slumber or kissing their lover...

I was on a phone interview, and wouldn't you know it- they offered me the internship right there.

I am so excited. I can hardly contain myself.

Provo, here I come!

This is a dream come true for me, and it will be a chance for me to really get my feet wet in this industry.

And wouldn't you know, it's located in a building with my name on it.  It was just meant to be!

me in October... little did I know : )

today

                                The Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

MLK was a man of peace, integrity, and embodied the American Spirit. I am thankful for his and many others work.  Because of him and the men and women like him I am able to have basic rights such as:
•The ability to vote
•To be protected by the law
•The right to eat at any restaurant
•Shop at any store
•Sit any where on public transportation that I choose
•The right to fair, honest employment
•Speak my mind on issues of inequalities
•Be able to take a Black history class at almost any college in the nation

Other men and women who fought (directly and indirectly) for basic rights of African-Americans:
•Malcolm X
•W.E.B DuBois
•Fannie Lou Hamer
•Maya Angelou
•Rosa Parks
•Spike Lee
•Ruby Bridges

I am just going to get on my soapbox here and say that I think every single American should be taught in public school from elementary school on (with appropriate subject matter, of course) the history of African-Americans in this county. There are so many resources out there for teaching children about this entire issue, and some great books. We had so many debates in Black History over this very issue, and while teaching children about this entire thing is not very comfortable it is necessary to our progression. We cannot forget our history.

I am personally thankful for MLK and many that came before and after him. I am proud that my dad participated in the March on Washington. I am proud that my grandparents escaped a life of indecency and racism and were able to move north where things were (slightly) better. King is a wonderful example of a man determined to succeed, and I am so glad we have a day to celebrate him.