Christmas Fun

This is our annual Christmas Eve "Shepherd's Meal." We have what we interpret to be middle-eastern foods while we read Luke 2. We imagine we are the shepherds receiving the glad tidings of Christ's birth. This year our spread included cheese-stuffed olives, crackers, various cheeses, hummus, and pineapple actually (very middle-eastern indeed! We thought we'd add a tropical twist). In past years we actually dressed up as shepherds, but this year we felt too sophisticated.

Picking Up Abe :)

Abe flew into the tiny Alpena Airport from Page, Arizona (where he lives) on December 23. It had been so long since we'd seen each other...I was so happy to get him all to ourselves for ten days!! So, we thought we'd spice up the normal picking-up affair. Jake consented to dress up like Santa Claus and had a sign around his neck which read "Lost: Abe C". We excitedly waited and watched as the plane pulled up and passengers started shuffling out. Jake had a bell which he rang as passengers came into the airport. The rest of us hid behind a eucalyptus tree (yes, you can get away with that kind of craziness in Alpena...). When Abe came in he took one look at Jake and turned in the opposite direction, discovering our hiding spot at the same time! He didn't even recognize Jake (he's grown a lot) and thought he was one of the Salvation Army people asking for donations! Not having any spare change, he made a U-turn. Anyway, it was quite humorous. It was fab to have Abe back.

Thinking Back on 2007

This year can be summed up short and sweet: it’s been the most rich and colorful yet. Rich with new experience and people, colorful with new sights. Last New Year’s Day I was in England sitting around a dining room table with some friends and we were discussing New Year’s goals. My goal was to visit a new place each month. With friends and loved ones, I was able to visit Spain, France, Ireland, Italy, the Czech Republic, and different gems within England. Pictures from each of these trips can be found in the Archives of this blog. My family visited England in June and it was pure bliss. We hired a car and traveled to the delicious little nooks of England, including the Lake District (I am irrevocably smitten) and Wiltshire where our ancestors lived. It was absolutely gorgeous and absolutely surreal to traverse the same streets, homes, and shops they likely frequented. This experience helped to solidify my desire to write my thesis about my great-great-grandmother (Ruth May Fox) who spent her childhood in Wiltshire, and later immigrated to Utah as a Mormon pioneer in 1867. I returned to Salt Lake City in July to complete research and write my thesis. I did most of my research at the University of Utah and LDS Church Archives; it was a fantastic, fulfilling experience

Right after I finished my thesis I went south and ran my parent’s Bed and Breakfast (http://www.osborneinn.com/) in rural Spring City, Utah. I was glad for a peaceful change of scene and for the time to mentally unwind while efforts were redirected into a different mode of work. I made many new friends in Spring City and was able to get involved in the community in empowering ways. It was fun. In December we closed up the B&B for the winter season and now I’m in Alpena, Michigan where my parent‘s live. It is a mini-Narnia (minus the talking animals and wicked witch…as far as I know). Snow swallows up every inch of earth and the abundant evergreen trees are clothed in a wardrobe of white.

So, plans for 2008? I received the results back from my thesis in November and those who marked it encouraged me to compile Ruth May Fox's life-writings for publishing. For the month of January, I will be preparing manuscripts and proposals for various publishers. Hopefully it will be fruitful! In February I will be going back to Europe to visit friends in Germany and the UK! I can hardly wait…it will be so good to go back! I have indefinite plans beyond February; they will materialize as different variables unfold. I feel that 2008 will be full of good things, even though I am not sure what it will bring. Life is wonderful. I wish you all the sweetest and best year in 2008. Lots of Love.

Winter Wonderland

This is our home in Michigan. My parent's own 10 acres of land and the State Forest borders their property, so we are able to bask in nature's dominance! Cross-country skiing on our land (and in the Forest) has become a favorite hobby. The dogs often join us. The majesty of the trees still gives me a thrill.

Sittin' in a Tree

This is my sister Ange and her main squeeze Clifton (for those of you who wanted to see a picture!). Ange is in her freshman year at BYU and is doing AWESOME! Yay Angie!

Yay for Feb!

Wow....I hardly know how it happened; one minute I was fantasizing about a trip to Europe and then,in a whirlwind of excitement, itineraries, and plans I found myself in possession of a plane ticket to Stuttgart, Germany! I have friends there who I would love to visit--Jen, Andy and baby Davin--and it just seemed like the perfect opportunity. (Finding a wickedly inexpensive ticket to Stuttgart helped too!). So this is the place I will be visiting in February! If you want to find it on the map, Stuttgart is in Southern Germany near France. Yippee!

Of course it would be IMPOSSIBLE to be that close to the UK and not Go....

I'll go "home" to Leicester and see my buds who I love love LOVE!...

And to Newquay...

...in Cornwall to visit my friend Daniel. I'm looking forward to seeing this part of England! From pictures it looks incredible. Newquay is the surfing capital of England - I'm not sure how good the surf will be in Feb., but it's a fun sidelight!

...and last but certainly not least...to London

...to visit my dear old "grandad" Ted!!! The icing on the cake. :) What a privilege. :0) Byeee! Until then!

By the Way....

I will be leaving Spring City on December 21; I'm moving up to Alpena, Michigan! We decided to close the Bed and Breakfast for the winter season! We'll be open in the spring!

Where Have I Been?

My, where have I been? I have been in a cloistered space of contented complacency, where creative outbursts settle muffled and unimportant. Where exultation in the simplicity of nature and existence overwhelms all other sentiments which used to stimulate; where the essence of life in human contact and community fulfills every prior need for self-propulsion or advancement. Time slips by, like an egg slipping off the edge of a frying pan. In an ethereal haze of dimpled gold: perpetual sunshine, crisp autumn leaves. This is home. For now. But it cannot be for much longer. I am not ready for it yet. My inside-self reaches out its figurative arms for more; it cannot resign itself to placidity yet. I am still searching; still unsettled; still yearning for something....different. Some solidity I have not yet found and hope to find soon. Life, singlehood--my singlehood--has been full and colourful, yes, but in spurts and starts. Blocks of sure direction are followed by unsettled searchings, sinking marshes underfoot. While tender-footing through this marsh, I, like an unflinching tour-guide, assure myself that this period of indecision, transition and waiting IS part of the path, not a detour. I welcome and bask in the luxury of this golden plateau I've been given here: two months in Spring City, Utah. But am feeling the need to move from this waiting room to the full action of life. "I must establish myself, I must stand on my own, I must create a life and career for myself"--like a marquee flashing in my brain, these thoughts awaken me from my much needed Savasana in Spring City; one cannot always remain in Relaxation Pose. It is good to be at a cross-road. It means good things will happen--exciting and new things--and isn't that what I live for? I wouldn't know what to do without them...hence I constantly create them for myself! I will be leaving Spring City in December and begin another phase. Miraculously, God has prepared an opening: things here, which I held stewardship over, are being cared for...stewardships are being redistributed...the reasons for my being here have been fulfilled. I marvel at the workings of God and see His good, kind hand. And trust that, just as surely as He has prepared the way to gently usher me out of this phase of life, His Hand will be leading me into whatever is next. But now, life is GOOD.

Aren't they GORGEOUS?!

My beautiful nieces and nephew fill my heart with such joy and satisfaction! To me, they are the most dear and loveable children in the world. Little Joseph just celebrated his 1st birthday! :)

Read My Dissertation!! :)

If you're interested in reading my dissertation/thesis [in British/American English] follow this link! http://www.brittanysdissertation.blogspot.com/

ROME, ITALY!!! 10-14 July 2007

The Colosseum

Going to Italy was one of the most special trips I have ever taken. Rome must be the most glorious, interesting and diverse city I have ever been to. I had the wonderful pleasure of going with Ted, the remarkable man whose taken me underwing as a grandaughter. As both of us share the same interests, it was a real treat to appreciate the same things together and enjoy the sweetness of good company. I took the time to plan out each day before embarking on this trip and that made all the difference! I feel we really made the most of our time. Consistent with all things in Europe, the famous parts and pieces are just THERE in front of you, crowded amongst buildings and busy streets.

Rome in the ruin of its ancient glory. The structures still maintained their power and majesty, despite the crumbling stone. It was almost overwhelming. One of my favourite parts of Rome.

The Parthenon

My Rome

Little bits of Rome which endeared it to me.

Pompeii!!

Yes, we went to that famous, amazing city. I remember thinking for days afterwards, 'Wow...the dust of Pompeii is still on my shoes'. I was astounded at how well-preserved many of the things were, especially the art. In the top left corner of the collage, note the seashells still framing the shrine (if you can see them). It was fascinating to see little evidences of daily life in Pompeii, like the ruts carved by chariot wheels in the stone-paved streets. Even though Pompeii was discovered in the 1700s, archeologists are still uncovering, ever so carefully, different parts of it. We saw some at work and noticed that, while about four feet of soil divided us, we were standing on the orange-tiled roofs of partially uncovered homes. In the background of the top picture is Mt. Vesuvius. Who knew such an innocent-looking mountain could have spewed forth such massive amounts of ash and covered (and destroyed) an entire city??

Hadrian's Villa

We also went to Hadrian's Villa (Villa Adriana) outside Tivoli, about an hour's busride from Rome. Tivoli was where all the wealthy Romans migrated in the summertime to escape the heat. You can see the hillside city of Tivoli in the top right-hand corner picture. Hadrian's Villa was designed by and built for King Hadrian. It was IMMENSE. And it's all gone to ruin! It is about 2000 years old, roughly the same age as Pompeii. But Pompeii was much better preserved! Amazing what ash will do. Hadrian's Villa was quite interesting!

MORE PICTURES TO FOLLOW!