Time Marches On...

Another week has flown by.

I made some progress on my crafty projects - but not much.

But, thanks to my daughter, (Melissa) I've decided to take that in stride. She's been trying to teach me how to relax and just accept what I can do, and bless her - it's working.

I've been trying to get through the audio book "Einstein, His Life and Universe" by Walter Isaacson as I work.

It's interesting, but it's SO long - there just are not enough hours in the day. (I've been at it for four days now, and I'm only on disk 6 - about half way.)
Lots of things to admire about the man - but his family life wasn't one of them...

I finally braved the dangers of the storage room today, to locate my stash of craft paints.
I dislodged and extracted them from the rubble without any permanent bodily injury!
They are soooo dusty, I want to take them outside and hose them off before I even touch them. I wonder if any of them will actually still be usable? They haven't been touched for almost 20 years...
(I'm excited about the prospects though!)

I made the trek to Ephraim again today, to fetch Jenny home and clear up a little problem she was having at the bank. I decided to go a little earlier than needed in order to explore the town a little bit.

As it turned out, I only had half an hour, but that was enough to walk through the Ephraim Co-Op, a little consignment shop which sells all kinds of locally made goods.

I'm really glad I checked it out, because it's a really interesting place.
Many home arts that have gone the way of the dinosaurs are still alive and well there - beautiful crochet, embroideries, quilts, and even some wooden dolls that the clerk told me were carved by an 80 + year old woman.

I also found a book there that I have been looking for - a collection of ghost stories from Sanpete County. (I wish I could give you the name & author, but I've forgotten already.)
My sister loaned me the book a few months ago, and I loved it - It was such a fun read. (Supposedly true ghost stories as told by local residents.)
It wasn't in the budget today, but at least now I know where to find it...

I'm enjoying going down that way more and more.
I love taking life at a slower pace these days, and, although I'm sure life is just as crazy for folks down there - at least I can imagine it differently as I drive by the fields of sheep, cattle, and llamas, (yes - LLAMAS!)
It's beautiful and pastoral, and I feel myself relaxing as it all passes by.

The leaves are changing on the mountain as we speak, and I'm hoping to make it up the canyon to get some pictures before the snow comes and ruins them. It's been warm and dry so far this month, so I may be able to make it.

There is a place up there called "Maple Canyon" where the hills are covered with maples instead of the usual quaking aspen and pine. In the fall it is so gorgeous!
It's like being inside a pink snow globe.

Amazing.

My Libby-in-law will fly away this weekend, taking away my only ally of the crafty variety. I have so enjoyed spending time with her, and all the things that she has taught me. She is so talented - I will miss her.
Thank goodness for blogs as a way to keep in touch... Good luck kids!
:-)