Fourteen

He's 14...He's handsome...and he's mine...all mine...all mine...

Sometime in the past couple of months The Teenager grew about 6 inches and blew past me in height. Now I'm the shortest one in the family, except for Olivia and Henry.

Practically overnight I had to start shopping in the men's department for him. Now I have to know his neck size when I buy him a white shirt.

His heart is tender, his mind is sharp and he's my hero...and not just my guitar hero either!

He ordered a Banana Cream Pie instead of cake for birthday desert.
Am I surprised that he chose to wear this T-shirt on his birthday...no not at all! Like all of us, he misses her every day...but he especially misses his big sister on the special days.

The advocate general made this video for him...it's hilarious and absolutely worth watching!
Wow we really miss her humor!

 What 14 year old wouldn't want this kind of attention on his birthday?

OK...so he's not all mine! Happy Birthday Son...Brother...Friend...Grandson...Chick Magnet...Uncle Chet!

I just love ya!

Capture

Hiking to the top of Mount Timpanogos, I met the fabulous Michelle for the first time. I knew instantly that she could be someone I'd get along with famously. And these days I am very fortunate to call her my friend. 

When I snapped this photo of Michelle and her blond boys last summer, I had no idea she was a photographer...a real photographer, not someone imitating photography like myself.

Photo by Michelle

This time it was Michelle's turn behind the camera where she worked her magic with my beautiful grandchildren...Olivia and Henry.

So you must...simply must...go here and see more of her perfect photos of this day. And bring a tissue, as she writes as well as she shoots photos. Michelle's ability to focus and capture a moment is superior to any camera you'll ever know.

Do you ever wonder why people step into your journey through life when they do? Admittedly, I don't know either...but I do know that I would rather measure my journey with friends than miles.

Peep Peep Peep

Attention...Read All About It!

Something has gone "fowl" at the Garlick Press.

We have a few more new babies to introduce...

 Say hello to "Nugget" who belongs to the Golden Sexlink breed of chickens.

 Starring in the role of Americauna is "General Tsao".

At the top of the pecking order is "Mother Clucker" a Buff Orpington (her G-rated name is Buffy). She is in charge of all the chicks and established her superiority since we brought the girls home.

 And finally...meet "Red". She is a sweet little Rhode Island Red chick.

A melodic peep peep peep can be heard constantly at our house now. It is the most soothing song. Despite the raging snowstorm this weekend, it sounds like Spring here.

 We have all fallen in love with the girls.

 Even Izzy the pooch...and no she wasn't coerced into this photo at all...not at all.

 The brooder must be kept at a constant 95 degrees in order to keep the chicks healthy and happy.

We giggle and marvel at everything they do. When you leave the room for even the slightest amount of time they cheep cheep loudly looking for you to return....quieting down as soon as you are in sight.

The teenager has become a real "chick magnet" and Nugget is his favorite!

Chet was hesitant at first...now he is their protector. Just like other Hollywood babies, the girls were only allowed a certain amount of time for a photo shoot and then he demanded  that they take a break to rest.

 We are absolutely over the moon about these chicks!

Well most of us are...dog gone-it, this family is for the birds!

An Heirloom for Olivia

Olivia, my gorgeous rosy cheeked baby grand daughter would need an exceptional dress...an exquisite dress...an heirloom gown for her special day.

I found the perfect pattern in an Australian smocking magazine.

 My sweet friend Leisa of Deer Hollow has an authentic pleater machine.

She helped me stitch in the pleats and then held my hand while I attempted smocking for the first time.

This was such a fascinating process to watch...21 needles with 21 different colors of thread to mark each row.

Smocking began in England around the 13th or 14th century. But it wasn't until about 1940 that the pleater was invented...eliminating the tedious process of making row after row of pleats.

After MANY, MANY hours of smocking, it was time to block and steam the bodice. I've always enjoyed handwork in various needle arts, and this was so satisfying...I'm addicted. 

And to finish it off...some tiny beading.

I had exactly one day to construct the dress once the smocking was complete. Not to worry, I work well under pressure. Cass was never worried, she has faith in me.

Yards of exquisite lace, entredeux, and silk ribbon....

and finally...my first heirloom dress.

Only the very best for Olivia!

All The King's Horses

Lori is my gorgeous friend...her hubby Kelly is gorgeous too, and so are their boys! Lori and I have been friends since I was a little girl moving into the town of Taylor...just down the hill from her.

Genuine, kind, and soulful...her thoughts are always about others. When you talk to Lori, she is a listening friend...not just a hearing friend. I constantly remind my dear girlfriend that I love her... but she IS the one who revealed the truth to me about Santa Claus when I was in third grade. 

When I took these pictures...she made me promise no blogging...well this is payback for Santa Claus.

A planned gathering albeit reuinon brought us to her dad Vaughn's house last Sunday evening...back to my home town of Taylor where we both grew up. Vaughn was diagnosed with stage 4 cancer last Fall...he's been fighting back ever since. 

My brother Blair and Lori's brother Dave were always getting into trouble as teenagers...Dave was the only one who ever got caught though. Dave has been gone for 17 years now.

 A walk to the farm and the horse stables. Blair told us secret stories about the adventures of he and Dave.

I don't think the little town of Taylor has been the same since. The gossip still runs amuck at their antics!

Blair and Vaughn shared conversations about horses, teenage Dave, the price of hay...

politics, and just about everything else.

Vaughn recently converted his dairy farm into Allen Horseplay Stables...a place to board horses and ride them too.

Vaughn made this king size headboard and is now storing it in the hay shed. Don't you wish you had a hay shed you could store stuff in?

The Allens love all the horses that board here and treat the owners just like family.

Lori ADORES horses...me...not so much! It's a terrifying tale...why horses and I aren't friends, at least the way I remember. Zion the terrier seems interested in this one though.

Maybe this is where Lori gets her gentle spirit...

As a little girl, I remember staring up at Vaughn thinking he was a giant of a man...now I look up to Vaughn and know he has a giant of a heart.

World peace was solved in this horse arena when these two were finished.

Locking up for the night and another day tomorrow.

It was an incredible evening to reminisce about simpler times, remember those we've lost, and laugh sweetly with one another. Bless you Allen family...and thanks for the hospitality. But I'm still not getting on a horse!

A final swing in her favorite spot...content for this moment and not fearing tomorrow.

Lori told me once that I 'd most likely live a deeper life after my tragedy...she was right. I've never had a sister, but I imagine if I did she would be just like Lori.