Shelley Beatty

Living Life and Loving It

Easter!

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Easter came early this year, the last Sunday in March. And to think it was just a week ago we were shoveling almost a foot of snow. Spring is much later this year and I was not able to use any flowers from my yard, the forsythia has not even bloomed yet.  But I still had my Easter flower centerpiece on the table.

Easter table is set with deseret rose place settings, accented with a green charger, pink handled fiesta ware flatware.

Easter table is set with deseret rose place settings, accented with a green charger, pink handled fiesta ware flatware.

Flower centerpiece.

Flower centerpiece.

Each place has its own carrot cake in a flower pot, and new this year a yellow chocolate duck.

The traditional carrot cake flower pot with real flower and peep bunny.

The traditional carrot cake flower pot with real flower and peep bunny.

 

Easter place setting.

Easter place setting.

Easter Dinner place setting with carrot cake flower pot and chocolate duck.

Easter Dinner place setting with carrot cake flower pot and chocolate duck.

Easter Buffet Dinner

Easter Buffet Dinner

 

Ham, turkey, potatoes and green beans are all kept warm in beautiful copper chaffing dishes.

Ham, turkey, potatoes and green beans are all kept warm in beautiful copper chaffing dishes.

Stollen, bunny bread (both from Great Harvest Bread) and fresh made rolls are part of our Easter dinner.

Stollen, bunny bread (both from Great Harvest Bread) and fresh made rolls are part of our Easter dinner.

 

Even though the Bunny Bread from Great Harvest Bread is delicious, no one can bring themselves to take a knife and slice into the bunny.

Even though the Bunny Bread from Great Harvest Bread is delicious, no one can bring themselves to take a knife and slice into the bunny.

Carrot Cake, and carrot candy and carrot cake baked in a flower pot are also part of the dessert buffet.

Carrot Cake, and carrot candy and carrot cake baked in a flower pot are also part of the dessert buffet.

Another tradition is chick cupcakes.

Brightly colored chick lemon flavored cupcakes and peep bunnies on a stick are just a part of our Easter dinner dessert.

Brightly colored chick lemon flavored cupcakes and peep bunnies on a stick are just a part of our Easter dinner dessert.

 

A whole clutch of chick cupcakes, in lemon, have become a traditional part of Easter dinner.

A whole clutch of chick cupcakes, in lemon, have become a traditional part of Easter dinner.

Peeps on a stick!

Bunny peeps on a stick.

Bunny peeps on a stick.

My sister, husband and kids; Zain, Aalia, and Nial came to Easter dinner along with our friend Charles.

Happy Easter!

 

 

 

 

Visiting dear friends…

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Some of our best activities was visiting with dear friends.  We visited with Marsha O’Connor and her daughter Claire O’Connor Battle and husband.  Jen and Claire talked about old times and growing up together.  We got together at Fairway Park so the kids could play.

Jennifer Beatty Long and Claire O'Connor Battle.

Jennifer Beatty Long and Claire O’Connor Battle.

Becca spent her time building a snowman…
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Becca builds a snowman.

Becca builds a snowman.

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24th of July Parade, Floats, Horses, Antique Cars and Marching Bands!! What more could one want? (Salt Lake City 2012)

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The 24th of July dawned bright and beautiful.  The 24th of July in Utah is a State wide holiday to celebrate the arrival of the Pioneers in the Salt Lake Valley in 1847. And the 24th could not have been more perfect for the parade which is an annual affair.

According to Days of ’47 Inc. “This trek of the early Utah pioneers exemplifies the courage, foresight, and faith that continue to inspire modern-day pioneers. By remembering those remarkable 1847 pioneers and all those who followed, The Days of ’47 seeks to make their accomplishments and hardships live today through a variety of activities and celebrations each year. We believe the example of past and present pioneers’ courage is a beacon to the world.”

The parade was first held on July 24, 1849. It was then known as the “Pioneer Days Parade” up until 1931. From 1931 to 1946 the parade was known as the “Covered Wagon Days Parade”. Since 1947 the parade has been known by its current name. It is one of the largest and oldest parades west of the Mississippi. It is about 3 hours long.

Although many people camp out to get a good spot, Adam went down to the parade route in the very, very early hours of the morning and reserved (spread out our blankets) for us a great spot. Jen and I later brought the kids down (all ready for the parade in their pioneer hats) so they would not have to wait too long. A very big treat for us this year was our friends, Linda and Shelley Esplin joined us in watching the parade. Making it the perfect fun day!

and the floats, oh the beautiful floats:

Links to more on Salt Lake City.

http://shelleybeatty.com/holidays/days-of-47-pioneer-day-utah-style/

http://shelleybeatty.com/life/travel/salt-lake-city-for-family-fun/

http://shelleybeatty.com/life/travel/fun-in-salt-lake-city/

BYU Women’s Conference, Provo, Utah 2012

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BYU Women's Conference, Provo, Utah.

I was again very fortunate to attend Brigham Young University’s Women’s Conference. BYU hosted more than 16,000 women from around the world Thursday and Friday, April 26-27, during the annual BYU Women’s Conference. This year’s theme, “And They Were Armed with Righteousness and with the Power of God in Great Glory,”comes from 1 Nephi 14:14.

The conference, co-sponsored by the Relief Society of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, featured speakers covering a variety of topics along with activities such as service projects, an instant choir, book signings and an evening concert.

After two days of instruction, service and a little bit of entertainment, thousands of women from all over the world left the Brigham Young University campus “recharged” and “renewed” Friday afternoon.

There were thousands who filled the Marriott Center to listen to Elder Andersen and his wife, Sister Kathy Andersen, speak during the closing session of Women’s Conference at BYU.

“While the battle rages, we need not fear,” Elder Andersen told the group of women. “The Lord will help you, your family and others you love who need special help. We know the outcome. The Savior will triumph over all.”

Drawing from the conference’s theme taken from a scripture in The Book of Mormon — “And they were armed with righteousness and with the power of God in great glory” — Elder Andersen spoke of how individuals must be armed as they fight in the spiritual war raging for the souls of men and women.

“We recognize the enemy and understand his plan,” he said. “The pride of the world seeks to destroy faith by casting doubt on the existence of God, or, if not his existence, his personal care and concern for his children. ”

It is through being armed in righteousness that individuals are able to feel the power and promises of God, he said. And it is through taking the Savior’s name upon oneself that individuals are able to be converted and act as a disciple and defender of Christ.

“Think about the journey of your own conversion and discipleship through the years,” he said. “When you are more sensitive in taking his name upon you … you see more clearly, sense more deeply your identity as a daughter of God, and realize in greater measure the purposes you have accomplished, are accomplishing and will yet accomplish.”

Even in times of difficulty, individuals can find peace and happiness as they arm themselves with righteousness and unite with others. Because of this, individuals can look to the future with faith, Elder Andersen said.

Once again, I got to attend with my friends; Ellen Riley from Massachusetts and Linda Esplin from Phoenix. It is one of my favorite things I do each year!

We have attended together for three years and every year it has snowed. This year was the warmest so far but we did get snow in the foothills around Salt Lake City, with rain in the valley. My favorite mountain, MT. Timpanogos had a lot of snow on it as you can see from the picture.