6 months

Dave and I have been married now for 6 months, so we went to the Preston Temple yesterday. I don't know if I am suppose to say something profound about marriage, but it's only been 6 months. It hasn't been weird living with a boy. The adjustments from singlehood to marriage, especially since we are in our late 30's, has not been as difficult as I thought it would. The first month I felt like I was in a haze of bliss.

Anything I miss about the wedding? Yep, I miss hangin' with my family. That was such a fun day, even though I didn't get to talk to everyone, I'm glad they all came to the Temple to see us sealed. And I miss that amazing cake! If you didn't get a piece make sure you head over to The Chocolate and order the Cherub, but get it with caramel filling. Just so yummy!!!

The next 2 years are going to continue to feel temporary, until I graduate. After that the plan is to move back to Utah, closer to my family. Hopefully the economy cooperates and Dave can get a job at that time. And the government is generous by immediately granting Dave a visa! Fingers crossed and many prayers!

brownie cake

Here are pictures of the brownie cake I made between General Conference sessions.

Dave bought the Ghiradelli's brownie mix from Costco. I split the mix in two and baked the separately. Follow the recipe on the box for oven temperature, but the time says to bake for 45 minutes and I only do 30 minutes.

Then I mashed up Oreos and mixed it in with some Betty Crocker Buttercream Icing. I put one layer of brownie on a plate, iced it, then put the other layer on. Then eat! I will warn you that it is REALLY sugary with the addition of the icing and Oreos. Dave describes it as a diabetic coma.

Sarah Jane Perkins PB

This is the PB of Sarah Jane Perkins Rogerson, my second great grandma. It was done in 1875 and if you read the beginning carefully it says, "A Blessing by John L. Smith patriarch ..." I thought the name John L. Smith looked familiar so I looked it up and sure enough I was right. John Smith was the nephew of Joseph Smith Jr. the first prophet of the church and the first son of Hyrum Smith, Joseph's older brother, from his first wife Jerusha Barden Smith. The recorder is J.R. Smith, John had two son's named John and Joseph, but neither of them had a middle name that started with a R, so I don't know who the recorder was.

The PB was done "Parowan Iron Co, Utah In Apr 2nd 1x75", which makes me think that John Smith wandered the Utah Territory giving PB's to the members instead of everyone going to their local Stake Patriarch. Does anyone know the real story of how PB's were done back then?

General Conference

Have you seen this picture before?

If you haven't, this picture was taken in the early 1980's for the LDS church to use, mostly for manuals. I am the girl in the yellow dress. I was about 6 years old. Thought I would post the picture since it's the Semi-Annual General Conference this weekend.

Thank Heavens we can watch Conference online now. I hate having to get dressed up, drive 30 minutes away to the Stake Center, find a parking spot (on the street), and sit on VERY uncomfortable benches or chairs for 4 hours. Instead I'm sitting on the couch in my pj's with Dave's laptop hooked up to the tv. And after the morning session (it started at 5pm England time) I will make a brownie/oreo cake (thanks to the pinterest idea), yup oreos are now at most grocery stores here, but in smaller packages.