Proposition 8 in California

Today, I would like to give a big "Shout Out" to Yuba City, specifically Tierra Buena, which truly lived up to it name - Good Earth. We were out walking our neighborhood, as we've been asked, to inform voters about the Protection of Marriage Initiative on the November ballot. We had overwhelming support, as we talked to folks at their doors. It seems that voters are fed up with their votes being negated by a few Supreme Court Justices. It was a pleasant surprise to be so warmly received at the door. The majority of our neighbors thanked us for getting out and knocking on doors. Only a few were undecided, and only one, on Saturday, wouldn't accept our brochure and said she felt as long as folks had a good relationship that was what mattered. We still have several more streets and a few more hours to go, before we are done with our routes.
Last night, Wally Herger, our congressman who is also LDS, spoke at a fireside at our stake center. It was well attended. He gave a good speech, as he talked about the foundations of our great nation. He spoke about the Capitol Building in D.C. and how much of the artwork depicts a nation founded on moral, and Christian principles. He said, as you stand on the congressional floor you have the Ten Commandments displayed behind you, and a painting of Moses with our founding fathers in front of you. Yet, we have Supreme Court Justices removing God and Christian principles from our daily lives.
The California State Supreme Court voted in March, by a margin of 4 to 3, to overturn a law passed in 2000 by 61% of the people which stated, only a marriage between a man and a woman is legal and valid in California. I am enraged that 4 Justices, whom I could not vote for, have overturned a law passed by the majority of the voters in the state. It almost doesn't matter to me what the law is about. I am furious they have the power to invalidate what the voters want.
Those of you who read my blog and are not Californians, take heed, as you will also be soon forced to recognize the marriages performed in California, should those persons move to your state. Many folks are coming from out of state to be married in California. The problem will be on your home turf all too soon.
Congressman Wally Herger said we can't know all the legal ramifications of same sex marriages, but he did speak about some of the statistics in a few European countries which have legalized same sex marriages, since the 90's. For one thing, only 2 % of same sex couples have had marriages performed. That is surprising, but what is more shocking is the number of children born out of wedlock, since the legalization of same sex marriage - 71% !!! And for first time mothers, the number is 80% of children born out of wedlock. To me, that speaks of the demise of marriage and the total breakdown of the traditional family unit.
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints has asked its members to give of their time and means to support Proposition 8. Facts prove that, all things considered, children do better when they come from a home with both a father and a mother. We owe it to our children to give them our very best effort when we bring them into the world.
Again, I want to applaud Yuba City. I get frustrated at times at our backwardness, or should I say our lack of forwardness. I mean, sheesh, we can't even get an Olive Garden (but we do now have an In and Out Burger). We are a strong, family oriented, conservative community. I was nervous about knocking on doors, but overall, it has been a wonderful, positive experience. I do not envy our Church members who are going door to door in more liberal communities. They will be in our prayers.
Vote Yes on Prop 8!!

Veggie Tales

Summer has been busy and crazy, and along with all the busy and crazy our trees and garden continue to produce. There is no scheduling when stuff ripens, so we have to deal with it in the middle of busy and crazy. Since we don't have anything exciting going on right now, my excitement consists making salsa and spaghetti sauce. We planted several varieties of tomatoes this year, to see which we prefer most. Needless to say, we have kept the neighborhood, family and ourselves abundantly supplied. In June, I bottled 9 quarts of plum juice. I made a couple batches of plum syrup, and some jelly - all of which has been given away. The bottled juice will be turned into more jelly and syrup at a convenient time. Our strawberries did well this year, and I have a couple of frozen bags of whole berries in the freezer and made freezer jam. Also not pictured are the blackberries we ate in cobblers and the few bags of frozen berries waiting to be made into cobblers. We only planted one zucchini plant this year, but from that we've had plenty for the table, some for grating and freezing and I put some in the salsa and spaghetti sauce. The salsa ingredients came exclusively from the garden - tomatoes, red onions, green peppers and jalapenos. Jared enjoyed fresh jalapenos on his eggs when they were here in June. This was my first attempt at spaghetti sauce. It was easy, but takes a long time to boil down. The house smells so yummy while it is cooking - imaginings of visiting Tuscany. Fresh spaghetti sauce is almost too good for words. I ate what I couldn't fit into the freezer containers on a piece of bread - Man O' Man! Now you would be really impressed if I told you it was fresh French Bread from the oven, but it would be a falsehood. I haven't done this much canning/freezing for years, and I probably haven't made french bread in even longer or ever! Reminds me of the many years my sister and I would can peaches for an entire day - 96 quarts one time. It was exhausting, but gratifying to see the 'fruits of our labors.'
Tomorrow we are having bacon and tomato sandwiches for dinner. Come on by and we will share. And no - the bacon isn't from our pig. We are city folk!

Big Family Photo

Here is a photo of the whole gang in the loft of one of the cabins, and one of Grandma and Grandpa and all the kids. We are soooo blessed!!

Ah! The Family Reunion

WOW! We had a great time. Let's do it again next week. Soda Springs is awesome. The cabins were great (except we had to be split apart into two houses). The view fantastic. It was so cool to just walk out the back door and hop in a canoe or kayak! We loved the talent show - Tripps singing, Micah's debut on ukelele with Sarah singing, Runyans making us laugh with funny legs and torsos, Jared and Debbie with the Lyons in their rendition of Cotton Eyed Joe, Josh's family sharing their talents via PowerPoint and popping their surprise on us (Josh you totally lied to me when I asked you earlier). The rocket launch was a hit. You guys are the best.
The food was delicious - thanks everyone for pitching in. The kids were all adorable and well behaved. Looking down on the fireworks display at Donner Lake was totally memorable. First time I have ever been "above" the fireworks - even if watching atop granite boulders at 7600 feet was a bit scary. I am sad it is all over! What will dad and I do for the rest of the summer?? Oh yeah - maybe relax a bit :)
I don't know if I can wait another 2 years
for a reunion. I have an idea - let's do Disneyland next year? Who's up for it?
We sure love all ya'll. You are the best. We are overwhelmed with gratitude for our family. What a team!!

Peeps Anyone?

I stumbled upon this blog and thought how I was an unfortunate child to never have enjoyed the pleasure of Peeps - along with Rice Krispie treats. Rice Krispie Treats were not considered a true dessert by my mother. Heaven forbid if someone brought them to a ward dinner, or similar function. Anyhoo . . . while working on my degree in my early 40's, I had one evening course where we sat around and discussed plays we were made to attend. One young woman in the class would eat a whole pkg of peeps during the class (it was springtime). I thought to myself "does she know something I don't know? How can that be, I am much older than she?" I wanted to know what she knew, so I threw caution to the wind and surreptitiously purchased my first pkg of Peeps. Now, I make certain to buy them each season they are available - which is increasing each year. I soon expect to see Shamrock Peeps, Passover Peeps, and maybe even Ramadan Peeps (only consumed after dark).
Enjoy this ode to Peeps.
www.peepsofmormon.blogspot.com

A Tribute to Dad

I thought it fitting to pay tribute to my great husband. We will celebrate our 37th anniversary in 10 days. We've had plenty of bumps in our road of marriage, but we've had one another to rely on. He is the rock of our family. He's always set a good example, but mostly he has helped us all solve our problems. Families naturally face many obstacles, but with Bud, he helps us work the problem and find the best course to take. I appreciate him more and more with the passing years. I love watching him in his role as grandparent. Yes, he gives the grandkids more drinks of soda than he should, and he isn't always careful about what is on the TV when they are around, but he plays hard with them and they adore him. He has changed many more diapers as a grandparent than he ever did as a parent. He has always honored his priesthood, and been there as our spiritual advisor. I look forward to the coming years, as we have much more to accomplish. He is my best friend and confidant.

 
Grandpa and Hannah training for circus stunts.
 













Grandpa and the Father's Day crowd.
 
Please feel free to add you own comments about the leader of our clan.

These photos were left off the previous post.

 
 
 

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