JUST A VIEW OF WHAT I DO IN OLD NAUVOO……

So Rosa was here with Billie and came to Rendezvous.  I guess the show was okay, they were rolling in the aisles.  I have never ever acted and it is not in my comfort zone, but every once in awhile, it is kind of fun. So these are just a few views of what takes place.  No applause, just awed silence!!! 

Elder and Sister Ward from Malad, Idaho.  He is probably all of 5’4” and so funny.  He grabs his tie every time I am around him, I have a habit of untying it….

Just before I pull the napkin out of Richard’s shirt and readjust it…….

I don’t see a flying horse!!!

You will not carve those worthless ducks in this house!!

Why don’t you love me like you used too???

Looking pretty hot in this pioneer garb………………………………………..

He’s trying to take me away!!

I don’t think this is what came to mind when they said “pole dancing!”

I’ve seen this look many times in 37 years…………………………

So just a little taste of what we do at Rendezvous.  We do this show every other night now, including Christmas!!!!! Then in May it starts two shows a night.  So heaven help me remember this part.  I never did like the name Agatha!!!!!!!

My Very Own Proofing Box!

Well, today is Thanksgiving.  Happy Thanksgiving one and all.  I am trying so hard to not cry and to count my blessings.  So here I start.  I volunteered to make my Mother’s homemade rolls for the mission dinner today.  Thank goodness it is our preparation day.  So I spent most of the day making rolls.  I have discovered in this new little home, my very own proofing box.  Remember a proofing box here in Nauvoo is to raise bread in……..Having said that here is a picture………

My bathroom!  Now keep in mind I had cleaned it this morning.  It has a fan in it that has a heater on it.  Set the dough in the bathroom, turn on the fan, and shut the door.  Magic!!

Finished product, the pioneers have nothing on me!

Then on to the stake center for our dinner.  It is nice to have it full of my friends. 

All of these good cooks here in Nauvoo, there was no shortage of food to eat, in fact we all got to take platefuls home.

Then we had a little program.  Sang some songs and then we have a professional musician here and he played a Tommy Dorsey song on this trombone.  It was amazing.  Then on to the Nauvoo Visitors’ Center to practice for the tree lighting ceremony.

Before it is lit. We stand upstairs and sing a song with flashlights on about turning on the lights on the tree and then wallllaahhh. Pictures to follow.

In the visitors center we have a beautiful nativity.  It is by Fontanini.  I think that is supposed to be very high class. This is before the tree is lit and up close.

So here I sit at 7 PM in the evening and my celebration is over.  I think of everyone at home enjoying one another and I am trying so hard to remember I am here to serve the Lord.  Next year I will be home and I will make the pies and the rolls, but for this year, I am grateful for the privilege to wear a badge that serves others and hopefully is a gift of my gratitude to my Father in Heaven who has given me so much.  I am so blessed in a million ways.  At dinner the other night I got a question, “Who would you trade places with if you could be anyone?”  I thought for only a little while and replied, “I wouldn’t trade places with anyone, I am so blessed, I have the greatest family, the best memories, opportunities, and I have worked hard to get to where I am.  No, I wouldn’t trade places with anyone, and I guess that is what Thanksgiving is about to me this year.  I am blessed and I know it and am so grateful to each and everyone of you who has helped me to be who I am.  THANKSGIVING……………………………………………………..

HAPPY BIRTHDAY……..

Elder Spencer and Sister Christensen are having birthdays this week and so we got invited out to dinner!! We actually laughed through most of the meal.  Ham and potatoes, rolls, Jell-O and birthday cake.  You can’t beat that especially when I didn’t have to make anything. 

Elder Openshaw making a face for me. 

My sweet Elder Christensen.  He was a hoot tonight.  He loves to be out and so we will be having them over for dinner on Sunday.

We had to start dinner at 4:30 old peoples’ standard time because we had to be at Rendezvous by 6.  No time to get in trouble around here. Love these people though.  We are so blessed with such good friends.  We could probably have someone over every night of the week.

Is It Christmas??????

It is time to decorate if you are in charge of a home in Nauvoo.  I am the site leader for the Brigham Young Home and so today, we got out the decorations.

Nothing too fancy but for the l840’s I guess it will

work.

If they would just give me permission and a little time to go to Hobby Lobby, this place would sparkle!!! You know me!

So two funny things happened today. We got a couple that came in and he had been to a Santa Claus Convention in Michigan.  I guess it is pretty serious stuff to be trained to be Santa.  This man has been doing it for 30 years. He is from Arizona and speaks Spanish, Navajo, and Apache.  He was so sweet and gave me an article that talks all about him.  He was with his wife who was connected way back with Nauvoo history, but he claimed to be a “dry” Mormon.  He came to Rendezvous tonight to see us.  So I got one more hug.

Such a sweet man……I do believe in Santa Claus!

Right out on our front step….

Then the other thing I learned today was that Brigham Young was very particular about how his house was kept.  No excuses for a messy house.  Great, wouldn’t you know that I was put in charge of his.  I wonder if he approves of my skills????

WHO KNEW IN OLD NAUVOO!!

So we have never been to the Old Nauvoo Hotel that was established in the 1840’s.  I have  been here 7 months and never walked in the place!  BIG MISTAKE!  They had a wonderful buffet, with real food not to be found elsewhere for miles around.  It reminded me of an old Italian restaurant with a lot of little rooms. 

I am sure a lot of the town residents for miles around love this place.  It serves alcohol!!

So this was the scary part……We went out with the mission presidency!!! I could hardly swallow, worrying about manners and such, but it really was a great night.  The buffet was a mile long and I got fried chicken, mashed potatoes and country gravy!!!!

All in all a good time on the old town of Nauvoo!