Dinner and Jack and the Bean Stalk

Saturdays are incredibly busy. Ever since we decided that we wanted to move to Texas we find that whatever time is not spent with EPS or Crown is filled with Church and family activities. Occasionally, we have an evening when we aren't absolutely exhausted from our day's work and can do a little something towards getting our home ready to sell.

This Saturday, however, was not one of those "house focused" days for me. Neal was able to get the crown moulding installed in the bathroom. It looks so nice.

We borrowed the idea of the wood ceiling from Don's and Gaylynne's bedroom. We were repairing a damaged ceiling which is right under the shower upstairs and it made the repairs much easier.

It really looks nice and we are glad to have that task completed. Left to do in this bathroom is caulking the crown moulding and putting one more coat of paint on the ceiling.

While Neal was working on the bathroom I attended the Stake Relief Society Spring Social.

You know how when you look at the many things you want to accomplish on a Saturday and going to another Church activity is at the bottom of the list? Well, being in a leadership position in the Branch, decisions about what I will do are already made for me. I sometimes regret the time I lose but not this time. I really enjoyed myself visiting with many of the sisters in the Stake.

Each Branch and Ward was asked to set up a display table showing the skills and talents of their members.

It was amazing how much we learned about each other. Alyssa Owens was in charge of setting up the table. She chose a Tuscan theme and borrowed many of her mother's wonderful things to show off our items.

You can see my White Horses water color painting in this photo along with hats that Elaine VanOrman made. There is a crocheted shawl from Lois Pauls and also a baby blanket. The needle point in the foreground was done by Elaine and is the tiniest I have ever seen. Some of the pieces were made from just one thread!

The pastel next to my painting was made by Alyssa Owens while she was sitting on a hill in Tuscany several months ago.

The beautiful quilt square was made by Kathy Stewart. There was a family cookbook shared by Colleen Houck, and my Little Girl sculpture.

The table was full of wonderful things that gave us great conversation starters.

It really was a remarkable morning and I was so glad that I had made the decision to go.

When I got home Neal changed his clothes and we headed for Newberg. We had a nice visit with Grandma as we traveled to Don's and Gaylynne's for dinner. Quite some time ago Don and Gaylynne invited Grandma to a German restaurant for her Birthday dinner but because of time and weather and health issues they just never were able to get together.

Don decided that he would cook German food and make their home the restaurant. It was such a lovely dinner. The first thing we noticed when we entered the "restaurant" was the aroma. On the barbecue were delicious sausages.

We were greeted by our lovely Hostess, Gaylynne and waitresses, Melanie and Emma who ran upstairs to primp.

Melanie brushed and styled Emma's hair and they dressed in jumpers looking quite German, don't you think?

They had worked hard on the menus which were placed on our plates at the table that was set so lovely.

There was so much yummy food. German potato salad, fresh baked olive oil bread, and red cabbage that was even better than my Bestemor's. She would be so proud of her Great Grandson! One of our favorite dishes was a spinach/cheese pie that Don created based on something he and Gaylynne had enjoyed in Leavenworth. Mmmm Mmmm Good!

We were all still sitting at the table enjoying our dinner which was as Great Grandma Coates said, "Better than any restaurant I've ever been to", when Don looked at his watch.

I've never seen a "restaurant" clear out so quickly as we dashed to get to Courtney's play.

It was held at her school. She auditioned last Monday and I think she said they had had only 4 rehearsals. She learned her part well and really had a wonderful time performing.


I didn't get very many photos but I'm sure Gaylynne will be posting some on her blog. Second row in lavender is Courtney.

I did get a few cute shots of Courtney after she grumbled about the amount of makeup she had to wear.

I told her that was nothing compared to the girls in the night time ice shows. YIKES!

We all went back to their home for dessert which was delicious.

Emma and Melanie borrowed the camera and got some really nice pictures.

I love this one of Gaylynne and the next one of Neal's and Courtney's shoes is cute.

We got this last photo which is of Melanie and the little sculpture she painted. It was a gift from Lori and Matthew.

What a lovely Saturday we had. Thanks again.