Utah, As the Jet Lag Clears

My sister-in-law, Marji and nephew, Peter, are eating grilled salmon and shrimp with spinach salad.  I'm eating CAKE.  It's left over from my nephew Sam's wife, Kara's baby shower last Saturday.  Yum!

Another niece, Maegan, brought her darling 2 month old baby, Alyssa, along from Colorado, and 

she was the unofficial mascot for the event.  Kara's adorably pregnant, Maegan's a loving new mommy, Alyssa cooed and smiled and wriggled, filling the house with new family life.
They've gone back to their respective homes in Texas and Colorado,
but what a warm and welcoming celebration for my first week back.  

Tom's wife, Maji, is an artist with lace.  She hand weaves the most amazingly delicate creations, including this lace hankie, which is turned into a bonnet for the baby and then will be returned to it's original form when she grows older.  It's exquisite and to
watch her create these things looks overwhelmingly difficult!

Oh, and family members very much included pet doggies and kitties
(this is Harley and Dakota), who make me eager
to get back into my home and adopt a pet myself.

Now, back to why I'm eating cake.  Well, first of all, it's here, what other reason need there be?  But, this is desert.  Jordan and I tried out a new restaurant today.  

It's called The Wild Grape & we're going to use it for the small, family luncheon 

following Jordan and Karli's wedding.  Their food is fantastic!  They fries are covered in truffle oil and

this turkey panini is the best I've ever had, and as for Jordan's burger....mmmmmmm.

I picked it first of all, however, for the sake of ambiance.  With exposed brick inside, it has  

the rustic, early colonial American feel Karli and Jordan are going for.  Love it.

Real grape vines cover an arbor outside.  I don't think I've ever eaten 

with actual grapes hanging above me!  I asked if we could be seated outside, well, because of those grape vines shading fresh white table clothes.  Lovely setting.  Delicious food.  

We had the cheese & fruit plate appetizer which complemented the entrees perfectly.

After a few days of jet lag, I resumed the morning walks and found this gorgeous walk behind Tom and Marji's house in Spanish Fork.  

I'm so glad there are so many awe inspiring sights wherever we go!  Yesterday I drove a couple hours North to Logan, to check in on my friends and renters there.  They've lived in that townhome for 6 years and we're both happy we know each other and have this arrangement.  

I drove home as the sun was setting.

As if that wasn't enough inspiration to accompany me on the long drive home,

 the moon decided to make an appearance as I merged onto south bound interstate 15.  Had to pull over and try to capture the moment, rather than wreck the car staring at it.

There's plenty of things to worry about, as Jordan continues to wait for one of the jobs he's applied for to materialize, as do I.  Karli's transitioning through semesters, along with juggling housing issues, demands of work and career goals, while planning for a wedding at the same time 

haven't been entirely trouble free.  While neither they nor I are perfect, and we grapple with the uncertainties of today and tomorrow, she and Jordan handle things with style and grace, 

which, quite frankly, helps me adjust to this roller-coaster of change as well.

  They're amazing and life is grand (except when it's not--:-)).