Gilgal Baggins

I am constantly searching for free and interesting things to do here along the Wasatch Front … lately I heard about an odd little garden in Salt Lake … Gilgal’s Garden.  If Bilbo Baggins had a cousin .. his name would be Gilgal … totally a hobbit name. Bilbo, Frodo, Pippin, Merry and Gilgal …. sounds good to me.    This garden was created by an LDS bishop (Thomas Child) in the 1940’s and all the sculptures have religious symbolism.  I have to admit I thought this guy was a bit wacko in the beginning but as we read about each work of art …. it all made sense … cool, peculiar, strange sense. 

No need to do a double take … that is Joesph Smith’s face on that Sphinx.

 

I should have done a few trunk twists or windmills to warm up before I attempted this move

 

I call this one … “brick trousers.”

 

This little display won my vote … how could you not love cool body parts sprawled across this little hill?

loved the human hearts

 

As we walked through the gardens, a lovely fresh bread aroma filled the air and we were intrigued.  We did a little investigating and the Wonder Bread factory happened to be right next door.   We then saw this sign … you combine bakery goods and a thriftstore  (two things I love) … you have trouble.  Don’t judge us but Mitchell and I both find twinkies and hostess cupcakes to be quite delightful … preservatives pshmervatives …whatever.  Hostess does preservatives riiiiiiiight.

Living In Color

Colored chalk? Check.  Thousands of people? Check. Beautiful weather? Check.  Very cool Aladdin temple? Check.  Purrrrrrrrfect …. all hail the Holi Festival of Colors!

Mitchell, Morgan, Ashley and I embarked on a colorful adventure Saturday afternoon.  I have been hearing about this festival for a couple years now and have always wanted to be a part of it.  And boy were we a part of it.

As soon as the man with the wonderful turban ended the countdown from 20 (who does a countdown from 20 … seriously) the chalk (actually colored cornstarch) began to fly.  100% insane.  A full on gas mask  or scuba gear would have been nice.  Our lungs, eyes and noses won’t be sending thank you cards to the Sri Sri Radha Krishna Temple anytime soon. 

Mitchell is now a Dr. Seuss character

 

Yes I have purple teeth.  No it did not taste good.

Morgan’s Mel Gibson Braveheart-esque portrait

Ashley = a creepy pink oompa loompa

The dust of death still lingering in the air

  colorful unibrow

Nobody slipped Mitchell a mickey  I promise….

Thankfully Morgan and Ashley had a bag of DI clothes in their trunk, so we pulled on some very fashionable cuffed dress pants and shirts in order to save the upholstery in the car.  Overall I give the Holi Festival of Colors 5 stars.  Those  Indians sure know how to party.

Green Eggs and Artificially Flavored Textured Soybean Protein

We always hear we should eat some kind of greens everyday …. I had about 5 servings of “greens” Wednesday morning.  Mitchell made a wonderful green breakfast …. M&Ms for breakfast … can’t get much better than that.  Our artificial ham looks a little under the weather … it tasted slightly better than it looked. 

Fillmore Claim to Fame

Many, many …many years ago I was part of a tumbling class.  At the end of each class we would have a back bend endurance contest … I don’t want to be boastful … but I won those contests many a time.  And several years ago I was part of the largest Guinness World’s Records pillow fight.   Those few experiences are all that I have been able to claim in terms of fame …. that is until last night.  Last night was the BYU Philharmonic: Evening of Concertos.   No I did not perform …. but Mitchell’s brother’s wife did and I figure her fame has a trickle down affect in the family.   Ashley played a 13 minute cello solo with the orchestra accompanying her.  That guuuurl got skills fo’ sure.  She showed that cello who was boss. She was all over the bridge of that cello doing all sorts of finger aerobics.  You did us proud Ashley.  Thanks for making the Fillmores famous.

Morgan and Ashley in all her tangerine glory

Mitchell was called to be keeper of the flowers.

Merry March 12th

I have been looking forward to this day for a very long time.  I should have made a paper count down chain.  I woke up so giddy and excited.  Sounds a bit like Christmas right?  This morning might have been slightly better than Christmas morning …. this morning was my last day working at the gym.    You heard correctly … I gave my two weeks notice a while back …. adios! chao! sayonara! hasta la vista! toodles!  

pic taken at 3:00 am on Friday March 12, 2010 … the blessed day has arrived.

 

My 3:00 am alarm has been exterminated (Mitchell programmed my alarm to say “give me a kiss” because he didn’t want me to forget to give him a kiss before I left in the morning)

I hope I am not sounding ungrateful, wussy or picky …. this job came at the perfect time and it was good to me … but my body and brain just can’t handle it any longer … they are beginning to turn into mush … oatmeal … stinky pottage.   So from now on, I do not plan on waking up at 3:00 a.m. unless I have really bad heartburn or a terrible nightmare.

The Breakfast of Champions

Breakfast should be exciting.  Breakfast sets the tone for the entire day.  A boring breakfast of plain oatmeal puts a damper on my mood so I conjured up some magical pancakes.   Today is going to be great.

We Be Field Trippin’

The two best parts of school were surprise assemblies and … field trips.  I miss field trips.  So Mitchell and I hopped on our trusty blue steed and took a field trip.  

Destination #1 : Ensign Peak

Destination # 2 : Grand America. 

I love fancy pants hotels that have coooool fabric on the walls … such as this …..

 

This is where people lounge, and eat grey poupon I’m sure.

Mitchell lurking in the shadows.

 

Destination #3 Random cathedrals

(Tip: Old cathedral pews are not made for a giantess like me.  As you sit down, watch your knee and make sure it doesn’t smack the extremely sharp corner on the pew in front of you.  Such an occurrence may cause whimpering and a broken knee cap)

A very special couple.

     Ladies and gents … I’m proud to announce … SPRING!