Visitor

I got a call a few weeks back from a friend/mission companion 

who had a free ticket that had to be used by April 16.  She wanted to know

 if maybe, just maybe 

she could come visit me in Boston. 

"MAYBE!!!!???  Heck yes you can!!  Come on down, my friend!!!" 

So, I might have been a little more calm on the phone, 

but it was essentially the same sentiment.  

We had a blast.  

I played tour guide, learning a little along the way, making new friends

and of course we ate plenty of good food.  

WARNING:  if you come to visit me - 

whether I am here, there, or somewhere else, 

it will ALWAYS, ALWAYS include good food.  

Food is part of what makes a culture.  

So, prepare yourself to eat and enjoy!  

Amy was perfect company, but I don't know what happened...

 while she was here all of my pent up obnoxiousness 

came bursting out in fits of silly humor.  

Poor thing, she put up with me, though. 

Bless her heart!

Enjoy the photos!!

 

Best clam chowder is @ Periwinkles (at least in Essex, MA)!

Best place for brunch in Jamaica Plain - Center Street Cafe.  

When they say "loads of fresh fruit" they mean it!

(That's french toast underneath the fruit, 

in case you were wondering:-)

Awww, look how cute we are!! 

Public Gardens - downtown Boston.

View from the top of the Bunker Hill monument!!  

294 steps up!

This fish was so persuasive.... I couldn't say no.

Coming home...

Two weeks from today I fly back to Missoula.  This will be a busy trip as I intend on visiting friends in both Billings, MT and Spokane, WA.  Lots of driving but it will be well worth it!!  Those of you who will be around I sure I hope I get to see you!!

Why I go to the Temple

There has been some interesting chatter about a program that will portray a ceremony from the temples of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints.  In response to that the church has issued a message about why its members attend the temple.  I share the link with you here, because it explains so beautifully why I go to the temple on a regular basis.  I am so grateful for the opportunity to go to the temple and forget the world for a while and feel the Lord's Spirit so readily.  I encourage those of you with recommends to attend soon and those who do not to find out more about temples.  

Why The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints builds temples.

Some books (and authors) to read...

One of the perks of living in a very urban area on a very urbanized side of the country is tripping into the path of people I would normally not meet.  Medical doctors, nurses, PHD candidates, Post doctoral scientists, teachers, Harvard, Boston University, Tufts, Northeastern University professors, fantastic musicians, and leaders of business and computer markets are just a brief sampling of the people I shove shoulders with.  Yes, shove, jostle, pinch, all sorts of things that you would do to siblings and family members.  That's what these people are to me - friends and family.  No matter the education level and job description people, under the label and the letters at the end of their names, are people.  They eat, they sleep, they like to play games and visit.  I'm glad to know them and to call them friends.  Some of them have even drawn battle plans on my arm (see an earlier post of my color-filled arm from last year sometime)!  

But, this is not a post about the amazing people I know... nope it's about authors - yes authors. LDS authors to be specific and a fabulous article in the Boston globe regarding one of these woman authors.  Her name is Julie Berry and she has a new book coming out this Wednesday. Now because I happened to be in the right spot at the right time, I ended up with a pre-publication copy of this new YA (Young Adult) novel called The Amaranth Enchantment".  It is a great read and moves along at a great pace.  If you are into the new sub-genre of "Fairy Tales turned into novels" such as those written by Shannon Hale (one of my favorite authors), Robin McKinley, or Gail Carson Levine (of Ella Enchanted fame) you will appreciate this unique but fairy tale-esque story as well.  

Here is the link to the Boston Globe article about Julie Berry and the other LDS women authors who are making themselves known in mainstream literature.

You will note the reference to several of the women authors, some of whom I have read and others I have not but I would like to include a rather well known LDS male YA author - Brandon Mull(click on his name to get more information about him) who is known for his realistic fantasy novels about two siblings who encounter all sorts of adventures (many of them quite hair raising and dangerous) on a secret reserve for magical creatures run by their grandparents.  This is a New York Times bestselling series.  There are 3 of the 5 books in the series published and the 4th will be available the middle end of March.  They are enjoyable, a good read for both boys and girls.

I hope that you take some time and check out the links above, especially the Boston Globe article.  It is well written and positive.  Wouldn't it be great if the cleanliness of YA novels could some how jump the rope and rub off on it's older sibling Adult Fiction!!