Artistic Eye

Once again, Wally has made quit the costume. This time he is some sort of sharp toothed creature. You give this guy a stack of paper, a box, a few sticks, or a roll of tape, and you never know what he will turn it into. Note the wing flaps on his back. And you can tell we went to the health club that day, because he still has his name tag on.

I love it!

The Taste

Del had a couple of meetings with all of his Chicago reps last week, and his manager out of Georgia, Rullie, also flew in to be in the office to talk shop.

Noelle, Rullie's wife came in for a fun weekend in the city, and so Del and I got a room downtown to hang out, and go to the Taste of Chicago with them.

Everything worked out so smoothly because for one, we had some great sitters to leave our kids with. There is a newly married couple in our ward living with her parents for the Summer. So we have taken advantage. As have all my friends in the ward. Janice and Jonathan are great with the kids.

The second thing that went in our favor was that we got to stay at a cool hotel, with a view of Grant park and Michigan Ave because Noelle has the hook-ups.

We stayed at the historic Blackstone hotel, built in 1910 by the same architects that built The Drake hotel.
It is on the Chicago Historical Building Registry.

The one with the green roof.
I do have to say however, that although the rest of the hotel was aesthetically pleasing to me, I hated, with a capital H the furniture and rugs in the lobby. So sad, the building and rooms were great. And I noticed on the web site, they have all of those particular rugs and furniture cropped out of the photos. Hmmmm. Poor Del had to listen to me get on my soap box on how I would design that space. I know, I am such a snob.

Our view. Very cool.

We walked over to the Taste from our hotel. It was so fun that it was just down the street.
We met up with an old friend from high school that we have not seen in almost a decade. He was passing through town, and was there for the day on a stop over.
We caught up with Ben, and ate. Mostly Del and Rullie, as Ben and I both have our issues with food. Yeah, every party has a pooper, that's why the Taste invited us.

This is Ben. He looks just like I remember him. He said the same of us, but he was probably just being nice.

The eating.

Us in front of the Taste entrance.

Rullie and Noel.

Noelle and I were tired of the carni atmosphere after not too long. So we took a little break at the hotel before we headed to a late dinner, and met up with one of the wheelchair manufacturer reps and his date. We ate Tapas, (not topless) for dinner, at the noisiest restaurant I have ever been to. But I found a lovely chicken salad that I could eat after sweating it out that the waiter didn't understand how severe my allergy to nuts is.
Story of my life. And a story that I am sure Noelle and Rullie are sick of since we eat together a lot, and they have to listen to me explain it to the waiters every. where. we. go. I am sure they want to scream when they have to go out with me.

The next day we hit the street for some walking, shopping, eating, and as it turned out, frying. It was beyond hot, scorching. Even Noelle, who is used to the heat and humidity in Atlanta couldn't believe it.

A picture of us in the street in front of the hotel. It was a wind tunnel between the tall buildings, so my hair is a little unappealing.

We walked past the Bean, so we stopped for pictures. There are girls in the background of this pic with signs that said "Free Hugs." In that heat, the LAST thing in the world that sounded fun was hugging a sweaty stranger. Ew. Okay that is the last thing that sounds fun most of the time, even when it is not hot.

Then we were done with the heat, so we grabbed a taxi. We shopped and ate.

Rullie took these next two shots.

It was fun to get away, and fun to see our Hotlanta friends. It was also nice to get home from the city. I love the busy streets, interesting people, cool vibe... but sometimes I am happy with the slow, steady pace of the suburban corn fields I live in.
I heart Chicago.

Farmer's Market

I must admit that we have not taken sufficient advantage of our local Farmer's Market. We have most certainly gone before, but not enough. I decided that we need to take advantage while the sun shines. Literally! We also need to be a little more conscious of what we are putting in our bodies. The Market is a good place to start.

We need to stock up on, and enjoy all of the wonderful things that the Earth provides. I am gone so much of our Summer every year, that I have not planted a garden. But I need to, I know. 

In the meantime, I will enjoy living in the unique dynamic that I do. 

A small town, in a big suburb, of a big city. We are surrounded by farms, and fields, yet a short drive takes us to the heart of things. 

So we have a beautiful Farmer's Market, right in town. 

If you want to know what colors REALLY exist in nature, take a look below.

 We are loving our local honey sandwiches, homemade pico, grass fed beef, off the vine berries,and backyard chicken eggs! 

Check out your Farmer's Market today! 

                                 

Is your mouth watering yet?

Clark Family Reunion 2011/ Nauvoo

                                                                                  Nauvoo, Illinois temple

Nauvoo is the sight of a once strong city, set on the Mississippi River. It was a spot of rest from religious persecution for those of the Mormon faith back in the 1800's, for only a few years. The persecution then became so bad, that the Prophet Joseph Smith was martyred at Carthage jail, and the Saints were forced to leave behind their homes, a beautiful, newly built temple, and their way of life, and head West into the wilderness. 

The members of the church in Nauvoo, rushed to finish a beautiful temple, and dedicate it to the Lord, before the violence got so great that they would have to leave. The temple sat abandoned, and then was burned by arsons, and knocked down by a tornado in the years after the Saints left the city. 

The temple is now re-build, and open to do the work of the Lord. It is an amazing sight, sitting on a buff above the Mississippi River, facing West. 

The Saints eventually made it to the Salt Lake Valley. It was a desolate, desert land when they arrived. They worked, and just like every other place they had inhabited previously, it bloomed, and became a beautiful, thriving city.

I have ancestors that walked from their abandoned homes in Nauvoo to Salt Lake City. It is a place that has a sacred feel. To have sacrificed what they did puts into perspective how I should use my time on this Earth.

I repeatedly felt an affirmation on this Nauvoo visit, that these people worked to establish a church that will roll forth throughout the Earth, and bring many souls back to their Father in Heaven. I was reassured, once again, what I already know to be true. That the priesthood of God is restored upon this Earth, and the Gospel of Jesus Christ is guided through a living prophet, Thomas S. Monson, who receives latter day revelation from the Lord, concerning his church, and us, his children.

Nauvoo, and Carthage Illinois are such a great stop to make if you are ever out this way. Member of our church, or not, it is a place that captures history, and tells a story that is often misunderstood, or unknown.

First, a picture of all the kids eating ice cream the night before our Nauvoo drive.

Yes, the grass really is THAT green!

Our first stop in Nauvoo was a family service project. We spread mulch under all the trees we could in two hours. We got quit a bit of it spread before our time was up. It was fun, and everyone pitched in. Even Walker!

It was fun!

The front of the John Taylor home.

The Sarah Granger Kimball home. One of my favorites.

Joseph and Emma Smith's Mansion House.

There is a cute little pioneer game area set up for children called "Pioneer Pastimes." Wally passed off one of his Cub Scout badges by trying the game using these walking sticks.

We had the chance for most of us to attend a temple session, we ate at the Hotel Nauvoo buffet, hit the bakery for some yummy bread and cookies, went on both the wagon and carriage rides, enjoyed the shows put on in the evenings, held a family talent show and Home Evening, and just had a really nice time seeing all that Nauvoo holds. Again, my Aunt Sandy and Uncle Scott were amazing in finding us comfortable accommodations.
Nauvoo has such a peaceful atmosphere.

Burial sight of Joseph, Emma, and Hyrum Smith.

Carthage Jail was the last stop of the Reunion.
This is a very special place. The sight of the martyrdom of Joseph and Hyrum Smith. After spending two days in the jail, they were moved to the upper floor of the jail, into the jailer's own bedroom, because of mob violence brewing outside.
Those who had come to stay with Joseph during his unjust imprisonment, had dwindled down to just two men in addition to Hyrum, Joseph's brother. The rest of the men had gone away on errands.

The angry mob burst through the front door of the jail, and stormed up the stairs. The men, who were leaning against the door to keep it closed, were shot at through the wood. The bullet hole that killed Hyrum Smith still remains. Joseph Smith was shot, and fell through the window of the room to the ground below, landing next to the well in the picture below.

The men with him, John Taylor and Williard Richards did escape with their lives, after John Taylor was severely wounded.
Joseph's brother Samuel was also a victim of the violence that day. As he rode hard to escape the mobs, he was critically wounded, and died within the month.

The finality of Joseph's life is very stark when you consider all the he left behind. A pregnant wife, his children, the Church he had helped restore, and the many people who had accepted him, and the story of the Restoration.
But the work was not finalized on this spot. It has grown to cover the Earth. A strong testimony of his Gospel lies in the hearts of millions of people, and the sacrifice of these men is remembered and appreciated today, because of the change it has had on so many in this mortal life, and in the eternal realm.
While we do not worship Joseph Smith as members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, we do worship our Savior Jesus Christ, and Joseph Smith was vital in restoring the Gospel of Jesus Christ on the Earth.

 John Taylor said of Joseph Smith;

"Joseph Smith, the Prophet and Seer of the Lord, has done more, save Jesus only, for the salvation of men in this world, than any other man that ever lived in it. In the short space of twenty years, he has brought forth the Book of Mormon, which he translated by the gift and power of God, and has been the means of publishing it on two continents; has sent the fulness of the everlasting gospel, which it contained, to the four quarters of the earth; has brought forth the revelations and commandments which compose this book of Doctrine and Covenants, and many other wise documents and instructions for the benefit of the children of men; gathered many thousands of the Latter-day Saints, founded a great city, and left a fame and name that cannot be slain. He lived great, and he died great in the eyes of God and his people; and like most of the Lord's anointed in ancient times, has sealed his mission and his works with his own blood; and so has his brother Hyrum. In life they were not divided, and in death they were not separated!"

D&C 135:3.

My immediate family.

Our extended family group

It was time to say goodbye to all the family, and make the drive back to the Chicago suburbs for us, and West, all the way to Utah for them. This was an experience we will not forget, and I am sure we will always wish we could duplicate! We loved it, and we love our family, and the excellent examples of all of the aunts, uncles, cousins, siblings, and parents in this photo. When it comes to great family, our cup runneth over!