Time Out From Puttering

My plan today was to putter, something Mom Heather loved to do, just spend the day doing odd and end jobs that have needed to be done forever. I was looking forward to that—we’ve been gone so much lately that the puttering list is pretty long!

But my puttering urge battled my “get out and see the leaves” urge this evening, and the leaves won!

I’m so glad!

(As an aside, more than a year ago Sterling bought a stripped down Jeep. He wanted it so he could plow the driveways of some widows and single ladies in our neighborhood who can’t do it themselves. I wasn’t exactly thrilled with the idea—until he took me up the canyon last fall and I got to see the changing leaves with the wind blowing through my hair. I fell in love with the Jeep then and there—he should definitely keep it forever.)

So today I headed on my drive alone—Sterling couldn’t come because he had church meetings.

If you’ve never seen leaves changing in the mountains, I don’t know if you can understand the beauty of what we enjoy almost every autumn.  It’s difficult to describe, but it’s breathtaking. And today was even more beautiful than usual. Partly because it had snowed a few days ago, so you could see snow on top of Mt. Timpanogos, just above the colorful leaves. And partly because I was alone, driving in our Jeep with the top off, and just soaking it all in.

I was so overcome with the beauty of Mother Nature, the peace and tranquility and majesty of it all, that I actually had to pull over and wipe away a few tears. I took only one photo, and it doesn’t do the scene justice at all, but I had to share it with you.

I’m only hoping that it will last just four more days. (The colors come and go very quickly!) Shanna comes home Tuesday (I’m not excited or anything!), and I can’t wait to drag her up there and share what she’s been missing for the past 18 months!

Comments

[Maxine Conrad]

When I moved to Utah from England in 2001, I made a promise that I would never take the mountains for granted. I LOVE to take road trips and hike to various wonderful spots. How fun to take a trip by yourself :)
Thinking of the excitement you must feel for Shanna coming home :) x

[Jayne Fuller]

I love the changing colors too! As the mom of a RM I know what you are going through :o). I am so excited for you to see your daughter and for you to be able to share with each other what you have experienced in your lives the past 18 months. It brings back sweet memories. Enjoy!

[Claire Daly]

That picture is beautiful Shelli! What a fabulous way to spend a day.

[Deb]

Shelli, are you sure your not a writer?
That was just lovely!

Blessings to you and yours!

Deb

[Jane]

We live in the mountains and it is always such a magical time of year to see the colors pop out everywhere. We always tell everyone we truly live in God's country.

[Sharon Bridwell]

I got to see the Utah color first hand last year and it was so beautiful. You won't have to drag Shanna, she's missed home and is ready to rediscover Utah's beauty!

[Diana Gibbs]

Beautiful! We don't get to see the changing colors in AZ, unless we drive to see them. A couple years back though, when I was at convention, my BFF Tracy and I were taken on a wonderful car ride by my old SAM Brandon, (we even ran into Sterling at the grocery store), and we saw such beautiful scenery. We went up the mountains and saw the white barked trees. It was breathtaking. Utah is a beautiful state and it was nice to learn things from Brandon, that we would not have known otherwise.
We even went to a garden, I need to check my notes I want to say it was like Red Butte or something...my memory is horrible, but I just know it was beautiful.
Enjoy the jeep, and I would be scared to take a drive by myself in the mountains here.
Hugs,
Di

[Sue Smith]

Shelli,
I'm glad you allowed yourself the time to relax and enjoy your area. Hopefully, there will still be some color left when I drive to the Portland regional from upstate NY in 10 days. We are both so lucky to live in areas where the season change. Although I agree with you about the cold, ugh!

[shh]

I was able to enjoy the beauty of fall and God's creations, as my family enjoyed a drive in Logan Canyon recently. I'm glad you didn't miss the opportunity.
I hope you are enjoying a relaxing General Conference Sunday.
Enjoy every minute of Shanna's return! Thank you to Shanna and your family for this service.

[Ronni]

I think that you should post pictures of the Jeep!

[Kristi]

I grew up in the Great Smokey Mountains in Tennessee. I miss the colors there. I try to get home every year but sometimes it just doesn't happen. Enjoy!

[Cindy]

Glad you're enjoying the mountains for those of us not lucky enough to live near them!

[Jill]

Welcome home to Shanna! Shelli, I know you're counting the days, hours, maybe even minutes! (I know that my mom did, when I returned from Japan so many years ago...) So nice to have your babygirl home just in time for the holidays. Enjoy!

[Liz Kuhns]

I live in PA and the street that I live on is completely lined with tall, old trees. In the fall and even when there is fresh snow, the drive home to my house is just beautiful. I don't like the cold, but the change of seasons is definitely wonderful. God's creation is gorgeous if we just could take the time to enjoy it. Glad you had that chance :)

[Christina]

I live in MA and love this time of the year, too. We have a hefty drive to church on Sunday's but the drive down the highway seeing the foilage is so beautiful. Today when I go grocery shopping, I'll have to take the back roads through the neighborhoods to see more of the beautiful colors.

I love the term "puttering." I have a to do list of half finished projects so I think I'll title it "Putter List" on paper.

[Heidi Gore]

I don't know of any other way to contact you so I'll leave this idea here in the hopes you read your comments. My friends and I were discussing a new product we would love to have--a tea cup shaped punch and tea cup stamps similar to the new Christmas ball stamp and punch set. Hope to see it someday in one of your upcoming releases.

[Sue Scheets (Sushi)]

Shelly
What a beautiful picture. I can just imagine what your view might have been. I love the colors of fall and am proud of you for giving yourself a day to enjoy the beauty you are surrounded with. You had a day of being.
sushi

[KimT]

Shelli, hi, how is Leslie? I am wondering. I am cancer patient myself. Love KimT (demo in Australia too).

[Evelyn Wood]

Thank you for the post Shelli! I am a Sask. girl living on the East coast of Canada now, and the leaves out here get me every fall also. I thought I was the only one who gets so moved by appreciating the view and the moment that it moves me to tears! thanks for the honest post, when your heart feels gratitude like that I think it's what makes life wonderful.

[Lis Harvey]

Yes, thanks Shelli! I’ve been told before that autumn (fall!) colours are beautiful in your part of the world – and that photo certainly shows a lovely shade of red against the dark evergreens. Yet another place I would love to visit!
Here in Australia, in the bush north of Sydney we are welcoming spring at the moment – with flowers in reds and pinks: kangaroo paw, bottlebrush, and grevilleas – and roses, too. The blue and purple irises have stood up well despite almost gale force winds last week which pushed over a few of the larger bushes in our garden. Last weekend we had some rain at long last – our tanks were down to less than 1/3rd full but we need more than just a couple of days of gentle rain. We have frosts here, but no snow: when I lived in Canberra we could see snow on distant mountains for much of the winter – and it is a very special sight.

[Marge Waskiewicz]

My favorite time of year is here in CT. No one can capture what God can reveal. The amazing colors are exquisite. Just look around anywhere and God reveals Himself. I also did go out today alone to view the gorgeous changing leaves. That's when I feel the comfort to cry with joy and thankfulness. Like so many, your one of a kind. Your explanation of peace and tranquility was so well done. Thank you for sharing. Blessing to you and your wonderful family.

[Cerise]

Hey, no pictures. Used to live in Montana and Wyoming and we don't get fall here in W. Texas.

[Mona Low]

Shelli,
I am from Wisconsin, now living in Texas, and the autumn beauty is my favorite memory. Yes, it can be a short season, and that is why "soaking" with the LORD, and HIS beautiful gifts is so important. We are often reminded to slow down to enjoy HIS creations...before they pass us by.
Welcome home Shanna!
Hugs,
Mona

[Nicole Black]

I moved from Ohio to Florida, sometimes I miss the beauty of fall. Thanks for sharing with me!

[cancer du sein]

I’m going to say this and I don’t mean it condescendingly, but with love and awe:
I am so proud of you.
Beth, your voice is so important to people. But we have our limitations, all of us, and knowing what those are is often as important as knowing our potential.
I know you’ll be here, through all kinds of different mechanisms, for us to find and share with you. And never, ever doubt the support and loyalty of the people that are lucky enough to call ourselves your friends and colleagues. You’v earned every bit of it.