Ahhhhh. I’m back from my little break, all rested (ha!) and refreshed. If you follow me on Instagram, you know I went to Utah. We love to go in the winter (well, we love to go any time of the year!) so that the kids can ski and TheManoftheHouse and I can just have a good time. Sadly, this time, TheManoftheHouse and TheSecondChild couldn’t make it.
I went out a few days early so that I could visit TheWorld’sGreatestAunt and a few of my cousins. I had fun playing with Aunt Annie — we talked a lot, played hand and foot and visited a few quilt shops. After I left her, I had a few hours before I needed to pick up TheFirstChild and SweetiePie from the airport, so I decided to drive up into the mountains. BigDaddy’s father spent his life in these mountains and I loved having the time to drive around and take in all the incredible beauty. Here’s a view along the ridgeline of the mountains — Skyline Drive. It’s rare for a little car, like my rental, to be on this road in February — usually, there’s a ton of snow up here in the middle of the winter and the roads are closed.
Looking across the valley to Mt. Nebo.
It was an unbelievably gorgeous day — about 50 degrees F and sunny – no coat required! There were even people in shorts flying kites — crazy!
I drove along the ridge and thought it was pretty funny to find an outhouse. Luckily for me, it was actually open ;-D!
After a few stops to enjoy the views and breathe in the fresh, crisp air, I left the mountains and went down to the valley on the other side. And while I was there, I decided to take a quick stop in a small town where some of my ancestors are buried. I’d never been there before and I was lucky to find a few graves of family members. I was also really lucky to see these beautiful big owls up in a pine tree. I’ve seen owls before, but only in zoos or raptor centers, so this was a super fun bonus to my day!
Anyway, moving right along with my week … I had a great visit with Bonnie one afternoon — Hi Bonnie! It’s a good thing that we don’t live near each other — we wouldn’t get much done and we’d wear our voices out! Then, after the kids arrived, along with the planned skiing activities (with warm temps and not much snow, the skiing wasn’t great this year ;-( ) we decided to do a few things we hadn’t done before. Not surprising for the kids, but as many times as I’ve been to Utah and all the years I actually lived there, we’d never been to the State Capitol. It’s beautiful!
And one evening, we went out to The Great Salt Lake (never been there either — it was about time!) to view the sunset. (That’s not snow on the ground — it’s salt.)
Some of my Instagram friends say the lake is really smelly, but we could only smell salt. Winter must be the best time to visit. It was chilly, but oh. so. pretty. Our Little Miss Crazy decided to wade out into the lake — we were wearing coats, so I’m sure her feet were freezing!
So, that pretty much sums up the trip! Home again, home again, jiggety jig. It’s been hard to go back to work, but finding a little surprise waiting for me when I got home, made it a lot easier. These beauties have arrived:
Mmmmmm. Lucious Liberty. They’re loaded in the little Liberty Shop (at always low prices haha!) if you need some Lovely Liberty for yourself.
Have a great week!
XOXO,
Anna
I love the state of Utah. Didn’t know there was a MT. Nebo there though we have one about 20 miles from me here in Arkansas. Utah is such a pretty state
Love your pictures…someday I’ll get to Utah!
I’m so glad you had a wonderful vacation. Anytime we head west and go through Utah, we take “the valley” up to Salt Lake and think of you. It’s one of our favorite drives.
Sounds like a wonderful trip! Seeing the owls in the wild is SUPER cool! We have owls around here but i’ve never actually seen them.
Looks like you had an awesome time! I’d love to see the salt lake – one day.
beautiful views out there especially the owls! wee what fun. As a serious birder, I’m completely jealous
Beautiful photos, Anna. Seeing owls in a tree is really exciting! :o)
I’ve seen a bit of Utah years ago on a road trip, your photos reminded me of how beautiful the scenery is. Fancy getting such a great sighting of those owls, you’re practically in their nest! The lake photo is beautiful. A lovely liberty rainbow is a wonderful welcome home.
I MISS YOU ALREADY!!!! And I’m proud to say I’ve visited that outhouse. The Liberty is to die for. Nice surprise for you. I vote you move the family to UTah. I’ll help you move in!
Welcome back Anna! Lovely photos! Someday we’ll do some traveling in Utah. It’s one state I’ve never visited.
Thank you for the Liberty temptation! I’m thinking it might make a cute little grand daughter dress?
Looks like a fun trip, but then you always have fun, huh? I believe In it!
Beautiful fabrics.
Sounds like a fun trip!
I loved seeing your pictures of Utah, so fascinating! I’m glad you had a lovely trip. and met up with family and friends…..and visited quilt shops. The owls in the tree are an amazing sight! The Liberty fabrics are so pretty and delicate.
Happy week, Anna.
Helen xox
Sounds like a fun trip. What a beautiful picture of your friend out in the lake!
I live in Salt Lake and I’ve not been to the capitol building. Something to do when I’ve nothing else to do! I do know Bonnie, however. She’s my knitting teacher. She is a very nice and patient lady. You’re lucky to have her as a friend.
Welcome back! we missed you. CAN’T WAIT TO GET MY HANDS ON ALL OF YOUR NEW LIBERTY! Thanks for selling it for so much less than everyone else. YOU ROCK!!! Thanks for all of the photos, now i don’t ever have to go back to Utah!!!! Mt Nebo!!!! Yahoo!!!! I had heard there was a mountain in Utah named Nebo, but I had never looked it up or seen it. The lake probably smells horrible in the summer and all of the horribleness gets all frozen up in the winter…. good time of year to visit The Great Salt Lake! I remember stories of my dad swimming in it as a child for buoyancy – um… EW! Those owls are fantastically wonderful!!!! I love them. How big do you think they were? You said BIG owls… They’re just beautiful. I hopped on over to Bonnie’s blog and saw her home… i loved reading about the history of it. okay… i have to go back to the grind.
thanks for the lovely little break in my morning.
:waves madly
OWLS!!!! I think that is a great horned owl….not positive. OWLS!!! welcome home. ;p
It’s great to see photos of nature on the other side of the world, gosh those owls are big and beautiful.
Would you consider selling fat quarter bundles of the Liberty fabrics? I want to make some little zipper pouches and knitting project bags, and the standard 1/4 cut is kind of limiting. Also, do the Moda Bella solids co-ordinate with them so I can use the Moda for linings?
What a great trip – thanks for sharing the snow pics……looks wonderful from over here!
Love the photos! Looks like a fun trip.
Amalia
xo
It looks beautiful. My friend and I did drive through Utah in a Greyhound bus in 1970 and visit the city for one day but I think we might have missed out the main sights… alas.
Sounds like you had a great time Anna, great pictures and good company too (Hi Bonnie x) and coming back to Liberty fabric is a very nice homecoming x