The Utah Winter Faire

A few weeks ago my family attended the Utah Winter Faire.  It was a multi-fandom celebration of the holidays & beginning of the winter season.  Being that we love going to conventions to celebrate our geek side, we were quite excited to go. 

Completing a portion of their quest

The Utah Winter Faire was a lovely experience.  It was just a few miles away from our home, and it was  a smaller size than the massive conventions that Salt Lake City has recently hosted.  Many people were dressed up in fun fashions, with steampunk and wintery themes dominating.  Upon entering our children were given a pamphlet that included a quest to find certain people in order to earn a knighthood.  This portion they adored. 

The kids getting knighted after completing all of their quest

There was some good entertainment.  On Saturday, we were greatly entertained by an Irish dancing troupe, Rinceoiri Don Spraoi.  At the end of their performance they invited audience members to join in the fun.  They posted a video YouTube, and you can witness the fun my children had:

 <iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="270" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/AJ661qqYDt4" width="480"></iframe>

(If the embeding code isn't working, click here to be taken to the video)

Zelda has been wanting to get into Irish dancing for a while, and so after the performance I talked with some representatives.  We are all now looking to get signed up for lessons this coming spring.  Quite fitting considering our annual Celtic fest that my family puts on.  

The following morning we attended our highly anticipated special event of the Winter Faire: Brunch with Santa!  I must say, this was such a highlight of the weekend.  It was a small group of attendees,

and I imagine there were more on Saturday’s brunch, so this made for a quiet and relaxing atmosphere.  We were greeted and shown a table that had crafts for the children to do.  Food was soon served buffet style, and it was all super tasty, home-made goodness.  As we enjoyed our selection of food, a steampunk Santa made his entrance with his fanciful elf.  Both of them came to each table to spend time with our children.

"Coolest Santa Ever!" according to Zelda

The children and Sugar Elf

The children loved working on crafts.

My kids were a bit shy, and Santa and his elf handled it wonderfully.  By the end my little ones weren’t shy anymore.  After eating, Santa read a story for all of the children.  Then they were each given a turn on his lap to tell him of their gift wishes, and my daughter said she just wanted everyone to be happy.  Aww.  We were allowed to take several photos.  I must say this event was excellent and we are already looking forward to doing it again next year.  Hopefully we can bring some friends along to share the joy!

Even Shrek came by to hang out at Santa's Brunch

Link and his bag of goodies from Santa

After the brunch we headed back to the main portion of the Winter Faire.  We browsed the vendors, bought a few gifts for family and something for myself, and enjoyed more entertainment.  We were treated to an awesome combat ring where the fighters really went for it, and not with nerf swords!  It was so cool, though it did intimidate my daughter a little.  The attendees and vendors that we visited with were all wonderful.  We made some new friends as we talked about shared interests.

Old school sword combat.  Yes!

Hanging out in the TARDIS

All in all, the Utah Winter Faire is a lovely experience, put on by a fantastic community.  I am glad that we all attended and my family looks forward to joining in next year’s festivities.  My daughter is frequently reminding me to get working on her very own steampunk costume, based off of Becket’s “Key, the Steampunk Vampire Girl”.  She is hooked on the culture and wants to wear it to the next event. 

Brunch with Santa

An awesome 10th Doctor

This guy rules

Check out the Captain!

haha, Brilliant

Zelda got a ring on a bottle and won this dragon!  She  was so proud!

Woah, its December 2014

Holy moly, 2014 is almost over!

I just finished a crazy busy semester at Weber State University.  It is my first semester there and I took 5 classes.  I was just so ambitious and really wanting to do some catch- up since I missed a whole year of school while waiting to get residency tuition after moving to Utah.  I took a mandatory computer course, which was silly and annoying but at least it gave me an A.  I also took Chemistry, Human Biology, Art History, and Nutrition.  I got a B in my Chemistry class, of which I am super proud because that took some hard work!  I also got an A in my Art History, and I'm pretty sure I'll be getting an A in Nutrition.  My Human Biology is another issue...the teacher was terrible and didn't give any information on the final.  I didn't do to good. Considering I got an A on my finals in all of my other classes, then to get a D on my final in Human Biology says something.  Anyway, I'm waiting to find out it if my grade is going to be a B or C.  I'm waiting because my teacher doesn't grade the work on time.  She is two months behind.  A bit frustrating.

Anyway, I'm glad to be done!  Now I have free time!  Its so weird not having a ton of stuff to do.  I'm going to enjoy it.  As one of my friends commented on Facebook, now the holidays can officially begin!

And so they have!  Friday I got to enjoy a school play that my daughter was in.  Saturday I had my last final exam for my Nutrition class.  Because of the exam I could not attend the wedding of my father-in-law to his new bride.  When Ryan and the kids got home from that, we all went out to buy our holiday tree.  Its beautiful, full, and all sorts of crooked and twisted.  We didn't realize that until we got home.  Ha!  oh, well.  I do love the imperfection of nature that causes an enjoyable variety.  We then headed out to enjoy a few hours of the Utah Winter Faire.  What a blast that was!  It was a good small size, which is a relief from some of the conventions that we have attended in the past year.  The costumes were amazing and it was super child friendly.  We also went on Sunday, and so I will write a separate post reviewing it all next.  Just wanted to write a quick update.

Cheers,

Heather

Moon River Brewing Company

http://www.bubblews.com/news/1296569-moon-river-brewing-company

St. Augustine & Savannah Photo Book

Click here to view this photo book larger

Start your own Shutterfly Photo Book today.

I got a promo photo book from the National Park Service when I purchased the America The Beautiful annual pass this June.  I just threw together this book when I realized my promo was expiring the next day.  So here is a photo preview of the book I put together :)

Since re-birthing my blogging, I had every intention of keeping up to date with it.  However, shortly after the initial posts, a deeply sad event happened in our lives.  It pained me too much to write about it, and so I held back for the time it would take. I do know that if I want to really work on this blog that I can't ignore it, and I do not want to avoid writing about the happenings in life.

On Monday, August 12, my husband Ryan was informed that his ailing mother was back in the hospital, fighting an infection.  Her immune system had been drastically weakened by her cancer and chemotherapy.  The prognosis wasn't looking good.  Ryan's was picked up by his sister Melanie and his sister Stefanie, who had flown in from California.  They drove up to Logan together to be with their parents and other sister Amanda.  Discussions with the doctor revealed that the cancer had unfortunately spread throughout her body.  His mother, Patty, asked to be able to go home.

She was brought home Tuesday, and her son Rodney had arrived from Arizona.  All of her children, as well as her husband, were there with her.  She was able to be in their loving company through the moment of her passing on Thursday, August 15. 

It is hard for me to write this.  Thinking of it all brings me to tears.  I am so very saddened of her passing, of her suffering, but at the same time immensely struck by the beauty of love.  She was blessed by such a wonderful, loving family. To have them at her side for this moment is a blessing few get to have. 

Her family had a viewing for her on Sunday, as well as another on Monday that was held just shortly before her funeral.  It was amazing to witness all of the people come to show their support, love, and grief.  Her services were lovely.  Her daughters had some wonderful readings of memories and character, her sons sang "Somewhere Over the Rainbow" which was a request she had, and Ryan shared a poem he wrote for her.  It was all very touching. 

Honestly, I'm not sure what else to say.  I have so many feelings about the circumstances, but my words fail me.  In the near future, I will compile and post some of my favorite memories of Patty Egan.  Be at peace.

Hello, Kitty

Today is International Cat Day.  I thought it would be a great time to write an update about my cat, Tiger Lily.  When importing old entries from another blog of mine, I noticed I last wrote about her a few years ago when we had to give her to a new home.  Well, events have transpired since then that have brought her back into our lives.

In the spring of 2012, my friend Jen, who I affectionately refer to as Tiger Lily's social worker, informed me that the family that adopted Tiger Lily from us was moving and could not take her along.  I jumped at the opportunity to take her back into our home.  She no longer had the problems with pooping in the house. I am certain she was doing that because the previous home owners' dog soiled the carpets and they didn't bother changing them.  Yeah, that is pretty gross.  We replaced most of the carpet in our home, and in the process of removing the carpet we found stains in places that our cat would use, as well as additional spots that she didn't even have access to.  It was a shame to discover that we could have kept her all of this time had we just changed the flooring.  Anyway, a few years and new flooring later, we welcomed Tiger Lily back home.  My children have loved having her around, and, of course, so have I. 

The saga doesn't end there, though.  We moved out of our home in Tampa, Florida this past May.  My husband took the cat out to Utah to be fostered by another dear friend of mine, Rachael.  She volunteered to take care of her while we looked for employment and subsequently a residence.  It has now been 3 months since then.  We do have a place to stay, as I mentioned in my last post.  The home we are staying in currently houses 2 schnauzer dogs.  More than likely they would not get along.  Rachel needed to part with our cat as she is selling her home.  In need of another foster family, our dear friend & housemate Frank suggested a neighbor who may be able to help.  Ryan went over there to introduce himself and explain our situation.  Graciously, our neighbors & new friends agreed to help out by housing Tiger Lily.   We actually brought her to their home today.  I was able to see her for a short time, which was nice.  I'm just so grateful for all of the people who have helped to take care of her. Hopefully soon we will be able to have her back with us for good.  She is one very loved cat!

Faith Facet Q & A: Christian Science

(Transferred from the blog Spirit Facet)

This post is to illuminate the facets of the Christian Science faith.  The answers for this Q&A are provided by Bob Clark.  He is the Christian Scientist media/legislative contact for the state of Florida. 

Christian Scientists worship one supreme and infinite, all good God. "God, our Creator, is a power we see as completely loving, all-powerful, all-knowing, all-seeing, all-active and ever-present. The synonyms we use to describe and understand God are Life, Truth, Love, Soul, Spirit, Principle, Mind.  We see this God as an infinitely available source of healing for all mankind and for all time."

SF: Does your religion teach that divinity exists outside of humanity, within, or both?

Clark: We believe that God is available 24/7 to heal, bless, uplift and redeem humanity. No exceptions.

Christian Science does not teach of any supernatural beings.  In regards to a system of good vs evil, Mr. Clark elaborates that they, "believe that good is more powerful than evil. When the absolute all-ness and reality of God's love is understood, evil and fear lose their reality and their grip on human thought. Healing is the natural and necessary result."

"We teach that man's true spiritual identity is eternal, completely outside of body. We see man as the immortal expression or reflection of God or Soul."

SF: Does the soul have one manifestation or many?

Clark: God, Soul, is manifested in human experience in an infinite variety of ways.

SF: What happens to a person after they die?

Clark: Since the real, spiritual man is never contained or confined within a physical body, when the physical body ceases to function, that real man continues to exist.

SF: Do you teach of a pre-life soul existence, and if so, what was it?

Clark: We believe that man is created and maintained by God and actually has neither an ending nor a beginning.

SF: Do you have sacred scripture/s? 

Yes. We love and study the Holy Bible daily. Our religious textbook, Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures by Mary Baker Eddy, helps us to understand the Bible and put its teachings and wisdom to use in everyday life.

SF: Are these scriptures absolute, or interpreted by the individual? 

Clark: The spiritual truth contained in The Bible is absolute. As individuals study and understand this absolute truth and learn how to apply it and live it, healing is the inevitable result.

SF: Do you have a creed? What is it?

Clark: Below are the important points or tenets of Christian Science, as found in Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures:

1. As adherents of Truth, we take the inspired Word of the Bible as our sufficient guide to eternal Life.

2. We acknowledge and adore one supreme and infinite God. We acknowledge His Son, one Christ; the Holy Ghost or divine Comforter; and man in God's image and likeness.

3. We acknowledge God's forgiveness of sin in the destruction of sin and the spiritual understanding that casts out evil as unreal. But the belief in sin is punished so long as the belief lasts.

4. We acknowledge Jesus' atonement as the evidence of divine, efficacious Love, unfolding man's unity with God through Christ Jesus the Way-shower; and we acknowledge that man is saved through Christ, through Truth, Life, and Love as demonstrated by the Galilean Prophet in healing the sick and overcoming sin and death.

5. We acknowledge that the crucifixion of Jesus and his resurrection served to uplift faith to understand eternal Life, even the allness of Soul, Spirit, and the nothingness of matter.

6. And we solemnly promise to watch, and pray for that Mind to be in us which was also in Christ Jesus; to do unto others as we would have them do unto us; and to be merciful, just, and pure.

SF:Are there commandments/codes, and if so, what are they?

Clark: We cherish, study and try our best to live by Moses' Ten Commandments in The Bible, as well Jesus' Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5-7). Jesus is our example in all things.

SF:How do you worship?

Clark: We have two church services per week. Our Sunday service is performed by lay readers, elected democratically by the church members. They read a prepared Bible Lesson Sermon from the Bible and Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures by Mary Baker Eddy. The 26 Bible Lesson topics, repeated twice per year, were chosen by Mary Baker Eddy, discoverer and founder of Christian Science. A Bible Lesson Committee at our international church headquarters in Boston, MA, chooses the citations that form each Sunday Bible Lesson and are read as part of the service. 

Our Wednesday evening testimony meeting also utilizes readings from The Bible and Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures. The lay reader conducting this service chooses the topic each week. The congregation is invited to share experiences of healing, brought about through the study and practice of Christian Science. At both the Sunday and Wednesday services, there are hymns, silent prayer, an audible repetition of the Lord's Prayer from The Bible, and musical selections. 

Mr. Clark illuminated that Christian Scientists have no rituals.  They also do not have any sacred sites.   

SF: Are all forms, or part, of worship available to public, or only members? 

All of our services are always open to the public.

 
SF: Do you have any holy days? What and when are they?

Clark: We have a special service on Thanksgiving Day. Our services at Christmas and Easter are aimed at helping congregants and visitors deepen their understanding of the significance of Jesus virgin birth and resurrection. We also have a Communion Sunday aimed at a a deeper understanding of Jesus' last days with his disciples and their significance for us, as modern day disciples. 


SF: Does your religion acknowledge holy people? Prophets, teachers, saints, gurus, etc. Please list them, or a few prominent people if the list is long, along with any particular aspect or teaching attribution.

We love and revere the patriarchs and prophets in the Old Testament of the Bible as well as Jesus and his disciples in the New Testament. The discoverer and founder of Christian Science, Mary Baker Eddy, is greatly loved and deeply appreciated, but never worshiped.

SF: What is your religion\'s pastoral structure? What terminology is used for church service people/leaders?

Clark: We don't have ordained pastors in our church. We find pastoral comfort, guidance and healing in The Bible and Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures by Mary Baker Eddy. Our Sunday sermons are read by lay readers from those two books. We have a board of directors in Boston which oversees the administration of our church and its worldwide branches and activities.

SF: What morals does your religion value?

Clark: Our moral guides are The Bible and Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures by Mary Baker Eddy. Addictive habits of any kind make it difficult to practice Christian Science, so we avoid those. Jesus' Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5-7) in the Bible gives us a solid basis for living a moral life. 

SF: How does practicing your religion personally enrich your life?

Clark: Practicing Christian Science enriches my life by bringing me a constant source of comfort, joy, hope and healing.

---------------

Many thanks to Bob Clark for his submission for this interview.  For further information on Christian Science:

Christian Science official Site

Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures by Mary Baker Eddy