Utah

Well, I just love Utah. 

...and not just because it's the mothership to us Mormons.  Which, boy howdy, it is.  I mean, there were billboard ads that used Mormon lingo.  If I lived there I'd be rolling my eyes, but as a visitor I was quite entertained.  It's everywhere!  It's HILARIOUS!! 

The non-Mormons in Utah must be fun people.  Living amongst all these fussy busy-bees, having to learn a language just to understand the local media...   You know how people will learn a phrase or two before going to Mexico?  Donde esta el bano?  Where is the bathroom?  Cuanto cuesta?  How much?  SACAPUNTAS!  pencil sharpener!  (my favorite spanish word.  had to throw that in...)

Well, for any non-Mormons traveling to Utah, you might need to learn a phrase or two.

like: The visiting teacher pondered in Relief Society.  

translation: A lady was thinking with other ladies.

or:  brothers and sisters of the congregation

-- everybody sitting here.

or:  The beehives had a mutual activity.

-- A bunch of 12-yr-old girls giggled for 90 minutes.


Mormons have their own culture.  Utah Mormons have a their own culture within a culture.  I wish I had taken a picture of that billboard.  Or that storefront.  Or that cupcake!

A Mormon cupcake people!  I'm not making this up!

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Well here I am rambling when my intention was to just journal about my trip.  oops. 

Anyway, here's a few of us.  Mom and me on the right.  Cousins Becky and Maryanne on the left.  Aunt Susan in the centerfold. 

The weekend went like this-  Fly to Salt Lake City with mom.  Afternoon around temple square.  Meet up with gals (seen above), walk the mall- then down to see more aunts and uncles...  Next morning, WOMEN'S CONFERENCE on the BYU campus.  Classes, crafts, BROWNIES, speakers, crocheting, BROWNIES, PIZZA and zzzzzzzzzz...  Next morning, more classes, crafts, BROWNIES, speakers, ONE OF THE BEST PERFORMANCES OF LES MIS 'BRING HIM HOME' I HAVE EVER WITNESSED, more cousins and pizza and zzzzzzzzzz.  Next day- home!

The BEST part of the weekend?  Spending a few days with my mom, a break from being a mom, and seeing family that I just don't get to see enough.

And I have GOT to get that brownie recipe...