Tulips, tulips, and more tulips!

Remember how I love Seattle? I am always surprised by how many interesting things there are to do around here. Today I went to the 26th annual tulip festival in Skagit Valley.

We had a fun time walking around the fields of tulips. There were at least 88 varieties of tulips, as well as daffodils, hyacinths, crocus and iris. I had no idea that there were so many different types of tulips or that there were so many of them in one place (outside of Holland anyway).

I so enjoy being out in nature. It was really quite a lovely way to spend Earth Day.

Pleasing my Public...

Sorry for posting twice on the same day. I just discovered that three people had asked for my pumpkin pancake and buttermilk syrup recipe. I honestly just got the recipe off the internet but here are the links if you are interested.
http://allrecipes.com/Recipe/Pumpkin-Pancakes/Detail.aspx
http://allrecipes.com/Recipe/Buttermilk-Syrup/Detail.aspx

Easter!!

When I found out that my ward was going to be having a smorgasbord after church on Easter, I immediately signed up to bring a dessert. Mostly so I could have an excuse to make this:

That's right! It's the traditional Bylund Easter cake. Smother a cake with green frosting and coconut, throw on some Starburst jellybeans and top it off with some peeps that no one ever eats. The only thing that was missing was Easter poppers and if you know what those are, then you are probably in my immediate family.

Today was also wonderful because we had such a lovely sacrament program full of readings and special musical numbers. I can hardly believe how much musical talent is in our ward. It makes me extra self conscious about playing the organ, knowing there are all those musicians out there. I don't think I will ever get over my organ jitters.

We sang "O Savior, Thou Who Wearest a Crown" for the sacrament hymn. During the singing I was just trying to hit as many of those eighth notes as I could and wasn't really paying attention to the words. But during the sacrament I started reading the text. It seemed to reflect those feelings for which I have a hard time expressing. Especially these lines:

What praises can we offer to thank thee Lord most high? In our place thou didst suffer; In our place thou didst die.

I am so grateful for my Savior. He is risen!

Filling in the family tree...

One thing that was sad for me about moving to Seattle was that I wouldn't have any family here. When I was going to school in Utah, I was lucky to to have a lot of my extended family close by. While I have made many lovely friends, there is nothing like family.

Well, it just so happens that one of my lovely friends is named Layne. He recognized my last name as his grandmother's maiden name. We did a little research and I was excited to discover that we are second cousins! His grandmother is my grandfather's sister. Beacause my dad grew up in Pennsylvania, he didn't know his cousins (including Layne's mother) very well.

I guess when your parents and your grandparents all come from large families, you will never be far from a cousin!

How to have a great General Conference weekend

First start off Friday night by driving to Bellingham with fun people. Eat yummy pizza and relax in the hot tub before bed.

Saturday morning, run a 15K with Lindsay along beautiful Birch Bay.

Make sure to bring along some lovely cheerleaders to encourage you along the way.

Then rejoice when you finish the 9.3 mile course.

Watch some conference that afternoon and maybe cry a little at Elder Scott's talk.

Then go to the Relief Society book club and discuss "My Antonia"...even if you didn't finish the book. Feel a little nostalgic for Nebraska.

That night, go see "The Sound of Music" at the local community theater. Feel a little nostalgic for Austria.

Sunday morning, have friends over. Make traditional General Conference breakfast (pumpkin pancakes with buttermilk syrup) and enjoy watching conference in your pajamas.

Then, if you _have_ to go to work Sunday night, at least you've already have a slamming awesome weekend. :)