It is the NEW YEAR!

Well, tomorrow it is. Tonight some family members are coming over to bring in the New Year with the Family. 

 I still am not in a mood for celebrating, but I am helping with the preparations. 

 I will be making pumpkin bread today, but first have to make the puree, and I am making hot buffalo wings, but using chicken breast instead because I really don't like wings, wassail, and steaming fresh well, frozen corn, because I freakin love corn. Long Rock's mom is making some beef and rice. I am not a fan of the rice here. I think it is cooked with too much grease and is cooked with a pasta type noodle, called pilav, and I do not care for it. I miss mashed potatoes, and dressing. Sigh... Oh well. 

  I really want to just make everything then climb into bed right after. It that an option? 

 Anyway... 

 I will post pictures tomorrow 

Christmas in Turkey

I went to Istanbul about 6 days ago because my parents sent me a package and on the 21st of December Turkish Customs sent me a notification saying that I need to come get my packet. 
 Interesting. My mom wrote down the price of everything right, but they here in Turkey write it differently and so they said that everything was worth over 1,000 Dollars so they were holding it in this office for me. 
  Well, It was not worth that much, but you can not argue with these people, oh, well, I have been wanting to go to Istanbul Forum for a long time. I really like Istanbul. I would love to go more often actually. 
 Anyway
 So I went with my Turkish mom and dad to this Huge Mall, after we got the package. 
  I then did not get a lot of pictures of me this season, but I did however get some pictures of the mall. 
 I made a Christmas gift for Long Rock this year. 
I made him a special dinner. 
The dinner was a hit to him. It was not received warmly by anyone else in the family though. Just... That is all I will say about that.  
 I just have been feeling like things I try to do just get lost. 
Turkey Celebrates New Year much like we celebrate Christmas. Lucky us... We have two separate Holidays in one week! I love Christmas. I hope Long Rock gets to come to USA with me to see how we do things there. 
  I guess I am more homesick that I thought
Anyway
 Here are some Christmas pictures

Istanbul Forum, beautifully decorated

I love Christmas Trees

This is how I spent Christmas Day... Baking Cookies. How I miss doing this all the time

Long Rock loves these Cookies the best. I had to make some for him.

I decorated the table so pretty.

Another Year

Another year is coming up fast. 

 It is usually a time of excitement for me as I love to write goals and accomplish them. 

This is the first year I have not wished for the New Year to come and even, have wished that I would have been able to find a Time Portal to go back and slow down time and kind of make better plans. 

   It is no secret that this last month is the first time in years I have admitted openly I am going through a hard time. 

 Normally, I rebound so fast and bounce back. I think that somewhere over the last couple of years, I have lost my rebounding tactics. I am normally really a positive thinker and proactive in getting things done, to. 

 Why is it that these past few years I have not been able to not only accomplish what I set out to do, but no matter how hard I try and no matter how much I do working towards a goal, things are just not going my way?

     How much in life does one person have to experience before they can just sit down in the snow and say, "I have had enough learning to do, I can not be stretched more thin"

Do you remember in the early 1980's they had a toy doll that the younger boys would play with? You could pull and stretch him and he would bend but he would go back to normal shape? 

I just keep wondering when I will no longer be pulled like that doll anymore. 

  I think I will write more later. 

 

Turkish Coffee and Fortune Telling

I think this is the fourth or third time I have written about Turkish Coffee Reading. 

  I am really fascinated with this part of Turkish Culture. I am also fascinated with Chinese old Tradition of Tea Leaf Reading, but I don't know a lot about it. 

Anyway, Today my mother in law to be was having a Luncheon with her friends who are also her cousins and they get together every 4 weeks, sometimes every 5 weeks and they will have some nice food and they will always have Turkish Coffee. They have said if you have coffee with someone you will be friends forever. 

It is some Turkish Proverb, well there are a couple...

"Coffee should be as black as hell, strong as death and sweet as love"

Another,  "One cup of Coffee has the memories of 40 years".

Turkish Coffee is not just a Tradition of coffee, it is the memory of being with friends, enjoying the conversation, and the reading the coffee granules.

   The coffee grains are so fine you can not drink them, however you let them sit at the bottom of the mug, or cup. 

 I wanted to add some pictures of today's Luncheon.

The Cup is read first, then the bottom of the cup, then the plate. It is really interesting to me

Merry Christmas My Dear Readers!

So, I finally have a Christmas Spirit and really want to do something special for the Long Rock

I am not that much of a Grinch! OK... I have been but, I did not steal Christmas nor did I get in the Spirit of it all TOO late.

 Long Rock comes home on the  26th. Sadly he is only home for a LITTLE while before he has to return the next day.

I am helping his mom make a Bruncheon. I just made up that word. It is a Luncheon during Brunch time and I am helping her.

So, I am doing tons of baking tomorrow.

 I am baking different kinds of cookies, and I was thinking...

 I want to do something special for long rock and he does not want anything too expensive.

 So, I am going to make him a traditional, well, not so traditional Christmas meal... But I am using the main course as Hot Buffalo Wings!!!

I have somethings that mom sent me from America... Hickory Farms Beef Sausage, Crackers, and she bought me some plates that are sooooo pretty, disposable because heck, we know they would break getting shipped here.

 I am really excited.

 I am going to have Potatoes, Hot Wings, Salad, and for Dessert I will have a plate of the homemade cookies! I really want to have pumpkin cookies but they have no pumpkin puree here and I am making that and pumpkin bread and pumpkin cookies the day he leaves, so I will just make other cookies, and I will TRY to make the pumpkin cookies tomorrow, but I am decorating them, and let me tell you what as task it is here.

You know how fun it is to walk up and down the baking isles in USA and get to buy different colors of Food Coloring? Try there is not any here.

   I am thinking of visiting a baker (a Cake Baker) and asking him if I can buy some of  his. I mean how on eath do they make Wedding cakes with different colors? What is that all about?

The other task... Wilson Decorations are not here either so I can't find those pretty Silver balls you put on decorated cookies... Yeah... None of them are to be found here.

Just think like this... Haribo is here, but I don't want to put little gummy worms and my Christmas Cookies.

 So, this will be different... But I am making him some yummy food, and I hope he likes it.

Pictures will be posted Later!!! Totally!!!

Merry Christmas World! Santa Claus is a Turk!

 Yes, you read right! Santa Claus is a Turk! I have decided that since I am in Turkey and celebrating it from so far away, I would write about my experiences as an American in Turkey. 
 Many of us Christians do not realize how Turkey is actually our Holy Land second to Palestine. This country is rich with Christian artifacts and History, and yes, a little unknown fact is that Saint Nicolas is a Turk!
 Saint Nicolas was born in Ancient Greece known as Lycia and the city called Myra. Myra is now the Modern Day Turkish city of Demre. There is also a city named Antalya where a monastery was named after him and he did travel and reside there, too. It is not far from Antalya. Demre is now also in the modern Provence of Antalya, and not far from Demre, so it all makes sense that he went all over Antalya.
  Now, many many Christians all over the world actually have him as their Saint. Russian, Eastern, Greek Orthodox all highly regard him, and same with Lutheran, Catholic, and Protestant Christians. 
 He was known for his gift giving and this is why we use him to this day in being Santa Claus, as a tradition he started. 
  Why do we use him this time of year? Very easily explained. He died on the 6th of December, in the year 343. They had as a tradition a feast for his honor and this is why we use him specifically. He was also canonized on his birthday, so many believe. 
 What we do know of him was that he was the Patron for those falsely accused, children, and many other people. He was a Bishop and a Presbyter in Antalya and Demre and did in fact perform a miracle that was documented in Antalya's port. There was a ship that came into port during a heavy famine while Saint Nicolas was a Bishop. The Bishop had asked the Saliors to measure the wheat that came in the ship and the sailors grew very annoyed that they would have to measure for the Emperor of Constantinople. Bishop Nicolas told the Sailors while he understood their frustration with the Emperor, if the Sailors where honest in all their business with the Emperor, they would have an abundance of business, and that was a promise. The sailors did as Bishop Nicolas of Myra asked and they were shocked. The wheat on the ship had multiplied and the Sailors were able to give the Emperor much of their shipment, but still had enough for the townspeople and were able to use the over abundance for growing wheat for that following year. 
There are many stories  of his kindness. Born of very wealthy parents, but they tragically died in an epidemic when he was a boy, he had a kindness to children and poor families with children. He had been known to leave money and small gifts for children in the cities that he was Bishop or passing through, and often at night, so remain anonymous, and create an excitement for children. This tradition is carried on all over the world for little boys and girls on Christmas Eve, the wonderment of Santa Claus coming and leaving toys has been a traditon that started here in Turkey. 


In 1073, the Seljuk Turks slowly took over Turkey. We now call this the Ottoman Empire because of one man, the first Sultan named Osman. (Ottoman is Osman in Turkish)
 When the Seljuks had a great battle here in Turkey, they took Nicolas' remains to Constantinople, and then for years it was a mystery where it went. Many stories said that they were stolen but years ago, the Turkish government found they were stolen and taken to Italy. They found the remains were confirmed that in fact it was The Saint Nicolas and as of 2005 the Turkish Government asked for the remains to be brought back to Saint Nicolas' birth town, and resting spot, which he intended to be buried as in a letter that he wrote himself as to what he wanted done with his body after he died.
 Why do we use this Saint of all Saints for December and Associate this Saint for the Gift Giver in December? 
 That is easy to explain. He died on the 6th of December of 343. He was 73 years old. Now, there is a feast on this day in honor of him, many Orthodox Christians Celebrate Christmas on this day, much as us Americans Celebrate Christmas on the 25th of December.  So, if you think about it, our world actually honors a man that lived almost 2,000 years ago who was Christian and A Turk, and lived his life in gift giving and being honest good and kind and we carry on his traditions in wonderful Christmas time. 


 Whatever happened to his remains in this Modern day, Saint Nicolas had changed the world, and changed it for the better. I love the fact that Saint Nicolas is from here. Christians all over the world should know that OK, yeah Greece is cool, but Turkey is where the really cool Christianity starts. This is where it all happened once a long time ago. There are artifacts that really surpass anything anywhere in All Things Christian. Think about it, Saint Nicolas, The Apostle Paul, Virgin Mary's final resting place, Constantinople, Anitoch, the list goes on and on! 
 Below are some really cool pictures of this Saint Nicolas, our Santa Claus, a Turk

I took this. It is in Bodrum, at the Bodrum Castle:   Saint Nicolas! Interesting how this came about here! I wish I knew the story!

Another picture of me with St Nicolas! I want to go to Antalya! Long Rock wants to take me

Usually St Nicolas is painted with Jesus Christ over his right Shoulder. He was kind to Children, the Falsely Accused, He tried to buy Slaves Freedom, And Women Regarded him as Compassionate. He was also loved by the Sailors and he was kind to them. He liked sailing, It was told

I like this depiction of Saint Nicolas!

I have seen this painting on Cards, Have you?

And the final picture. Another depiction of Saint Nicolas

I think I will post some pictures, now of Utah and my Summer. 

  I haven't talked about Utah lately. But, I will say that everyone has to own their 'hood. I love Utah. 

There are somethings sometimes I dislike, but in the most part, I really like Utah. It is a great place to raise a family, and I love that you can experience all the four seasons. 

 I also miss Utah during Christmas time. 

 So, here are some pictures of Utah. 

Paris, Utah. This is an old chapel. I thought it was pretty

Logan, Utah Temple. sits on a Hill Logan is so pretty. Just Cold in the winter

Hiking in Ogden. We wanted to hike further, but the girls were not happy at all

I could have hiked all day with Cheryl. I have so much fun with her

Wild flowers bloomed a little later this Summer.

Cheryl's back yard

Childhood friends.

Friends since they were a year and a half!

close enough to be cousins!

cousins!!!

Reflection Fountain in front of the SLC Temple near Temple Square. over 6 million people visit Temple Square in a year!

Cousins talking! They were so fun!

Connor enjoying the water on Jordanelle

Connor enjoying more. It started raining JUST in time! (as we were leaving!)

Me

The Tabernacle and Church on Temple Square.

Assembly Hall where the Mormon Tabernacle used to sing.  Concerts are still held here

Train going to North Ogden then on to Eden, Utah where my childhood friend lives.

hehe, Connor looks like a Lemur here

This is near the border of Utah and Wyoming at Bear Lake... sigh. I love it up there

Enjoying the Flowers on Temple Square near the JSMB

Jim Bridger was really nice to the Mormons when many people were mean to them. He discovered the Great Salt Lake and helped the Mormons come into Salt Lake Valley. This Statue of him is in honor of him

What Salt Lake Downtown looks like on a Sunday. Empty. I love that!

This is right in front of the Utah Symphony. The Building is really pretty. Across the street from the Temple Square. Everything in Salt Lake City is centrally located.

This structure inside the Utah Symphony captured my attention.

Provo, Utah Fourth of July Parades are Huge!!! This was a really cool part of the Parade

I am a fan of Star Wars!

I love horses too

There is a Llama Festival every year in Utah! I love going to it!

My mom is so pretty! Her traditional Patriotic skirt she wears every 4th of July

So I love this picture because Kalyan, my nephew is cuddling with my head and saying I love you to me! I bought him and Ice Cream... He loves me because of that! his hands were very sticky, but he melted my heart

Me, my mom , my sister, my nieces, and my Beka!!!

My sister and me!

Beka running to me saying eew eew eew ... Pineview Reservoir

Pineview Reservoir

In Eden, visiting my childhood friend, Heather and her kids.

Sisters!!!

My mom and I went hiking.

We were going up Little Cottonwood Canyon.

I would say that this view is just as pretty as any of the Alps!

We hiked about 3-4 miles. It was pretty cold, but mom and I had fun!

360 surrounded by HUGE rocky Mountains. In the Wasatch Region! Really Heavenly

Mom and I

We wanted to get pictures of the flowers. My mom took tons of pictures of flower and I forgot to copy her pictures to the laptop. (tear!)

Here are some flowers 

My mom walking ahead. The path way is far prettier than in pictures. Winding around with so much foliage

Mom took this of me. I thought the rocks are so pretty

Mom and I went on a bike ride. My mom and I had so much fun that day. My mom is great. I miss her a lot. This was the top of the SLC Public Library.

This is an old building in SLC that happened to have a really cool statue on it.

We went into an Antique shop that sold really fine pieces. This place was just... WOW! And my mom and I loved looking in it

Cathedral of the Madeline 300 east and North Temple in Down Town SLC.

I hate this picture of me but I love the picture of my brother. We went to The Mayan with my mom and dad. We had a lot of fun. I love spending time with my family

The Mayan is awesome. It has all these really cool things inside. It is supposed to make you feel like you are in a Mayan place, but it has Mexican Food not really Mayan food. There are divers too.

And Random things like this display that looks like you are in Pier One Imports

While you are eating or waiting for your food you can see a live show.

These acrobats eventually jump in the water.

And the head hunter will let you take pictures of him with various family members

See? Cafe Rio Type food. Oooh I thought it was really good food.

They took old real paintings of Temples that are actually in Honduras and surrounding areas and replicated them in sone of the decorum here..

And then again, they designed their own to give you that Mayan feeling

Kendal and I being serious about trying to get a good shot of us in the Mayan.

I finally was able to snap this one. The color of the camera that it made was difficult to get a really good pic.

Kendal got this one of me. The conversation was more like Kendal, Lets get a picture of us being archeologists in the Mayan Jungles. OK, Dena, How? Get on that Type writer and I will use this camera. Mom will get our pictures. Mom was laughing too hard and couldn't get a picture of us just right and dad wanted to go. Finally we had to take one of me and one of him.

These were all over the restaurant

This was out side the restaurant. The restaurant looked like one big Mayan Pyramid

Side trip to Wyoming with Mom, dad, Golden and Connor!

Meeting Connor and Beka at the Airport... sigh.. I miss them

And mom and Connor at the parade.